Understanding Angels

“When I decided to preach a sermon on angels, I found practically nothing in my library… I soon discovered that little had been written on the subject in this century… I have never heard anyone preach a sermon on angels.” ~ Billy Graham

What Angels are NOT: Cute chubby babies with bows & arrows What we become after we die All-knowing, all-powerful, or all-present Objects of worship Halo-wearing, wing-clad, harp-players

Angels are created beings What Angels Are: A Angels are created beings

[Christ] made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 (NLT)

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven! … Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being. Psalm 148:1-2, 5 (NLT)

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne… Revelation 5:11 (NLT)

Angels are invisible spirit beings What Angels Are: B Angels are invisible spirit beings

Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:14 (NLT)

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Hebrews 13:2 (NLT)

Angels may not be what they appear What Angels Are: C Angels may not be what they appear

Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (NLT)

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God… 1 John 4:1 (NLT)

Who is being exalted? Then I fell down at [the angel’s] feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God.” ~ Revelation 19:10 (NLT)

Is it consistent with God’s Word? Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. ~ Galatians 1:8 (NLT)

Angels are servants of God What Angels Are: D Angels are servants of God

Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:14 (NLT)

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. Psalm 91:11-12 (NLT)

“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” Matthew 18:10 (NLT)

Angels are battling for God, protecting God’s people What Angels Are: E Angels are battling for God, protecting God’s people

The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:17 (NLT)

That night the angel of the Lord went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. 2 Kings 19:35 (NLT)

Understanding Angels