There is universal concern about angelic existence. It was at one time a mythological idea among Jews. Gradually, the worship of angels prevailed among all people, and became common before the apostolic age. False teachers, finding this corruption of the true doctrine of angels, adapted it to subserve their ambition, giving it their zealous support. John testified to the fact that angel worship was both a mark of folly and a sin (Rev 22:2-9). At first men began to worship the sun, moon and stars by whom the celestial hosts were supposed to be inhabited (Job 31:26). This was called Zabianism and is believed to have originated among the stargazers in Chaldea. The Jewish rabbis divided their doctrine of angels thusly:

Another tradition says that every man has his angel who speaks for him, and prays for him.

There is a difference of rank among angels, but not of species. All are angels. The true nature of angels is expressed by the word Spirit. It is somewhat hard for us to form any idea of a spirit. We know better what it is not than what it is (Luke 24:39). Being without bodies the angels are invisible. Further, being incorporeal and immaterial, they are immortal. They have no parts capable of disunion and dissolution. Even the rebellious angels continue and will not perish. They are endowed with wonderful activity, moving with the swiftness of the winds, and operating with the force and energy of flaming fire (Psalm 104:4).

Although the angels are invisible through such organs of vision as we possess, it would seem that they will come with Jesus (to bring glory to Him) in a spiritual body (I Cor. 15) which will be recognizable, else how will Jesus be glorified when they come with Him. At His incarnation, our Lord did not take upon Himself the nature of physical constitution or existence of angels, but the seed of the man Abraham (Hebrews 2:16).

MORAL QUALITIES
The angels as spirits, are superior to men but inferior to God, (Psa. 8:4-5; Heb. 1:7-8). Although spiritual personalities, they cannot create, change, alter the laws of nature, perform miracles of themselves, or search the heart. These prerogatives belong to God and His Word, and the angels act only as He directs. Along with the highest intelligence, there is the possession of the utmost moral excellence and loveliness of character. Thus the angels are good, gentle, meek, kind and compassionate. Could any creation of the God of love be fashioned without the capacity of love? If the angels can sing and rejoice, then they can love. They exalt in victory over the powers of darkness and in the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom and in the salvation of the lost
(Luke 2:14; 15:10). Dwelling in God, then, the angels dwell in love (1 John 4:16). We cannot fully grasp the reach of an angel's mind, or the fervor of one's benevolence and love. They ever hearken to God's voice and obey His will (Psa. 103:20). They deem it their chief end to praise and glorify their Creator (Psa. 148:2).

PHYSICAL QUALITIES
Angels exercise their power in material and spiritual realms (2 Kings 19:35; 2 Thess. 1:7). They are spoken of as "the sons of the mighty" (Psa. 89:6). Their power is superhuman (2 Kings 6:17; Zech. 12:8; II Pet. 2:11). They excel in strength (Psa. 103:20). Angels can open prison doors (Acts 5:19; 12:7), liberate the dead (Matt. 28:2) and throw great millstones into the sea (Rev. 18:21) and shut the mouths of lions (Dan. 6:22).

THE MISSION OF ANGELS
From first to last, the angels of God are ministering spirits. Worship and ministry are their twofold function as priests in the heavenly temple: messengers on God's errands of love and justice (Isa. 6:1-3; Dan. 7:9, 10; Rev. 5:11). Angelic activity covers all history, ancient and modern, national and personal. The world is in closer touch with heavenly forces than it dreams (and the forces of Hell, also). As servants of God, Christ and man, the angels have manifold relationship we can summarize in the following way:

1. They were created by the wish of God (Neh. 9:6; Col. 1:16)
2. They worship and adore the Triune God (Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:6)
3. They communicate the Will of God (Dan. 8:16, 17; 10:11)
4. They obey the command of God (Psa. 103:20; Matt. 6:10)
5. They execute the purpose of God in grace and providence (Num. 22:22; Psa. 103:21; John 5:4)
6. They administer the judgments of God (2 Sam. 24:16; 2  Kings 19:35; Psa. 35:5)
7. They celebrate the praise of God (Job 38:7; Psa. 148:2; Isa. 6:3; Luke 2:12; Rev. 5:11-12)
8. They minister the law of God (Psa. 68:17; Acts 7:53; Heb. 2:2)

