The Truth About Angels

Just what are angels and what do they do?
Angels are simply another form of created beings. They were created before the world began. They are not people who have died. They do not have any power in their own right, but are servants and messengers of God.

Hebrews 1:13-14
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Demons, as well as Satan himself, are only fallen angels, angels who refused to accept God’s authority. Satan (or Lucifer, as he was then known) was the “head” angel, until the power of that position went to his head and he actually decided that he wanted to be God.

Ezekiel 28:14-15
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

Isaiah 14:12-16
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms ....

God sends angels to do a variety of tasks:

He sends them to bring messages to people from God.

An angel told both Mary and Joseph that they were going to have a child. Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25. It was an angel that told Philip to go south in Acts 8:26 so that he could minister to the Ethiopian eunuch. In Acts 10:1-6 an angel gave Cornelius his instructions concerning how to find Peter.

Angels are sent to protect us.

Psalms 91:9-13
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Psalms 34:7
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

God's angels engage in combat with Satan’s angels.

Revelation 12:7-9
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Angels are sent in answer to prayer.

Acts 12:5-7
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

Angels can give strength to humans

Daniel 10:18-19
Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

We are not to worship angels

Colossians 2:18
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Revelation 22 :8-9
And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

And just in case you don’t think you’ve ever seen an angel, remember:

Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares