The Holy Angels

In this session of GoToMeeting, the speaker discusses the topic of holy angels. Jesus Christ will return in glory with the holy angels. These angels are faithful and obedient to God and Jesus. They are mentioned frequently in the Bible and serve as examples for us. There are countless angels, although God and Jesus know each one. Angels are loyal to God and do not condemn those who blaspheme. They excel in strength and always obey God's commands. They have authority and can perform actions like blinding people. Well, hello, everyone, and welcome to another session of GoToMeeting. As always, it's really good to be with you, all the brethren. So I want to give a message today about the holy angels. So let's start by turning back to Luke, the 9th chapter. If you would with me, Luke, the 9th chapter, and we're going to be reading in verse 26. Luke 9, 26, it says, For whoever shall be ashamed of me and my words of him, shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his own glory, and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. So we see, we know Jesus Christ is going to be returning in his glory. But also, it mentions there the glory of the holy angels. So there are these holy angels that God and Jesus Christ have created. As it mentions here, they're holy. They're holy before God. They're holy because of God and the way God created them and designed them. These holy angels that are mentioned here, they are faithful to God. They are faithful to Jesus Christ. They are faithful in their love for God and Jesus Christ, and also in their love, as we'll see, for us, the saints, those God has called. So there's a lot of accounts of angels in God's word. It's pretty amazing when you read through the scriptures, how many times angels are mentioned throughout God's word. So a lot of things there for us, for examples for us that we can learn from angels. So one thing we maybe can start with, and we'll be turning back to Hebrews, the 13th chapter. It's safe to say a lot of us, as we'll be reading here, have maybe seen an angel and didn't know it. But Paul talks about that back in Hebrews 13, in verse 1, it says, Hebrews 13, 1, and let brotherly love be present among you continually. Do not forget to show hospitality, for by this some have unknowingly welcomed angels as guests. So Paul gives an admonishment there to continue to be hospitable, right? Because he says, you know, sometimes we may have entertained an angel by doing this. So something for us to be mindful of, because, you know, as we'll continue on in the message here, we'll see that angels very much are engaged in our lives. Well, we'll ask a question here. How many angels are there? These holy angels we're speaking of, how many are there? Let's go back to Psalm 68 to begin with here. We will read a couple of scriptures about that. Psalm 68, in verse 17, it says, the chariots of God are myriads. Myriads, something that's basically, it can't be counted. Thousands upon thousands, the Lord is among them, in Sinai, in the holy place. And we also get a good, I guess, thought-provoking view of how many angels there are back in Hebrews, the 12th chapters. Let's go back there because we know they can't be counted. But we'll see this mentioned again back in Hebrews 12. Hebrews 12, in verse 22, it says here, but you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem. And it says here, to an innumerable company of angels. So that's what we come before, before this innumerable company of angels. They can't be numbered. Now, that's for us, right? That they can't be numbered. Now, we know God and Jesus Christ know every one of them. They were all created by God and Jesus Christ, and I'm sure they all have a name. So yes, to them, they are numbered. They know every one. But to us, it's innumerable. Now, you think about this in relationship to Satan. And back in Revelation 12, it talks about, you know, Satan was able at the rebellion to draw away a third of them, a third of these angels that we know a lot are locked away, and some are here upon the earth. But it kind of gives you an idea in times there, as it talks about in Revelation, the ninth chapter, when the bottomless abyss is opened up, how many of these demons, these fallen angels will be here influencing mankind. And certainly, man's going to see at that time just how evil Satan is in this system, as he is called the God of this world, that this world unknowingly and sometimes knowingly worships. They're just going to see what that's going to be like when all those demons are loosed at that time. So, anyway, it gives us an idea of just how many, you know, angels there are, you know, innumerable amount of them. Well, we know the angels are loyal to God, the holy angels. And that's what this message is about, is the holy angels, the ones who stayed faithful to God, that did not rebel at the time that Satan rebelled, that they stayed with God and with Christ, the God of the Old Testament. They're obedient. You can say they always look to God. They always look to Jesus Christ in their obedience. Let's go back to 2 Peter and see what Peter writes about the holy angels. 