The angel of the LORD.

Angel of God

The word angel has a dual meaning. First, it speaks of a messenger, one sent to announce, teach, perform, or explore anything, as in John the Baptist, Matthew 11:10, “Behold, I send my messenger,”

It can also refer to angelic creatures, those sent from heaven to reveal the will of God. Scriptures reveal there are creatures called angels, Cherubim, Seraphim, and archangels, as in Michael and Gabriel, who both serve God and are very powerful.

Lucifer, now known as Satan and the Devil, is the messenger of evil, a powerful adversary of Jesus Christ, the Jews, and the Christian community. He said long ago,

Isaiah 14:13, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:”

“The angel of the LORD” speaks of Jesus Christ. Note the definite article “the.” This article is particular as to the person or thing it addresses.

In the Greek language, the article’s usage appears in many cases never to have become fixed but to have been left to the taste and judgment of the writer or speaker, as it is in English. We observe its use in the following verses.

Matthew 1:22, “The prophet,” speaking of Isaiah.

Matthew 2:4, “The people,” as in the Jewish people.

Romans 4:3, “The Scripture?”

We read “The Lord,” meaning the one and only Lord. “The King of kings” is the one and only King.

“The angel of the Lord,” also called “The angel of Jehovah.”

In the O.T., the following phrase is often repeated, “The angel of the Lord,” the messenger in most cases, is regarded as a deity, yet distinguished from the Father.

The angel of the LORD is a title given to Jesus Christ in His many appearances to the prophets and others. He is the pre-incarnate Logos, the Word, Jesus Christ, as seen in John 1:1. His appearance is angelic and human. As a man, Abraham saw him in Genesis 18:1, “And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre;”

The LORD wrestled with Jacob, Genesis 32:24:

The angel of the Lord was seen by Manoah, the Father of Samson, seen by Paul on his way to Damascus, Acts 9: By John in Revelation 5:6, to Daniel and others.

Daniel 7:13, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven and came to the Ancient of days (the Father,), and they (ministering angels) brought Him (the Son) near before Him (the Father.).”

Also, in Daniel, we see three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, thrown into a fiery furnace by the soldiers of Nebuchadnezzar. When the counselors looked into the furnace, they said,

Daniel 3:25, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Concerning future appearances, Jesus said,

Matthew 24:30, “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven -- and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with POWER and great GLORY.

John has a vision, Revelation 14:14, “I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man.” A little side note. The “clouds of heaven are not the clouds our eye’s view, but the angelic host of heaven and the shekinah glory, the Light of the Glory of God that shines forth from within and without.

A chosen few had observed the pre-incarnate Son of God in person or visions. Others have heard the voice of the LORD from heaven.

Genesis 16:7-10-14. “The angel of the LORD found her (Hagar) by a fountain of water in the wilderness.” Verse 10, “The angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for the multitude.” Verse 13, “And she (Hagar) called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me.”

Here, Hagar calls the angel of the LORD “God.” God in Hebrew is “El,” implying deity, the Almighty. If this had been an angel, a created being, it would have spoken against Hagar’s words.

Genesis 22:11-18, “The angel of the LORD called unto him (Abraham) out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham.” Verse 14, “Abraham called the name of the place Jehovah-ji-reh. Verse 15-16, The angel of the LORD called unto Abraham -- the second time, and said, by myself have I sworn, saith the LORD.”

Without doubt, in Genesis 22, the angel of the LORD is the Son of God Himself.

Exodus 3:2-4-6. “The angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in a flame of fire.” Verse 4, “When the LORD saw that he (Moses) turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses.”

Verse 6, “Moreover He (the angel of the LORD) said, I am the God of thy Father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.”

