The word angel derives from the Greek word “angelos” which means ‘messenger’. For century’s artists have portrayed angels as beautiful, spiritual, and shiny figures with wings. Whereas according to the Bible these heavenly beings are bright, shiny, and fiery who obey God and do different jobs. They exist in heaven or the spiritual realm. They are believed to act as an attendant and an agent of God. Some facts about angels according to the Bible.
Angels are the creation of God
In the second chapter of the book of Genesis, we are told that angels are the creation of God. Further, it is said that they are created with the earth.
Proof
Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. (Genesis 2:1, NKJV)
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (Colossians 1:16, NIV)
God has created angels on the sixth day of creation
As the above chapter continues, it tells us that the angels were made at some point before the seventh day of creation
Proof
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them” (“host” here refers to the heavenly beings).
Exodus 20:11 is even more explicit: “In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.” We can at least confirm that all the angels were created by the sixth day of creation.
Angels are created before man
The angels have existed before the foundation of the earth. God created them before the creation of man.
Proof
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “…Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? …while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:1-7, NIV)
Angels are not meant to marry or reproduce
Angels are the residents of heaven who do not marry or reproduce. In heaven, men and women will be like angels.
Proof
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30, NIV)
Angels are enlightened with knowledge
God has given them insight, understanding they can foresee good and evil.
Proof
Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’ (2 Samuel 14:17, NKJV)
He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.” (Daniel 9:22, NIV)
Angels think well of human affairs
They look after the worldly human chores and well aware of what is happening in human life.
Proof
“Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” (Daniel 10:14, NIV)
“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10, NKJV)
Angels are given the ability to fly
Angels have the ability to fly and look after humans and heaven.
Proof
.. while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. (Daniel 9:21, NIV)
And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. (Revelation 14:6, NLT)
Angels are a spiritual being
Angels are spiritual beings and have no true physical bodies.
Proof
“Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.” (Psalm 104:4, NKJV)
Angels are not created to be worshipped
Angels are not meant to be worshipped. They are sometimes mistaken for God by humans and worshipped in the Bible. This not acceptable; the slight difference in understanding of the Bible can ruin our beliefs.
Proof
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10, NKJV)
Angels are gist or subject to Christ
They are designated as Christ’s servants.
Proof
… who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. (1 Peter 3:22, NKJV)
Angels have the ability to exercise their will
Angels are free in their will just as humans. They have the liberty to follow their desires
Proof
How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
…You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14, NIV)And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. (Jude 1:6, NIV)
Angels are expressive
The deep study of the Bible proved that angels express emotions accordingly.
Proof
… while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? (Job 38:7, NIV)
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1:12, NIV)
God has drawn some limitations for angels
Angels do have certain limitations and boundaries. They have not complete knowledge; means that neither they are not all-knowing and powerful, nor are they present everywhere.
Proof
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. (Daniel 10:12-13, NIV)
But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9, NIV)
Angels are countless
Bible says that they are incalculable in numbers; they are too numerous to count.
Proof
The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands … (Psalm 68:17, NIV)
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly … (Hebrews 12:22, NIV)
Mostly angels are faithful to their Creator
Besides some rebellious angels, a vivid majority remain faithful to God.
Proof
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:11-12, NIV)
Name of angels mentioned in the Bible
Only three angels are mentioned by name in the canonical books of the Bible: Gabriel, Michael, and the fallen angel Lucifer, or Satan.
- Daniel 8:16
- Luke 1:19
- Luke 1:26
Michael is the only angel to be called an archangel in the Bible. He is described as “one of the chief princes,” so it is possible that there are other archangels, but we cannot be sure.
In Isaiah 6:1-8, we see a description of seraphim. These are tall angels, each with six wings, and they can fly.
Cherubim and Seraphim
Two types of angels the Bible specifically identifies are cherubim and seraphim, both of which are higher in authority than other angels.
Only one angel is called an Archangel
The archangel Gabriel is often seen delivering important messages.
Proof
He appeared to Daniel twice (Daniel 8:16; 9:21); to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:28); and to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19).
Angels are assigned with different duties according to their rank
Angels are constantly traveling around earth, observing and reporting back to God what happens (Revelation 5:6; Zechariah 4:10; 2 Chronicles 16:9). Many are messengers that report to God’s prophets, apostles, and chosen men. Some angels are responsible for handling our prayers (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). Righteous angels always do precisely what God assigns them to do, they do not question what their lord ordered.
