God's Heavenly Host: Angels

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister 

for them who shall be heirs of salvation? 

Hebrews 1:14

Angels are defined as spiritual beings believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God and in our imagination usually represented in human form with wings and a long robe with a halo above their head.  However, we also define an angel as someone who is very good, kind, or beautiful in nature. That is alright, but let’s discuss Angels and their role as defined in the word of God.  Angels are ministering spirits sent by God to do His will:

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.  Hebrews 1:14

There are angels watching over us:  

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.   Exodus 23:30

Angels were created by God:

Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts.

Let them praise the name of the Lord: For He commanded and they were created.  Psalms 148:2 and 5

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

All the angels were righteous and holy when they were first created. They worshiped and served the one true God. Later, some angels under the influence of Lucifer, rebelled against God and lost their position as heavenly angels.

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.  Jude 1:6

They became part of a force of evil called "demons."

There are now two kinds of angels: heavenly angels  and evil angels (demons).

The heavenly angels have been organized by God in a special order. The Bible does not reveal the details of that order, but it does indicate such organization:

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  

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,  Ephesians 3:10

The organization of the invisible world is described here in terms of thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. We are not given details of this structure.  

There are literally multitudes of angels who are apparently classified according to the duties they perform.

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.   Luke 2:13-14

These are the main classifications of angels:

Ö         Messengers:

This class of angels is most likely the largest in number. These are the angels composing the innumerable group, visualized by Daniel who carry out the will of God in Heaven and earth.

A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.   Daniel 7:10

This is the group that usually relates to the believer in terms of spiritual warfare. They interpret God's will, protect, provide guidance, bring answers to prayer, announce, warn, instruct, bring judgment, encourage, sustain, deliver, and intercede on behalf of believers.

Ö         Elect Angels:

Only one biblical reference is made to the elect angels:

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.    I Timothy 5:21

There is no further information given about this group but it could be concluded that these are the angels that did not forsake their first estate.

Ö         Cherubim:

This classification of angels is first mentioned in Genesis

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.   Genesis 3:24

They are also mentioned as part of the ark of the covenant. The prophet, Ezekiel, mentions these beings and describes them as having four appearances; the face of a lion, the face of an ox, the face of a man, and the face of an eagle.  They are also noted as the living creatures surrounding the throne of God. They appear to be the highest order of angels, the guardians of God.

Ö         Seraphim:

Their position is above the throne of God in contrast to the position of cherubims who surround His throne. The duty of these angels seems to be to lead Heaven in the worship of God.

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.  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 6:1-2

Ö         Living Creatures:

This group of angels are mentioned in revelations. This title presents these angels as manifesting the fullness of divine life, whose chief ministry appears to be worship of God.

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.    Revelation 4:8

In addition to the different classifications of angels, there are some individual angels mentioned by name in the Bible:

         *         Michael:

Michael the archangel is mentioned by name in Daniel  and Revelation. He is the only angel who is called an archangel.

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.  Jude 1:9

In addition to being the prince of the people of Israel, he is represented as having charge over an army of angels.

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,    Revelation 12:7

           *         Gabriel:

The meaning of his name is "mighty one." He is mentioned in Daniel and in Luke. He is always used to deliver an important message from God. It is Gabriel who interpreted the vision for Daniel and who announced the birth of John and Jesus.

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 1:19

SPECIAL GROUPS OF ANGELS:

The Bible also mentions special groups of angels which include:

Angels of the seven churches:                                                      Revelation 1:20

Four angels who control the winds:                                            Revelation 1:7

Seven angels who stand before God:                                           Revelation 8:2

Seven angels who administrate the seven last plagues:          Revelation 15:1, 7

Twenty-four elders (these may be angelic beings):                  Revelation 4 and 5

Biblical Studies

11/25/16
08/07/19

02/16/21