We of the faith have been given the most substantial evidence as to who the angel of the LORD is. It’s the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who is the God of Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth;”

Are you not aware of the Jewish concept known as "The Law of Agency? That is the status of a person (Known as the agent) and in this case the angel of the Lord is the agent acting by the direction of another, the principal which would be God. In other words, the angel of the Lord is speaking on behalf of God. He is known as the "Shaliach."

bluto
da

You misunderstand scripture. The Angel of the Lord is a messenger who speaks of God's word on God's behalf. Jesus is the word of God born flesh.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John :1:1

The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

You need instruction in Christian Theology my friend. You need guidance. I pray that you find a good Church and a good Pastor who can guide you in these things. God bless you

“The angel of the LORD” speaks of Jesus Christ. “

jesus is the lord not the angel of the lord

hes the creator

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.


All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.


He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:1, 3, 10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus created angels

“for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:16-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus is the lord he never became an angel he became a man

“For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, And his ministers a flame of fire. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:5-7, 13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus is the Lord he’s not the angel of the Lord

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

he lord still sends his angel because they are ministers of the hiers of salvstion

Exactly the Lord is Jesus


this is not Jesus Jesus is the one appointing his angel over the people

“Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.

But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭23:20-23‬ ‭

argue isnt God talking about Jesus it’s the Lord talking about his angel appointed over the law given through Moses mediation

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The New Testament isnt God to an angel to Moses to the people
It’s God the Father manifest in the son made flesh and filled with his spirit and they are one the fulness of God bodily

“Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.”( fether son ghost )
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the mediation of the law is not of one it is a mediation between God and sinners given by Moses tbier intercessor and ordained by the angels God gave the. Over to after they worshipped the calf at Sinai

“This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices By the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, And the star of your god Remphan, Figures which ye made to worship them: And I will carry you away beyond Babylon. who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭7:38, 41-43, 53‬ ‭

what makes it different is the angels disposition who won’t forgive sin placed over them

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.

that makes the law entirely contrary to the gospel which is based upon remission of sins… forgivness ….pardon

at he ordination of the New Testament is God the father son and holy spirit manifest as one no angelic mediation betwixt no forced worship of angels ordinances imposed upon the people

Look how Jesus removed that ordination and lack of pardon when he came

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:13-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The law is of this disposition “ he will not pardon your sin “

“And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭15:32, 35-36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

remember what he’s said “ beware of him and obey him for he will not pardon my name is in him “

Can you imagine Jesus on the gospel commanding this to anyone ? It’s that far removed

Jesus and the Angel of YHWH
The New Testament identifies Jesus as the Angel. Remember, an angel is one who is sent without reference to the nature of the one sent.
When 1 Corinthians 10:1 is compared with Exodus 13:21, and Exodus 14:19, 24 the Angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. It goes on to say that '...at the morning watch, YHWH looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud...'
Numbers 14:14 says that it was YHWH who was among the people. And Psalm 78:14 says that '...he led them with the cloud by day and all the night with a light of fire.'
It was the Angel who accompanied the nation and the New Testament says that it was the Messiah who accompanied them. He was their spiritual rock. (1 Corinthians 10:4) The association seems clear:
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 and Deuteronomy 32:15, 18

Jude 5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus*, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
* The reading Ἰησοῦς/Jesus [enjoys] ...the strongest support from a variety of early witnesses (e.g., A B 33 81 1241 1739 1881 2344 pc vg co Or1739mg)... The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005).)

Exodus 12:51 says that YHWH brought the people out of Egypt and yet...

Judges 2:1 says that the Angel of YHWH brought Israel out of Egypt

And 1 Corinthians 10:4-5, 9 says 'all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Messiah. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.... We must not put *Messiah/Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents.'
* Χριστόν (Christon, “Christ”) is attested in the majority of MSS, including many important witnesses of the Alexandrian (𝔓46 1739 1881) and Western (D F G) textvtypes, and other MSS and versions (Ψ latt sy co). The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005).


Numbers 26:65 For YHWH had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

John 8:58

“εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς· Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, πρὶν Ἀβραὰμ γενέσθαι ἐγὼ εἰμί.” (John 8:58)
הֵשִׁיב לָהֶם יֵשׁוּעַ׃ ״אָמֵן אָמֵן אֲנִי אוֹמֵר לָכֶם, בְּטֶרֶם הֱיוֹת אַבְרָהָם, אֲנִי הוּא.<\p>
"So the Judeans said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple." The lead up to his statement is this:

“So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”” (John 8:19) “And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.” (John 8:23) ““I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.”” (John 8:38)

Jesus took their statement to another level. Not only had he seen Abraham but he was in existence not just before Abraham (which would read ἤμην - ‘I was’) but eternally ‘ἐγὼ εἰμί’. Notice that their response was to pick up stones to throw at him just as in John 10:31 where we are explicitly told their response was to his perceived blasphemy “For a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make yourself out to be God.”

What does Torah say about blasphemy? “‘Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him...” (Leviticus 24:16).

So in John 8:59 their response to his claim was to try and stone him.

John 8:58 reads '...πρὶν (before) Ἀβραὰμ γενέσθαι (was/existed) ἐγὼ εἰμί (I myself am/exist).'

The Greek version (LXX) of the Torah (circa 250 BC) translates "אני הוא" in Deuteronomy 32:39 as "‘See now that I am (ἐγώ εἰμι), And there is no god besides Me..." Isaiah 41:4 "‘I, יהוה , am the first, and with the last. I am he (ἐγώ εἰμι)’ "

And Isaiah 43:10 reads

““You are My witnesses,” declares יהוה, “And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He (ἐγώ εἰμι)...”
Compare this with the words of Jesus to John in Revelation 1:7:

"When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am (ἐγώ εἰμι) the first and the last..."
Revelation 22:13, 16

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end... I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
Also Isaiah 43:13, 46:4, 48:12. Isaiah 52:6 is interesting because there יהוה says:

"Therefore my people will know my name in that day. For I am (ἐγώ εἰμι/אני הוא), behold I, the one speaking."
There appears to be a subtle pointer here to Exodus 3:14.

In John 10:28-30 we read:

“...I give eternal life to them... and no one will snatch them out of my hand... and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. “I and the Father are one.”
Jesus claims to give eternal life and then puts himself on a par with the Father.

“The Judeans picked up stones again to stone him... “For a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy; and because you, being a man, make yourself out to be God.”
Notice it says they picked up stones again. John is referring back to John 8:59 and so tying the charge for both occasions. What did they see as the blasphemy then as well as on this occasion? Claiming deity.

"Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?"
Many interpret Jesus’ words as directed towards human rulers but a reading of the source, Psalm 82 shows that he is referring to the divine council in heaven who were judged for injustice (to whom the word of God came). If that is the case then what Jesus is asserting is that Tanakh describes the divine council as ‘gods’ and so he too is God but not merely of the created heavenly class but as ontologically one with the uncreated, all powerful Most High Father. “If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe me; but if I do them, though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

He is not just elohim but, as stated in John 5, the unique Son of God.

“Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.” (John 10:28–39)
They knew what he was claiming and that’s why they continued to try and take him.

Here is Psalm 82 “Elohim takes His stand in the divine assembly (עדת-אל); He judges in the midst of the gods (אלהים). How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? ...I said, “You are gods (אלהים אתם), And all of you are sons of the Most High. “Nevertheless you will die like men (כאדם תמותון) And fall like any one of the princes.”

Key points:

Not a hint of the Law of Moses, of Sinai, the nation or Torah, in the Psalm. Jesus points to the Tanakh’s acknowledgement of the existence of other elohim (also called malakhim and ‘sons of elohim’) in the heavenly court. There are divine beings in the Tanakh but only one eternal Elohim who is יהוה and Jesus is one with this Elohim who is both יהוה and Father. The other implication is that he is Lord of this heavenly council. The Tanakh points to one who is Angel and yet God.

