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Angels

Movies and storybooks often depict an angel as a lovely demure person wearing a big white nightdress, and drifting about on a large pair of wings. Really?

In the original language of the Old Testament, the word that has been used for angel, is the Hebrew word mal’akê, which can be translated as messenger.

In the original language of the New Testament, the word that has been used for angel, is the Greek word angelus, which again can be translated as messenger.

Angels are messengers of God.

But unlike human messengers of God, (whom we know as Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles), angels are spiritual beings.

In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul explains that, ‘angels are only servants - spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.’ (Hebrews chapter 1 verse 14 - NLT)

What do angels look like to us?

When angels visit people, they appear to look like humans: ‘Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!’ (Hebrews chapter 13 verse 2 - NLT)

In chapter 19 of the book of Genesis, the wicked people didn’t recognize the angels, and thought that the angels were just ordinary people: ‘Two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground. “My lords,” he said, “come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again.”

“Oh no,” they replied. “We’ll just spend the night out here in the city square.” But Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. Lot prepared a feast for them, complete with fresh bread made without yeast, and they ate. But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!” (Genesis chapter 19 verses 1 to 5 - NLT)

After the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought some burial spices to anoint the body of Jesus; they went to the tomb where his dead body had been laid. ‘When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” (Mark chapter 16 verses 5 to 7 - NLT)

An angel was sent to free Peter from imprisonment: ‘The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered. So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him. Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!” (Acts chapter 12 verses 6 to 11 - NLT)

How do angels help people?

When the prophet Elijah was running away from Jezebel, who had threatened to kill him, Elijah ‘lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.

Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.’ (1 Kings chapter 19 verses 5 to 8 - NLT)

Daniel was thrown into the den of lions for disobeying the command of the Persian king, Darius. Daniel was a friend of King Darius, but the king had been tricked into sentencing him to this gruesome punishment. ‘Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God. Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.’ (Daniel chapter 6 verses 19 to 24 - NLT)

Do people have a guardian angel?

The phrase Guardian Angel is not a biblical term, however the Bible tells us that angels actively help, support and protect Christian believers.

‘Angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.’ (Hebrews chapter 1 verse 14 - NLT)

David praises God’s love, singing, 'God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.' (Psalm 34 verse 7 - MSG)

Psalm 91 says: ‘If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.' (Psalm 91 verses 9 to 12 - NLT)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus warns: “Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?” (Matthew chapter 18 verse 10 - MSG)

How's that!

As a Christian believer, angels don’t just help, support and protect you, but they also inform God of your particular circumstances.

What do angels actually look like in heaven?

On earth, angels take the form of humans; but in heaven, angels appear very differently.

There are two types of angels that have been described by people who have had a vision of heaven.

These two types of angels are: cherubim, and seraphim.

Cherubim

In the book of Ezekiel chapter 1, the sky opened up and Ezekiel experienced a vision of heaven: ‘I looked: I saw an immense dust storm come from the north, an immense cloud with lightning flashing from it, a huge ball of fire glowing like bronze. Within the fire were what looked like four creatures vibrant with life. Each had the form of a human being, but each also had four faces and four wings. Their legs were as sturdy and straight as columns, but their feet were hoofed like those of a calf and sparkled from the fire like burnished bronze. On all four sides under their wings they had human hands. All four had both faces and wings, with the wings touching one another. They turned neither one way nor the other; they went straight forward.

Their faces looked like this: In front a human face, on the right side the face of a lion, on the left the face of an ox, and in back the face of an eagle. The wings were spread out with the tips of one pair touching the creature on either side; the other pair of wings covered its body. Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit went, they went. They didn’t turn as they went.

The four creatures looked like a blazing fire, or like fiery torches. Tongues of fire shot back and forth between the creatures, and out of the fire, bolts of lightning. The creatures flashed back and forth like strikes of lightning.' (Ezekiel chapter 1 verses 4 to 14 - MSG)

Seraphim

Seraphim are described in the book of Isaiah, when the prophet describes seeing the Lord who was, ‘sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.’ (Isaiah chapter 6 verses 1 to 4 - NLT)

Bad angels

Not all angels are messengers of God.

Satan was a powerful angel of God who rebelled and was cast out of heaven to live on the earth.

Satan was cast out of heaven with all of his angel followers. These angel followers of Satan are commonly known as demons.

Demons are spiritual messengers of Satan, and they are responsible for causing a lot of trouble in the world.

‘In the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.’ (1 Timothy chapter 4 verses 1 and 2 - NLT)

Mark describes an incident when Jesus had been preaching in the synagogue: when suddenly, ‘a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.' (Mark chapter 1 verses 23 to 25 - NLT)

Demons (these angels of Satan) recognize and fear the power of Jesus Christ. ‘After sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.’ (Mark chapter 1 verses 32 to 34 - NIV)

Heavenly angels are spiritual beings, messengers of God, who appear in human form on earth, and appear in amazing form in heaven.

Christian believers enjoy the knowledge that these heavenly angels are constantly looking out for us on God’s behalf.