Observations About Angels

By - Pastor Daniel Inghram, National Capital Bible Church

Adapted from: 1 Corinthians 4:9, Lesson 29, August 22, 2021

As we read through the Bible, we often encounter the words “angel” or “angels.” Frequently, there is little explanation of what an angel is or how it fits into God’s plan. Such is the situation in 1 Corinthians 4:9 where Paul mentions angels in passing as if we should know who they are or why they are cited. Therefore, the Bible must provide details about angels that we can and should understand.

The existence of angels is mentioned more than 300 times in Scripture, in seventeen books of the OT and in seventeen of the NT. The terms used for angels include: cherubim, seraphim, archangel, prince, sons of God, power of the air, principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, thrones, and dominions.

Angels are created beings (Col 1:16). They were created by God prior to the creation of the world (Job 38:6-7). Angels do not have physical bodies like humans, do not “marry nor are given in marriage” (Mk 12:25), and do not die (Lk 20:36).

Scripture teaches that there exists “a multitude of heavenly hosts” (Lk 2:13), “an innumerable company of angels” (Heb 12:22), and “ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands” of angels (Rev 5:11). While we do not know how many angels actually exist, we do know it is an exceedingly high number. We also know that one third of all the angels followed Satan in his fall from heaven (Rev 12:4), so that there are now two categories of angels: fallen and holy. The following points pertain to holy angels.

Angels are mighty beings that “excel in strength, who do His word, obeying the voice of His word” (Ps 103:20). They have superpower abilities, but only use them as allowed by God.

Angels ministered to Jesus during the Incarnation (Mt 2:13; 4:11; Lk 22:43; 24:23).

Angels serve as God’s messengers to mankind (Lk 1:26). They are described as “spirits” and a “flame of fire” (Ps 104:4; Heb 1:7).

Angels serve “as ministering spirits, sent forth to serve those who will inherit salvation” (Heb 1:14). The salvation or deliverance in v. 14 does not refer to positional sanctification or justification, but to the future ultimate sanctification or glorification. The reference is to believers who will inherit the kingdom or rule in God’s kingdom as a reward for their service to the Lord (Col 3:24).

There are several ways angels minister to believers:

• Angels guard and preserve believers (Ps 34:7; 91:10-12; Dan 6:16-22; Mt 18:10; Acts 5:17; 12:1-11; Heb 1:14).

• Angels assist the prayers of believers (Rev 5:8; 8:3).

• Angels carry the souls of dead believers to heaven (Lk 16:22).

• Angels bring comfort to believers (Acts 27:23-24; Heb 13:2).

Angels learn from and take special interest in God’s plan (Eph 3:10), in God’s people (1 Cor 4:9), in their salvation or spiritual life (Lk 15:10), in their endurance of persecution, and their future glorification (1 Pet 1:12).

In addition to being detailed to Christ and believers, angels have special assignments to nations (Dan 10:20; 12:1).

Angels will return with the Lord at the 2nd Advent to administer justice on unbelievers (2 Thess 1:7-8).

Conclusion: While Paul only mentioned angels in passing in 1 Corinthians 4:9, these creatures play an important role in human history; they are part of God’s plan. The Bible gives us the information we need to know about them—they were created by God to serve Him and they are ministering to and observing us. They are another way God provides for us. Even though we sometimes give them credit for helping us, we actually do not know what they are doing around us or in the world. Yet, we are blessed by having these creatures participating in God’s plan for us, and we should be thankful for their invisible presence in our lives.

This post was written by Pastor Daniel Inghram of National Capital Bible Church. If you have questions about this post or Christianity in general, please contact us today!