Some interpret certain uses of elohim as meaning human judges but Heisler asserts, "However, neither judges nor elders are found in Exodus 21, and the Old Testament never uses the term elohim for human leaders anywhere else. Many presume that Exodus 18 refers to the elders as elohim, but the text never makes that equation. Elohim there refers, as usual, to God. A comparison of Exodus 21:1–6 (אֶל־הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים) with its parallel in Deuteronomy 15:12–18 further weakens this argument." (Michael S. Heiser, The Bible Unfiltered: Approaching Scripture on Its Own Terms (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017), 63.) “The Jewish authorities got the message, too—they charged him with blasphemy. Now ask yourself, why would they do that if all Jesus was saying was “you mortal Jews get to call yourselves sons of God, and אלהים, so I can, too.” That makes no sense at all.”

Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible, First Edition. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015)







https://fireprior.com/divine-envoy....esus and the Angel of YHWH,-The New Testament

J.

Hve allnot read of how the parents-to-be entertained the Angel of the Lord, and after having offered up a burnt offfering to God, the Angel ascended at the same time. They said that they were certainly going to die because they had seen God face-to-face, however the wife seemed to know better.

So here, the Angel of God was God. Please do not start some out of context nonsense for it is plainly written.

Can you please post the verses that support what your saying about "how the parents to be entertained the Angel of the Lord? Thank You!

bluto

The angel of the Lord appears to Hagar in Genesis 16:7-13.
The angel of the Lord appears to Abraham in Genesis 22:11-18.
The angel of the Lord appears to Moses in Exodus 3:2-6.
The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon in Judges 6:11-24.
The angel of the Lord appears to Manoah and his wife in Judges 13:3-22.
The angel of the Lord appears to Zechariah in Luke 1:11-20.
In some instances, those who saw the angel of the Lord feared for their lives because they had "seen the Lord"

. Therefore, it is clear that in at least some instances, the angel of the Lord is a theophany, an appearance of God in physical form.
J.

Thank you, Johann! The more responses I read on this forum, the more I wonder who's teaching some of these people. This should be one of the most basic teachings in the Bible. Good to have a few of you in my corner.

Manoah is the father of Samson.
Judges 13:16-18, "The angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou will offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel (messenger) of the LORD. And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, what is thy name---?"

"And the angel of the LORD said unto him, why ask you thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" This Hebrew word secret is used in Isaiah 9:6 "And his name shall be called Wonderful."

I forgot the most important part of the story. "And Manoah said unto his wife, we shall surely die, because we have seen God."

Ok everybody I have to "fess up" that I posted this by playing the Devil's advocate. Notice under my name the letters "da," which stands for Devil's advocate. I wanted to see some of the answers that were given. I am not going to comment on each persons answer but use this opportunity as a teachable lesson. I am not saying this as a "know it all" or from being "prideful."

What I'm about to tell you comes from being a Christian 61 years now and the things I leaned from others and especially from the Lord. Let me first say (in my opinion) that the best proof that Jesus Christ is God Almighty is Him being the pre-incarnate angel of the Lord in the Old Testament.

Now, regarding your answers I have two questions? How would you go about "PROVING" Jesus is the angel of the Lord and not just an angel like Michael or Gabriel? Two, how would you prove that Jesus Christ pre-existed His birth and physically appeared as God Almighty in the OT?

I'm going to answer the second question first. The AOTL first appears as TAOL at Genesis 16:7. He says to Hagar at Vs10, "I am going to multiply greatly your descendants so they shall be to many to count." At vs11 TAOL tells Hagar she is with child. The child that will be born to her is Ismael and from his line are the Arabs. At vs13 Hagar says, "Thou art a God who sees; for she said, Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?"

