There are many mysteries regarding angels, so the best thing to do is to go to the scriptures to see what is up with angels.
We are often told that everyone has a guardian angel. Actually, that is not true. The scriptures do teach that all those that fear the Lord have angels (as in many angels) watching out to guard them.
Psalm 91:11–12 (ESV) — 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
Specifically, there is the angel of the Lord encamping around those who fear Him.
Psalm 34:7 (ESV) — 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
The angel of the Lord as described in the Old Testament is actually more than a messenger or angel. Often what you see when the “angel of the Lord” is worshipped is a visit of the Son of God Himself, and to think of Him encamping around those who fear Him puts in mind the fact that those who are His are actually in His hand for which the people of Zion had to be reminded as Jesus reminded His sheep.
Isaiah 49:14–16 (ESV) — 14 But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” 15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. 16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.
John 10:27–30 (ESV) — 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Angels are mentioned in the book of Hebrews as those who serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation.
Hebrews 1:13–14 (ESV) — 13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
Again, the angel or messenger of the Lord is in hot pursuit of those who seek to harm one of the children, which would only make sense when we see the description in Zechariah.
Psalm 35:4–6 (ESV) — 4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! 5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away! 6 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!
Zechariah 2:8 (ESV) — 8 For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:
It’s important to note that although the angels or messengers of God have been at His beckon call and doing His will on behalf of the people of God, yet the angels know nothing of redemption and long to look into the Gospel message of salvation.
1 Peter 1:12 (ESV) — 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
1 Corinthians 4:9 (ESV) — 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.
We are reminded in Hebrews that sometimes when we show hospitality to strangers we may be under the watchful eye of angels, who may be sent to us as a test by God.
Hebrews 13:2 (ESV) — 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Finally, as described in the context of the account of the rich man and Lazarus, there is an indication that when God’s people pass from this life the angels escort the soul of the believer to heaven.
Luke 16:22 (ESV) — 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried,
In all, we must not forsake what the word of God says about angels, nor should we try to make something out of angels that the scriptures do not teach. Nowhere does it describe angels as having wings. Other creatures are described with wings but not angels. Understand that angels are part of God’s plan to protect His people and to make sure they finish their journey by His side.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
