Angels do not have to be mysterious beings we cannot understand. In fact, they can help us more deeply appreciate our Christian calling!
An invisible realm exists that we cannot see, hear or sense. But it is very real! Every time we pray, we are transported to the third heaven. Mount Zion, heavenly Jerusalem, the spirits of the saints, God the Father and Jesus Christ surround you. There is also one more element present: an “innumerable company of angels” (Heb. 12:22).
Have you ever meditated on what this looks like? Many millions of angels are there when you come before the Father’s throne to pray!
To help paint the picture, consider the example of the prophet Ezekiel. He saw “visions of God” in the midst of four angelic beings. The sight was so awesome that it left him “astonished”—meaning stunned, numb, stupefied and amazed—for seven straight days (3:15).
The account of what Ezekiel saw in chapters 1-3 is the most complete description of angels in the Bible. It begins to reveal why God created them. In this vision, a whirlwind brought “a great cloud, and a fire enfolding itself” (1:4). Inside this cloud was “the likeness of four living creatures”—angelic beings.
Ezekiel reported they “had the likeness of a man”—but each had four faces, one facing each direction, and four wings with hands beneath their wings (vs. 6-8). They were almost imperceptibly fast—the “living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning” (vs. 14). Beneath each was a gyroscopic wheel—so large “they were dreadful” (vs. 18). They were connected to these wheels and with them they could move God’s throne—shielded in the midst of the four beings—wherever He desired.
This description is awe-inspiring. But it is also very strange. Ezekiel was trying his best to describe with words these mysterious angelic creatures.
After Adam and Eve made their decision to obey Satan, God “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” (Gen. 3:24). Such a weapon—the Hebrew indicates it was a blazing, supernatural sword—could only be wielded by one with awesome power.
But a lone, visible cherubim preventing access to the tree of life is hardly representative of how angels interacted with humans for thousands of years. None of us has had an experience like these. While humans have at times seen and knowingly come into contact with these beings to fulfill God’s purpose, interactions usually happen without our knowledge. But God does make their presence known from time to time.
At war with Israel, the king of Syria dispatched an army to apprehend Elisha. He sent “horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about” (II Kgs. 6:14). Fearful, Elisha’s servant asked, “Alas, my master! How shall we do?” Escape against such odds seemed impossible.
Elisha, however, knew God would not permit their capture—and would use angels to guarantee their safety. Elisha answered, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (vs. 16). Elisha then prayed: “I pray You, open [the servant’s] eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (vs. 17). The angelic army then struck Elisha’s enemies with blindness at God’s direction.
This example may seem unbelievable, but God has routinely used these powerful protectors to aid His people—through the centuries and even today.
Many of us may even have seen angels and not known it. The apostle Paul gave powerful commentary on the need to exercise hospitality where appropriate—and not just with brethren. His instruction served the dual purpose of showing angels can manifest themselves as human beings when needed: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). Stop and ponder these words!
So we can interact with these powerful creatures. They protect us. Four of them travel with the Father. But this is not all they do, and their purpose is far greater than first meets the eye!
World’s Misconceptions
The world’s Christians have a limited understanding of angels—if they believe in them at all. Some think they are mere “baby cherubs,” invoking popular renderings of Cupid on Valentine’s Day. Ezekiel and Elisha’s accounts dispel this misconception entirely!
King Solomon provided us more clues as to their size and power. The first Temple contained representations of cherubim with 20-foot wingspans each (II Chron. 3:10-13). Also realize these creatures had three sets of wings. While not explicitly stated, the Church has speculated each also had a similar height of around 20 feet. These were beings of immense power—nothing like the pagan depictions used by Satan to obscure their true purpose.
“Angels that can defy the laws of physics at God’s instruction are charged with ministering to us—ensuring we survive long enough on this Earth as heirs of salvation to develop character and indeed inherit salvation!”
One more misconception is the belief in “guardian angels,” which takes the fact that angels can protect us to an extreme. Many pray directly to angels. This is an incredibly dangerous form of idolatry. Such prayers will often reach the wrong angels—demons under the rule of the devil.
What we must always keep at the forefront of our minds is that God is all powerful. He is the one intervening on our behalf. While this could be done directly, He chooses to do so by delegating the task to angels. God’s power must remain our focus.
Their Origin and Purpose
Angels were created. They do not reproduce (Matt. 22:30). As many exist today as when God first formed them. The most comprehensive description of their origin is found in the description of Lucifer before he became Satan. Of this fallen angel, God says: “You seal up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of your tabrets and of your pipes [special musical instruments] was prepared in you in the day that you were created” (Ezek. 28:12-13).