2 Peter 2. In verse 10, it says, "...but particularly those who walk after the flesh in corrupting lust and hold in utter contempt the lordship of God, they are audacious and self-willed. They are not afraid to blaspheme the divine powers." Talking about people here, corrupted people, those who are against God, and how they are in their attitudes and in their rebellious minds. And they don't, they're not afraid to blaspheme God and the divine powers. But it goes on to say here, Paul does of the angels in verse 11, it says, "...whereas angels who are greater in strength and power do not bring a relling condemnation against them before God." Could they? These angels, the holy angels, because it says here, they are great in power, they're great in strength, but they don't. Because they know it's not given to them to do that. That's not God's will for them to be that way. And they are always engaged in looking to God in Christ and obedient to them and their behavior. Let's go back to Psalm 103. Again, when we see some of the characteristics of the angels, the holy angels, there's things there we can certainly learn ourselves. Psalm 103, let's see what's wrote about the holy angels. Psalm 103, verse 20. It says, "...bless the Lord, O you his angels, who excel in strength," as we just read there in Peter, "...who do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word." And that's how they are, they completely obey God. We see an example of this back in Exodus 23. We're going to be talking about the Lord's angel there with Israel in Exodus 23. Let's just see what's wrote about this, Exodus 23. And we're going to pick it up in verse 20. And we know that there was an angel there with Israel when they came out of Egypt and were in the wilderness. And God told Israel here in verse 20 of Exodus 23, He says, "...behold, I send an angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you to the place where I have prepared. Be on guard in his presence and obey his voice." It says, "...do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions." It says, why here? It says, "...for my name is in him." So this was an admonishment by God to Israel. You know, here's an angel I'm sending before you. Now, you need to be really careful to listen to what he says or how he leads you or directs you. Because if you don't, you know, he's going to listen to my words and my direct commands that I've given him. He won't pardon. Because God's name, the truth, the way, the life was in him. And he would be completely obedient to whatever instructions were given to him and execute those completely. You know, we see, we won't turn back there, but we see an example of this also in 1 Corinthians, I'm sorry, 1 Chronicles 21. 1 Chronicles 21 is about the time that David, King David numbered Israel. And he shouldn't have done that. But it says there that Satan provoked him and he had Israel counted. Use Joab to do that. And because this was done, God sent his angel to destroy Jerusalem. But at a point there, while that was destroying, was occurring, God had the angel stop. But 70,000 men died through that angel and his sword. And it talks about David saw the angel there in the air between Jerusalem there and heaven. And he saw his sword drawn and he saw, you know, as God commanded the angel to put your sword away and stop. But, you know, evidently there, if God hadn't stopped him, there would have been a destruction of Jerusalem. Because that's what he was sent to do. So it gives you an idea of the power and the authority of the angels. And there again, their obedience. And even, you know, David, he was a man after God's own heart in a lot of ways, full of courage. But he was afraid. He was even afraid to come and give sacrifice at the altar because of this angel that he saw. So again, an example of the loyalty and the obedience the angels have and also their power. Well, as I just mentioned there, they do have authority to do certain things. We see an example of this back in Genesis 19. If you'll turn with me to Genesis 19. And this is the account of Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah and the family there, Lot's family. And we know they came out, Lot and his wife and his two daughters. And his wife looked back and unfortunately, because she didn't obey the angel, she was turned to a pillar of salt. We know that, but we'll just read a couple of verses here to emphasize, again, the authority that the angels have. Genesis 19, it says, and there came two angels to Sodom that evening. So sometimes the angels work together, don't they? And in this case, there was two angels that had come to Sodom and working together. And Lot sat at the gate of Sodom and Lot rose up to meet them. And when he saw them, and he bowed himself with his face towards the ground. And we'll just go on to verse 11. We know this kind of story there where they wanted the men there and Sodom wanted to know who these two were and wanted to know them. And Lot was pulled back into the house. And it says here in verse 11, speaking of these two angels, and they smote the men there at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they were wearied themselves to find the door. So again, these two angels here, they had the authority to do this. To blind the ones that were there to see them, that were also, at that point, trying to get a hold of Lot, right? But again, the point here is they had the authority to blind these men. Well, let's look at another attribute about the holy angels is how they rejoice. The holy angels rejoice. You know, they rejoice before God. And they're very, very connected with God and his plan and what God's doing. With what God's doing. Now, let's go back to 1 Peter 1. I'll bring out a couple things here. 1 Peter 1. So the angels, they rejoice before God and they're, again, as I said, they know somewhat of the things that God's doing and God's planning, but they don't know everything. And this is brought out in a couple scriptures, but the first one we'll read is back in 1 Peter, the first chapter. And I'm going to read 1 Peter 1 in verse 12. It says, To whom it is revealed that not for