Have You Ever Entertained An Angel?

Our Text:

Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: [for thereby some have entertained angels unawares].

There are many that do not believe in “Angels” but if you believe in God’s Holy Word, then you must also believe in “Angels”. The existence of “angels” is uniformly presented in the Bible, God’s Word. There are 34 books of the Bible that make reference to “angels”.

Christ Jesus created all things:

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

All angels were Holy when they were created:

Jud 1:6  And the angels [which kept not their first estate], but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Our Lord Jesus mentioned the “angels” and they were a part of His ministry on Earth.

1.) Christ was helped by the angels.

Mat 4:11  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

2,.) Christ referred to our resurrected state as being comparable to the angels.

Mat 22:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Mat 22:30  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

3.) Christ taught that it would be the angels that would regather the Nation of Israel at the time of His return.

Mat 25:31  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Compare:

Mat 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and [his angels]:

If we do not believe in “angels” we are calling Jesus Christ a liar!

Some people do not have a problem with that but I do!

I.) What “angels” are not.

1.) Angels Are Not Spirits Of The Dead!

There are many well-meaning people who think or just want to believe that when a souls dies and goes to Heaven that God just needs another angel. This is simply not the case.

The angels were created back in Genesis when God said they were. None has ever died and none will ever die.

Gen 1:1  In the beginning God created [the heaven] and the earth.

God describes how He created the Earth but He simply states that He created Heaven first. This includes the angels and even the mansions that we may one day live in and everything else in Heaven. This also when God created every soul that would ever live on this Earth. Every living human being would have one soul [and only one soul]. That soul would end up in Hell or in Heaven. That’s our choice just like the angels have one choice.

Psa 148:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
Psa 148:2  Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Psa 148:3  Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
Psa 148:4  Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
Psa 148:5  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
Psa 148:6  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

add:

Col 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16  [For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist].

Verse Col 1:16 states that they were created all at the same time.

II.) What “angels” are:

1.) I have already said they are created beings of God:

a.) They are innumerable:

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and [to an innumerable company of angels],

That means more than we have numbers to count by.

b.) There is only one angel called an “archangel” in the Bible but it seems that there really three mentioned:

Michael: (The only one specifically called an archangel)

Jud 1:9  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Don’t get confused Michael had no fear of the devil in this verse, he would just not sink down to his level.

Proof of it coming in the future:

Rev 12:7  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Gabriel:

Luk 1:19  And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

Luk 1:26  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

Lucifer:

Isa 14:12  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

We know that Lucifer after his fall has many names:

Beelzebub: Lord of the dung hill.
Daystar: You cannot see a daystar because of the brightness of the Sun(Son)
Belial: Worthless and Wicked
There are many more names for the Devil in the Bible.

2.) Angels are powerful beings:

You will not find an angel in the Bible referred to other than “Masculine” [Angels are not female but they are always in a male gender in their use in the Bible]. Angels are extremely powerful!

III.) Some demonstrations of their power:

1.) They blinded the Sodomites:

Gen 19:1  And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

Gen 19:9  And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
Gen 19:10  But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
Gen 19:11  [And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door].

a.) They destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah!

Gen 19:13  For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

2.) The fire and the rock:

Jdg 6:19  And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
Jdg 6:20  And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
Jdg 6:21  Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and [there rose up fire out of the rock], and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
Jdg 6:22  And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.

3.) The feeding of Elijah:

1Ki 19:2  Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by

4.) One angel destroyed the Assyrian army:

2Ki 19:35  And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. (185,000 soldiers)

5.) The angels preserved Daniel in the lion’s den:

Dan 6:16  Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
Dan 6:17  And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
Dan 6:18  Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
Dan 6:19  Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
Dan 6:20  And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
Dan 6:21  Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
Dan 6:22  My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

6.) The angels escorted the Lord Jesus Christ out of that borrowed tomb:

Mat 28:2  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
Mat 28:3  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Mat 28:4  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Mat 28:5  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Mat 28:6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

This angel did not move this stone so Jesus could get out of that tomb. He just moved that stone so everyone could see into that tomb and see that Jesus Christ was gone.

7.) The angels open the prison doors for the disciples:

Act 5:17  Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Act 5:18  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
Act 5:19  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Act 5:20  Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

8.) The angels freed Simon Peter from prison:

Act 12:5  Peter therefore was kept in prison: [but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him].
Act 12:6  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
Act 12:7  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
Act 12:8  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Act 12:9  And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
Act 12:10  When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
Act 12:11  And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Act 12:12  And when he had considered the thing, [he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying].
Act 12:13  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
Act 12:14  And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
Act 12:15  And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
Act 12:16  But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Act 12:17  But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Act 12:18  Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
Act 12:19  And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

Notice there was a Cottage Prayer meeting going on for the release of Peter.

9.) The angels brought Judgment on King Herod:

Act 12:20  And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
Act 12:21  And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Act 12:22  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Act 12:23  And [immediately the angel of the Lord smote him], because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Act 12:24  But the word of God grew and multiplied.

10.) It was angels that rescued the dead body of Moses:

Jud 1:9  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

11.) It will be the angels that will pour out the wrath of God onto this planet:

Rev 7:1  And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
Rev 7:2  And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

Rev 15:6  And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
Rev 15:7  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Rev 16:1  And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Rev 17:1  And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Rev 21:9  And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

12.) It is the angels that take care of God’s people:

Psa 91:11  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psa 91:12  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Psa 34:7  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Heb 1:13  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Job 1:9  Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Job 1:10  [Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?] thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

But we must still realize that “bad things still happen to good people”!

Ecc 9:1  For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
Ecc 9:3  This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
Ecc 9:4  For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Ecc 9:5  For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Ecc 9:6  Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Ecc 9:7  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
Ecc 9:8  Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
Ecc 9:9  Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
Ecc 9:10  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Ecc 9:11  I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Ecc 9:12  For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

IV.) Angels are spirit beings but they show:

1.) Intellect:

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; [which things the angels desire to look into].

2.) Emotion:

Luk 2:12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luk 2:13  [And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men].

3.) They have a will:

Jud 1:6  And the angels which kept not their first estate, [but left their own habitation], he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

4.) Although angels may reveal themselves to mankind in the form of human bodies, they are nonetheless spirits. They do not have corporeal bodies so they do not function as human beings. They do not marry nor can they produce offspring.

Heb 1:13  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14  [Are they not all ministering spirits], sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

5.) Angels cannot die!

Luk 20:36  [Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels]; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

6.) We may all find ourselves in the arms of angels as we travel to Heaven one day but angels are distinct from human beings!

Luk 16:22  [And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels] into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Psa 8:4  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psa 8:5  [For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels], and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

7.) There are some angels that have a chosen special purpose of God:

1Ti 5:21  I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, [and the elect angels], that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

8.) God’s angels watch over the lives of God’s people:

1Co 4:9  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for [we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels], and to men.

9.) Angels can and will inflict punishment if directed by the Lord to the saved but also to the “lost”:

Act 12:21  And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Act 12:22  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Act 12:23  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Act 12:24  But the word of God grew and multiplied.

King Herod was an evil tyrant that did not know Christ as his Savior.

The lost person may see an angel in a time of wrath of God but only the Christian may have an opportunity to actually entertain an angel. If that opportunity comes try not to miss it. It will be a test from the Living God.

Let’s Pray!