God says definitely in this scripture passage in Isaiah 14 that Lucifer which is Latin for "morning star" was originally in heaven and implies this was his original home. The term morning star of Lucifer as used of Satan probably means he is one of the original creations of God and has splendour or glory above most of God's creation along with other of the angels, fallen or holy. Also the term morning stars is used in the plural of angels in general probably before the angelic rebellion led by Lucifer or Satan in which he probably took 1/3 of the angels away from God in his rebellion as is implied in Revelation 12. In the reference in Job 38 the morning stars probably refers to all angels before there were any fallen angels and they were all then still under God's blessing and favour. The statement of Satan or Lucifer or the devil being cut down to the ground for weakening the nations probably means a reference to the temptation of our first parents the man and woman Adam and Eve from whom came all the nations in the devil's or Lucifer's tempting Eve through the serpent to disregard God's word to not take of the forbidden fruit and take of it so she and then Adam could be as gods or (as God) knowing good and evil. The devil or Lucifer could have been created significantly before this time and already become evil by rebellion against with other angels or just have led the rebellion against God at about the same time he went into the serpent to tempt Eve with the forbidden fruit. Lucifer of the devil being cut down to the ground means God exiled him to a primary domain in hell in the heart of the earth although he can still roam on the earth in the air and in the heavens for now. Then Lucifer became exalted in his heart through pride in Exekiel 28 it says because of his beauty or glory that God had given him although this could be also due to his imagination of tempting Adam and Eve and getting the human race to fall away from God to Satan's power or influence. Lucifer or Satan said that he would exalt his throne above the stars of God and ascend into heaven. These two are relation also in passages like 2 Corinthians 12 in the New Testament where the Apostle Paul says the third heaven is paradise and the dwelling of God which also implies this is beyond the stars which are probably the second heavens and the Earth's atmosphere or the air which is probably the first heavens. Lucifer or Satan was saying here that he wanting to push God Himself off His throne and take over the throne of Heaven and the universe and install himself Lucifer or Satan as the rule or heaven and earth. It is possible also that Lucifer saying he would exalt himself above the stars of God and ascend into heaven could imply that Satan or Lucifer as well as the other angels were before dwelling more in the second or starry or celestial heavens and not in the third heavens and perhaps God let the obedient angels then come to dwell in the third heaven because he trusted them more by resisting the temptation to follow Lucifer in his rebellion against God with some of the other angels who became fallen angels or demons. Also Lucifer's or Satan's ambition to exalt his throne over the stars of God could also refer figuratively to the angels although who were probably dwelling at least mostly in the celestial or second heavens although I think the main meaning of these stars is the literal meaning of self luminous physical or inaminate celestial bodies although even in this meaning it could still include planets including of other stars. Lucifer's or Satan's saying he would sit upon the mount of the congregation refers to the tabernacle or temple of God in Heaven mentioned in the books of Hebrews and Revelation in the New Testament also the pattern after which God revealed the design of the earthly tabernacle of God "after the pattern shown you in the holy mount (Mount Sinai)". This was also in the sides of the north probably meaning it was in heaven over the place of Mount Moriah on which the Temples of God in Jerusalem were built and which was also within the Garden of Eden that probably extended from the Euphrates to the Nile River in Egypt with Jerusalem also being in the north or northern hemisphere. This is probably also referred to in Job 26 where it is stated God hung the north over the empty place in connection with the Earth in space. I do not personally know how this portal could be maintained between the rotation Earth that faces many directions in space and heaven unless at least the third heaven where God dwells rotates at the same rate about 24 hours in one rotation as the Earth. Although it doesn't say how long it is there is a verse in Psalm 89:29 God just showed me that mentioned days in heaven in connection with God's Messiah (Jesus of Nazareth) so there could be days of limited duration perhaps also one Earth day in the third heaven although this last point is quite speculative but possible.
