Angels have long captured the imaginations of people throughout history.
They are often depicted as beautiful, winged beings, offering comfort, guidance, and protection.
But beyond these cultural images, what does the Bible actually say about angels?
Do they look like the paintings we’ve seen?
Do they have specific roles in our lives and the spiritual world?
The Bible provides us with clear insights into what angels are, what they do, and how they interact with humanity.
Let’s dive into what Scripture reveals about these heavenly beings.
What Are Angels?
Angels, according to the Bible, are spiritual beings created by God.
They are mentioned throughout both the Old and New Testaments, and they serve as messengers, protectors, and worshipers of God.
Psalm 148:2-5 tells us that angels, like all other created beings, were made by God: “Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! … Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created.”
Angels are not eternal beings like God; they have a starting point in creation, just as we do.
However, unlike humans, angels are purely spiritual beings, although they can sometimes take on physical form.
They exist to serve God and carry out His will.
In Colossians 1:16, Paul writes, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
Angels fall into the category of “invisible” beings, existing in the spiritual realm.
The Roles of Angels
Angels have specific roles assigned to them, and these roles are mentioned throughout the Bible.
One of their primary functions is to act as messengers.
The word “angel” itself comes from the Greek word angelos, which means “messenger.”
In many cases, angels appear to deliver important messages from God.
A famous example of this is in the Gospel of Luke, where the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce that she will give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).
Gabriel’s role as a divine messenger shows how angels communicate God’s plans to people.
Angels also serve as protectors.
Psalm 91:11 says, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
This suggests that angels are sent by God to watch over and protect His people.
In Matthew 18:10, Jesus refers to the angels of children, saying, *“See that you do not despise one of these little ones.
For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”*
This implies that angels are not only watching over individuals but also have direct access to God.
Angels as Worshipers
Another significant role of angels is to worship God.
In Revelation 5:11-12, John describes a scene in heaven where countless angels surround the throne of God, praising Him: “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’”
Angels constantly worship and glorify God in heaven, demonstrating their devotion to Him.
This act of worship is another way that angels carry out God’s will and purpose.
Different Types of Angels
The Bible also gives us a glimpse into different kinds of angels with specific titles and responsibilities.
One such group is the cherubim, which are mentioned in various places in Scripture.
Cherubim are first introduced in Genesis 3:24, where they are stationed to guard the way to the Tree of Life after Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden.
They are also depicted as part of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:18-22) and are described as having a special role in the throne room of God.
Another class of angels is the seraphim, which are described in Isaiah 6:2-3.
Isaiah has a vision of seraphim surrounding the throne of God, each having six wings: *“With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”*
These angels seem to have a specific role in worshiping God and proclaiming His holiness.
Guardian Angels: Do They Exist?
Many people wonder if we each have a personal guardian angel watching over us.
While the Bible doesn’t explicitly say that every individual has a specific guardian angel, there are several passages that suggest angels are sent to protect and watch over believers.
As mentioned earlier, Psalm 91:11 speaks of angels guarding God’s people.
In Acts 12:7-11, an angel is sent to free Peter from prison, showing how God uses angels to intervene in the lives of His followers.
These stories show that God can send His angels to protect us, but the Bible doesn’t definitively confirm the idea of every person having a unique guardian angel.
Regardless, the Bible is clear that angels do watch over us and act according to God’s will to protect His people.
Angels and Spiritual Warfare
The Bible also speaks about angels being involved in spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6:12 tells us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Angels, as part of God’s heavenly army, are involved in this unseen spiritual battle.
The Book of Daniel gives us a dramatic example of this in Daniel 10:12-14, where an angel tells Daniel that he was delayed in delivering a message because he had been engaged in battle with a demonic force.
The archangel Michael eventually came to his aid.
This passage shows that angels are actively involved in the struggle between good and evil, battling demonic forces in the spiritual realm.
Angels in the New Testament
Angels play a key role throughout the New Testament as well.
From the birth of Christ to the resurrection, angels are frequently present.
In Luke 2:13-14, a multitude of angels appear to the shepherds, announcing the birth of Jesus: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’”
Later, after Jesus’ resurrection, angels are seen at the empty tomb, proclaiming the good news to the women who came to visit (Matthew 28:5-6).
In the early church, angels continue to appear, guiding and protecting the apostles as they spread the Gospel.
One powerful example is in Acts 12, where an angel rescues Peter from prison, ensuring that the message of Christ can continue to be spread.
Fallen Angels and Satan
While angels are typically thought of as good, the Bible also talks about fallen angels—those who rebelled against God.
The most well-known fallen angel is Satan, who was once a high-ranking angel but was cast out of heaven for his rebellion.
In Isaiah 14:12, Satan is referred to as “morning star, son of the dawn,” and Ezekiel 28:12-17 gives a symbolic description of his fall from grace.
Revelation 12:7-9 provides a dramatic account of how Satan and his angels were defeated by Michael and the heavenly hosts, leading to their expulsion from heaven.
These fallen angels, now demons, work against God’s purposes, but they are ultimately defeated by His power.
The story of fallen angels serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and rebellion against God.
Can Humans Become Angels?
One common misconception is the idea that humans become angels after they die.
This belief is often perpetuated by popular culture, but the Bible does not teach this.
Angels and humans are two distinct creations.
As we mentioned earlier, angels were created by God as spiritual beings to serve Him, while humans were made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
When believers die, they do not become angels.
Instead, the Bible promises that believers will be with the Lord in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8), and they will receive new, glorified bodies in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:52).
While angels are powerful and important in God’s plan, humans have a unique and special place in creation as God’s image-bearers.
Angels in Everyday Life
While we may not always be aware of their presence, the Bible assures us that angels are involved in our everyday lives.
Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
This verse reminds us that angels can sometimes be present in ways we don’t even realize.
God uses His angels to work in the world, often in ways that are unseen or unknown to us.
While we may never fully understand the extent of angelic activity, we can trust that God is using these heavenly beings for His purposes.
Final Thoughts
So, what does the Bible say about angels?
The Bible paints a fascinating picture of angels as powerful, spiritual beings created by God to serve Him and His people.
They act as messengers, protectors, and worshipers, playing an important role in the spiritual realm.
While angels may be mysterious, we can find comfort in knowing that they are part of God’s plan, watching over us and working according to His will.
Whether guiding the faithful, fighting in spiritual battles, or praising God in heaven, angels remind us of God’s incredible power and His care for all of creation.