The Angel of the Lord and the Pre-Incarnate Christ

The biblical references to the Angel of the Lord are complex and have been the subject of much theological discourse. Many scholars believe that these appearances often refer to the non-incarnate pre-incarnate Christ. According to the Bible, the Angel of the Lord represents the Glory of God and can be seen as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus Christ.

Introduction to the Pre-Incarnate Christ

Understanding the concept of the pre-incarnate Christ is crucial for understanding the biblical text. Unlike angels, who are created beings, the personification of the Angel of the Lord is often seen as the Second Person of the Trinity, the Word, and ultimately, Jesus Christ Himself. Here are some biblical references that support this interpretation:

From the Beginnings to the Human Birth

Exodus 16:10 and Leviticus 9:6 clearly indicate that the Angel of the Lord is the Glory of God, a manifestation of His image, which has always been Jesus Christ.

“And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could SEE the awesome GLORY OF THE LORD in the cloud.” - Exodus 16:10

“This is what the Lord has commanded you to do SO THAT THE GLORY OF THE LORD MAY APPEAR TO YOU.” - Leviticus 9:6

Philippians 2:6-11 further emphasizes the incarnation of Jesus. He gave up His divine privileges but humbled Himself in obedience to God, accepting a human body.

“Though he was God he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead he gave up his divine privileges he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” - Philippians 2:6-8

John 8:54 and John 17:3-5 show Jesus speaking about His deity and the glory of God, emphasizing the eternal relationship between the Father and the Son.

“Jesus answered “If I want glory for myself it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say 'He is our God' but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”” - John 8:54

“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.”” - John 17:3-5

Jesus in Human Form

As Jesus took on human form, He still maintained His divine nature, as covered in John 8:54 and John 17:3-5. This change was temporary but significant in terms of His role in redemption and the world.

After the Incarnation

Once Jesus completed His mission on earth and ascended to heaven, He took back His glory, as seen in the references to His future return.

“NOW Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.” - John 17:5

Post-Resurrection Appearances

Even after His resurrection, Jesus still appeared to His disciples as the Angel of the Lord, confirming His divine nature and His role as the Son of God. For instance, in John 6:40 and Romans 9:4-6, Jesus speaks about His eternal presence and the Father’s will for salvation.

“For it is my Father’s will that all who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” - John 6:40

“They are the people of Israel chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed His glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping Him and receiving His wonderful promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned.” - Romans 9:4-6

Conclusion

In conclusion, the biblical references to the Angel of the Lord clearly point to the pre-incarnate person of Christ. Throughout His appearances and interactions, whether before His birth, as a human, or after His resurrection, Jesus consistently reveals Himself as the Glory of God, the image of the invisible God.

This theological perspective helps us understand the profound significance of Jesus' incarnation, life, and mission, emphasizing His unique relationship with God and His role in the redemption of humanity.

Related Content

For further exploration, you can read more about:

John 8:54 - Jesus’ assertion of His divine nature. John 17:3-5 - Jesus' prayer to the Father. Acts 9:3-6 - The conversion of Saul (Paul).

Keywords: angel of the lord, pre-incarnate christ, glorification of god