1. An angel prophesied the conception and birth of Christ (Luke 1:26-35; Acts 2:29-36)
2. An angel named the Coming One (Matt. 1:21); the song of redemption is one angels cannot sing (Heb. 2:16). They are happy to surround His throne but will never have the privilege of sitting with Him on His throne (Rev. 3:21; 5:1)
3. Angels announced to the shepherds the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8-15)
4. An angel directed Joseph as to the Child's safety (Matt. 1:2-21, 24)
5. Angels ministered to Christ after His temptation (Matt. 4:11; Mark  1:13)
6. An angel strengthened Christ after His agony in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43-44)
7. Angels were Witnesses and Heralds of Christ's Resurrection; an angel rolled away the stone (Matt. 28:2-7); they guarded the tomb and witnessed (John 20:11-14; Luke 24:23)
8. Angels attended Christ at His Ascension (Acts 1:3)
9. Angels are to attend Christ at His Second Advent (1 Thess. 4:16; 2 Thess. 1:7-9)

FROM WHERE DO ANGELS COME?

A. God created them.

1. When this took place belongs in God's secret counsels.
2. They were existing when the foundations of the earth were fastened (Job 38:4-7; Psa. 148:2-3; Neh. 9:6).
3. The scriptures were not designed to include a history of celestial beings, but mainly the scheme of redemption of man: "For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham . . . . " (Heb. 2:16).
4. When created by God, all the angels were good. Some, however, fell from their celestial wisdom and position through the misuse of their liberty. God made nothing evil. The evil spirits were not created demons but became demons when, by a free act, they cut themselves off from their Creator.
   
   

B. Universal belief in angelic existence became enveloped in a mythological covering, both among Jews and pagans (Col. 2:18).

1. The worship of angels prevailed among all people and became common before the apostolic age.
2. False teachers exploited this superstition.
3. Angel worship is both a folly and a sin (Rev. 22:2-9).
4. Jewish rabbis divided their doctrine of angels thusly:
   
   
   1. The Heavens: residence of 7 archangels (neither of the two biblical archangels are mentioned).
   2. The Heaven of Heavens: divided into 10 departments, each occupied by numerous companies of angels under the command of their respective chiefs.
   3. Another tradition says that every man has his angel who speaks for him, and prays for him; as it is said, "O thou that hearest prayer," (Psa. 65:2; that is the prayer of the angel, who is the Marshal of guardian of men).
      
      

ANGELIC APPEARANCE, Dan. 10:1-9

A. In the form of a man; dressed so gloriously Daniel grew ill with awe.

1. Angels are spirit-beings. They have no bodies as we understand them, although at times they have assumed human form.
2. Angels are sexless (Matt. 22:30), so each angel stands apart as a direct creation of God, and complete as an individual,
3. The true nature of angels is expressed by the word Spirit. It is somewhat hard for us to form any idea of a spirit. We know better what it is not, than what it is (Luke 24:39).
4. Being without bodies, the angels are invisible unless they wish to make themselves visible; being spirits and without corruptible bodies they are immortal. Even the rebellious angels continue and will not perish.
5. Angels are endowed with wonderful activity, moving with the swiftness of the winds, and operating with the force and energy of flaming fire (Psa. 104:4).
6. It seems they will come with Jesus (I Cor. 15) in a spiritual body which will be recognizable. They are to glorify Him when they come.
   

B. Celestial Attributes of Angels

1. They are spirits (Heb. 1:7, 14) of wind-like velocity, subtle nature, capable of close communion with God, sharers in His truth, purity, love, since they ever be-hold His face (Matt. 18:10).
2. The glorious appearance here to Daniel shows that they reflect the overwhelming glory of God in whose presence they dwell.
   

1. Do we treat the fact that God has spoken to us in these last days in His Son too flippantly?
2. If an angelic appearance should cause such vexation of soul in sinful man, is it any wonder that Peter cried, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man!" when Jesus walked on the water?
3. Since God has appeared in the flesh in Jesus Christ our only proper response is adoration, thankfulness, and obedience.
   

1. Angels are the messengers of God.
2. They announced the law to Moses (Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2; Acts 7:53; Psa. 68:17).
3. They announced the birth of the Messiah (Luke 1:26-35; Matt. 1:21; Luke 2:8-15).
4. They directed Joseph to Egypt for the Child's safety (Matt. 1:2-21, 24).
5. They ministered to Christ after His temptation (Matt. 4:11).
6. They ministered to Him after His Gethsemane agony (Matt. 22:43-44).
7. They were witnesses and heralds of Christ's resurrection; an angel rolled away the stone (Matt. 28:2-7; John 20:11-14; Luke 24:23).
8. They attended His Ascension (Acts 1:3)
9. They will attend and announce His Second Advent (1 Thess. 4:16; 2 Thess.  1:7-9).
   
