They’re everywhere at the moment. There are the small children – usually girls – swathed in white sheets and gold tinsel all poised to enter stage left and address the tea-towel clad shepherds and associated stuffed sheep with “tidings of great joy”. There are the cards we’re sending and receiving. There may even be one on the top of your tree. But what exactly are angels? And what do they do when they’re not announcing the birth of our Saviour? Here, this Christmas time, is a quick Q&A about our angelic neighbours:
How many are there?
Lots! They are described as being “innumerable” (Hebrews 12:22) and numbering “thousands and thousands” (Revelation 5:11). Heaven is thronging with angelic beings.
Can we see them?
Rarely. There are, of course, notable occasions when angels appear to humans (Luke 1-2) and it seems that there are times when we may meet angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2) but they are spiritual beings (Hebrews 1:14) and not usually visible.
How are they organized?
Not in families. Scripture indicates that they don’t get married (Luke 20:34-36). But there do seem to be some groupings. The archangel Michael is described as leading an angelic army (Revelation 12:7-8) so there’s clearly some order.
What do they do?
They worship God (Hebrews 12:22; Psalm 148:2). They protect us (Hebrews 1:14). They sometimes bring divine judgment (2 Samuel 24:16-17; Acts 12:23). They watch believers (1 Timothy 5:21). They rejoice when someone becomes a Christian (Luke 15:10). And they battle Satan’s minions (Revelation 12:7-8). As well as passing on the occasional message from the Lord (Acts 8:26). And they do all this in great power (Psalm 103:20).
Do they ever sin?
Yes. They seem to have the capacity to make moral decisions and some of them have chosen to rebel against God (2Peter 2:4). Those who have sinned have been sent to hell to await judgment – judgment that will be carried out by us! (1 Corinthians 6:3).
How should we relate to them?
It’s great to be aware that angels are real and working for the glory of God and our good.
But
This blog post originally appeared on 20 December 2012
Helen Thorne is Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She formerly worked with the London City Mission and has written Hope in an Anxious World, Purity Is Possible, Walking with Domestic Abuse Sufferers and 5 Things to Pray for Your City. She attends Dundonald Church in Raynes Park, London.