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Angels

Angels are spirit beings, created by God. Only three angels are referred to by name in the Bible—Michael, Gabriel, and Satan.

There are many ranks and divisions—God's angels are under His authority and they are ministers for humans. Satan had a high position in heaven, but now he is leader of evil spirits.

Angels were created to serve the Creator. They have many jobs to do: 1) they praise and worship God; 2) they bring messages from God to man; 3) they provide for God's people; 4) they protect God's people; 5) they do God's will, and 6) they punish God's enemies, including Satan.

Their origin and nature
1. They are spirits — Heb 1:14
2. They were created by God — Ps 148:2, 5; Col 1:16
3. They were created early in creation — Job 38:6-7
4. They were created good — Gen 1:31
5. They are not to be worshiped — Col 2:18; Rev 19:10
6. They do not marry or die — Lk 20:35-36
7. Some angels rebelled against God — 2Pet 2:4
Names and ranks of good angels
1. Michael — Dan 12:1; Jude 9; Rev 12:7
2. Gabriel — Dan 9:21; Lk 1:19, 26
3. Archangels — 1Th 4:16
4. Seraphs — Isa 6:2
5. Cherubim — Eze 10:1-3
6. Rulers and authorities — Eph 3:10; Col 1:16
7. Thrones and powers — Col 1:16
8. There are numerous angels — Rev 5:11
Duties of good angels
1. General duties
  1. They revealed the law — Acts 7:38; Gal 3:19; Heb 2:2
  2. They bring messages from God — Zech 1:14-17; Acts 10:3-6
  3. They praise and worship God — Heb 1:6; Rev 5:11-12
  4. They provide for God's people — 1Kgs 19:5-8; Mt 4:11; Heb 1:14
  5. They protect God's people — Ps 91:11; Dan 6:22; Acts 12:7-10
  6. Some serve as guardian angels — Mt 18:10; Acts 12:15
  7. They give guidance to God's people — Acts 8:26; 27:23-24
  8. They interpret God's will — Dan 7:16; Zech 1:9,13-14
  9. They carry out God's will — Num 22:22; Ps 103:20-21; Mt 28:2
  10. They punish God's enemies — 2Kgs 19:35; Acts 12:23; Rev 14:17—16:21
2. Duties connected with Jesus
1. 1. Gabriel was sent to tell Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus — Lk 1:26-38
  2. An angel told Joseph that Mary was pregnant — Mt 1:20-21
  3. An angel brought His birth announcement — Lk 2:9-12
  4. Angels sang at His birth — Lk. 2:13-14
  5. An angel instructed Joseph to flee to Egypt — Mt. 2:13
  6. An angel told Joseph it was safe to return Mt. 2:19-20
  7. Angels administered to, and strengthened Jesus — Mt 4:11; Lk 22:43
  8. Angels were available to help him — Mt 26:53
  9. An angel rolled away the stone — Mt 28:2
  10. Angels announced the Lord's resurrection — Mt 28:5-7; Lk 24:23; Jn 20:11-13
  11. Angels were present when He ascended — Acts 1:11
  12. Angels will return with Jesus — Mt 25:31; 2Th 1:7
Evil angels
1. Satan is their leader — Job 1:6; Zech 3:1; Mt 4:10
2. What they do
  1. They oppose good angels — Rev 12:7-9
  2. They work through false teachers — 2Th 2:9-10; 1Tim 4:1-2
  3. They try to separate believers from God — Rom 8:38-39
  4. They oppose Christ and his church — Rev 12:3-6, 13-17
  5. They do evil to mankind — Job 2:6-8; Mt 13:38-39; Lk. 13:11, 16
  6. They tempt people to sin — Mt 4:3; 1Pet 5:8
  7. They accuse us before God — Zech 3:1