Angels (malakim) are, unlike human beings, supernatural messengers for Yahweh (Gen.16:7,9, Ex.3:2; Num.22:22-35) though the term 'messenger' or 'angel' can also be applied to Yahweh's human servants such as the nevi'im (prophets) (2 Chr.36:15; Is.44:26; Hag.1:13), cohenim (priests) (Mal.2:7) and specially commissioned humans in general (Lk.9:52; Mk.1:2). Even the winds are sometimes called malakim (Ps.104:4) in a poetic sense. Thus the Hebrew word malakim (messengers) need not always refer to supernatural beings, just as the word elohim is not exclusively a title for the members of the Elohimhead (Godhead) but can also be used of malakim (angels) and Israelite rulers, and even demonic entities, i.e. those possessing power in authority.
Supernatural malakim (angels) are also known as the Beni Elohim (Sons of God) (Job 1:6;Ps.29:1) and Qadoshim or Holy Ones (Ps.89:7; Dan.8:3), a designation also shared with spiritually regenerated human (natural) beings. Supernatural malakim (angels) are also referred to in Daniel and a number of pseudepigraphical words from the 1st century BC such as the Book of Enoch as "Watchers" (Dan.4:13,17,23). On occasion "heavenly hosts" or "hosts of heaven" also refer to supernatural malakim (angels) (1 Ki.22:19 = 2 Chr.18:18; Ps.148:2; Neh.9:6).
Supernatural malakim (angels) are a part of Yahweh's creation (they are not self-existent, though Satan deceived himself into thinking that they were) and were made either in the beginning or sometime before the foundation of the earth (Ps.148:2-5; Neh.9:6; Col.1:15-17) and are currently of a higher order than human beings (Heb.2:7) and are greater in power and might (2 Pet.2:11; 2 Ki.19:35). They are not to be worshipped by humans (Col.2:18; Rev.22:8-9) and are not omniscent (all-knowing) like Yahweh and do not know the time of the coming of Messiah (Mt.24:36; 1 Pet.1:12). They are not omnipresent (present everywhere) like Elohim (God) for they go from place to place as humans do (Dan.9:21-23).
Although malakim (angels) are described as "ministering spirits" (Heb.1:14) this does not mean they are either non-corporeal (having no bodily form) 'ghosts' or that they do not physicality in some way, as is evident from the fact the fallen Watcher malakim (angels) were able to take human women as wives and by union with them have physical children, the "giants" or nefilim (Gen.6:4). Malakim (angels) do not die as we do (though that does not make them immortal) nor do they currently marry (Lk.20:36; Mk.12:25) but are all male as Adam was before Eve was taken out of him. There are apparently many millions - if not billions - of them (Dan.7:10; Heb,12:22; Rev.5:11). The phrase "thrones or dominions or rulers or powers" likely refers to malakim (angels) (Col.1:16).
There are, broadly-speaking, two categories of malakim (angels) - the good ones who are loyal, faithful obedient servants of El Elyon (the Most High God) and those who are evil, disobedient, rebellious and fallen supernatural beings who have embraced the darkness and followed Satan (2 Pet.2:4; Jude 6; Rev.12:7). Good malakim (angels) cooperate with the work of the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) in bringing Elohim's (God's) message to mankind. Those who bring contrary messages are cursed (Gal.1:8-9). Satan or haSatan ('the Adversary', also known as Heylel or Lucifer) is the chief of the fallen malakim (angels) possessing great knowledge and power and is able to masquerade as a 'malak (angel) of light' as well as being able to empower his human agents to appear as 'ministers of righteousness' in deceiving and powerful ways (2 Cor.11:14-15; also see the Deliverance Page).
The heavenly Council of Yah's Elohim (or Heavenly/Divine Council) consists of both good malakim (angels) and "the spirits of just men made perfect", being the heavenly portion of the "Assembly (Church) of the Firstborn" (Heb.12:23, NKJV). The for now earth-bound portion is known as the Chavurat Bekorot. Satan and his fallen malakim (angels) have access to the Council for the purpose of bringing accusations against humans to Yahweh.
Malakim (angels) play an important rôle in Yahweh's order and the Chief Malakim (Archangels) have certain responsbilities over other malakim (angels) in their order (1 Thes.4:16; Rev.12:7). Righteous malakim (angels) perform the work of Yahweh (Ps.103:20) by effecting His vengeance and wrath upon the disobedient, as is seen in the scourge of Israel (2 Sam.24:16), what happened to Balaam (Num.22:31) and what will happen when Yah'shua (Jesus) returns with His mighty malakim (angels) to take vengeance on those who do not know Elohim (God) or obey the Besorah (Gospel) (2 Thess.1:7-10).
Righteous malakim (angels), under the headship of the Malak of Yahweh ('Angel of the LORD') who was the pre-incarnate Messiah Yah'shua (Jesus), gave the Torah of Moses (Gal.3:19; Heb.2:2) and manifested themselves to humans in the revelation of Yahweh's messages to the patriarchs (Gen.18:1-19:5). Because malakim (angels) can appear to look like ordinary human beings, one should show hospitality to strangers for some may have entertained malakim (angels) without knowing it (Heb.13:2). Malakim (angels) announced the birth of Messiah to Miriyam (Mary) (Lk.1:26-28) and in multitudes sang at His birth (Lk.2:8-15). They ministered to Yah'shua (Jesus) after His temptation (Mt.4:11) and appeared at His resurrection and ascension (Lk.28:1-7; Ac.1:11). All malakim (angels) are now subject to Messiah and will administer His mission when He returns (1 Pet.3:22; 1 Thess.4:16; Mt.25:31).
Malakim (angels) operate in the destiny of nations for the good of Yahweh's people. Good malakim (angels) withstood Satan while the Davar Elohim (Word of God) was being preached to the king of Persia (Zech.3:1). They work in the protection of the righteous and encamp around those who fear Yahweh (Ps.34:7-8), delivering Elohim's (God's) people from their enemies (2 Ki.6:15.17). They delivered Kef'a (Peter) from prison and reassured Sha'ul (Paul) in the great storm at sea (Ac.12:7; 27:23). They are given the charge to keep the righteous in all their ways and are ministering spirits to those who are the heirs of salvation (Ps.91:11; Heb.1:14). Malakim (angels) represent individuals before the Throne of Yah (Mt.18:10; Dan.12:1) and are given specific assignments to congregations of the Messianic Community (Church) (Rev.2-3 - though these malakim are interpreted by some to be human agents like pastors).
Malakim (angels) are active in the prayers of the righteous and such prayers avail much before Elohim (God) (Dan.9:21-23). They are involved in assemblies of worship (1 Cor.11:10), rejoice over every sinner that makes teshuvah (repents) (Lk.15:10) and assist in transporting the redeemed into the Paradise of Elohim (God) (Lk.16:22). They do not, as a rule, give their names if asked so as not to detract from the glory of Yahweh-Elohim for their works.
Curently occupying a position of authority slightly above man, the righteous resurrected qodeshim (saints, set-apart ones) will have a toqef (authority) slightly above the malakim in the Millennium and thereafter (Heb.2:7,9). It is the belief of Messianic Evangelicals that in the pre-mortal world malakim (angels) and pre-incarnate humans were all of the same 'species' or kind, as it were, and that the ranking given by Yahweh of malakim (angels) over men now, and of qadoshim (saints, set-apart ones) over malakim (angels) in the future resurrection, is on account of these pre-mortal spirits being given the choice to be one or the other - malakim (angels) or men, with the different attendant risks and blessings.
Read more about the Messianic Evangelical view of malakim (angels) in the articles in the register below.
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