Chapter 9

We are all familiar with the image of angels: women with beautiful, gossamer wings and shiny robes; chubby infants with small wings; and, brawny men with large, strong wings. What do you see when you think of angels?

Throughout history, angels have been in and out of style. Currently, the feminine version of angels is popular. As Christians, we would like to think that this is a wonderful sign of our spirituality; many times, however, it does not represent security, peace and safety through God but, rather, through the angels themselves. We begin to focus so much on our guardian angels that we forget who angels are and what is their purpose. Let us address the biblical truth of angels, not the trendy, streamlined version.

We have all heard the cryptic riddle “How many angels can you fit on the head of a pin?” Whether we understand the riddle’s logic or not, we still are familiar with the old question. Have you ever really thought about angels and their size and numbers? How many angels are there actually? Many believe that each one of us has at least one guardian angel; therefore, that means there are at least as many angels as there are people. Correct?

The Bible gives us an idea of the numbers of angels in several passages. In Psalms 68:17, we are told, The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Furthermore, the Scriptures also give us a glimpse of the numbers of angels in Heaven.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne [of God] and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saving with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.^{^[1]}

John reveals to us that the number of angels, beasts and elders was “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” He is actually revealing to us that their numbers were so vast that he could not count them. That is a lot of angels. We also need to understand that in this passage, John is referring to God’s angels and not the angels which were cast out of Heaven with Satan.

Many people believe that all angels are innately benevolent and holy; this is not always the case though. There are evil angels as well. In fact, Satan was once a beautiful archangel. In Ezekiel 28, the King of Tyrus is an earthly symbol of Satan.

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God ; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.^{^[2]}

This passage describes to us the original state of Satan, beautiful and wise, and the reason why he was sinned - his pride. We are shown more of the pride of Satan in Isaiah:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.^{^[3]}

Satan, whose original name is Lucifer, tried to overthrow God in Heaven. The passage says he wanted to “be like the most High,” or to become God. In Revelations, we glean some more information about Satan’s angels. The passage says that “a great red dragon,” or Satan, drew “the third part of the stars of heaven,” or a third of the angels, with his tail.

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.^{^[4]}

Although filled with symbolism, this passage is still very powerful. We see Satan and a third of the angels trying to destroy the woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. God transports the woman and her child to an area of safety in the wilderness. God’s angels, including Michael the Archangel , battles Satan and his angelic troops and casts them out of Heaven and down onto the earth. Although they were defeated, they still have not received their final judgment from God. II Peter 2:4 says, . . . God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment . . .

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

These angels, along with their fiendish leader, Satan, will one day receive their eternal judgment from God. Until then, they are busy trying to destroy God’s created man and, especially, His followers. We are specifically warned of Satan’s deceitfulness . . .

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.^{^[5]}

Therefore, it is important for us to remember that we should not focus on angels, which may be deceitfully evil, but to center our lives and attention upon God. Only then can we be truly certain that we are Christian, or follower of Christ, and not simply being religious or spiritual. There is a difference. When John received his great Revelation from God, he mistakenly tried to worship an angel.

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he to me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.^{^[6]}

Just like John, we are not to worship the angels; we are to worship God only. Angels are not gods; they are simply God’s ambassadors who strictly adhere to his directives. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.^{^[7]}

These angels are actively involved in the lives of men and women upon the earth. In fact, Hebrews 13:2 reminds us, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. The angels are also charged with the responsibility of helping Christians:

But to which of the angels saith he [God] at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies my footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?^{^[8]}

The angels fed Jesus after his temptation, brought the walls of Jericho down and engaged in warfare for the Israelites. In fact, it was an angel that revealed to Mary that she would bear the Son of God.^{^[9]} They are very strong and powerful; but they are meek and subservient to God. We read in Jude that Michael the Archangel would not accuse Satan but instead replied that God would rebuke him.

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.^{^[10]}

Angels are constantly battling, protecting and providing for God’s people. We are usually unaware of this tremendous aide God has provided for us. Although we are oblivious to them, angels are constantly surrounding and protecting us. Guardian angels are not a myth; at least, not for Christians. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.^{^[11]} How much protection can they provide?

They are equipped with God’s power, wisdom and divine resources behind them. They can overcome anything that would try to overtake us, including military troops, sickness and disease, and Satan and his terrible forces. In fact, Psalms gives us an insight into the protection we can receive.

Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.^{^[12]}

God’s angels provide the Christian with an extra level of protection and security but they can also serve in another role: assisting God in the judgment and punishment of the wicked. Matthew reveals that Jesus will send his angels to collect the wicked and cast them into hell to be tormented.

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.^{^[13]}

Protector, messengers, warriors . . . Angels serve God and His people in many roles. Which role will they play to you? Will they be protecting, leading and sustaining you as a child of God or will they serve as the couriers for you during God’s Great Judgment? Whatever role they play, you can make certain that God’s mighty army will always effectuate the glory and honor of God.

^{^[1]}Revelations 5:11-12

^{^[2]}Verses 11 through 15 and 17

^{^[3]}Isaiah 14:12-15

^{^[4]}Revelations 12:3-9

^{^[5]}II Corinthians 11:13-15

^{^[6]}Revelations 22:8-9

^{^[7]}Psalms 103:20-21

^{^[8]}Hebrews 1:13-14

^{^[9]}For more information, read Luke chapter one.

^{^[10]}Jude 8-9

^{^[11]}Psalms 34:7

^{^[12]}Psalms 91:9-12

^{^[13]}Matthew 13:41-42