20151102 Monday, November 2 2015
Ezekiel 09: The Mark Of The Angel

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"The LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof"

The English-language word "angel" is used to translate the Hebrew word, pronounced mal-awk, and the Greek word, pronounced ang-el-os (from which the English word "angel" originated). Both original words of the Holy Scriptures mean messenger.

Angels were very active throughout Bible history and will remain so in the time prior to the Messiah's return (see The Seventh Trumpet Of The Seventh Seal).

What does the Holy Bible tell us about angels?

Angels are spirit beings that were created before humans (Psalms 148:2-5, Colossians 1:16). They do not marry and do not die (Luke 20:34-36, Matthew 22:30). There are a vast number of them (Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 5:11). They are not to be worshiped (Colossians 2:18, Revelation 22:8-9).

There are various orders and forms of angels (Romans 8:38, Ephesians 1:21, 3:10, Colossians 1:16, 2:15, 1 Peter 3:22). Although spirit beings, whenever they dealt directly with humans they usually appeared as men (Genesis 19:1,5; see also The LORD and Two Angels and Fire And Brimstone Upon Sodom And Gomorrah).

Michael is the only angel that is specifically called an "archangel." He and the righteous angels under him defeated Satan and his demons after which they were cast down to the earth (Revelation 12:7-10). It was Michael who stopped Satan from stealing the body of Moses after he died (Jude 9)

Gabriel is a prominent angel who delivered important prophetic messages from the LORD to specific people, including to the prophet Daniel (Daniel 8:15-17, 9:21-24; see also The Prophet Daniel: The Hiddekel Vision), to Zechariah, the father of John The Baptist (Luke 1:11-19; see What Did John The Baptist's Father Do At The Temple?), and to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:26-35; see What Does The Bible Really Say About Mary?)

Lucifer (a Latin word meaning Light Bringer; see What Is Satan's Real Name?) was at first an obedient and righteous servant of God - before his great wisdom was lost by vanity (see also How Does Satan Impersonate Jesus Christ?). He thereafter became known as Satan, from the Hebrew word that means accuser. Many other angels were also corrupted and foolishly followed Satan in his revolution against the King (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour; see also The First And Last Nation and The Patriotism Prophecy). They are now known as "demons," "devils" or "unclean spirits."

While the Babylonian army was used as the human agent of the LORD's wrath upon the incorrigibly-corrupt Kingdom of Judah (see Why Did Judah Fall To Babylon?), angels were also sent to insure that the guilty did not escape - and that the innocent were not harmed. An angel was to "set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof," after which, when the destruction began, "come not near any man upon whom is the mark."

"9:1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.

9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.

9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house.

And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary.

Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth.

And they went forth, and slew in the city.

9:8 And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?

9:9 Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not. 9:10 And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.

9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me." (Ezekiel 9:1-11 KJV)

Fact Finder: When and how was the term "sons of God" used for angels?
See Sons of God: Men, Women or Angels?