What Is the Army of God?
Angels make up the vast army of God, often referred to as the host of heaven or heavenly host, and God Himself is the commander of this mighty host (Isaiah 45:12). Since the angels and the stars of heaven are often used interchangeably (Judges 5:20; Job 25:5, 38:7), we sometimes conclude that an angel accounts for each star in the sky; for the number of angels and stars are so vast that they
cannot be determined (Hebrews 11:12, 12:22).
Angels not only carry out God’s commands relating to His children, but also carry out the commands of God pertaining to the ungodly. As warriors in God’s army, angels bring about judgment (Matthew 13:41, 49), pestilence (II Samuel 24:15-17), curses (Judges 5:23), sudden death (II Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23), and
persecution on evildoers (Psalm 35:5-6).
The army of God is usually invisible to the human eye, but it is awesome. In the time of Elisha the prophet, the King of Syria was at war with Israel (II Kings 6:14-17).
What an amazing sight that must have been! Elisha knew that the chariots of fire on his side were greater than the warriors coming against them. There was nothing for him to fear, not even a frightful army.
Who Do Angels Worship?
God’s angels surround His throne; serving and worshipping Him
continuously (Psalm 148:2).
God’s angels are beautiful and magnificent creatures, yet we are not to pray to or worship them (Colossians 2:18); for only God is worthy of worship. In fact, the Old Testament writers warned about the danger of worshipping heavenly bodies and prescribed the death penalty for the worship of anything besides the Creator,
including the sun, moon, or any of the host of heaven (Deuteronomy 17:2-7).
Who Is the “Angel of God”?
Throughout the Old Testament, there are certain references to the Angel of God or Angel of the Lord. Although not exclusive, this term may refer to appearances of the preincarnate Jesus Christ. Many of those who saw Him said that they had seen God. Others fell down to worship Him.
Who in the Old Testament saw the Angel of God?
- Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8)
- Abraham (Genesis 18:13, 22:11-16)
- Gideon (Judges 6:11-22)
- Jacob (Gen 28:12, 31:11, 32:24-30; Hosea 12:4)
- Moses (Exodus 3:2; Acts 7:30, 35, 38, 53)
- The Nation of Israel — the Angel will deliver them, go before them, and pardon their sins (Exodus 23:20-23).
- Balaam (Numbers 22:22-35)
- Joshua — Angel introduced himself as Captain of the Army of the Lord (Joshua 5:14-15, 6:13-15)
- David (I Chronicles 21:15-16)
- Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-13)
- Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:23-28)
- Zechariah (Zechariah 1:9, 3:1-2)
In these encounters, the Angel of God (Angel of the Lord) spoke for God in the first person (Genesis 16:10; Exodus 3:2, 6; Judges 2:1). e alone has the ministry of intercession with His Father on the behalf of men (Isaiah 63:9; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:24).