THE ORGANIZATION OF GOOD ANGELS PART 2 OF 11
TEXT - EPHESIANS 6:12
INTRODUCTION
In studying about angels within the Bible we find that there are different ranks among angelic beings.
Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Colossians 1:16, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created by Him and for Him."
In the organization of angels we find that there are basically two main groups each having various subdivisions or ranks within them.
In order to understand how these two main groups of angels began we must first understand what the Bible says concerning the fall of angels.
When God first created the angels they were all holy.
As we have already learned in Isaiah 14:12-15 the angel Lucifer also known as the Devil or Satan exercised his will and rebelled against God wanting supreme authority over the universe for himself.
Isaiah 14:12-15, "How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! [13] "But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. [14] 'I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' [15] "Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit."
Ezekiel 28:17, "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you."
As a result of Satan's rebellion against God many other angels also chose to follow him.
Since Satan was referred to as "the star of the morning" and angels in general are referred to or compared to stars in the Bible it is also believed that the number of angels that followed Satan in this rebellion consisted of one-third of the angels created by God.
Revelation 12:3-4, "And another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. [4] And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven, and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child."
That would mean that out of the 399,920,004 angels Albertus Magnus said were created by God 133,306,668 angels followed Satan.
Based upon their allegiance, angels fall into two main groups.
The first group is known as the "angels of God" and are also called the good angels.
John 1:51, "And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
In this group there are at least four different kinds of angelic beings.
The second main group is referred to as "the angels of Satan" and is also called the bad angels.
Matthew 25:41, "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;"
This group also contains at least four different kinds of angelic beings.
Tonight I would like us to concentrate on the organization of the angels of God.