themselves, but to us, they were ministering these things which now have been announced to you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit. So we think about this and through what's been preached, through what's been recorded in God's word, we have a lot of information and knowledge now pertaining to us and in our future and the kingdom and the plan, the plan of God that others before maybe did not have a clear understanding of. Sent from heaven, it says, into which the angels desire to look. So, yes, there's certain things that the angels desire to look into and to learn more about. And, you know, as we know, there's a lot of prophets and men of old that maybe were able to prophesy the things coming in the future, but really did not know everything that was going to be happening. And certainly we don't know everything too, as Paul talks about. We look through a dark glass in 1 Corinthians 13, but he says, you know, but then we'll know face to face. We'll see face to face and we'll know exactly as we have been known. So the angels desire to look into what's going on, what's going to be coming. While we're on this thought, let's go back to Matthew 24 also. Matthew 24. This is what Christ wrote concerning his return in the end time, Matthew 24. Verse 35, he says here, the heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall never pass away. But concerning that day and the hour, it says no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my father only. So, yeah, we know there's things that the angels, they don't know for sure. But, you know, we don't necessarily have to know everything, do we? We know God will reveal things to us as we need to know them and as time goes on, we will know more and the angels will as well. But they rejoice before God, don't they, the angels? Let's read back in Job 38, what it says about their rejoicing. Job 38. And we know this is talking about the creation. Job 38, in verse 6, it says, God talking here to Job, it says, on what are the foundations fastened to or who laid its cornerstone? When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. Can you imagine that when this creation was happening and things were being done by God and Jesus Christ by their word and these things came into being and the angels were there? It says, all, they all sang together. What an amazing thing. And shouted, they shouted for joy. For joy. What that must have been like to hear all the angels shout. You know, in First Thessalonians, the fourth chapter, it talks about the resurrection there and the shout of an archangel and what that's going to be like, that sound. But here it says, all of them, they were singing and they were shouting with joy. How powerful that must have been. You think about the magnitude and the power and the glory of God and Christ, God of the Old Testament at that time. Let's go back to Luke 15. Here's another example of how the angels rejoice when it comes to us. And when they see God call people and work with people and they see repentance and change. But Luke 15, and let's look at verse 10 of Luke 15. Verse 10 of Luke 15. It says here. I tell you that in like manner, there is joy before the angels of God. Over one sinner who repents. Because the angels know, brethren, just how important life is. Eternal life. And they're joyful for this because they're excited for all those God calls and all those who choose to repent and want to follow God and be obedient to God just as they are and choose to strive to be holy just as God is holy. They rejoice and have joy in this. Well, as we move on, speaking about the holy angels, you know, the holy angels, they have spiritual battles. Now, we know it talks about and we won't turn back there in Ephesians, the sixth chapter of verse 12. You know, we, we wrestle ourselves against spiritual powers. And that's why we'll have to put on the holy angels. And that's why we'll have to put on the whole armor of God. That's why we have to guard our minds. But the angels themselves, whether we think about this or not, they also have spiritual battles. Let's see an example of this. Back in Daniel, the 10th chapter, go back with me to Daniel, the 10th chapter. We're talking about Gabriel here and Daniel 10 in verse 11, and it said, and he said to me, oh, Daniel, man, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright for to you I am now sent. And when he had spoken these words to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I have come because of your words. But it goes on to say here, but the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days. Then lo, Michael, one of the chief princes came to help me for I had been there alone with the king of Persia. And we'll go ahead and go on down to verse 20 and 21 and says, then he said, do you not, do you know why I came to you? I come to you and now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia. And when I go forth, lo, the prince of Greece shall come, but I will show you that which is written in the scriptures of truth. So, yes, the the angels, they have spiritual battles themselves. With. At times, Satan and the demons and we we know down through time, we don't know how many times this has happened, but I'm sure you've heard examples in wartime where people have witnessed certain things happening. But, you know, the demons are very much involved in wars and activities like this. And how many times are the angels there to intervene and to war on behalf of God? We we don't know, but we know they do have spiritual wars. With powers spiritually of Satan. Jude nine, let's go back to Jude nine. Let's go back to Jude nine. We see an