When we look at Jesus’ life we recognize that he was not on this mission alone. While he was the only one who could die for us and our sins, there were angels on various assignments every step of the way. If we look at the ministry of angels from the Book of Matthew, we see interventions. We also learn from Jesus what angels will do in the future. There will be a place for the angels who follow after the devil as well. Angels sometimes come to people in dreams. Sometimes they are in person and visible. All in all trusting a dream or a vision in our day is a little scary. But from beginning to end, Jesus had angelic assistance.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:20 G3778 [4these things G1161 1And G1473 2of his G1760 3pondering], G2400 behold, G32 an angel G2962 of the Lord G2596 by G3677 dream G5316 appeared G1473 to him, G3004 saying, G* Joseph G5207 son G* of David, G3361 you should not fear G5399 G3880 to take to yourself G* Mary G3588 G1135 your wife; G1473 G3588 for the one G1063 G1722 in G1473 her G1080 [2engendered G1537 3of G4151 5spirit G1510.2.3 1is G39 4holy].
32 LSJ Gloss:ἄγγελος a messenger, envoy
Dodson:ἄγγελος an angel, messenger a messenger, generally a (supernatural) messenger from God, an angel, conveying news or behests from God to men.
TBESG:ἄγγελος angel G:N-M
ἄγγελος, -ου, ὁ,
[in LXX chiefly for מַלְאָךְ ;]
__1. a messenger, one sent:
Refs
Mat.11:10, Jas.22:25
__2. As in LXX, in the special sense of angel, a spiritual, heavenly being, attendant upon God and employed as his messenger to men, to make known his purposes, as Luk.1:11, or to execute them, as Mat.4:6. The ἄ. in Rev.1:20-2:1, al., is variously understood as
__(1) a messenger or delegate,
__(2) a bishop or ruler,
__(3) a guardian angel,
__(4) the prevailing spirit of each church, i.e. the Church itself. (Cf. Swete, Ap)., in l.; DB, iv, 991; Thayer, see word; Cremer, 18; MM, VGT, see word)
(AS)
Thayer:
1) a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God
ἄγγελος
aggelos ang'-el-os From ἀγγέλλω aggellō (probably derived from G71; compare G34; to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel” ; by implication a pastor
KJV Usage: angel, messenger.
71
ἄγω
agō ag'-o A primary verb; properly to lead; by implication to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specifically) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
KJV Usage: be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.
We see the word aggelos comes from a root word agō meaning “to lead”. The idea of angelic messengers is to lead humans. Humans do not always know how to lead themselves. In that regard, messengers are sent to help. ‘Messenger of Yahweh’ indicates that this particular angel is of the two thirds that align with Yahweh. This would be in comparison to a seducing spirit, fallen angel, or a messenger of the satan.
Joseph was given directions or led by his dreams. How do angels infiltrate our dreams? We do not know. We know when angels appear before us when we are awake, but how does an angel enter our state of sleep to send a message? As we know, some people are gifted with prophetic dreams or messages that the Lord wants communicated. This was an important message to Joseph. Joseph was honored with protecting and caring for the Messiah.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Here is this prophecy from Isaiah.
Isaiah 7:14 G1223 On account of G3778 this, G1325 [3will give G2962 1 the lord G1473 2himself] G1473 to you G4592 a sign; G2400 behold, G3588 the G3933 virgin G1722 [2in G1064 3 the womb G2983 1will conceive], G2532 and G5088 shall bear G5207 a son, G2532 and G2564 you shall call G3588 G3686 his name G1473 G* Immanuel.
As we know, the Masoretes changed the words to suggest a young woman instead of a virgin, but the Latin translators added the correct words back.
Mat 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Mat 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
The angel of Yahweh assigned Joseph to this task. Joseph was a spiritual man, and a good protector to become the earthly father of the Messiah. Joseph must have been chosen because he was a strong man of God.
