Angels, 13of27

~ Holy Angels & Fallen Angels ~  

 

Angels  ~  All angels fall into one of two broad categories:  fallen/rebellious or unfallen/righteous/holy/elect angels.  Fallen angels fall into two sub-categories.  Most often when angels are mentioned in Scripture it refers to holy angels. 

 

Rebellious Angels ~ “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” (Jude 6).  The angels gave up their proper role and the associated dignity!  Christian, do you realize all the benefits of your spiritual birthright?  Are you living in the victory and joy of your position as an adopted child of the Creator? 

Scripture names two fallen angels are Lucifer/Satan (who was the subject of the last post in this series) and Abaddon/Apollyon whose name means “Place of Destruction/The Destroyer.”  “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon” (Revelation 9:11).  He will one day create great pain on real people when God brings His judgment.  In the end times he will lead a demonic army.  

Categories of Rebellious Angels  ~  While only two fallen angels are named in Scripture they are apparently innumerable.  Fallen angels are of two kinds: free and bound.  The bound rebellious angels are in chains waiting their judgment (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; 1 Corinthians 6:3).  On the other hand the free rebellious angels are also specifically in Scripture (Mark 5:9, 15; Luke 8:30; 1 Timothy 4:1). 

The Future of Rebellious Angels  ~  All the rebellious angels share the ultimate fate as their Lucifer/Satan their leader.  “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).  “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.  And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

Righteous Angels  ~  They are also described as “elect angels” in 1 Timothy 5:21 and apparently are innumerable.  The righteous angels were with God at creation, the giving of the Law, the birth of Christ, His resurrection, and His ascension.  In the future they will be at the Rapture of the true Church and the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

Principalities and Powers  ~  This expression—and equivalent—which occurs several times in the New Testament (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:21, 3:10; Colossians 1:16, 2:10, 15; and Luke 21:25; 1 Peter 3:22), seems to include all angels—both fallen and holy. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Christian Action, 8of39

~ Use Your Gifts ~

Series Note  ~  In just the single chapter of Romans 12 the Apostle Paul gave believers a list of 39 things which are part of the Christian life which pleases God.  This chapter is crying out saying, “If you name Jesus Christ as your Savior then please act like a Christian!”  It is Paul’s “To Do List” for us.  The key principle is that while you and I cannot change God’s character (who He really is) we have the clear potential to damage His reputation (what others think He is). 

Scripture to Meditate On  ~  “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.  For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 13:3-8).

Comment  ~  God has given Christians both natural talents and spiritual gifts for the purpose of building up others in the body of Christ and for witnessing to unbelievers. 

Related Passages  ~  “Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Romans 14:19).  “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.  Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).  “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11a). Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).  “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you” (Acts 26:16).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Is…, 40

~ Jesus Christ Is The King of Kings ~

Passages  ~  “I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power.  Amen” (1 Timothy 6:13-16).

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

“Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.  And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.  He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:15-16).

Significance  ~  A king has authority over people.  It logically follows that the King of Kings also has authority over other kings.  This is a term which denotes the sovereignty of Jesus Christ.  He has ALL authority over ALL people, lands, and All of Creation.  “Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18).

Comment  ~  Are you on speaking terms with your Creator?  If no, why not?  You can know Him personally. 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .