There are multiple instances throughout the Bible in which the "heavenly hosts" are referred to, the most commonly known one being when the angel announces the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in the field: "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"(Luke 2:13–14). The heavenly hosts are angels who dwell in heaven in the presence of God (Luke 2:15; Psalm 148:2).
When we look up the definition of the word host, as it is used in this phrase, we see that it means: "a multitude or great number of persons or things: an army." So, when we combine it with the word heavenly as a descriptor, we find that the "heavenly host" could also be known as a multitude of angels or an angel army. In general, the heavenly hosts are God's angels who serve Him. But the term may refer to fallen angels as well; in 1 Kings 22:19–22 a deceiving spirit was among the heavenly hosts at God's throne.
Throughout the Old Testament, God is frequently referred to as the "LORD of hosts" (See 1 Samuel 1:3; Psalm 24:10; Isaiah 22:14; Jeremiah 2:19; Amos 4:13; Haggai 2:9; Zechariah 8:6; and Malachi 2:16). The Lord forever reigns supreme ruler over all the heavenly hosts: "The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!" (Psalm 103:19–21). This passage shows that angels, the heavenly hosts, praise God and carry out His commands, helping to enforce His will here on the earth.
As followers of Christ, when we arrive in heaven, we will inhabit it with God and His heavenly hosts (Hebrews 12:22). We ourselves will not become angels, but we will be with them in God's army when Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on earth (Revelation 19:14).
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