Things The Bible Says About Angels
- Dr. Roger BarrierPreach It, Teach It
We seem to know very little about the existence and ministry of Angels. To most of us angels are more decoration than the reality. Angels appear on tombstones, the walls of nurseries, jewelry, Renaissance art, ordination certificates, Christmas cards, and Valentines.
Angels are usually fat and naked and have little bows and arrows with wings on their backs!
These caricatures are so unfortunate. Angels have a lot to do, especially for those who have eyes to see. I believe that most of their work goes on behind the scenes where they are usually not noticed.
I would imagine that very few of us will have a dramatic encounter with an angelic spirit. But if we do, it will be a marker point in our lives that we will never forget.
The word, angel, means messenger. For example, Hebrews chapter two tells us that the Angels were the messengers who delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses.
Here are 17 things to know about angels:
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Attribute #: Angels Are Spirit Beings
Angels are spirit beings who are often invisible, but their presence may be made manifest in human form, in dreams and visions, in their natural state, or audibly without a visible form.
To illustrate this point, its helpful to contrast Daniels angel encounter in Daniel 9 with his experience in Daniel 10. When Gabriel appears in Daniel 9:21, he is described as a man. Daniel goes on to have a pleasant conversation with Gabriel, and there is no indication that Daniel is at all intimidated by Gabriels presence. Its as if two peers are discussing the politics of the day, albeit one has profound prophetic insight.
Then, flipping forward to chapter 10, Daniel encounters an unnamed angel, trembles in his presence, and describes him in a way that is completely unlike any human. Here is his description:
Daniel 10:5-6
So, angels appear as humans and in their natural state. They have also been known to appear in visions. Genesis 28 and 31 record prophetic dreams the Lord gave to Jacob in which he saw angels.
In the New Testament, Marys husband, Joseph, repeatedly encountered angels who instructed him regarding Mary and Jesus while he was dreaming. It doesnt particularly matter whether these angels appeared in human or angelic form Jacob and Joseph clearly recognized them as angels.
Regardless of how angels may appear, the important point to remember is this: their presence is revealed selectively and strategically.
Spirits of Wind, Fire, and Stars
Are angels made of stardust?
What Ive Learned From Anna
I would have love to have been a fly on the wall to watch Anna through her 84 years. How she might have shared her pain of losing her husband, being single, and relying on others financially. To also see her share her joy, hope and security in Jesus Christ.
1. She didnt give up.There have been times in my ministry that I have wanted to give up. Being on the road can get hard. You miss your friends, your church and your community. Sometimes churches cancel, leaving you without finances and resources. Sometimes you get lonely, sick and exhausted. But like Anna, I have also experienced many positives that far outweigh the negatives. I have met so many people who have encouraged me. I have also witnessed many come to Christ and recommit to him. Just think of Anna and how for at least 60 or more years she was able to share her faith with so many people. Gods timing is truly perfect. Think about it. If Christ had come the first day she was widowed, how many people would have never heard the message of salvation. We must never give up.
2. She did what God told her to do.Anna was told by God what to do and she did it. How about you? Has God told you to do something but you are afraid? Lazy? Being disobedient? The blessings of being obedient far outweigh the blessings of staying safe.
My steps have held to your paths my feet have not slipped. I call on you, O God, for you will answer me give ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:5-6
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Better Than The Counterfeit
Some of this may sound New Age to you. However, Titus 1:15 tells us that to the pure all things are pure. So when I talk about interacting with angels, that does not sound New Age to me at all. Instead, it sounds like Zechariah. It sounds like Daniel. It sounds like Jesus in the Gospels and John in the book of Revelation.
I am not really familiar with the New Age Movement or what New Age followers believe. I do know they have books and even classes on angels, but I have never read those books or attended the classes, so I am not aware of what they teach.And I prefer it that way.
I actually take it as a wonderful confirmation that unbelievers are counterfeiting the truth that I live in. That shows that what I am experiencing is authentic and valuable. Nobody counterfeits $1.00 bills. They only counterfeit what has great worth.
Also, it is significant that there are no counterfeit $3.00 bills either. Why is that? Because in the United States there are no real, legal $3.00 bills. Therefore, the fact that the New Age is counterfeiting angelic experience proves two things: angels are real and interacting with them has value.Instead of studying other faiths, I just stick to reading my Bible. There are over three hundred verses on angels found there, which is more than enough to offer a strong scriptural foundation and precedent for my own angelic experiences.
We Dont Know How Many Angels Exist
The Bible doesnt tell us how many angels God created. But apparently, there are a lot of them. Here are a few of the ways the Bible tells us how many angels there are:
- On Mount Sinai, God came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand .
- We also learn that, the chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands .
- When we come to worship, we come into the presence of innumerable angels .
- John says, I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands .
Every biblical reference to the total number of angels suggests that theyre beyond counting.
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Angels Are Examples For Us
Angels show us what perfect obedience looks like. Jesus teaches us to pray, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven , and in heaven Gods will is done by angels, immediately, joyfully, and without question. Their delight is to be Gods humble servants, faithfully performing their assigned tasks, great or small. Our desire and prayer should be that we will do the same.
Angels also model worship. John sees around Gods throne a great angelic army, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! . If the angels find it their highest joy to praise God continuously, shouldnt we, too?
Angels Fight Against Demons
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.
The Bible tells us that Gods angels fight against Satans angels, the demons. Here are a few examples:
- The being identified as the prince of the Persian kingdom fought the angel Gabriel for 21 days until the archangel Michael arrived to help him .
- Michael also fought the devil for Mosess body .
- Michael will lead Gods angels in the final battle against Satan and his demons .
