What the Bible Has to Say About Angels
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2
The word “angel” means “messenger.” The term primarily refers to heavenly beings, though it can mean a human messenger such as a prophet (see Haggai 1:13) or a priest (see Malachi 2:7). Other terms in the Bible refer to these angelic beings as “sons of God” (Genesis 6:2-4; Job 1:6, KJV); “heavenly beings” (Psalm 29:1); “holy ones” (Psalm 89:5); “heavenly host” (Luke 2:13); and “hosts,” as in the phrase “Lord of hosts” (1 Samuel 1:11, KJV). The seraphim in Isaiah 6 also belong to the order of angels.
Angels are spiritual and majestic in nature. They existed before the creation of Adam and Eve, and their purpose is to execute God’s will (see Psalm 148:2-5). They can pass from the spiritual realm to the physical realm at will, unimpeded by natural boundaries (see Acts 12:7). Angels also have superior intellect and wisdom (see 2 Samuel 14:17,20), but they are not omniscient (see Matthew 24:36). According to Jesus, they do not marry and they will live forever (see Luke 20:35-36). Psalm 103:20 is a good summary of the role and nature of angels: “Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.”
In the Bible, good angels consistently appear to people in human form on earth. They never appear as animals, reptiles, birds or material objects. There is no biblical record showing that a good angel ever appeared to wicked people or warned them of any danger. They are “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). Good angels always appeared to good people in human form as men. They never appeared as women or children, and they were always clothed. Just as Christ appeared in human form, so angels identified with humans in form, in speech and in deed.
Sometimes the angels in the Bible were disguised so well as men that the people did not at first recognize them as angels. Abraham entertained “three men” as dinner guests. One remained to talk while the other two left to spend the night with Lot, who thought they were men (see Genesis 18:2; 19:1). Joshua did not know that the man standing before him was God’s angel (see Joshua 5:13). Neither did Gideon realize that his guest was an angel until the angel made an offering of his meal (see Judges 6:21-22).
Occasionally, angels displayed themselves with a heavenly countenance and clothing that revealed the glory of God. In Luke 24:4, while the two women were lingering at the empty tomb of Jesus, “suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.” In Daniel 10:5-6, the prophet gave a colorful description of an angel. On numerous occasions, angels were also described as “a man,” or at least of having the appearance of a man (Ezekiel 40:3; Daniel 10:18; Zechariah 2:1).
Peter warns the Church about false teachers “who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord” (2 Peter 2:10-11). Such restraint only reveals the angels’ godly character, which stands in stark contrast to men and spirits.
a few questions to ponder:
What are some of the attributes of angels?
In what ways do angels appear to people in the Bible?
How can angels be distinguished from evil men and evil spirits?
Why do you think God uses angels in the appearance of men to enact His purposes?
Have you ever thought you might have encountered an angel? How would you know if you had?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.