Then God says that for Lucifer's or Satan's pride (and that of the other angels that fell from God in Lucifer's rebellion that God would bring him and them to the hell to the sides of the pit which is in the heart of the Earth in Jesus' words. Then it says ultimately people especially those who trust God and His Son Jesus Christ or the Messiah through this life in the life to come or last day will look on Lucifer or Satan with contempt and surprise wondering that someone as apparently insignifcant as him could put the earth in fear and shake kingdoms or nations and cause devastations on the earth including through wars or perhaps at God's permission encouraging some ill effects of nature like plagues or bad weather although only God can create these things but the devil can manipulate them as he did clearly in the first couple chapters of the book of Job. Also it says in the Bible that God will shake kingdoms but at least part of this will and partly now is letting Satan cause some destruction that gives Christians a chance to show God's love and be faithful to God in difficulty and that God also uses to break the false security in this world of unbelievers. It also mentions especially godly human beings in the life to come or at the end of time will also wonder when we see the devil or Lucifer that he was the one that destroyed cities as in oppression through urban decay or crime and that didn't let go those who indulged in the pleasures the devil offers like worldly power or riches, immoral sex, drugs or drunkenness, violence or the occult or false mysticism or unbelief or godless religion who sought those or other things Lucifer or Satan offers and departed from the LORD and became Satan's or Lucifer's prisoners. The scripture reference in Isaiah 14 of the rebellion and casting out of heaven to the earth of Lucifer the devil or Satan (and his fellow fallen angels) is as follows:
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? Isaiah 14:12-17
The setting for this passage was at the foundation or creation of the earth. This is what is meant by God laying the foundation of the earth and laying the measures of it or stretched out the measuring line upon it. At that time this passage says the morning stars sang together. Stars or host of heaven although usually used for the physical stars is often also used for the angels or heavenly messengers of God. The term morning stars probably refers to these angels as existing in the early history of the universe and this is probably the explanation for the term morning star or Lucifer for Satan in particular as well. The term sons of God although used in the New Testament for Christians is usually used just for angels in the Old Testament as they were specifically born of God and not indirctly through reproduction as humans are in our physical birth and conception although our spiritual birth is a direct birth from God and His Holy Spirit. As the term sons of God for human believers was not in common use in the Old Testament but was used for angels, this is probably the meaning for the beings mentioned in Genesis 6 that had sexual relations with human women. Although angels are not permitted by God to have sexual relations with humans, the sons of God that had sexual relations with woman before the flood of Noah were probably demons and wouldn't feel bound by God's commandments or expectations. The term sons of God in Job 38 refers to all angels initially all good and holy before some followed the devil in rebellion against God and became cursed by Him. The scripture reference in Job 38 of all the angels present at the early or initial history of earth is as follows:
Where wast thou when I laid the foundation of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:4-7
After Adam and Eve took part of the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and received a sinful nature and desires and were destined to die, God expelled them from the garden of Eden and then put Holy Angels (Cherubims) with swords to guard the way to the Tree of Life so Adam or Eve wouldn't take the fruit of the Tree of Life and eat of it and obtain eternal life in their fallen state with sin, guilt, misery and sickness leading to physical death. God didn't want to deny them eternal life but with them as with us wants us to wait until we get to heaven with a righteous nature and new godly spiritual bodies that will still be able to physically eat of the fruit of the tree of life as in Revelation 21 to 22. This duty of the angels to guard the way to the tree of life is the beginning of their role as messengers to carry out duties appointed by God in his relating to human beings. It is interesting that angels are also appointed to guard the gates of the New Jerusalem in eternity in Revelation 21:12. The scripture reference to some holy angels carrying out their duty from God to guard the way to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden after the fall into sin from fellowship with God of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 is as follows:
Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. Genesis 3:23-24
Although the ark of the covenant was the most important or holiest part of the tabernacle or temple, there was a further part of it that was attached to it that was also quite important. This is the mercy seat. It was called the mercy seat because it was in its midst that God's presence dwelt and continued access to God's presence was assured by putting the shed blood of innocent animals there on a regular bases to cover the people's sins. The mercy seat was to be made of pure gold and was to be two cubits and a half or about 1 1/4 metres in length since a cubit was about 18 inches or half a metre in length. The mercy seat was to 1 1/2 cubits or about 3/4 metre in breadth. On the upper part of the mercy seat were to be made two cherubim of pure gold at each end of the mercy seat. The cherubims were to have their wings stretched forth probably touching one another over the middle of the mercy seat and ark of the covenant to represent their