What Does The Bible Say About Angels? There is much that the Bible says about Angels. We are told that Angels are God’s messengers. They are invisible except when they assume a shape to appear before human beings. There are many questions surrounding these spiritual beings. Chances are high that you have had your mind puzzled at some point in time with questions about them. Why where angels created? What do angels look like? And what do angels occupy themselves doing? These are few among the many questions puzzling our minds about angels. It is without doubt that humans have always held an amazing fascination for angels as well as angelic beings. Over the past centuries, artists of all kinds did work extra hard to capture images of angels on canvas. However, our write-up on what the Bible says about Angels will help us to better know them.
Strange but worth saying is the fact that the Biblical description of angels has little to do with what is typically depicted in paintings. You’ve probably heard and seen the paintings of those cute little chubby babies with wings in the name of angels. Unfortunately, these are the images that come to our minds whenever we hear of angels. Unlike what many people believe in, Ezekiel 1:1-28 clearly gives a brilliant description of angels. By putting down God’s massage in writing, Prophet Ezekiel portrays angels as four winged creatures. When we read from Ezekiel 10:20, we are told by the Prophet that angels are called Cherubim. We can derive from the Bible that most angels have the appearance and form of a man. Note that many of them have wings, but not all. While some angels are larger than life, others have multiple faces.
What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
The angels with multiple faces appear like a man from one angle, and a lion, eagle, or ox from another angle. While some angels look like ordinary humans, others are bright, shining, and fiery. While angels can become visible to the human eye at the command of God, they are mostly invisible. Although invisible, their presence can be felt and their voices heard by those whom God has made receptive. Angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible. Since creation, they’ve been playing an important role in the presence of God and in human history. That’s why they were mentioned on several occasions in the Bible. Although we won’t analyze every single instance that angels were mentioned in the Bible, we’ll guide you in a step-by-step manner to understand what the Bible says about these overwhelming and fascinating divine creatures.
Fascinating Facts From The Scriptures About Angels
1. All Angels where created by God – Genesis 2:1
Genesis 2:1 – “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.” The Bible clearly tells us that God created the Heavens and the Earth together with all things that are in them. This includes all angels and divine beings. From strong Biblical evidence, we can point to the fact that angels were created at the same time that the earth was formed. Their creation probably took place before human life was brought into existence by God. Let’s further read from 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.”
2. Angels were created by God to live for eternity – Luke 20:36
The Bible clearly tells us that angels where created by God to live forever. They do not die neither does their existence know an end as we can read from Luke 20:36 – “…nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” In the same light, we can as well read from Revelation 4:8 – “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.””
3. Angels where present when God created the world – Job 38:1-7
Before God crated the very foundation of the earth, angels were already in existence as we can read from Job 38:1-7 – “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “…Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? …while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?””
4. Unlike Men, Angels do not marry – Matthew 22:30
The Bible tells us that in Heaven, men and women will be more like angels, who do not marry nor reproduce. We can read this from Matthew 22:30 – “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
5. Angels are wise and intelligent – Daniel 9:22
Behold, angels are wise and intelligent. They are able to discern good from evil and can also give insight and understanding as we can read from Daniel 9:22 – “He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.”” We can as well support our message by reading from 2 Samuel 14:17 – “Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’”
6. Angels are concerned about the affairs of men – Luke 15:10
You might be surprise to learn that angels take an interest in the affairs of men. They have been and will be forever involved and highly interested in what happens in the lives of men and women on earth. Let’s support this message by reading Luke 15:10 – “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” We can as well get the same message by reading from Daniel 10:14 – “Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
7. Angels are faster than men – Daniel 9:21
Angels have supernatural abilities like flying that men lack. The are generally faster than men. Let’s support this by reading from Daniel 9:21 – “… while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.” Let’s further read from Revelation 14:6 – “And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.”
8. Angels are spiritual beings – Psalm 104:4
In answering the question on the nature of angels, we’ll say that they are spiritual beings. Most Bible verses about angels support this truth. As spirit beings, they do not have true physical bodies as we can read from Psalm 104:4 – “Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.”
9. Angels are not meant to be worshiped – Revelation 19:10
Perhaps you were not aware but angels are not meant to be worshiped. On several occasions in the Bible, angels are perceived reproaching humans from worshiping them but directing all worship to God Almighty as we can read from Revelation 19:10 – “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.””
10. Angels express emotions like joy and longing – Job 38:7
The Bible tells us that even angels do shout for joy and also express the emotions of longing. Let’s read this from Job 38:7 – “… while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” We can as well read from 1 Peter 1:12 – “It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”
11. Angels are subject to Christ – 1 Peter 3:22
Always have it in mind that angels are servants of Christ. They obey and honor Jesus Christ, the beloved son of God who was given all authority in Heaven and on Earth. Let’s support our message by reading from 1 Peter 3:22 – “… who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”
12. Angels also have a will
In as much as humans, angels also have the ability to exercise their own will as we can deduce from Isaiah 14:12-14 – “How you have fallen from heaven,O morning star, son of the dawn!You have been cast down to the earth,you who once laid low the nations!You said in your heart,”I will ascend to heaven;I will raise my throneabove the stars of God I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;I will make myself like the Most High.”” In the same likeness, we can also read from Jude 1:6 – “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.”
13. Angels are too numerous to count – Psalm 68:17
The Holy Scriptures point to the fact that there exist an incalculable number of angels. Let’s support this be reading Psalm 68:17 – “The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands …” Let’s also read from Hebrews 12:22 – “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly …”
14. Unlike God, Angels are not Omnipresent, Omniscient, or Omnipotent – Daniel 10:12-13
Angels have certain limitations and boundaries. Unlike God, they are not all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere present at the same time. Let’s support this saying by reading from Daniel 10:12-13 – “Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.” Let’s also read from Jude 1:9 – “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!””
