What is the role of angels in our lives today?

 

What are angels?

Angels have been defined as: members of an order of heavenly beings who are superior to man in power and intelligence.  

The word angel comes from the Greek word “angelos” which just means messenger. 

Men sent messengers

Dishonor to the messenger meant dishonor to the one sending the message.

David sent troops when the Ammonites humiliated his servants. (II Sam 10:4)

God also sent messengers

        Some were prophetic

        Some were protectors and guides

        Some were called “angel of the Lord”

Angel of the Lord (Guide and Protector, but not pardon their sins) Exodus 23:20-21

²⁰“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. ²¹Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. ²²But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. ²³For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. ²⁴You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. 

Angels are “ministering spirits”. (Heb. 1:14). 

Their nature is superior to human nature. (Heb. 2:7)

They have superhuman power and knowledge (II Sam. 14:17,20; II Peter 2:11)

But, are not all-powerful and all knowing (Psalms 103:20; II Thess. 1:7).

Angels’ wings are mentioned in Exodus 25:20, Ezek. 1:6, and Rev 4:8.

 

Fallen Angel (Satan) Gen. 3:4, 14(serpent); Ezek 28:12-16; Rev. 12:4, 7-9).

Fallen Angel (Abaddon) Rev. 9:11 The angel of the bottomless pit.

 

Unfallen Angel (Michael) Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1: Jude 9; Rev. 12:7.

Unfallen Angel (Gabriel) Dan 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19,26.

 

I don’t believe angels never appear to wicked people, only to the good.

Jesus often spoke of angels. Matt 13:41; 26:53; Mark 8:38; Luke 12:8-9

 

What are the symbols or personal signs of the nine important angels (Gabriel and others)?

This question and others like it has its roots in the story On the Celestial Hierarchy—supposedly written by “Saint Dionysius the Areopagite.” Dionysius was a real man mentioned in Acts chapter 17, verse 34. He became one of the early believers of Christianity in Athens when Paul preached at the Areopagus, and therefore came to be known as “Dionysius the Areopagite.”

This story is typical of many that appeared during the first few centuries of Christianity. In those days, someone would write a document, pretending that someone in the Bible was the author. Later, this person would claim that they “found” this document, written by this “famous” author, and attempt to get people to believe what they wrote.  It did not take long before everyone realized that this document was a hoax, so the author of On the Celestial Hierarchy is often called “Pseudo-Dionysius,” revealing that Dionysius is a pseudonym.

This document claims to be secret information from the apostle Paul, revealing what Paul learned during his vision of the third heaven—recorded in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. (One reason we know this story is false is that Paul himself states in 2 Corinthians 12:4 that the man “heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” We find it impossible to believe that Paul—the man who wrote more of the New Testament books than anyone else—would violate God’s direct command and tell something to Dionysius that he was not supposed to tell anyone.) Anyway, this document assigns angels into nine “orders.” Listed from “highest” to “lowest,” they are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. Although these are legitimate terms, arranging them into an order and (even worse) telling people the responsibilities and duties of these “angelic positions” has no basis in fact and is not supported by the Bible.

Along this same train of thought, the Bible does not mention any “signs” that identify angels, nor does it list any “important” angels by name besides Michael and Gabriel, and the fallen angels Satan (Lucifer) and Abaddon (Apollyon). We suspect that all such listings of angels, their ranks and duties, their “symbols,” and their names began in someone’s imagination.

What about those who claim to have had contact with angels?

 The Bible contains everything that God intended to reveal to us and says so in many places. (See Revelation chapter 22, verses 18 and 19 for one example.) When people say angels have visited them, they are stating that they received special, personal one-on-one revelations from God (through angels). Even if no conversation takes place, these people are seemingly given some kind of special experience and the rest of us are left to wonder, “What’s wrong with me? Where’s my angel?” Such continued “revelation” has been the foundation of many cults who add their own teachings to the Bible. Colossians chapter 2, verse 18 clearly tells us not to get fooled into following those who claim to have seen visions and encourage people to worship angels.