Joseph and Mary were living among the prophets, Zedeks, in the region of Nazareth. Nazareth lies between Mt Carmel and Galilee. The trek to Egypt would have been a long journey and they probably went by boat because by land the journey is over 500 miles to Alexandria, Egypt. One might wonder why they would have gone there, and we will get to that in a moment. But we have to recognize that Joseph was not some half-witted carpenter who could not measure correctly. Joseph has, by this time, received some incredible revelation, prophetic revelation. Joseph was a Zedek, living a vow of purity in Nazareth. The only people receiving angelic visitations and revelations in dreams are the prophets, right? So Joseph was not just some goofball who got tangled up in some sort of crazy God story, he was a devout man, chosen to raise the Son of the Most High on the earth. How would you like that job? In all fairness, we do not give Joseph the respect he deserves.
The angels were quite busy keeping Jesus alive. The Magi had dreams warning them not to go back and tell Herod that they found the newborn King. Then Joseph has another dream.
Mat 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Mat 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
The angel of the Lord tells Joseph to go to Egypt. Joseph and their relatives were Nazarenes who were associated with the Essenes, the Damascus Community, and the Therapeutaes.
Mat 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
The Therapeutaes lived in Alexandria Egypt, so it would have been normal for Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus to live among them. Joseph and Mary probably sailed to Egypt, which would have been an efficient journey for them.
Now why would Mary and Joseph head to Alexandria? A branch of devout Jews, connected to the Zedeks and Essenes lived just west of Alexandria around Lake Mariout. This community of people were highly religious, living a communal life. If we want to read about a group of people who act like Christians before the age of Christianity, the Therapeutaes are a fascinating group of people. Philo gave us some great insight into their lives and we will briefly look at a few things he records. However, one might consider reading his entire survey of the Therapeutes. He is a bit wordy and compares the Greeks and Egyptians and their banquets to the Therapeutaes celebration of the Feast of Weeks. The Feast of Weeks is Shavot or known today as Pentecost. Philo was presumed to write of this around 10CE which is prior to the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers. Philo may be a bit confusing, but in general it is a wonderful look at this lost group of Zedeks and in particular their celebration of the Feast of Weeks.
The angel of Yahweh said stay in Egypt until I tell you to leave, and that is what Joseph did. Again Joseph has a dream and the angel of the Lord tells him to go to Nazareth.
Mat 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Mat 2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
Mat 2:21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Mat 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
Mat 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Nazareth was not a town at this time, it was the region of a Roman garrison.
The Messiah was prophesied as being born in Bethlehem, coming from Nazareth (separated out), and coming out of Egypt.
When Jesus was tempted by the devil, the devil tried to get Jesus to invoke angelic protection.
Mat 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Mat 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Impressive, the devil has the playbook for the human team. He even quotes it accurately.
Psalm 91:11 G3754 For G3588 to G32 his angels G1473 G1781 he gives charge G4012 concerning G1473 you, G3588 G1314 to guard G1473 you G1722 in G3956 all G3588 G3598 your ways. G1473
12 G1909 By G5495 hands G142 they will lift G1473 you, G3379 lest at any time G4350 you should stumble G4314 [2against G3037 3a stone G3588 G4228 1your foot]. G1473
The playbook says that the angels have been given orders or instructions to watch closely and protect him and us. But that doesn’t mean that the devil won’t try and push his way around the playbook.
Mat 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Mat 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
The devil and the satan both try to gang up on Jesus on their last try. We have to remember something, they want to know if Jesus is Yahweh. They are not sure. All they know at this point is that he can resist them. By that fact alone, they will try and eliminate him. After fasting and being tested by the devil, the angels came to minister to Jesus.
When we think about Jesus going through this testing, we wonder why he was tested. Let’s remind ourselves of the devil’s mission.
Job 41:24 There is nothing upon the earth like to him, formed to be sported with by my angels.
Job 41:33 G3756 There is not G1510.2.3 G3762 anything G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth G3664 likened G1473 to him, G4160 being made, G1460.1 to be mocked at G5259 by G3588 G32 my angels. G1473
The word egkentrizō literally means “in sting” or “instrumentally goad”. The devil/dragon was created to literally be a prick or to prick. Why was the devil created to sting? Our fantasized imaginations of heaven don’t usually allow for an opponent; just clouds, harps, white gowns, and wings. We are not taught that there was a created opponent to the angels who competes and stings. We have not been taught that the devil is a prick. We somehow believe he became that way. But the devil/dragon was poieō, formed or made to be sported with. The devil/dragon was manufactured and constructed to be a competitor, a being that would sting and goad.
