Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): Execute Judgments Upon the Wicked

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In the biblical narrative, angels are often depicted as divine messengers and agents of God's will. Among their various roles, one significant function is executing judgments upon the wicked. This aspect of angelic activity underscores the holiness and justice of God, as well as His sovereignty over creation.

Biblical Instances of Angels Executing Judgment

1. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: One of the most well-known instances of angels executing judgment is found in the account of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 19, two angels visit the city of Sodom to assess its wickedness. After confirming the city's depravity, they deliver God's judgment by destroying Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone. This act serves as a powerful reminder of God's intolerance for sin and His ability to enact justice through His heavenly agents.

"Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens." (Genesis 19:24)

2. The Plague on the Firstborn in Egypt: In the book of Exodus, an angel of the Lord is instrumental in the final plague that leads to the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. The angel strikes down the firstborn of Egypt, sparing only those households marked by the blood of the Passover lamb. This event highlights the angel's role in executing divine judgment while simultaneously demonstrating God's mercy towards His chosen people.

"For the LORD will pass through to strike down the Egyptians, and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down." (Exodus 12:23)

3. Judgment on the Assyrian Army: In 2 Kings 19, an angel of the Lord is sent to deliver Jerusalem from the threat of the Assyrian army. In a single night, the angel strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, demonstrating God's power to protect His people and execute judgment on their enemies.

"That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!" (2 Kings 19:35)

4. The Angel with the Sword in Jerusalem: In 1 Chronicles 21, David's sin of conducting a census leads to a divine judgment upon Israel. An angel of the Lord is sent to execute a plague, resulting in the death of 70,000 men. However, God's mercy is evident as He commands the angel to cease the destruction upon David's repentance.

"Then the LORD spoke to the angel, who put his sword back into its sheath." (1 Chronicles 21:27)

Theological Significance

The role of angels in executing judgment serves as a testament to God's righteousness and His ultimate authority over moral order. These accounts remind believers of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine justice. Angels, as instruments of God's will, act not out of their own volition but in obedience to the divine command, reflecting the perfect justice and holiness of God.

Conclusion

Angels, as spiritual beings, play a crucial role in the biblical narrative by executing judgments upon the wicked. These actions are consistent with the character of God, who is both just and merciful. Through these accounts, believers are reminded of the reality of divine judgment and the importance of living in accordance with God's will.

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Genesis 19:1-25
And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
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2 Samuel 24:16,17
And when the angel stretched out his hand on Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now your hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite.
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1 Chronicles 21:15,16
And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now your hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
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2 Kings 19:35
And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
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2 Chronicles 32:21
And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
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Isaiah 37:36
Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
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Psalm 35:5,6
Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
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Psalm 78:49
He cast on them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
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Matthew 13:41,42,49,50
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
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Acts 12:23
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
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Acts 27:23,24
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
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Jude 1:14,15
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints,
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Revelation 7:1,2
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
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Revelation 9:15
And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
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Revelation 15:1
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
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Library

"The Time of Trouble. "
... be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God ... of God as Jacob laid hold of
the Angel; and the ... may be judged by the Lord's reluctance to execute justice. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /39 the time of trouble.htm

The Time of Trouble
... be continued by a people from whom the Spirit of God ... of God as Jacob laid hold of
the Angel; and the ... may be judged by the Lord's reluctance to execute justice. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 39 the time of.htm

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the ... Not
one of the Elders, or the Cherubim, or Angel, or Spirit, could accomplish ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

The Controversy Ended.
... banner, and through them endeavor to execute his plans ... that the exalted position
of this angel might have ... The spirit of rebellion, like a mighty torrent, again ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /42 the controversy ended.htm

The Controversy Ended
... banner and through them endeavor to execute his plans. ... that the exalted position
of this angel might have ... The spirit of rebellion, like a mighty torrent, again ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 42 the controversy ended.htm

The Seventh vision "In Heaven"
... The angel was explaining and John was writing, so that John's ... He is the spirit of
it: yea, the sum and the ... the promises He has made; "True" to execute all the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the seventh vision in heaven.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... till they should become of another spirit""Behold your ... corrupt and vicious, their
guardian angel quits his ... and good rulers, who will execute righteous laws ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... up from the east to execute God's vengeance ... captives remarkable for their plainness
and evangelical spirit. ... The angel measures, and the prophet records all the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Coming Judgment of the Secrets of Men
... for he saith, "Though we, or an angel from heaven ... The apostle was of a gentle spirit;
he prayed ... pronounce sentence upon the wicked, and execute their punishment ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/coming judgment of the secrets.htm

Knox in the War of the Congregation: the Regent Attacked: Her ...
... Andrews, where Knox dwelt in great agony of spirit. ... and so continued, till that God
did execute his judgments ... I neither will give place to man or angel . . . ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xii knox in the.htm