THE ORIGIN, NATURE AND SIN OF ANGELS

Bob Myhan

ngels have not always existed; “He commanded, and they were created” (Psalm 148:1-5). This was before He “laid the foundations of the earth” (Job 38:4-7). They were created “through Him and for Him,” that is, Jesus (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15,16). They were “sent forth to minister” (Hebrews 1:14).

ngels are a higher order of being than men (Hebrews 2:5-7) and “greater in power and might” (2 Peter 2:11). But they do not have the power to procreate (Matthew 22:30).

s “spirits,” angels do not have “flesh and bone” bodies (Hebrews 1:14; Luke 24:39). Thus, they are not subject to physical death (Luke 20:36).

hey have appeared as men (Genesis 19:1-16; Luke 24:1-4; John 20:11, 12; Hebrews 13:2), though they are generally invisible to unaided human vision (Numbers 22:21-31; 2 Kings 6:14-17). Figurative descriptions should not be taken literally. Their appearances have been rare, rather than frequent.

nasmuch as some of the angels sinned (2 Peter 2:4), they must be under some law (1 John 3:4; Romans 4:15). Inasmuch as they are accountable to God as “ministers” (Hebrews 1:14), their sin undoubtedly involved the refusal to serve.

he angels who sinned are probably the devil’s angels (Matthew 25:41). If so, they are also called “demons” and make up a large part of the kingdom of Satan (Matthew 12:22-29; Luke 11:14-22).

hese angels evidently followed Satan in rebellion (1 John 3:8; John 8:44; 1 Timothy 3:6). Their punishment was swift and severe; they were “cast…down to hell and delivered…into [everlasting] chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). [Note: “Hell” here is “tartarus,” “torment” and “the abyss” (Luke 16:23; 8:26-36; Romans 10:7; Revelation 20:3)]

 hus, sin did not originate with men but with angels. Everlasting fire was prepared for them (Matthew 25:42).

 WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN

Guest Writer: Bill Walton

he members of the Jewish Sanhedrin in Jerusalem were the ones who had Jesus crucified. They are the ones who issued the orders to have Him arrested, and they are the ones who tried Him and convicted Him. They are the ones who brought him before the Roman authorities and charged Him with treason. And they are the ones who demanded that He be crucified.

hen his body was taken down from the cross and buried they thought they were finally rid of Him. But just fifty-one days after Jesus’ crucifixion His disciples began proclaiming publicly that He was raised from the dead and was now ruling at the right hand of God. They cited Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament and showed how those prophe­cies were fulfilled in the events of Jesus’ life and in the events surrounding his death. Some of the people believed their preaching, and the number of believers was increasing almost daily.

he Sanhedrin moved quickly to put a stop to it. They arrested Peter and John and kept them in jail over night. The next day they brought them out and placed them in the center of their assembly and “commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18). And then they threatened them and let them go (Acts 4:21).

eter and John paid no attention to their orders and threats, and they went right on preach­ing Jesus.

“Then one came and told them, ‘Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!’ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying ‘did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us’” (Acts 5:25-28).

ut again, Peter and John, and the other apostles, were not intimidated by their threats. They replied, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:42).

he Sanhedrin said, “Do not speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18). But the Lord said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20). So they went right on preaching and teach­ing in the name of Jesus. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” That’s a principle true Christians live by. It’s a principle true Christians apply to every area of their lives.

e ought to obey civil authorities (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). Wives ought to obey their husbands (Ephesians 5:24). Children ought to obey their parents (Colossians 3:20). A church ought to obey the elders of the church (Hebrews 13:7, 17). And a servant ought to obey his master (1 Peter 2:18-20). But when civil authorities, hus­bands, parents, or church elders overstep their authority and try to require something of us that is contrary to God’s commands, then we ought to obey God rather than man. &

TWO VIEWS OF “SERVICE”

Guest Writer: Greg Gwin

here are two very different ways to view service in the kingdom of God. They reflect two totally opposite conceptions of what really constitutes “working” for the Lord.

he first view holds that a person’s effectiveness and growth potential is directly related to the number of things he does in the public assemblies. Those who think this way are disappointed if there are limited opportunities to lead singing, word prayers, make announcements, wait at the Lord’s table, etc. They will frequently voice concern that they are “not being used,” or “not growing” if they don’t have numerous chances each month to perform these functions. They seemingly like the “limelight,” and feel unproductive if they can’t be in front of the crowd. Such folks are typically unhappy in a larger congregation, because a larger group naturally limits the frequency of such “public” activities.

thers have a different outlook on these things. Yes, they are more than willing to do what they can in the worship services. Do you need a song leader, or someone to “fill in” when the preacher is gone? Need a teacher for the junior high or high school class? You need only ask – they are ready. But, these folks feel that such opportunities are only “icing on the cake.” They understand that real service is something that springs from a heart that is fully and deeply dedicated to God. If there is something of a “public” nature that needs done, they will gladly do it. But they are not sitting back waiting only for such opportunities – and moaning if they don’t come. Instead, they are making their own opportunities by teaching their own families, neighbors and coworkers. They see to the needs of the sick and downtrodden. They WORK! And they do it regardless of whether or not there is someone standing by to observe them.

t is this second view that is taught by our Lord (Matt. 23:11; Luke 22:26). Think! &