The topic of angels and what they stand for has become seriously confused in the modern world. When many people think of angels today they are associated with ideas taught in the ‘New Age’ movement and Spiritualism.

It is regrettable that many think of these celestial beings as being associated with non-Christian beliefs. Of course, there are also those who think the very idea and existence of angels and them being messengers of God, is preposterous.

Angels feature in all three Abrahamic faiths: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and also in the non-Abrahamic faiths. However, what we are addressing here is the Christian concept of these heavenly beings, based on the Old and New Testament.

According to the Bible, angels were created before the universe itself and cannot procreate as humans can. They have greater powers and abilities than humans, and they exist in heaven. There are hierarchies of angels all under God’s will and service, with the best-known angels being Gabriel and Michael. Angels, like humans, appear to have free will and can communicate with each other.

Human beings do not become angels after they die, and angels will never become, and never were human beings. Interestingly, the Bible nowhere states that angels are created in the image and likeness of God, as humans are (Genesis 1:26). Angels are spiritual beings that can, to a certain degree, take on physical form, whereas humans are primarily physical beings, but with a spiritual aspect.

Throughout the Old and New Testament, we find numerous scenarios where angels have intervened and made their appearance and message known at God’s behest. Angels are used by God to deliver messages of both hope and warnings, as well as physical interaction in the affairs of humanity. Both Christians and non-Christians alike, allege they have seen or been visited by angels. The word angel comes down to us today from the Greek word ‘Angelos’ meaning messenger.

One should not forget that Satan and his demons were originally angels who chose to defy God. The consequences of their rebellion were that they were exiled from heaven and to this very day they still plague man.

Some people accept the existence of guardian angels, however, some theologians would argue against this. Angels then are beings sent to aid us in our time of need, though we most certainly should not worship them. Only God and his son Jesus Christ are the ones we should look to for salvation in this world and the next.

Finally, I will close with some Biblical verses about angels:

They praise God (Psalm 148: 1 – 2; Isaiah 6:3).

They worship God (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:8 – 13).

They rejoice in what God does (Job 38: 6 – 7)

They serve God (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 22:09).

They appear before God (Job 1:6; 2:1).

They are instruments of God’s judgements (Revelation 7:1; 8:2)

They bring answers to prayer (Acts 12:5 – 10).

They aid in winning people to Christ (Acts 8:26; 10:3).

They observe Christian order, work, and suffering (1 Corinthians 4:9; 11:10; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12).

They encourage in times of danger (Acts 27:23-24).

They care for the righteous at the time of death (Luke 16:22).

God bless you xx.