PART 8 INVISIBLE FORCES

8

What Are the Physical Characteristics, Supernatural Abilities and Purposes of Angels?

Before we learn about the physical characteristics, supernatural abilities, and purposes of angels, I’d like to ask you this question.

 

Have you ever had an encounter with an angel?

As for me, I might have, but I can’t say for sure.

Let’s begin by introducing a story about someone who thought he was visited by two men but came to find out they were angels who had a very important mission from God to complete. This is one of the best stories in which the physical characteristics, supernatural abilities, and divine purposes of godly angels are clearly delineated. Even though the plans of the evil forces of Satan and the godly forces of Michael are different, we can deduce that their physical characteristics and supernatural abilities are similar. Please turn your Bible to the book of Genesis.

     

Suggested Reading: Genesis 19:1-29

1, 3 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; And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

Two angels came to the gate of the city Sodom. Lot offered them food and shelter at his house for the night.

4-5 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

All of a sudden, Lot heard the voices of people from the outside of his house. These sounds were from the inhabitants of the city, both young and old, that surrounded his dwelling, demanding that he send these two men to them so that they may know them (rape them, thus engaging in homosexual relations).

8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

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.

Lot decides to step outside of his dwelling and tries to appease them. What he has in mind is a plan to exchange what the people required with the offerings of his two daughters in their place. However, the mob wasn’t satisfied with his response. They, in anger, attempted to inflict harm on him, but he was brought back into the house by the two men (the two angels).

But the crowd didn’t stop there. They decided to try to break down the door of the house in order to forcibly bring the two men out. What these two angels did next, I’m sure, was a sign to both Lot and the people that they weren’t ordinary humans. The angels smote the ungodly men with blindness (confused or bewildered vision; temporary loss of sight) so that they couldn’t find the door.

12-13 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 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.

24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;

And then, they informed Lot as to their purpose. They were sent by God to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness. By the way, in Hebrew, the word angels means messengers.

Furthermore, Lot was instructed to gather together any relatives and friends because, in the morning, they were going to have to leave the premises as these cities would soon be destroyed by the Lord. On the following morning, the angels led Lot and his family outside of the city, encouraging them to find refuge in the mountains. Lot requested that they allow them to go to a little city called Zoar instead, to which they gave the okay, after which fire and brimstone reigned down and destroyed both cities and all the people that remained therein.

What we’ve learned about these godly angels regarding their physical characteristics, supernatural abilities, and divine purpose is quite significant. At the close of this chapter, we’ll summarize what was found.

What we’ll do next is take a look at another godly angel whose mission on earth was quite different from the ones we just looked at. Please open your Bible to the book of Judges.

 

Suggested Reading: Judges 13:1-25

Israel was under oppression by the Philistines for forty years due to worshipping their pagan gods. In this instance, an angel of the Lord appeared before the barren wife of a man named Manoah, letting her know that she’d conceive and bear a son named Sampson, who’d be a Nazarite from the day of his birth to his death and be used by God to deliver Israel.

16b …For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the Lord.

Her husband, upon hearing this from his wife, requested of God that the man be sent again to restate certain conditions of bringing up this child, for he didn’t know that he was an angel. After the angel reappeared and reminded both of them what their responsibilities were, Manoah offered a burnt sacrifice to the Lord.

20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

And when the flame of the fire rose high, the angel ascended in the flame to their astonishment.

Where I’d like us to go next is the book of 1 Chronicles. This is an example of a godly angel who’s instructed by God to inflict a different type of punishment upon a different group of people by means of something unexpected.

 

Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 21:1-30

David is now the reigning king of Israel.

1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

A chief adversary of his, the Devil, apparently influenced him by suggesting sinful acts and thoughts from within²⁶ to take a census (number of the people) to determine how many eligible men there were to serve in the military aside from the current army of about 300,000 men. This was considered an affront to God because a census could only be taken by any person of those who belonged to Him. And Israel did not belong to David but God (Exodus 30:12).

11-12 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee Either three years’ famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.

After the completion of the poll, God sent the prophet Gad to reveal to him that he could choose one of three calamities to fall upon the people because of this transgression: a famine for three years, three months of enemy pursuit, or three days of pestilence. David chose the third option, resulting in the death of 70,000 people throughout the land. As the plague was about to enter Jerusalem, he repented.

27 And the Lord commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.

Subsequently, the Lord instructed the avenging angel to stop. His response was to take his sword and put it back in its sheath.

Next, we’ll take a look at a reference to angels that are described as evil. Does this mean that they’re of the devil? Let’s turn to the book of Psalms and find out.