Now look at Genesis 17:1-3. "Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am God Almighty, Walk before Me, and be blameless. VS2, And I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly. Vs3, And Abram fell on his face, and God talked with Him." The reason I know this is a physical appearance is based on Genesis 17:22. "And when He/God finished talking with him, God went up from Abram." Question? Is the same being known as the AOTL that multiplied Hagar's descendants the same being who multiplied Abraham's descendants at Genesis 17:1-3?

The reason I know this appearance by TAOL/Jesus Christ and not God the Father is because God the Father cannot be seen with the physical eyes. This is according to Jesus Christ Himself at John 5:37 and at John 6:46. Plus the fact that God the Father has no separate manifestation from the Son. The Son is the only manifestation and revelation of the Father. What is known of the Father is revealed through the Son. To see the Son is to see the essence of the Father. (John 1:1,18; John 10:30; 12:45; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3).

Now for the answer of question one. At Genesis 22:1, "Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham." The test was for Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Vs10, "And Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to slay his son." Vs11, "But TAOL called to him from heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham!" and he said here I am." Vs12, "And he said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me." (As a side note Isaac was not Abraham's only son, there was Ismael.)

At vs15, "Then TAOL called to Abraham a second time from heaven, vs16, and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, vs17, indeed I will greatly multiple your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall posses the gate of their enemies."

So, here is why I know TAOL is "NOT" an actual angel like Michael or Gabriel. It is because angels CANNOT SWEAR OATHS ON BEHALF OF GOD HIMSELF. This is backed up by Hebrews 6:13-18. "For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, HE SWORE BY HIMSELF, vs14, saying, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply you." Vs15,, And thus, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. Vs16, "For men swear by one grater than themselves, and with them an oath given aas confirmation is an end of every dispute."

Vs17, "In the same way God desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath," Vs18, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us."

I would like to make some side comments. Swearing an oath is a matter of one's own conscience. Also, actual angels can swear oaths on their own, read Revelation 10:5-6. Lastly, I will be happy to answer any and all questions, no matter what it is concerning this presentation.

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto

Concerning this article, I feel as if I've been terminated!

Speaking of being terminated; I think it's kind of hilarious that artists imagine angels looking like this; when in the bible angels are constantly either killing people, or were about to kill people, or destroying cities or about to destroy a city.... appearances can be deceiving I suppose.

Nonsense, you need not feel this way. You brought up some very good points. What I learned and found really interesting is how important words are. For instance, there is a difference between the word, "the" and "a/an" angel. The chief grammatical function of "an" or "a" is to connote a thing not previously noted or recognized. Whereas as the word "the" connotes a thing previously noted or recognized.

To put this in perspective "The" angel of the Lord never appears in the New Testament. Some Bibles do insert "an" for "the" but the context determines its use. I have had people try and trap me on this by citing Acts 7 and the stoning of Stephen. Stephen is reading the Jews the riot act about them killing Jesus and brings up Moses. Stephen says at Acts 7:30, "And after forty years had passed AN ANGEL, appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning thorn bush. Of course this event is referring to Exodus 3.

They then tell me, "see, the word "an "is used." What they fail to do is to read the rest of the context. Stephen says at vs38, "This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness TOGETHER WITH THE ANGEL WHO WAS SPEAKING to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with the fathers etc. Anyway, you need not feel "terminated" 10-22-27. ""

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto

“Therefore, it is clear that in at least some instances, the angel of the Lord is a theophany, an appearance of God in physical form.”

how is it clear ? Isnt it more clear by those scriptures this part ?

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

all those scriptures show us what Stephen was saying and why he had said it about the angelic ordination of the law he’s absolutely correct about what happened when and also why and again it’s telling us bout the ordination and mediation of angels and the disposition the mediation had who ordained the law

“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.

