Grace Points: The Manifold Wisdom of God (Part 2)

"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God." -Eph. 3:10

It is nearly impossible to walk into a store these days without seeing angels. These heavenly creatures are everywhere. Go ahead, admit it, you've seen them too, haven't you? Of course, we are referring to all the paraphernalia that bears the image of these unseen beings.

Without any rhyme or reason, it seems to be common knowledge that there are both male and female angels who have large wings and most times exhibit halos. Some appear to be childlike, while others are depicted as adults watching over little ones. Moreover, they are always pictured in serene settings, never lifting their hand to judge mankind. Sadly, they are often revered more than God Himself. The current interest in angels has correctly been called "angelmania." However, any time the world seeks to understand or describe the things of God, we can be sure it will be distorted.

Tradition plays a large role in the contemporary portrayal of the angelic host. For the most part, it is based upon Greek mythology and Medieval art. But here again the Word of God must serve as our final authority-all else is merely speculation. Before we can fully appreciate the significance of Paul's reference to the angelic realm in the above text, we must first understand more about these heavenly emissaries. Actually, the Scriptures have a great deal to say about them.

As we have seen, confusion is predominant when it comes to the subject of angels. Surprisingly, this is even true within the household of faith. So, with God's help, we shall search the Scriptures to determine their origin, number, appearance, nature, and purpose. More importantly, what is their role today, if any, during the dispensation of Grace. This fascinating tour will take us through both programs of God.

Origin: The angelic host is a product of God's creative genius. Paul states: "For by Him [Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Col. 1:16). Bearing in mind that Christ created all things, angels are invisible (to humanity) supernatural spirits who reside in heaven. Inasmuch as God relishes diversity, we can safely conclude that angels are individuals who are as different as snowflakes. Like man, they arefinite beings in wisdom, knowledge, authority and power. Although enormously inferior to God, the angels of heaven are superior to mankind at this point in time (Heb. 2:5-8).

We believe the angelic host was very high on the list of God's creation agenda. When the Lord spoke to Job out of a whirlwind, He inquired of the patriarch: "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?... When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4,7). The phrases "morning stars" and "sons of God" are unequivocally references to angels. This is substantiated by their very presence at the dawn of creation as God spoke and worlds came into existence. In other words, they were eyewitnesses of all His creative acts. Interestingly, since the fall, they are not said to sing again until the redemption of all things (Rev. 5:8,9).

Number: We do not have a number in our numerical system which would allow us to count the angelic host. The writer of Hebrews says: "But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels" (Heb. 12:22). According to W. E. Vine, the Greek word the apostle uses here denotes "indefinitely, a myriad, a numberless host." One-third of this multitude rebelled against God and defected with Satan shortly after creation (Rev. 12:3-9). Probably even this number is beyond our numerical system. Thus, the angelic host now falls into two major classifications--elect and fallen. Contrary to popular opinion, your Uncle Clarence did not become an angel when he died. This is merely the fabrication of Hollywood. The number of elect angels is fixed, and therefore never increases or decreases.

Appearance: Angels were created ministering spirits and are always referred to in the masculine gender (Heb. 1:7). As far as we can ascertain, there are only two orders of angelic beings who are said to have wings-the Cherubims and Seraphims (Ezek. 10:18-21 cf. Isa. 6:1-4). This means that the vast majority of angels do not have wings, which is confirmed by the numerous appearances they made to the patriarchs, prophets and apostles. Although spirits, angels have the uncanny ability to transform themselves into human form. If one were to appear at your door selling Bibles, you would be totally unaware that an angel was in your midst. In fact, Paul says: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb. 13:2).

In the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot had no idea that the two men who met him at the gate of Sodom were angels. He carried on a normal conversation with them and begged his visitors to enter his house so he could wash their feet and prepare them a meal. That evening Lot made afeast for his guests and they had an enjoyable time of fellowship together. As they were preparing to retire for the evening, the men of Sodom called to Lot, and said unto him, "Where are the men which came into thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them." The record states that the angels pulled Lot into the house and struck the men of the city with blindness. These weren't ordinary visitors; they were on a search and destroy mission. The next morning, they rained fire and brimstone upon the cities of the Plain, forever wiping them from the face of the earth (Gen. 19: 1-26).

