One of the most intriguing subjects in the Bible is the work of angels. Few places in the Bible pull back the curtain and allow us a glimpse of angels fulfilling their assigned tasks from the Lord. The book of Daniel shows us angels were part of God’s work to remove certain kings and set up other kings; they are called “watchers” and “holy ones” (Dan. 2:21; 4:13, 17). An angel fought with the prince of Persia and spoke with Daniel about the matter (Dan. 10:13, 20). These passages usually leave us wanting to know more.
While angels do appear in physical form as young men on occasions (Gen. 19:1-6; Mk. 16:5; Acts 1:10; etc.), many times their work is unseen by humans. In the pestilence that came as a result of an unlawful census, David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord stand between heaven and earth, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched over Jerusalem (1 Chron. 21:16). God allowed certain people in the Old Testament to see angelic activity. Balaam did not see what his donkey saw; he did not see the angel with a sword drawn standing in the way until God opened his eyes (Num. 22:22-35). Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant to see the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding them (2 Kgs. 6:17). Elisha may have been surrounded by adversarial Syrians, but God’s army had the Syrians surrounded. Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” God’s promised protection is expressed in Psalm 91:11-12 thusly, “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.” This is figurative language. We should not tempt the Lord and expect Him to literally do some of things described in this passage as Satan tried to get Jesus to do (Mt. 4:5-7). However, the message of God’s protection is clear.
Angels were active in giving the law of Moses. Hebrews 2:2 describes that law as “the word spoken by angels.” Stephen said the Israelite people “received the law by the disposition of angels” (Acts 7:53). Paul said, “it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator” (Gal. 3:19). However, we now have the last will and testament of Jesus Christ, Who is far greater than the angels (Heb. 1:5-13).
When the beggar Lazarus died, he was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom (Lk. 16:22). Hebrews 1:14 asks this question about angels, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” While there is always more we want to know about the work of angels, we must recognize God has revealed to us what we need to know to do His commands (Deut. 29:29). Perhaps some are interested in angels because they like to think of the benefits of a spiritual being coming to their aid instead of focusing on God, who will judge us according to His word (Heb. 9:27; Jn. 12:48; Rev. 20:12). We should not worship angels (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:9), but instead we should focus on serving God who helps us as we do so.
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