The Nature Of Angels

1. Angels are Created Beings (Psalm148:2,5; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16)

Angels were created by God, and for His pleasure. They are finite, limited and dependent beings owing their very existence to God. They are not eternal, nor self-existent, though they have eternal life given to them by God. The Bible does not tell us exactly when angels were created but it can be assumed, however, that it was early in creation because they sang and shouted for joy at the foundation of the earth (Job 38:4-7).

2. Angels are Spirit Beings (Hebrews 1:13-14; 12:22-23; Colossians 1:16; Psalm 104:4)

God, who is Spirit, created Angels as spirit beings. These angels are ministering spirits, as flames of fire. Because they are spirit beings, they are not limited to the physical or material realm as man is (Luke 24:39) but neither are they omnipresent as God. Angels however could assume human form and perform human deeds (Psalm 78:25; Genesis 18:8; 19:3).

3. Angels are Immortal (1 Timothy 6:16; Luke 20:34-36)

God, the Creator, is immortal and so are the angels. They derive their immortality from God. They are not subject to physical death, as is man, though sometimes permitted to assume human form or appearance.

4. Angels are a Company (Luke 20:34-35; Hebrews 2:16; Matthew 22:30)

Angels are a company of beings, not a race. That is to say, they do not marry or procreate. Though spoken of in the masculine gender, angels are sexless. They do not reproduce or propagate their kind, as does the human race. They were created as individual spirit beings. The angels who sinned each sinned as individuals, therefore sin is not transmitted as it is in the human race from Adam to his unborn offspring.

5. Angels are Innumerable (Daniel 7:9-10; Psalm 148:2-6; Psalm 68:17; Job 25:3; 2 Kings 6:17; Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11)

The angels are an innumerable host, as far as man is concerned. They are as myriad as the stars of light. Only God knows their number. Jesus spoke of “legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53).

6. Angels are Higher than Man (Psalm 8:1-4; 103:20; Hebrews 2:7)

In the order of created beings, angels are the first before man. The Scripture show that man was made a little lower than the angels. Man is a triune being consisting of spirit, soul and body, whereas the angels are spirit beings, thus of a higher order. However, angels are not heirs of God as believers are. God is their Creator, but not their Father, as He is of believers. Angels are superior to man, but inferior to Christ who created them (Hebrews 1:5; 2:6).

7. Angels are a Freewill Creation (Isaiah 14:12-14; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6:9)

Angels, as men, were created with a free will, having the power of choice. The very fact that some angels sinned shows they all had the power of choice and could either choose to do God’s will, or to follow Satanic self-will.

8. Angels are personalities (Psalm 103:20-21; Matthew 18:10; Revelation 4:8)

As God is a person having all the attributes and qualities of personality, so are the angels. They are not mere good or evil influences, but are real personalities, having intelligence and will. Though they have their own character, they are not glorified human beings. Redeemed sinners will never become angels, only like them (Matthew 22:30).

9. Angels are Invisible (Colossians 1:16)

As spirit beings, angels are also invisible, though at time they can become visible to human eyes. Once the redeemed are glorified, and the veil of sin is removed, they will be able to see the angelic spirits.