Angelic Messages

“Behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.” (Luke 2:9) Today, in the book Advent Journeys we talk about angels, angels who came and made an announcement to the shepherds.  For this Blog, I decided to start with a questionnaire to see how much you know about angels.

1. What is the translation for the word “angel”?
2. Where is the first use of the word angel in the Bible?
3. Who are the two named angels of the Bible?
4. What is the name of the angel who told Daniel the meaning of the 70 weeks?
5. What is the name of the angel who spoke to Zechariah, father of John the Baptist?
6. What is the name of the angel who spoke to Mary telling her she was pregnant?
7. What angel spoke to Joseph concerning the birth of Jesus and the anger of Herod?
8. What was the message spoken by the first angel which appeared to the shepherds?
9. What message was spoken by the multitudes of angels to the shepherds?
10. What do angels tell us about Christmas?

Here are the answers to the above questions:

1. The words מַלְאָךְ (mal'ak - Hebrew) and ἄγγελος (aggelos - Greek) mean “messenger.”  Angels serve God and do His bidding.  One of the areas of service is to bear messages.
2. The first use of the word מַלְאָךְ is found in Genesis 16:7, telling Hagar to go back to Sarah.  Some people see the angels gathering with God in Genesis 1:26, which says, “Let us make man in our own image...”  In Midrash Rabbah Rabbi Yochanan taught angels were created on the second day with the heavens (Psalm 104:3-4), but Rabbi Chanina argues it was the fifth day when God made the winged creatures.  Another early reference to angels is found in the first chapter of Job.
3. Gabriel (warrior of God) and Michael (who is like God).  There is also the mysterious “man clothed in linen”
4. Gabriel
5. Gabriel
6. Gabriel
7. This angel is identified as “the angel of the Lord”  … possibly Gabriel
8. “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
9. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
10. The angels tell us Christmas is about Christ.  They are looking to Christ in Luke 2:14; and also in Psalm 103:21; 148:2; Mt 18:10; 25:31; Luke 15:10; Hebrews 1:6; 12:22; Revelation 5:11-147:11

The angels worship God and serve Him.  There are many wonderful passages about angels in the scripture.  There are also some not so wonderful passages: such as Ezekiel 28, which displays what happens when we place the focus on ourselves rather than heaven.

May this Christmas be for you, as it was for the angels of Heaven, who, when the great news was shared, said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)