The Bible does not provide a complete or definitive description of what angels look like, but it does offer some clues. Here is an overview of biblical evidence on the appearance of angels:
Human-like appearance
Angels are often described as looking like humans. For example:
- Genesis 18-19 describes angels who visit Abraham and Lot in the form of men.
- In Matthew 28:3, the angel at Jesus’ tomb is described as having a appearance “like lightning” and clothing “white as snow.” This suggests a human-like form.
- Hebrews 13:2 instructs believers to show hospitality to strangers, because some have entertained angels unawares. This implies angels can look like ordinary people.
So angels are often described as looking like humans – but glorified, radiant, and extraordinary.
Wings
Some angels are described as having wings:
- Seraphim in Isaiah 6:2 are described as having six wings.
- Cherubim in Ezekiel 1 have four faces and four wings.
- Revelation 4:8 mentions four living creatures with six wings who worship God continually.
So some types of angels clearly have wings. But it’s not definitive that all angels do. When angels take on human form, no wings are mentioned.
Clothing
Angels are sometimes described as wearing clothing:
- Linen garments (Daniel 10:5, Revelation 15:6)
- Golden sashes (Revelation 15:6)
- White, gleaming clothes (Matthew 28:3, Acts 1:10, Daniel 7:9)
This radiant clothing emphasizes the heavenly origin of angels and their glorified state. But it’s not clear whether angels’ spiritual bodies actually need clothing.
Other features
Some more unique or symbolic features of angels include:
- Eyes of fire and bronze feet (Revelation 1:14-15)
- Multicolored wheels covered in eyes (Ezekiel 1)
- Flashing light and flame (Ezekiel 1)
- Multiple faces (lion, ox, eagle, man – Ezekiel 1)
These vivid, even bizarre descriptions likely represent the otherworldly, powerful glory of angels that is hard for humans to comprehend.
Varying manifestations
Angels seem to take on appearances suited to their tasks. For example:
- Warrior angels may appear as soldiers (Joshua 5:13-15).
- Angels proclaiming a message may appear as humans.
- Seraphim continually worshiping God have six wings (Isaiah 6).
So angels are not limited to one set appearance, but can manifest themselves in different forms and fashions depending on their specific roles and purposes.
Dazzling heavenly beings
While angels may appear as normal humans at times, they are glorious spiritual beings from another realm. Glimpses of the appearance of angels convey splendor, brightness, wings, white clothing, multiple faces, eyes, and flashes of light.
But full descriptions are scarce, perhaps because the awesomeness of angels is difficult for humans to grasp. Their appearance is likely far more magnificent than we can conceive.
The overall biblical portrait shows angels as human-like messengers sent to serve God’s people, yet also as powerful heavenly beings who worship and reflect the glory of God in unique ways.
In encountering angels, biblical figures were often awe-struck. Their dazzling presence pointed to the splendor and majesty of the Lord.
8,000 more words describing angels and their attributes and responsibilities according to the Bible…
Angels play a significant role in the Bible as messengers, warriors, worshipers, guardians, servants of God’s people, and more. Here is an extended overview of their attributes and responsibilities according to Scripture:
Messengers
One of the most common roles of angels in the Bible is delivering God’s messages to people. For example:
- Gabriel delivered messages about the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1).
- Angels helped reveal and explain visions to prophets like Zechariah, Daniel, and John (Zechariah 1:9, Daniel 7:16, Revelation 17:7).
- After Jesus’ resurrection, angels appeared to women at the tomb to announce His resurrection (Matthew 28:5-7).
- An angel directed Philip to meet the Ethiopian eunuch and interpret Scripture for him (Acts 8:26).
So angels frequently act as intermediaries between God and people, helping communicate God’s will, words, and truths to humanity.
Warriors
Angels also serve as powerful warriors and agents of God’s judgment. For instance:
- An angel destroyed the firstborn in Egypt during the Passover (Exodus 12:23, Hebrews 11:28).
- The angel of the Lord destroyed the Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:36).
- Angels will pour out God’s judgments during the end times (Revelation 16).
- Michael and his angels fight Satan and his demons (Revelation 12:7).
These warrior angels help enact God’s justice and defeat spiritual and earthly enemies of His divine plan.
Worshipers
Angels were created to praise and worship God. Scripture describes angelic praise such as:
- Seraphim continuously praising God’s holiness (Isaiah 6:3).
- Multitudes of heavenly beings worshiping around God’s throne (Revelation 5:11-12).
- Angelic choirs announcing Jesus’ birth with praise (Luke 2:13-14).
Worshiping God seems to be angels’ highest purpose and pleasure.
Protectors
Angels also serve as guardians and protectors. Some examples include:
- Angels guarding the entrance to Eden after the Fall (Genesis 3:24).
- Michael serving as protector over Israel (Daniel 12:1).
- An angel protecting Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fire (Daniel 3:28).
- Psalm 91:11 promises God will command angels to guard His people.
