Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Angels (the root term of which means "messenger") are powerful, immortal spiritual beings originally created by God to perform several functions, as described in various passages in the Bible. 

These include:

Conveying information to humanity, as their name implies, such as in Luke 1:11-38 and Luke 2:9-14

Serving God by performing His will at His direction (Numbers 22:21-35)

Praising God (Revelation 5:11-12)

Carrying out God's judgments (2 Kings 19:35)

Protecting (Psalm 91:11; 2 Kings 6:15-17; Acts 27:23-25)

Encouraging (Judges 6:12)

Combating evil (Revelation 12:7)

Angels are normally invisible beings, but they are also capable of assuming visible, and even human, form, so that their identity as angels would not necessarily be apparent. (Genesis 18)

When appearing in angelic form to humans in the Bible, however, the usual response to their appearance is one of fear, which is why their first words to people are often, "Fear not."

Angels at one time were also capable of rebellion against God, as occurred with Satan and the angels who joined him in revolt against God, and were cast out of heaven (Luke 10:18). However, the "elect" angels (1 Timothy 5:21) who did not rebel were then apparently sealed in their service so that there will never be another such angelic rebellion.

A full exposition on this subject is difficult to provide in a limited space. I have found Billy Graham's book 'Angels: God's Secret Agents' to be a useful reference in this regard.

June 17 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Thomas K M A retired Defence Scientist from Indian Defence R&D Orgn.

Angels are described as 'Messengers of God'. Angels are thought to be holier than us very separate from every o their being except God.

Angels are created beings. They are entirely separate type of creature f rom humans. They are intelligent beings(Matt.8:29, 2 Cor. 11:3,1Pet.1:12). They are emotional beings(Luke2:13,James2:19, Rev.12:17). And each has individual personality and will(Luke8:28-31,2Tim2:26, Jude 6). Angels are spirit being (Heb.1:14) and do not have physical bodies.

Both good and evil angels are created beings(Matt.24:36). They cannot be everywhere every time at once and they are not as powerful as God. Satan (Lucifer) is still an angel and he is nowhere near as powerful as God. But angels much more powerful than human beings and possess greater. Knowledge. Angels understand the Bible and the world. They believe in the prophesies of God(James2:19, Rev.12:12).

Angels are subject to the will of God. Good angels are mobilized by God to come to the believers(Heb1:14). They do many other things as well, including praising and worshipping Him (Ps.148:1-2, Isah. 6:3, Heb1:16 and Rev.5:8-13). The angels rejoice in God's work and they serve Him(Job. 38 :6-7,Ps. 103:20, Rev.22:9). They stand before God in His presence (Job. 1:6). They proclaim God's judgement(Rev. 7:1, 8:2). They minister to human and sometimes bring answers to the prayers(Acts12:5-10,8:26,10:3)

Only two angels are mentioned in the Bible by name. The name Gabriel appears 4 times (twice when he interprets th e vision of Daniel(Daniel 8-9). Once he announced the birth of John the Baptist to John's father (Zechariah) (Luke1:11-20) and a final time during the visitation with Mary to tell h re that she would give birth to Jesus(Like1:26-38). Michael is mentioned in several times in the book of Daniel, Jude and Revelations. It is noticed in Psalms 68:17, Rev. 5:11 and Isiah 40:26 that there are innumerable angels and God knows all their names. 
Arch angel is a word that occurs only twice in the Bible both times in the New Testament. Archangel means chief angel (1 Thes. 4:16). Here. The chief angel is m engined is heralding the coming of Christ at the rapture.

The archangel al so appears in Jude 9. Michael is mentioned in Daniel 10 where he is called ' one of the chief princes' in verse 13. He is later referred as your prince in Daniel 10:21 and he prince who protects (Daniel 12:1).

Raphael is an archangel who performs every kind of healing. Raphael is associated with stirring of water at the healing pool of Bethseda in the Gospel John.

We do not worship angels. Paul indicates that worshipping angel is sin (Col. 2:18). Once when apostle John fell at the feet of An angel, the angel rebuked him (Rev. 22:9). Sadly some people have fetish over angels that they do everything but worship them. By doing so they elevate their importance over Jesus Christ which comes dangerously close to idolatry. God is alone worthy to be worshipped and even e angels know this.

June 17 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

What are angels and what is their significance in our life? 
Good question, Thomas!

Being taught in at least 34 books of the 66-book Bible, God wants us to know that they are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14) and thus without ability to reproduce; they don't die but are exceedingly powerful (2 Peter 2:11).

Their significance in our lives today is:
#1 They serve or help us (again, Hebrews 1:14) 
#2 Answer prayer (Acts 12:7)
#3 Watch over Christians (1 Cor 4:9; 1 Tim 5:21) I know there are "Angels Watchin' Over Me" as the song goes
#4 Cheer us up when we face danger (Acts 27:23-24)
#5 Cheer us on when we evangelize (Luke 15:10; Acts 8:26)
#6 Care for the true Christian upon our demise (Luke 16:22; Jude 9).

--Ryrie Study Bible

October 25 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report