   

1. In verse 20 the angel limits the "latter days" to the era of history covered by the empires of Persia and Greece.
2. These are the "latter days" of the Old Testament dispensation, just preceeding the coming of the Messiah.
3. Chapter eleven deals in detail with the life-and-death struggles between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies (two of Alexander's generals who inherited these two segments of his divided kingdom).
4. It concerns this great struggle because poor little Palestine, the glorious land and the glorious people through whom the Redeemer the King, the Messiah is to come, is caught up in this life-and-death struggle. It will appear as if God has forgotten His promise, and as if evil is soon to overcome good and the Messiah will never come.
5. The angel shows in graphic detail, event by event, how even though evil personified in Antiochus IV appears to have won the battle, eventually God will overthrow evil and fulfill His promise.
   

One is reminded of the time when Elisha's servant thought all was lost. But his eyes were opened and he was enabled to see the mountain "full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha . . . and hear . . . Fear not; for they that are with us are more than they that are with them." (II Kings 6:14-19).

ANGELIC ACTIVITY, 10:15-21

1. The angel's question, we believe, is rhetorical, "Do you remember what I told you about my purpose for coming to you?"
   
   
   1. That he (the angel) had been sent to overcome the evil angel who was being allowed to influence the decisions and actions of the rulers of Persia.
   2. The angel says he has overcome this evil spirit and now announces that he is about to return and continue such work of overruling in order that God's purposes may be carried out.
      
      
2. As soon as the one conflict ends with Persia, the angel will be engaged in the same sort of conflict with another demon angel sent from hell to attempt to thwart God's plans by influencing the rulers of Greece.
   

B. Angels not only announce, they are active in affairs that go on in the world.

1. Here in Daniel 10 we are afforded a glimpse behind the scenes of world history to the realm of the supernatural where the unseen but very real battle of the ages is transpiring.
   
   
   1. In the realm of observable history there is more than meets the eye! There are powers at work of which some people never have conceived.
   2. The Christian warfare is one of supernatural elements (Eph. 6:10 -20; II Cor. 10:3-5).
      
      
2. These "princes of the kingdoms of Persia . . . and of Greece . . . " are not simply the mortal kings of these empires only. No mortal king could have so successfully opposed an angel of God for a period of 21 days (one angel was able to smite 185,000 Assyrians in one night),
   1. He is a demon-prince straight from Hell sent to gain some influence with sinful, pagan rulers, to attempt the thwarting of God's plan to redeem man!
   2. It appears that in the downward plunge away from truth and righteousness the Gentile nations, even as they chose to worship and seek the fellowship of demons (I Cor. 10: 20), came under the powerful influence of Satanic angels.
   3. These demon-spirits became the controlling, deceiving, power of decadent, depraved men, and they used whatever powers they had to hamper God's work. They even deceived those who delighted in being deceived with lying wonders and signs.
      
      
3. Paul has much to say about the world rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph. 2:3; 6:12; Col. 2:15; I Cor. 10).
4. Christ did not dispute the claim of Satan to the control of the kingdoms of this world (Matt. 12:26).
5. The devil has angels (Rev. 12:7). They are the instruments of his will. Satan enthroned himself as the unseen ruler of the nations and, at different times in the history of the world, has expressed through rulers his own character in opposition to God's character. HE IS A BEAST (ROARING LION); HIS HELPERS ARE BEASTS.
6. Under Satan's leadership Tyre became one of the leading powers of the world and leaders in wickedness (and personified Satan in the ruler of Tyre (Ezek. 28).
7. Babylon became the seat of satanic influence. At another critical period in the church's history Satan's throne was in Pergamos (Rev. 2:13).
8. Unseen forces are presently active as "the rulers of the darkness of this world."
   
   

1. They struggle behind the struggles that are written on the pages of history.
2. They explain the satanic evil that often comes to light under the things that appear on the surface.
3. Since a particular prince of the kingdom of Persia is mentioned, it seems valid to conclude that some such prince dominates every godless, cruel, tyrannical nation.
4. Whether each evil angel may have but one nation as his domain, or whether there may be broader spheres of activity in which the more powerful among them are active, we cannot decide on the limited information available in Scripture.
5. Evil angels had held the controlling position at the Persian court. They did not hold it, however, without the consent of the governed. That is, when men become willingly opposed to the truth, when they have no love for the truth, but rather take pleasure in unrighteousness, God will send them a strong delusion that they may believe a lie. God gives them up to their own ungodly passions. It must have been the desire of the heart of Cyrus, and perhaps others of his kingdom, to turn from their wickedness and the powerful influences Hell had over them. So God sent His angel Michael to overthrow the rule of the evil angels and Cyrus's heart was stirred to let the Israelites return to their Promised Land!
6. It is distressing to think of these mighty potentates of evil being the invisible rulers of this world. YET HOW COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT NO EXISTING POWER, SEEN OR UNSEEN, CAN TEAR THE BELIEVER FROM THE LOVE AND POWER OF GOD.
   
