The Bible has numerous teachings about angels, describing their nature, roles, and interactions with humanity. Here are some key points along with scriptural references:
1. **Created Beings**:
Angels are created by God and are not eternal beings like God Himself.
– *Colossians 1:16*: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
2. **Spiritual Beings**:
Angels are spiritual beings, not physical, though they can appear in human form.
– *Hebrews 1:14*: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
– *Psalm 104:4*: “He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.”
3. **Serve God and Carry Out His Will**:
Angels exist to worship God and execute His commands.
– *Psalm 103:20*: “Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.”
– *Isaiah 6:3*: “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'”
4. **Messengers to Humanity**:
Angels often deliver messages from God to people.
– *Luke 1:26-28*: Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive Jesus.
– *Genesis 19:1-22*: Angels warned Lot to flee Sodom before it was destroyed.
5. **Guardians and Protectors**:
Angels watch over and protect God’s people.
– *Psalm 91:11-12*: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
– *Matthew 18:10*: Jesus said, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
6. **Warriors in Spiritual Battles**:
Angels engage in spiritual warfare against evil forces and protect God’s purposes.
– *Revelation 12:7-9*: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.”
– *Daniel 10:13*: An angel speaks about being delayed by “the prince of the Persian kingdom” until Michael came to help.
7. **Limited Knowledge and Power**:
While mighty, angels do not know everything and are not all-powerful.
– *Matthew 24:36*: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
– *2 Peter 2:11*: “Angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord.”
8. **Angels Do Not Receive Worship**:
Worship is reserved for God alone, and angels reject attempts to worship them.
– *Revelation 22:8-9*: “But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!'”
9. **Satan and Fallen Angels**:
Some angels rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven, becoming fallen angels.
– *2 Peter 2:4*: “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.”
– *Jude 1:6*: “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.”
10. **Angels in the End Times**:
Angels will play a role in the events of the end times, including gathering the elect and proclaiming God’s judgment.
– *Matthew 24:31*: “And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
– *Revelation 8:6*: “Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.”
The Bible portrays angels as servants of God, assigned various duties in His divine plan, but always subordinate to God and aligned with His purposes.