Although angelic action manifests itself in many ways, we should always
remember that the primary purpose of an angel is to serve God. The main
task of an unfallen angel is to carry out specific assignments and to
accomplish various purposes for God. Just as there are different
classifications and identifications of the angels, so there are
different functions, responsibilities and ministries for the angels.
This section is designed to explore these various areas of ministry.
Angelic Responsibility Area #1 – Unfallen angels have a ministry to God.
There are at least nine ministries we may determine:
Angels praise God for His creation (Psalm 148:1-2; Job 38:6-7 ).
Angels praise God for His holiness (Isaiah 6:3).
Angels worship God for His holiness (Revelation 4:8).
Angels worship God for His majesty (Revelation 5:13-14).
Angels worship God for His Son (Revelation 5:11-12; Hebrews 1:6) .
Angels serve God by obeying God’s Word (Psalm 103:20).
Angels serve God by promoting God’s worship (Revelation 22:9).
Angels serve God by carrying out God’s judgments (Genesis 3:22-23;
Revelation 8:2).
Angels serve God by being personally accountable (Job 1:6; 2:1).
Angelic Responsibility Area #2 – Unfallen angels have a ministry
connected to God’s program . Since angels were created very early by
God, logically speaking they would have an active interest and role to
play in any program of God. It certainly appears that whenever God moves
His program in a new direction, angels become very active. We may
observe six:
Angels were very active concerning God’s creation (Job 38:6-7 2).
Angels were very active concerning God’s Word (Galatians 3:19; Hebrews
2:2; Revelation 1:1; 22:8-9; 16:3).
Angels were very active concerning God’s nation, Israel (Revelation
7:1-8).
God’s unfallen angels have always had a profound and important ministry
to Israel. They were involved in blessing Abraham (Genesis 18:1-2, 16,
22; 19:1). They were involved in protecting Abraham’s family (Genesis
19:1, 15). Angels protected Elisha and were used to deliver Israel from
the Arameans (2 Kings 6:15-20). Angels have had and undoubtedly still
have a profound connection and association with the nation Israel.
Angels were very active concerning God’s Son. Angels were very active
concerning Christ’s first coming (Matthew 1:20; 4:11) and they will be
very active at His Second Coming (Matthew 25:31).
Angels are very active concerning God’s church.
They were active at the beginning of it (Acts 8:26; 10:3, 7; 12:11).
They were active during the development of it (Revelation 2:1, 8, 12,
18; 3:1, 7, 14).
They will be active at the end of it. (1 Thessalonians 4:16
Angels are very active concerning Tribulation wrath (Rev. 7:1; 8:2;
10:1; 12:7-8; 16:1; 17:1; 18:1). We may certainly see that during every
one of God’s new programs or epoch times, angels are very active. From
the beginning of creation to the calling of Israel, to the development
of the Church right to the end, angels are involved in the whole program
of God. We may assume from this that when God’s program changes, so in
some way do the ministry assignments of angels.
Angelic Responsibility Area #3 – Unfallen angels have a ministry
connected to Jesus Christ . Since Jesus Christ is God, we may assume
that the same basic purpose of angels pertaining to God the Father,
which is to serve Him, also pertains to God the Son (Colossians 1:16).
Scripture certainly supports the fact that angels have an intense
relationship to God the Son:
Angels announced His coming (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:26).
Angels announced His birth (Luke 2:8-15).
Angels protected His life (Matthew 2:13-15, 19-21).
Angels strengthened Him after His temptations:
They strengthened Him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1, 11).
They strengthened Him in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43).
Angels would defend Him at any moment that He requested (Matthew 26:53).
Angels testified of His resurrection. Matthew 28:1-7; Luke 24:1-9 7.
Angels announce His future returns:
An angel will announce the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16 b).
An angel will announce Christ’s Second Coming (Revelation 19:17).
Angels will participate in future worship (Revelation 5:11-12).
Unfallen angels are closely associated with Jesus Christ at all times.
They love Him and serve Him and worship Him. Chafer quoted Dr. Cooke
concerning the connection angels have to Jesus Christ and it is worthy
to consider (Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, pp.
20-21):
How constant their attendance on the Incarnate Savior during his
mysterious life among men! At his birth they are his heralds, and with
songs exultant announce glad tidings to mankind. In his temptation they
minister to him; in his agonies they succor him; on his resurrection
they are the first to proclaim his triumph; on his ascension they come
to escort him to the mediatorial throne; in his glorified state they
render him supreme homage as their Lord; and when he returns to judge
the world they will form his retinue!
What sublime thoughts would be suggested, what emotions of wonder and
joy would be excited, by the scenes they witnessed on earth and still
witness in heaven, in reference to Christ, his two-fold nature, and his
great redeeming work. God incarnate! This was new to them. They had seen
the Son in his Deity; but never till now enshrined in humanity. What
amazing condescension!
Obeying his own law as if he were a mere creature, and in the attitude
of a servant!
This was new. They had seen him as the governor of the universe; but
never till now as
a subject! Encountering Satan in conflict and prolonged temptation! This
was new. They had seen him frown the arch-rebel from his presence and
hurl him to perdition; but never till now submitting to be tempted by
him whose subtlety and power had seduced myriads to eternal ruin.
Suffering the scorn and reproach of sinful men! This was new. They had
seen myriads
of happy spirits worship, adore, and love him; but never till now had
they seen him personally insulted, reproached, and maltreated by his
creatures. Groaning in Gethsemane, and crucified between two thieves,
and dying as a sacrificial victim! was new.
They had seen him supremely happy and glorious; but to see him agonize,
to hear that dying wail, and to behold him a bloody corpse, and all this
to save the world which had revolted from him! What mysterious love! To
see him, after all this, enthroned and glorified in human nature. This
was a new fact in the moral history of the universe. The whole scenes
were full of interest, wonder, and mystery; a gradation of wonders
rising in succession, until they culminated in the permanent presence of
the God-man, resplendent with a glory that fills the heaven of heavens.
Here were chapters of instruction for angelic minds to ponder; here were
developments of hidden truths; here were discoveries of the Divine
perfections, never known before; and still unfolding in brighter
effulgence as ages roll on!
Angelic Responsibility Area #4 – Unfallen angels have a ministry to
believers.
There is no question that God’s unfallen angels are actively involved in
the life of a believer in many ways. One of the main differences
concerning the ministry of angels, in this Church Age as opposed to
other ages, is their visible appearance. Angels have ministries
connected to every believer, but probably would never be physically seen
by the believer.
In other dispensations when angels were present, they were, for the most
part, visibly seen. However, their ministries for the most part in this
dispensation will remain unseen. Dr. Chafer thought one reason for this
is that every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and are subject to
the leading of an actual member of the Trinity, which is more “constant,
vital and exalting than angelic visitations could possibly be.”