What the Bible Says About Angels
QUESTION: What the Bible says about angels - What's the truth?ANSWER:Before exploring what the Bible says about the reality of angels, we should know the origin and meaning of the word. "Angel" is translated from the Greek word
angelos or the Hebrew word
mal'ak. The word means
messenger and is often used of a guardian, ambassador, or representative.
The Bible states the following in Colossians 1:16: "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." This means these spiritual beings are created by God!
In Hebrews 1:14, they are said to be "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation." Hebrews 12: 22 says they are "innumerable." Angels are referenced many times throughout the Bible. But are angels as we've come to think of them?
Collectors have angels in porcelain; artists portray them with beautiful wings, long flowing hair, and adorned in glitter with halos. Writers might describe them as mystical and sometimes ghostly. Hollywood has brought them into our view as travelers in a Cadillac or as lustful beings deciding to stay on Earth for the sake of Eros love.
God's word describes His angels as messengers, mighty warriors, and guides. He used them to appear to Hagar, Mary and Joseph, Daniel, John, Paul, and numerous others throughout the Scriptures.
In Matthew 28:2, we are told that an angel rolled away the stone over the tomb of Jesus. We gather from this verse that angels have tremendous physical power and strength. These attributes are used in battles such as told in 2 Kings 19, Isaiah 37, and in Revelation.
This should give us comfort as Psalms 91:11-12 says God has given angels charge over us, to keep us and protect us: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." They are rarely visible, but we can often feel their presence.
Angels may take on various forms, including at times, a human form. Hebrews 13:1-2 says, "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
