Angels, as God's messengers

Spiritual messengers with the special role of making known God's work of salvation.

Angels give hope through the words of the prophets

Isaiah 40:3–5 The voice in this passage may be that of an angel. Isaiah 40:1–2, Isaiah 40:6–8; Daniel 8:15–16, Daniel 10:12, Daniel 10:14–21, Daniel 12:8–13; Zechariah 1:12–21, Zechariah 2:3–5, Zechariah 4:1–7

A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Angels and the coming of the Messiah

An angel foretells the birth of John the Baptist

Luke 1:11–13 See also Luke 1:14–19

Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Angels foretell Jesus Christ's birth

Matthew 1:20–21 See also Luke 1:26–38

But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

Angels announce Jesus Christ's birth

Luke 2:8–11 See also Luke 2:12–20

And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!

Angels announce Jesus Christ's resurrection

Matthew 28:5–7 parallel Mark 16:5–7 See also Luke 24:4–7, Luke 24:23; John 20:10–14

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”

Angels foretell Jesus Christ's second coming

Acts 1:10–11

They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

Angels reveal the gospel for the Gentiles

Acts 11:13 See also Acts 10:1–5, Acts 10:30–33; Revelation 14:6–7

He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.

Angels foretell God's final triumph

Revelation 1:1 See also Revelation 19:9, Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:6, Revelation 22:16

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,