 

Suggested Reading: Psalms 78:40-52

49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

This is a Psalm of Asaph, a Levite and one of the leaders of King David’s choir, who’s instructing the Jewish people following the reign of Solomon, the third king of Israel. He reminded them of some of the miraculous things that God had done for their forefathers, along with examples of some of the recipients of such that continued in unbelief and rebellion. He encourages them to the importance of keeping God’s blessings in remembrance not only for themselves but also for their children. And along with this that, they’d see to it to keep the commandments of the Mosaic Law so that God’s favors would continue to be poured out upon them.

In this section of the psalm, Asaph was reminding them of their captivity in Egypt and God inflicting various plagues upon their captors that would ultimately result in Pharaoh allowing them to depart. A description of some of these plagues was given, along with an interesting declaration that God also sent evil angels in their midst, who brought upon them the fierceness of His anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble.

Some commentators contend that these angels weren’t sent to bring upon the Egyptians the first eleven plagues but regarding the final one, i.e., the death of all the firstborn sons of Egypt.

Exodus 12:23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

I’d contend that this wasn’t the case because we’re told in the book of Exodus that only one angel, the destroyer, was used in this manner.

Exodus 8:5-6 And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.

Scripture indicates that for some of the plagues Moses would convey to Aaron to stretch forth a rod over this or that. While that’s true, could it also be that the actual implementation of each curse was carried out by evil angels?

This begs the question. Was the destroying angel good, i.e., of carrying out God’s final scourge, and the other angels, the ones described as evil angels, bad, i.e., of instituting the plans of the evil one? I’d contend the angels described as evil carried out God’s plan by bringing upon the Egyptians distress that would ultimately convince their leader, Pharoah, to allow the Israelites to be released from their imprisonment. Therefore, I’d say that they were God-fearing. So, another thing we could say about godly angels is the following.

Up to this point, we’ve learned a lot about godly angels. Is there any scriptural section that talks about the physical characteristics, supernatural abilities, and purposes of evil angels? There is. Please turn to the book of Job.

 

Suggested Reading: Job 1:1-22

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

There was a man from the land of Uz, whose name was Job, who was described as being perfect (a man of integrity) and upright (honest in his dealings; a man on whose word people rest), and one that feared (worshipped) God, and eschewed (refused to follow the way of) evil. His prosperity of wealth concerning the agricultural economy at the time indicated that his substance (purchased property) was greater than anyone who lived to the east of Palestine. He was also prosperous in terms of his many children, having seven sons and three daughters.

6-7 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Unbeknownst to Lot, a group of fallen angels, who accompanied their leader, Satan, are now before the Lord, informing Him of one of their purposes on the earth, which was to go here and there looking for someone righteous whom they could hinder in their walk with Him. I’m sure that on various occasions, they reported to God and reminded Him how most of his created beings were not subservient to Him, and if any were, they did it only because of His blessings, which He bestowed on them.

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

By the way, the words sons of God could refer to one of two groups of beings, either the descendants of Seth, Adam’s second son (Genesis 6:2, 4), or angels (Job 38:7). In this context, these words refer to angels, i.e., those who follow the Devil.

The Lord responded to them in effect, saying, Job follows me not because of his material or family blessings. They refuted this claim and basically said to prove it. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face (Job 1:5). In other words, allow us to do to him whatever we desire, and he’ll decide to no longer follow you. So, God granted their request except for one thing: that they wouldn’t be allowed to take his life.

What occurred next was an alarming display of the power of the forces of evil. I’m sure for many, the idea of an actual devil, let alone an army of supernatural beings that follow him, is a myth. If anyone were to say this or that occurred because of the Devil, they’d be considered as being mentally ill.

Job 1:14-15 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

A messenger came to Job and reported to him saying that a group of people called the Sabeans all of a sudden showed up and slain (killed) the servants of his who were guarding the oxen (oxen and cows) and asses (female donkeys), taking them away with them. I’m sure this might have been something that wasn’t considered out of the ordinary. Some people do bad things. When Job heard it, I’m sure he didn’t think that this misfortune had anything to do with the forces of evil.

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

As soon as the messenger had finished speaking, another one arrived and told him of another calamity. He said that a fire (firebolt) had fallen (come down) from heaven and burned up the sheep and those watching over them. I wonder what was going on through Job’s mind when he got this news. A firebolt, are you kidding me? That’s probably what most of us would have been thinking.

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

If we can believe these accounts, could we accept that another messenger arrived just as the other one had finished speaking and said that the Chaldeans came in three bands (groups), killing those servants who looked after a large number of camels and took off with them? At this point, all of his agricultural wealth was gone. Could he have been thinking I’ve lost all of my possessions, but at least I have my family?

