The Angels of God

In systematic theology, we look not only at who God is but also at what He has done. We have briefly considered the Lord’s status as Creator in an earlier study (see Isa. 40:28–29), so it is fitting for us to begin looking at some of what God has created and what Scripture tells us about it. Let us start with the Bible’s teaching on angels.

Angels have long fascinated human beings, with stories about angels or angel-like beings featured in literature around the world. The truth about angels, however, can be found in the Word of God. Hebrews 1:14 gives us a succinct definition of angels and their task: they are “ministering spirits” whose job is to serve for the sake of the elect, those who will inherit salvation. Here we find two important truths. First, angels are “spirits”; they do not have physical bodies as human beings do. Second, God made the angels to work for our good, for our ultimate redemption. Of course, they do not purchase salvation for us, but they act in many ways to further our salvation. For example, at many points in history, angels have brought news that we must know to be saved, such as when the angels announced the birth of the Savior (see Luke 2:8–14).

Despite the frequent appearance of angels in Scripture, God’s Word gives us few details about them. The Bible does not tell us when they were created, their total number, and other details. We do not know much about what they look like, but at least some of them have wings—the seraphim (Isa. 6:1–7). Others, such as the cherubim mentioned in Ezekiel, are described as having a fantastical appearance with four faces each and other unique features (Ezek. 1; 10). We do not know whether or to what degree these things are symbolic or literal.

Regardless of what we do not know about angels, we do know that they are powerful, so it is comforting to realize that God has sent them to look out for us. John Calvin comments that today’s passage consoles Christians, “for they hear that celestial hosts are assigned to them as ministers, in order to secure their salvation. It is indeed no common pledge of God’s love towards us, that they are continually engaged in our behalf. Hence also proceeds a singular confirmation to our faith, that our salvation being defended by such guardians, is beyond the reach of danger. Well then has God provided for our infirmities by giving us such assistants to oppose Satan, and to put forth their power in every way to defend us!”