Angels

In the Bible, angels are God's messengers who carry out his plans and tell his will to humans (Genesis 16:7–12; Numbers 22:22–34; Judges 13:3–21; 2 Kings 1:3, 15; Zechariah 1:4–12). The Hebrew Old Testament and Christian New Testament name only two angels, Michael and Gabriel, who have special tasks (Daniel 8:16, 18; 9:21; 10:12, 21; 12:1–2; Luke 1:19–20; Jude 1:9). Angels helped establish God's law through Moses (Acts 7:30, 35, 38, 53; Galatians 3:19). They distribute God's grace and sometimes carry out his judgment (2 Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23; Revelation 9:15; 16:1–12).

Angels witnessed Christ's life and now witness the lives of God's people (1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:10; 1 Timothy 5:21). Guardian angels protect God's people (Matthews 18:10; see also Psalms 34:7; 91:11; Acts 12:11). They are "spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:14). Angels will join Christ when he returns (Matthew 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–8). They will participate in the final judgment (Matthew 13:39, 41, 49–50; 16:27; 24:31; Mark 13:27; Luke 9:26; 12:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:7).

Angels appear at important moments in the gospels. They announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus and served Jesus after his temptation (Luke 1:1–2:52; Matthew 4:11). Angels also appeared at the empty tomb after Jesus' resurrection (Matthew 28:1–8; Mark 16:5–7; Luke 24:23; John 20:12).

The role of angels is important in the book of Acts. Angels helped with miraculous prison escapes (Acts 5:19; 12:6–11). An angel encouraged Paul during a violent storm (27:23–24). An angel also told the Roman centurion (military officer) Cornelius to learn the gospel from Peter (10:3, 7, 22; 11:13). An angel struck down King Herod Agrippa because he accepted worship instead of giving glory to God (12:23). Throughout Acts, God guided his people and used angels to achieve his goals.

Some angels have sinned and will suffer eternal judgment (Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4, 11; Jude 1:6). Angels are spiritual and heavenly beings, but they are inferior to Christ and must not be worshipped (Galatians 1:8; Colossians 2:18; Hebrews 1:5–14; Revelation 19:10; 22:8–9). Only God must be worshipped (Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10; 22:8–9).

Passages for Further Study

Psalm 91:11; Daniel 8:15–18; 9:21–23; 10:4–11:1; 12:1–2; Zechariah 1:8–13, 18–19; 2:3–5; Matthew 1:20–24; 4:5–7, 11; 13:39–42, 49–50; 18:10; 24:31; 28:2–7; Mark 16:5–7; Luke 1:11–22, 26–38; 2:8–15; 9:26; 12:8; John 20:12–13; Acts 5:19–20; 7:30–35, 53; 10:3–8; 12:6–11, 23; 27:23–24; 1 Corinthians 11:10; Galatians 1:8; 3:19; Colossians 2:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Timothy 3:16; 5:21; Hebrews 1:5–14; 12:22; 13:2; 2 Peter 2:4, 11; Jude 1:6, 9; Revelation 1:1–2; 5:2, 11–12; 7:1–2; 8:3–8; 9:15; 10:7–9; 14:6–10; 16:1–12; 19:10, 17; 20:1; 22:6–9