adventure # 14: what does the Bible say about angels?

Hello dear friends and fellow adventurers

I know some of you love hearing about all my personal experiences while others of you 'bear with me' until I get to the Bible stuff. So, if you fall into that latter category, thank you for waiting so patiently for this adventure.

Monday

Watch the video. Here it is for your convenience. 

Tuesday

Get to know the basic Biblical evidence for the existence and nature of angels. Angels are seen from one end of the Bible to the other. In fact, the Bible contains 196 verses about angels (103 in the OT and 93 in the NT), and 34 books of the OT refer to angels, including our earliest books (e.g. Job, Genesis). Angels are servants of humans (Hebrews 1:14). The Hebrew word for angel is mal’ach, and the Greek term is angelos. Both words mean “messenger” (In fact, both are sometimes used for human messengers; cf. 1 Kings 19:2; Lk. 7:24; 9:52). Angels are also spoken of as “holy ones” (Ps. 89:5, 7), and they exist in “hosts” or “armies” (Ps. 89:6, 8; 1 Sam. 1:11; 17:45). They are also called “sons of God” (Job 1:6; 38:7; Genesis 6: 2) 

Wednesday

Discover what the Bible says angels look like. Angels can be mistaken as humans, because they sometimes manifest in a human-like appearance (Gen. 18:2, 16, 22; 19:1, 5, 10, 12, 15, 16; Judg. 13:6; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4). Hebrews tells us, “Some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb. 13:2).

While folk religion depicts humanlike angels as winged creatures, we never see this form of angel depicted in Scripture. In Daniel 9: 21 and Revelation 14: 6 we read of angels flying but not necessarily having wings.  The seraphim (Isaiah. 6:2) and cherubim (Exodus. 25:20) have wings. These are non-humanlike creatures, not necessarily angels. Angels can also appear in a glorious form. Regarding one of the angels at the tomb of Jesus, Matthew records, “His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men” (Mt. 28:3-4). Paul writes that Satan (a fallen angel) can appear to be breathtakingly beautiful (2 Cor. 11:14)

Thursday

Discover what the Bible says about angels revealing themselves to men. Angels walked and talked with Abraham and they even ate with him (Genesis 18). They employ genuine, physical bodies at times for revelatory purposes (Genesis 19: 1, 5; Exodus 3: 2; 1 Chronicles 16: 20). Interestingly, they usually appear as males although in places like Zechariah 5: 9, we do see evidence of angels appearing as, or being, female as well. Angels are often first thought to be humans and are then later recognised as being angels. Angels also often appear in dreams and visions (Matthew 1: 20; Isaiah 6: 1-8). Sometimes the appearance of an angel can evoke fear in people so they often preface their message by saying "fear not" (Luke 2: 8-14). 

Friday

Spend some time today thinking back over your life. Is there a time when you suspect an angel was involved in helping you in any way? If so, thank the angels and the Lord for this assistance. 

Saturday 

One thing we for sure have in common with the angels is - we love to worship God. Enjoy this time of worship with the angels. 

Sunday

You know what I'm going to say, don't you?

Lots of love and blessings. Until next time

Avante.