The Manifold Wisdom of God: In The Presence of Angels

   “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.”

                                                           (Ephesians 3:10)

                                             

   ALL scripture Is for us, but it is not ALL written to us, nor is it ALL about us. Therefore, we must “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), to ascertain (learn, discern) what Gods Will is for CBOC “according to the revelation of the mystery” revealed to Apostle Paul (Rom. 16:25).

   In Paul’s 13 Epistles alone we find the doctrine, position, walk and the destiny of the CBOC. The book of Ephesians has been referred to as a Symphony of Gods marvelous Grace in its fullness.

                                                 

   Not even Angels of heaven had any knowledge of this hidden revelation until the conversion of Apostle Paul on Damascus Rd. (Acts 9). “O the depth of the riches both of wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways pass finding out! For who had known the mind of the Lord or who had been his counselor? (Rom. 11:33).

           

“For by him (Christ) were all things created that are in heaven….” Col. 1:16

   Tradition plays a large role in the contemporary (modern day) portrayal of the Angelic host. In fact, some folk even today, believe in guardian angels.  This misinformation for the most part, is based on Greek mythology and medieval art. But here again, the Word of God must serve as our Final Authority, all else is merely speculation (human wisdom). Before we can fully appreciate the significance of Paul’s reference to the angelic realm in the above text (Ephesians 3:10), we must first understand more about these heavenly creatures. And the scriptures have a great deal to say about them.

 

   As we know, confusion is predominant when it comes to the subject of Angels. This is even true within the household of faith. So, with God’s help, we shall search the scriptures to determine the origin, number, appearance, nature, and purpose. Most importantly, what is their role today, during the Dispensation of Grace. Let us take a walk through both the Prophetic and Mystery Programs and examine the Angelic Creation.

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ORIGIN: ANGELIC CREATION

1.    Angels are a product of Gods creative genius.

2.    Apostle Paul declares: “For by Him (Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible…………” Colossians 1:16.

3.    Angels are invisible to humanity.

4.    Angels are supernatural spirits who reside in the heavenly places.   

5.    Just like man, Angels are finite (limited) beings, in wisdom, knowledge, authority and power.

6.    Even though inferior to God, The Angels in heaven are superior to mankind, (at this time.)  Cf. Hebrews 2: 5-8

7.    The Angels were present at the dawn of creation as God spoke and the worlds came into existence. They were eyewitnesses to Gods creative acts. Job 38:4-7.    

8.    Satan rebelled and since “the fall” the Angels are not said to sing again until the redemption of all things.  CF. Rev. 5:8-9

              

NUMBER: OF ANGELS

1.    Hebrews 12:22 records, “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable (endless) company of angels,”

2.    One third of this multitude of angels rebelled against God and defected with Satan shortly after creation. Cf. Rev. 12:3-9.

3.    This rebellion resulted into the angelic creation falling into 2 major classifications, Elect Angels and Fallen Angels.

4.    The number of Elect Angels is fixed, and never increases or decreases. So, when the world says “so and so” died and became an Angel, this is a fabrication (lie) of an unthinking world-Hollywood.

APPEARANCE: OF ANGELS

1.    Angels were created ministering spirits cf. Heb. 1:7; 1:14.

2.    Angels are sexless: This is evident from the fact that they never marry nor are given in marriage, cf. Matt.22:23-30; Luke 20:34-36. And from the fact that there   

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APPEARANCE: OF ANGELS, cont.

             is no procreation (the production of offspring) among Angels.

       

3.       However, Angels are always represented in the form of a man whenever their appearance is described. Contrary to the imaginations of artists, Angels are never represented as females in scripture.      

4.    There are 2 orders of Angelic beings that have wings. (a) Cherubims (Ezek. 10:18-21. (b) Seraphims (Isa. 6:1-4). This means, that the majority of Angels do not have wings, which is confirmed by the numerous appearances they made to the Patriarchs, Prophets an Apostles.

5.    Although in Time Past, Angels were ministering spirits, they had the ability to transform themselves into human form. Cf. Gen. 19:1-26; Heb. 13:1-2.

   

NATURE: OF ANGELS

1.    While Angels are normally invisible, they frequently appeared in spirit form during biblical days to discharge God’s will. Like man, they possess a personality, intellect, emotions and will.

a.    Intellect: Gives Angels the ability to know and reason. Cf. Matt. 28:5-7; The Angel Instructed the women to go tell the disciples that the Lord had risen. The Angel also imparted a revelation: The Lord shall meet them in Galilee.

b.    Emotions: It has been said that music is the language of the soul, it is the expression of our feelings. Angels also have emotions. As they beheld God’s handiwork on creation morning the scriptures say: the morning stars (the Angels) sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. Cf. Job 38:7.

c.    ANGELSare caring, sensitive, compassionate beings who are deeply moved at times. “There is JOY in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 1:10.

d.    ANGELS are curious: “Which things The Angels desire to look into.”   1 Peter 1:9-12. The Angels are curious as to what God is doing with man. Man was made for the earth, & God’s plan is to repossess the earth with (man-kingdom-Israel). But how is God going to repossess the heavens? This is “The Mystery hid in God” Eph.3:9. The Mystery was God’s divine purpose to make Jew and Gentile, a whole new body, the “one new man” 2:15; 3:6. The Church, which is

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Christ’s Body. And the CBOC (we are) going to replace the fallen angels in heavenly places.  The point is this, The Angels are seeking knowledge. They didn’t have the mystery knowledge. It was a mystery, the wisdom of God was kept hidden, (Col. 1:26) until now. Now that the revelation of the mystery is revealed through Paul (Eph. 3:3), the Angels are watching you and me. And we’re teaching Angels the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose. (Eph. 3:10-12; 1:6-10).  

