The Word Spoken by Angels
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; (Hebrews 2:2)
Once again the Holy Spirit brings us light by revealing the ministering spirits that God has ordained to interact with man. In this verse 2 of Hebrews 2, we have the law of God, and the input of angels concerning His law. To understand this input of angels turn to Psalm 68:17. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. God, the Holy Spirit, reveals to us that not only God met with Moses on Mount Sinai, but a host of angels were present as well. Whether Moses was aware of their presence or his eyes opened that he might see them, it is not recorded in the Book of Exodus; however, in the Book of Hebrews it is recorded that Moses feared and quaked at the sights that he saw. And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:( Hebrews 12:21) I believe that Moses was able to see and hear the things that God revealed to him, not only on earth but in heaven as well. One more reference to the presence of angels is 2 Kings 6:12-18.
And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber (2 Kings 6:12)
And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. (2 Kings 6:13)
Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. (2 Kings 6:14)
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? (2 Kings 6:15)
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. (2 Kings 6:16)
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)
And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. (2 Kings 6:18)
Here in the midst of darkness in the northern kingdom of 10 tribes, the prophet, Elisha had his ministry. This is just one instance of God performing and revealing the miracle of His grace to the prophet Elisha. In a spiritual sense, the servant of Elisha was blind to the things of the spiritual world around him. Elisha prayed to the Lord that this blindness would be removed; and behold, the servant saw the fiery chariots of God and the hosts thereof, as quoted before in Psalm 68:17. Another revelation of God working through His angels for His servants here on earth. Throughout Scripture when we have the presence of God, He is always accompanied by a host of angels round about Him. I refer to Isaiah 6:1-5.
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1)
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.(Isaiah 6:2)
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:3)
And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:4)
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. (Isaiah 6:5)
And read Revelation, Chapters 4 and 5. The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ also reveals the work of the angels of God in the matter of the judgments of the Tribulation Period. These judgments will be upon the sons of men, and upon the Devil. These judgments will be flawlessly accomplished by His angels, according to God’s Word and His righteousness.
Let us return to mount Sinai, when Moses was in the presence of God with His holy angels round about Him. The law was given to Moses, and it is written that Moses was faithful in all his house. (Hebrews 3:5) As Moses ascended the holy mount, we approach this holy place with him. In Scripture, this is the only mountain in God’s creation that is called the holy place, Sinai, in the holy place. (Psalm 68:17) It was in this holy place that Moses received the Law of God from God’s hand. In the New Testament, Peter adds to the awareness of the holiness of mount Sinai, when he calls it ‘the holy mount.’ (2 Peter 1: 15-21)
Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. (2 Peter 1:15)
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (2 Peter 1:17)
And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:18)
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19)
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (2 Peter 1:20)
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21)
Notice in verse 18 Peter stated, when we were with him in the holy mount, who was the ‘we’? Peter, James, and John, these 3 were taken to Sinai by the Lord Jesus when He was transfigured before them. Also present were both Moses and Elijah — they represented the Law and the Prophets. The message of the Law was condemnation, the message of the Prophets was the message of a Redeemer, that grace and truth would come by Jesus Christ. In Matthew’s gospel, chapter 17, verse 1 the Lord takes His 3 disciples into a high mountain apart. The word ‘apart’ also signifies separation from the world. Verse 2 of Matthew, chapter 17 describes His transfiguration. I ask you, could this take place in any other place than the holy mount? It is here that the heavens were parted and the voice of God the Father declared, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. This could only take place upon the hallowed and holy ground of the mount of God. This holy mountain is also called ‘Horeb,’ in Exodus 3:1-3.
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. (Exodus 3:1)
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.(Exodus 3:2)
And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. (Exodus 3:3)
It is in Exodus that Horeb was called the mount of God, and at the place of the burning bush God declared that this is holy ground. The angel of God appeared to Moses in the burning bush. (Hebrews 1:7) And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. This text in Hebrews confirms that angels are also spirits and ministers of fire. In Exodus, the angel appears as a flame of fire. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush:
It is now that God calls unto Moses out of the midst of the burning bush; telling Moses to remove his shoes, for he is standing on holy ground. It is here where the Lord also reveals unto Moses that God alone is the great I AM. To continue on this thought we remember the ministry of the Lord Jesus on the mount of Olives which is, the mount of peace, as the olive leaf is a symbol of God’s peace. This is referenced all the way back to the days of Noah, when the dove returned with an olive leaf in it’s mouth. Showing that God’s wrath was over, and the waters had abated. God brought peace to the new world of Noah as He brought peace by Jesus Christ. Chapter 7 of the Gospel of John ends with every man going unto his own house. Then we have the separation when Chapter 8 begins with the Lord Jesus, as the Sovereign God going to His own house, His favorite place during His incarnation, the mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. If we allow the Holy Spirit to open our hearts in this chapter we will behold the complete sovereignty of the Son of God as the great I AM. The Lord Jesus refers to Himself 8 times in this chapter 8 of John, that He is the I AM of Exodus 3. Eight (8) times, and I quote them.
