Pepper asked me a few weeks ago – “What exactly is an Angel?”  I did not have much of an answer. So, a few days ago I scribbled the word Angel on a blank page and started learning afresh. Here is a portion of what tumbled out of scripture. There will be more from me in other missives soon to be written on this topic.

Angels are Gods creation, present all around us every day, taking care of us, and ministering to us even when we are not aware of their presence. God sends angels to deliver us from our troubles. “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them” (Psalms 34:7). God also sends angels to bring His messages to guide us in our own ministry (Acts 8:26).

Hebrews 1:14 gives us this relationship between humans and angels, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”   Lest our hat size grows a bit, let us not think their service to us implies they are lower beings than Humans….

The Greek term for angel literally means “messenger”.  Angels are often seen in Scripture bringing messages from God to us. It would be my unlearned opinion that we have often heard the voice of an angel and interacted with angels unaware we are standing in their presence. God uses angels to share some of his messages to us (as a communicator for God), actively do his tasks and projects, and bring encouragement to the community of believers. Finally, in addition to the messenger task, they are formidable warriors who conduct both defensive and offensive operations on our behalf.

Let us consider some of the distinctions in the angelic realm. The archangel Michael appears in Revelation 12:7-8 (paraphrased), and is described as a commander of heavenly armies, who defeats Satan once and for all. There is no doubt that Michael is a fierce warrior, and that his angelic armies are at work in our world today (implied in 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Gabriel appears in the Old Testament (Daniel 8:16) and is the angel who brings news of the coming births of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19) and of Jesus (Luke 1:26).

The two-winged angels on top of the Covenant Ark are described as Cherubim. The Bible depicts these beings as powerful and majestic angelic warriors which surround God’s throne (see Ezekiel 1:5–14; Psalm 99:1, and Revelation 4:6–8). God sent them to guard Eden after the expulsion of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:24).

The six-winged angels seen by Isaiah are described as Seraphim. These angelic beings seem to hold a special position of worshipping and praising God. The prophet Isaiah says in his vision of God: “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne … Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew” (Isaiah 6:1–3).

Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:30 that in heaven we will assume some angelic properties. He said — “at the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” We would be adding to scripture if we were to say we become angels after the resurrection (I think there will always be two distinctive species), but we are safe to say our species will finally be free from the things of this earth, be able to see and enjoy our Father similar to the way that angels now enjoy his presence.  We can find numerous references in scripture that demonstrate angels eternally singing praise to God; after the resurrection we will also worship in God’s presence with the angelic host forever. I wait with bated breath for that day.

I choose Jesus.