DO ANGELS EXIST?

1. Do angels exist?

a) Both the Greek word for angels, aggelos and the Hebrew word malak mean "messenger." These two words reveal a key reason why they exist. They were created to be messengers between God and humans or between him and those spirits who became evil angels or demons (Isaiah 14:12 - 15, Ezekiel 28:11 - 19, etc.).

b) Although we do not know exactly WHEN angels began to exist, scripture tells us they were at the creation of the entire universe (see Job 38:4 - 7). In the Old Testament, they are used to call Gideon to serve (Judges 6) and to consecrate Samson as a Nazarite while he is still in his mother's womb (Judges 13:3 - 5)! When God called the prophet Ezekiel, he was granted visions of angels in the sky (see Ezekiel 1).

c) In the New Testament, angels announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds in Bethlehem's fields (Luke 2:8 - 15). The births of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11 - 20) and Jesus (Luke 1:26-38) were announced by them to Zechariah and the Virgin Mary in advance.

d) Another purpose for angels is to praise God. For instance, the four living creatures at God's throne in heaven are apparently a class or type of angelic being. They have been given a simple but profound job of praising the Eternal on a continuous basis (Revelation 4:8).

e) Angels also exist in order to help people, especially those who are converted and destined to inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14, Psalm 91). In one case, they appeared in order to protect the prophet Elisha and his servant (see 2 Kings 6:16 - 17). In another situation, God had a righteous spirit being open up a prison's doors in order to free the apostles (Acts 5:18 - 20). God used them to both relay a message and rescue Lot from Sodom (Genesis 19:1 - 22).

f) Jesus will have both the saints (converted, resurrected Christians) as well as the holy angels with Him when he returns to earth in what is referred to as his Second Coming (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16 - 17).

g) The book of 2 Thessalonians 1, verses 7 and 8, reveals that those angelic beings who return with Jesus will be used to deal swiftly with those who reject God and who refuse to obey the gospel.

h) In conclusion, angels exist to serve both God and humans. The Bible tells us that their destiny will NOT be to rule the universe for all eternity. That gift, made possible by the sacrifice of Christ, will be given to God's greatest creation after their conversion and resurrection - MAN!