What do Angels do?

What are Angels?

Stars are often used as a Biblical Symbol for Entities such as Jesus Christ, Satan, Angels, Fallen Angels, False Teachers and Christians

Old Testament Occurrences

New Testament Occurrences

Who is the Archangel (Chief Angel), Michael?

Angels in the Gospels (for more on Gabriel, see below separate section)

Angels in the Acts of the Apostles

Angels in the Epistles

Angels in the Revelation

The Theology of Angels

What are Angels?

What is the Work of Angels

The Angel Gabriel

Gabriel Appears to Daniel for Ram, He-Goat and King of Fierce Countenance Prophecy

Gabriel Appears to Daniel for the 70 Weeks Prophecy

Gabriel Appears to Zacharias, Father of John the Baptist

Gabriel Appears to Mary concerning the Advent of Jesus Christ

What are Angels?

It is important to understand what angels are.  Firstly, both in the Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek, we find that the word translated as angel is really just the word for ‘messenger’ (i.e., someone who brings forth communication).

The Hebrew word for messenger (malak, H4397) occurs about 215 times, while the New Testament word (aggelos, G32) occurs about 185 times in the Bible.  In the Old Testament, about ½ of the occurrences simply refer to human messengers (e.g., messengers sent from Balak to Baalam – Num 24:12, messenger sent from Jacob to Esau – Gen 32:3, etc.).  The other ½ refer to spiritual messengers (angels).

In the New Testament, the vast majority of occurrences refer to the spiritual entities, but there about 8 occurrences where physical human messengers are referred to

  • John the Baptist – Mat 11:10, Mk 1:2, Lk 7:27 (see also Mal 3:1)
  • A thorn in the flesh, messenger of Satan – 2 Cor 12:7
  • Messengers of John – Lk 7:22, Luke 7:24
  • Messenger of Jesus – Lk 9:52
  • Paul – Gal 4:14
  • Messengers sent to Rahab the Harlot – James 2:25
  • Believers are like angels in heaven – Mat 22:30

Stars are often used as a Biblical Symbol for Entities such as Jesus Christ, Satan, Angels, Fallen Angels, False Teachers and Christians

Based on the above, the phrase ‘host of heaven’ could refer to the actual physical stars, but also to other entities, such as spiritual angels.  The interchangeability of using the phrase ‘host of heaven’ as physical stars or angels points to the fact that the Bible often uses stars as a representation of angels.  In addition to the phrase ‘host of heaven’ we find additional evidence in the Bible that physical stars are used as a type of angels:

Old Testament:

 

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for ‘star’ (H35567, kokab) occurs more than 35 times.  In the ln Testament, we find that stars are used to represent the following entities:

  • The offspring that will come from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (represents Christians in Gal 3:16, 29, Ro 4:13-16, etc) – Gen 15:5, 22:17, 26:4, Ex 32:13, Deut 1:10, 10:22, 28:62, 1 Chr 27:23, Neh 9:23
  • The 12 sons of Israel (represents the church of God) – Gen 37:9
  • Jesus Christ as the Star of Jacob in Balaam’s parable – Num 24:15-17
  • Those who fought against Sisera in the Song of Deborah and Barak – Jud 5:20
  • The sons of God (morning stars, i.e., angels) singing – Job 38:7
  • Entities that God calls by name – Ps 147:4
  • Those who are to praise God – Ps 148:3
  • Those who Satan will be exalted over (i.e., bad angels) – Is 14:13 (see Is 14:12 – Lucifer, which literally means ‘brightness’ is the son of the morning)
  • Those who the ‘little horn’ cast to the ground and stomped on (angels)  – Dan 8:10-12
  • Believers (i.e., those wise people who turn people to righteousness) – Dan 12:1-3
  • An idol – Amos 5:26
  • Where a proud person (Edom) exalts himself above – Ob 1:4 (similar to Is 14:13)
  • Merchants of Nineveh – Nah 3:16

As can be seen from the above list, most of the occurrences of ‘star’ in the Old Testament actually refer to people or angels. The only other occurrences of star in the Old Testament either refer to creation (Gen 1:16, Job 9:7, Ps 8:3, 136:9, Jer 31:35), worshiping the stars (Deut 4:19), the onset of nighttime (Neh 4:21), the falling or loss of stars on judgment day (Job 3:9, Ecc 12:2, Is 13:10, Ez 32:7, Joel 2:10, 3:15 ), the elevated nature of God being over the stars (Job 22:12, 25:5) and those who serve the occult (Is 47:13).

