IN FAITH
WHAT ABOUT ANGELS?
It seems as though angels have captured the imagination of people everywhere. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about angels, along with superstitions and unscriptural understandings. This will give you a biblical perspective on angels.
Do angels exist?
The Word of God—-not popular television shows or magazine articles—-is our only reliable source of knowing what angels are, and what they do. The Bible teaches us that angels were made by God during the six days of creation. Before creation there was only God (John 1:1-3), and after creation, we are told that on the seventh day God “rested from all the work of creating he had done” (Gen. 2:3b). The Bible does not indicate on which day of creation God made angels. But angels are very real.
What does the word “angel” mean?
The word “angel” comes from a Greek word that means “messenger.” Angels are God’s messengers. Elsewhere in the Bible, angels are described as spirits. The word “angel” is actually a description of what they do.
What are angels?
Angels are spirits. They are beings who do not have a physical body. Jesus Himself said, “a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have?” (Luke 24:39). When angels do appear in human form, this is only a momentary appearance of those who need to see them. Angels are not gods. They are God’s creation and serve His holy and perfect will. The good angels are said to be “ministering spirits” (Heb. 1:14), sent by God to serve us, His people.
Do human beings become angels when they die?
No, human beings do not become angels when they die. The Scriptures are clear on this point. Until the last day, the souls of the dead are before the Lord, enjoying peace and rest in His presence, awaiting the final day when they will receive glorified bodies for all eternity.
Are all angels the same?
Within the large numbers of angels there are apparently certain orders or classes of angels. Scripture speaks of “cherubim” (Gen. 3:24, Ps. 80:1), “seraphim” (Is. 6:2), “thrones or powers or rulers or authorities” (Col. 1:16), “archangel” (I Thess. 4:16).
Also among the evil angels there are ranks and classes of angel (Matt. 25:41
What do good angels do?
Good angels enjoy the blessing of being able to see God. They are in the immediate presence of God, always beholding His great glory, majesty and power (Matt. 18:10). This is called the “beatific vision” which all Christians will enjoy one day when they are in heaven.
God’s Word reveals the following things about the activity of good angels: They praise God and they are the Lord’s servants in the world and in the Church.
God sends angels to serve and to protect Christian believers in their work and their callings in life (Ps 91:11-12). They attend to the dying. They care for children. Angels are deeply interested in all that occurs in the Church. They adore and take great joy in the work of Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. They rejoice over every sinner who repents.
Scripture mentions the presence of angels at every great event in the Kingdom of God. Angels will come with Jesus when He returns on the last day.
The Bible tells us that angels are present in the public worship of Christians. God also uses angels to help family and to preserve law and order.
We need to praise and thank God for good angels. Our hope and trust is always in God, whom we know sends His angels to watch over us and to see us through whatever difficulty in life may come our way.
The Lord sends His angels to care for us in order that some day we may join them, and all the company of heaven, in seeing God and singing His praise for all eternity.
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