Jesus And His Angels
Jesus And His Angels Part 2
Jesus And His Angels
In Part 1: We covered the many ways God used Angels to deliver and bring forth the life and ministry of Jesus. We found that God used Gabriel a lot to accomplish this goal. It appears that Gabriel was specifically tasked with this honor and responsibility. We also talked about how God, in His love for Jesus and mankind, used Angels to make sure the ministry goal was accomplished, and related that to our own walk with God. This shows that God wants us to be successful and gives the same care He showed Jesus to those called by His name.
At the very end of the study, I hinted at an amazing event concerning Jesus, His angels, and humanity. We will cover that also in this study. As we continue on, we start where we left off in the last study- the resurrection of Jesus, and what I believe was Gabriel rolling the stone away. And Do Remember That The Word “Angel” Is A Title, Not A Description. It can mean messenger, heavenly messenger, ambassador, pastor, prophet, etc.
Jesus And His Angels
Jesus And His Angels
Click Image For Page Turn Options
Scroll To Bottom To Download File
Jesus And His Angels
Angels At The Tomb
Jesus And His Angels
Moses & Elijah?
The following is subjective based upon limited, yet informed, information. This is a “what if, maybe?” Either way, it does not change the story or the outcomes of the resurrection; it just adds another layer of interest. A fascinating possibility based upon prior examples found in scripture. I personally lean towards the possibility that it was Moses and Elijah at the Tomb, with the Angel Gabriel that opened the tomb: Moses and Elijah as messengers of God, witnessing the plan of salvation. You then would have the heavenly host in the Angel [Gabriel] rolling the stone away, the Godhead with Jesus being raised from the dead, and humanity being present watching the salvation of mankind with Moses and Elijah. While it might be my poetic heart, this would appear to be a profound testimony and witness before the creation of God.
Jesus And His Angels
Peter, John, And James
Before we attempt to prove the Moses and Elijah connection, we must set up a pattern. With this pattern, like seeing Gabriel so often in the story of Jesus, we can extrapolate or expound through application the possibilities we are seeking. Let us also keep in mind that it is believed Peter was the oldest of the disciples, and John was the youngest.
Jesus And His Angels
As Far As I Can Tell, These Three Are The Only Ones Jesus Gave Nicknames To Or Changed Their Names. This Really Emphasis Their Importance.
Mark 3:16-17 “Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); (17) James the son of Zebedee; and John, the brother of James, (whom he called Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder);”
Jesus Did Call Judas A Devil As A Descriptive Term, But This Wasn’t A Renaming For Current Everyday Use. Like Before, This Really Emphasis His Importance.
John 6:70 “Jesus answered them, “Didn’t I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
Now We Will Look At Some Key Events That Peter, James, And John Were A Part Of. I Cannot Help But Think Of Gabriel And His Ongoing Participation As We Read Over These Key Moments For These Three Men. Remember, It Is In the Bible For A Reason.
Jesus And His Angels
- Raising The Dead: Peter, James, And John
Here they see His power over Death- His resurrection power.
Mark 5:37-41 “He allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. (38) He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing. (39) When he had entered in, he said to them, “Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep.” (40) They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying. (41) Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi!” which means, being interpreted, “Girl, I tell you, get up!”
Jesus And His Angels
- Mount Of Transfiguration: Peter, James, And John
Here we see the connection with Peter, James, and John concerning Elijah and Moses. This connection will be important to our study. We also witness Peter, James, and John getting to see Jesus in His glory.
Mark 9:2-8 “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them. (3) His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. (4) Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus. (5) Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (6) For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid. (7) A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” (8) Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus only.”
Jesus And His Angels
- In The Garden: Peter, James, And John
Here Peter, James, and John see Jesus in His greatest agony but also His greatest obedience expressed for His great love for His Father, and humanity.
Mark 14:32-35 “They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.” (33) He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed. (34) He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch.” (35) He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.”
Jesus And His Angels
- At The Empty Tomb: Peter And John
Here we see Peter and John witness once again the resurrection power of Jesus. I am sure they thought back to all the above examples at this moment.
John 20:1-8 “Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. (2) Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!” (3) Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. (4) They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. (5) Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn’t enter in. (6) Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, (7) and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. (8) So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed.”
Jesus And His Angels
- How Do We Know It Was John?
John 21:20 “Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You? + (24) This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
John 13:25 “He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus And His Angels
While the author does not declare who he is, it follows the same writing in the Greek style as 1-3 John. Also, The Early Church Tradition Validated It As John’s Gospel.
- Irenaerus (late 2nd Century) was a student of Polycarp, who was a direct first hand disciple of John. Irenaerus validates it as being John’s Gospel.
