Angels
Today, we will study an overview of angels. As we progress, we will study what angels are, what they do, where they come from, and when they were created. I
hope that we can share through experience how we feel about God’s special servants, the angels.
At this very moment there is a vast supernatural reality all around us. Although we cannot see it, this realm encompasses angelic beings and spiritual powers. Who are these mysterious creatures that adorn decorations and stir imaginations? What do angels do, and what is their purpose? The Bible has much to say about angels. It
also tells the stories of men and women who encountered them.
Throughout history, angels have protected people and brought them special messages from God. More than likely, some of us can recount experiences of what we suspect were angelic encounters at specific times in our lives. But whether we are aware of them or not, angels are continuously doing what they were created to do.
What Is an Angel?
An angel is, by definition, a messenger. The Bible has over three hundred references to angels, and defines two groups of angelic messengers. Heavenly angels carry out the commands of God, while fallen angels carry out acts of deceit and wickedness.
The Bible details the job description of God’s angels in Psalm 103:20. The angels of God are always ready and available to obey His commands! They are strong and
competent to carry out their next assignment from God’s throne. But what exactly are angels assigned to do?
Read Psalm 104:4 and Hebrews 1:14. God, who so loved the world, has not only brought salvation to us through Jesus Christ but also made angels to be His
ministering spirits for us, the heirs of salvation!
Angels are heavenly spirit beings created by God (Colossians 1:16-17; Nehemiah 9:6). Angels are helpers, guardians, proclaimers of news, and agents of both the
mercy of God and the wrath of God.
The Bible is not clear on when God created angels, but we do know that at latest by the sixth day of creation, “the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them” (Genesis 2:1). We also know that angels were present when God laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4-7) and they rejoiced to see His creative work. We
will study in more detail later theories about the timeline of creation and how it relates to angels and the earth.
Scripture is mostly silent on the nature and origin of angels, but we are told how angels were created in Psalm 33:6. Why do you think God chose not to tell us any
more about how angels came to be?
Let’s look at some fascinating facts about angels from the Bible.
- Angels are invisible spirit beings (Numbers 22:22- 31) but can take on human form (Genesis 18:2-8).
- Angels are strong (I Chronicles 21:16; Revelation 18:21) and powerful (Psalm 103:20; II Peter 2:11; Revelation 10:1, 18:1).
- Angels are radiant from being in God’s presence (Judges 13:6; Luke 2:9). They behold the face of God (Matthew 18:10).
- Angels are not all-knowing (Matthew 24:36; II Thessalonians 1:7) but they are wise (II Samuel 14:17, 20).
- The Bible always speaks of angels in the masculine gender. Angels in heaven are not given in marriage (Matthew 22:30).
- Angels are immortal: they do not die (Luke 20:36; Hebrews 2:9, 15-16).
- Angels are holy (Matthew 25:31).
- Angels do not need rest (Revelation 4:8).
- Angels protect God’s people (Psalm 34:7, 91:9-13).
- Just one angel killed 185,000 men of the Assyrian army in a single night (Isaiah 37:36).
- Angels speak their own language (I Corinthians 13:1).
- Angels ascend and descend from heaven (Genesis 28:12; John 1:51).
- Gold cherubim (angels) on the mercy seat represented the presence of God (Exodus 37:7-9; Numbers 7:89).
- Angels experience joy when one sinner repents (Luke 15:10).
- Angels learn the wisdom of God by observing God’s people (I Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 3:10).
- Angels desire to look into the things of salvation (I Peter 1:10-12).
- Angels are awesome in appearance (Judges 13:20).
- Angels are sometimes referred to as stars and the host of heaven (Judges 5:20; Job 25:5, 38:7; Revelation 1:20).
- We are to entertain strangers, for some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2).
- Angels will be judged by humans (I Corinthians 6:3).
- Angels will gather the elect at the end of this age (Matthew 24:31).
- The angels of God are innumerable; there is no equal to the armies of heaven (II Kings 6:14-17; Psalm 68:17; Jeremiah 33:22; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11).
Angels possess intelligence superior to that of humans (II Peter 2:11). They are not limited by an earthly body and can move instantly through space. In fact, in a single instant, an angel can come from the heights of heaven down to earth or go from one end of the universe to the other.
These powerful beings stood by, ready to assist Jesus Christ when He faced the agony of a tortuous death (Matthew 26:53).
Angels are completely subject to Jesus (Hebrews 1:6). In fact, ever since Jesus ascended into heaven and sat on the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers became subject to Him (I Peter 3:22).