Psalm 91:11
“For He will give His angels charge over you,
to guard you in all your ways.”
We’re all familiar with human beings and what it’s like to relate to one another. However, there are other beings created by God of great significance to His people, and these are called angels.
Angels who work on God’s behalf are wonderful! They are spiritual beings that God created to serve Him through carrying out His will. They are powerful and intelligent beings who work with purpose. Revelation 5:11 numbers them as “thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand” encircling God’s throne. Hebrews 12:22 cites them as innumerable!
Though angels are spiritual beings, they can appear in human form. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us not to forget to show hospitality to strangers, “for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
The Bible mentions various types of angels: Archangels (e.g., Michael), Cherubim (guardians of God’s holiness), Seraphim (worshipers around God’s throne), and “hosts of heaven” (angelic armies).
As God’s messengers, angels deliver warnings, instructions, and revelations. The angel Gabriel delivered a message to Mary, the mother of Jesus, that she was highly favored, the Lord was with her, and she would conceive by the Holy Spirit to bear a son named Jesus (Luke 1:26–38).
In Genesis 18, angels visited Abraham and Sarah, delivering to them the message that Sarah would bear Abraham a son in their old age.
Daniel 10 reveals an intense, prolonged battle in the spiritual realm, with the delivery of messages influencing earthly events. A heavenly messenger is delayed for 21 days by a demonic “prince of Persia” until Michael arrives to help relay the messages to Daniel.
Angels are also protectors who are known to rescue and guard people, as well as fight battles. In Genesis 19, two angels protected Lot from the violent men of Sodom by striking the mob with blindness, then forcefully escorted Lot, his wife, and their two daughters out of the city to save them from impending destruction. The angels, acting on behalf of God’s mercy, insisted that they leave quickly and helped them escape.
Interestingly, 2 Kings 6 describes Elisha’s servant having his eyes opened to see the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire (angelic warriors) protecting them. 2 Kings 19:35 and Isaiah 37:36 show just one angel of the Lord killing 185,000 soldiers in one night. In Joshua 5, an angel appears to Joshua as the “commander of the army of the Lord.” Psalm 91 speaks of God commanding His angels to guard His people.
Moreover, in the Bible, we see angels engaging in spiritual warfare. Scripture clarifies that this warfare is “against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” rather than flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Michael the archangel contends with evil powers and is specifically identified as a leader in a conflict battling against Satan and his fallen angels. Revelation 12 describes a war in heaven where Michael and his angels fight against the dragon (Satan) and his angels.
The Bible clearly shows us how angels interact with humanity. They appear to guide, protect, deliver messages, and strengthen believers. Yet the Bible also warns against worship of angels, as only God is worthy of worship.
There are countless stories, historically and even today, of people who have experienced angelic help or visitations. Thankfully, angels are “ministering spirits” (servants) sent by God to actively serve, protect, and assist believers (Hebrews 1:14).
Furthermore, angels worship God. They worship around His throne (Revelation 7:11) and celebrate God’s works, rejoicing when sinners repent (Luke 15:10). However, they also carry out God’s judgements by executing God’s justice. We see them carrying these out in the book of Revelation.
Not all angels are good. The Bible teaches that Satan was originally an angel who rebelled. Other angels followed him and became fallen angels (demons). This is part of an ongoing spiritual conflict Scripture describes.
In remembering angels and their awesome existence, we should always embrace that they are not to be feared or worshiped—but they remind us of God’s nearness, His protection, and His sovereignty.
Ms. Rita's Minute 