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        IN THE PRESENCE OF UNSEEN ANGELS

 “ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in home we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him.” (Ephesians 3:10-12).   

1.   In his 13 epistles, Apostle Paul makes approximately 50 references to the Angelic host. The Ministry of Angels during the Dispensation of Grace is in accordance with the Mystery Program.  Today in the Age of Grace, the heavens are silent, and the angelic host is silent as well. According to the Word of God rightly divided, the next intervention of God & Angels from the heavens, is going to be the rapture of the Church, Body of Christ (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

     The Angels are silent today as far as intervening in the affairs of men. There are No guardian angels today. But according to our Apostle, while the Angels may be silent, Both the elect and fallen Angels are extremely active behind the scenes. Paul reminds us that we are engaged in a spiritual warfare. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12).

      

2.   In the Dispensation of Grace, Angels are WITNESSES. The Angelic Host was well aware of the Wisdom of God as it related to creation and the Prophetic Program. Angels were present with God the first morning of creation. (Job 38:1-7).  But They had no knowledge of the Mystery Program hidden in God, until NOW (until God revealed it to Paul).  That is why Paul’s Apostleship, ministry & message is unique or distinctive from the original 12.  

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“To the intent that NOW unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God.” Eph. 3:10.

 

   1. The term manifold means, varied, that is, multifaceted or multicolored. Therefore, the Wisdom of God is many sided. When Paul speaks of the Manifold Wisdom of God, he is referring to his revelation that unveiled the hidden wisdom of God for the Church that was kept secret from past generations. Not even the Elect Angels knew anything about God’s eternal purpose for the Body of Christ.

   2.  Here, in Eph. 3:10, Paul uses the term “NOW” dispensationally to show that a change has taken place. Today, (Right Now,) the principalities and powers in heavenly places, (the angelic creation,) are learning about the Mystery through us, CBOC. The Angels desire a living demonstration (power on display) of the manifold wisdom of God working in our lives today. As we preach the Grace of God & make known the Mystery, the Angels add to their knowledge of God’s eternal purpose. It is so astonishing to think that we are their examples. Angels need us, we don’t need Angels, in the Age of Grace.

3. In the Dispensation of Grace, Angels are observing our CONDUCT. Paul seems to liken  the spiritual realm to an arena where we are fighting the good fight of faith in the presence of Angels (1Tim. 6:12;  Eph. 6:10-20; 2 Cor. 10:3-6.)

     There Is good reason to believe that our conduct is constantly being watched, observed by unseen eyes, (the Angelic creation) Elect and Fallen. “Therefore, we should walk worthy of our calling with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Eph. 4:1-3).  Yes, Paul was always mindful that he was being watched and lived accordingly.

     “For I think that God hath sent forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to Angels, and to men….I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” 1 Cor. 4:9-14. * This is an example of Suffering for Christ. As we take the truth of Ephesians and go out and proclaim it and have a life that demonstrates the transforming power of it in the world we live in, Paul is warning you in the  verse 9 & 14: The world is going to make a spectacle  (sport) (open show, mock, & persecute) of us for being faithful to the message. Amen.      

  

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1.

   “I charge thee before God (or in the sight of God), and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect Angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality (favoritism).” 1Tim. 5:21

   Paul Is charging Timothy (and us as members of the BOC,) reminding us that we are under divine orders before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect Angels. They are watching and holding us accountable to what God has given us to do.

2.

Let us be reminded that our conduct is coming up again.

   “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it should be revealed by fire (doctrine) and the fire (doctrine) shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” 1 Cor. 3:11-15.

   “For we (Body members) must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:10.

   “But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Rom. 14:10.

*Just a thought, it is very possible that the angelic host could be summoned and present as an eyewitness of our conduct, at the judgment seat of Christ, a humbling thought indeed!

3.

    I’ll close with a word of caution here. As we have seen, Angels are intelligent, powerful, supernatural agents who render the highest service to God. But we must never lose sight of the fact that the Angels of heaven were created “by Christ, and for Him.” Therefore, they are never to be worshipped nor should we esteem them too highly.

In the Book of Revelation 22: 8, 9; the Apostle John was so overwhelmed by the apocalyptic visions he had seen that he fell at the feet of the Angel who showed him these events. The angel’s response is unforgettable: “See thou do it not: (worship me) for I am thy fellowservant.”