Why would Yahweh create a stinging competitor? Think about our nature as a freewill being. If we didn’t have competition would we strive hard? Would we work better? Would we try to be efficient? If a runner runs a mile, with no competition, that runner could start to run, take a nap, and finish the mile two hours later. But if the runner has a competitor who can do it better, that runner strives harder. If an individual has someone mocking him or her, or someone goading him or her, that individual will define what he/she believes and learn to fight for it. Why does one need to learn to fight? Think on this for a moment. Let’s put this in the context of angels sporting or fighting with the devil. Isn’t there going to be a war in heaven where Michael and His angels will fight the devil and his angels? How about Daniel 10? What about humans? Are we to wage spiritual warfare against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness? An opponent causes each son of God to make a choice as to who to serve. But that is not where this decision ends; each son of God must contend and strive for masteries.
Yahweh also tells us that the devil/dragon was made to be played with by the angels. There is no suggestion of the devil being made to be played with by man.
Job 40:14 This is the chief of the creation of the Lord; made to be played with by his angels.
Job 40:19 G5123 This is G746 the beginning G4110 of the thing shaped G2962 by the lord; G4160 being made G1460.1 to be mocked G5259 by G3588 G32 his angels. G1473
Teasing and goading are a form of play that we all partake in. Sometimes innocent teasing goes too far and becomes hurtful. Sometimes goading causes a reaction of retaliation. Sometimes goading causes a reaction of submission. What happens when the devil goads people to sin? What happens when people submit to that sin?
The angels were to engage in banter with the devil. The angels were to spar with the archē, the chief of the Lord’s creation. What about humans? The adam may not have been created to spar or sport with the devil/dragon; but as we know, in a round about way the devil was able to steal the adam’s authority by sending a fallen angel, Gadreel, to Eve. Therefore under the authority of the devil, the creation is under constant goading and stinging. We also know that Jesus overcame all of the devil’s goading, mocking, and stinging, and took back the keys to hades and death.
Isn’t this why we see constant fighting among us? This is the culture that the devil brought to the earth. And while we don’t wrestle against humans, people’s minds have been blinded to the degree that we must learn to contend openly for the Lord Jesus. It is no wonder that the Masoretic text hid this truth in Job as they would have to explain why the Jews were not victims but failures of this game. The Masoretes would rather pretend that all Jews are victims than teach the truth, that the devil is a real enemy we all have to spar with. Those who claim victimization are those who lose the game. They sin and have a price to pay for the consequence of their sins. Most people want others to think that they innocently made a mistake rather than willfully chose to sin.
The devil threw a bunch of bad seeds onto the field, but at the end of the age the angels will reap the harvest.
Mat 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Jesus is explaining the kingdom of heaven. Before we get to the kingdom of heaven we live through the harvest during the millennial kingdom. Someone has some seeds. There are good seeds and wicked seeds in the world. Diabolos is the one who sowed the wicked seeds. The harvest is the completion of the age. After the end of the age we will have a new heaven and earth. Jesus is giving us a picture that the people of that day would understand. The angels are the harvesters. They come to collect the tares at the end of the age. The end of the age is the completion of the seven thousandth year at the time of the great white throne judgment.
Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mat 13:41 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;
The first harvest comes after the tribulation. The second harvest comes at the judgment seat of Christ. There will be people in the millennial kingdom who will throw snares and traps for others. There will be people committing sins as well. If we remember our studies on the millennial kingdom, we will remember that at the end of the one thousand years the satan will be loosed to go out and deceive the nations, gather an army, and attempt to attack Jerusalem. But before they get to Jerusalem, the Lord annihilates the satan’s army. He does this to prove to those who have been following him that he can take care of them. The angels then collect those people who have been wicked and throw them in the furnace of fire.
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Remember that the people who were gathered at the end of the tribulation were gathered by angels as well. There are two siftings at this time period, three in total. There was a sifting which was the flood at Noah’s time. The second sifting is the tribulation, and one third of the angels will be tossed to earth for judgment. The third sifting is after the millennial kingdom. The millennial kingdom is different for the process of sifting. Jesus is alive and ruling from Jerusalem. Some of the saints will be kings and priests. But people will have freedom of will to behave any way that they want.
