Angels are real but they are not the cute little chubby baby creatures we see in paintings. They are also not what current new age thinkers make them out to be. The Bible shows us what they are and how they can help us in our walk with God.

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Angels are superhuman or heavenly beings who serve as God's messengers. The bible says clearly that angels have been in existence since before humans beings were created, (Job 38:4-7). They were all created by God. (Gen. 2:1; Neh. 9:6; Eph. 3:9; Col.1:16 Rev. 4:11) and they were created to live forever. (Rev. 4:8). Some angels help human beings (Heb. 1:7), some harm human beings (Mark 5:2-5).

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The word "angel" is a signifying word, both in the Hebrew (mal'ak) and Greek (angelos), that means "Messenger," and so employed to denote any agent God sends out to execute His purposes. This includes the manifestation of the Godhead (Gen. 22:10-12) known as the Angel of the Lord. The term "angel" is also used of human messengers (Job 1:14; 1 Sam. 11:3) of prophets (Isa. 42:19; Hag. 1:13), of priests (Mal. 2:7), and ministers of the New Testament (Rev. 1:20). It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the pestilence (2 Sam. 24:16,17; 2 Kings 19:35) and the wind (Ps. 104:4). They are mentioned 273 times in 34 biblical books. The New Testament mentions angels seventeen times.

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The two terms mal'ak and angelos also apply to human beings as messengers . (1 Kings 19:2; Hag. 1:13; Luke 7:24)

General characteristics of angels

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• They are spirit beings (Ps.104:4; Heb. 1:7, 14)

• They were created before Genesis 1 (2 Peter 2:10,11)

• They are sexless and do not marry (Matthew 22:29-30)

• They are everlasting (Luke 20:36, 37; 1 Peter 1:12)

• They are invisible beings (Rom. 1:18-32; Col. 2:18; Rev. 19: 10; 22:9)

• They often appear to us as regular humans (Heb. 13:2)

• They are innumerable (Deut. 33:2; Ps. 68:17; Dan. 7:9-10; Mat. 26:53; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11)

• They see what we do (1 Cor. 4:9)

• They assist believers (Heb. 1:14, Ps. 103:20)

• They report directly to God (Job 1:6; 2:1)

• They carry believers into the presence of God (Luke 16:22)

• They possess intelligence (Dan. 9:21-22; Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9)

• They possess will (Isa. 14:12-15; Jude 6)

• They can display joy and desire (Job 38:7; Luke 2:13; 1 Pet.1:12)

• They are stronger and more intelligent than men (Ps. 103:20; 2 Thes. 1:7; 2 Pet.2:11; Dan. 9:21-22; 10:14)

• They are swifter than men (Dan. 9:21; Rev. 14:6)

• They are preparing for the climactic return of Christ (2 Thes. 1:7; Mat 24:31; 1 Cor. 15:51)

• Most remain true to God, and will join believers in the new Jerusalem (Rev. 5:11-12; Heb. 12:22-23)

• They wonder at the love God has for us (1 Cor. 15:51)

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There are 5 divisions of angelic forces and they are on our side:

• Seraphim

• Cherubim

• Living Creatures ("Zoës")

• Archangels

• Angelic Host

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Seraphim (Isaiah 6:2,6) are six-winged human-like creatures that have a fiery appearance and apparently conduct the worship of God in heaven. In Isaiah's vision they were stationed above the Lord's throne (6:1-2). According to the vision their task was to participate in singing God's praises antiphonally. They also acted in some unspecified manner as mediums of communication between heaven and earth (Isa. 6:6).

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Cherubim (Ezek. 1:1-28; 10:20) have 4 faces, 2 pairs of wings, feet of a man, hands under each wing, and numerous eyes. (Ex. 25:19-20). They appear a number of times in the Old Testament, firstly in connection with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden (Gen. 3:24).

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Living Creatures are a special class of angels mentioned only in the book of Revelation. They have six wings, eyes all over and within their wings and they worship God continually.

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Archangels. There are only two named to us in the Bible. (Jude 1:9; Luke 1:26); the angels Gabriel (Mark 1:6; Luke 1:19) and Michael (Rev.12:7,8) Many scholars conclude that Lucifer was also an archangel... before his fall.

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Angelic Host. The word comes from a verb meaning, "to fight" or "to serve." Angels are said to be hosts because they serve God. (1 Kin. 22:19; Ps. 103:20, 21; compare Luke 2:13)

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There are also fallen or "dark" angelic forces that are working against us

Demonic spirits (2 Pet. 2:11; Luke 16:22-23)

Principalities ("archas" in Greek means 'chief rulers of highest rank.' See Col. 2:10)

Powers (authorities that operate under these chief rulers. Also known as sergeants)

Rulers of the darkness of this world 

Spiritual wickedness in high places

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A particularly sinister demon is Abaddon (Apollyon in Greek), the "angel of the bottomless pit" (Rev 9:11), who with his minions, was involved in a fierce battle with Michael and his angels (Rev 12:7-9).

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Satan, the chief of all demons was once named "Lucifer," (which means "Day Star"). He was one of three archangels but because of pride and greed was cast from the highest heaven, (see Isa. 14:12-). His ultimate goal is to kill steal and destroy, (John 10:10) is the father of lies (John 8:44) and is a most subtle deceiver who roams the earth seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8). He is someone we should be aware of at ALL times but definitely not be afraid of (if we are true Christians) because God is in control of all things including him and cannot tempt or hurt us beyond God's limits.