- So The Chain Would Be John – Polycarp – Irenaerus – the Early Church accepting the Gospel as from John.
- Eusebius quoting these early Church traditions also validates it as John’s gospel.
Jesus And His Angels
We are left with a clue in the writing. Remember, it is believed that Peter was the oldest and John the youngest. Then if is true as I believe it is, this would also explain why John was resting on Jesus’ chest at dinner. It would also explain this next verse, the younger outrunning the older.
John 20:3-4 “Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. (4) They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first.”
Jesus And His Angels
Now that we know it was Peter and John, and a mighty angel (which I believe was Gabriel), we once again have all the key ingredients being used many times before. Now let us ask ourselves, why were Peter, James, and John taken to see Jesus, Moses, and Elijah at the mount of transfiguration? I believe these key players are present at His resurrection to be witnesses in all realms of existence to the plan of salvation and work of Jesus. As I wrote above, “You would then have the heavenly host in the Angel [Gabriel] rolling the stone away, The Godhead with Jesus being raised from the dead, and humanity being present watching the salvation of mankind with Moses and Elijah.” And now you have humanity in their current state of sinful flesh. So, you would have transfigured humanity already receiving their new heavenly body in Moses and Elijah, then also Peter and James in their sinful flesh.
- The Godhead with Jesus.
- The heavenly host with the mighty angel. (Gabriel?)
- Restored Humanity with Moses and Elijah.
- Un-restored Humanity in their sinful state in Peter, John, and the others.
Jesus And His Angels
- Angel Gabriel? At The Resurrection.
Do notice that there is no doubt left. It is an Angel from the Lord (Archangel?), it came down from heaven, his appearance was not just white like snow, and it was electric like lighting.
Matthew 28:2-6 “Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it. (3) His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. (4) For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men. (5) The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. (6) He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.”
Jesus And His Angels
As In Both Descriptions, We Find the Angel Sitting. In this, we find the only description of the face of this angel, who I believe is Gabriel.
Mark 16:5-6 “Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed. (6) He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him!”
Jesus And His Angels
- Peter And John At The Tomb.
John 20:3-4 “Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. (4) They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first.”
Jesus And His Angels
- Moses And Elijah (?) At The Empty Tomb.
Luke 24:2-6 “They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. (3) They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body. (4) While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. (5) Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? (6) He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee,”
Jesus And His Angels
- ?This Verse Says These Two Men Were Angels.?
Luke 24:22-23 “Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; (23) and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.”
Jesus And His Angels
Remember that the word “Angel” is a Title, not a Description. Here are the definitions:
Angel
H4397 – מַלְאָךְ – mal’âk – mal-awk’
From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, that is, an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher): – ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
G32 – ἄγγελος – aggelos – ang’-el-os
From ἀγγέλλω aggellō (probably derived from G71; compare G34; to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication a pastor: – angel, messenger.
Jesus And His Angels
So the ladies say that they saw two men. Luke writing his Gospel upon eyewitness testimony says they saw two messengers. The word “Angel” can apply to heavenly ministering spirits, but also to pastor, prophets, etc. I believe this gives us the wiggle room we are looking for to at least say it is a possibility.
Now the Gospel of John provides a most interesting series of events. I want you to remember the mount of transfiguration, with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.
John 20:11-16 “But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, (12) and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13) They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” (14) When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” (16) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”
Jesus And His Angels
The Ascension Into Heaven
Jesus And His Angels
Defining Terms: Clouds Can Be A Prophetic Symbol for Angels.
Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen.”
What Is The Cloud?
Hebrews 1:7+13 “Of the angels he says, “Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire. (13) But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?”
Jesus And His Angels
The Above Verse Was Referencing Another Verse. Let’s Take A Look:
Psalms 104:1-4 “Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty. (2) He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain. (3) He lays the beams of his rooms in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind. (4) He makes his messengers winds; his servants flames of fire.”
Jesus And His Angels
The Cloud Can Often Be In Context An Angel, Or Large Group Of Angels.
Revelation 10:1 “I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.”
Jesus And His Angels
Now We Know Through The Bible How To Understand Clouds Concerning Jesus.
Luke 21:27 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
We will read another verse concerning this in the next section that fills out our understanding even more.
Jesus And His Angels
Jesus Taken Up To Heaven In A Cloud Of Angels.
Acts 1:6-11 “Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (7) He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. (8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” (9) When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.”
Jesus And His Angels
Now We Know That What We Believe To Be Moses And Elijah at The Tomb, Could It Be Also That It Was Moses And Elijah At His Ascension?
