An "Ask the Preacher" article as it has appeared in the Santa Rosa Press Gazette (Milton, Florida). The author is Pastor Carl Gallups of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton, Florida. Click HERE to go to the Main Index page of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church to read many more such articles. This article is copyrighted by Carl Gallups and may be reproduced provided that copyright notice is given.



PART I of a II PART SERIES ON - ANGELS Dear Pastor Gallups, " Exactly what does the Bible have to say about angels?" J.K. - Pensacola

Dear J.K. -I have addressed this topic in past articles but I would be glad to address it again. The Bible has MUCH to stay about angels! Any answer you need about this subject is found in God's Word. Also, you will find several very good books on angels in the Christian bookstores by competent, Biblically sound authors. These books can do a much more exhaustive study than I can here with my limited space, but J.K., let me give you the basics that the Bible makes very clear about angels.

Angels are created beings. They have not always been around, but they have been here since BEFORE the earth or man was created. The book of Job makes this clear. They exist and operate primarily in the "spiritual" (God's dimension) realm but can operate in our realm as well. The Bible declares that there are multitudes, perhaps millions or billions of angelic beings. Only three angels are known by an actual name in the Bible; Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer or Satan.

Yes, Satan is an angelic creation. Ezekiel declares that he was a "cherub", to be exact. Satan "fell", because of his sin of pride and arrogance and took a large number of the angelic beings with him in his rebellion. We now know this as the demonic world or realm.

It is also interesting to note that the Bible ALWAYS presents angels in the masculine form. Whenever they appear to humans, they always appear in the male form and almost always as a striking and imposing figure of strength and the glory of God. Isn't it interesting that almost EVERY time that the "world" presents an angel, they are presented in the female form or as a fat little baby! (From Greek mythology). In my opinion this is just another attempt on Satan's part to pervert the truth of God's word and creation.

S.K., please be sure to read next week's article and I will continue the discussion of angels. In the meantime, though, it is my prayer that your focus, attention, worship and adoration will be on Jesus Christ, the Creator and Lord of even the angels!

PART II of a II PART SERIES ON - ANGELS

Dear Pastor Gallups, " Exactly what does the Bible have to say about angels?" J.K. - Pensacola

Dear J.K. -As I began in last week's article, let me continue this week by saying that the Bible has MUCH to stay about angels! Any answer you need about this topic is found in God's Word. Also, you will find several very good books on angels in the Christian bookstores by competent, Biblically sound authors.

The Bible says in the book of Hebrews that the angels are sent as ministering spirits to God's children. They are also, fellow servants of the Most High God, along with human "children of God" (born again Christians.) The book of Revelation makes this clear. The Bible makes clear that angels are NOT to be prayed to or depended upon for strength and encouragement. Our strength comes from the Lord Jesus alone! They are not to be "called up" or "summoned". They certainly are not to be worshipped in ANY fashion whatsoever. They are not to be given any glory other than what the Word clearly gives them as a part of God's creation. I personally am opposed to "angel" jewelry or statues as a means of decoration. I think it is very close to idolatry.

There is so much more that the Bible has to say about the subject of angels. Since you did not ask a specific question about angels, I have tried, in this article and last week's article, to give you and the readers a general overview of the Biblical truths of angels. I would suggest getting a Bible and a good concordance and doing your own Biblical study of this topic. It should lead you to further AWE for the Lord Jesus and His awesome creation that includes the angels as well as mankind!

But remember, J.K., YOU are more special than all the angels put together! Jesus never died on a cross for ANY angel. He never shed his blood for a single angelic being. He did that for YOU! You are the crowning glory of God's creation! The angels know this! Serve Jesus with all your being and thank Him for ALL of His wonderful creation, of which the angels are just a small but special part