New Testament:

In the New Testament, the Greek word for ‘star’ (G792, aster) occurs 24 times (with 14 of these occurrences in Revelation).  Similar to the Old Testament, we find the use of ‘star’ in relation to the following entities:

  • Jesus Christ – His star – Mat 2:2 ( see also Mat 2:7, 9-10 and Gal 4:14)
  • The resurrected bodies of believers – 1 Cor 15:41 (2 occurrences)
  • The false teachers crept into the church – Jude 13
  • The angels of the 7 churches (Rev 1:16, 1:20, 3:1) (4 occurrences)
  • The angel with the power to open the bottomless pit (Rev 9:1, see also Rev 20:1)
  • Woman with crown of 12 stars (represents the church of God) – Rev 12:1
  • Dragon cast 1/3 of stars of heaven to the earth (represents fallen angels) – Rev 12:4
  • Jesus, the bright and morning Star (Rev 22:16, Rev 2:28, see also Num 24:17, Mat 2:2, Lk 1:78, 2 Pet 1:19)

The only other occurrences of star in the New Testament refer to the falling of stars on judgment day (Rev Mat 24:29, Mk 13:25, Rev 6:13) the star Wormwood (Rev 8:10-12), which both hold symbolic meanings.

In summary, we have seen that most of the occurrences of ‘star’ in the Bible actually symbolize actual entities such as Jesus Christ, Satan, angels, fallen angels (i.e., demons) or actual Christians.

Old Testament Occurrences

The following are the Bible passages identify people who angels appeared to in the Old Testament:

  • Hagar, when she was driven out by Sarah – Gen 16:7-13
  • Two angels come to Sodom to rescue Lot and his family – Gen 19:1, Gen 19:15
  • An angel calls to Hagar concerning her ailment – Gen 21:17
  • Angel of the Lord to Abraham when Abraham was ready to sacrifice Isaac – Gen 22:11, Gen 22:15
  • Led delegation to find a wife for Isaac – Gen 24:7, Gen 24:40
  • Angels ascending and descending on Jacob’s ladder – Gen 28:12 (see also John 1:51)
  • Angel spoke to Jacob in a dream – Laban’s cattle – Gen 31:11
  • Angels of the Lord met Jacob on his way to meet Esau – Gen 32:1
  • Jacob mentions the Angel who redeemed him from evil – Gen 48:16
  • Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush – Ex 3:2 (God – see Ex 3:4)
  • Angel (Christ) goes before the congregation in the wilderness – Exo 23:19-20, Exo 23:23, Exo 32:34, Exo 33:2
  • An angel brought the congregation out of Egypt – Num 20:16
  • Angel of the Lord stood in the way of Balaam and his donkey – Num 22:22-27, Num 22:31-32, Num 22:34-35
  • Angel of the Lord who brought the congregation out of Israel spoke to the people – Jdg 2:1, Jdg 2:4
  • Angel curses the enemies in the Song of Deborah and Barak – Jdg 5:23
  • Angel appears to Gideon – Jdg 6:11-12, Jdg 6:20-22
  • Angel (appeared as a man but with a face of an angel) appeared to Samson’s mother and father (angel said his name was secret and ascended in a flame of the altar) – Jdg 13:3, Jdg 13:6, Jdg 13:9, Jdg 13:13, Jdg 13:15-18, Jdg 13:20-21
  • Woman of Tekoa says angels know good and bad and are wise (likened to Joab and Absalom) – 2Sa 14:17, 2Sa 14:20
  • Mephibosheth said king David was as an angel of the Lord – 2Sa 19:27
  • Angel smote people of Jerusalem due to the census of David – 2Sa 24:16-17, 1Ch 21:12, 1Ch 21:15-16
    • Angel puts sword back into sheath due to David’s sacrifice – 1Ch 21:27
  • Angel spoke the word of the Lord to a prophet – 1Ki 13:18
  • Angel told Elijah to arise and eat (strengthened for 40 days) – 1Ki 19:5, 1Ki 19:7-8
  • Angel told Elijah to meet messengers of Ahab – 2Ki 1:3, 2Ki 1:15
  • Angel destroys 185,000 Assyrians – 2Ki 19:35, 2 Chr 32:21, Is 37:36
  • Angels commanded Gad to tell David to build altar – 1Ch 21:18
  • Angel seen by Ornan – 1Ch 21:20
  • David afraid of sword of angel – 1Ch 21:30
  • Judah destroyed for not listening to the angels – 2 Chr 36:15-16
  • Angel of the Lord encamps around them who fear the Lord and the angel delivers them – Psa 34:7
  • Angels giving charge over His people, to keep thee I all thy ways, they shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone – Ps 91:11-12 (see also Mat 4:6, Lk 4:9-12)
  • Angel excel in strength do His words, hearken to the Lord, bless the Lord, ministers that do God’s pleasure – Ps 103:20-21
  • Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flaming fire – Ps 104:4
  • Praise the Lord, all His angels, praise Him, all His hosts – Ps 148:2
  • Do not say before the angel, that it was an error – Ecc 5:5-6
  • The Lord performs the counsel of His angels – Isa 44:26
  • In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old – Isa 63:9
  • Yea, he (Jacob) had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us – Hos 12:4 (see also Gen 32:22-32)
  • Angels speak to Zechariah in Visions
    • of horsemen – Zec 1:9, Zec 1:11-14
    • of horns and craftsmen – Zec 1:19
    • of a man with a measuring line – Zec 2:3
    • of Joshua the High Priest – Zec 3:1 (standing before angel of the Lord with Satan at His right hand), Zec 3:3, Zec 3:5-6
    • of a golden lampstand – Zec 4:1
    • of a woman in a basket – Zec 5:4-5, Zec 5:10
    • of four chariots – Zec 6:4-5
  • House of David as God, as the Angel of the Lord before them – Zec 12:8
  • John the Baptist and Jesus Christ referred to as angels (messengers) – Mal 3:1:
    • Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