…..This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: to whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices By the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, And the star of your god Remphan, Figures which ye made to worship them: And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

…..Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. ….who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭7:30, 38-43, 51, 53‬ ‭KJV‬‬

this isn’t telling us that the angels are God in the form of an angel it’s telling us that the Old Testament was ordained and mediated by angels and not Jesus

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:5-6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The angels are Gods messengers and servants who ordained the Old Testament it’s why you keep seeing them regarding the covenant

I’m not sure that those clearly establish what your aging there but I’m also pretty limited in understsnding so just an old man’s opinion

Important Note so that there is no confusion:​

Jesus (Who is the Eternal God) is the Messenger of the Lord in the OT:

It is quite astonishing to discover that Jesus Christ appears not only in the prophecies and typifications within the Old Testament but He also actually makes real pre-incarnate physical appearances in the Old Testament, as well. Many of these appearances are under the title of the "Angel of the Lord" in the KJV. Yet, we clearly know that Jesus is not a created angel or being but He is God Almighty Himself (or the second person in the Godhead or Trinity).

Anyways, please take the time to look up the origin of the word "angel" at etymonline. While you are there, you will discover that it can also be defined as "messenger".

Online Etymology Dictionary

In other words, Jesus is the Messenger of the Lord in the Old Testament!

Now, where does our Lord Jesus appear as a messenger in the Old Testament?

1. The Story of Hagar -

Genesis 16:7-13

The angel of the LORD promised to do something that only God can do (see v.10). Hagar knew that it was the Lord who spoke to her (v. 13) and she identified the angel of the LORD as God: "Thou God seest me" (v.13).

Genesis 21:17-20

The angel of the Lord promised to do something only God can do (see v.18). This angel is identified as God (v.19).

2. The Story of Abraham & Sarah -

Genesis 18:1-33

Although the title of the "angel of the Lord" is not used here, it is clear within this chapter that is Jesus Christ. First, "the Lord appeared unto him (i.e. Abraham)" (v. 1) followed by the immediate appearance of three men (v. 2). Abraham and Sarah both call him Lord, as well (v. 3) (v. 12). The Lord also knew Sarah had laughed at God's promise when she was not present (v. 15).

3. The Story of Abraham & Isaac -

Genesis 22:15-18

The angel of the Lord is speaking (verses 15-16) and yet verse 16 makes it clear that it is God who is speaking ("saith the LORD")! In verses 17-18 the angel of the Lord promises to do what only God can do.

4. The Story of Jacob -

Genesis 31:11-13

The angel of God (v.11) identifies Himself as God: "I am the God of Bethel" (v.13).

Genesis 32:24-32

Jacob wrestles with a man who he later identifies the place with the name "Peniel", which means he had seen God face to face (v. 30).

5. The Story of Joseph -

Genesis 48:14-16

When Jacob was blessing Joseph and his sons he mentions :The Angel which redeemed me from all evil" (v. 16). Now, last time I checked, but angels do not redeem anyone. They are simply guardians.

6. The Story of Moses -

Exodus 3:2-7

The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses out of the midst of a burning bush and identified Himself as God (verses 4 and 6) and as Lord (verses 4 and 7). See also Acts 7:30-32 where the angel of the Lord is identified as the Lord God.

Exodus 14:19-21

The angel of God does what only God can do (verses 19-20) and is identified with the glorious manifestation of God in the pillar of the cloud (verses 19-20). In verse 21 this angel is identified as "the LORD".

Exodus 23:20-23

This passage makes it clear that the Lord’s angel is much more than a mere angel; this angel is closely identified with God: Lord’s "name is in Him" (v.21, "name" referring to Lord's nature and character) and God’s people must "obey His voice" (v.21). Indeed, He has the authority to "pardon your transgressions" or not to pardon them, and who can forgive sins but God alone? Notice that the angel is distinct from God and sent by God. The LORD said, "Behold, I send an angel before thee." We are reminded of New Testament parallels as the Son was distinct from the Father and sent by the Father (John 3:17; etc.) and yet equal to the Father (John 5:18) (John 10:30).

