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ANGELStrue stories

study guide

©2011 Robert J. Morgan Books • Nashville, TN 37214

Morris Proctor

Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Morgan

All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book, except brief quotations in critical reviews or articles.

Published in Nashville, TN, by Robert J. Morgan Books.

Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION.

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Part 1: Angels

What the Bible Says About Angels .................................................................. 1

The Best Verse in the Bible about Angels ......................................................................1

The Origin and Occupation of Angels ..........................................................................3

The Power and Personality of Angels ............................................................................4

Angels in the Life of Christ..........................................................................................5

Part 2: Angels

Watching Over Me ........................................................................................7

Angels Transport Blessings to Our Lives ...................................................................... 8

Angels Deliver Us from Judgment ................................................................................ 9

Angels Protect Us in Danger ..................................................................................... 10

Angels Assist God in Answering Prayers ................................................................... 11

Angels Usher Us to Heaven ...................................................................................... 13

iv

When you hear the word angels what comes to mind? Cupids? Wings? Harps? In Angels, author Robert J. Morgan, looks beyond myths and fairy tales, to uncover what the Bible says about angels. He states in the Introduction,

This book represents a long-term effort on my part to understand the subject of angels in the teachings of the Bible and the story of Christ, in Christian and missionary history, and in everyday life. I’m not a speculator or enthusiast. I’m a Bible teacher devoted to “rightly dividing” the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV). There’s no need to be fanciful or fanatical on this subject, for the Bible provides enough solid data for a satisfying understanding of these mysterious creatures.

The book in essence is a theological treatise of angelology. In addition, interspersed with the biblical data are first-hand accounts of what’s believed to be angel encounters. These stories will encourage and inspire you in your daily Christian walk.

This companion study guide systematically walks you through each chapter in the book, helping you to discover for yourself what the Bible teaches about angels. To get the most out of these lesson, please read the indicated pages in the book, look up each Scripture reference listed, and thoughtfully answer each question.

And remember,

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2, NKJV).

INTRODUCTION

1

Part One: Angels1. What the Bible Says About Angels

Part One: Angels1. What the Bible Says About Angels

Rather than leaving us to our own imaginati on about angels, the Bible provides ample informati on about who they are and what they do. In this chapter Rob introduces us to the biblical record regarding angels which includes:

• 234 specifi c passages about angels

• 278 ti mes when God is referred to as the “Lord of Hosts”

• References in 19 Old Testament and 20 New Testament books

Read pages 16-25.

Reread pages 22-23 underscoring the survey of verses about angels from Genesis to Revelati on.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement on page 20: To believe the Bible is to believe in angels.

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The biblical writers, without fanfare or undo att enti on, “matt er-of-factly” included angels in their narrati ves. Rob also points out that angels were always incidental to the main story line in which they were included. Do you see any signifi cance to the natural, casual menti oning of angels?

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What have you learned about angels from this chapter?

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2. The Best Verse in the Bible about Angels

Rob writes:

As I worked my way through the 234 passages in the Bible on this subject, one verse stood out in neon colors, providing a set of basic defi niti ons for this strange species of creature.

In chapter two you’ll thoroughly study this exciti ng verse, Hebrews 1:14, and why Rob labels it “the best.”

Read pages 26-35.

2

Read Hebrews 1 about Jesus’ superiority to the angels and answer the following questions based on that chapter.

What is Jesus’ position in comparison to angels (1.4)?

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How are angels to respond to Jesus (1.6)?

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How are angels described in 1:7?

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How is Jesus described in 1:8?

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Who has the position at the Father’s right hand (1:13)?

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Summarize Jesus’s superiority to angels as delineated in Hebrews 1:1-13.

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Carefully reread pages 31-32 where Rob comments on Hebrews 1:14 and then answer the following questions.

What is the “physique” or substance of angels?

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What role has been assigned to angels?

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3

3. The Origin and Occupation of Angels

Ever wonder where angels come from? They just seem to show up out of nowhere in biblical stories. Actuality they do have a beginning point and this chapter you’ll discover what it is as well as some of their responsibiliti es.

Read pages 36-45.

What can you learn about angels from Job 38:7 and Ezekiel 28:13-14?

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According to Psalm 103:20-21 what are angels supposed to do?

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What ability do angels have as seen in Genesis 28 and Daniel 9:21?

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What do angels do on the earth as revealed in Zechariah 1:10-11?

