The creation of the visible universe is recorded in Scripture, but not the creation of angels. However, it is evident that they were created before the world as a separate body of beings, for they are present at creation and show their interest in the work of God. At that time Scripture says that “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:77When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7)). Satan and his hosts were originally among these angels, but at some point before the creation of man they rebelled against God and fell. At a later date, prior to the flood of Noah, other angels “kept not their first estate” and became involved with the daughters of men in a sinful way. Scripture tells us that they are now confined in “chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment” (2 Peter 2:4). Those who did not sin are referred to as “elect angels” (1 Tim. 5:21) and are God’s messengers and administrative power in the world. In relation to man, they are “greater in power and might.” They went as God’s emissaries to Sodom, to investigate the iniquity there; an angel smote 185,000 men in the Assyrian army, in the time of Hezekiah; angels were involved in the giving of the law. An angel also delivered Peter from prison, and they will be involved in the dispensing of judgment in a coming day. In every way they are the servants of God, doing His will instantly and acting for Him both in His government of this world and the care of His own.
The Invisible World
Most of this work is carried on unseen by men. However, Scripture occasionally gives us a glimpse into this invisible world. When Daniel prayed to the Lord, an angel was sent to him, but he was delayed “one and twenty days” by “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” (obviously a fallen angel). When Michael, “one of the chief princes,” came to help, the angel was able to speak with Daniel, but then had to return “to fight with the prince of Persia.” Also, he tells Daniel that “the prince of Greece shall come” (Dan. 10). So there is often a struggle between the elect angels who do God’s will and those of Satan’s hosts who oppose them.
A Hierarchy
It appears that there is also a hierarchy among angels. Gabriel evidently has a prominent place and is mentioned by name in Daniel’s time, as well as in announcing the births of both John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus. Michael is called the “archangel” (Jude 9), and he also appears to be especially associated with Israel — “Michael your prince” (Dan. 10:2121But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. (Daniel 10:21)). When Satan and his demons are cast out of heaven in a future day, Michael seems to be at the head of those elect angels who carry this out (Rev. 12).
The Role of Angels
When Christ was born into this world, angels celebrated His birth with praise, gazing in wonder and adoration at their Creator become man. They take delight in God’s ways with man; there is no envy in their hearts, even though God is reaching out to sinful creatures and bringing them into a greater place of blessing than angels enjoy. During our Lord’s earthly ministry, angels were His servants—“the angels ministered unto Him” (Mark 1:1313And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. (Mark 1:13)) When God’s Counsels in grace towards man are revealed, Peter says, concerning the gospel of God’s grace, “Which things the angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12). When the gospel is preached, there is rejoicing among them over every sinner that repents. When the truth of Christ and the church was revealed by God through the Apostle Paul, we read that “unto the principalities and powers [the angels] in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph. 3:1010To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Ephesians 3:10)). A sister praying or prophesying is to “have power on her head because of the angels” (1 Cor. 11:10), for the angels see in the deportment of a Christian woman a type of the church. They see God’s wisdom in redemption and His glory in bringing lost sinners into marvelous blessing. To the believer today, the angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Heb. 1:1414Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)), as well as continuing their role in administering the government of this world. How many times in the history of the church has God intervened on behalf of His own, using angels to guard and protect them!
Their Future Role
However, their role will not always be the same. We read in Hebrews 2:55For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (Hebrews 2:5), “Unto angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” God is going to rule “the world to come” [the millennium] through man — “the man Christ Jesus.” When Christ comes back to reign, He comes “in His glory, and in that of the Father, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:2626For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26) JND). When He appears with His church, He will first of all execute judgment; then the glorious kingdom will be set up, and Christ and the church will rule. For this reason, Paul says to the Corinthians, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” (1 Cor. 6:3). When this transition takes place, it is recorded that “the powers of the heavens shall be shaken” (Matt. 24:2929Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: (Matthew 24:29)), for the present administration of the world under the angels will give way to Christ and the church. One form of reward for the faithful believer will be administrative responsibility in that kingdom: “Have thou authority over ten cities”; “be thou also over five cities” (Luke 19:17,1917And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. (Luke 19:17)
19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. (Luke 19:19)).
But will angels be of no further use at that time? On the contrary, we read that they mingle their praise with the redeemed for all eternity. They do not have the nearness that the believer will have in that day, nor can they sing the song of the redeemed. But their praise will resound in heaven, along with “every creature which is under heaven.” “I saw, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and their number was ten thousands of ten thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that has been slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:11-1211And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:11‑12) JND).
W. J. Prost