18-19 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

And, if we can imagine, there was one more pronouncement forthcoming. Another messenger came forth and said out of nowhere came a great wind (a whirling wind) from the wilderness (a region or country BEYOND, or on the OTHER SIDE²⁷ and the house where his sons and daughters were gathered together collapsed, and all of them perished.

I can’t imagine what Job was going through. It’s one thing to lose your possessions, but it’s quite another thing to lose your children.

 

What was Job’s response? What would have been my response?

I would have probably said something like, God, how could you let this happen to me? I have served you faithfully day to day. We’re best friends. We have the same goal in mind: to let others know about you with the hope they respond to your invitation of salvation. Do you think this was the mindset of Job after hearing all of this bad news?

20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job arose and ripped his mantle (outer garment) and shaved his head; the actions of both were signs of mourning. After which, he fell down (lying or [kneeling] and touching the forehead on the ground²⁸) and worshipped God. His worship consisted of expressing to God his thoughts or perspective on what had happened. He said that as he came into this world out of his mother’s womb without earthly possessions, so he would return. He thanked God for the privilege of allowing him to have a family and found consolation in the belief that an intelligent and holy Sovereign presided over his affairs.²⁹ He understood that prosperity and adversity happen to every person. In this instance, adversity was at his door, intense, heartbreaking adversity. He blessed (gave praise and honor) to Jehovah. In all this, he didn’t sin because he didn’t charge (murmur) against God foolishly (with wrong or blame).

While there’s more to this story, what I wanted you to notice was that evil angels also have tremendous power. When we look at what’s going on in the world, could some of it be attributed to the forces of evil? Is there anything else we could say about angels that hasn’t been said? Yes, there is. Please turn to the book of Acts.

 

Suggested Reading: Acts 12:20-23

This story is about a man, Herod the King, who was put in charge of the territories of Iturea, Trachonitis, Abilene, with Gaulonitis, Batanaea, and Penias during the reign of Emperor Caligula. He was responsible for the apprehension and death of the Apostle James, along with the imprisonment of the Apostle Peter.

In this context, the cities of Tyre and Sidon sent a delegation to dissuade him not to consider holding back the provisions they needed for their inhabitants. On a set day, Herod, dressed in royal apparel and sitting upon his throne, made an oration (address) to them.

22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

Upon the conclusion of his speech, those in attendance kept on shouting that it was the voice of a god, i.e., he spoke like a god.

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.

And immediately, an angel smote him (causing him to become sick) because he was willing to receive the glory for himself and not God. He was afflicted with intestinal worms, which ate his flesh. Some commentators indicate that this lasted for about five days.

Here was a man of high importance to the Roman empire. One who wielded immense authority, using it to persecute the early church. He thought very highly (prideful) of himself. He seemingly attributed his political standing to family connections and hard work, without any deference that maybe there is a God who created all things and ultimately that his longevity and status were allowed by Him. As we can determine, an angel was responsible for his physical condition.

We’ve found out a lot about angels. Don’t you agree? We have a couple of more sections of Scripture to analyze that should provide us with a fuller picture. Please proceed to the book of Hebrews.

 

Hebrews 1:13-14

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

Angels are described as being ministering spirits, i.e., those who render aid or assistance. For whom? For those who’ll receive salvation (respond to the gospel message).

Only God knows who’ll respond to the good news of Christ. Angels are sent to them, on their behalf, in some capacity to execute God’s commands regarding salvation. How this is done, I can’t say. Are they only sent to those whom God knows will respond to His invitation? This is a function of angels that’s surprised me.

    

Have what we’ve uncovered about angels’ physical features, supernatural abilities, and purposes surprised you?

     Based on their outward appearance, would you say the Devil, a cherub, is an angel or angelic creature? If the answer was just based on outward form, I’d say no. However, there’s a passage of Scripture from the book of 2 Corinthians that might convince us otherwise.

 

2 Corinthians 11:7

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

There are two ways to interpret what the words transformed into an angel of light mean. The first is a cherub, a high-ranking angel with different physical features who tries to act like a pure and holy angel who persuades others to do things under the name of religion. Second, he changes his outward form to look like an angel. Some might support the latter view as they would evidence of the Devil appearing as a serpent in Genesis 3:1.

I’ve saved the best for last. The final section of Scriptures from the book of Zechariah will provide us with some shocking revelations about angels.

 

Suggested Reading: Zechariah 5:6-11

This is our final scriptural section on what angels look like, and, as you’ll see, quite an alarming one. We’re discussing the seventh vision unveiled to the prophet Zechariah that has to do with the future of Israel and its inhabitants following their return from the Babylonian captivity to Judea.