New Testament Occurrences

The Hebrew word for messenger (malak, H4397) occurs about 215 times, while the New Testament word (aggelos, G32) occurs about 185 times in the Bible.  In the New Testament, the vast majority of occurrences refer to the spiritual entities, but there about 8 occurrences where physical human messengers are referred to

  • John the Baptist – Mat 11:10, Mk 1:2, Lk 7:27 (see also Mal 3:1)
  • A thorn in the flesh, messenger of Satan – 2 Cor 12:7
  • Messengers of John – Lk 7:22, Luke 7:24
  • Messenger of Jesus – Lk 9:52
  • Paul – Gal 4:14
  • Messengers sent to Rahab the Harlot – James 2:25
  • Believers are like angels in heaven – Mat 22:30

However, it should also be noted that the word ‘evangelize’ is literally the word ‘good message’, from where the word Gospel comes from.  Therefore, whoever brings the Gospel, is an evangelist and therefore a good ‘messenger’ of the good news of Jesus Christ (see, for example, 2 Tim 4:5, Acts 21:8, Eph 4:11, etc.).  In fact, there are about 170 occurrences of words that relate to the message of the Gospel, which all have the Greek word aggelos as one of its roots.  The Greek word for Gospel is euaggelion (which literally would mean ‘good message’).  Therefore, anyone who shares the Gospel can be considered as a ‘good messenger’ or angel.  This would include Jesus Christ himself since Mal 3:1 talked about two messengers: John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.  In addition, Jesus came to speak the words that were sent from the Father (John 8:38-42 combined with John 12:49-50). Therefore, Jesus was a messenger.

Who is the Archangel (Chief Angel), Michael?

In Jude 9, the Bible refers to the archangel Michael (literally, who is like God). The only other mention of the archangel in the New Testament occurs in 1 Thess 4:16.  Archangel literally means ‘chief messenger’. Without knowing anything else about this word, it may be immediately recognizable who the chief messenger may be. It is Christ that is referred to as an angel (messenger) in Gal 4:14 (see other verses below that point to Jesus Christ as the Messsenger. Of course, as God Himself, Christ would also be the chief messenger of the Gospel. However, many have made an assumption that this cannot be Christ because Michael is referred to as an angel. But, when the proper definition of the word angel is employed (i.e., messenger), there is no harm in understanding Michael as a representation of Jesus Christ, who is God, and is the chief messenger.

