“Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!” Psalm 148:2 ESV
- Who are the Angels?
Also known as: sons of God (Job 38:7), Holy ones (Psalm 89:5), spirits (Hebrews 1:4), watchers (Daniel 4:13, 17, 23), thrones, powers, dominions, principalities, authorities, powers (Colossians 1:16, Ephesians 1:21)
- They are God’s heavenly family
Genesis 1:1, 2:1
- They are Worshippers
“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:11-12 NIV
- They are Warriors
“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:7-9 ESV (See also 2 Kings 6)
- They are Messengers
Luke 1:5-38
2. What do they do?
- They protect
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 ESV
- They direct
Matthew 2:13-15
- They minister
Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43
3. Why does it matter to us?
- Because of their example of faithful obedience
“The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.” Psalm 103:19-22 NIV
- Because we are and will be a family of worshippers together forever
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,” Hebrews 12:22-23 ESV
- Because of our future
“The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Revelation 3:21 ESV
“When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!” 1 Corinthians 6:1-3 ESV