15. Most angels remained faithful to God – Revelation 5:11-12
Although some angels rebelled against God’s authority, the vast majority stayed faithful to him. This saying is deduced from Revelation 5:11-12 – “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!””
16. Three angels have names in the canonical books of the Bible – Daniel 8:16, Luke 1:19 and Luke 1:26
The canonical books of the Bible mention only the names of three angels. They are Gabriel, Michael, and the fallen angel, Lucifer or Satan. You can read about them in Luke 1:26, Luke 1:19, and Daniel 8:18.
17. Only one angel in the Bible is called Archangel – Daniel 10:13
Michael is the one and only angel that the Bible refers to as archangel. Let’s support this by reading from Daniel 10:13 – “The angel prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief angels, came to help me, because I had been left there alone in Persia.” Let’s also read Revelation 12:7 – “The war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, who fought back with his angels;” It is worth pointing out here that Michael is presented as “one of the chief princes.” We are trying to say here that there is a possibility that there are other archangels, although we are not 100% sure.
18. Angels report to God – Job 1:6
All angels report to God who is their creator. We’ve deduced this saying from Job 1:6 – “When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the LORD, Satan was there among them.” Behold, the same thing happens in Job 2:1.
19. Angels were created to worship and glorify God the Father and God the Son – Hebrews 1:6
In addition to acting as God’s spiritual messengers, angels were created to glorify and worship him. Our deduction is made from Hebrews 1:6 – “But when God was about to send his firstborn Son into the world, he said: All God’s angels must worship Him.”
20. Other names of angels
Throughout the Bible, many names are used to point to angels of God. Below are some of the names:
- Sons of God
- Messengers
- Sons of the Almighty
- Watchers
- Hosts (military)
- Chariots
21. Some angels are called Cherubim – Ezekiel 10:1-22
In Ezekiel 10:1-22, the Prophet reveals some angels whom he refers to them as Cherubim.
22. Some angels are called Seraphim – Isaiah 6:1-8
In Isaiah 6:1-8, the Prophet refers to tall angels with six wings that can fly as Seraphim.
23. Angels help humans – Hebrews 1:14
Hebrews 1:14 – “What are the angels, then? They are the spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.” There are several occasions in the Bible that we perceive angels helping the faithful. Angels ministered to Jesus Christ during his 40 days fasting in the desert. They helped him at the end of the fast when he was hungry. An angel brought answers from God to Daniel. Under God’s instructions, an angel protected Daniel from being consumed in the lion’s den. An angel kept Daniel’s three friends safe even in the midst of burning flames. An angel brought good news to Zechariah, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Paul. This is just to name a few.
24. Angels will join all believers in the Heavenly Kingdom – Hebrews 12:22-23
When the right time comes, angels will join all believers in the Heavenly Kingdom. Let’s read from Hebrews 12:22-23 – “Instead, you come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, with its thousands of angels.”
What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
2 Kings 19:35 – “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.”
Psalm 148:2 – “Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.“
Nehemiah 9:6 – “Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”
Psalm 103:20 – “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
Luke 1:19 – “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”
Luke 2:13-14 – “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Ezekiel 3:12-13 – “Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from his place. I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.”
Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Revelation 20:1-2 – “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.”
2 Samuel 24:16 – “And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.“
Hebrews 1:7 – “And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
Luke 2:10-11 – “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Revelation 12:7 – “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.”
Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Matthew 28:2-3 – “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.”
Mark 1:13 – “And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.”
Matthew 4:11 – “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Matthew 25:31 – “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.”
Hebrews 1:6 – “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”
Luke 22:43 – “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”
John 1:51 – “And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
Matthew 26:53 – “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”
Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Exodus 23:20 – “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.”
2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 – “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.”
Genesis 19:15 – “And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.”
Exodus 14:19 – “And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them.”
Revelation 5:11-12 – “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
Exodus 33:2 – “And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.”
Numbers 20:16 – “And when we cried unto the Lord, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border.”
Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Daniel 3:28 – “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.”
1 Kings 19:5 – “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.”
Psalm 91:11 – “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Judges 6:12 – “And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”
Luke 16:22 – “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.”
Acts 5:19-20 – “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
Daniel 6:22 – “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”
Isaiah 63:9 – “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”
Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Acts 27:23-24 – “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.”
Acts 7:53 – “Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”
Hebrews 1:14 – “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Acts 12:7 – “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Psalm 35:4-5 – “Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord chase them.”
Exodus 3:2 – “And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.”
Psalm 34:7 – “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
Numbers 22:31 – “Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face .”
Zachariah 1:12 – “Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?”
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Psalm 80:1 – “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.”
Psalm 99:1 – “The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.”
Genesis 3:24 – “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
Isaiah 37:16 – “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.”
Ezekiel 10:4 – “Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord’s glory.”
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Isaiah 6:2 – “Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.”
Isaiah 6:6 – “Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar.”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Genesis 28:12 – “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.”
1 Timothy 5:21 – “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”
Job 4:18 – “Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly.”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Revelation 12:7-9 – “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.”
2 Peter 2:4 – “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”
Jude 1:6 – “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”
Matthew 25:41 – “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Revelation 20:10 – “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Daniel 10:13 – “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”
Jude 1:9 – “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”
Daniel 8:16 – “And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.“
Luke 1:19 – “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”
Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Angels?
Colossians 2:18 – “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”
Revelation 19:10 – “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 22:9 – “Then saith he unto me, 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.”