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Reread pages 42-43 and summarize the military descripti ons of angels given in the Bible.

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4

4. The Power and Personality of Angels

From the chubby cherub on Valenti ne’s Day to the good angel versus bad angel sitti ng on people’s shoulders in Hollywood movies, angels are grossly mischaracterized. The only authoritati ve source to uncover what angels are actually like is the Bible. So in this chapter you’ll analyze biblical verses describing numerous characteristi cs of angels.

Read pages 46-57.

Describe the power of angels aft er reading Genesis 3:22-24; 2 Kings 19:35; and Isaiah 37:36.

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Based on 1 Corinthians 4:9,11:10; Acts 12:6-11, 27:21-26 and 1 Timothy 5:12 do believe angels acti vely observe our lives? Why or why not?

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Reread pages 52-54.

Summarize the “strength in numbers” aspect of angels.

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Describe the “personality” of angels.

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According to Revelati on19:10 and 22:8-9 are angels to be worshipped? Why or why not?

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Read Acts 12 and paraphrase the two angel stories contained therein.

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5

5 Angels in the Life of Christ

Since they’re constantly showing up in His life, it’s easy to read overlook the involvement of angels in the teaching and ministry of our Lord. In this chapter you’ll slow down to carefully read passages about angelic acti vity in life of Jesus.

Read pages 58-69.

Rob menti ons the six known sighti ngs of angels connected with our Lord’s nati vity. Describe each one according to the verses listed below:

Luke 1:5-23 _____________________________________________________________________________

Luke 1:26-38 ____________________________________________________________________________

Matt hew 1:18-25 ________________________________________________________________________

Luke 2:8-15 _____________________________________________________________________________

Matt hew 1:13-15 ________________________________________________________________________

Matt hew 1:19-23 ________________________________________________________________________

How did angels help Jesus in Matt hew 4:11 and Mark 1:13?

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In His teachings, what did Jesus reveal about angels?

Matt hew 22:30 and Luke 20:36 ________________________________________________________________________

Mark 13.32 ________________________________________________________________________________________

Luke 15:10 _________________________________________________________________________________________

Luke 16:22 _________________________________________________________________________________________

In light of John 1:51 and Genesis 28, what does Rob mean by this statement about Jesus on page 62: As the God-man, I am the real Bethel, and I’m compassed by angels who come and go at My command.

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What role did the angels play during Jesus’ prayer ti me in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43)?

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6

Reread pages 64-65 and then summarize the angels’ activities surrounding the resurrection.

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What did the angels communicate on Ascension Day (Acts1:9-11)?

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What do the following verses teach about angels in relationship to Jesus’ return?

Matthew 16:27 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 24:30-31 ___________________________________________________________________________________

1 Thessalonians 4:16 _________________________________________________________________________________

2 Thessalonians 1:7 __________________________________________________________________________________

Revelation 19:6-7 ___________________________________________________________________________________


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7

In ti mes of great diffi culty people oft en make comments like, Angels were working overti me on my behalf. Accurate? Or just emoti onal relief? Before dismissing such claims we need to examine the biblical evidence of angels providing for both outward physical needs and internal, spiritual or emoti onal needs of God’s people.

Read pages 72-89.

Aft er reading Genesis 32:1-2 explain what’s meant by “two camps.”

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In the following passages describe how angels cared for physical needs.

Genesis 21:19 ______________________________________________________________________________________

1 Kings 19:5-6 ______________________________________________________________________________________

Psalm 78:24-25 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Summarize the following verses showing angels provided inner strength to people.

Daniel 10:17-18 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Acts 27:22-25 ______________________________________________________________________________________

Luke 22:43 _________________________________________________________________________________________

Isaiah 6:5 __________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you had a similar experience to the ones Rob shared in this chapter about angels providing for people’s needs? If so, describe.

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Part Two: Angels6. Angels Transport Blessings to Our Lives

8

7. Angels Deliver Us from Judgment

Even though, as Rob accurately states, holiness, wrath, hell, and judgment aren’t popular subjects to discuss, they are biblical subjects. And they are biblical subjects in which angels are heavily involved, as this chapter clearly shows.

Read pages 82-93.

From Isaiah 6:3, Revelati on 4:8, and 8:13 record the response of angels to God’s holiness.