Reference to Michael as the Archangel occurs in the following 5 passages

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

(Jude 1:9)

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

(Revelation 12:7)

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

(Daniel 10:13)

But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

(Daniel 10:21)

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy 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 thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

(Daniel 12:1)

Jesus as the Prince

Michael (see also Dan 10:13, 10:21, 12:1, Rev 12:7) simply means: Who is like God? It is Jesus Christ who is the exact representation (image) of God (Col 1:15, 2 Cor 4:4, 2 Cor 4:6, John 1:18, Heb 1:3, John 14:9, John 15:24). Therefore, Michael in all likelihood represents Christ. This is confirmed by the usage of Michael in Dan 10:13, 21, 12:1. There, it can be seen that He is described as the Great Prince who stands up for the children of God. Elsewhere in Scripture Christ is referred to as the Prince of the people (see Is 9:6, Ez 37:25, Acts 5:31, Dan 9:25).  Therefore, there is great Scriptural harmony with understanding Michael as a name for Christ.

Jesus as a Messenger

The following Bible passages refer to Jesus as a Messenger:

  • And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. (Galatians 4:14)
  • For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
  • Hagar, when she was driven out by Sarah – Gen 16:7-13
  • Jacob mentions the Angel who redeemed him from evil – Gen 48:16
  • Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush – Ex 3:2 (God – see Ex 3:4, Acts 7:30)
  • Angel (Christ) goes before the congregation in the wilderness – Exo 23:19-20, Exo 23:23, Exo 32:34, Exo 33:2, see also Acts 7:38
  • An angel brought the congregation out of Egypt – Num 20:16
  • Angel of the Lord stood in the way of Balaam and his donkey – Num 22:22-27, Num 22:31-32, Num 22:34-35
  • Angel of the Lord who brought the congregation out of Israel spoke to the people – Jdg 2:1, Jdg 2:4
  • Angel appears to Gideon – Jdg 6:11-12, Jdg 6:20-22
  • Angel (appeared as a man but with a face of an angel) appeared to Samson’s mother and father (angel said his name was secret and ascended in a flame of the altar) – Jdg 13:3, Jdg 13:6, Jdg 13:9, Jdg 13:13, Jdg 13:15-18, Jdg 13:20-21
  • Angel destroys 185,000 Assyrians – 2Ki 19:35, 2 Chr 32:21, Is 37:36
  • In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old – Isa 63:9
  • Yea, he (Jacob) had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us – Hos 12:4 (see also Gen 32:22-32)
  • House of David as God, as the Angel of the Lord before them – Zec 12:8
  • John the Baptist and Jesus Christ referred to as angels (messengers) – Mal 3:1:
    • Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

Bible written by holy men inspired by the Spirit of Christ

Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

(1 Peter 1:10-12)

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(2 Peter 1:19-21)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Angels in the Gospels (for more on Gabriel, see below separate section)

  • Angel (Gabriel) appears to Zacharias – Luke 1:11, Luke 1:13
  • Angel appears to Joseph in a dream – name child Jesus – Mat 1:20, Mat 1:24
  • Angel (Gabriel) appears to Mary – Luke 1:26
  • Angel appeared to shepherds announcing Christ, multitudes in heaven rejoicing – Luke 2:9-10, Luke 2:13, Luke 2:15, Luke 2:21
  • Angel tells Joseph in a dream to take Jesus to Egypt – Mat 2:13
  • Angel tells Joseph in a dream to return Jesus from Egypt – Mat 2:19
  • Satan temptations for angels to catch Jesus – Mat 4:6, (see also Ps 91:11-12, Lk 4:10)
  • Angels ministered to Jesus after temptation – Mat 4:11, Mk 1:13
  • Angels of God to ascend and descend on Jesus Christ – John 1:51 (see also Gen 28:12)
  • Angel at the Pool of Bethesda – John 5:4
  • Angels come with Christ on Judgment day for those who are ashamed of Christ – Mk 8:38, Lk 9:26
  • Angels are the reapers – Parable of Wheat and Tares – Mat 13:39, Mat 13:41
  • Angels are the reapers – Parable of the Dragnet – Mat 13:49
  • Angels come on Judgement day – those who do not follow Christ – Mat 16:27
  • Angels to these ‘little ones’ (i.e., Christians) ever behold face of the Father – Mat 18:10
  • Joy in the presence of angels of God over one sinner that repenteth – Parable of the Lost Coin – Lk 15:10
  • Voice from heaven – some [incorrectly] thought it was an angel – John 12:29
  • At resurrection, Christians are as the angels in heaven, no more marriage – Mk 12:25
  • Angels, at the sound of the trumpet, gather the elect – Mat 24:31, Mk 13:27
  • Angels do not know the end day – Mat 24:36, Mk 13:32
  • Son of man comes with angels for Judgment to divide the sheep and the goats – Mat 25:31,
  • Everlasting fire is prepared for the devil and his angels – Mat 25:41
  • Garden of Gethsemane – Jesus could call for 12 legions of angels – Mat 26:53
  • Angel appeared to Him, strengthening Him – Lk 22:43
  • Great earthquake, angel descended from heaven rolled back great stone of Jesus’ tomb, sat on stone, countenance as lightning, clothing white as snow – Mat 28:2-3
  • Angel spoke to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary – Mat 28:5
  • Certain women saw a vision of angels – Lk 24:22-23
  • Two angels in white sitting where Jesus had lain one at the head, one at the feet – John 20:12

