The Job of Angels
Angels do God’s bidding. David writes, “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure” (Psalm 103:20, 21). They are “all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).
On a global scope, angels hold back the evil forces that it may not destroy the world (Revelation 7:1) until the work of God on human hearts is complete and the people of God are sealed in their foreheads (Revelation 6:17). They can do that because they are “greater in power and might” (2 Peter 2:11).
And on an individual scope, angels deliver messages from God to men (Daniel 7:16; 8:16,17) and protect God’s children (Matthew 18:10). This host of heaven is God’s army ready to do battle for our redemption. And they visit humans with special missions of deliverance, help and guidance (Hebrews 13:2). Such was the experience of Abraham (Genesis 18:1–8), of Lot (Genesis 19:1–3), of Gideon (Judges 6:11–20), and of Manoah (Judges 13:2–4, 9–21).
Angels are especially interested in understanding and sharing the plan of salvation to our lost world. Peter writes concerning salvation, “things which angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12). Each revelation of God’s mercy and justice from the creation of Adam to the present has been a source of wonder to the angels.
Also, angels find great joy in worshiping and praising God (Isaiah 6:2,3). They live to glorify Him. When these heavenly beings came to announce the birth of Christ to the shepherds, they sang joyously, “Glory to God in the highest!” (Luke 2:14). Like them, humans were created for the same purpose. Therefore, we ought to find our supreme happiness in glorifying the God, who is the Creator of all (1 Corinthians 10:31).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
