If Men were Angels, James Madison ( 1809-17). wrote, no Government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external or internal controls would be needed on government.Our text is quoted from Psalms 8:4-5. What is man, that thou are mindful of him? And the son of man, that you visit him? Thou made him lower than the angels, to crown with glory and worship. As we look at the text from Hebrews; "Long ago God spoke in many different ways to our fathers through the prophets [ in visions, dreams, and even face to face], telling them little by little about his plans, but now in these days he has spoken to us through his Son to whom he has given everything., and through whom he made the world and everything there is. Thus he has become far greater than the angels, as proved by the fact that his name "Son of God" which was passed from the father to the son, a fact which is far greater than the names and titles of the angels. For God never said to any angel, " you are my son, and today I have given you that honor that goes with that name. The author of Hebrews picks the universe as a hierarchy, with God on top, and then the angels, humans, animals, and on down the creative order to inanimate things. This philosophically has been referred to as the great "Chain of Being." The letter of the Hebrews understands that in the incarnation Jesus Christ moved from a higher to a lower place- thus the discussion about the placement of angels. In times past God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, including Abraham, Moses and all through whom God spoke. For God's revelation of His saving purpose is achieved through his son now in our last days. (Final stage). Jesus role as a redeemer, and a mediator being made the (heir) of all things through his death and exaltation to glory, yet he existed before He appeared as a man. The
Messianic Enthronement: for to which did God ever say, this is my son, this day I have begotten you?
Or again " I will be a Father to him, and He shall be a son to me?"
And again when He leads the first born. " Let the angels of God worship him."
Of the angels He says: " he makes his angels winds and ministers a fiery flame.
It seems as though angels have captured the imagination of people everywhere.
Unfortunately there's a lot of misinformation about angels, along with superstitions and unscriptural understandings, so we will look at the biblical perspective on angels.
DO ANGELS EXIST.
The word of God-not popular T.V. shows or magazine articles- is our only reliable source for knowing what angels are, and what they do. The Bibles teach that angels were made by God
during the six-days of creation. Before creation their was only God. (John 1:1-3). and after creation, we are told that on the seventh-day God "rested" from all the work of creating He had done. (Gen.2:3). The Bible does not say on what day of creation God made angels. but angels are very real.
"WHAT DOES THE WORD "ANGEL MEAN?''
The word "angel"comes from the Greek word that means "messenger"Angels." are God's messengers.
Elsewhere in the Bible angels are described as spirits, ( Acts. 23:9). (Heb.1:14). The word "angel"
is a description what they do.
"'What are Angels?
As we have said, Angels are spirits. They are beings who do not have a physical body. Jesus himself said, " a spirit does not have flesh and blood," as you see I have. (Luke 24:39). Evil angels too are described as not having "flesh and blood." (Eph. 6:12). In the scriptures, when angels do appear in human form, this is only a momentary appearance for those who need them. Angels are not God's. They are God's creation to serve His Holy and perfect will. The good angels are said to be ministering " spirits" sent by God to serve us. ( Hebrews 1:14).
ARE ANGELS HUMAN?
Human beings are the crown of God's creation. Only human beings, and no other creature, did God say, " Let us make man in our own image"(Gen. 1:26). Angels are not human beings, and do not become angels when they die. (When our children are born, we often call them our little angels, and
'ha ha).
HUMAN BEINGS WHEN THEY DIE DO NOT BECOME ANGELS.?
The scriptures are clear on this point. Until the last day, the souls of the dead are before the Lord, enjoying peace and rest in his presence, awaiting the final day when they receive glorified bodies for all eternity. ( see 1 cor.15; 1 Thess. 5:17; Rev 7). That's why its so important, that when you stand before Christ, and the book of life is open, and you hear these words: " Come and rest good and faith-full servant; the words you don't want to hear is:" I never knew you;" for their's nothing you can do to
regain your soul: for your dead!
The Bible describes angel as having both intelligence and a will. the "Good Angels know and follow the wisdom of God, which He has revealed through Christ to his church. (Eph. 3:10). They gladly serve us, who are heirs of the salvation Christ has won for us. (Heb.1:14). however, angels do not know all things. for instance, they do not know the thoughts of our hearts (1 Kings 8:39).
Angels are extremely powerful beings. They are described as "mighty ones" (Psalm 103;20; 2nd Thess.). 1:7. the good angels guard and protect God's children (Ps. 91:11:13). the power of angels is unlimited, but is always subject to the will and authority of God. Evil angels are powerful beings. The Bible tells us that they hold captive all unbelievers (Luke 11: 21-22; (Eph.2:2). Believers in Christ are able to withstand the temptation of evil angels through the power of God (Eph. 6:10-17).
Angels like God, do not inhabit the same physical dimension. Thus, while there are times when angels will make a distinct place (Acts 12:7), they remain beings that inhabit no physical space.
The Bible doesn't give exact number, but does clearly teach that there are incredibly large numbers of angels to serve God. Scripture speaks of "ten thousand times ten thousand times (Daniel 7:10). Elsewhere speaks of "a great company of the heavenly host." (Luke 2:13).
Every indication in the Bible, there are an unimaginably large number of angels, never increasing or decreasing. unlike human beings, angels do not marry and have children (Mark 12:25). They are immortal. Within the large number of angels there are certain orders or classes of angels. Scripture speaks of Cherubim ( Gen.3:24; Ps. 80:1), "seraphim" (Is. 6:2), thrones or powers or rulers,or authorities" ( Col 1:16) "archangel" (1 Thess. 4:16). (Mtt.25:41).
We know Satan is the prince of the evil devils, who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
The son of man will come, no longer in poverty and lowliness, as in the days of his earthly ministry, but, in the full glory of His God head, which he will exercise according to His human nature, accompanied by His angels, he will come to judgment, and he will give, give back, return to every one according, as every person has given proof of the faith in his heart, by the work of his hands, which no one can escape (Matt 25: 31-46). Christ makes no distinction between events near at hand and those afar off; for the eternal God who inspires prophecy has no time. The Roman Emperor Charlemagne knew that the pole of power was greasy! An interesting story surrounds this burial of the famous king. "Side note".
Legend has it that he asked to be entombed sitting upright in his throne. He asked that his crown be place on his head and his scepter in his hand.
He requested a royal cape be draped around his shoulders and an open book be placed in his lap. That was A.D. 814. Nearly 200 years later, Emperor Othello determined to see if the burial request had been carried out. He allegedly sent a team of men to open the tomb and make a report. They found the the body just as Charlemagne had requested. Only now, nearly two centuries later, the scene was gruesome ... open on the skeleton thighs was a book Charlemagne had requested- the Bible. One bony finger pointed to Matthew 16:26: "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul". You can answer that one.
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