The Angel Gabriel

The name Gabriel means ‘man of God’ and he appears as an angel in the following four very notable passages in the Bible.  It appears that Gabriel is the only named good angel in the Bible subordinate to the archangel. Michael.

Gabriel Appears to Daniel for Ram, He-Goat and King of Fierce Countenance Prophecy:

And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

(Daniel 8:15-27, Gabriel mentioned in Dan 8:16)

Gabriel Appears to Daniel for the 70 Weeks Prophecy:

And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

(Daniel 9:20-27, Gabriel mentioned in Dan 9:21)

Gabriel Appears to Zacharias, Father of John the Baptist:

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

(Luke 1:11-20, Gabriel mentioned in Lk 1:19)

Gabriel Appears to Mary concerning the Advent of Jesus Christ:

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

(Luke 1:26-38, Gabriel mentioned in Lk 1:26)

Angels in the Acts of the Apostles

  • The angels of the Lord delivered apostles out of prison – Acts 5:19
  • Council saw Stephen’s face as that of an angel – Acts 6:15
  • Stephen’s defense – Angel in the burning bush – Acts 7:30, Acts 7:35, (se Ex 3:2, Ex 3:5)
  • Stephen’s defense – Angel with the church in the wilderness – Acts 7:38 (see Exo 23:19-20, Exo 23:23, Exo 32:34, Exo 33:2)
  • Stephen’s defense – prophets received law by the angels – Acts 7:52-53
  • Angel spoke to Philip to go south, where he met the Ethiopian Eunuch – Acts 8:26
  • Angel spoke to Cornelius the Centurion – Acts 10:3, Acts 10:7, Acts 10:22, Acts 11:13
  • Angel rescues Peter from prison – Acts 12:7-11
  • And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel – Acts 12:15
  • Angel smote Herod for receiving glory – Acts 12:23
  • Sadducees believe there are no angels – Acts 23:8
  • Pharisees though an angel may have spoken to Paul – Acts 23:9
  • Angel of the Lord spoke to Paul that he must go before Caesar – Acts 27:23

Angels in the Epistles

  • Nothing, even angels, can separate us from the love of God, which is Jesus Christ – Rom 8:38
  • Apostles are made a spectacle to the world, angels and men – 1Co 4:9
  • Christians will judge angels – 1Co 6:3
  • Because of the angels, a woman should have power on her head – 1Co 11:10
  • Speak in the tongues of men and of angels – 1Co 13:1
  • Satan is transformed into an angel of light – 2Co 11:14
  • A messenger of Satan (thorn in the flesh given to Paul) – 2 Cor 12:7
  • If an angel of heaven preach a different gospel, let them be accursed – Gal 1:8
  • The law was ordained by angels in a hand of a mediator – Gal 3:19
  • Paul received as an angel, even as Christ Jesus – Gal 4:14
  • Worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind – Col 2:18
  • Lord Jesus revealed from heaven with His mighty angels – 2Th 1:7
  • God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels – 1Ti 3:16
  • I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these – 1Ti 5:21
  • As the Son of God, Jesus much better than angels – Heb 1:4-5
  • All the angels worshipped Jesus – Heb 1:6
  • Angels a flaming fire, ministering spirits – Heb 1:7 (two fold mission)
  • But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Heb 1:13-14)
  • For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward – Heb 2:2
  • The world to come will not be in subjection to angels – Heb 2:5
  • Mankind / Jesus made a little lower than angels – Heb 2:7, Heb 2:9
  • Jesus did not take on the nature of angels, but of the seed of Abraham – Heb 2:16
  • But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels – Heb 12:22
  • Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares – Heb 13:2
  • …which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into – 1Pe 1:12
  • Jesus in heaven, angels and authorities in subjection to Him – 1Pe 3:22
  • God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment – 2Pe 2:4
  • Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord – 2Pe 2:11
  • And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day – Jud 1:6

