Tagged: What do angels do?

The Ministry of Holy Angels

This is the third in a brief series of posts on angels.

Most of the work of holy angels is performed in heaven, where angels minister to God with praise and worship (Ps. 148:2; Rev. 5:11-12). At the same time, angels carry out important duties on earth. In Angels Dark and Light, Gary Kinnaman says this earthly ministry falls into at least eight broad categories.

Angels are messengers

Angels deliver good news, such as the birth of Christ (Luke 2:9-14). They bring prophetic messages, such as the unlikely birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25). Angels also bring commendation and condemnation, as in the messages to the seven churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3). “Herald angels” announce spectacular and significant events, like the resurrection of Christ (Matt. 28:5-7) and the resurrection of the just (1 Thess. 4:16-17). Last, angels provide instruction and direction (Matt. 2:13). 

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Names and Ranks of Holy Angels

This is the second in a brief series of posts on angels.

If God calls the stars by name (Isa. 40:26), do all angels and demons have names? Are some more important than others? Do they have different responsibilities? Various levels of authority? Is God’s angelic host a true heavenly army – with each soldier assigned a name, rank, and serial number? Our study this week focuses on how angels are named and organized.

Angelic names

Angels are called by many names in Scripture. General names include:

Angel. The Greek word angelos and the Hebrew word malak mean messenger. These words are used of angels, men, demons – even occasionally of the pre-incarnate Christ.

Minister. The Greek word leitourgos means servant or minister, especially in connection with religious duties. The Hebrew word mishrathim is used in much the same way.

Host. The Hebrew word sava encompasses all of God’s heavenly army (Ps. 103:21).

Chariots. This term applies to angels in the sense that they are part of God’s army (2 Kings 6:16-17; Ps. 68:17).

Watchers. This term denotes angels as supervisors and agents under God, employed by Him in the control of world government (Dan. 4:13, 17).

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