A Brief Study on Angels

2009-04-13

Angels are created spirit beings. It is not known for certain when they were created, but they were likely created before most of the physical creation. Somewhere near the dawn of time, the anointed cherub Lucifer led a rebellion of spirit beings against God, and God pronounced judgment on them, as it maybe implied by the language of Genesis 1:2. Though all angels were created good, the pride of Lucifer led him to think he could successfully rebel against God. This Lucifer (morning star) then became Satan (adversary). The implication is that he fell within no more than a few days after he was created.

But not all angels rebelled against God, and those that did not maintained their God-given purpose. Hebrews 1:13-14 indicate that they are “ministering spirits.” Their service to God is seen in the two angels that were sent to Sodom to ‘investigate’ the wickedness there and warn Lot of the judgment coming on the city. This does not suggest that God did not know whether Sodom was wicked or not, for he knows all things, but these two angels were witnesses that testified of their wickedness. Another example is Gabriel, an angel who brought a message from God to people (Daniel 8-9, Luke 1).

Another role of angels is that of worshipping God. We see this in Revelation 5:11-12. They are not meant to be worshipped; when someone attempts to worship a holy angel, the angel tells the person not to worship anyone but God (Revelation 22:8-9).

The Angel of the LORD is different from the created angels. This angel is, in reality, a theophany (Genesis 16, Judges 13). When the Angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he is referred to as both the Angel of the LORD and the LORD (Judges 6:12, 14). Interestingly enough, in Zechariah 1:12 we find a distinction between the LORD and the Angel of the LORD. This curious distinction gives some insight between God the Father and his son Jesus Christ; though one in the same God, they are distinct persons.

It is not for certain how many angels there are. Their total number is at least in the millions (Revelation 5:11). Possibly one third of all the angels fell in Satan’s rebellion (Revelation 12:4).

Angels that have fallen are the enemies of God and of humanity. Though they have power to do evil, they can only do as God allows. They have power over the kingdoms of the world (cf. Daniel 10:13) and can possess people to do evil things (e.g., Mark 1:21-28). They are the real adversary of God’s people; other people are not the true enemies of God’s people (Ephesians 6:12). They are also behind the worship of false gods (Deuteronomy 32:16f). But most importantly, we need to remember that they are created beings and cannot go beyond what God allows. Demons will one day all be destroyed.