Angels in the Revelation

  • The 7 stars are the angels of the 7 churches – Rev 1:20, Rev 2:1 , Rev 2:8, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:18, Rev 3:1,Rev 3:5, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:14
  • Many angels around the throne, the beasts and the elders (ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands) – Rev 5:11, with the Great multitude that come out of great tribulation – 7:11
  • Four angels holding back the four winds (to seal the 144,000), prepared to hurt the earth – Rev 7:1
  • Another angel ascending from the east commands the 4 angels to not hut the earth yet – Rev 7:2
  • 7 angels with trumpets – Rev 8:2
  • Another angel at the altar, incense to mingle with prayers of the saints, angel took censer filled with fire of altar and cast it to the earth – Rev 8:3-5
  • 7 angels prepare to sound their trumpets – Rev 8:6
    • 1st angel – hail and fire mingled with blood, cast to earth, 1/3 part of trees and green grass burnt up – Rev 8:7
    • 2nd angel – great burning mountain cast into the sea, 1/3 part of sea became blood – Rev 8:8-9
    • 3rd angel – great star (Wormwood) from heaven fell, fell on 1/3 part of rivers and fountains of water, water made bitter – Rev 8:10-11
    • 4th angel – 1/3 part of sun, moon and stars were darkened – Rev 8:12
    • Another angel flying in the midst of heaven announcing the last 3 woes (last 3 angels) – Rev 8:13
    • 5th angel – bottomless pit, smoke sun and air darkened, locusts, power of scorpions, hurt men without seal of God for 5 months – Rev 9:1 (Rev 9:1-10)
      • Angel of the bottomless pit (king over the locusts, Abaddon, Apollyon) – Rev 9:11
      • 1st woe is past – Rev 9:12
    • 6th angel – Rev 9:13-15
      • Loose 4 angels bound at great river Euphrates to slay 1/3 part of men, army of two hundred thousand, thousand – Rev 9:14-15
      • Another mighty angel (clothed with a cloud and rainbow on His head, face like the sun, feet as pillars of fire – Rev 10:1, Rev 10:5, Rev 10:8-10, Rev 11:1 (rise and measure the temple)
      • 2md woe is past – Rev 11:14
    • 7th angel – Rev 10:7, Rev 11:15
      • Kingdoms of this world are the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ – Rev 11:15
      • 24 elders worship God – Rev 11:16-17
      • Nations angry but, God’s wrath has come in judgment and reward given to His servants – Rev 11:18
      • Temple of God opened and the ark of his testament was seen, lightning, voices, thunderings, earthquake and great hail – Re 11:19
    • Michael and His angels fought against the dragon and his angels – Rev 12:7
    • Messages of the three angels – Rev 14:6-10
      • Everlasting gospel – Rev 14:6-7
      • Babylon is fallen – Rev 14:8
      • Announcement of the wrath of God in the presence of the holy angels – Rev 14:9-10
    • Three angels of Judgment Day:
      • Another angel announces harvest of Jesus Christ – Rev 14:14-16
      • Another angel comes out of the temple with sharp sickle – Rev 14:17
      • Another angel came out from the altar with power of fire cried to angel with sickle to gather the clusters of the vin for judgment Rev 14:18-19
    • 7 angels having the 7 last plagues (fill the wrath of God) – Rev 15:1
      • Came out of temple, clothed in pure white linen, having breasts girded with golden girdles – Rev 15:6
      • 7 angels given 7 bowls of judgment, no one able to enter temple until done – Rev 15:7-8
      • 1st angel – poured on earth, evil sore on those who had mark and worshipped the beast – Rev 16:2
      • 2nd angel – poured on the sea – became like blood, every living soul died – Rev 16:3
      • 3rd angel – poured on rivers and fountains, became like blood, those weho shed blood of prophets and saints were given blood to drink – Rev 16:406
      • Another angel declared God’s judgment are true and righteous – Rev 16:7
      • 4th angel – poured on the sin, scorched men, but men did not repent to give God glory – Rev 16:8-9
      • 5th angel – pouted out on the seat of beast, kingdom darkness, blasphemed God due to their pain and sores, repented not – Rev 16:10-11
      • 6th angel – poured on great Euphrates, water dried up, kings of east prepared, 3 unclean spirits out of mouths of dragon, beast and false prophet, gather for battle of Armageddon – Rev 16:12-16
      • 7th angel – poured out into the air – it is done (great earthquake, great city divided into 3 parts, cup of the wine of wrath of God, every island fled, mountains not found, great hail, men blasphemed God Rev 16:17-21
    • Judgment on Babylon and the Great Red Beast – Rev 17-18
      • One of the 7 angels came to show the judgment of the great whore Babylon – Rev 17:1
        • Angel reveals the mystery of the woman and the beast – Rev 17:7
      • Another angel announces fall of Babylon – Rev 18:1 and verses following
      • A mighty angel took a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, with violence will the great city Babylon be thrown down – Rev 18:21
    • Angel standing in the sun saying to the fowls of heaven to gather for the supper of the great God – Rev 19:17
    • Angel came down from heaven with key and chain to bind the dragon – Rev 20:1
    • One of the 7 angels with the bowl judgments come to show the bride, the Lamb’s wife (temple of God) – Rev 21:9
      • 12 gates and at the gates 12 angels – Rev 21:12
      • Measurement of the wall (144 cubits) – measure of an angel, that is a man – Rev 21:17
      • Lord God of the holy prophets sent his Angel to show his servants the things that must shortly be done – Rev 22:6
      • John falls down to worship at feet of the angel, but told not to do it since the angel is a fellow-servant and of thy brethren the prophets and them that keep the sayings of this book – Rev 22:8-9
      • Jesus has sent my angel to testify unto you these things in the churches – Rev 22:16

