ABOUT THOSE ANGELS

“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)

How much do you know about angels, and specifically, what the Bible teaches about them? Did you know that …

There are 336 references to angels in the Bible.
They were created before humans When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7)
Angels were created by God, but they are not God and are forbidden to be worshiped as God Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” (Revelation 22:8–9)
They are ministering (serving) spirits but can appear to folks in human (bodily) form. [There are several such instances throughout the Bible].
The devil is a fallen angel who, with a third of the angelic host, rebelled against his Maker:
- “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! (Isaiah 14:12)
- And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (Luke 10:18)
- His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. (Revelation 12:4)
These fallen angels are called “demons.” So, for every bad angel there are 2 good ones.
There are different kinds of angels with different functions: some are worshiping angels (cherubim, seraphim); some, announcing angels (Gabriel); some, are warriors like Michael, who fights for Israel and the Jewish people:
- But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. (Daniel 10:21)
- “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)
- [He is also called an “archangel” Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9) – – and is the only one by that title].
And then, there are also those who are sometimes referred to as “guardian angels,” who behold God’s face in Heaven: “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. (Matthew 18:10)
One can never count their immense number – – But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, (Hebrews 12:22)
Angels can lead you to Jesus and His salvation, but they cannot save you – – only Jesus the Messiah can and will if you call upon His name!

Due to limited space, we’ve only “scratched the surface” of what the Bible reveals about these created servants. An old hymn (Christian song), Tell me the story of Jesus, reminds us of their involvement in the Christmas story

“Tell how the angels in chorus sang as they welcomed His birth, Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.”