Thinking About Angels

Angels are immortal beings (Luke 20:36), who carry out God's will to bring His purposes to fulfilment. The original words translated 'angel' mean 'messenger' (one sent). They are not normally seen by mankind, but have appeared on a number of occasions to individuals to directly inform them of God's will and intentions. On such occasions they looked like human beings. Sometimes they have been seen in glory, causing fear and even collapse (Matthew 28:2-4). Some angels are named, as Gabriel and Michael, some are senior angels described as archangels.

Their work covers three areas of particular responsibility

• Representing God – “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him” (Exodus 23:20,21. See also Exodus 3:1-6).
  
  
• Directing the nations – “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His who do His pleasure” (Psalm 103:20,21). “. . . the Most High . . . He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have you done?'” (Daniel 4:34,35). 

The book of Revelation shows angels carrying out God's judgements on the earth and its inhabitants, for example: “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete” (Revelation 15:1).

• Ministering to believers – “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those that fear Him” (Psalm 34:7). “Are they (angels, see verse 13) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). 

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(Quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible)