Is the Angel of the Lord the Pre-Incarnate Christ?

Taylormarshall.com ^ | January 22, 2015 | Dr Taylor Marshall

[fso301]

Michael the Arch-angel is not a created being, if He is the Christ.

From where would one arrive at that view?

[Salvation]

Why do you limit God?

Why do you limit Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity?

Could not Christ have appeared as an angel?

[WXRGina]

I’m not limiting anyone, much less the Lord. He can do as He pleases. Our finite minds cannot fully grasp Him at this time. He speaks to us in ways we can understand. I take Him at his Word. When He describes a creature as an angel of the Lord, I believe Him, and I try NOT to OVER-THINK things unnecessarily. You can, you know.

[xone]

Ack, you’re right, however, Gen 16 with Hagar and the Angel of the Lord. That be God talking.

[Salvation]

We cannot hope to fathom the mind of God, nor do we need to.

[Salvation]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3250596/posts?page=25#25

[odawg]

I’ve always been taught that the Lord of the Old Testament incarnated as Jesus in the New. Christ referred to Himself as “Before Abraham was, I am”. It’s in a few other places.

[annalex]

Another pre-incarnational Christ is seen as wisdom of the Lord. In Proverbs we read:

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived. neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out: The mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth: He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law and compass he enclosed the depths: When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when be balanced the foundations of the earth; I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times; Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men. Now therefore, ye children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord: But he that shall sin against me, shall hurt his own soul. All that hate me love death. (Proverbs 8:22-36)

This, too, is a proper background for St. Paul:

…we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew; for if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.  But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:7-9)

Sophia Wisdom of God

[WXRGina]

An angel of the Lord, delivering the Word of the Lord. He’s still an angel of the Lord.

I’m out. Time for the Big Broadcast shortly! :-)

[huldah1776]

One pastor I heard taught that when Jacob wrestled with God, it was actually Jesus, so we can debate all we want but generally people believe what makes them comfortable. Those things that require faith are generally uncomfortable. I was surprised at the way the word “God” is used in the OT from my concordance and I love my concordance. Gen 32 I guess I’ll look up Messenger but if someone from the State Department says something, isn’t it perceived as coming from the President (if there is one).

[xone]

Delivered His speech in the first person. Didn’t say “Thus saith the Lord God..”

[huldah1776]

I am in a weird mood. This gives new meaning to “don’t shoot the messenger.”

[WXRGina]

Okay, one more reply. The Bible says it’s an angel of the Lord. It’s an angel of the Lord. He delivered God’s message—as they do throughout the Bible, delivering His messages and carrying out His instructions, whatever they may be.
NOW, I’m out! :-)

[rawcatslyentist]

Maybe, maybe not. It isn’t important, and not worth arguing over.

[erkelly]

“Before Abraham was, I AM.” Seems pretty clear to me!

[RedMDer]

I believe that the Angel of the Lord is God Himself.

When we bless ourselves we say ‘In the Name of the Father (Creator) and the of Son (Christ) and of the Holy Spirit (Angel of the Lord)’.
We only pray to one God.

Jesus said:
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me

[ravenwolf]

Who knows?

[bubbacluck]

Who was the captain of the army of the Lord that was talking with Joshua just prior to taking Jericho, the one who was holding a sword and and said to Joshua to take off his sandals for he was standing on holy ground; Joshua also fell down to his face and worshiped him.

I don't think we are supposed to worship angels, only God.

[Dutchboy88]

"The question is about the angel of the Lord. God calls him the angel of the Lord. That means he’s the angel of the Lord."

There is no question that sometimes God sent an angel to visit with humans. Sometimes, He appeared to them Himself, and called Himself the Angel of the Lord. I believe if you review the episode of the Angel of the LORD in Gen. 22, you will find this to be one of those situations. Notice:

"11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." 12 He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." 13 Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the LORD it will be provided." 15 Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore ; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.""

[Dutchboy88]

"I’ve always been taught that the Lord of the Old Testament incarnated as Jesus in the New. Christ referred to Himself as “Before Abraham was, I am”. It’s in a few other places."

Good point.