example of this. It says here in Jude nine, it says that Michael, the archangel, when he was personally taking issue with the devil. So, you know, it uses the word it was personal there. He he was personally. There was Satan. Taking issue. It says disputing about the body of Moses, but it goes on to say here. Did not. Right. Presumed to pronounce a reviling judgment against him. But he said the Lord himself rebuke you. So we read a very similar account back in Peter, didn't we? That they have power, they have strength, but they don't bring accusations against. They leave that up to God. In his authority. And in this case, he told Satan, the Lord himself reviewed you. Right. But they do have spiritual battles. We see another example that is yet to come. We'll read in Revelation 12. Let's go back to Revelation 12. In Revelation 12 in verse, we'll just read seven, seven and eight. We know the account here, but it says, and there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels war warred against the dragon and the dragon and his angels warred. But they did not prevail and neither was their place found anymore in heaven. So now they're an example of their spiritual warfare. They have Satan and the demons. And while we're back in Revelation, let's read an event that's going to be coming. Yet in Revelation 20 in verse one and two. It says, then I saw an angel descending from heaven and having the key of the abyss. And a great chain in his hand, and he took hold of the dragon and the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years. So don't know who this angel, you know, a lot of times in God's word, it mentions God's angel or a certain angel. We doesn't maybe say who the angel is. And sometimes we may speculate on who that might be. But we know what God's word talks about Michael and Gabriel. But anyway, there will be an angel here that will be given the power and authority to go and bind Satan with these chains. So there'll be a special type spiritual chain here that is created that will bind Satan. Now, we know there's examples in God's word. And I think of the one where there was a demon called Legion, because he had many within him. This man, and he was able to, you know, through God's word, it says he was able to break chains or however he was bound, he was able to break those things. But in this case, these chains that will bind Satan, he won't be able to break through these chains. But, you know, this is something we may be able to witness. I think we will witness, because at this time, we'll be spiritual beings, won't we? So we'll see. But nonetheless, the angels, they have their spiritual battles as well and given instructions by God to do certain things. Well, I mentioned Michael, I mentioned Gabriel. They, you know, they have special responsibilities. And so do I'm sure other angels down through time have been given special responsibilities by God to do certain things. Let's look at maybe a couple examples of that. Let's go back to Luke 1. So we have a good account here in Luke 1 of Gabriel and his interaction he had with Zacharias. And also with Mary, the mother of Jesus. But Luke 1 in verse 18, it says, And so we know Gabriel had come to pronounce to Zacharias that he would have a son in his older age with his wife Elizabeth. And the angel answered and said to him, and really pay attention to this, how powerful the words are here directly from Gabriel to Zacharias. He says, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. And I was sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you. How powerful is this? Gabriel saying here, I stand in the presence of God. And I've been sent. Let's read on here. It says in verse 20, So Gabriel had the authority to do this because he had been sent from God. Because he had been sent from God. You know, it makes you think about the angels, the holy angels again, and their ability to discern us and what's in our minds and what we're thinking. But Gabriel here was able to recognize in Zacharias that he did not believe. He did not believe what was being proclaimed to him from God. From God, the almighty, the most high God himself. Sent this message to Gabriel. While we're here in Luke 1, let's look at the account of Gabriel in a message to Mary. Okay. Verse 30, it says, But let's read here what Mary says to Gabriel. Right? Since I have not had sexual relations with a man. Mary questioned Gabriel here. So it says, The Son of God. So Mary had a question for Gabriel, right? How can this be? Because she hadn't been with a man, right? But we see the difference there between Zacharias and Mary. And Gabriel was able to understand what was being asked. Zacharias didn't believe. But Mary just had a question, right? She was wondering, you know, I've not been with anybody. How can this be? And Gabriel explained it to her, right? So the angels, again, as a point here, they have special responsibilities. Gabriel was a messenger here. He was a messenger also to Daniel. But we can see here, they do have the ability to be able to understand and have discernment. Let's go back to Daniel, the 12th chapter. So in Daniel 12, we're going to read about Michael here a little bit. Just going to read in verse 1 of Daniel 12. And it says, at that time, Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even until that time. And at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. So we know Michael here is looked upon as a prince, a prince for the people, your people, God's people. And we saw earlier in Daniel that he was also called a prince there as well. So it makes me think about there, Satan is called a prince, called the prince of