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While not the focus of the book, Rob refers to fallen angels or demons. Characterize their fate according to these verses: Matt hew 25:41, Luke 8:31, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6, and Revelati on 9:1-2.

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Rob also points out that on some occasions angels dispensed God’s judgment. Explain the role of the angels in the following stories about God’s wrath:

Genesis 19:1-29 ____________________________________________________________________________________

1 Chronicles 21:14-17 _______________________________________________________________________________

Matt hew 13:39, 49-50 _______________________________________________________________________________

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 _______________________________________________________________________________

Revelati on 15:1 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Not only do angels dispense God’s judgment, they also rescue people from it. Summarize the “saving” acts of the angels in these passages:

Genesis 19:1-29 ____________________________________________________________________________________

Numbers 22 ________________________________________________________________________________________


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9

8. Angels Protect Us in Danger

From childhood, we hear and talk of guardian angels. Are they fact or fi cti on? In chapter 8, Rob seeks to answer the questi on, not from emoti on, but from biblical examples of angels protecti ng people.

Read pages 94-105.

Read how God delivered His servant from lions in Daniel 6:1-24. According to verse 6, who does Daniel credit for shutti ng the mouths of the lions?

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In Acts 12:6-11 who was instrumental in Peter’s release from prison?

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Rewrite in your own words the promise given to God’s people in Psalm 34:7.

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Why does Rob refer to Psalm 91:11 as 911?

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Explain the promises of Psalm 34:7 and 91:11 in light of the fact that God’s people do indeed suff er harm.

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Do Matt hew 18:10, Acts 12:15, and Revelati on 2:1, 8, 12, 18, 3:1, 7, 14 teach that every person has a guardian angel? Why or why not?

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10

9. Angels Assist God in Answering Prayers

Rob’s favorite verse about angels, Hebrews 1:14, states that angels are sent out by God to serve Christi ans. In this chapter you’ll further explore the idea of angelic service, as you see they’re sent in response to the prayers of saints.

Read pages 106-113.

What invitati on are Christi ans given in Hebrews 4:16?

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Rob writes: Seven ti mes in His Upper Room Discourse in John 13–17, Jesus said that if we ask anything in His name, He will do it.

What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?

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In your own words rewrite the events in Daniel 9:20-23 and 10:10-14.

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What do the above Daniel passages teach about prayer?

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How do Ephesians 2:2 and 6:12 factor in to our prayer lives?

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According to Colossians 2:18 are we supposed to worship (or pray to) angels?

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9. Angels Assist God in Answering Prayers

11

Have you experienced the involvement of an angel in answer to one of your prayers? If so, explain.

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10. Angels Teach Us to Worship

What do angels do all day? Sing? Fly? Eat? In chapter ten, Rob surveys one of their primary acti viti es: worship. You’ll not only see their worship, you’ll be inspired in your own worship of God.

Read pages 114-125.

Summarize what the following verses communicate about the worship habits of angels:

Revelati on 5:8-11

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Psalm 148:2

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Hebrews 12:22

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10. Angels Teach Us to Worship

12

Respond to Rob’s observation:

Some writers have questioned whether angels actually sing, and this is

a valid discussion. But I cannot imagine tuneless angels. God loves music.

He filled the Bible with hymns. He filled the universe with singing

creatures—from songbirds to giant blue whales. He puts songs in our

mouths and melodies in our hearts. Can we really believe there’s no

music around the throne, that angels are somehow excluded from God’s

singing creation?

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Using pages 118-120 as a guide, define seraphim and cherubim.

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What two reasons does Rob give for the presence of so many cherubim in the tabernacle and temple (page 120)? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

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Describe the worship in Revelation 4:6-11 and 19:6-7.

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13

What can you learn about worship by observing that of the angels?

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11. Angels Usher Us to Heaven

We know that our ti me on earth is limited. Thinking about our transiti on from this life to the next, can be uncomfortable. This fi nal chapter will encourage you though, as you discover the role on angels in the crucial part of our lives.

Read pages 126-135.

Although doctrine isn’t based on personal experience, what’s your reacti on to the stories Rob reported about angels in this chapter?

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In your own words rewrite the story of Elijah’s departure in 2 Kings 2:11-12.

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What does Matt hew 24:31 reveal about a future assignment for angels?

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Aft er reading Luke 16.22 in diff erent Bibles, rewrite the verse in your won words.

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14

What personal encouragement can you take from Luke 16:22?

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