What do angels look like? Why were they created? And what do angels do? Humans have
always held a fascination for angels and angelic beings. For centuries artists have tried to
capture images of angels on canvas.
It may surprise you to know that the Bible describes angels nothing at all like they are typically
depicted in paintings. (You know, those cute little chubby babies with wings?) A passage in
Ezekiel 1:1-28 gives a brilliant description of angels as four-winged creatures. In Ezekiel 10:20,
we are told these angels are called cherubim.
Most angels in the Bible have the appearance and form of a man. Many of them have wings, but
not all. Some are larger than life. Others have multiple faces that appear like a man from one
angle, and a lion, ox, or eagle from another angle. Some angels are bright, shining, and fiery,
while others look like ordinary humans. Some angels are invisible, yet their presence is felt, and
their voice is heard.
21 Fascinating Facts About Angels in the Bible
Angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible. Although we won’t look at every instance, this
study will offer a comprehensive look at what the Bible says about these fascinating creatures.
1 – Angels were created by God.
In the second chapter of the Bible, we are told that God created the heavens and the earth, and
everything in them. The Bible indicates that angels were created at the same time the earth was
formed, even before human life was created.
Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. (Genesis
2:1, NKJV)
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created
by him and for him. (Colossians 1:16, NIV)
2 – Angels were created to live for eternity.
Scripture tells us that angels do not experience death.
…nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God,
being sons of the resurrection. (Luke 20:36, NKJV)
3 – Angels were present when God created the world.
When God created the foundations of the earth, the angels had already been in existence.
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: “…Where were you when I
laid the earth’s foundation? …while the morning stars sang together and all the
angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:1-7, NIV)
4 – Angels do not marry.
In heaven, men and women will be like the angels, who do not marry or reproduce.
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like
the angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30, NIV)
5 – Angels are wise and intelligent.
Angels can discern good and evil and give insight and understanding.
Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as
the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the
LORD your God be with you.’ (2 Samuel 14:17, NKJV)
He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and
understanding.” (Daniel 9:22, NIV)
6 – Angels take an interest in human affairs.
Angels have been and will forever be involved and interested in what is happening in the lives of
human beings.
“Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for
the vision concerns a time yet to come.” (Daniel 10:14, NIV)
“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10, NKJV)
7 – Angels are faster than humans.
Angels seem to have the ability to fly.
… while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to
me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. (Daniel 9:21, NIV)
And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to
proclaim to the people who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language,
and people. (Revelation 14:6, NLT)
8 – Angels are spiritual beings.
As spirit beings, angels do not have true physical bodies.
Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. (Psalm 104:4, NKJV)
9 – Angels are not meant to be worshiped.
Angels are sometimes mistaken for God by humans and worshiped in the Bible, but reject it, as
they are not meant to be worshiped.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I
am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus.
Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10,
NKJV)
10 – Angels are subject to Christ.
Angels are Christ’s servants.
… who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities
and powers having been made subject to Him. (1 Peter 3:22, NKJV)
11 – Angels have a will.
Angels have the ability to exercise their own will.
How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
…You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14, NIV)
And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own
home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on
the great Day. (Jude 1:6, NIV)
12 – Angels express emotions like joy and longing.
Angels shout for joy, feel longing, and show many emotions in the Bible.
… while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? (Job
38:7, NIV)
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they
spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the
gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into
these things. (1 Peter 1:12, NIV)
13 – Angels are not omnipresent, omnipotent, or
omniscient.
Angels have certain limitations. They are not all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere present.
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your
mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words
were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian
kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came
to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. (Daniel 10:12-13,
NIV)
But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body
of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The
Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9, NIV)
14 – Angels are too numerous to count.
The Bible indicates that an incalculable number of angels exist.
The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands … (Psalm
68:17, NIV)
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living
God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly …
(Hebrews 12:22, NIV)
15 – Most angels remained faithful to God.
While some angels rebelled against God, the vast majority stayed faithful to him.
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon
thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the
living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who
was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory
and praise!” (Revelation 5:11-12, NIV)
16 – Three angels have names in the Bible.
Only three angels are mentioned by name in the canonical books of the Bible: Gabriel, Michael,
and the fallen angel Lucifer, or Satan.
Daniel 8:16
Luke 1:19
Luke 1:26
17 – Only one angel in the Bible is called an Archangel.
Michael is the only angel to be called an archangel in the Bible. He is described as “one of the
chief princes,” so it is possible that there are other archangels, but we cannot be sure. The word
“archangel” comes from the Greek word “archangelos” meaning “a chief angel.” It refers to an
angel ranked highest or in charge of other angels.
18 – Angels were created to glorify and worship God the
Father and God the Son.
Revelation 4:8
Hebrews 1:6
19 – Angels report to God.
Job 2:1
20 – Some angels are called seraphim.
In Isaiah 6:1-8 we see a description of seraphim. These are tall angels, each with six wings, and
they can fly.
21 – Angels are known variously as:
Messengers
Watchers or supervisors for God
Military “hosts”
“Sons of the mighty”
“Sons of God”
“Chariots”