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How Does The Law Of Attraction Work
The law of attraction is a mental action that involves imagining things you want and attracting them by your powerful wish. It is said that if you want something hard enough, it will come true. But, it is also said that you should be careful what you wish for, because it may come true. Meaning that you should be aware of your thoughts and power of attraction because you dont want to attract bad things.
Names Of Angels In The Bible
Gabriel means Man of God. He is mentioned as one who carries messages for God. He is an Archangel who appeared to Daniel. He later appeared to Zechariah and to Mary. Michael means Who is Like God? He is an angel who participates in battle against Satan and his demons.
35. Daniel 8:16 And I heard a mans voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
36. Daniel 9:21 Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.
37. Luke 1:19-20 Then the angel said, I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didnt believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.
38. Luke 1:26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth.
39. Daniel 10:13-14 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.
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Angels Enforce Your Covenant Rights
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
Health, protection, financial prosperityevery covenant right belongs to you, and God has given His angels charge over enforcing those rights. Psalm 103:20-21 says that angels excel in strength, do His Word, and do His pleasure. What does that mean? As Gloria Copeland says, Angels are covenant-enforcing agents.
Angels are here for a purpose. They are here to establish Gods covenant in our lives. How do we release them to work on our behalf? With our words.
Your words give your angels charge to go prosper you, or to fold their hands and step back. When you confess the Word of God over a situation, you put your angels to work. If you speak faith words enforced by Gods Word, your angels are free to bring about what you want to come to pass .
Even in the Old Covenant, the angel told Daniel, Your words were heard and I have come because of your words . Daniels words put the angel to work for him. You can do the same. Dont render your angels helpless with wrong wordsspeak what you want to come to pass and let them work on your behalf.
Messengers Doing Gods Will
Angels around us, angels beside us, angels within us, angels within us. Angels are watching over you when times are good or stressed. Their wings wrap gently around you, whispering you are loved.
God created the angels for many purposes, including guiding, protecting, encouraging and strengthening us. Scripture tells us that angels are Gods servants, sent by Him into the world to serve His will. Perhaps, the most important role for angels is praising and glorifying God. In fact, there is a description in the Bible of millions of angels praising God in Heaven. God has also commanded His angels concerning you. Though we may not see them or know they are there, angels are watching over us, transporting blessings into our lives, protecting us from danger and helping us to glorify God better. Scripture proves it. Here are seven Bible verses about angels watching over us.
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Anna From The Bible: A Woman With Purpose
Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, and was very old. She was a widow, for her husband had died when they had been married only seven years. Lets read about Anna from in the Bible:
She was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for the promised King to come and deliver Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38
Anna was not like most women of her time. She chose a different path.
More than likely, after her husbands death, Anna would have been encouraged to get married again and have children. Anna, instead, chose to stay single. She chose to share her faith to as many people as she could. She chose to serve the Lord. She chose to fast and pray, worshiping the Lord day and night. She chose to tell them the news of the Savior that was coming, no matter how long it might be before he came. She knew her purpose and she didnt let anyones opinions or comments keep her from it. Annas choice would not only affect her life in an abundant way, but also the lives of others ever since.
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What Angels Look Like
Above it stood seraphim each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
We know that angels are spiritual beings. They dont have physical bodies . However, the Bible presents a few different descriptions of angels:
- Angels with human form: Genesis 18:1-3, Daniel 9:21, Luke 24:4-5.
- Angels with wings: Exodus 25:20, 1 Kings 6:27, Isaiah 6:2.
- Some impressive descriptions: Ezekiel 1:5-14, Matthew 28:2-3, Revelation 10:1-6.
- In some cases, even though the angels looked like men, they still struck fear upon those who saw them .
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Angels Provide For Physical Needs Of Believers As In The Case Of Elijah Under His Juniper Tree
After a Wednesday night service several years ago, a lady told me of an angelic protection. Driving on a lonely desert road in her VW with her children the car’s engine caught fire. She stopped and tried to open the hood. She couldn’t it was too hot. Suddenly, another car pulled up behind her. She thought that this was strange because she’d seen no other cars on the road.
He pulled out this big pair of asbestos gloves, opened the hood and used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze. She turned to thank the man and he was gone. Both he and the car had disappeared.
Fact #: Angels Are Not Our Servants
Because angels serve God, they do not serve us.
Matthew 6:24 explains that it is impossible to serve two masters. Weve learned angels are Gods messengers, and they serve Him in a variety of ways. Sometimes we are fortunate to be the recipients of angelic ministry, and Hebrews 1:14 makes it plain that ministering to Gods children is their primary purpose. However, we must never imagine that they are our messengers.
The messages angels carry travel in one direction onlyfrom the mouth of God to the intended recipient. Angels are not ours to control or to use. They are not available to satisfy our physical and emotional needs or our intellectual curiosity.
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What Does The Bible Say About The Nature And Power Of Angelic Beings
There are good reasons to believe in the existence of angelic beings, but our reasoning powers cannot reveal everything there is to know about these beings. Gods special revelation provides us with the information unavailable elsewhere. The Apostle Paul, for example, acknowledged the existence of angelic beings and wrote about the power and influence they have in the world around us. While we are sometimes tempted to focus on the material forces we can see, Paul reminded his readers there are immaterial forces we cant see. These non-physical powers are at work all around us their influence often goes unnoticed because we choose to focus narrowly on the natural, material world:
Ephesians 6:12-13For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The Bible says a battle is raging, even as we read these words. Its not a battle of flesh and blood. It is an immaterial, spiritual battle of angelic proportion. The Bible describes supernatural beings living alongside the natural realm, and these beings are engaged in an epic battle for the hearts and minds of humans. This unseen angelic world is filled with both angels and demons. God created two kinds of sentient, conscious, rational beings. We are not alone in the Universe. The Scriptures says God also created invisible spirits :
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