The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all (Psalms 103:19-20).

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The Scripture tells us over and over again not to fear. "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day." (Ps 91:5-6) Fear opens the door to the devil. We are given authority over Him and are told that if we resist Him and submit to God, Satan will flee from us. (Jam 4:7)

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As powerful and majestic as the holy angels are, we must NOT worship or pray to them, and we are not to seek them. (Col. 2:18; Rev 19:10; 22:8,9) Those men who have bowed to worship angels have received rebukes from the angels themselves. They are servants of God and one day the saints of God (true believers that live holy lives) will one day rule over them. With all that the bible says about angels, there is still a mystery about them as with many of the ways of God but there are some things God reveals and there are some He doesn't. We need to trust that He knows what is best for us as sovereign king over all creation. (Deut 29:29; Col 1:26-27; Job 38:4-7)

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The following are excerpts from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology*

[with additions by On the Wall editors]

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By nature [angels are]... not subject to the limitations of human flesh. Although holy, angels could sometimes behave foolishly (Job 4:18), and even prove to be untrustworthy (Job 15:15). Probably these qualities led to the "fall" of some angels, including Satan, but the Bible contains no description of that event. When angels appeared in human society they resembled normal males (Genesis 18:2, 16; Ezek 9:2), and never came dressed as women.

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In whatever form they occurred, however, their general purpose was to declare and promote God's will. On infrequent occasions they acted as agents of destruction (Gen 19:13; 2 Sam 24:16; 2 Kings 19:35; etc.). Sometimes angels addressed people in dreams, as with Jacob (Gen. 28:12; 31:11), and could be recognized by animals before human beings became aware of them, as with Balaam (Nu 22:22). Collectively the divine messengers were described as the "angelic host" that surrounded God (1 Ki 22:19) and praised his majesty constantly (Ps 103:21).

 

The Lord, their commander, was known to the Hebrews as the "Lord of hosts." There appears to have been some sort of spiritual hierarchy among them. Thus the messenger who instructed Joshua was a self-described "commander of the Lord's army" (Jos 5:14-15), although this designation could also mean that it was Jesus (Logos) himself who was speaking to Joshua.

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During his ministry, angels came and ministered to Jesus after he had resisted the devil's temptations (Matt 4:11). Again, when Jesus was submitting himself to God's will in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:40-44), an angel came from heaven to strengthen him. At the resurrection, the angel of the Lord rolled back the stone from Jesus' burial place (Matt 28:2), and he was described as having a countenance like lightning and garments as white as snow (Matt 28:3). Again, this celestial being performed a service of reassurance and love for Mary and Mary of Magdala, who subsequently reported seeing "a vision of angels" (Luke 24:23). In John's Gospel Mary Magdalene saw two angels in white clothing, sitting in the empty tomb, just before she met the risen Lord (John 20:12-16).

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In Acts, the imprisoned apostles were released by an angel (5:19). Philip was ordered by an angel to meet an Ethiopian official (8:26-28), while another celestial being appeared to Cornelius (10:3). The angel of the Lord released Peter from prison (12:7-11), and subsequently afflicted Herod with a fatal illness (12:23). When Paul and his companions were about to be shipwrecked the apostle assured them of the presence of a guardian angel (27:23-24).

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Jesus accepted as valid the Old Testament references to angels and their functions (Matt 22:30), but spoke specifically of the "devil and his angels" (Matt 25:41) as destined for destruction. He fostered the idea of angels ministering to believers (cf. Heb. 1:14 ), and as being concerned for the welfare of children (Matt 18:10). He described angels as holy creatures (Mark 8:38) who could rejoice when a sinner repented (Luke 15:10). Angels were devoid of sexual characteristics (Matt 22:30), and although they were highly intelligent ministers of God's will they were not omniscient (Matt 24:36).

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Christ claimed at his arrest in Gethsemane that more than twelve legions of angels (numbering about 72, 000) were available to deliver him, had he wanted to call upon them for assistance (Matt 26:53). He taught that angels would be with him when he returned to earth at the second coming (Matt 25:31), and that they would be involved significantly in the last judgment ( Matt 13:41; Matt 13:49). Finally, angels set a model of obedience to God's will in heaven to which the Christian church should aspire (cf. Matt 6:10).

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In a material world that is also populated by good and evil spirits, the Bible teaches that the heavenly angels set an example of enthusiastic and resolute fulfillment of God's will. They acknowledge Jesus as their superior, and worship him accordingly. Angels continue to perform ministering duties among humans, and this function has led to the concept of "guardian angels," perhaps prompted by Christ's words in Matthew 18:10 [but also implied by the following verses; Acts 27:23; Dan 6:22; 2 King 6:17,18; Matt 4:11; Heb 1:14; Ps 91:9-12; Matt 25:31]. [Matt 18:10 strongly suggests that children have guardian angels]. It is not entirely clear whether each individual has a specific angelic guardian, but there is certainly no reason for doubting that an angel might well be assigned to care for the destinies of groups of individuals such as families. These celestial ministries will be most effective when the intended recipients are receptive to the Lord's will for their lives.'