Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) Mount
Baker
Beacon Volume 02, Number 30
07/23/2023 Published by
Mt. Baker
church of Christ Location:
1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 30821
Bellingham, WA 98228
(360) 752-2692 Sunday:
Bible Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship..10:30AM; 6:00PM
Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM
Web site:
Mt. Baker church
Editor......John Bass
| In this issue:
“Angels: Origin and Purpose”
Steven J. Wallace “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind” (Col. 2:18).1
There is always a lot of interest and wild imagination regarding the subject of angels. Hollywood has cashed in on the subject by making various shows to capture the interest of the people in the world with “Touched by an Angel,” “City of Angels,” “Angels in the Outfield,” and others. Like today, angels interested those in the first century—some even worshiped them!
Where did angels come from?
The Bible teaches that angels are created beings. Speaking of man, the Holy Spirit says, “You have made him a little lower than the angels…” (Heb. 2:7). This seems to imply that angels were therefore made a little higher than man. In Psalm 148 we find angels poetically mentioned with the sun, moon, stars, the heavens of heavens, and waters above the heavens praising the Lord. The reason? “…For He commanded and they were created” (Psa.148:5). Although angels are great, the Lord alone is to be exalted (Psa. 148:13). His name is greater than anything found on earth, in the heavens, or above the heavens. Although notable beings, angels are not worthy of worship because they are creatures—supernatural creatures, but still creatures, nonetheless.
We can also know that angels were created good and have the freedom of choice to do good or evil. The apostle Peter stated, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” (2 Pet. 2:4). God did not spare them when they sinned. “Sinned” is from a Greek word that means to miss the mark and wander from the path. Jude mentions that some angels did not keep their proper domain (Jude 1:6). Since they have sinned, they have the choice to do good or evil. Further, in order to sin, they must have law and are held accountable to that law. However, unlike man, Jesus didn’t die to redeem angels (Heb. 2:15, 16).
What is true with angels is also true of Satan. “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:8, emp. added, SJW).
What purpose did angels serve?
Like any creature, there is a purpose in its creation.
Angels were created to worship and serve God. Hebrews 1:6, “But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’”
Angels were created to minister in things pertaining to salvation. Hebrews 1:7, “And of the angels He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.’” They are ministering spirits sent forth to minister (Heb. 1:14). The idea is that angels are quick to administer the service commanded of them. Recall how suddenly the chariot of fire appeared for Elijah (2 Kin. 2:11). Later, Elisha prayed that one could see those who were with him, and he was able to see the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire (2 Kin. 6:15-17). Angels served in announcing the births of Samson and Jesus (Jud. 13:3, 4; Matt. 1:20, 21).
Angels were created to assist in judgment. Two angels went down into Sodom to see the status of the city and give a warning to Lot (Gen. 18:20-22; 19:1ff). They were involved in the judgment of the city. An angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night (2 Kin. 19:35).
Angels had a part in administering the law (Gal. 3:19; Acts 7:53; Heb. 2:2; Rev. 1:1). We find them administering information to certain men such as Elijah, Joseph, and Philip (2 Kin. 1:15; Matt. 2:13; Acts 8:26).
Angels were created to administer to Jesus. We read of them doing this after His temptation (Mk. 1:12, 13).
Many other things could be listed. Angels are seen in Scripture opposing evil men, assisting godly men, opening prison doors, etc. Paul said an angel stood by him while he was in the storm in Acts 27:23-25.
We could spend time in another article looking at some things angels can presently do. But let’s be assured that they cannot add to or subtract from the instruction revealed in the gospel (Gal. 1:6- 10). Salvation is only discovered through the written word. Take advantage of it today! The angels in heaven want you to (Lk. 15:10)!
1 Unless noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Top
THE ROCK
Craig Thomas In Psalm 28 David pours out his heart to the Lord for His aid, comfort, and protection. May we learn from David’s example that the Lord is the only true “Rock” (v. 1) upon which we can build our lives. Jesus addressed this when He told the story of the contrast between the “wise man who built his house on the rock” versus the “foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Matt. 7:24-27). Anyone with even a cursory understanding of sound construction principles knows that when the “rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon” those two houses what the result would be. The wise man’s house “did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” On the contrary, the “foolish” man’s house “fell”; and “great was its fall.” The obvious point is not construction principles; it is life principles! The wiseman’s life remained solid, serene, and pleasing to God because he built his life on hearing and obeying God’s Word (Matt. 7:24). The foolish man’s life “came apart at the seams” because he did not hear and obey God’s Word (Matt. 7:26). When the storms of life roll in with their howling winds and driving rain what will you do? If you’ve built your house properly by relying on the true “Rock” you will be buffeted and challenged but survive the experience and be the better for it (Jas. 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-7). If the Lord is not your “Rock” you will be between the proverbial “rock and a hard place.” You will be washed downstream and suffer utter destruction.
People of that spiritually unprofitable mindset believe they can cruise through life unscathed by problems. This Psalm explodes that myth! Things may appear “hunky dory” but the bill for taking the Lord for granted always, sooner or later, comes due. As David said:
“4 Give them according to their deeds,
And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;
Give them according to the work of their hands;
Render to them what they deserve.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord,
Nor the operation of His hands,
He shall destroy them
And not build them up.” (Psa. 28:4-5)
It is easy to delude ourselves into the false notion we can spend our lives satisfying self and ignoring the “Rock” and never have to answer for it. That is the epitome of self-deception. Ultimately “the righteous judgment of God” will hold us accountable and the “Rock” “’will render to each one according to his deeds’: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil” (Rom. 2:6-9). As each day of our life is lived, we are building our eternal house. How is yours coming along? Do you have flood insurance?! Top
Created by Tyler Rorvig-Rieksts, last updated. 07/23/2023 The Mount Baker Beacon is a weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA.
Send all questions, comments to the editor, John Bass at (360) 325-5149 or johnbass2468@gmail.com |
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