Yesterday, we began a Biblical study on angels and noted three fundamental truths: (1) Angels are messengers, (2) Angels are created beings, and (3) Angels are superior to men but not to God. Today, let us consider several more points pertaining to angels.

FOURTH, ANGELS HAVE FREE WILL, AND THOSE WHO SIN WILL BE PUNISHED.
Three New Testament passages clearly teach this truth: Jude 6 - "And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day." II Peter 2:4 - "For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment". Matthew 25:41 - "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels'".

FIFTH, ANGELS APPEAR TO BE RANKED IN SOME WAY.
Although speculation abounds among men in this area, I will only point out what seems to be clearly taught or implied by Scripture. There are "regular angels" and there are "archangels." Actually, there may only be one archangel. The word is found only twice in the Bible, and it is singular both times. Consider I Thessalonians 4:16 - "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel..." Also, Jude 9 says - "Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'" It appears that Daniel identifies this same Michael as "one of the chief princes" (Dan. 10:13) and also "the great prince" (12:1). In the uninspired apocryphal writings, the number of archangels given is seven, but the inspired record only reveals one to us. Contrary to popular opinion, Gabriel is never identified in the Scriptures as an archangel. Gabriel is mentioned by name twice in the book of Daniel (8:16; 9:21), and twice in the book of Luke (1:19,26). He announced the birth of John the baptizer to Zacharias and the birth of Jesus to Mary. Other spiritual beings mentioned in Scripture include seraphim and cherubim (e.g, Isa. 6; Ezek. 10). These beings may be types of angels.

SIXTH, THE ACTIVITIES OF ANGELS HAVE INCLUDED...

• Informing Abraham and Sarah of the birth of Isaac (Gen. 18:1ff).
• Destroying Sodom and Gomorrah as well as delivering Lot and his family (Gen. 19:1ff).
• Being seen in Jacob's dream (Gen. 28:10-17).
• Giving the law to Moses on Sinai (Acts 7:53, Gal. 3:19).
• Leading Israel to the Promised Land (Exo. 23:23).
• Trying to prevent Balaam from doing evil (Num. 22:22-35).
• Delivering Jerusalem from Assyria's siege (II Kings 19:35).
• Delivering Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:13-28).
• Shutting the lions' mouths and saving Daniel (Dan. 6:16-22).
• Ministering to Jesus (Matt. 4:11).
• Rejoicing over the repentance of sinners (Luke 15:10).
• Freeing apostles from prison (Acts 5:19; 12:7ff).
• Communicating with Cornelius (Acts 10:1ff).
• Striking down Herod (Acts 12:23).

Clearly, angels have been busy working throughout the centuries!

SEVENTH, ANGELS ARE STILL ACTIVELY WORKING TODAY.
There is no Scripture that implies that the work of angels has been completed or is no longer needed. It is reasonable to suggest that angels are still heavily involved today in the providential activity of God, though getting more specific than this is difficult. Hebrews 1:14 declares that angels are "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation." Angels are servants of God who minister for man according to God's will. As we observed recently, the text does not say that angels do anything to man, but they do things for him in harmony with the providential will of deity.

Friends, angels have played critical roles in the history of mankind as divine messengers and continue to be involved as ministering spirits. Although there is much about them that we do not know or understand, let us believe and appreciate what we do know!