Dict: easton - Angel

easton:

Angel @ a word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a "messenger," and hence employed to denote any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes. It is used of an ordinary messenger kjv@Job:1:14: kjv@1Samuel:11:3; kjv@Luke:7:24 kjv@Luke:9:52), of prophets kjv@Isaiah:42:19; kjv@Haggai:1:13), of priests kjv@Malachi:2:7), and ministers of the New Testament kjv@Revelation:1:20). It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the pestilence ( kjv@2Samuel:24:16-17; kjv@2Kings:19:35), the wind kjv@Psalms:104:4). But its distinctive application is to certain heavenly intelligences whom God employs in carrying on his government of the world. The name does not denote their nature but their office as messengers. The appearances to Abraham at Mamre kjv@Genesis:18:2 kjv@Genesis:18:22. Comp. 19:1), to Jacob at Peniel kjv@Genesis:32:24 kjv@Genesis:32:30), to Joshua at Gilgal kjv@Joshua:5:13-15), of the Angel of the Lord, were doubtless manifestations of the Divine presence, "foreshadowings of the incarnation," revelations before the "fulness of the time" of the Son of God.

(1.) The existence and orders of angelic beings can only be discovered from the Scriptures. Although the Bible does not treat of this subject specially, yet there are numerous incidental details that furnish us with ample information. Their personal existence is plainly implied in such passages as kjv@Genesis:16:7 kjv@Genesis:16:10, 11; kjv@Judges:13:1-21; kjv@Matthew:28:2-5; kjv@Hebrews:1:4, etc. These superior beings are very numerous. "Thousand thousands," etc. kjv@Daniel:7:10; kjv@Matthew:26:53; kjv@Luke:2:13; kjv@Hebrews:12:22-23). They are also spoken of as of different ranks in dignity and power kjv@Zechariah:1:9-11; kjv@Daniel:10:13 kjv@Daniel:12:1; kjv@1Thessalonians:4:16; kjv@Jude:1:1:9; kjv@Ephesians:1:21; kjv@Colossians:1:16).

(2.) As to their nature, they are spirits kjv@Hebrews:1:14), like the soul of man, but not incorporeal. Such expressions as "like the angels" kjv@Luke:20:36), and the fact that whenever angels appeared to man it was always in a human form kjv@Genesis:18:2 kjv@Genesis:19:1 kjv@Genesis:19:10; kjv@Luke:24:4; kjv@Acts:1:10), and the titles that are applied to them ("sons of God," kjv@Job:1:6 kjv@Job:38:7; kjv@Daniel:3:25; comp. 28) and to men kjv@Luke:3:38), seem all to indicate some resemblance between them and the human race. Imperfection is ascribed to them as creatures kjv@Job:4:18; kjv@Matthew:24:36; kjv@1Peter:1:12). As finite creatures they may fall under temptation; and accordingly we read of "fallen angels." Of the cause and manner of their "fall" we are wholly ignorant. We know only that "they left their first estate" kjv@Matthew:25:41; kjv@Revelation:12:7-9), and that they are "reserved unto judgement" ( kjv@2Peter:2:4). When the manna is called "angels' food," this is merely to denote its excellence kjv@Psalms:78:25). Angels never die kjv@Luke:20:36). They are possessed of superhuman intelligence and power kjv@Mark:13:32; kjv@2Thessalonians:1:7; kjv@Psalms:103:20). They are called "holy" kjv@Luke:9:26), "elect" ( kjv@1Timothy:5:21). The redeemed in glory are "like unto the angels" kjv@Luke:20:36). They are not to be worshipped kjv@Colossians:2:18; kjv@Revelation:19:10).

(3.) Their functions are manifold. (a) In the widest sense they are agents of God's providence kjv@Exodus:12:23; kjv@Psalms:104:4; kjv@Hebrews:11:28; kjv@1Corinthians:10:10; kjv@2Samuel:24:16; kjv@1Chronicles:21:16; kjv@2Kings:19:35; kjv@Acts:12:23). (b) They are specially God's agents in carrying on his great work of redemption. There is no notice of angelic appearances to man till after the call of Abraham. From that time onward there are frequent references to their ministry on earth kjv@Genesis:18; 19; 24:7,40; 28:12; 32:1). They appear to rebuke idolatry kjv@Judges:2:1-4), to call Gideon kjv@Judges:6:11-12), and to consecrate Samson (13:3). In the days of the prophets, from Samuel downward, the angels appear only in their behalf (kjvKings:19:5; kjv@2Kings:6:17; kjv@Zechariah:1-6; Daniel:4:13 kjv@Daniel:4:23 kjv@Daniel:10:10 kjv@Daniel:10:13, 20, 21). The Incarnation introduces a new era in the ministrations of angels. They come with their Lord to earth to do him service while here. They predict his advent kjv@Matthew:1:20; kjv@Luke:1:26-38), minister to him after his temptation and agony kjv@Matthew:4:11; kjv@Luke:22:43), and declare his resurrection and ascension kjv@Matthew:28:2-8; kjv@John:20:12-13; kjv@Acts:1:10-11). They are now ministering spirits to the people of God kjv@Hebrews:1:14; kjv@Psalms:34:7 kjv@Psalms:91:11; kjv@Matthew:18:10; kjv@Acts:5:19 kjv@Acts:8:26 kjv@Acts:10:3 ; 12:7; 27:23). They rejoice over a penitent sinner kjv@Luke:15:10). They bear the souls of the redeemed to paradise kjv@Luke:16:22); and they will be the ministers of judgement hereafter on the great day kjv@Matthew:13:39-41, 49; 16:27; 24:31). The passages kjv@Psalms:34:7, kjv@Matthew:18:10) usually referred to in support of the idea that every individual has a particular guardian angel have no such meaning. They merely indicate that God employs the ministry of angels to deliver his people from affliction and danger, and that the angels do not think it below their dignity to minister even to children and to the least among Christ's disciples. The "angel of his presence" kjv@Isaiah:63:9. Comp. kjv@Exodus:23:20-21 kjv@Exodus:32:34 kjv@Exodus:33:2 ; kjv@Numbers:20:16) is probably rightly interpreted of the Messiah as the guide of his people. Others have supposed the expression to refer to Gabriel kjv@Luke:1:19).