Jesus tells them in a different way how humanity is sifted for the New Heavens and Earth.
Mat 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
Angels again do the separating. This tells us something interesting. During the millennial kingdom, the saints who are kings and priests also have freedom of will to choose wickedness or not. What if someone is a king in a country that doesn’t celebrate the feasts as Jesus appoints? Zechariah says that their land will not get any rain. This tells us that the kings are subject to freedom of will. What about the priests? They are also going to be judged for freedom of will. What if a priest agrees with the corrupt king and attempts to do their own sacrifices rather than going to Jerusalem?
We haven’t been taught much about the duties of the angelic class and we may have the impression that the other spiritual sons of God are not necessary in the millennial kingdom, but that would be incorrect.
Jesus will come and call from the heavens to establish his kingdom with his angels.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
The Son of Man intends to come in the honor of his Father with his angels. Then the Son of Man will pay everyone that he gathers, downwards, from above, down to his people, for what they accomplished or how they functioned. Jesus calls from the clouds with the angels. The dead in Christ rise first, then the ones who are alive join them in the air. After that, Jesus judges everyone’s works, Revelation 11.
We see another function of angels, which is to be assigned to babies and children.
Matthew 18:10 G3708 See that G3361 you should not G2706 disdain G1520 one G3588 G3397 of these small ones! G3778 G3004 For I say G1063 G1473 to you, G3754 that G3588 G32 their angels G1473 G1722 in G3772 the heavens G1275 continually G991 look G3588 on the G4383 face G3588 G3962 of my father, G1473 G3588 the one G1722 in G3772 the heavens.
This section is in the context of children. The disciples wanted to know who would be greater in the kingdom of heaven. Notice that the disciples were concerned about the kingdom of heaven, not the tribulation, not the millennial kingdom, but the New Heavens and New Earth. If we are like children, we will enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus explains childlike humility, welcoming children, and harming children. Jesus tells the disciples about the traps that people face, then says it would be better to cut off the offending body part than to end up in eternal fire. Remember, this is in the context of children. Jesus says not to disdain, despise, insult, disregard, or disesteem little children. In other words, do not downward think or downward exercise the mind against these little ones because their angels continually look at the countenance of the Father. The angels are recording everything. They know who harmed you and who cared for you. They know more than we ourselves know.
The Sadducees try to come up with a trick question. The information Jesus gives is interesting.
Mat 22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
Mat 22:24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Mat 22:25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
Mat 22:26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
Mat 22:27 And last of all the woman died also.
Mat 22:28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Matthew 22:29 G611 And answering G1161 G3588 G* Jesus G2036 said G1473 to them, G4105 You err, G3361 not G1492 knowing G3588 the G1124 scriptures, G3366 nor G3588 the G1411 power G3588 G2316 of God.
Jesus says that they have been deceived because they do not know the holy writ or the dunamis of the Elohim. Remember, Elohim is a broad term, meaning “three or more”. The Sadducees did not know the Elohim or their power. This means that we probably don’t know the power of the Elohim either. What we have recently learned is that the Elohim judge and carry out sentences. The Elohim are watching and recording. The Elohim protect people that are spreading the gospel. The Elohim appear in dreams. The Elohim minister and serve. In the future the Elohim will separate the bad from the good. This is not a small group of Elohim, this is a very large and broad group of beings.
Matthew 22:30 G1722 For in G1063 G3588 the G386 resurrection G3777 neither G1060 they marry, G3777 nor G1547 give in marriage, G235 but G5613 [2as G32 3angels G3588 G2316 4of God G1722 5in G3772 6heaven G1510.2.6 1they are].
Jesus is speaking of the resurrection. When the first resurrection happens, the time when the dead in Christ rise and those alive are caught up, people will not be married or married off. There will be a resurrection at the end of the millennial age also. The resurrected ones will be like the angels of Elohim. “Like the angels of Elohim” is suggesting that humans are not turned into angels, but are similar to angels. Now notice where they are, in heaven. This means in heaven, not on earth, those people will not marry or be given in marriage. The people on the earth, those who are gathered from the heavens and the earth at the end of the tribulation, are not in heaven, therefore they may marry. But those who are in heaven after the resurrection, will not marry.
