Angels (Part 4)

About Angels (PT 1) 

The word "angel" comes from the Greek angelos or "messenger." Since it means "messenger," it has a broad variety of uses. So does its Hebrew equivalent, malak. Both words really should be translated "messenger" everywhere. You could then determine what sort of messenger by the context -- is this a spirit with a message from God, or a mere man bringing a message from one man to another?

30. Was John the Baptist an "angel" or merely a messenger? (Matthew 11:10)

Note: The word "messenger" in this passage is the Greek angelos.

31. Could Satan have an angel or "messenger"? (II Corinthians 12:7 and 11: 14)

32. Is a human priest a messenger or an "angel"? (Malachi 2:7)

Note: The word "malak," commonly translated "angel" merely means "messenger" and is correctly translated that way repeatedly. (See I Kings 19:2 and II Kings 9:18). In spite of all this, the word "angel" may be useful, because it has come to mean a specific kind of messengers, spirit being, sent by God to carry a message, or otherwise do His bidding -- a divine messenger.

33. Are there different levels or kinds of divine messengers? (I Thessalonians 4:16, Jude 1:9)

Note: "Archangel" simply means "chief messenger."

34. Are angels worthy of worship? (Revelation 22:6-9)

ABOUT ANGELS (PT 2)

Read Judges 6:11-23 

Note: This is one of many Old Testament passages where we meet one called the "Angel of the LORD." This is better rendered "Messenger of Jehovah," because we will soon see that this is no "angel" in the traditional sense of the word. Verse thirteen illustrates the difference between "lord" and "LORD." The rendering should be: "Oh my lord, if Jehovah be with us..."

35. Is this conversation between Gideon and an angel, or between Gideon and Jehovah? (See vv. 14, 16)

36. Did Gideon know whom he was talking to from the first?

37. Why was Gideon afraid for having seen the face of the messenger of Jehovah? (Deuteronomy 4:33, Exodus 33:20)

Read Joshua 5:13-15 

38. Who was it that Joshua saw here? Could it have been the God whom no man can see?

39. Did the "man" allow Joshua to worship him?

40. What is the significance of having Joshua remove his shoes?

Read Exodus 3:1-6 

41. Who appeared to Moses in the burning bush?

42. Who saw Moses turn aside to look at the bush? (Read carefully.)

43. Who called to Moses from the bush?

44. Why did Moses have to remove his shoes?

45. Does it seem likely that Joshua and Moses both encountered the same being?

46. Was this being an "angel" in the traditional sense, or a "messenger" speaking and acting as "God"?

Read Matthew 4:8-11 

47. Did the Devil seek worship of himself?

48. What was Jesus' response?