Angels

Angels—Servants of God

The four angels that John saw standing at the four corners of the earth (Rev. 7:1) are among the countless ministering spirits that serve God and His people (Heb. 1:7, 14). Angels figure prominently in the Book of Revelation (for example, Rev. 1:20; 5:2, 11; 7:2, 11; 8:2, 6; 12:7; 14:6; 15:1; 18:21; 20:1; 22:8). But they also played a part in many other events of the New Testament.

• Calmed Joseph's doubts about Mary's faithfulness (Matt. 1:20–25).
• Warned Joseph to flee from Herod's plan to kill Jesus (Matt. 2:13).
• Encouraged Joseph to return to Israel with his family (Matt. 2:19–20).
• Ministered to Jesus after His temptation in the wilderness (Matt. 4:11).
• Told the women at the empty tomb that Jesus was alive (Matt. 28:2–6).
• Foretold to Zacharias the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11–20).
• Told Mary that she would bear the Christ (Luke 1:26–38).
• Announced Jesus' birth to shepherds near Bethlehem (Luke 2:8–15).
• Appeared to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane to give Him strength (Luke 22:43).
• Promised the crowd observing Jesus' ascension that He would return in like manner (Acts 1:10–11).
• Brought Peter and John out of prison (Acts 5:17–20).
• Told Philip to go into the desert where he met the Ethiopian treasurer (Acts 8:26).
• Told the centurion Cornelius to send for Peter (Acts 10:3–8).
• Released Peter from prison (Acts 12:7).
• Struck down Herod for not giving glory to God (Acts 12:23).
• Stood by Paul during a storm at sea to assure him that he would stand before Caesar (Acts 27:23–24).

God's Line of Defense

One of the most popular topics of speculation in recent years has been the subject of angels. Many books have been published that claim to offer first-hand accounts of experiences with angels. But as always, the Bible must remain our authority on the supernatural.

Daniel 10 is an important passage pertaining to angels. Daniel records a vision in which the archangel Michael, described as “one of the chief princes”.is said to defend Israel from the “princes” (probably evil angels) of Persia and Greece (Dan. 10:10–21). Later during the end times, Michael will help to deliver Israel from all her enemies (12:1).

The Bible presents angels as real beings and provides limited information about them, but for the most part it leaves them veiled in mystery. Apparently God wants us to know reality extends beyond our normal perceptions, yet He does not want us to know too much about it. However, He sometimes lifts the veil and allows humans to catch a glimpse of the spiritual activity and warfare taking place around us. Daniel saw some of that reality and found it overwhelming and troubling (7:15; 8:27; 10:15–16). On the other hand, Elisha experienced it and found it reassuring (2 Kin. 6:16–17).

As you develop your understanding and beliefs about angelic forces, good and evil, cosmic battles in the heavens, and other topics of the supernatural, be sure that they accord with Scripture. Sensational stories and wild speculations may make for interesting reading, but ultimately truth is at stake. God's revelation in Scripture can help you sort it all out.

Spiritual Realities Beyond You

Jesus often encountered demons like those that possessed the men at Gadara (Matt. 8:28–34). The mention of demons affirms the reality of powerful spiritual forces in the universe. Scripture has much to say about angels and demons.

Angels are members of an order of heavenly beings who are superior to humans in power and intelligence (Heb. 2:7; 2 Pet. 2:11). However, unlike God they are not all-powerful or all-knowing (Ps. 103:20; 2 Thess. 1:7). God often sends them to announce good news, such as the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:30–31), or to warn of coming dangers, such as the destruction of Sodom (Gen. 18:16–19:29).

Angels played a particularly active role in the events surrounding Jesus' birth, resurrection, and ascension. Since Pentecost, the frequency of angelic activity in human affairs appears to have diminished, perhaps because of the larger role played by the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.

Demons are fallen angels that have been cast out of heaven. They seek to undermine the cause of righteousness in the world (1 Pet. 3:19–20; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6). Scripture describes them with various names: “unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7), “wicked or evil spirits” (Luke 7:21; Acts 19:12–13), “spirit of divination” (Acts 16:16), “deceiving spirits” (1 Tim. 4:1), and “spirit of error” (1 John 4:6).

The Reality of Angels

The Book of Zechariah contains more references to angels—all the way from Satan to the Angel of the Lord—than almost any other book of the Old Testament. Because of the apocalyptic nature of these writings, some might be tempted to see these angels as figurative or mythological. But the Bible shows that angels are real spiritual beings who serve God and His people.

Satan is a fallen angel who leads a vast army of other fallen angels in open rebellion against God. The Angel of the Lord is frequently mentioned by Zechariah (Zech. 1:11–13; 3:1–6; 12:8). Some believe the appearances of this angel in Old Testament times were actually appearances of the preincarnate Christ. Other angels in Zechariah served as special messengers or agents of revelation (1:9, 14, 19; 2:3; 4:1, 4–5; 5:5, 10; 6:4–5).

It is interesting that whereas the prophets who preached before the Babylonian exile rarely mentioned angels, the prophets after the exile, especially Daniel and Zechariah, frequently alluded to them. This may be because the exile was a particularly dark time spiritually. The temple at Jerusalem had been destroyed, and the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel. Angels may have been a way for God to reassure His people.