Now Jesus has a question for the Sadducees.
Mat 22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Mat 22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
The Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the Elohim of the living, not the Elohim of the dead. This tells us that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are alive. Where are they? Not in a grave asleep. At the time when Jesus was on the earth, they were alive in Abraham’s bay. They will be alive in Paradise after Jesus takes back the keys to death and hades. When all the saints are called into heaven, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, will not be marrying, but they will be alive in heaven. The Elohim is the Elohim of the living. Those who reject the Elohim are dead. Remember, heaven is heaven, earth is earth, the Yahweh rejectors are dead, and the Yahweh acceptors are alive. When the Yahweh acceptors are called into heaven, they will be similar to angels. Their new bodies will be similar to angelic bodies.
Jesus says that he is coming back with the angels. Let’s remember the questions at the beginning of chapter 24.
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us,
1.when shall these things be? and
2.what shall be the sign of thy coming,
3.and of the end of the world?
Matthew 24:29 G2112 And immediately G1161 G3326 after G3588 the G2347 affliction G3588 G2250 of those days, G1565 G3588 the G2246 sun G4654 shall be darkened, G2532 and G3588 the G4582 moon G3756 shall not G1325 give G3588 G5338 its brightness, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G792 stars G4098 shall fall G575 from G3588 the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3588 the G1411 forces G3588 of the G3772 heavens G4531 shall be shaken.
792 LSJ Gloss:ἀστήρ euphon.
Dodson:ἀστήρ a star.
Thayer:
1) a star
ἀστήρ
astēr as-tare' Probably from the base of G4766; a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively KJV Usage: star.
4098 LSJ Gloss:πίπτω to fall, fall down
Dodson:πίπτω I fall, fall under I fall, fall under (as under condemnation), fall prostrate.
Thayer:
1) to descend from a higher place to a lower
1a) to fall (either from or upon)
1a1) to be thrust down
1b) metaph. to fall under judgment, came under condemnation
2) to descend from an erect to a prostrate position
2a) to fall down
2a1) to be prostrated, f
πίπτω, πέτω
piptō petō pip'-to, pet'-o The first is a reduplicated and contracted form of the second (which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses); probably akin to G4072 through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally of figuratively) KJV Usage: fail, fall (down), light on.
The reference to stars is another word for “angels”. The idea here and elsewhere is that angels are prostrating, they are bowing when Jesus comes on The Day of the Lord. (Revelation 6:13 suggests stars prostrate.) This is at the end of the tribulation. The dunamis of heaven shall be shaken, meaning all the heavenly sons of God, good and bad, are either going to be reverent or in fear.
Matthew 24:30 G2532 And G5119 then G5316 shall appear G3588 the G4592 sign G3588 of the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven. G2532 And G5119 then G2875 [6shall beat their chest G3956 1all G3588 2the G5443 3tribes G3588 4of the G1093 5earth]. G2532 And G3708 they shall see G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G2064 coming G1909 upon G3588 the G3507 clouds G3588 of the G3772 heaven G3326 with G1411 power G2532 and G1391 [2glory G4183 1great].
5443 LSJ Gloss:φυλή a race
Dodson:φυλή a tribe, race a tribe or race of people.
Thayer:
1) a tribe
1a) in the NT all the persons descending from one of the twelve sons of the patriarch, Jacob
2) a nation, people
φυλή
phulē foo-lay' From G5453 (compare G5444); an offshoot, that is, race or clan KJV Usage: kindred, tribe.
2875 LSJ Gloss:κόπτω to strike, smite, knock down
Dodson:κόπτω I cut off, mourn
(a) I cut, cut off, strike, smite, (b) mid: I beat my breast or head in lamentation, lament, mourn, sometimes with acc. of person whose loss is mourned.
Thayer:
1) to cut, strike, smite
2) to cut from, cut off
3) to beat one's breast for grief
κόπτω
koptō kop'-to A primary verb; to “chop”; specifically to beat the breast in grief KJV Usage: cut down, lament, mourn, (be-) wail.
