What an angel!
Everyone loves angels. Little girls dress up as pretty angels, with pink tuille skirts & gossamer wings. Angels grace the ads of Philadelphia cream cheese in their white gowns, floating on fluffy white clouds. We talk about guardian angels when someone has a ‘near miss’ experience. We call a friend ‘an angel’ when they have done something kind for us.
But what are angels and what are their roles? Are all angels ‘good’? What does the Bible have to say about them? Should we worship angels?
Angels are created beings ( Collosians 1:16 ) who are spirits (Hebrew 1:14) that come in the bodily shape of men (Genesis 19, Judges 6:11ff, Matthew 28:5), from heaven where they dwell (Genesis 22:11,15, Matthew 22:30). They reveal themselves when they choose and are not naturally perceived by man (Judges 6:22,13, Hebrews 13:2). Angels speak dialogue (Luke 1:34f), feast (Gen 19), do not marry (Matthew 22:30) have names (Luke 1:26), wrestle (Genesis 32:30), defend (Exodus), fight (Revelation 12:7), kill (Acts 12:23), watch (1 Corinthians 4:9) and rejoice (Luke 15:10). Angels can rebel willfully leading to judgment (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:6) or are electandholy (1 Timothy 5:21, Acts 10:22). There are numerous angels (Revelation 5:11), they exist in some sort of order (Revelation 12:7), have different roles (Matthew 18:10, Revelation 1:20) and they never die (Luke 20:35-36).
The angels’ place in salvation history is staggering. They got Daniel from the fire and the lion, Jesus out of the tomb, Peter & John out of jail and people from the devil (Luke 16:22, Jude 9). It was an angel that led the people out of Egypt (Num 20:16) and gave the law to Moses at Sinai. Jesus’ birth was announced by angels, at his temptation & death he was comforted by them and at the resurrection they were there to let him out of the tomb. When Jesus returns he will come with angels (Matthew 16:27) and they will gather in the elect (Revelation 14:8-19). Finally, angels are awaiting us at the gates of heaven (Revelation 21:12).
Angels are messengers of God, familiar with him face to face, eternal and therefore are an order of being higher than mankind (Hebrews 2:7) Their position though is not one of authority over us, but of fellow servants of God (Revelation 22:8) and as ministers to God’s people (Hebrews 1:14). This ministering may be done by guardian angels but this is not clear (Matthew 18:10, Acts 12:15). An angel is a spiritual creature with a holy and uncorrupted spirit in original essence, yet he has a free will. Angels are therefore not necessarily impervious to temptation and sin. There are many indications of an angelic fall, under the leadership of Satan (Luke 10:18).
Angels clearly have great power and worth, but should we worship them? There is no suggestion in the Bible to seek out angels and we are counseled not to worship them (Colossians 2:18). Our worship must be reserved for the Lord God Almighty and his son Jesus Christ. Instead we should be aware that they are watching us and can help us. The elect angels desire our best, which is that we might inherit salvation and this brings them joy (Luke 15:10). Fallen angels want to keep us from this goal. Knowing this should make us aware that we fight individual beings, not just a force. When we fight them it must be done in God’s power not our own. So, be thankful for angels, welcome them if you are paid a visit (Genesis 19, Gal atians 4:14) and glorify God in their presence! (Acts 12:23)
