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In the Bible, angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve as His messengers and to carry out His will. The word “angel” comes from the Greek word “angelos,” which means “messenger.” Angels appear throughout both the Old and New Testaments, fulfilling various roles and missions. Here are some key aspects of angels in the Bible:

1. **Nature and Role of Angels**

– **Messengers of God**: Angels often serve as intermediaries between God and humans, delivering God’s messages and instructions. For example, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38) and to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-20).

– **Servants and Worshipers of God**: Angels are depicted as worshipers who praise God continuously (Revelation 4:8; Isaiah 6:1-3) and serve Him by carrying out His commands (Psalm 103:20).

– **Protectors and Guardians**: Some angels are described as protectors or guardians of individuals or nations. Psalm 91:11 mentions that God commands His angels to protect those who trust in Him, and Daniel 6:22 describes an angel shutting the mouths of lions to protect Daniel.

– **Warriors**: Angels also serve as God’s warriors, fighting against the forces of evil. The archangel Michael, for example, is described as a leader of the heavenly armies in battles against Satan and his followers (Revelation 12:7-9; Daniel 10:13, 21).

2. **Types of Angels**

– **Archangels**: The Bible mentions archangels like Michael, who is often depicted as a warrior angel (Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7), and Gabriel, who serves as a messenger (Luke 1:19, 26).

– **Cherubim**: These are angelic beings associated with the presence of God and are often depicted as guardians. They are mentioned in Genesis 3:24, where they guard the entrance to the Garden of Eden, and in Ezekiel’s visions (Ezekiel 1:4-28; 10:1-22).

– **Seraphim**: Described in Isaiah 6:1-7, seraphim are a type of angel associated with the worship of God. They are depicted as having six wings and continuously praising God, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.”

– **Angels of the Lord**: This term is sometimes used in the Bible to refer to an angelic appearance that represents God Himself. For instance, in the story of Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6), the “angel of the Lord” is present, yet the passage goes on to speak of God directly.

3. **Angelic Appearances in the Bible**

– **Old Testament**: Angels appear in various forms, such as in human form (Genesis 18:1-3 when three angels visit Abraham) or in visions (Ezekiel 1). They deliver messages, provide guidance, and carry out God’s will.

– **New Testament**: Angels play a significant role in the events surrounding the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They announce His birth to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-14), minister to Him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11), and announce His resurrection (Matthew 28:2-7).

4. **Angels and the End Times**

– In the Book of Revelation, angels are prominent figures in the events of the end times. They blow trumpets, pour out bowls of God’s wrath, and participate in the final judgment and battle against the forces of evil (Revelation 8-9, 16, 19).

5. **Angels and Humanity**

– **Interaction with Humans**: Angels interact with humans in various ways, providing guidance, protection, and comfort (Acts 12:7; Genesis 21:17; Matthew 1:20-24).

– **Humility and Service**: Although angels are powerful beings, they serve God and do not seek worship from humans. In Revelation 22:8-9, an angel instructs John to worship God alone, not the angel.

6. **Fallen Angels**

– The Bible also speaks of fallen angels, led by Satan, who rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17; Revelation 12:4, 9). These fallen angels, or demons, oppose God and seek to lead humans astray.

Overall, angels in the Bible are depicted as powerful, obedient, and faithful servants of God, playing a significant role in the divine narrative and the unfolding of God’s plan for humanity.

Blessing, Margaret Liu Collins
Author of “God is Good”
Movie adaption premieres January 18,2025 Herbst Auditorium, SF

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