The Bible has much to say about the existence and nature of angels. Angels are mentioned hundreds of times in the Old and New Testaments, confirming that they are real beings created by God. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about angels:
Angels Were Created by God
The Bible says that God created the heavens and the earth, including the angelic realm. Angels are spiritual beings made by God: “Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts…For he spoke, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created” (Psalm 148:2, 5). The book of Colossians also states that angels were created by Christ: “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” (Colossians 1:16). Angels did not evolve or ascend from human beings – they were specially created by God as angels.
Angels Were Created Before Humans
The book of Job says that angels were already present when God laid the foundations of the earth: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? …while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4,7). This passage reveals that angels were created before God created the physical universe and the human race. The angels were there to witness God’s creative work.
Angels Are Immortal Spiritual Beings
The Bible describes angels as immortal spiritual beings, without physical bodies of flesh and blood. Jesus said angels do not marry: “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). Angels are not subject to death and cannot reproduce. The author of Hebrews wrote: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). Angels are spirits who serve God and interact with people.
Angels Have Superhuman Abilities
Angels have capabilities that transcend human limitations. For example, angels can fly swiftly: “The one who rode the cherubim flew; He soared on the wings of the wind” (Psalm 18:10). Angels can appear and then suddenly disappear: “The angel of the Lord appeared to him and then disappeared” (Judges 6:12). Angels also have greater wisdom than humans: “But there is a wisdom from above…This wisdom descends not from the world, nor from the rulers of this world which are coming to nothing. But it comes down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow cast by turning” (James 3:15-17).
Angels Organized Into Different Classes
The Bible indicates there are different types of angels, with varying roles and ranks. The Seraphim angels surround God’s throne and worship Him: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying” (Isaiah 6:1-2). Cherubim angels guarded the Garden of Eden: “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24). Scripture also mentions chief angels like the archangel Michael (Jude 1:9).
Angels Engage in Spiritual Warfare
The Bible describes battles in the spiritual realm between God’s angels and Satan’s demons. Revelation 12:7-9 states: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” Angels are God’s agents engaging in spiritual warfare against evil forces.
Angels Minister to Human Beings
Besides worshiping and serving God, angels minister to people as well. The Bible says angels observe human affairs: “For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men” (1 Corinthians 4:9). Angels specifically minister to believers in Christ: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). Angels also aid in answering people’s prayers (Daniel 9:20-24) and protect God’s people from danger (Psalm 91:11-12).
Examples of Angels in the Bible
The Old and New Testaments contain many examples of angels interacting with people and carrying out God’s will. Here are some of the key passages:
- Angels visit Abraham and Sarah to announce she will bear a son (Genesis 18:1-15)
- The angel Gabriel visits Mary and announces she will give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:26-38)
- An angel guides Joseph to take Mary as his wife and name her son Jesus (Matthew 1:20-21)
- Angels proclaim the birth of Jesus to shepherds outside Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-15)
- Angels minister to Jesus after his temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11)
- An angel strengthens Jesus before his arrest and crucifixion (Luke 22:43)
- An angel rolls away the stone from Jesus’ tomb after his resurrection (Matthew 28:2-7)
- Angels free the apostles from prison in Jerusalem (Acts 5:17-20)
- An angel instructs Philip to meet an Ethiopian official along a desert road (Acts 8:26-29)
This is just a sampling of angelic encounters recorded in Scripture. There are many other examples as well. The consistent witness of the Bible is that angels are very real and active.
Angels Worship and Glorify God
A primary occupation of angels is worshiping God. For instance, Isaiah 6:3 describes the seraphim angels proclaiming “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Revelation 4:8 says: “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Angels live to glorify and exalt God, and so should we. As Hebrews 13:15 says: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
Angels Submit to Christ’s Authority
Jesus Christ is superior to the angels – the angels submit to Him as their Lord. Hebrews 1:4-6 declares: “So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’? Or again, ‘I will be his Father, and he will be my Son’? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.'” Christ rules over all angelic powers – they obey His commands (1 Peter 3:22).
Bad Angels Rebelled Against God
Unfortunately, some angels rebelled against God and work against His purposes today. Scripture calls these fallen angels “demons” or “evil spirits.” 2 Peter 2:4 says: “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.” The most notorious fallen angel is Satan, who deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9). But all demons have followed Satan in rebellion and seek to oppose God’s work on earth.
Angels and Humans Have Distinct Roles
While angels are impressive, superior beings, humans are distinct from them in important ways. Hebrews 2:5-7 declares: “It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: ‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor.'” God bestows more glory and honor on humans than angels. And believers in Christ will one day judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). So angels are powerful servants of God, but humans have the highest position before Him.
Angels Will Be Present at Christ’s Return
When Jesus Christ returns to earth again, he will come with a host of angels. Matthew 25:31 states: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.” And 2 Thessalonians 1:7 declares: “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” Angels will accompany Christ to implement God’s end-time judgments on the world.
Believers Will Be Like the Angels in Heaven
Christians who go to heaven will have some similarities to angels, although they remain distinct from them. Jesus said believers will be like the angels in that they will no longer die, but will be immortal: “Those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels” (Luke 20:35-36). However, believers will still retain their own identities and remain superior to angels.
Angels are God’s Servants Carrying Out His Will
The overall role of angels according to the Bible is that they are spiritual servants created by God to glorify Him, minister to humanity, and implement God’s plans. The Psalmist wrote: “Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will” (Psalm 103:20-21). Angels have great power and wisdom, but they use all these gifts to honor God and fulfill His desires.
Conclusion
The Bible clearly teaches that angels do exist and play an active role in carrying out God’s work in our world. Angels are God’s supernatural servants – acting on His behalf, praising His Name, aiding believers, and engaging in spiritual warfare against demonic forces. Yet angels are limited creatures who submit to Christ’s authority. While they are impressive, humans have an even higher status before God. One day, believers will rule over angels in heaven. The study of angels helps us better understand the unseen spiritual realm and the magnificent, multidimensional nature of God’s creation. The reality of angels also reminds us that God often accomplishes His work in ways we cannot directly perceive.