Nature: While angels are normally invisible, they frequently appeared in spirit form during biblical times to discharge God's will. Consequently, we are to understand that, like man, they possess a personality-intellect, emotions and will.

The intellect gives them the ability to know and reason. On resurrection morning, the angel that appeared at the tomb freely conversed with Mary. Thus, he instructed the women to go tell the disciples the Lord had risen. Furthermore, he imparted a revelation to them that the Lord would await their arrival at Galilee (Matt. 28:7).

It has been said that music is the language of the soul; it's an expression of our feelings. Angels, then, also have emotions. As they beheld the handiwork of God on creation morn, they sang together and shouted for joy. Like us (or at least as we should be), they are caring, sensitive, compassionate beings who are deeply moved at times. Our Lord said of them: "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:10). Moreover, these heavenly beings seem to have a curious side (I Peter 1:12).

The fact that angels worship God and execute His commands clearly shows a consensus of will. Surely the words of Lucifer are a chilling reminder of the time there was a rebellion in the ranks of the angelic host. "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God [elect angelic host]: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north [Satan's desire to reign in the millennial kingdom on earth-see Psa. 48:1-3]: 1 will ascend above the heights of the clouds [he desires all the glory]; I will be like the most High" Isa. 14:13,14).

Purpose: In addition to worshiping God day and night, angels are "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14). They held a high profile in past prophetic events and will play an even more prominent role in the coming day of the Lord. For example: An angel of God led Israel out of the land of Egypt (Ex. 14:19). Angels were present at the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai and ordained it in the hand of a mediator (Psa. 68:17 cf. Gal. 3:19). They assisted Israel in the conquest of the Land (Ex. 23:20). When Daniel the prophet stood face to face with a group of man-eating lions, God sent His angel to protect him (Dan. 6:22).

An angel appeared to Zacharias at the altar to inform him that his wife Elisabeth would bear a child in her old age. Of course, this was none other than John the Baptist who would one day be the forerunner of Christ (Luke 1:11-14). In regard to the young, our Lord instructed His disciples: "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 18:10).

Although angels are often viewed as serene caretakers, they are also the mighty warriors of God who administer His judgments. As God unleashes His wrath in the coming tribulation period, the record states that an angel will take a "censer, and fill it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake." This is followed by seven angels blowing seven trumpets. As the scene closes these agents of wrath will have destroyed one-third of the natural resources of the earth, one-third of the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, and stars), and killed one third of the earth's population (Rev. 8,9). Well, so much for serenity!

The Apostle Paul makes approximately fifty references to the angelic host in his epistles. Here we must pause to say, however, that the ministry of angels during the administration of Grace is in accordance with the Mystery program. Today, there are few, if any, manifestations of angels. Insofar as the heavens are silent, the angelic host is silent for the most part as well. Any variation from this would be an exception of God, as those living at the Rapture will be an exception to Hebrews 9:27.

We would not be too quick to say though that they are inactive in this dispensation. In fact, there seems to be a strong case that both the elect and fallen angels are extremely active behind the scenes. Remember, we are engaged in a spiritual warfare. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12). When armies fight, there is a flurry of activity on both sides of the battlefield.

As God's secret service agents, there are at least three areas where angels play an essential role in the Church, the Body of Christ.

Witnesses: Although the angelic host was well aware of the wisdom of God as it related to creation and the prophetic program they assisted in revealing, Paul writes to the saints at Ephesus: "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God" (Eph. 3:10). The term manifold here means, "varied," that is, multifaceted or multicolored. Hence, thewisdom of God is many-sided; it is like looking through a kaleidoscope with its various shapes, sizes, and colors. In this context, we believe the apostle limits the phrase manifold wisdom of God to the revelation of the Mystery. In other words, Paul's revelation unveils the hidden wisdom of God for the Church that was kept secret from past generations. Not even the elect angels knew anything about God's eternal purpose for the Body of Christ.

