I.  The Setting.  Job 1:1-2

  A. The Introduction.  Job 1:1-5

  B.  The Presentation.  1:6-12

This morning we are going to establish the existence and identity of Angels –

Job 1:6-12  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

    1.  The Appointment. 1:6  Reveals the Lord’s sovereignty.

      a.  They came before the Lord.   “…present themselves before the Lord…”

      b.  They came at appointed times. 

Job 1:6  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

Job 2:1  Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

    2.  The Assembly. 

Job 1:6-7  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

      a.  The sons of God. 

        1).  Their identification – Angels.  How do we know they were angels?

          a).  They were giving account to the Lord for their activity and were not being judged.

          b).  Their presence before the Lord.

            (1).  No judgment on humanity at the throne of God at this time.

            (2).  Deceased mankind was in Paradise or in Hell.

Note:  we should at this time establish their existence.  Listen to the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ –

Matthew 18:10  Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Mark 13:32  But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

        2).  Their abode. 

Jude 1:6  And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

        3).  Their nature.

          a).  They are created beings.

Psalm 148:2-5  Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

Nehemiah 9:6  Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

            (1).  They are spirit.

Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

            (2).  They are immortal.

Luke 20:36  Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

            (3).  They do not procreate.

Matthew 22:30  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

          b).  They are different in their characteristics.  The host of Heaven is made up of –

            (1).  Cherubims.  First mentioned in – 

Genesis 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Exodus 25:20  And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

            (2).  Seraphim.  Mentioned only in –

Isaiah 6:1-6  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. 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. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 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. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

            (3).  Angels.  Differences are noted among angels in  –

              (a).  Their appearance.    Lot entertained angels who were seen to be normal men.

Hebrews 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.   Also remember the angels at Jesus’ tomb.

              (b).  Their personalities. 

                     Angels seem to have individual personalities.

                [1].  Their positions. 

                        Archangel (Michael) and angels following him.

Colossians 1:16  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:

               [2].  Their names.

                 [a].  Lucifer. 

Isaiah 14:12  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

                 [b].  Michael.      

Jude 9  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

                 [c].  Gabriel    

Luke 1:19 “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God…”

              (c).  Their power.  They have superhuman strength –

2 Peter 2:11  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

–  but they do not have equal strength among themselves –

Daniel 10:11-13  And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

        4).  Their service.  A survey of their ministry unto the Lord.

          a).  They worship the Lord.

          b).  They execute the will of God.

Psalms 103:20  Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

          c).  They served in the Garden of Eden.

          d).  One smote the firstborn in  Egypt.   Exodus 12:23 “…the destroyer…”

          e).  They protected Elisha the prophet –

2 Kings 6:17  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.  

          f).  They destroyed the Assyrian army that besieged Jerusalem. 

          g).  They announced the birth of Jesus.

          h).  They ministered to Jesus following the temptation and His anguished prayer.

Matthew 4:11  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

          i).  They announced His resurrection.

          j).  They carried Lazurus to Paradise.  Luke 16

          k).  An angel released Peter from Prison.

          l).  They minister to the saints. They instructed Cornelius to contact Peter.

Hebrews 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?        

          m).  They are coming with the Lord at His second coming.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:                  

        5).  Their future.

          a).  Holy angels. They will continue in the presence of God and serve Him.

Luke 15:10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

          b).  Unholy angels.  They will be cast into the Lake of Fire  

Matthew 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:

Job 1:6a “…the Sons of God…”  These are angels standing before God, answering to Him for their actions.  Do you know that you also are accountable to God and must answer Him?

Conclusion: Who will you spend eternity with?  God has given the believer the victory! 

1 John 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.