Angels,
Bible reveals a great deal about such beings,but leaves many questions unanswered
By Randy Blackaby

A number of popular books published and television programs aired over the past decade or so have fueled all sorts of ridiculous ideas and speculations about angels. But, as is often the case, when Christians react to such errors they over-react. We must not deny the existence or role of angels in God's providence.

The Bible provides no shortage of references to angels; they are mentioned at least 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 in the New Testament. The word angel means "a messenger" (Greek: aggelos; Hebrew: malak). Scripture also refers to angels as part of the "host" of heaven and as "sons of God."

Angels are not, as many seem to believe, glorified human beings. They are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). A spirit does not have flesh and bones (Luke 24:37-39). And, they are created beings and thus, neither as powerful as God, nor eternal (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 148:1-5; Colossians 1:16-17). The time of their creation is unspecified, but they existed at the time of the earth's creation (Job 38:4-7). Men also have spirits, but the Bible makes a distinction between the myriad, or innumerable, host of angels and the spirits of righteous men made perfect (Hebrews 12:22-23).

Angelic appearances to men have varied. Sometimes they appeared, as they did to Abraham and the men of Sodom, looking like men (Genesis 18 and 19). Hebrews 13:2 probably refers to their visit to Abraham. At other times, angels have appeared in dazzling white and blazing glory (Matthew 28:2-4). But, they don't have to be visible at all (Colossians 1:16). When they appear as human beings, it has always been in male form, so much of the imagery of the TV show, Touched by an Angel is frivolous. In Scripture, angels never appear as chubby infants but as full-grown adults.

The popular notion is that angels have wings. But while the Bible speaks of angels flying (Daniel 9:21), it never says they have wings. Creatures or images known as cherubim and seraphim are described as having wings, but it is not possible to establish that these are equivalent to angels.

In the order of creation, angels are higher, or greater, than human beings. The Bible speaks of mankind being created "a little lower than the angels" (Hebrews 2:6-8; Psalms 8:4-6). They are stronger than men (2 Peter 2:11). On the other hand, they do not know everything that God knows (Matthew 24:36).

The Bible doesn't give us any definite figures concerning the number of angels that exist, but we know the number is very great. Daniel saw a vision of God on his throne surrounded by "a thousand thousands (who) ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him." (Daniel 7:10) Jesus told his disciples he could summon 12 legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). A legion was composed of about 6,000 men. And Hebrews 12:22 speaks of "an innumerable company of angels."

Some angels have higher rank or authority. Michael is called an archangel (Jude 9; Revelation 12:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Some angels have sinned.
While many angels are classified as elect, or chosen (1 Timothy 5:21), or holy (Matthew 25:31), there are angels who have sinned. In 2 Peter 2:4, Peter wrote, "God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment." Jude 6 contains similar text.

Satan also has angels (Matthew 25:41). The battle between righteousness and wickedness is fought, not only on earth, but in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:12).

Because nothing is said about the origin of Satan and the fact that the Bible does speak of angels who sinned, it often is assumed that Satan is a fallen angel. This may or may not be true. It seems a potentially logical conclusion, but Scripture nowhere declares it to be a fact.

Some folks imagine it to be established by the reference to Lucifer falling in Isaiah 14:12. But verse 4 of that chapter makes clear this is part of a proverb against the king of Babylon and not a reference to Satan.

What is the job description for an angel?
While we may not be able to ascertain all that angels are commissioned to do, the Bible gives us some insight. They:

Other interesting facts about angels.

What about angels today?
The Bible says very little about the present-day activity of angels. It describes their work from earliest times through the period of the apostles. It also speaks of their future work at the second coming.

Some imagine that a guardian angel is assigned to each of us. The Bible never declares this. The idea is predicated on Matthew 18:10 which says, "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven."

There seems to be little reason to doubt that angels are still ministering. We know they rejoice as men are saved and are involved when we die. But we need not imagine some of the strange cinematic departures into a white light. In the past, much of the angelic work was miraculous. The apostle Paul wrote that miraculous activity would cease upon completion of the revelation of the New Testament (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). It seems logical that this would also apply to the angels' work in God's plan for the church on earth.


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