Are there really such creatures as angels?

Human reason can neither prove nor disprove the existence of angels. But no-one who believes the Word of God doubts that they exist. Through the centuries there has been much confusion, disagreement and discussion on the whole subject of angels. This has not been necessary, for the Bible's teaching is plain and clear :-

• What angels are like 
  • They are creatures. Psa 148:2, 8, Col 1:16. We do not know precisely when they were made, except that it was before the seventh day. Ex 20:11, Nehem 9:6.
  • They are spiritual and without bodies. For - they are 'pneumata'. Matt 12:45, Acts 19:12, Heb 1:14.
    • have no flesh and bones. Luke 24:39.
    • do not marry. Matt 22:30.
    • can be present in large numbers in a small space. Luke 8:30.
    • and are invisible. Col 1:16.
  • Being creatures, they are finite and limited, and cannot be in two or more places at the same time.
  • They are persons, with intelligence and will.
  • They are intelligent, 2 Sam 14:20, Eph 3:10, 1 Peter 1:12, 2 Pet 2:11
    • superior in knowledge to us Matt 24:36
    • with moral natures, Matt 25:31, Acts 10:22, 1 Pet 2.4
    • and power to obey and be led, Heb 1:14, Matt 25:41.
  • They are either good angels or evil angels. They were all good to begin with. Gen 1:31, Jude 1:6. The good angel are known as elect angels, or holy angels. 1 Tim 5:21, Acts 10:22. They - look on God's face. Matt 18.10, do His will. Matt 6:10., and have immortal life. Luke 20:36. The evil angels are better known as 'devils' or 'demons'. Matt 9:32-34.
• How angels are organised.
  • Their number is uncountable. Deut 33:2, Ps 68:17, Matt 26:53, Rev 5:11. but the number is the same as when they were created. Matt 22:30.
  • Within this vast number there are ranks :-
    • Cherubim guard paradise, Gen 3:24, gaze on the mercy-seat, Ex 25:18, Heb 9:5, and make up God's chariot Psalm 18:10. They guard God's holiness
    • Seraphim surround His throne give Him praise, and wait to obey Him Isa 6. They prepared Isaiah for a proper approach to God.
  • Principalities, powers, thrones and dominions, do not appear to be different kinds of angels, but these words appear to be used of different ranks among the angels. Eph 3.10, Col 1:16, 2:10, Eph 1:21, 1 Pet 3:22.
  • Gabriel is an angel whose task is to bring and to interpret messages from God. Dan 8:l6, 9:2l, Luke 1:19, 26.
  • Michael is the archangel, the prince of the angels. He fights for Jehovah against His enemies. Dan 10:13, 21. Jude 1:9. Rev 12:7
• What angels do.
  • Some of their tasks and functions have already been made clear.
  • They also:-
    • ceaselessly praise God. Isa 6, Ps 103:20, Rev 5:11.
    • rejoice at the conversion of a sinner. Lk 15:10.
    • serve believers, and protect them. Heb 1:14, Ps 34:7, 91:11.- protect little ones. Matt 18:10
    • are present in the Church 1 Cor 11:10, 1 Tim 5:21
    • watch the Church, and learn from it. Eph 3:10, 1 Pet 1:12.
    • carry believers into the bosom of Abraham. Luke 16:22
  • The effect this teaching should have:-
    • We should have a greater appreciation of the holiness, glory, power and majesty of God, who is surrounded and praised by such pure and bright creatures.
    • We should rejoice that God has commanded the angels to serve us and see to our welfare. What kindness!! What providence!!
    • We should walk more carefully. We are not only watched by the world, but by the angels, to whom God has made us a witness of his manifold wisdom and grace.
• "Fallen" Angels
  • Where they came from.
    • All the angels were created good. Gen 1:31. but some did not remain so, and fell from their original position. 2 Pet 2:4, Jude 1:6.
    • Their exact sin is not revealed but their leader exalted himself over against God; sought supreme authority; was guilty of pride. (see 1 Tim 3:6, and the temptation he brought to man in Genesis 3).
  • How they are led.
    • They are led by Satan - otherwise called The Devil; Apollyon; Abbadon; Beelzebub; Angel of the Bottomless Pit; Prince of this world; Prince of Darkness; Sinner from the beginning; Accuser; Belial; Deceiver; Dragon; Liar and Murderer; Leviathan; Lucifer; Serpent; Tormentor; God of this world; etc...
    • He is the originator of sin, Gen 3:1, 4. John 8:44. 1 John 3:8, Rev 12:9.
    • He is the head of those who fell away Matt 25:41, 9:32-24, Eph 2:2.
    • He controls the world separated from God. John 12:31, l4:30, 16:11, 2 Cor 4:4.
    • Although he is not divine, nor omnipotent, he has immense power. However it is limited, and he himself is destined to the bottomless pit. Matt 12:29, Rev 20:2, 10.
  • What they do.
    • Being in revolt against God, they seek to do all that they can against Him, and to destroy His work.
    • They afflict men's bodies. Job 2:7, Luke 12:6, Acts 10:38.
    • They afflict men's souls, by direct attack, deception, suggestion, persuasion. Their aim is to keep men from God and His Truth, 2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:2, 2 Thess 2:9-10, 2 Tim 2:26, 1 Jn 3:10, Rev 12:9.
    • They tempt men to sin. Gen 3; 1 Chron 21:1, Luke 22:3, Acts 5:3; Matt 4.
    • They pain, harass and oppose God's elect. .Lk 22:31, 2 Cor 12:7, Eph 6:11-12, 1 Thess 2:18.
    • However, their doom is certain, and they drag their chains with them wherever they go! 2 Peter 2:4 Jude 1:6
    • It is possible to have your personality ruled by these frightful creatures, with appalling results. So we must mention
  • Demon-possession.
    • This can be sought deliberately.
      • the Baal prophets. 1 Kings 18.
      • Mediums. Lev 20:6, 27
      • Witch doctors.
      • Various voodoo rites.
      • Clairvoyants, palmists, fortune-tellers etc..
    • Or can be unsought; with worse results physically.
      • Saul. 1 Sam 16:14, 19:9.
      • the cases in the New Testament. Matt 8:28 ff., Mk 6:13, Lk 13:32 etc.
    • Possession must not be confused with mental illness. Scripture carefully distinguishes the two. Matt 4:24. Mk l:32, Luke 6:17-18
    • Disease and possession were also differently treated Acts 16:18 Acts 28:8.
    • Some possession is continuous (Matt 9:32, 12:22),. but most is intermittent - the evil spirit 'takes over' the person, obviously and manifestly, from time to time. (1 Sam 16:14, 23, Mark 9:18).
    • Therefore..
      • Beware of the growing interest in the occult - spiritism; seances; and all attempts to discover the future by supernatural means - horoscopes, fortune-telling, ouija - boards, glass-moving; card-tricks etc.. All these are entrances into the spirit world, and are forbidden by God. Lev 19:31, Deut 18:9-14, Lev 20:6, 27, Ex 22:18.
      • Have nothing to do with false religions, for heathen worship is the worship of demons. Deut 32:17, Ps 106:37, Acts 17:22, 1 Cor l0:20 (Note the interest in eastern religions today).
      • Do battle with evil in ALL its forms, using the Word of God as a defensive and offensive weapon. Matt 4:1-11, Eph 6:10-20.
      • The alternatives are the Holy Spirit or an evil spirit. 1 Cor 12:1-3. So, as a believer do not be over awed by demonic forces, or fear that you may be indwelt or possessed yourself.
      • Do not be content to drive out evil without replacing it with what is good and godly. Matthew l2:44-45.