7. The Story of Balaam -

Numbers 22:20-35

Now in the story of Balaam, we begin with God speaking directly to Balaam, then a transition from God to "angel of the Lord" So guess who was standing before Balaam? None other than Jesus Christ. The "angel of the LORD" is used many times in verses 23-26, and verses 31-35 and the LORD in verses 28-31. Then continuing in Chapter 23 God meets Balaam in verse 4 and the LORD is mentioned in verses 5 and 16. These titles are being used interchangeably.

8. The Story of Joshua -

Joshua 5:13-15

Again, although the "Angel of the Lord" is not mentioned here, Jesus did appear to Joshua in the form of a man. This man was worshiped by Joshua (v. 14) and this man declared that Joshua was standing on Holy ground (v. 15).

9. The Beginning Story of the Judges -

Judges 2:1-3

The angel of Lord says things that only God could say. God is the One who brought them into the land which He swore to give unto their fathers (v.1). God is the One who promised to never break His covenant (v.1).

10. The Story of Gideon -

Judges 6:11-24

As you follow this passage, pay close attention to who is speaking to Gideon: in verse 12 the angel of the Lord is speaking; in verse 14 the Lord is speaking; in verse 16 the Lord is speaking; in verse 20 the angel of God is speaking. Lord and the angel of Lord are one and the same.

11. The Story of Samson's Birth -

Judges 13:3-23

Note especially verses 17-18. Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, "What is Thy Name?" (v.17) and the angel of the Lord said, "Why asketh thou thus after My Name, seeing it is secret?" The word "secret" may be translated "wonderful." It is the same Hebrew word found in Isaiah 9:6 – "His Name shall be called wonderful." In Isaiah 9:6 the term is used as a name of Christ who is also called "the Mighty God." The fact that the Lord's angel was God was certainly known by Manoah. After the angel of the Lord appeared to him Manoah said, "We have seen God!" (v.22).

Conclusion:

The Angel of the Lord is also mentioned in the story of David, Isaiah, the Psalms, and Zechariah. So it is amazing to see how Jesus Christ being our eternal God was always present in the past, even revealing Himself within the sacred Scriptures of the Old Testament, too.

Oh, and "Angel of the Lord" is an accurate description or title for Jesus in the Old Testament as stated in the KJV (King James Version). While the word “Angel” could be simply another word for “Messenger,” there is another possibility.

Now, while Jesus was NOT an actual created being like an angel by our Modern understanding, Jesus could have hid His glory as God (who is spirit and who is eternal and uncreated). For just looking at the face of God would kill a flesh and blood human being (as Scripture says).

So one possibility is that Jesus put on an empty soulless shell of a body that comes from angels. Think of it like an angel suit (like a tuxedo but made out of angel skin). Jesus did not possess an angel in existence (who had a soul). No, no,no. Nor did Jesus create a new sentient being so as to co-mingle his mind with. Certainly not! Jesus is eternally God! Jesus's mind is His own! Jesus is the second person of the Godhead or the Trinity (Who is eternal and spirit and uncreated). So Jesus could have possibly taken on an outer covering of the skin of angels (with no angel soul included).

Anyways, God hiding His glorious presence is not a new thing in Scripture. God was within the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day.

The only verse that this appears to contradict the idea that Jesus took on the nature of angels in the Old Testament is Hebrews 2:16. For it says,

"For verily he took not on him the nature of angels;
but he took on him the seed of Abraham. " (Hebrews 2:16).

While this appears to be a contradiction at first glance, the focus here is the Incarnation or Christ coming to this world to pay the price for our sin. It is saying He did not take on the nature of angels in the Incarnation but He took on him the seed of Abraham (a physical flesh and blood body). This does not discount that Jesus might have taken on the nature of angels beforehand in the Old Testament (in being the "Angel of the Lord" or the "Messenger of the Lord.").

Are not the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit One? I believe they are because Jesus Yeshua said such. I believe on faith, though I will not truly understand this until His time, and it will be glorious.