ANGELS, GOD'S MESSENGERS

Before God created Adam and Eve, he created the angels to serve Him. Angels are different creatures. Angel means messenger. It means that God created the angels to accomplish His purposes. God created them with free will, allowing them to choose whether to submit to His authority or not, similar to us. Angels are considered supernatural creatures. They do not live according to the natural laws of the earth. For example, they have wings that allow them to fly (Isaiah 6:2) or change forms, transitioning from their natural appearance to that of a human being (Hebrews 13:2). They do not die, nor do they marry (Luke 20:36). They do not multiply like human beings; however, according to Revelation 5:11, there are innumerable. In the order of God's creation, the angels are higher and more powerful than humans (Hebrews 2:7; 2 Peter 2:11). However, they are not to be worshipped by humans (Colossians 2:18; Revelation 22:8-9). God created the angels to serve His purpose.

One of the well-known angels that God created was Lucifer. The Morning Star. Isaiah 14:12-15 says, "How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit." When Lucifer fell from heaven due to pride, he was given a name, Satan, which means the adversary or accuser. The prophet Ezekiel further described Satan, "You were blameless (no sin) in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings" (Ezekiel 28:15-17). Lucifer could have stayed serving God for eternity, but he wanted to be God himself, so he disobeyed God. As a result, he became Satan, who is now trying to destroy God's work by tempting humans to rebel against God.

Satan is a good example for anyone who does not live for God's glory. Satan wanted to live according to his will apart from God's will; as a result, he became God's enemy and lost everything. God's judgment is coming for him, and it will cast him into eternal hell. Let us not live like Satan; we must live for God's glory if we want to live in the light. We will continue to expound on this topic next week.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why did Lucifer become Satan? What lesson can I learn from Lucifer's story? How should I live my life?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, you created me to do your will and for your glory. Please help me to follow and obey you. Please do not let my heart be prideful or try to live apart from your will. Please give me the courage and strength to do your will as I go through my day today. In your name, Jesus, I pray, Amen.