double or combined protection of God and His glory and holiness that dwelt in His Shekinah or visible glory between them or in their midst. This touching the wings of a pair of angels is similiar with the pairs of angels or living creatures around God's throne in heaven in the vision God gave to His prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel chapter 1 although those angels might not have been on either side of the LORD. The faces of the angels on the mercy seat were to be facing each other (and the glory of the LORD that would be between them) and towards the mercy seat that was on top of the Ark of the Covenant and the shed blood on the mercy seat. The shed blood on the mercy seat also speaks prophetically of the final shed blood of God's only begotton Son and Messiah Jesus of Nazareth who shed his blood on the cross that allows God to extend his mercy to take away the sins of all who trust in Him as our Lord and Saviour from our sins. God also instructed Moses that the mercy seat was to be above the ark of the covenant where he would put the testimony or tables of the law given on Mount Sinai with the 10 Commandments. The LORD makes it clear that he would dwell above the mercy seat between the cherubims and meet and instruct the Israelites from that location in the holy of holies through Moses and the high priests as was the case in the tabernacle and the First or Solomon's Temple. This reference to the angels built above the mercy seat amongst which God's presence dwelt above the mercy seat and the ark of the covenant meant to show the guarding of God's glory by the angels in Exodus 25 is as follows:
And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. Exodus 25:17-22
There are a number or references in the New Testament that mention that God gave the law to the Israelites through angels as well as through Moses. I had up until now been unable to find references to this in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) especially in the Torah (Books of Moses). However thanks to Believers Bible commentary in the reference on Galatians 3:19 I have found what I think is a reliable reference in Deuteronomy 33. This reference mentions the LORD coming down from heaven to Mount Sinai and some other holy mountains but with also many "saints" coming with him. As I don't think there would be resurrected believers in heaven at that time, I think these saints are holy angels as does William MacDonald the author of Believer's Bible Commentary. This reference in Deuteronomy also says a fiery law which could include the idea of God's ten commandments written by his finger in the tablets of stone or the idea of God's commandments or law coming from God in heaven. Whatever is the case it is clear that the angels are associated with God giving these commandments to the children of Israel. This is also consistant with some New Testament references such as Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19 and Hebrews 2:2 for which I will mention more when I share about those references. The scripture reference of Deuteronomy 33 about The Lord giving his law to the children of Israel through holy angels is as follows:
And he (Moses) said, The LORD came down from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. Deuteronomy 33:2
In verse 19 the scripture gives a picture of God on His throne as the place from which he rules the entire universe on earth and in all three heavens (the paradise abode of God or third heaven), the second heaven of the planets, stars and galaxies and the first heaven of the atmosphere of earth as well as one earth. This is what is meant by the statement his kingdom ruleth over all. This would include any life on other planets but as I have said in other parts of my web site, for several reasons I believe there will at most be only planets and animals on other habitable planets and not intelligent life other than angels or demons. However I think the demons will be bound in the bottomless pit by the end of the tribulation and beginning of the Messianic Kingdom. The angels are pictured as excelling in strength and doing God's commandments. I believe this is not only on earth but in the three heavens too. I think from the context this scripture means they do God's command directly and it doesn't mean they do what Christians command in quoting God's word as I think especially in this passage it is not talking about people even indirectly commanding angels but only God himself which would include God the Son Jesus Christ. This is also what I believe hearkening unto the voice of his word means as it is in the context of God on his throne ruling over all his creation. In the next verse the angels are called God's ministers (or servants) and His host or armies that do his pleasure. Again I believe this means that the angels are pictured taking their orders and their service from God Himself rather than through people even if they are God's people. I believe the angels here are pictured doing God's pleasure and service and fighting for him not only on earth but in the three heavens as well. Part of the fighting in the heavens could be against demons or fallen angels. These angels again in verse 22 as well as people and other parts of God's creation are instructed to bless the LORD from all parts of his dominion although at present I think there are only humanoid beings on earth but this verse could apply to human beings colonizing space in the Messianic Kingdom or in eternity in mortal bodies and then with resurrection bodies in a way consistant with the rest of God's Word - the Holy Bible. The scripture reference from Psalm 103 of the God from his throne ruling over all in the heavens and the earth including the angels as God's ministers and host at His word is as follows:
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts: ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul. Psalm 103:19-22