All the heavenly beings will see Jesus, the Son of Man. Jesus will appear like light, phōs, phainō, and then the offshoots will beat their chests. Who are the offshoots? The people who are not fully human. They derive from fallen angels and humans. Keep in mind Isaiah’s prophecy as well, flying serpents will kill the heirs of the Nephilim. These are the people who are left on the earth at the end of the tribulation who rejected Jesus. These people sprouted up and will attempt to overtake the world and make war against the Lamb. Yet on the Day of the Lord they will beat their breasts in mourning. Their plan and plot was ruined, they followed the wrong beings, the devil and the satan. Those who are left at the end of the tribulation will see Jesus come to earth. Then Jesus will send out the angels.
Matthew 24:31 G2532 And G649 he shall send G3588 G32 his angels G1473 G3326 with G4536 a trumpet G5456 [2sound G3173 1of great]. G2532 And G1996 they shall assemble G3588 G1588 his chosen G1473 G1537 from out of G3588 the G5064 four G417 winds, G575 from G206 the tips G3772 of the heavens G2193 unto G206 their tips. G1473
Jesus will send his angels to collect or gather his chosen from the extremities of heaven, the ends of the heavens and the earth. What does that mean? It is the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 30.
Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass when all these things shall have come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thy face, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, wherein the Lord shall have scattered thee,
Deu 30:2 and shalt return to the Lord thy God, and shalt hearken to his voice, according to all things which I charge thee this day, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul;
Deu 30:3 then the Lord shall heal thine iniquities, and shall pity thee, and shall again gather thee out from all the nations, among which the Lord has scattered thee.
Deu 30:4 If thy dispersion be from one end of heaven to the other, thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and thence will the Lord thy God take thee.
Deu 30:5 And the Lord thy God shall bring thee in from thence into the land which thy fathers have inherited, and thou shalt inherit it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
Deu 30:6 And the Lord shall purge thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Deuteronomy 30:4 G1437 Even if G1510.3 [2might be G3588 G1290 1your dispersion] G1473 G575 from G206.1 one tip G3588 of the G3772 heaven G2193 unto G206.1 one tip G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G1564 from there G4863 [3shall bring G1473 4you G2962 1 the lord G3588 G2316 2your God], G1473 G2532 and G1564 from there G2983 he will take G1473 you.
206 LSJ Gloss:ἄκρον the highest
Dodson:ἄκρον the end, extremity.
Thayer:
1) the farthest bounds, uttermost parts, end, highest, extreme
1a) of the earth
1b) of heaven
ἄκρον
akron ak'-ron Neuter of an adjective probably akin to the base of G188; the extremity KJV Usage: one end . . . other, tip, top, uttermost part.
Jesus uses the same words as Moses, one tip to one tip. Jesus is answering question number 2, the sign of His coming, the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is a very bad day for Jesus rejecters and a very glorious day for Jesus accepters. Martyrs go to heaven during the tribulation, so anyone who believed on Yahweh before the tribulation or during the tribulation will be in heaven, then gathered together, and brought to earth for the millennial kingdom.
As Jesus continues his teaching, we come to something that we looked at last week.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
The angels do not know the day when the New Heaven and New Earth will be. This is the answer to question number 3. Jesus tells us later what will happen when he comes with his angels.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
There will a time of physical judgment on the earth. The sheep will enter into eternity, the goats will go to eternal fire.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Let’s look at this a bit more closely.
Matthew 25:41 G5119 Then G2046 he will say G2532 also G3588 to the ones G1537 on G2176 his left, G4198 Go G575 from G1473 me! G3588 O ones G2672 being cursed G1519 into G3588 the G4442 [2fire G3588 G166 1eternal], G3588 the one G2090 having been prepared G3588 for the G1228 devil G2532 and G3588 G32 his angels. G1473
166 LSJ Gloss:αἰώνιος lasting for an age
Dodson:αἰώνιος eternal, unending age-long, and therefore: practically eternal, unending; partaking of the character of that which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which is brief and fleeting.
