Angels: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Angels have fascinated people for centuries. We see them in paintings, movies, books, Christmas decorations, and popular culture. We hear people talk about guardian angels, angels watching over us, and even people commanding angels to act on their behalf.
But how much of what we believe about angels actually comes from the Bible?
The Bible tells us that angels are real. They are powerful spiritual beings created by God, but they are not God. They serve God, worship God, and carry out God's purposes.
Understanding angels should never cause us to become more fascinated with the messenger than with the One who sends the messenger.
What Are Angels?
Angels are created spiritual beings who belong to God.
Psalm 103:20 says:
“Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
That verse tells us something important immediately: angels are powerful, but they operate under God's authority.
Angels are also not people who have died and gone to heaven. We sometimes hear someone say, “Heaven gained another angel.” It may be intended as a comforting expression, but Scripture does not teach that human beings become angels after death.
Human beings and angels are different creations of God.
Were Angels Created Before Human Beings?
The Bible does not tell us the exact day or moment when God created the angels.
However, Job 38 gives us an interesting glimpse. When God speaks to Job about the creation of the earth, He says:
“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?”
— Job 38:4
A few verses later, God describes the “morning stars” singing together and the “sons of God” shouting for joy as the earth's foundations were laid (Job 38:7).
Many biblical scholars understand this as a reference to heavenly beings. If so, angels were already present when God was forming the earth.
We can therefore say that Scripture strongly suggests angels existed before humanity, although the Bible does not give us a complete timeline of their creation.
Why Did God Create Angels?
First and foremost, angels exist for God's purposes and God's glory.
Throughout Scripture we see angels:
Worshiping and praising God — Isaiah 6:1–3; Revelation 5:11–12
Delivering messages from God — Luke 1:26–38
Carrying out God's instructions — Psalm 103:20
Ministering according to God's direction — Hebrews 1:14
Protecting and delivering God's people when God sends them — Psalm 91:11; Acts 12:6–11
Carrying out God's judgment — Acts 12:23
Participating in events surrounding Christ's return and final judgment — Matthew 13:39–42; Matthew 24:31
Angels are active throughout the biblical story, but their activity always points back to God's purposes.
Are There Different Kinds of Angels?
Scripture describes different kinds of heavenly beings.
Cherubim appear throughout Scripture. After Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden, God placed cherubim at the entrance to the garden (Genesis 3:24). Cherubim are also associated with God's presence and glory.
Seraphim appear in Isaiah's vision of God's throne. Isaiah describes them as having six wings and crying:
“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts.”
— Isaiah 6:3
The Bible also identifies Michael as “the archangel” in Jude 9. Michael is also mentioned in Daniel and Revelation in connection with spiritual conflict.
Gabriel appears as a messenger of God. He explains a vision to Daniel and later announces the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Daniel 8:16; Luke 1:19, 26–38).
There are many traditions about elaborate ranks and hierarchies of angels. Some may be based on interpretations of biblical language, but Scripture does not give us a complete organizational chart of heaven. We should be careful not to present speculation as biblical fact.
Can Angels Appear to Human Beings?
Yes.
Throughout Scripture, angels sometimes appear in ways that allow people to see and interact with them.
Hebrews 13:2 even says:
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
That is fascinating because it suggests that people may encounter an angel without immediately realizing who—or what—they have encountered.
But Scripture never instructs us to go looking for angelic encounters.
Our focus remains on God.
Does Everyone Have a Guardian Angel?
This is one of the most common questions about angels.
Psalm 91:11 says:
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Jesus also says in Matthew 18:10 that the angels associated with “these little ones” continually behold the face of the Father.
These passages certainly show that God can use angels in His care and protection of people.
However, the Bible does not clearly teach that every individual is permanently assigned one particular personal angel throughout life.
What Scripture clearly teaches is even more important: God knows us, watches over us, and can command His angels concerning us.
Our security is ultimately in God—not in an angel.
Are All Angels Good?
No.
Scripture also speaks of angels who rebelled against God.
Matthew 25:41 refers to “the devil and his angels,” and Revelation 12 describes Satan and his angels in conflict with Michael and his angels.
This reminds us that not every supernatural or spiritual experience should automatically be assumed to come from God.
Scripture repeatedly calls God's people to discernment and faithfulness to God.
Can We Command Angels?
This is where we need to be especially careful.
Some teachings today suggest that Christians can command, activate, release, or dispatch angels.
But when we look through Scripture, the consistent pattern is different.
God commands the angels.
Psalm 103:20 describes angels as those who “do his commandments.”
Psalm 91:11 says:
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee.”
Notice who gives the command: God does.
Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as:
“ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.”
Again, they are sent.
Even when Jesus was arrested, He said He could pray to His Father, who could provide Him with more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53).
The biblical pattern is not that God's people command angels. God's people call upon God, and God determines how He will answer.
We pray to God.
We ask God for protection.
We seek God's guidance.
We trust God's power.
And if God chooses to send an angel, that is God's decision and God's command.
Should We Pray to Angels?
No.
Angels are never presented in Scripture as replacements for God or as beings Christians should worship.
When John fell before an angel in Revelation 22:8–9, the angel stopped him and said:
“Worship God.”
That says a great deal.
Angels themselves understand that worship belongs to God.
Our prayers belong to God.
Our worship belongs to God.
Our trust belongs to God.
What Should We Learn From Angels?
Perhaps the greatest lesson about angels isn't really about angels at all.
It is about God.
The existence and ministry of angels remind us that there is more to God's creation than what our physical eyes can see. They remind us that God has resources beyond our understanding. They remind us that God is sovereign over both the visible and invisible creation.
We don't have to become preoccupied with angels.
We don't have to learn an angel's name.
We don't have to figure out how to summon one.
We don't have to command one.
We simply need to know the One they obey.
Something to Think About
Angels may be powerful, but God is their Creator.
Angels may minister, but God sends them.
Angels may protect, but God gives the command.
Angels may deliver a message, but the message belongs to God.
So our confidence is never in the angel.
Our confidence is in God.
I don't need authority over the angels when I have access to the God who commands them.
Scriptures for Further Study
Psalm 91:11–12 • Psalm 103:20–21 • Isaiah 6:1–7 • Daniel 8:15–17 • Matthew 18:10 • Matthew 26:53 • Luke 1:19–38 • Acts 12:6–11 • Hebrews 1:14 • Hebrews 13:2 • Jude 9 • Revelation 5:11–12 • Revelation 22:8–9