Next week on Monday 9 June, Richard and I will be discussing the topic of ‘Angels’ on To the Point. On the programme, I mention that I will re-post a series which I originally published here in 2008 all about angels, in case anyone would like to follow up on some of the themes that we cover during the show. So over the next five days, there will be articles here on the themes of guardian angels, the archangels, and on fallen angels (which we ran out of time to talk about unfortunately), as well as more general information here today about what angels are, what they do, and should we pray to them? which has been done as a kind of question and answer. The last article in the series is called ‘An encounter with an Angel’. This is a testimony which a lovely viewer of Revelation TV shared with me back in 2007 for a programme that we were doing about this topic back at that time, and which she kindly allowed me to share on my blog.

I hope this series might give an opportunity to go a bit deeper with what we discuss, and be a blessing. Thanks for your interest :).

So what exactly are angels? They are spiritual, celestial beings, and they exist on a plane somewhere between God and man.“Angels belong to a uniquely different dimension of creation that we, limited to the natural order, can scarcely comprehend … [God] has given angels higher knowledge, power and mobility than we ….” *

What does ‘angel’ mean? It means ‘messenger.’ In the Old Testament they are called mal’ak in the Hebrew, and in the New Testament – ángelos in Greek. These words mean “a messenger.”

Have they always existed? No, they are created beings. God is their Creator Psalm 148:2;5.

Do angels die? No, angels are immortal, they cannot die Luke 20:36.

Are there ‘male’ angels and ‘female’ angels? As spiritual beings, angels have no gender. This in the sense that angels do not procreate; there’s a verse about this in the Bible that says “in the resurrection [people] neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven” Matthew 22:30. BUT when angels appear in human form in the Bible, they typically appear as males.

Can humans become angels when we die? Angels are an entirely different form of creation to humans. The Bible says that when we die, and we belong to Jesus, then we will receive a new spiritual body as opposed to turning into angels.

Should we worship angels? No, angels are not divine and should not be worshipped. More about this later.

What are some of the things angels do? Two main things that angels do are worship God Revelation 5:11-12 and minister to God’s people. The Bible says that angels are “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” Hebrews 1:14. Some of the ways angels do this are by protecting God’s people, bringing messages or guidance from God, carrying God’s people to heaven.

Should we pray to angels or ask them for guidance? Angels are servants of God, not of ours. God may send an angel to offer us guidance at a point in our lives, but we cannot summon God’s angels. Anyway, God made us. He’s the One Who knows us inside out and has all the good plans for us, so why not go straight to Him?

How many angels are there? There masses of angels in existence. According to the Bible, the number is “innumerable” and too many to count! Daniel had a vision where he saw God on His throne surrounded by literally millions of angels – “A river of fire as flowing coming out from before Him. Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him” Daniel 7:10. If you work that sum out, it numbers more than one hundred million!

Tomorrow’s post is about one special group of these angels ~ ‘The Archangels’ …

* This programme will air on Monday 9 June at 20:30, and can be viewed in real time online at www.revelationt.com or on Revelation TV (SKY 581).  A repeat will air on Sunday 15 June at 13:30.

*Quote Reference: Graham, B; 1995; Angels: God’s Secret Agents; W Publishing Group; 30.

© Article and Photo by Birgit Whelan Copyright 2014

~ by Birgit on June 5, 2014.

Posted in Angels, Bible, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Faith, Glory, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Ministry