The apostle uses the term "now" dispensationally to show that a change has taken place. Today, then, the principalities and powers in the heavenly realm are learning about the Mystery through us. If angels shed tears, they probably wept when Paul wrote to Timothy that "all they which are in Asia be turned away from me." To turn from Paul was to abandon his apostleship and message! Consequently, the Church wandered aimlessly through the Dark Ages until the light finally dawned again in the Reformation.

Undoubtedly with the recovery of Grace truth today, the angels are again rejoicing as they gather up every morsel of the manifold wisdom of God. If you have tasted of the riches of His grace you understand there is a simplistic side to Paul's gospel, yet it can also be terribly complex. Like us, the angels are adding word upon word, and line upon line to their knowledge of His eternal purpose. It is astonishing to ponder though that we are their instructors.

Conduct: The apostle seems to liken the spiritual realm to an arena where we are fighting the good fight of the faith in the presence of angels. There is good reason to believe that our conduct is constantly being observed by unseen eyes. Therefore, we should walk worthy of our calling "with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." Paul was always mindful that he was being watched and lived accordingly:

"For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men" (I Cor. 4:9).

Although the custom of head covering among women is no longer observed in the western hemisphere, in Paul's day it was an integral part of their culture and worship. Since it was a symbol of subordination the apostle instructed the women at Corinth that they should worship with their heads covered "because of the angels" (I Cor. 11:10). This could well be becauseof the insubordination of their counterparts in the days of Noah.

Well stricken in years, the apostle admonishes young Timothy: "I charge thee before God [or in the sight of God], and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality" (I Tim. 5:21). May we remind the reader, it is possible that the angelic host could be summoned as an eyewitness of our conduct at the Judgment Seat of Christ-a humbling thought indeed! While God is omniscient, He often works through His creation to accomplish His purposes.

Deliverance: Those who are numbered with the household of faith agree that we are engaged in a spiritual warfare with the forces of evil. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but with the rulers of darkness. With this type of activity going on behind the scenes, surely the angels of God assist us in the battle at times, especially since they were created for us (Heb. 1: 14). Only the Lord knows how many times these celestial beings have come to our aid.

Some suppose that with the coming of the Holy Spirit the ministry of angels is unnecessary and would be incompatible. We know, however, that Philip was filled with the Spirit, yet an angel of the Lord instructed him where to meet the Ethiopian eunuch. Upon leading the eunuch to the Lord, the Spirit caught Philip away to Azotus. Here the angel of the Lord and the Holy Spirit worked in tandem without a conflict of interest (Acts 6:3-5 cf. 8:26-40).

You will recall that after Herod killed James he planned to execute Peter. But the night preceding Peter's execution, an angel appeared to him in prison and struck him on the side. Before Peter knew fully what was happening, the angel lead him passed two guards, through an iron gate that opened unattended before them, and the angel vanished into the night. Surely Peter was under the control of the Holy Spirit, yet an angel of the Lord delivered him from harm's way (Acts 12:5-11).

I doubt that there is anyone reading these lines who would question for a moment that Paul was indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but here again anangel of God is said to have appeared to him. In the midst of a storm at sea, when all hope seemed to be lost, an angel consoled the apostle, saying, "Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee" (Acts 27:21-26). While the Holy Spirit, as God, holds a position of supremacy over the angelic host, we believe their ministries to be compatible.

Before we close, perhaps a word of caution should be added here. As we have seen, angels are intelligent, powerful, supernatural agents who render the highest servitude to God. But we must never lose sight of the fact that the angels of heaven were created by Christ, and for Him. Therefore, they are never to be worshiped, nor should we esteem them too highly. The Apostle John was so overwhelmed by the apocalyptic visions he had seen that he fell at the feet of the angel who showed him these events. The angel's response is unforgettable: "See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant..." (Rev. 22:8,9).

Reprinted from The Berean Searchlight, the official organ of the Berean Bible Society. Volume LVIII, Number 4