31 . Evil Spirits
The connection of the visible with the invisible world , the ministration of angels of God , and the agency of evil spirits , are plainly revealed in the Scriptures , and inseparably interwoven with human history . There is a growing tendency to disbelief in the existence of evil spirits , while the holy angels that " minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation " ( Hebrews 1:14 ) are regarded by many as spirits of the dead . But the Scriptures not only teach the existence of angels , both good and evil , but present unquestionable proof that these are not disembodied spirits of dead men .
Before the creation of man , angels were in existence ; for when the foundations of the earth were laid , " the morning stars sang together , and all the sons of God shouted for joy ." Job 38:7 . After the fall of man , angels were sent to guard the tree of life , and this before a human being had died . Angels are in nature superior to men , for the psalmist says that man was made " a little lower than the angels ." Psalm 8:5 . We are informed in Scripture as to the number , and the power and glory , of the heavenly beings , of their connection with the government of God , and also of their relation to the work of redemption . " The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens ; and His kingdom ruleth over all ." And , says the prophet , " I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne ." In the presence chamber of the King of kings
they wait-- " angels , that excel in strength ," " ministers of His , that do His pleasure ," " hearkening unto the voice of His word ." Psalm 103:19-21 ; Revelation 5:11 . Ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands , were the heavenly messengers beheld by the prophet Daniel . The apostle Paul declared them " an innumerable company ." Daniel 7:10 ; Hebrews 12:22 . As God ' s messengers they go forth , like " the appearance of a flash of lightning ," ( Ezekiel 1:14 ), so dazzling their glory , and so swift their flight . The angel that appeared at the Saviour ' s tomb , his countenance " like lightning , and his raiment white as snow ," caused the keepers for fear of him to quake , and they " became as dead men ." Matthew 28:3 , 4 . When Sennacherib , the haughty Assyrian , reproached and blasphemed God , and threatened Israel with destruction , " it came to pass that night , that the angel of the Lord went out , and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand ." There were " cut off all the mighty men of valor , and the leaders and captains ," from the army of Sennacherib . " So he returned with shame of face to his own land ." 2 Kings 19:35 ; 2 Chronicles 32:21 .
Angels are sent on missions of mercy to the children of God . To Abraham , with promises of blessing ; to the gates of Sodom , to rescue righteous Lot from its fiery doom ; to
356