Angels

According to the Bible, angels are very real! In fact, there are over 250 references to them throughout scripture. From the Genesis story of creation, to the description of the end times in Revelation, angels actively participate in the affairs of this world and heaven. Angels are not myth at all - but they are widely misunderstood. Through the ages, people have found great comfort in believing in angels that hear our prayers and guide our steps. We have even managed to conjure up images of angels that look strikingly like people, from the most beautiful of golden haired maidens to chubby winged cherubs with harps. They are not based on the Bible’s description of how angels appear, nor on the purpose and duties for which God created them.

We’ll see what actually the Bible has to say about Angels, and their true purpose. We’ll dispelling the most commonly held misconceptions about angels and see what the Bible has to say.

Myth #1: Angels are died people who God has given wings, a halo, and a harp. I think T.V. shows like “Touched By An Angel” buy into this myth. The reality is that angels are created by God; Col. 1:16 “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

Myth #2: Angels Look Like People With Wings. Actually angels are spirit; Heb. 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” and Psalms 104:4 “He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers.” Even though angels are spirit, they can and do appear as human males (see passages Gen 19; Judges 2:1; 6:11-22; Matt. 1:20; John 20:12). Even though the renaissance artists portray angels as females with wings, wherever the word angel is used in the Bible it is always in the masculine form.

Myth #3: Angels are Passive. Most people think of angels how the renaissance artists showed them in their paintings and sculptures; feminine long haired robe wearing winged beings. They sit or stand around watching people. In reality, angels are powerful and mighty beings. There are many instances of angels serving as warriors of God, not only to protect, but also to destroy when necessary. In 2 Kings, the story is told of the Assyrian army threatening to overtake Jerusalem. An angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35). Imagine the power possessed by that lone angel! In the end times, four angels will be assigned the responsibility of destroying one-third of all mankind (Rev 9:15). These angels are a far cry from the passive cloud-lounging angels we have become familiar with.

Myth #4: Angels Guide Christians. Only one passage states that an angel guided anyone and that was Philip in Acts 8:26; however, the Holy Spirit guides the Christian (John 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”). There is no such being as a guardian angel.

Above are just some myths and the facts as given from the Bible. I want to spend some time on the facts about angels as shown in the Scriptures.

Fact #1 Angels have different ranks and order.
Cherubim; usually guardians of God’s throne; Gen 3:24 “So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.” And Exodus 25:20 “The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be turned toward the mercy seat.”

Seraphim; usually concerned with the worship and holiness of God; Isaiah 6:1-2, 6-7 “In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”’

Archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”); Michael is the only one identified as an archangel; Jude 9 “But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"”
[NOTE: Gabriel is not specifically named as an archangel (Luke 1:19,26)]

Fact #2 Angels’ heavenly ministry is to praise and worship God.
Isaiah 6:2-3 “Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory."

Rev. 5:11-12 “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

Rev. 7:11-12 “And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever Amen."”

Fact #3 Angels have earthly duties.
Angels cheer and strengthen God’s people (Matt. 4:11; 1 Kings 19:5-8;
Heb. 1:14).
Angels defend, protect, and deliver God’s people (Daniel 6:22; Acts 12:7-11; Psalms 34:7).
Angels will accompany Jesus Christ at His second coming (Matt. 5:31;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8)
Angels will separate the sheep (the Christian) from the goats (the lost) (Luke 17:34-36; Matt. 13:39).
Angels will cast the lost into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:15).


Angelology (Study of Angels) has multiple levels and we just touch on the highlights of what the average Christian should know. There are many books on the subject and there are many websites devoted to this but be cautious. Many books and/or websites could have errors being presented as facts. The best way to get the good and leave the bad is to ask, “What Does The Bible Say” and not what does the tradition or superstition say.