Around Bethlehem which was in the hill country of Judaea near Jerusalem there were shepherds watching over their flocks at the time of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was certainly not on December 25 as the weather then is cold and I think fairly rainy and it would not be comfortable for shepherds to be outside watching their flocks and this date for Christmas was invented at the time of Constantine in the 4th century to try to harmonize a Christian festival with the pagan roman festival of the winter solstice. Rather this event would probably be in October perhaps around the time of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. At this time and place an angel of the Lord came from heaven to give a message to the shepherds. The word angel in the New Testament comes from the Greek word "angelos" which means messenger. This is one example of an angel being a messenger sent from God to give instructions to those on earth that he wants to inform of some of his purposes. In this particular case not just the angel but also the glory of the Lord (God the Father) appeared to the shepherds which caused them to be sore (very) afraid. The angel then gave them his famous and heart warming message that their would then be great good news that in the city of David Bethlehem would be born a Saviour who would be Christ the Lord. Of course this was speaking of Jesus of Nazareth. The angel further said the shepherds would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At that time there was an appearance of a multitude of the heavenly hosts (holy angels) praising God. The angels were seeking peace on earth and good will to man or peace on earth to men of good will. This is still God's desire and will be fully realized after Jesus' second coming at the end of the tribulation when he comes to set up God's Messianic Kingdom where God will rule the earth through Jesus from Jerusalem especially the Temple there. The angels then disappeared and returned to heaven and the shepherds sought to go to Bethlehem to see the saviour who was then a baby that the angels had mentioned to them. The scripture reference in the Gospel of Luke 2 about the angels appearing to the shepherds to bring the message of Jesus' the Saviour of the world's birth is as follows:
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ (Messiah) the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel of multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, and the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Gospel of Luke 2:8-15
One of the purposes of the angels was and is to be messengers which is the term from which we get our word from angels the Greek work angelos. One of the periods during which angels acted as messengers was at some of the key events in the first earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ about 2000 years ago. One of these events was the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this case God sent two angels called men in the account in the Gospel of Luke to give confirmation from God to some of Jesus' disciples that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. On the first day of the week or the Sunday following Jesus' death on the cross on the Friday which makes the day of Jesus' ressurection the third day after his death after some of the disciples came to the empty tomb of Jesus and found the stone was rolled away and his body was not there. These two angels looked like men and were wearing shining garments or robes. This must have been quite an intimidating sight as the disciples in reaction bowed down their faces to the earth. The angels then asked them why do you seek the living among the dead. The angels then reminded the disciples had foretold to the disciples that he would rise from the dead the third day after Jesus' death on the cross. The disciples then remembered this prophecy of the Lord Jesus The disciples who were some of the women disciples of the Lord Jesus went from the sepulchre to tell the 11 disciples and some other disciples of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. The scripture reference from the Gospel of Luke 24 of the angels that were sent from God to confirm and emphasize to some of Jesus' women disciples that he was risen from the dead as he foretold and urged them to tell the 11 disciples and other disciples of the LOrd JEsus is as follows:
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the LOrd Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, And returning from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. Gospel of Luke 24:1-10
One of the examples of the action of angels with believers in the New Testament and the Church Age after Pentecost is an angel speaking to one of the first deacons of the church Philip. This angel appeared to Philip and spoke to him and instructed to go down to towards Gaza on the way from Jerusalem. The angel explained that there PHilip would encounter a high official from Ethiopia who he was to share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with. This encounter took place as the angel said and Philip took advantage of the opportunity and shared the gospel with the Ethiopian official of the Ethiopian Queen Candace. This led to the Ethiopian official trusting in Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour and bringing the Gospel back to Ethiopia where others maybe even some of the rulers were saved by trusting in the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour and establishing a Christian presence in that land that continues to this day. The scripture reference to the angel instructing Philip to go towards Gaza and share the gospel of the Lord JEsus Christ with the Ethiopian official is as follows:
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Acts 8:26-27
