ANGELS….PART 2
Gabriel is one of the most prominent angels mentioned in Scripture. He is primarily God’s messenger of mercy and promise. He appears four times in Scripture always bearing good news. The first mention of Gabriel is found in the Book of Daniel. He came to explain the vision Daniel had seen. (Daniel 8:16) KJV He came as a response to Daniel’s prayer. (Daniel 9:21) (KJV) He appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce the impending birth of Jesus. (Luke 1:19, 26) KJV
The word archangel occurs in only two verses of the Bible. (1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Jude 1:9) The prefix “arch” suggests a chief principal or great angel. Michael is called an archangel and is recognized to be in rank above all angels. He is a special guardian angel for the nation of Israel. He is God’s messenger of law and judgment. We find him leading the armies against the great dragon (Satan) and all his angels in (Revelation 12:7-12) NIV
Angels do not marry or experience death. Jesus said, “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” (Matthew 22:30) NIV “And they (men) can no longer die; for they are like the angels. (Luke 20:36) NIV. As spiritual beings, angels know nothing of what it is like to get sick, grow old and eventually die. Someday we, too, will be beyond the reach of these afflictions.
Angels in Scripture appear in white or bright light. The women found the tomb of Jesus empty. “While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleaned like lightning stood beside them and informed them that Jesus had risen.” (Luke 24:4-6) NIV Seven angels were clothed in pure and white linen. (Revelation 15:6) KJV
Angels carry out God’s orders at supernatural speed and with supernatural power. One angel smote 185,000 soldiers in one night. “That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next--morning there were all the dead bodies.” (2 Kings 19:35) NIV
Angels execute God’s judgments. King Herod Agrippa dressed in his royal apparel and appeared before the people to make a speech. When he finished speaking the people shouted, “It is the voice of a god and not of a man.” Herod delighted in the impact he had made in his speech. God’s response to this idolatrous act was prompt and for Herod, disastrous. “Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down and he was eaten by worms and died. (Acts 12:22-23) NIV
