Saturday, February 14, 2009

Angels

Calvin's Institutes
Book 1 - Knowledge of God the Creator
Chapter 14 - Even in Creation Scripture distinguishes the True God from false gods
Sections 3-12 - Creation and functions of angels
Section 8 - Hierarchy, number and form of the angels
We can't determine detailed hierarchy from Scripture.
Michael is archangel (Dan 12:1; Jude 9; Dan 10:21),
and only Gabriel is otherwise named (Dan 8:16; Luke 1:19, 26).
There are many legions (Matt 26:53), many myriads (Dan 7:10).
Multitudes encamp round about (2 Kings 6:17; Ps 34:7).
Plenty are ready to help; leave it at that!

Section 9 - The angels are not mere ideas, but actuality
Angels are real - Heb 1:14; Acts 23:8; Rev 5:11.
The law given by angels - Acts 7:53; Gal 3:19.
Other verses that assume their reality:
Matt 22:30; 24:36; 25:31; 1 Tim 5:21; Heb 1:4; 2:5, 16; 12:22.

Section 10 - Divine Glory does not belong to angels
Every good thing comes not from angels, but from God.
Don't degrade Christ's glory by giving it to angels.
Col 1:16, 20; Rev 19:10; 22:8-9

Section 11 - God makes use of the angels, not for his own sake, but for ours
God uses angels to "comfort our weakness." in trouble.
Elisha's servant's faith was bolstered by seeing the angels (2 Kings 6:17).

Section 12 - The angels must not divert us from directing our gaze to the Lord alone
This would miss the whole point of the angels' ministry!
Angels went up and down Jacob's ladder TO God (Gen 28:12), ON Christ (John 1:51).
Abraham's servant doesn't ask the angel promised to go with him for help, but God (Gen 24:7, 12).
We do not divide our trust between God and His angels.

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