Thayer:
1) without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be
2) without beginning
3) without end, never to cease, everlasting
For Synonyms see entry G5801
αἰώνιος
aiōnios ahee-o'-nee-os From G165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well) KJV Usage: eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).
165 LSJ Gloss:αἰών aevum
Dodson:αἰών an age, a cycle of time
an age, a cycle (of time), especially of the present age as contrasted with the future age, and of one of a series of ages stretching to infinity.
Thayer:
1) for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity
2) the worlds, universe
3) period of time, age
αἰών
aiōn ahee-ohn' From the same as G104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future)
KJV Usage: age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end).
There will be people chastised for a cycle of time, an age. What age is this? The Millennial age.
From Luke 17 and Matthew 24 we have studied this in detail. In Matthew 24 Jesus is answering 3 questions from the disciples. Jesus tells us about those who will be received (taken) and those who will be sent away (left behind). Let’s look at part of this blog again.
People are received near as in association, or sent away to another place. Understand it like this: I will take you, I will leave you; I receive you, or I send you away. To be taken is good, it is to be received; to be left is bad it is to be divorced and abandoned. This is a comparison and contrast that did not translate well. Somehow we turned this section into the calling up of the saints, but it is instead the revealing of the Lord on the Day of the Lord when he returns with His bride. Jesus used a few more examples of receive and send away.
People will be going about their normal work and routines, just like in the days of Noah; eating, drinking, marrying, and working. One person will be received at the revealing, the Apocalypse; and someone doing the same job will be sent away. This is a misunderstood idea that this is the rapture, the one “left behind” is not left on earth, but is sent away. Where are the Jesus rejecters sent to at the end of the tribulation? Hades, for one thousand years. The received people are part of His kingdom on the earth.
The disciples ask this very question. Again we see another reason to look at each word as this is similar to the section in Matthew, but here we see that Jesus answers the disciples question as to the living. Where will they go?
The eagles are collecting the living beings, those still alive at the Apocalypse. The eagles will gather them into an assembly. Sunago is the word we use for “synagogue”. It is a group meeting or congregation. Those who do not turn back, like Lot’s wife, do not return to their house or gather their things, but instead believe on Jesus as Lord and Christ at the end of the tribulation will be alive for the kingdom. As Jesus said, the kingdom does not come with a warning, but it will be like lightning, fast and furious; and everyone will see His Apocalypse.
See also:
We understand that the idea of someone being received into the kingdom is good, and someone sent away for an age is bad.
Everlasting fire is prepared for the devil and the angels that followed the devil and the satan. This tells us that angels have freedom of choice. If they choose poorly, they will end up in the aiōnios, “perpetual” fire. This is the way that the Lord chose to eliminate the other sons of God who were in a fallen state, via human kind, and his own sacrifice.
When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane he mentioned to his disciples that he didn’t need defending. The angels could defend him.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
We all know that Peter usually reacted before thinking. Logically there was no way that he and the disciples could fight off the Romans. Jesus put the soldiers ear back on and then said that if he (Jesus) prayed, the Father would give him more than twelve legions of angels. However if he did, then the scriptures would not be fulfilled. Twelve legions would be about 72,000 angels, that would be enough. This tells us that there are far more than 72,000 available angels aligned with the Father and the Son. And whatever that number is, two thirds align with the Father and Son, while one third follow after the devil.
After Jesus was crucified and in the tomb, the women came to the sepulcher and saw an angel. The angel rolled away the stone and then sat on top of the stone so that all the people could look into the tomb and no one could roll it back.
Mat 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mat 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 upon it.
Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Mat 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Mat 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
Mat 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mat 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
Mat 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
The men guarding the tomb saw the angel and experienced the earthquake as well. The women were instructed to go tell the other disciples that he had risen and that he would meet them in Galilee. Galilee was a 90 mile journey, so what the angels were saying was ‘get a move on and head north’.
From the beginning to the end of Jesus’ life there were angels helping out with this mission. Bringing the Messiah to the earth was not a solo performance. The angels were helping then and they will continue to help through the time of the millennial kingdom. The angels who followed the devil will come to an end just like the devil and the satan. While people didn’t have television or movies in the first century, it was easier for them to see and believe angels. Angels are here to serve and lead humanity and will help in the future as well.