6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.

An ephah (a barrel used for household measure) is portrayed as a sealed container that will conceal inside it the former iniquities (idolatry, covetousness, and fraud) of the Jewish people that resulted in their captivity, which they’ll never return to.

9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.

This circular vessel will be carried into the atmosphere by two women who have wings like the wings of a stork and be brought to the land of Shinar �" Babylonia, which will be the location of ancient and future idolatry and rebellion against God.

What we’ve learned changes much of what we thought we knew about the appearance of angels. Now, let’s take a look at all that we’ve discovered about them.

 

Angels:

�-�Look like ordinary people, appearing in human form as males. Genesis 19:1

�-�Can eat regular food. Genesis 19:3

�-�Are able to impede adversarial human beings with supernatural abilities. Genesis 19:11

�-�Conveyed to Lot why they were there, i.e., what their divine mission was, which was to destroy the cities of the plain because the cry (sin) of them is waxen great (abundant and heinous).³⁰ Genesis 19:13

�-�Were able to destroy the cities of the plain with supernatural direction and endowment of special qualities from the Lord. Genesis 19:24

�-�Can provide a prophetic word indicating a miraculous occurrence, in this instance, concerning conception and the corresponding birth of a child who’d become a future judge of Israel. Judges 13:6-7

�-�Are entrusted with supernatural weapons to inflict divine judgment as allowed by God. 1 Chronicles 21:27

�-�Are given supernatural power by God to inflict intense suffering on people by natural means to bring about not only a divinely desired outcome, i.e., in this instance, to free His people from their captivity, but also to bring before their captives, the Egyptians, who didn’t know Him personally His miraculous doings so that they might believe that He’s the one and only true God. Exodus 12:30-31

�-�Can influence people to murder others and take their possessions. Job 1:15, 17

�-�Use the forces of nature to bring about death upon people and animals. Job 1:16, 19

�-�Can destroy the testimony of those who are God-fearing by taking away their livelihood and family members. Job 1:7-11

�-�Can be sent by God to cause someone prominent in society that promotes hatred of Him and His people to become deathly ill. Acts 12:23

�-�Are used by God to assist unbelievers according to His directives who shall eventually reply to the gospel message. Hebrews 1:13-14

�-�Can appear in human form as women. Zechariah 5:9

�-�Can fly. Zechariah 5:9

�-�Have two wings like a stork. Zechariah 5:9

�-�They look like ordinary people, appearing in human form as males. Genesis 19:1

�-�They can eat regular food. Genesis 19:3

�-�They’re able to impede adversarial human beings with supernatural abilities. Genesis 19:11

�-�They conveyed to Lot why they were there, i.e., what their divine mission was, which was to destroy the cities of the plain because the cry (sin) of them is waxen great (abundant and heinous.³⁰ Genesis 19:13

�-�They were able to destroy the cities of the plain with supernatural direction and endowment of special qualities from the Lord. Genesis 19:24

�-�They can provide a prophetic word indicating a miraculous occurrence, in this instance, concerning conception and the corresponding birth of a child who’d become a future judge of Israel. Judges 13:6-7

�-�They’re entrusted with Supernatural weapons to inflict divine judgment as allowed by God. 1 Chronicles 21:27

�-�They’re given supernatural power by God to inflict intense suffering on people by natural means to bring about not only a divinely desired outcome, i.e., in this instance, to free His people from their captivity, but also to bring before their captives, the Egyptians, who didn’t know Him personally His miraculous doings so that they might believe that He’s the one and only true God. Exodus 12:30-31

�-�They can influence people to murder others and take their possessions. Job 1:15, 17

�-�They use the forces of nature to bring about death upon people and animals. Job 1:16, 19

�-�They destroy the testimony of those who are God-fearing by taking away their livelihood and family members. Job 1:7-11

�-�God can send them to cause someone prominent in society that promotes hatred of Him and His people to become deathly ill. Acts 12:23

�-�They’re used by God to assist unbelievers according to His directives who shall eventually reply to the gospel message. Hebrews 1:13-14

�-�Angels can be in human form as women. Zechariah 5:9

�-�They can fly. Zechariah 5:9

�-�They have two wings like a stork. Zechariah 5:9

 

I’ll ask this question again. Is the Devil an angel? I’d have to say the answer is inconclusive.

Where do we go from here? Now that we know a lot more about the supernatural creatures called seraphim, cherubim, and angels, what we’ll learn about next are the evil strategies that the Devil espouses to prevent unbelievers from responding to the gospel.