Angels as they appear

From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subject: Angels

>CQ> I've been reading a book on angels, these past two weeks, and am really interested in them. If this isn't too old or too boring a topic, could I get some references, thoughts, opinions on their existence, purpose, lifespan, hierarchy, and what relationship one should have with them, please?

The first thing that you should realize is that there is only ONE for sure book on angels, the Holy Bible (Authorized 1611 Version).

They exist and have many purposes according to the will of God, and apparently have no limit on lifespan as long as they don't leave their first estate, like those who got involved with the daughters of men(Gen.6). As for "hierarchy", only one angel, Michael, is called an "archangel". (All angels are under the Lord at some level.)

As far as any relationship with them, well, you don't want to get on their bad side obviously, since even one angel has the power to kill 185,000 men in one night.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Heb.13:1)

Their outward appearance is always male, like a 33-year old man.

You can't find even one "angel" in the Bible with any wings. You can find Cherubims and Seraphims with wings, but they're not the same.

An angel is always an APPEARANCE, but not always a messenger.

The first mention of the word "angel" is back in Genesis 16:7, where the angel of the LORD ministered unto Hagar after Sarai(Sarah) had mistreated her. Three angels of the LORD appeared to Abraham as "men" in Genesis 18, and two of those appeared later to Lot as "men" in the following chapter. They are alternately referred to as "angels" and "men" and "angels" and men". There's no doubt what they look like.

Normally, angels are able to travel great distances very quickly. The angel that appeared unto Daniel(10:13) apologized for being delayed. (And the Lord's angels certainly do NOT need UFO's to get anywhere!)

The present rash of so-called books on angels is to deceive people into accepting a false view of the devil's angels or fallen angels. Numerous science fiction movies have been produced portraying various outer space type creatures, aliens or beasts, and the basic purpose of all that is to make people's minds more receptive to the devil's deception when he shows up on the earth in the next 7 years or so.

No angel can ever know the JOY of the completed blood redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ for sinners, because they're not blood bought creatures, that is, they are not flesh and blood and have no Saviour provided for them when they sin, and some of them have fallen already and are awaiting the final judgment in everlasting fire.

Beware of angel worship (Rev.22:8,9), for the devil often appears as though he were "an angel of light", but the end result is deception. Remember that Jesus is the Lord and trust only him for salvation. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be unto you. Amen. --Richard