Do angels exist?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Yes, angels exist. While our modern portrayals of angels are relatively weak beings, demurely flying around on feathery wings, that does not fit the biblical description of angels. Rather, they are powerful and strong beings, fully equipped to carry out God's orders. The English word "angel" comes from the Greek word aggelos (or angelos ) and the Hebrew word mal'ak , both of which literally mean "messenger." When we look through the Bible, angels most often function as messengers of the Lord, providing communication, guidance, and direction from the Lord. Angels most certainly do exist; they are messengers sent by God to proclaim what He is doing and to accomplish His purposes on the earth.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• When Adam and Eve sinned, they were banished from the garden of Eden, and God put an angel known as a cherubim to guard the entrance (Genesis 3:24).
• After Abraham demonstrated his faith by preparing to sacrifice Isaac, an angel of the Lord intervened, providing a ram for the sacrifice and reaffirming God's promises to Abraham (Genesis 22:11–18).
• An angel stood in Balaam's path to warn him against cursing Israel. The angel informed Balaam that he must only speak the words God gives him (Numbers 22:22–35).
• An angel appeared to Gideon, calling him to deliver Israel from the Midianites, and assured him of God's presence and power (Judges 6:11–23).
• Gabriel appeared to Daniel to give him understanding about the prophecy of the seventy weeks and to explain future events (Daniel 9:20–23; 10:5–14).
• Angels also function as guardians of people (Daniel 6:20–23) and nations (Daniel 12:1).
• Two types of angelic beings, cherubim and seraphim, are described with visual detail in the Bible (Isaiah 6:2–6; Ezekiel 1:4–28).
• Angels can take on human form, which happened in Genesis 19, when two angels disguised in human form came to Lot and his family in order to save them from the impending doom of Sodom (Genesis 19:1–22).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Many times throughout the Bible, angels appear intimidating to people. Their first greeting generally goes something along the lines of "fear not" or "do not be afraid" (Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10; Matthew 28:5).
• The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist and to explain the role John would play in preparing the way for the Lord (Luke 1:11–20).
• Gabriel visited Mary to announce that she would conceive Jesus by the Holy Spirit, explaining that He would be the Son of God and the Savior of the world (Luke 1:26–38).
• An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, reassuring him that Mary’s pregnancy was from the Holy Spirit and instructing him to name the child Jesus because He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:20–21).
• An angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, declaring it as good news of great joy for all people and providing a sign of the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (Luke 2:8–14).
• Angels appeared at the empty tomb to announce to the women that Jesus had risen from the dead, and they provided instructions to go and tell the disciples (Matthew 28:1–7; Mark 16:5–7; Luke 24:1–7).
• There is only one time in which an angel is described as wearing a white robe—outside Jesus's tomb (Mark 16:5).
• In Revelation, angels are depicted as powerful, divine beings who serve as messengers and agents of God's will, often appearing with striking and awe-inspiring appearances, such as having faces like the sun and feet like burnished bronze (Revelation 1:15). They will also play significant roles in the unfolding of apocalyptic events, including delivering judgments (Revelation 7:1–3; 14:6–7).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Understanding the existence of angels today has significant implications for our spiritual lives. Recognizing that angels are active and powerful agents of God's will can profoundly deepen our understanding of the spiritual dimensions of our world. Often, we live as if only what is natural and physical is real. However, Scripture and experience tells us otherwise. This awareness encourages us to be more attentive to God’s guidance and to remain open to the ways in which He might be working. Although we most often do not see angels, we know they exist and that they are accomplishing God’s purposes, working in humanity as well. By acknowledging that angels are not merely symbolic or fictional, we can approach our faith with greater reverence and expectation, trusting that God’s communication and intervention are more tangible than we might often perceive. Although angels exist and are at work in our world, it is God whom we worship, knowing that He is the One over the angels. We must seek out and be receptive to the subtle ways in which God may be working behind the scenes.

UNDERSTAND

• Angels exist.
• Angels are most often seen delivering God’s messages, worshiping God, or protecting or ministering to people.
• Angels are spirit beings and can take human form or remain unseen, impacting spiritual and earthly events.

REFLECT

• How does the belief in angels as real, powerful beings influence your understanding of God’s involvement in your daily life and circumstances?
• How might recognizing the role of angels in the Bible encourage you to be more open to God's guidance and protection?
• How can you remain mindful of the spiritual dimensions of your life without overemphasizing their role and importance?

ENGAGE

• How do the Biblical descriptions and roles of angels challenge or confirm modern portrayals of them?
• What are some practical ways to be more aware of and responsive to the ways God might be working through His angels, even though we might not see them?
• How can understanding the existence of angels impact our approach to spiritual warfare and our daily reliance on God’s wisdom and protection?