   

In religious texts dating from the post-exilic period, there appears to be substantial change in perception of angels. Hierarchies emerge in the literature that stressed particular groupings headed by archangels [that is, chief angels]. The archangels Michael (Dan. 10:13; 12:1; Enoch 9:1; 10:11), Gabriel (Dan. 8:16; Enoch 9:1; 20:7; 40:9), Raphael (Tobit 3:17; 12:15; Enoch 10:4; 40:9) and Uriel (Enoch 9:1; 19:1; 20:2) gain particular hero status. These special archangels function as mediators between God and humans, and frequently there is a perceptible character that stands in contrast (but not necessarily in opposition) to the messenger function. The archangels are interpreters of the message. Although angels generally represented a "guardian role" common to the ancient near eastern world, archangels seem to be of a superior category. In particular, Michael (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9; Assumption of Moses 12:7-9), Gabriel (gabriel, "hero of God"; Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26), and Raphael (rapa,el "God has healed"; a chief figure in the book of Tobit, see 3:16-17) were cast as important interpreters, advocates, and intercessors.

See Principalities.

Texts descriptive of the appearance and activities of cherubim reflect two contexts. One is in the visions of the presence of God attended by living creatures (cherubim and seraphim, Isa. 6:2-6; Ezek. 1:4-28; 10:3-22). The other is Temple worship and the representations of cherubim which were a part of its furnishings (Ex. 25:18-22; 1 Kings 6:23-35; 2 Chron. 3:7-14).

The most impressive of the Temple cherubim were the large sculptures (probably winged quadrupeds) in the Holy of Holies. The two cherubim would together form a throne. Their legs would be the legs of the throne, their backs the arm rests, and their wings the back of the throne. Consistent with the idea of a cherub throne are the texts which envision God dwelling between, enthroned upon, or riding upon the cherubim (1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2; 22:11; 2 Kings 19:15; 1 Chron. 13:6; 28:18; Ps. 18:10; 80:1; 99:1; Isa. 37:16). Even Ezekiel's vision depicts the glory of God resting upon or between the cherubim as something of a living throne.

See Principalities.

See Principalities.

See Principalities

See Principalities.

[The bases of some of the above definitions were from the Holman's Bible Dictionary.]

Ezekiel tries to explain the greatest glory that was satan's. He was trusted, loved, in high position, and was blameless until he decided by Free Will to demand more. Isaiah analyzes in greater detail the fall of the angel of God.

Notice the 5 famous "I wills" in two of Isaiah's verses. It was apparent with an attitude as described in Isaiah, there was going to be rebellion in Heaven. Lucifer (named so in KJV) is called the "star of the morning" literally means the bright one. His pride, jealousy, and ambitions were in his way.

It is very important to know angels were also given Free Will as we have. Most use it to absolutely follow God's instructions and praise God (as they are supposed to do). Lucifer decided he wanted more. Isaiah lays out the primary reasons God disallowed Lucifer (who then became Satan, as we know him) from staying in paradise with God and His hosts. He was not willing to be a subordinate; he wanted the throne. He had more covetousness under that pride than what we could ever know.

With the origination of Heavenly sin, Lucifer had to be removed. With him were many angels who followed Lucifer. In Revelation, John concluded Lucifer took about 1/3 of the angels. When Satan and his hosts were removed from Heaven, they were given the roam of the earth. Guess what? That's where we are. So we are greatly affected by this terrible tragedy of creation.

We as individuals can fight evil by our Free Wills and the help from God we expect when we ask his help. Remember, God does not necessarily take away the problem; but, He is always there with us. His plan will be fulfilled.

Another important thing to remember is there is no greater power than God. SATAN HAS NO POWER EXCEPT WHAT POWER GOD ALLOWS HIM TO HAVE. He gave us Free Will to fight the evil. We must do just that: CHOOSE to follow Christ.

That is what the story of Daniel is all about. God allows, permits, even establishes kings, kingdoms, prophets, etc. to go forth in His plan. He is in control. Sometimes we just do not understand. Someday we will.