The Theology of Angels

What are Angels?

Spirit Essence

  • Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flaming fire – Ps 104:4
  • Angels a flaming fire, ministering spirits – Heb 1:7 (two fold mission)
  • But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Heb 1:13-14)
  • And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. (Acts 12:15)
  • Jesus did not take on the nature of angels, but of the seed of Abraham – Heb 2:16

Angels Can Appear Physically

  • And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. (Acts 12:6-9)
  • Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares – Heb 13:2
  • Moses: And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. (Exodus 3:2)
  • And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. (Genesis 32:1-2)
  • Gideon:
    • And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. (Judges 6:11-12)
    • And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. (Judges 6:20-22)
  • And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground. (1 Chronicles 21:20-21)

God has a plan

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-18)

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

(Ecclesiastes 3:17)

Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

(Ecclesiastes 8:5-6)

Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

(Psalms 119:133)

Great Strength

  • Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord – 2Pe 2:11
  • Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. (Psalms 103:20-21)
  • See also “Angels are God’s Agents for Judgment” below

How many angels are there?

  • But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels – Heb 12:22
    • Innumerable – Gr: murias, 10,000s
  • Many angels around the throne, the beasts and the elders (ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands) – Rev 5:11
    • Gr: 10,000s times 10,000s and 1000s of 1000s (easily construed as much more than 100,000,000
    • Rev 9:16 horsemen (false prophets – demonic) = 200,000,000 (two 10,000 X 10,000)
    • Possibly 600,000,000 or more angels
  • And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. (Revelation 12:4)
  • And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:7-9)
  • And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 1:14-15)
  • And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. (Deuteronomy 33:2)
  • The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. (Psalms 68:17)
  • And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his 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. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-18)

Angels are Referred to as the ‘Host of Heaven’

When we examine the phrase ‘host of heaven’ we find two specific meanings:

  1. Physical Stars
    1. Host of heavens created – Gen 2:1, Ps 33:6
    2. Do not worship the host of heaven – Deut 4:19, 17:3
    3. Worship of host of heaven resulted in exile of Israel – 2 Ki 17:6
    4. Worship of host of heaven resulted in captivity of Judah – 2 Chr 33:3-5, 2 Ki 21:3
    5. Building of altars for host of heaven in 2 courts of the Lord – 2 I 21:5, 2 Chr 33:5
    6. Burned incense on housetops to host of heaven – Jer 19:13, Zeph 1:5
    7. Host of heaven to be dissolved on judgment day – Is 34:4 w/ Is 13:10
  2. Angels of Heaven
    1. Micaiah saw Lord sitting on throne with the host of heaven (angels) on His right and left – 1 Ki 22:19, 2 Chr 18:18-22
    2. Host of heaven worship the LORD – Neh 9:6
    3. Heavenly host worshiping at Jesus birth – Lk 2:13-15
    4. Multitude of host worshiping God in heaven – Rev 5:11
    5. Little horn became great to the host of heaven, cast down some of the host to the ground – Dan 8:10, Dan 8:24, see also Rev 12:4 where Satan cast down 1/3 of the stars of heaven)