1. I AM the light of the world.
2. I AM not alone. ( Father, Son and Holy Ghost)
3. I AM one that beareth witness of myself ( I AM THAT I AM)
4. I AM from above ( and He is above all)
5. I AM not of this world (Creator of all things)
6. For if ye believe not that I AM ( but as many as received Him to them gave He the power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on His name)(I AM THAT I AM)
7. When ye have lifted up the son of man then shall ye know that I AM, HE (Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.) Hebrews 10:7-9; And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. John 8:29 (I and the Father are one.)
8. Verse 58 — Jesus said unto them, verily, verily (or truly, truly) I say unto you before Abraham was, I AM.
The Lord Jesus confirmed He was the great I AM of the burning bush, and that He was the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. When Moses was standing before the burning bush, God referred to Himself 3 times as the God of the fathers of Moses, ‘I am the God of Abraham, I am the God of Isaac, and I am the God of Jacob,’ (Exodus 3:6) showing forth not only the number 3 in type, but also in emphasizing His Godhead of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14)
The vision at Horeb began with the angel of God and the burning bush, then God spoke unto Moses. Let’s go to Exodus 19, once again we are with Moses on mount Sinai, which is also called Horeb. Moses is in the presence of the great God and the only God, Jesus Christ, and an innumerable company of angels; for God descends in fire upon mount Sinai. Read again Psalm 68:17 and reference it to Hebrews 2:2. You also have a reference of the angels being ministering spirits in Hebrews 1:14.
In Chapter 19 of Exodus, God refers to the number 3, this takes place in the 3rd month, (Exodus 19:1) ¶ In the third* month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. and God declares that in 3 days He will descend. (Exodus 19:11) And be ready against the third* day: for the third* day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. The people were to sanctify themselves before God appeared. And on the third day, God descended in fire. Turn with me now to Hebrews, Chapter 12, verses 18-29. (* the words in bold are my doing, they are not bold in scripture.)
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, (Hebrews 12:18)
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (Hebrews 12:19)
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: (Hebrews 12:20)
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) (Hebrews 12:21)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (Hebrews 12:22)
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:23)
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24)
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25)
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (Hebrews 12:26)
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:27)
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (Hebrews 12:28)
For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)
There is so much in this section of Scripture, it is quite obvious that the law, which was accompanied by fire has given way to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ through His shed blood on Calvary. Verse 22 shows the witness and ministry of an innumerable company of angels. These angels not only minister to the Church, but they have been witnesses of God’s dealing with man ever since Adam. A long history of watching man in all his follies. They have been an enduring witness for God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Now the warning of verse 25, if we hear not him that spoke on earth, how shall be escape if we turn away from Jesus Christ speaking from the Holy Spirit from heaven? We have another reference point in the Book of Daniel (circa 555 B.C.) concerning the number of angels in the description of the last days of the tribulation. Daniel 7:9-11.
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. (Daniel 7:9)
A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:10)
I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. (Daniel 7:11)
Verse 10 describes thousand thousands ministering unto our God. Is not this the innumerable company of angels in Hebrews, Chapter 12?
Moving back to mount Sinai (Hebrews 8:1-5)
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; (Hebrews 8:1)
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews 8:2)
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. (Hebrews 8:3)
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: (Hebrews 8:4)
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. (Hebrews 8:5)
The reference in Hebrews 8:5 takes place on mount Sinai. Moses was allowed to see the pattern of the heavenly things, either through a spiritual window, or he was taken up into heaven. He saw the Lampstand, the Table of Shewbread, the Altar of Incense, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Mercy-Seat, etc. He also heard the voices of angels, and was witness to the divine priesthood, and the Lord walking among the things of God, as the Priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec. Remember, these were revelations of God given to Moses, and in revelations time and space can be altered; thus, God gave Moses the revelation of the pattern of holy things in heaven. If you search the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, you will find these articles displayed in heaven. Moses was to prepare the Tabernacle for the place of God’s habitation on earth; that His glory might descend and dwell amongst men. This would establish the Almighty God as Governor of all the earth. It would be His throne of Theocracy to rule over man. Even in the Tabernacle there was a witness of the angels in the tapestry and in the veil. They were placed on the veil similar to the Cherubims protecting the garden of Eden. They were on the veil before the holy of holies, and the Ark of the Covenant, and the Mercy-Seat. Another witness of the ministering spirits of the Almighty God.