This archangel was a pinnacle of God’s Creation. He could not have been created more perfectly—“sealing up the sum”—magnificent in appearance, intellect and capability. Continuing in Ezekiel, “You are the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire” (vs. 14).
This angel—before his corruption—had constant access to God’s throne and learned from Him directly. He had no flaws—he was “perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (vs. 15).
Satan was a picture of what God knew angels could be—powerful and beautiful creatures with important roles. Though he rebelled and sinned, the account of his creation in Ezekiel provides much insight into the capability of these beings God has charged with helping us.
Of angels, the apostle Paul asked, “But to which of the angels said [God] at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool?”—highlighting Christ’s superiority to these created beings. A second question makes plain their role: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Heb. 1:13-14).
These beings are here to help us in time of need. Perhaps you have experienced a miracle in which angelic intervention was the only possible explanation. Brethren in God’s Church have reported passing through cars, or slipping on icy stairs—only to land on their feet, kept from harm. In Mystery of the Ages, Herbert W. Armstrong described the steering wheel of his car being wrenched from his hands “by some invisible force” to narrowly miss a car wreck!
Angels that can defy the laws of physics at God’s instruction are charged with ministering to us—ensuring we survive long enough on this Earth as heirs of salvation to develop character and indeed inherit salvation!
Have you ever wondered how many times you have been protected without your knowledge? How many near-death experiences have you or your loved ones unknowingly had?
Aside from Satan, two other archangels (the most powerful class) exist—Michael and Gabriel—both still servants of God and the saints. Michael will soon war on God’s behalf: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book” (Dan. 12:1). Gabriel has often been used to communicate for God—such as when informing Mary she would give birth to Christ (Luke 1:26-35).
But understand! God did not need angels to fulfill His plan. He does not need angels to protect us. He does not need angels to travel. He does not need angels for fellowship. As Christ explained to the disciples, “with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). But He chose to create them, revealing much about His nature! God enjoys delegating responsibility to others, giving them opportunity to learn and grow—so much so that in the case of human beings He wants to add us to His Family!
A Mistranslation—Hiding Our Great Purpose!
Angel in both Hebrew (malawk) and Greek (angelos) merely means messenger. Think. When examined in plain English, a postman could fit this role! The Church has long understood that the term angels sometimes refers to saints. Christ spoke in Revelation 1:20 of the “angels [messengers] of the seven churches.” Consider the messengers of our time—“the angel [messenger] of the church in Philadelphia” and “the angel of the church of the Laodiceans” (3:7, 14). Both are humans—in these cases apostles—not spirit beings invisible to the naked eye!
In the Church’s recent expansion of knowledge, we have come to see angels are actually saints elsewhere in Scripture. Matthew 25:31 says, “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.” This is a reference to the saints!
Angels are indeed spirit—but they are not composed of the Holy Spirit. If they were, vast numbers of them could not have rebelled. Only God the Father and Jesus Christ are presently composed entirely of Holy Spirit. Christ taught “God is a Spirit” (John 4:24). When we enter the God Family, we will become completed, holy angels—born and composed entirely of the Holy Spirit, unable to sin. We will be messengers, perfectly carrying out God’s will.
The Future
Paul was plain regarding our incredible future: “For unto the angels has He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that You are mindful of him? Or the son of man, that You visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of Your hands: You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him” (Heb. 2:5-8). The Kingdom is not here yet. Only then will we rule “all things.”
Notice that, despite the immense power of angels, we are just “a little lower” than them right now. Consider what this means. If we are just slightly less mighty than angels now—how great is our reward and power when we are born into the God Family?
Understanding and meditating on the role of angels can help us grasp the awesome privilege of our Christian calling. Angels are presently “greater in power and might” than human beings (II Pet. 2:11). They are mentally and physically superior to mankind. But God’s promises to us are greater than those made to angels. “The angels desire to look into” the things pertaining to the gospel—the things promised us (I Pet. 1:12)!
Paul explained to the Corinthians our ultimate role in the God Family: “Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” (I Cor. 6:2).
We must be able to apply judgment in this life—the training ground for the next! The apostle then asks in verse 3, “Know you not that we shall judge angels?” This responsibility will be part of the “all things” that will be subject to us. But we as members of God’s Family will soon interface with them in a much more intimate way—enjoying the same kind of relationship with them that God has had for millennia.
The spirit realm will soon be laid bare. All mystery surrounding angels will soon disappear. But God’s government will continue for eternity—“of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end” (Isa. 9:7). The structure God has in place will continue through each phase of the Kingdom. Right now, God the Father and Jesus Christ rule angels who assist us. Soon God’s Family will expand to include us and saints from past ages. And under our guidance, the angels will continue to “minister to” billions of future “heirs of salvation!”
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