the power of the air, right? But here we see, just to point out that there are certain functions that Michael has. Michael's been given from God as being a prince for God's people. Let's go back to change the thought here a little bit and go back to Hebrews, the first chapter. And we'll get to something very, very, very important function that the angels have been given and who they are. So Hebrews 1, in verse 13, it says here, but to which of the angels did he ever say, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? And we know that's referring back to Psalm 110. Are they not all ministering spirits? Being sent forth to minister to those who are about to inherit salvation. So the angels are ministering spirits, aren't they? They're ministering spirits for us, for God's people. You know, there's at least one religious organization I'm aware of that they look at Jesus Christ as being an angel. But certainly knowing the truth in God's word, that is not correct, is it? We see that here. Plainly, it says, to which of the angels did he say, sit at my right hand, right? That was given to only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God of the Old Testament. But there are angels, right? And their job is to minister to us. Let's look at an example of this. And they're ministering to us and how they minister to Jesus Christ. Matthew, let's go back to Matthew 4. Matthew 4. And I want to read in verse 11 of Matthew 4, and we know that this was after the time that Christ had fasted for 40 days and he was being tempted by Satan. But it says here in verse 11, then the devil left him. And behold, angels came and ministered to him. So, it makes you think about, you know, us as God's people. How many times have we been ministered to and helped out directly by angels in certain ways, and maybe we weren't aware of it. You know, I have heard of certain accounts where there's been miracles occur and the brethren's lives at times, and they know that somebody was there to help them in certain ways, and some talk about that. But we know they have been sent to minister us and take care of us and watch over us. Now, in a little bit, we're going to read about a requirement from us that God expects us to have so he can give that protection of ministering to us. We're seeing also another account of Christ being ministered in Luke 22. Let's go back to Luke 22, and we'll just break in at Luke 22 and verse 43. And we know before the crucifixion that there was a lot upon Jesus Christ, and he was in a lot of agony. He was in a lot of agony knowing what was about to happen in the crucifixion and how difficult it was going to be. But we get an idea here of the ministering angels and what they do. In Luke 22, verse 41, it says that he withdrew from them about a stone's throw. That was some of his disciples there. And knowing and falling to his knees, he prayed, saying, Father, if you are willing to take this cup from me, nevertheless, not my will, but your will be done. It says, and then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. So, brethren, that account is in there for us. There was an angel sent to help strengthen Christ and to encourage Christ in what he was about to do. And in the same way, you know, angels can be sent to us time to time, and maybe we're not aware of it, but as ministering spirits to give us strength and help when we need it in troubling and difficult times for us. But we know this is from God and from Christ. Let's see a couple examples of their intervention. And we'll be back in the book of Daniel. If you'd like to go back to the book of Daniel for a couple of accounts. And I want to go to Daniel 6 here, this first example in verse 21. So, we know that there was a point there where Daniel was put into the lion's den, right? And as we break into the account here in Daniel 6, 21, we know Darius at this time came to check on him, because Darius, he liked Daniel, and he was kind of tricked into putting on the command that Daniel be put into the lion's den. But he liked Daniel, but he went to check on him, Darius did, and Daniel 6, and we'll read just 21 through 23, it says, and then Daniel said to the king, oh, king, live forever. My God has sent his angel and has shut the lion's mouth, and they have not hurt me, because and has shut the lion's mouth. And they have not hurt me, because before him, innocency was found in me. And also before you, oh, king, I have done no harm. Then the king was exceedingly glad for him and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So, Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of injury was found on him, because he trusted in God. And we'll read a couple more accounts of this, but, you know, the angel was sent there, in that case, to shut the lion's mouth, but he trusted in God, Daniel did. And so, that's key, for the ministering angels to come to us and provide some of our needs and cares and protection, the trust. Similar event in Daniel 3, and this time, we'll read in Daniel 3 about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and this time, was with King Nebuchadnezzar, a different king. But in Daniel 3, verse 28, we know they were protected in the fiery furnace. It says here in 28, Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, blessed be the God of Shadrach and Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel, right, and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and has sent us nothing, the king's words, and has given back their bodies from the flame, so that they might be not served, nor worship any other God, except their own God. So, that command from Nebuchadnezzar, which