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Angels
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What is an Angel? Angel can mean many things. Look first at the root word in the original language. The word in both languages means MESSENGER. The word itself does not constitute a spiritual being.
Greek Hebrew
Angelos malak
ἄγγελος מֲלְאָךְ
Angels can be any agent sent by God to execute His purpose: prophets (Hag 1:13), priests (Mal 2:7), teachers, or ordinary men (1 Sam 11:1-4; Lk 7:24).
When considering the spiritual beings we understand secularly as angels they can take the forms of many things. But they are simply spiritual beings created by God. Angels are non-incorporeal, meaning immaterial or non-physical. They are not created with bodies, but they can take the form of humans. (Gen 18:1-3) Angels can also take the form of wind and fire. (Heb 1:14, cf. Ps 104:4)
The spiritual angels we think about hold a few principal definitions.
- They do not possess wings. (Ex 25:20)
- Created by God. (Ps 148:1-5)
- Present in Creation. (Job 38:4-7)
- They are not all-powerful and knowledgeable. (Ps 103:20; 2 Thess 1:7; Mk 13:32)
- More powerful and knowledgeable than man. (2 Pt 2:11)
- Superior in nature to humans. (Heb 2:7)
- Sent to minister to those after God. (Heb 1:14; Ps 91:11)
- They protect us. (Mt 26:53; Dan 3:28)
- They relieve and nourish us. (Mk 1:13)
- They help us overcome loneliness. (Lk 22:43)
- They deliver us from danger. (Acts 5:19-20; 12:6-11)
- They are interested in our salvation. (Lk 15:10; 1 Cor 4:9)
- They worked alongside Jesus throughout His time on Earth. (John 20:11-13)
- They will never die. (Lk 20:36)
- They are holy. (Lk 9:26)
- They are elect. (1 Tim 5:21)
- There are numerous angels. (Lk 2:13)
- They are not perfect. (Job 4:18)
- They will not be worshipped. (Col 2:18; Rev 19:10)
There are only two named angels in the Bible. Michael (Dan 10:13) and Gabriel. (Lk 1:19) In the hosts of angels they possess different ranks, abilities, and duties. (Jude 9) There are Cherubs or Cherubim. Seraphs or Seraphim.
- Angels_Handout.pdf (146.41 kB)
