A study about angels

This is a topical study about angels.  Who are they and what is their role today.

We will notice that there appears to be different types of angels such as cherubim and seraphim.  The first mention of cherubim is when God stationed a cherubim to guard the way to the tree of life so that man would not eat from it  Genesis 3:24.  We see the Seraphim mentioned in Isaiah 6:2-3 as leading worship in heaven.  Seraphim have six wings. 

There are two primary angels mentioned in scripture by name.
1.  Gabriel who tells Mary the news that she will give birth to the Savior also appearing to Joseph and to Zecharias.  To Zecharias he tells him that “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I have been sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.” Luke 1:19  

2. Michael who is mentioned as an archangel in Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 1:9 and Revelations 12:7

One of the first references I could find of angel is in Genesis 16:7-12 where an angel appears to Hagar and tells her to return to Sarai as her maid.  He also tells her about the future of her son named Ishmael.  In this case, the angel was sent as a messenger to help Hagar.

1.       The first role of angels is that of messenger.  We find an angel doing the same thing in many cases in the Bible.  Most noteably in Luke 1:26-38 where the angel Gabriel goes to Mary to tell her she will give birth to the Christ.  Also in Matthew 1:20-21 he appears to Joseph and tells him “She will bear a son and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” See also Hebrews 1:7; Daniel 9:22-23 also has another appearance of Gabriel. They were sent to tell the shepherd about Jesus being born in Matthew 2:9-14

The next time is when God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.  It says that two angels came into town and told Lot and his family to leave because they  Genesis 19:13 were sent to destroy the town.  We see that angels have a role in judgment also in end time events such as in Revelations 14:18-20 also 2 Samuel 24:15-16.

2.       Angels have a role as helping to carry out God’s judgment on mankind.  They are present to separate believers from unbelievers at the end of the age.   They will be with Christ at his second coming  Matthew 25:31 ; Mark 8:38 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:7 ; Jude 1:14,15 and with Christ at the judgment Matthew 13:39,41,49 ; 16:27 ; 24:31 ; 25:31 ; Mark 13:27  Other references to judgment include Genesis 19:1-25 ; 2 Samuel 24:16,17 ; 1 Chronicles 21:15,16 ; 2 Kings 19:35 ; 2 Chronicles 32:21 ;Isaiah 37:36 ; Psalm 35:5,6 ; 78:49 ; Matthew 13:41,42,49,50 ; Acts 12:23 ; 27:23,24 ; Jude 1:14,15 ;Revelation 7:1,2 ; 9:15 ; 15:1

3.       Angels also have a role of protector in the Bible.  Psalm 34:7; Daniel 6:22 Several times we see a reference to the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament protecting the people of Israel.   

Exodus 14:19 - The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them.

Exodus 23:20 - "Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.

Exodus 23:23 - "For My angel will go before you and bring you in to the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will completely destroy them.

4.       Angels serve those who are believers.  Hebrews  1:14  “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation.”  They also ministered to Jesus after the temptations and again in the Garden Matthew 4:11 ; Mark 1:13 ; John 1:51 ; Luke 22:43.  An angel warned Joseph to take Jesus to Egypt because Herod was seeking to kill Jesus Matthew 2:13-15. In Acts 12:7-11 an angel comes and wakes up Peter in prison and frees him.  Also in Acts 5:19-20 an angel frees Peter from prisn and tells him to go to the temple and speak the messge of God. 

5.       Angels are worship leaders in heaven.  Isaiah 6:2-3 and Revelations 4:8