What are angels? Why were they created, and what do angels do? Humans have always held a fascination for angels and angelic beings. For centuries artists have tried to capture the image of angels on canvas. However, it may surprise you to know that the Bible describes angels nothing at all like they are typically depicted (you know, those cute little chubby babies with wings). So, let’s take a look at what the Bible says about angels.
Bible Facts About Angels
Angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible. Although we won’t look at every instance, this study will offer a comprehensive look at what the Bible says about angels.
1 – Angels were created by God:
Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. Genesis 2:1, NKJV)
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Colossians 1:16, NIV)
2 – Angels were created to live for eternity:
…nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. (Luke 20:36, NKJV)
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8, NIV)
3 – Angels were present when God created the world:
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “…Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? …while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:1-7, NIV)
4 – Angels do not marry:
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30, NIV)
5 – Angels are wise and intelligent:
Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’ (2 Samuel 14:17, NKJV)
He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.” (Daniel 9:22, NIV)
6 – Angels take an interest in the affairs of men:
“Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” (Daniel 10:14, NIV)
“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10, NKJV)
7 – Angels are faster than men:
… while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. (Daniel 9:21, NIV)
And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. (Revelation 14:6, NLT)
8 – Angels are spiritual beings:
Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. (Psalm 104:4, NKJV)
9 – Angels are not meant to be worshiped:
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10, NKJV)
10 – Angels are subject to Christ:
… who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. (1 Peter 3:22, NKJV)
11 – Angels have a will:
How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14, NIV)
And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. (Jude 1:6, NIV)
12 – Angels express emotions like joy and longing:
… while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? (Job 38:7, NIV)
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1:12, NIV)
13 – Angels are not omnipresent, omnipotent or omniscient:
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. (Daniel 10:12-13, NIV)
But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9, NIV)
14 – Angels are too numerous to count:
The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands … (Psalm 68:17, NIV)
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly … (Hebrews 12:22, NIV)
15 – Most angels remained faithful to God:
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:11-12, NIV)
16 – Angels were created to glorify and worship God the Father and God the Son:
17 – Angels report to God:
18 – Angels observe God’s people:
Luke 12:8-9
1 Corinthians 4:9
1 Timothy 5:21
19 – Angels announced the birth of Jesus:
20 – Angels perform the will of God:
21 – Angels ministered to Jesus:
22 – Angels help and minister to humans:
Hebrews 1:14
Daniel
Zechariah
Mary
Joseph
Philip
23 – Angels rejoice in God’s work of creation:
24 – Angels rejoice in God’s work of salvation:
25 – Angels will join all believers in the heavenly kingdom:
26 – Some angels are called cherubim:
27 – Some angels are called seraphim:
In Isaiah 6:1-8 we see a description of seraphim. These are tall angels, each with six wings, and they can fly.
28 – Angels are “messengers.”
29 – Angels are “watchers” or supervisors for God.
30 – Angels are military “hosts.”
31 – Angels are “sons of the mighty.”
32 – Angels are “sons of God.”
33 – Angels are “chariots.”
34 – Three angels have names in the Bible:
Only three angels are mentioned by name in the canonical books of the Bible: Gabriel, Michael, and the fallen angel Lucifer, or Satan.
Daniel 8:16
Luke 1:19
Luke 1:26
35 – Only one angel in the Bible is called an Archangel:
Michael is the only angel to be called an archangel in the Bible. He is described as “one of the chief princes,” so it is possible that there are other archangels, but we cannot be sure. The word “archangel” comes from the Greek word “archangelos” meaning “a chief angel.” It refers to an angel ranked highest or in charge of other angels.
Daniel 10:13
Daniel 12:1
Jude 9
Revelation 12:7
Comments