Something had changed for the Apostle Paul to be able to make this statement. Normally, when we see angels interact with mankind in the Scriptures prior to Paul, angels not only outrank men, but also instructed them as to the Scripture and indeed gave them Scripture. So what happened?
The Greek word for angel is aggelos (ang'-el-os). It is translated in the AV-"angel" 179 times, "messenger" 7 times; 186 in all. Strongs' rightly defines it as "a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God." Some commentators think Paul is here referring to fallen angels, but this is not the case since elect or non-elect angels are not specified in the context like they are in other places. For example I Timothy 5:2I, " I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. "
The Body of Christ now has a position above the elect angels. Colossians 3:1: " If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" Also, Ephesians I:20-22 says: "Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all things under His feet."
No other economy has been so lifted up as the Body of Christ when it comes to eternal destiny. This will be one of our main occupations in eternity, to co-judge the angels with Christ from His throne. Praise God!
The English word "angel" is used 175 times in the entire New Testament but only 13 times in the Pauline Epistles. This is huge and not merely an argument from silence. Angels in the Kingdom Dispensation normally deliver saints and instruct them in Bible studies, like Daniel, for example, or the Apostle John with the Revelation. But Paul's Epistles do not mention anything about these types of angelic activities as in the Old Testament or even the times after Matthew to the present Age of Grace. Indeed, Paul's only mention of the assistance of an elect angel is Acts 27:23 and there is no deliverance here or sense of hierarchy, but of encouragement and what God will do in His time of need.
All of Paul's revelations, regarding Scripture and the Body of Christ, were received without angelic assistance, directly from the Lord Himself. Galatians I:11-12: "But 1 certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. " This is quite different from the norm in the past, as angels were instrumental in the dispensing of Scripture, as well as the understanding of them. Angels were also used of God to protect Israel in many physical battles of even sustenance by eating angel's food. Psalm 28:25: "Man did eat angel's food" This verse does not mean that manna was what the angels were used to eating, but those angels delivered this food to the nation Israel. This kind of intervention is not even mentioned in Paul's instruction for the Body saints for today. This information would surely have been mentioned in Paul's Epistles for us today.
It may even be pointed out that part of the angelic ministry to Israel was to assist the Jews in their worship of God (1 Kings 19:5; Psalm 34:7; 91:11; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 2:13,19; 4:11; 18:10; Luke 22:43; Acts 5:19; 12:7-10; Hebrews 1:14).
The angels observe us (Ecclesiastes 5:6; 1 Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 3:1), a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints (Luke 16:22). Man is made "a little lower than the angels." Ecclesiastes 5:6 says: "Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?"
In the Kingdom program, the angels instructed Old Testament saints; today we are instructing them, a direct reversal of ministry.
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How God Saves Men
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
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Posted By Cecil and
Connie Spivey
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