Angels have specific yet limited roles to play in declaring God's will and purposes for humanity.
Angels are God's servants
Psalm 103:20 See also Hebrews 1:7; Psalm 104:4
Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength who carry out His word, who hearken to the voice of His command.
Named angels
The archangel Michael: Daniel 10:13, Daniel 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7; Daniel 8:16, Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26
Angels as agents of God's salvation
Hebrews 1:14 See also Exodus 23:23, Exodus 32:34, Exodus 33:2; Numbers 20:16; Isaiah 63:8–9
Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Angels do not fully understand God's salvation
Angels deliver God's people from their enemies
2 Kings 19:35 parallels 2 Chronicles 32:21, Isaiah 37:36; Acts 5:19, Acts 12:6–11
Angels as mediators
Acts 7:53 The law was mediated by angels to Moses and Israel See also Job 33:22–26; Acts 7:38; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2
you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”
Angels as revealers of God's will
Zechariah 1:8–10 See also Daniel 7:15–16; Zechariah 4:11–14; Revelation 17:1, Revelation 21:9
I looked out into the night and saw a man riding on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in the hollow, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. “What are these, my lord?” I asked. And the angel who was speaking with me replied, “I will show you what they are.” Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.”
Angels convey and fulfil God's instructions
Zechariah 3:4 See also Numbers 22:21–35; Zechariah 3:6–7; Matthew 2:13; Galatians 1:8; Revelation 7:2
So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.”
Angels attend to the needs of God's people
Angels provide food at special times
1 Kings 19:5–7 See also Psalm 78:23–25
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.”
Angels provide protection
Psalm 91:11–12 See also Genesis 19:15, Genesis 48:16; Psalm 34:7; Daniel 3:28, Daniel 6:22; Matthew 18:10; Acts 27:23–24
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Angels give guidance
Exodus 23:20 See also Genesis 24:7, Genesis 24:40; Acts 8:26
Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
Angels serve Jesus Christ
Angels care for Jesus Christ's needs
Matthew 4:11 parallel Mark 1:13 See also Luke 22:43
Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.
Angels are ready to protect Jesus Christ
Matthew 26:53 See also Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19–20, Matthew 4:6 parallel Luke 4:10; Psalm 91:11–12
Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
Angels are inferior to Jesus Christ
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.