In verse 13 the angels are contrasted to the Lord Jesus Christ since it is denied that it applies to angels that they will be at the right hand of God (in Heaven). This is in contrast to the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God who will sit at the right hand of God and according to other scriptures including in the book of Hebrews the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) has been at the right hand of God since His ascension to heaven from earth 40 days after his resurrection from the dead. Jesus is now there as our high priest and will eventually use that position as God's designated judge of all people. To be at God's footstool could mean that people are defeated on earth or even could mean they be brought to the heart of the earth in hell. What the angels are however are ministering or serving spirits including guardians angels to serve on behalf of those who shall be heirs of salvation or believers. In this age that means Christians or Jews and Gentiles or people of other nations that trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and that are united by God's Holy Spirit. In Old Testament times those who would be heirs of salvation were Jews or those who joined the Jews and believed in the God of Israel and the then future Messiah while the heirs of salvation in the tribulation and the Messianic Kingdom will be separately Jews and Gentiles or people of the nations that trust in the Lord Jesus the Messiah as their Lord and Saviour that he died for them and rose again to give new life and then with a part for the Law of Moses but especially in the Messianic Kingdom in combination with the New Covenant and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. These angels minister or serve the heirs of salvation by preventing believers from physical harm and perhaps spiritually protect believers from spiritual attacks of demons or fallen angels including Satan the devil. The scripture reference from Hebrews 1 of angels not at God's right hand as Jesus Christ is but being spirits that minister to serve including guard believers is as follows:
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1:13-14
The writer to the book of Hebrews, who is probably the Apostle Paul, here instructs the Hebrews especially the Jewish believers in Jesus to exercise hospitality to strangers. Then by divine revelation God showed to Paul or the writer to Hebrews that some of the Christians in exercising hospitality had entertained or provided hospitality to angels. The writer of this book is saying that it isn't a rare thing to have even now angels in our midst and that they often take the form of regular looking men and perhaps women. I have personally heard some stories about missionaries or other people of God both Christian and Jewish for whom angels have appeared in the role of protectors or other parts of their roles as ministering spirits. Angels could also help Christians day by day avoid or avoid harm from danger more than we realize and for which we might not find out until we get to heaven when God will probably reveal these things to us as well as perhaps introducing us to the angels that protected us. The scripture about the possibility of providing hospitality to angels when we exercise the instruction to provide hospitality to strangers in Hebrews 13 is as follows:
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2
A holy angel appears to the apostle John in his visions written in the book of Revelation after John saw the vision of the judgment of Babylon and the wedding feast of the Lamb for the church in heaven. The angel then instructed John to say to the people that read the Bible that blessed are all those called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (that is through receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour in this present Church Age) and that these sayings are the true sayings of God (even though they are quite marvellous). John then fell at the feet of the angel to worship him, probably because of the outward and visible splendour of the angel. The angel then clearly and immediately told John that he shouldn't worship him (the angel) because he was just a fellow servant of God and shared having the testimony of Jesus. The angel then redirects John to worship God which would include God the Son or the Son of God Jesus Christ who John worshipped at the beginning of the Book of Revelation with approval. I think the way the angel reacted to John's attempt to worship him as well as what other parts of the Bible say about angels makes it quite clear that angels are just created beings although higher in wisdom and power that humans in this life and that humans should not worship angels but only God including the Lord Jesus Christ. This is in clear distinction from the New Age Movement and other forms of paganism or the occult as well as some mysticism such as that in the Roman Catholic Church or some other versions of Christianity where angels are worshipped. If you fall into the practice of worshipping angels I encourage you to turn from that practice and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour and one Mediator between God and man who died for your sins and rose again from the dead to give you new life and ask God's forgiveness for your misplaced worship of angels. Like this angel of God, the holy or faithful angels wil not seek worship or glory to themselves but only to God and Jesus who they will present themselves as servants of. Demons or fallen angels on the other hand might appear as something hideous or sometimes pose as good angels or angels of light and will seek worship or glory to themselves from people. The scripture passage from Revelation 19 of the holy angel forbidding human worship from the apostle John is as follows:
And he (the angel) saith unto me, write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he saith unto me, see thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:9-10
The Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear he considers it a serious offence for anyone to be ashamed of him or his words in the ungodly world we live in. It is true this could cause some embarrassment or even ostracism or social prejudice or mistreatment but it is even worse in some non-Christian countries where there is open persecution of Christians. However Jesus says he still doesn't want true Christians or believers to be ashamed that is to shrink from or hide our committment to Jesus or also His and God's word - the Holy Bible. Jesus says quite clearly that if we do this especially without repentance or on a consistant basis he will be ashamed at His second coming when he comes in the glory or splendour of the Heavenly Father and of the holy angels. The holy angels as God's messengers will help God and Jesus set up His Kingdom with His word and His values over all the earth and also to take off the earth all those who don't repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour at the end of the tribulation or 70th week of Daniel. This will be so there will be predominantly believers among also the mortal people at the beginning of the Millennial or Messianic Kingdom of God through the Lord Jesus Christ on earth after Jesus' second coming. The holy angels will give glory to God and the Lord Jesus Christ at that time also as they always do. If you have seen or heard of an angel that didn't give glory to the Lord Jesus Christ according to God's Word - the Holy Bible as the one who came to die for our sins and rise again to give new life as God come in the flesh that supposed angel you have seen or heard of could well not be a holy angel but a demon or fallen angel masquerading as a holy angel as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11 and you should not listen or dwell on such an angel but on the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father according to God's word - the Holy Bible. God and Jesus want people who are or who become true Christians who are His true people to not be ashamed of the Lord Jesus in this present time of his rejection by society or the world so he doesn't feel compelled to be ashamed of us when he comes in and established his glory on this world and the society he establishes on earth. The scripture reference from Mark 8 of the holy angels joining the Lord Jesus Christ when he comes in His Father's glory from heaven at the end of the tribulation to set up His Messianic Kingdom on earth is as follows:
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Gospel of Mark 8:38
I could only find one other possible reference to angels in the Messianic Kingdom in God's Word the Holy Bible. I think this goes to show that angels will not have a very prominent role on earth in the Messianic Kingdom or Millennial Kingdom but the focus will be squarely on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Jewish Messiah in the line of David and King of kings and Lord of lords over all the earth. It is true that the angels are mentioned prominently as coming with the Lord Jesus Christ at his second coming at the beginning of the Messianic Kingdom but they are hardly mentioned at all after that until some references to them in eternity in the Book of Revelation. However one reference I have found that gives a good insight into what some of them could be doing on earth in the Messianic Kingdom is in the Gospel of John 1. This passage had to do with the Lord Jesus meeting and calling Nathaniel to be one of his disciples. One of the things Jesus said to Nathaniel was that before Philip called him and while he was still under the fig tree I saw you. Now the expression under the fig tree is very significant and would be known from the Old Testament by most devout Jews including probably Nathaniel as an allusion to the Messianic Kingdom as this expression is used three times in the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) once referring to the peace and prosperity of Israel under King Solomon (1 Kings 4:25) and once in direct reference to the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom as a time of righteousness and implied of peace and prosperity (Zechariah 3:10) and once of the peace and prosperity of the Messianic Kingdom or Millennial Kingdom (Micah 4:4). Nathaniel understood what Jesus was implying and affirmed Jesus as the promised Jewish Messiah although he was probably looking for a Messiah to liberate the Jews from their earthly oppressors in this case the Romans and establish visibly and unmistakedly God's Kingdom on earth at that time which Jesus did not come to do then but will in his second coming at the end of the tribulation. This concept of Nathaniel of Jesus as the glorious Jewish Messiah is evident from him not only calling Jesus the Son of God but also the King of Israel. Jesus in verse 50 makes clear that he recognized it was because of his reference to being under the fig tree that Nathaniel responded to him as the Jewish Messiah and Jesus went on to say he would see greater things than this. Jesus said afterwards Nathaniel would see heaven opened and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Since Jesus refers to the throne of his glory elsewhere in the Gospels in a Messianic Kingdom sense probably in reference to him sitting in the Messianic Kingdom Temple in Jerusalem in the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom, the heaven would probably be opened in the Messianic Kingdom directly above the Messianic Kingdom Temple in Jerusalem and this would allow the angels to ascend and descend between heaven and Jesus, the Son of Man, on earth in the Messianic Kingdom Temple in Jerusalem as a main feature of angels on earth in the Messianic Kingdom. I think this also implies that angels will be involved in worshipping Jesus as the Messiah and King of Israel and King of kings and HIgh Priest after the order of Melchizedek in the Temple in Jerusalem in the Messianic Kingdom or Millennial Kingdom. Jesus using the phrase under the fig tree to lead Nathaniel to believe that Jesus would be the one to bring the Messianic Kingdom to the Jews on earth eventually and that this would involve the manifestation of angels probably over the Messianic Kingdom Temple over Jesus as the Jewish Messiah in the Gospel of John 1 is as follows:
Nathaniel saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathaniel answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. John 1:48-51
For more information, comments, questions or advice
contact info@spiritandtruthministries.org
Contact Spirit and Truth Ministries