looked like a certain death for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did not come, because God sent his angel, and they were protected from that fire, right, to be able to go on and serve the Most High God. So, again, the important part for us is, we have to be able to trust in God, is the trust, the trust we should have in God and Christ. Psalm 34, let's go back to Psalm 34. Psalm 34, in verse 7, it says, the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. The ministering angels, the holy angels, they encamp around us. They deliver us. And, you know, we, again, as I mentioned, we maybe just don't know how many times we have been delivered and protected and taken care of. You know, we pray every day, I think all of us, that God watches over us and protects us and our families and the brethren. And he has his angels to do that for him. Psalm 91, while we're back, or while I hear in Psalms, let's just read Psalm 91. And I know we refer to this a lot as a chapter to read to bring us comfort and assurity in what God does for us, protecting us in times of need and troubling times. But an important part here, again, is in Psalm 91, verse 1 and 2, we'll read. It says, he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I will trust. So that's the important part is we need to get close to God. We need to draw close to God. We need to get under his protective wings and put ourselves there and put our total trust in him. And if we do this, we'll read 11 and 12. For he shall give his holy angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways and they shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against the stone. Right? So again, an example of the ministering spirits sent forth to minister unto us. Let's be turning back to Matthew, the 18th chapter. I want to bring out something here about the angels that maybe, maybe you haven't considered before that's brought out here in Matthew 18. But they have, I'll use the words, a direct connection with us and God at the same time. As God's our father, our loving father, and he leads us and guides us and directs us and corrects us and works in our lives in so many different ways, along with Jesus Christ, our personal savior, the holy angels of God have a direct connection with us. And they also look to God. But let's see this in Matthew 18, how profound this is. Matthew 18, verse six, it says, but whoever shall cause one of these little ones, ones God calls God's children who believe in me to offend, it would be better for him that a millstone be hung around his neck and be sunk into the depths of the sea. So very important, brethren, how we consider one another, how we treat one another and offenses particularly. But let's go down to verse 10 here. It says, take heed that you do not despise. Now, despise is a mindset, right? A mindset or thoughts that are not correct towards people, towards others, towards, in this case, little ones, little ones, God's people. For I tell you that their angels in heaven continually look upon the face of my father who is in heaven. Well, how we consider each other is very important. You know, the angels always have our best interest in mind, don't they? And they witness us as brethren, how we treat each other, how we love one another. And they also sometimes witness things that shouldn't be happening, right? In our relationship with each other and also our relationship and obedience to God. Particularly here talking about offenses and being on guard that we don't despise or have the wrong thoughts about each other. Because they behold God's face continually and they look to us. And they're always looking for God's guidance and God's direction, right? As the holy angels. So something to consider here. As the angels, again, the ministering spirits sent to minister unto us, they have that direct connection with us and with God. Let's go back to a few scriptures, a few chapters to Matthew 24. Gives you another idea here just how engaged the angels are going to be with us and how God will use them at the end of our resurrection. Matthew 24 in verse 30, it says, And when and then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and glory. Well, we read that when we started the message, you know, Christ is going to come back with glory, his glory, the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But verse 31, it says here, And he shall send his angels, right, with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of earth to the other. Well, that's going to be an awesome day for us, for God's people. When you think about that, whether we fall asleep before Christ returns and we're resurrected or we remain alive until we're changed, you know, one of those two things will occur, the angels will be sent to gather. And, you know, we can think about that, what that may be like, but wow, what a tremendous day and occurrence that's going to be when we're there with an angel or maybe a couple of angels, I'm not sure, but they'll be with us as we go up to meet Christ and to meet God in a different body, right, with a totally complete different mind. So something to look forward to, something good to think about. Let's go back to Revelation, the 22nd chapter. I want to bring out another point here about the holy angels, Revelation 22. Revelation 22, let's see what John says, verse 8. Now I, John, was the one who saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, the angel that was bringing the message, was telling John about things. And he was showing me these things. But he said to me, see that you do not do this, right? Don't, don't come, don't do this. Don't bow down and