What is the Work of Angels

Angels Praise God

  • Praise the Lord, all His angels, praise Him, all His hosts (Ps 148:2)
  • And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:11-12)
  • And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 7:11-12)
  • When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7)

Angels are Ministers for God’s People

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

(Psalms 91:10-12)

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, And said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

(Matthew 4:5-7)

And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

(Luke 4:9-12)

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

(Psalms 34:7)

And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father’s house  (Genesis 24:40)

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

(Acts 12:7-11)

And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

(Hebrews 1:7)

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

(Hebrews 1:13-14)

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his 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. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.  (2 Kings 6:15-18)

Angels to these ‘little ones’ (i.e., Christians) ever behold face of the Father – Mat 18:10

Joy in the presence of angels of God over one sinner that repenteth – Parable of the Lost Coin – Lk 15:10

The Word of God Comes through Angels

Gen 16:7-11, Num 22:35, 2 Sam 14:17, 1 Ki 13:18, 1 Chr 21;12, Gen 21:7, Gen 22:11, Gen 48:16, Luke 1:11-38, Luke 2:9-13, Mat 28:2-5, Heb 2:2, Rev 1:1, Rev 22:6, Rev 22:16, etc.

Angels are God’s Agents for Judgment Day

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.  (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

  • Angels come with Christ on Judgment day for those who are ashamed of Christ – Mk 8:38, Lk 9:26
  • Angels are the reapers – Parable of Wheat and Tares – Mat 13:39, Mat 13:41
  • Angels are the reapers – Parable of the Dragnet – Mat 13:49
  • Angels come on Judgment day – those who do not follow Christ – Mat 16:27
  • Angels, at the sound of the trumpet, gather the elect – Mat 24:31, Mk 13:27
  • Angels do not know the end day – Mat 24:36, Mk 13:32
  • Son of man comes with angels for Judgment to divide the sheep and the goats – Mat 25:31
  • Angel smote Herod for receiving glory – Acts 12:23
  • And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 1:14-15)

Revelation passages:

  • Four angels holding back the four winds (to seal the 144,000), prepared to hurt the earth – Rev 7:1
  • Another angel ascending from the east commands the 4 angels to not hut the earth yet – Rev 7:2
  • 7th angel – Rev 10:7, Rev 11:15
    • Kingdoms of this world are the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ – Rev 11:15
    • 24 elders worship God – Rev 11:16-17
    • Nations angry but, God’s wrath has come in judgment and reward given to His servants – Rev 11:18
    • Temple of God opened and the ark of his testament was seen, lightning, voices, thunder, earthquake and great hail – Re 11:19
  • Messages of the three angels (wrath of God) – Rev 14:9-10
  • Three angels of Judgment Day (Rev 14:18-19)
  • 7 angels having the 7 last plagues (fill the wrath of God) – Rev 15:1
  • 7th angel – poured out into the air – it is done (great earthquake, great city divided into 3 parts, cup of the wine of wrath of God, every island fled, mountains not found, great hail, men blasphemed God Rev 16:17-21
  • Judgment on Babylon and the Great Red Beast – Rev 17-18
  • A mighty angel took a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, with violence will the great city Babylon be thrown down – Rev 18:21
  • Angel standing in the sun saying to the fowls of heaven to gather for the supper of the great God – Rev 19:17

The Angel Gabriel

The name Gabriel means ‘man of God’ and he appears as an angel in the following four very notable passages in the Bible.  It appears that Gabriel is the only named good angel in the Bible subordinate to the archangel. Michael.

Gabriel Appears to Daniel for Ram, He-Goat and King of Fierce Countenance Prophecy

And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

(Daniel 8:15-27, Gabriel mentioned in Dan 8:16)

Gabriel Appears to Daniel for the 70 Weeks Prophecy

And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

(Daniel 9:20-27, Gabriel mentioned in Dan 9:21)

Gabriel Appears to Zacharias, Father of John the Baptist

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

(Luke 1:11-20, Gabriel mentioned in Lk 1:19)

Gabriel Appears to Mary concerning the Advent of Jesus Christ

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

(Luke 1:26-38, Gabriel mentioned in Lk 1:26)