Angels (the word angel derives from the Greek word angelos which literally means ‘messenger’) are created beings, as it is written: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16). We don’t know exactly when angels were created by God. We know, however, for sure that when God created the earth they already existed, for the Scripture says that when God laid the foundations of the earth all the angels “shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). Since they are created beings, they are not worthy to be worshiped. The worship of angels is forbidden by the Scriptures, for when John fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had showed him many heavenly things and many things still to come, the angel admonished him saying: “See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Revelation 22:9). Don’t let anyone who delights in the worship of angels cheat you of your reward (Colossians 2:18). Therefore, beware of the Roman Catholics, because they worship angels; they are of those who changed the truth of God into a lie and “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:25 – NKJV). And beware also of those who, even though they don’t worship angels, teach that Christians have the authority to command angels, for this is inconsistent with the Scripture, which teaches that only God does have the authority to command them. Pray to God and have faith in Him alone, and He will dispatch His angels to minister to you as He wills, but do not command the angels of God to meet your needs, for this is contrary to the will of God for you.

Angels are spirits, for they are called “spirits” (Hebrews 1:14), that is to say, they do not have a body of flesh and bones as we human beings have. However, they have the power to manifest themselves in human form in order to be seen by people. Those two angels who were sent by God to Sodom looked like human beings, for Lot gave them some food to eat (Genesis 19:1,3) and the people of Sodom called them “men” (Genesis 19:5). The angels of God may still take bodily form as in the days of old; as for this eventuality, it must be said that the Scripture states that some people, by entertaining strangers, “have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2 - NKJV). Furthermore, it must be said that in Biblical times every time the angels of God appeared to people they appeared as men. Since the angels are spirits, they can appear and disappear, and they can travel at great speed. In the Bible are recorded various visions and dreams in which angels appeared. For instance, Jacob saw in a dream the angels of God ascending and descending on a ladder whose top reached to heaven (Genesis 28:12); an angel of the Lord appeared in dream to Joseph to tell him to take the young Child Jesus and His mother and flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13); two angels of God appeared in a vision to Mary Magdalene after the resurrection of Jesus (John 20:12); and an angel of God appeared to Cornelius in a vision to tell him to send some men to Joppa and call for Peter (Acts 10:3-6). Since angels were created by a command of God, they are not the spirits of the departed righteous, nor are they glorified human beings.

Angels are immortal, for one day Jesus, in speaking to the Sadducees about the resurrection of the dead, said that those who “shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection” (Luke 20:35-36).

Angels are very numerous, “thousand thousands …. and ten thousand times ten thousand”, says Daniel (Daniel 7:10). John says that he heard the voice of many angels round about the throne of God “and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11). The author of the epistle to the Hebrews says that we have come “to an innumerable company of angels” (Hebrews 12:22).

According to the Scripture, the chief angel is Michael, called “the archangel” (Jude 9). Michael means ‘who is like unto God?’ and archangel means ‘chief angel’. Michael opposed Satan in a dispute concerning the body of Moses (Jude 9). One day Michael and his angels will fight against the devil and his angels, as it is written: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Revelation 12:7-9). Michael is also the great prince who protects the people of Israel, for in a vision a messenger of God said to the prophet Daniel: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book” (Daniel 12:1). Michael upheld the messenger of God who appeared to Daniel against the prince of Persia and the prince of Greece (Daniel 10:21), which were evil spirits ruling over the kingdom of Persia and the kingdom of Greece. It is erroneous to teach that the Son of God, prior to His incarnation, was Michael the archangel, for Michael is a created being while the Son of God is God; so beware of those who teach this false doctrine concerning Jesus.

 

Back