worship me, for I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren, the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book, right? But he plainly says here, worship God. So a point here is we do not worship angels. Now we brought a message out here about the holy angels, right? And they are holy unto God, but we don't worship angels. We don't ever worship angels. We worship God continually in Jesus Christ. Now we can always be thankful for the angels, right? And just pray to God, giving God thanks for his creation and what he's done for us and the creation of the angels for us and for him also. But we don't but we don't worship them. Now on the other hand, Satan and his demons, they do desire to be worshiped. Right? They don't have this mind. That's why they're not the holy angels, but they're the falling angels that have rebelled and whose countenance and minds have changed. The holy angels we don't worship. Let's go back to Revelation 5. Revelation 5 and verse 11 says, and I saw and heard the voices of many angels, many angels, right? An innumerable amount of angels. And around the throne and the voices of the living creatures and the elders and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice worthy of the lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing and every creature that is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and those that are on the sea and all the things and in them. And I heard saying to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be blessing and honor and glory and sovereignty into the ages of eternity. And the four living creatures said, amen. And the 24 elders fell down and worshiped him who lives into the ages of eternity. You know, do you think the angels look forward to the return of Jesus Christ? Returning with Jesus Christ and the saints to the earth to establish the kingdom to take over this, this earth, this world and establish righteousness. Well, yeah, they certainly do. They look forward to that day too. You know, the day Jesus Christ was resurrected, you know, they rejoice that day as he returned and ascended back to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. They had the God of the Old Testament back again. You know, it must've been really difficult because as we've talked about here, the loyalty, the faithfulness, the obedience that the angels had due to the Lord God of the Old Testament that had created them because all things were created by Christ through Christ for him. So, you know, they had a special relationship as being created beings by God and Jesus Christ and they knew what was going to happen. So, you know, they rejoiced when Jesus Christ was resurrected and you know, they'll rejoice again and they look forward to the return and the establishment of the kingdom. We know that. We know that. Let's go back to Romans, the eighth chapter and get again an understanding of this. You know that the world creation was subjected to a lot because of rebellion, the rebellion of Satan and the demons. And also we know what man through Adam and Eve decided to do because of their disobedience to God and the penalties of that. But the earth and all creation was subjected to things because of that. And you know, the, at one point before the rebellion, I'm sure that all the angels that God had created had knew each other and had a relationship with one another. But again, we know through God's word, there was a point that Satan took away a third of them. And those relationships and all that God had planned, that changed from that point forward. And the angels were involved in that. And we know that. Let's see what Paul writes here in Romans eight and verse 19 through 23, and it directly talks about us. 19, it says, for the earnest expectation of creation itself is awaiting the manifestations of the sons of God rather than the angels are waiting for the manifestation of us. Because the creation was subjected to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who subjected it in hope. Because there is this hope that we all have through Christ. In order that the creation itself might be delivered from the bondage of corruption and to the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that all the creation is groaning together and traveling together until now. And not only that, but even we ourselves who have the first fruits of the spirit also grown within ourselves awaiting the sonship, the redemption of our bodies. And we certainly do, don't we? We look forward to that day when we're changed and we become like God and Christ and we're going to see the angels. We're going to see God and Christ face to face and we're going to see the angels. And at that time, we're going to get to know a lot more about who they are and what they've done through time to minister unto the saints, being holy unto God. Let's turn to one final scripture and we'll close. Let's go back to Philippians. In Philippians 4, Philippians 4, and I want to read down in verse 8 of Philippians 4. It says, Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. So brethren, we've covered a message today about God's holy angels. And you know, we don't know everything, but when we read God's word about the holy angels, these are good things to meditate on for us, aren't they? They're uplifting. And certainly the angels, the accounts of the angels give a lot there for us to look to as examples as well. So brethren, this has been a message about the holy angels. These are good things for us to study on, to think about, to be thankful to God for that he's created these beings for himself, for Christ, for their glory, and also for us.