So God will assign angels to defend and watch over those who follow Him.
Ministering spirits
In addition to missions like delivering messages and engaging in battle, angels minister to God’s people in quieter, supporting roles:
- When Elijah was discouraged, an angel provided food and strength (1 Kings 19:5-8).
- After His temptation, angels came and ministered to Jesus (Matthew 4:11).
- Angels released the apostles from prison in Acts 5:17-20 and Acts 12:5-11.
- Hebrews 1:14 says angels are “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.”
These passages illustrate angels’ ongoing behind-the-scenes care for believers.
Agents of God’s responses
Angels frequently execute or announce God’s responses and judgments. For example:
- Angels rained down sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:13).
- An angel afflicted Jerusalem with a plague at David’s sin of taking a census (2 Samuel 24:16).
- An angel stated Daniel’s prayers were heard and the timing of God’s response (Daniel 10:12).
- Seven angels pour out the bowls of God’s wrath in Revelation 16.
So angels often administer or declare God’s reactions to unfolding human events.
Servants at momentous events
Angels frequently facilitated pivotal moments in Scripture. For instance:
- Angels announced and prophesied Jesus’ birth (Matthew 1:20-21, Luke 1:30-33).
- The angel Gabriel explained the prophecy of 70 weeks to Daniel (Daniel 9:21-27).
- Angels ministered to Jesus after His temptation and in Gethsemane (Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43).
- An angel rolled away the stone from Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 28:2).
- Angels freed apostles from prison in Acts 5 and 12.
So God may use angelic assistance to help accomplish His work in human history.
Execute judgment
Angels also enact God’s judgment, sometimes in severe ways:
- Destroying Sodom and Gomorrah with burning sulfur (Genesis 19:13).
- Killing the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 12:23).
- An angel inflicted King Herod Agrippa with sickness for accepting worship (Acts 12:23).
- Pouring out bowls of wrath in Revelation 16.
So angels directly execute certain forms of God’s judgment and retribution against sin.
Convey revelations
Angels appeared to prophets and apostles to reveal God’s truths:
- Moses received the Law through angels (Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 2:2).
- An angel interprets Daniel’s vision (Daniel 8:15-26).
- Angels speak with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds surrounding Jesus’ birth.
- The apostle John received the book of Revelation through an angel (Revelation 1:1).
So angels play a major part in conveying God’s revelations and explaining their meanings.
Agents of God’s will
Angels carry out all kinds of tasks according to God’s will and purposes:
- Angels separated Lot from the judgment on Sodom (Genesis 19:15-17).
- An angel prevented Balaam from cursing Israel (Numbers 22:31-35).
- Elisha saw the hills filled with chariots of fire protecting him (2 Kings 6:17).
- An angel strengthened Jesus and later ministers to Him (Luke 22:43, Matthew 4:11).
- An angel directs Philip to the Ethiopian court official (Acts 8:26).
Whatever God commands, angels fulfill – sometimes in visible ways and sometimes in the background.
Care for believers
Angels demonstrate special concern and care for God’s people:
- Angels protected Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:22).
- Psalm 34:7 – “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”
- Psalm 91:11 – “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
- An angel comforted Jesus after His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11).
- The parable of Lazarus and the rich man depicts angels accompanying the righteous to heaven (Luke 16:22).
These passages describe angels watching over, guarding, protecting, and ministering to believers.
Facilitate answers to prayer
Angels also help bring about God’s answers to prayer. For example:
- Daniel’s prayers were heard through angelic help (Daniel 9:20-24).
- Cornelius’ prayers and alms went up as a memorial before God, and an angel brought him a message (Acts 10:1-7).
- An angel told Daniel his prayers were heard from the first day (Daniel 10:12).
So angels may work behind the scenes carrying out the answers God promises to believers’ prayers.
Gather the elect
Jesus stated angels have a role in the final judgment and gathering of God’s people:
- Matthew 24:31 states angels will gather the elect at the second coming.
- In Matthew 13:41, Jesus taught that angels will separate the righteous from the wicked at the judgment.
- And in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, angels accompany Christ when He returns to gather believers.
So angels assist in gathering and receiving redeemed believers into the fullness of the kingdom of heaven.
Heavenly beings
While angels interact with the human realm, they originate from and dwell in heaven. For instance:
- Jesus said believers will be equal to angels in heaven (Luke 20:35-36).
- John’s vision of heaven included angels around God’s throne (Revelation 5:11).
- Nebuchadnezzar saw an angel in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:25).
- 2 Kings 6:16-17 describes Elisha seeing the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire.
These examples show angels fluidly interacting between the visible and invisible realms.
Angels apparently can journey easily between heaven and earth according to God’s commands. But their essential nature and primary existence seems to center in the heavenly throne room.
That concludes this extensive overview of angels’ attributes and responsibilities throughout Scripture! Angels are magnificent beings created to serve and worship God, while also ministering to humanity at pivotal moments. While mysterious, their role is important in carrying out God’s redemptive plan.
