The Doctrine of Christ

LESSON NINETY The Ministry of Angels

1. Angels are beings of a higher order than man, but created, and they were brought into existence before the creation of the world. Hebrews 2:7; 2 Peter 2:10, 11; Colossians 1:16, 17; Job 38:4-7. TDOC 290.2

2. Some of the angels sinned and fell. 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6. TDOC 290.3

3. Angels are not themselves the objects of worship, but are to render worship to the Son of God. Colossians 2:18; Hebrews 1:6; 1 Peter 3:21, 22. TDOC 290.4

4. The number of the angels is more than we are able to compute or to comprehend. Daniel 7:9, 10; Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11. TDOC 290.5

5. This unnumbered host of angels is subject to God’s direction, and they are the agents through whom he carries on his work. Psalm 103:20; Genesis 28:12; Psalm 91:11; Matthew 13:39, 49; 24:31; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 1:14; 2:2. TDOC 291.1

6. Each person has a guardian angel. Matthew 18:19. TDOC 291.2

7. Angels are interested in the work of the gospel, and they rejoice when sinners return to God. Luke 2:13, 14; 1 Peter 1:12; Luke 15:10. TDOC 291.3

8. There are many remarkable instances of the ministry of angels in behalf of members of the human family, including Jesus the Son of man. Genesis 19:15-17; Daniel 3:28; 6:22; Luke 1:26-30; 2:8-11; Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43. (Let the students cite other cases from the Scriptures.) TDOC 291.4

9. The angels that have sinned will suffer punishment with unrepentant sinners, but the loyal angels will live eternally in the kingdom of God. Matthew 25:41; Luke 20:35, 36. TDOC 291.5

NOTES

Angels minister to the heirs of salvation

The angels of heaven are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. We know not who they are; it is not yet made manifest who shall overcome, and share the inheritance of the saints in light; but angels of heaven are passing throughout the length and breadth of the earth, seeking to comfort the sorrowing, to protect the imperiled, to win the hearts of men to Christ. Not one is neglected or passed by. God is no respecter of persons, and he has an equal care for all the souls he has created.”-The Desire of Ages, 763. TDOC 291.6

Heaven still close to earth

“Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when shepherds listened to the angels’ song. Humanity is still as much the object of heaven’s solicitude as when common men of common occupations met angels at noonday, and talked with the heavenly messengers in the vineyards and the fields. To us in the e6mmon walks of life, heaven may be very near. Angels from the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God’s command.”-Id., 49. TDOC 291.7

Angels oversee the Lord’s work in the earth

“One part of the ministry of heavenly angels is to visit our world and oversee the work of the Lord in the hands of his stewards. In every time of necessity they minister to those who as coworkers with God are striving to carry forward his work in the earth. These heavenly intelligences are represented as desiring to look into the plan of redemption, and they rejoice whenever any part of God’s work prospers.”-Testimonies for the Church 6:456. TDOC 291.8

Angels of God contend with prevailing power for trusting souls

“The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion, but angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power.”-The Desire of Ages, 295. TDOC 292.1

Apparently helpless, but really invincible

“Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness, and relies wholly on the merits of the Savior. God would send every angel in heaven to the aid of such a one, rather than allow him to be overcome.”-Testimonies for the Church 7:17. TDOC 292.2

Angels will crown our efforts with success

“Jesus watches our efforts with the deepest interest. He knows that men with all the infirmities of humanity, are doing his work; and he NOTES their failures and discouragements with the most tender pity. But the failures and defects might be far less than they are. If we will move in harmony with heaven, ministering angels will work with us, and crown our efforts with success.”-Testimonies for the Church 5:420. TDOC 292.3

Believers always accompanied by angels

“Christians who live in the light of God’s countenance are always accompanied by unseen angels, and these holy beings leave behind them a blessing in our homes.”-Testimonies for the Church 6:340. TDOC 292.4

Jesus was guarded by angels

“From his earliest years Jesus was guarded by heavenly angels, yet his life was one long struggle against the powers of darkness.”-The Desire of Ages, 73. TDOC 292.5

The heavenly messengers who had been by His side in the synagogue were with him in the midst of that maddened throng. They shut him in from his enemies, and conducted him to a place of safety. So angels protected Lot, and led him out safely from the midst of Sodom. So they protected Elisha in the little mountain city. When the encircling hills were, filled with the horses and chariots of the king of Syria, and the great host of his armed men, Elisha beheld the nearer hill slopes covered with the armies of God ‘horses and chariots of fire round about’ the servant of the Lord. So, in all ages angels have been near to Christ’s faithful followers. The vast confederacy of evil is arrayed against all who would overcome; but Christ would have us look to the things which axe not seen, to the armies of heaven encamped about all who love God, to deliver them. From what dangers, seen and unseen, we have been preserved through the interposition of the angels, we shall never know, until in the light of eternity we see the providences of God. Then we shall know that the whole family of heaven was interested in the family here below, and that messengers from the throne of God attended our steps from day to day.”-Id., 273. TDOC 292.6

Jesus was not forsaken

“Though no miraculous deliverance was granted John, he was not forsaken. He had always the companionship of heavenly angels, who opened to him the prophecies concerning Christ, and the precious promises of Scripture. These were his stay, as they were to be the stay of God’s people through the coming ages.”-Id., 258. TDOC 293.1

Laborers together with heavenly angels

“We are to be laborers together with the heavenly angels in presenting Jesus to the world. With almost impatient eagerness the angels wait for our co-operation; for man must be the channel to communicate with man. And when we give ourselves to Christ in whole-hearted devotion, angels rejoice that they may speak through our voices to reveal God’s love.”-Id., 344. TDOC 293.2

Angels of God are ever passing to and fro between heaven and earth

“Here Christ virtually says, On the bank of the Jordan the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove upon me. That scene was but a token that I am the Son of God. If you believe on me as such, your faith shall be quickened. You shall see that the heavens are opened, and are never to be closed. I have opened them to you. The angels of God are ascending, bearing the prayers of the needy and distressed to the Father above, and descending, bringing blessing and hope, courage, help, and life, to the children of men. The angels of God are ever passing from earth to heaven, and from heaven to earth. The miracles of Christ for the afflicted and suffering were wrought by the power of God through the ministration of the angels.”-The Desire of Ages, 157, 158.. TDOC 293.3

Angels will protect God’s people in the time of trouble

“Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring the nations from one end of the earth to the other. But in the midst of the time of trouble that is coming, a time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation, God’s chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them; for angels that excel in strength will protect them.”-Testimonies for the Church 9:17. TDOC 293.4