“(10) While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
Jesus And His Angels
At The Ascension, The Two Messengers Asked…
(11) who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
Jesus And His Angels
At The Tomb, The Two Messengers Asked…
Luke 24:4-5 While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. (5) Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
While it is subjective, I find it probable at the very least. If anyone disagrees, that’s okay, but they like me can only subjectively declare their belief, as all we are left with are clues and hints. My belief is based upon the pattern found in scripture. Any other belief has no other pattern by which to validate its belief other than God used Angels. I am showing that God used a select group of Angels and People to validate my understanding.
Jesus And His Angels
His Return With His Angels
Jesus And His Angels
Matthew 25:31-34 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. (32) Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (33) He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (34) Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;”
Jesus And His Angels
Who Will Separate The Sheep’s and Goats?
Matthew 24:30-31 “and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. (31) He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
Jesus And His Angels
Jesus, God’s Angels, & You
Jesus And His Angels
Let us go another layer deeper on “His Return” and find a most amazing moment:
- We Know That Jesus Will Confess His Followers Before God.
Matthew 10:32 “Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.”
Jesus And His Angels
- You Will Also Be Confessed By Jesus To The Angels. (What A Roll Call!)
Luke 12:8-9 “I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; (9) but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.”
Jesus And His Angels
- Just In case People Might Think This Was An Interpretation Error, Here We Have Both.
Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
Jesus And His Angels
- When Confessed, These People Will Be Marked For Protection.
Here is an example of this type of marking:
Ezekiel 9:3-6 “The glory of the God of Israel went up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house; and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side. (4) Yahweh said to him, “Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” (5) To the others he said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him, and strike. Don’t let your eye spare, neither have pity. (6) Kill utterly the old man, the young man, the virgin, little children and women; but don’t come near any man on whom is the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” Then they began at the old men who were before the house.”
Jesus And His Angels
- What Is This Mark? (This Could Imply Before His Return, Or After The Resurrection)
Either Way, We Can Get An Idea Of What The Mark Is Or Might Be.
Revelation 3:11-12 “I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown. (12) He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.”
Jesus And His Angels
Here Is Another Example Of The People Of God Being Marked By Angels.
Revelation 7:1-3 After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. (2) I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, (3) saying, “Don’t harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!”
Jesus And His Angels
When The Angels Know Who Belongs To Jesus, He Can Send Them Out To Destroy The Unrepentant Wicked.
Matthew 13:41-43 “The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity, (42) and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. (43) Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
What we find in all this is that God went through extreme measures and great care to support Jesus in His mission. The glory belongs to God, not the Angels. Yet, it is these same hosts of Angels Jesus will speak to on our behalf, and will use to capture us away from the wrath of God upon all that love sin and rebel against Him. So, we have from the declaration of Jesus in the Old Testament To The End of Time, a chain of Angelic Hosts making the plan of salvation work out for all believers.
Jesus And His Angels
Ministering Spirits
Jesus And His Angels
We should be encouraged that the same heavenly host God used to make sure the work and life of Jesus was successful, is the same host that He now uses for the children called by His name.
Hebrews 1:13-14 “But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?” (14) Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”
Jesus And His Angels
- The Children Of God Have Angelic Watchers In Their Life.
Matthew 18:10 “See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
Now imagine with me for a moment that with all this help from God: His Son, His Holy Spirit, His Heavenly Host of Angels, and Himself- a Christian failing to reach the goal of their own salvation. Imagine how it will be for them when Jesus cannot confess their name before the very Angels that have watched over them their entire life. The exacerbation and disappointment will be great for God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Angels. Before you say they are impersonal, let’s read the following verse:
Luke 15:7+10 “I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. … Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
Now imagine the crushing sorrow if this confession to God and His Angels cannot be made. We really are without excuse before God. He has not left us helpless, without power, without support. Jesus enjoyed the same support and was successful. We can be also. I pray this encourages us to move forward in our journey to the Kingdom of God and His Heavenly throne.
Jesus And His Angels
Words Of Warning:
We do not pray to Angels, we do not command the angels; we are just recipients of their work in our lives. This is driven and guided by God and Jesus. Angels are not to receive praise, worship, or adoration. This is not their calling or roll. Real Angels of Heaven seek only to bring glory to God, as we should. Remember it is the fallen Angel, Satan that seeks for people to form an unhealthy devotion to Angels instead of God. Don’t fall for this trick. Yet, do not overlook the great help God has provided for you. Find the Biblical balance as recipients of this help, but only adore the creator God.
Jesus And His Angels
EVEN JESUS ASKED, HE DID NOT COMMAND!
Matthew 26:53 “Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?”
Jesus And His Angels
Jesus And His Angels
Jesus And His Angels
Jesus And His Angels
Pages: 1 2