Separating Fact from Fiction | Scotty Gibbons

Ephesians 6:10-12 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV) 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV) 1. What is an angel? angel - a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation Luke 10:18-20 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (NIV) Isaiah 14:12-15 – “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning!
You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.
13 For you said to yourself,  ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars.
I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.[e] 14 I will climb to the highest heavens  and be like the Most High.’ 15 Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead  down to its lowest depths. (NLT) 2. Are angels created beings? Nehemiah 9:6 “You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you. (NLT) Colossians 1:15-16 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. (NLT) 3. Are angels male or female? Luke 1:19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.  (NIV) Jude 1:8-9 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (NIV) 4. How many angels are there? Hebrews 12:22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. (NLT) Revelation 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. (NIV) Daniel 7:10 - Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened. (NLT) 5. Should we worship angels? Revelation 19:10 – Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters[c] who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. (NLT) 6. Do we have guardian angels? Matthew 18:10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. (NLT) Acts 12:15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” (NIV) 7. Why do we really need to know about angels? 1. We can’t understand everything, but should strive to understand everything we can. 2. It gives us insight into God’s ways and how He works. 3. It gives us insight into the spirit world, the spiritual battle, and how to win.