In the New Testament, we have another witness of angels that came from an unusual source; in Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 5 and 6, the Devil gives witness concerning God’s angels. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 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. The Devil quoted this from Psalm 91:11-12. (Just a side note, this quote by the Devil proves that the Scriptures can not be broken, the Devil used Scripture because it was the only acceptable authority to Christ.)
Later, in the Gospels, God the Father sends an angel to the Garden of Gethsemane to strengthen His Son, as the shadow of the cross was over Him, and the judgment for sin was leaning heavily upon Him. The Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice with no sin, had to be strengthen by one of His angels.
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42)
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:43)
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44)
To continue on this thought of the ministry of angels, as both witnesses and ministers of God’s righteousness; they viewed the drama and the work of salvation on the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter declared this in 1st Peter 1:12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. The holy angels desire to look into all the aspects of our salvation. To us, in our present age, we are blessed by God with these ministering spirits who minister unto us, the heirs of salvation. (Hebrews 1:14)
The word spoken by angels, we know according to Acts 7:53 and Galatians 3:19 that the law was ordained by a disposition of angels, Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. (Acts 7:53) 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) This law was in the hand of the mediator, who was Moses. Remember, the law was given to control the sin of man. 1 Timothy 1:9-17
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, (1 Timothy 1:9)
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:10)
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. (1 Timothy 1:11)
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; (1 Timothy 1:12)
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. (1 Timothy 1:13)
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:14)
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Timothy 1:16)
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)
Paul showed us, through the Spirit of God, that until the days of refreshing would come in Jesus Christ, the law was given as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. Turn to Galatians 3:19. 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. The law was added because of transgression, it was to expose man’s sin, and to teach man his need. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24) Man, in Adam, was completely undone, and so the law exposed the great need that man had. Man was without hope in Adam, in this world. It would take the reconciling work of Christ on the cross through faith and grace to deliver man from his sins. As Moses received the law in a supernatural way on mount Sinai, so also Paul received the great doctrines of the Church, or the body of Christ, when he went into Arabia.
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, (Galatians 1:15)
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (Galatians 1:16)
Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. (Galatians 1:17)
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (Galatians 4:25)
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26)
For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. (Galatians 4:27)
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. (Galatians 4:28)
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. (Galatians 4:29)
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. (Galatians 4:30)
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (Galatians 4:31)
Paul revealed his trip to Arabia after his conversion on the Damascus road in Galatians 1. Then in Galatians 4, he gives to location of mount Sinai as being in Arabia. And as Moses went up into the holy mount to receive the law, Paul ascended up into the mount to receive the doctrines and patterns for the Church of God; and even Paul would be a pattern to them which would believe in Christ. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Timothy 1:16) This pattern was shown to Paul in the holy mount of God as he viewed the heavenly Jerusalem, which is above. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:25, 26) We saw the experience of Moses on mount Sinai, that he feared and quaked. Let’s now go to Paul’s experience on this same mount.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 12:1)
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:2)
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) (2 Corinthians 12:3)
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Corinthians 12:4)
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. (2 Corinthians 12:5)
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. (2 Corinthians 12:6)
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7)
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (2 Corinthians 12:8)
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Ascending up to the third heaven, Paul like Moses, saw and heard things that were not lawful to utter. As in mount Sinai with Moses, we have Paul also declaring the number 3; it was the third heaven that he had ascended to. We believe, that as Paul received the revelations of God that he was aware of God’s holy angels around him. This would be part of the vision that he came to in verse 1 of 2nd Corinthians 12). He also heard their voices, and was not able to relate all that they said to us. Both John and Daniel were ordered to seal up their words of prophecy, ( Daniel 9:24; 12:4; 12:9; Revelation 10:4) and Paul likewise was told to seal up the things that he heard beyond having received the doctrines and truths concerning the Church and body of Christ.
Many years have passed since that day on Sinai for Paul. He would not boast of it, in fact, the absence of the location of his ascension and vision was purposeful, so that he, himself, could not glory in the experience, nor could others join in a glory or a will-worshipping of Paul. But we are at the end of the age, and now it will be told by the Spirit of God.
Before we conclude on the mount that cannot be touched, let us shake our heavenly kaleidoscope, which is the Word of God, and let the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts. Paul was caught up to the third heaven, he saw and heard marvelous things we know not of. But, thanks be to God, we have his epistles and the revelations he received to secure the Church along with all the great proofs and doctrines of our great salvation in Jesus Christ. I close in the company and in the presence of innumerable angels. Amen.
© Copyright 2015, Michael Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)