Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit: Called Angel of the Lord

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, angels are celestial beings created by God to serve as His messengers and agents. They are spiritual entities that exist in the heavenly realm and occasionally interact with the human world to fulfill divine purposes. Among these celestial spirits, the "Angel of the Lord" holds a distinctive role, often appearing in the Old Testament as a unique manifestation of God's presence and authority.

Nature and Role of Angels

Angels are depicted throughout Scripture as powerful and holy beings who execute God's will. They are often described as ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). Their primary functions include delivering messages from God, providing guidance, offering protection, and executing judgment. Angels are also portrayed as worshippers of God, continually praising Him in the heavenly courts (Revelation 5:11-12).

The Angel of the Lord

The "Angel of the Lord" is a term used in the Old Testament to describe a specific angelic figure who appears with divine authority and often speaks as God Himself. This figure is distinct from other angels due to the unique manner in which he represents God's presence. The Angel of the Lord is sometimes perceived as a theophany, a visible manifestation of God to humanity.

Key Biblical Appearances

1. Hagar in the Wilderness: The Angel of the Lord first appears to Hagar in the wilderness, providing her with comfort and promises regarding her son Ishmael (Genesis 16:7-12). The angel's words and actions reveal God's compassion and care for the marginalized.

2. Abraham and Isaac: In the account of Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac, the Angel of the Lord intervenes to stop Abraham, reaffirming God's covenant and blessing (Genesis 22:11-18). This encounter underscores the angel's role in communicating God's will and ensuring the fulfillment of His promises.

3. Moses and the Burning Bush: The Angel of the Lord appears to Moses in the burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:2-6). This event marks a pivotal moment in salvation history, with the angel serving as the divine voice calling Moses to his prophetic mission.

4. Gideon and the Midianites: The Angel of the Lord visits Gideon, calling him to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites (Judges 6:11-24). The angel's presence empowers Gideon, demonstrating God's active involvement in the deliverance of His people.

Theological Significance

The Angel of the Lord is a profound theological concept, illustrating the closeness of God's interaction with humanity. This figure often speaks in the first person as God, blurring the lines between the messenger and the divine sender. Some Christian theologians interpret these appearances as pre-incarnate manifestations of Christ, suggesting that the Angel of the Lord is a Christophany, an early revelation of the Second Person of the Trinity.

Conclusion

In summary, angels, and particularly the Angel of the Lord, play a crucial role in the biblical narrative as divine messengers and agents of God's will. They serve as intermediaries between the heavenly and earthly realms, revealing God's character, executing His plans, and providing guidance and protection to His people. The Angel of the Lord, in particular, stands out as a unique and mysterious figure, embodying the presence and authority of God in the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 1:20,24
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
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Matthew 2:13,19
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be you there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
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Matthew 28:2
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
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Luke 1:11
And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
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Acts 5:19
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
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Acts 7:30,35
And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
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Acts 8:26
And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert.
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Acts 12:7,23
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came on him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
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Library

Proofs of the Foregoing, Drawn from the Gospels of Mark and Luke.
... 3. And the angel of the Lord, he says, appeared ... the Lord our God." [3418] The Holy
Spirit evidently thus ... the highest, that is, of super-celestial things, and ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x proofs of the foregoing.htm

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
... The gates of this celestial kingdom are not shut at all by day ... saw his face as it
had been the face of an angel (Acts 6 ... He is poor in purse as well as in spirit. ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/5 the poor in spirit.htm

Elijah Come Again
... We have next the angel's message. ... dread when brought face to face with celestial
brightness that ... figures in Scripture are truer brethren in spirit than Elijah ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/elijah come again.htm

The First Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... joy, since the sojourn of the Holy Spirit has been ... is urgent to summon those who
mind celestial things to ... And the angel immediately proceeded to say, The Lord ...
/.../the first homily on the.htm

The Home Scene.
... again, we think of as one of those angel forms which ... seat, Where thy hush'd spirit
drew celestial birth ... and this other, imbued with the same spirit and honoured ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/ii the home scene.htm

Eldad and Medad
... mingles with us meaner things, 'Tis even as if an angel shook his ... anchor laid, remote
from home, Toiling, I cry, 'sweet Spirit, come,' Celestial breeze no ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/eldad and medad.htm

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
... in rhapsody divine, and in ecstasy celestial, we enjoy ... show the absolute necessity
of the Spirit's work in ... Talk about tying angel's wings with green withes, or ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the outpouring of the holy.htm

Of Good Angels
... used in the world of spirits.) And cannot that ministering spirit see them ... May they
celestial joys rehearse,. ... that this is effected by the ministry of an angel. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 71 of good angels.htm

On the Soul (Anima).
... and also respecting the other divine and celestial powers, as ... 2201] and in another
place, "The angel of the ... a commandment to be "fervent in spirit;" [2203] by ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter viii on the soul anima.htm

The Divine Word
... a spiritual angel the spiritual sense, and a celestial angel the celestial sense,
and ... the substances that are the origins of fibers their spirit, which is ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part fourththe divine word.htm