Angels Exist Series

The subject of angels has certainly become very fashionable. Bookstore shelves hold a plethora of books revealing authored expressions depicting the appearance of angels and their powers. Nor is angelic subject matter confined just to books. Many of us remember watching "It's A Wonderful Life" or “Highway To Heaven” on TV or at the movies.

Angels are never referred to in any gender other than masculine. In the many appearances of angels in the Bible, never is an angel referred to as “she” or “it.” Furthermore, when angels appeared, they were always dressed as human males (Genesis 18:2, 16; Ezekiel 9:2). We do not have any Scriptural record of an angel ever appearing as a female.

But to what extent do angels affect us in the present day? The actions of angels are prone to much speculation and easily caught up in idle fables. Yet, angels are certainly an important Biblical subject, therefore worthy of conscientious consideration. The English word "angel" comes from the Greek “angelos”, which means 'messenger'. The Hebrew word for "angel" is malak, also implying messenger.

Angels are spirits created by God. So you might ask: “Why did God create angelic beings in the first place?” They were created much for the same reasons humans were created. We and they were created to love God, follow His instructions and do His bidding. Most of the time, even when guardian angels hover in our vicinity, they are invisible. Sometimes they take the form of humans. Good angels are spiritual beings employed by God as the curators of His will. Bad angels are agents of Satan. Like humans, some angels are known to be evil. Like us, angels have free will. Those who continue to love God are the forces of good while the fallen angels work towards the eternal imprisonment of our souls.

The theologies of both the Old and New Testaments relate to the descriptions and purposes of angels. Angels are special creatures of several different types. If a person was to say he or she does not believe in angels, it would be akin to saying they don't believe in gravity because they can't see it or explain it. Just as we may not consider the effects of gravity until we stumble and fall, often we do not think of God or his angels until we need help. Yet, like gravity, an angelic presence can sometimes be felt.

Most Christian parishioners send our prayers directly to God. Upward prayers. The Bible informs us that God usually branches downward to us through a variety of angels, each with distinct duties. You might be surprised, as I was, to learn that there can be nine types of angels. Regardless of where they are in the angelic hierarchy, each tier differs in purposes and powers. Much the same as we individually have various talents and work at different ministries for God. Unlike us, angels are able to see far beyond our mortal timelines. Angels can be extremely patient with us. They are aware of our personal life trials and are appointed to help protect us, but never impede our free will.

Neither the Old nor New Testament Scriptures describe the creation event of angels. One can assume their existence was long before ours. The Bible speaks to us of angels hundreds of times. Yet, rarely are angels given names. Michael, for instance, was “the great prince” for the children of Israel.” (Daniel 12:1). Also, the angel Gabriel was sent to the prophet Daniel and proceeded to prophesy about the first coming of the Messiah.

Some 550 years later, there was great expectations among the Jews that Jesus Christ was about to be born, and this was heightened by another angelic appearance. First to Zacharias the priest and then to Mary, betrothed to Joseph. The angel announced. "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God: and am sent to speak unto thee" (Luke 1:19). The angel Gabriel stated that “Mary had found favor with God, and she would be the mother of the expected Messiah.” Gabriel spoke of her conceiving through the power of the Holy Spirit and her son would be named Jesus. That was extraordinary because Mary was not yet married. Joseph, her husband-to-be, also received angelic messages advising him of this unique birth. An angel also foretold the birth of John the Baptist. Angels are empowered to do whatever God wishes and sometimes deliver messages of great importance.

God bestowed upon angels great wisdom. Their frequent biblical appearances are indications of the prime roles assigned to them. Like us, angels are objects of God's grace and love. Unlike us, as celestial creatures, their response to God's love does not require time to grow and mature. As soon as they were created, all the angels had the opportunity to respond to God's love and thus be welcomed to stay in heaven's bliss. While many did so, some did not for both the New Testament and Old Testament refer to the angels that had fallen.