What Is an Angel?

An angel is, by definition, a messenger. The Bible has over three hundred references
to angels, and defines two groups of angelic messengers. Heavenly angels carry
out the commands of God, while fallen angels carry out acts of deceit and
wickedness.
The Bible details the job description of God's angels: "Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do
his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word" (Psalm 103:20).
The angels of God are always ready and available to obey His commands! They are
strong and competent to carry out their next assignment from God's throne. But
what exactly are angels assigned to do?
The Lord "maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire"
(Psalm 104:4). These angels are (Hebrews
1:14). In other words, angels are sent out from the throne room of God "all ministering spirits,
sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation""because of the ones being about to inherit salvation."
Wow! Our Creator God, who so loved the world, has not only brought salvation to
us through Jesus Christ but also made angels to be His ministering spirits for
us, the heirs of salvation!
Angels are heavenly spirit beings
created by God, through Jesus Christ. "For by him were all
things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible...all things were created by him and for him: and he is before all
things, and by him all things consist"
(Colossians 1:16-17; also see
Nehemiah 9:6). Angels are helpers, guardians, proclaimers of news, and agents of
both the mercy of God and the wrath of God.
The Bible is not clear on
when God created angels, but we do know that by the sixth day of
creation, "the heavens and the earth were finished, and
all the host of them" (Genesis 2:1). We also know that angels were
present when God laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4-7) and they
rejoiced to see His creative work.
Scripture is mostly silent on the
nature and origin of angels, for such information would distract us from the
Bible's theme of God's salvation plan for mankind. But we are told how
angels were created: "By the word of the LORD were the
heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth" (Psalm
33:6).
TO LEARN MORE

|