Glory
The questions/Trail: The Unseen Realm

What are angels, and what do they do?

Angels are spiritual beings created by God, ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation. They worship God, carry His messages, protect and minister to His people, and will accompany Christ at His return. They are glorious, but they are creatures: we are not to worship them.

This question arose from studying Do believers have guardian angels?.

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Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.

The study

What the Scripture says

Angels are created spirits

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to serve for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Praise him, all his angels; for he commanded, and they were created. They are glorious creatures, but they are creatures, made by the word of God.

Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14
Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his army! Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you heavens of heavens, You waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise Yahweh’s name, For he commanded, and they were created.
Psalm 148:2-5
For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.
Colossians 1:16

They worship and serve God

I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Angels who excel in strength, who do his word, obeying the voice of his word. Their first occupation is worship and obedience.

I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”
Revelation 5:11-12
Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word.
Psalm 103:20
Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. One called to another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!”
Isaiah 6:2-3

They minister to God's people

Gabriel flew swiftly and touched Daniel and gave him insight and understanding. An angel was sent to Mary with the announcement of the Christ. To Elisha: do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.

Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14
yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. He instructed me, and talked with me, and said, Daniel, I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding.
Daniel 9:21-22
He answered, “Don’t be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prayed, and said, “Yahweh, please open his eyes, that he may see.” Yahweh opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:16-17

They are not to be worshipped

When John fell to worship the angel, he said, do not do that; I am a fellow servant; worship God. Do not let anyone disqualify you by delighting in the worship of angels. Their service points to Christ, and our worship belongs to Him alone.

Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. He said to me, “See you don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
Revelation 22:8-9
Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Colossians 2:18
For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are my Son. Today have I become your father?” and again, “I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?” When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”
Hebrews 1:5-6

As you read, you may wonder…

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Verses to meditate on

Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14
Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word.
Psalm 103:20
Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. He said to me, “See you don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
Revelation 22:8-9
yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. He instructed me, and talked with me, and said, Daniel, I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding.
Daniel 9:21-22

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