Do Real Angels Exist Today? What the Bible Says
- Thad DeBuhr
- Jul 30
- 15 min read
When you hear the word "angel," what comes to mind? Maybe you picture a gentle figure with big, soft feathery wings, a sweet baby cherub, or even a strong warrior. Angels show up everywhere in our world today – in movies, books, art, and even in personal experience stories people share. They often bring feelings of comfort, protection, or a special connection to the divine. This widespread fascination with the topic of angels, however, can lead to some confusion and sometimes even misplaced devotion, as people might look to these celestial beings for guidance or power that should be sought only from God.
But what does the Bible, our true guide, actually say about these heavenly beings? Are real angels still around in modern times? And why is it so important for us as Christians to understand angels from the Bible's point of view, instead of just what we see in movies or hear from other religions?
Fast forward to 2:05 to begin the video teaching:
Why Knowing About Angels Matters for Christians
For followers of Jesus, truly understanding angels isn't just a nice bit of knowledge. It's actually really important for a strong and healthy faith. If we just go by what's popular or what other beliefs say, we could end up with some problems:
Worshiping the Wrong Thing: If we start to think angelic beings are more important than they are, we might accidentally give them the praise and honor that only God deserves. The Bible is very clear: angels are created by God, and we should worship only Him (Revelation 19:10, 22:8-9).
Having False Hopes or Fears: If we misunderstand what angels do, we might expect them to step in when they won't, or we might be afraid of spiritual things we don't need to be.
Getting God Wrong: Angels are God's helpers. What they do shows us who God is and what He wants. So, if we have a mixed-up idea about angels, it can also lead us to have a mixed-up idea about God Himself.
Weakening the Bible's Authority: When we let popular ideas shape what we believe about the Bible, we slowly start to trust God's Word less. Knowing the truth about angels helps us keep our hearts focused on God, worship Him alone, and stand firm in what the Bible teaches about the spiritual realm.
Angel: It's About the Job, Not Just the Being!
One of the most important things to know about angels comes from their name itself. In the Bible's original languages:
The Hebrew word מַלְאָךְ (mal'akh) and the Greek word ἄγγελος (angelos) both mainly mean "messenger" or "one who is sent."
This is a big deal! "Angel" isn't really a name for a specific kind of being, like "dog" or "person." Instead, it's more like a job title or a role. An angel is a spiritual being that does the job of a heavenly messenger.
What they are: Angels are spiritual beings (Hebrews 1:14). They aren't human beings who died and became angels, so they are not dead people who have earned their wings. They are a completely different kind of creation, with their own thoughts, feelings, and great power.
What they do: Their main job is to serve God and carry out God's bidding, often by bringing messages to people.
How Angels Are Described in the Bible: Old and New Testaments
The Bible shows us angels in many different ways, depending on what God wants them to do and how people see them:
In the Old Testament:
Looked Like Regular People: Often, angels appeared as ordinary men, so much so that you wouldn't know they were angels at first.
Genesis 18:1-8: Three men visited Abraham, and two of them were angels. They even ate a meal with him!
Genesis 19:1-5: Two angels came to Lot in Sodom looking like men, and the people in the town treated them like regular visitors.
Awesome and Scary: When their true nature was shown, or in special visions, angels could be incredibly powerful and even frightening. That's why their first words were often, "Don't be afraid!"
Judges 6:22: Gideon was terrified when he realized he had seen the "angel of the LORD face to face."
Daniel 10:5-9: Daniel described an angel with a body that shone like polished bronze, a face like lightning, fiery eyes, and arms and feet like glowing metal. This vision made Daniel fall to the ground.
Special Kinds of Angels:
Cherubim: These angels often guarded holy places.
Genesis 3:24: They guarded the Garden of Eden with a flaming sword.
Ezekiel 1:5-14; 10:9-14: In visions, they were described with four faces (human, lion, ox, eagle), four wings, and even "wheels within wheels" covered in eyes. They were connected to God's throne and how He moved.
Seraphim: These angels were connected to worship and God's holiness.
Isaiah 6:2-7: They were described with six large wings (two covering their face, two covering their feet, and two for flying). They constantly called out, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!"
In the New Testament:
Still Looked Like People: This was still a common way for angels to appear.
Matthew 28:2-5: An angel at Jesus' tomb appeared with a face like lightning and clothes as white robes. The guards were terrified.
Acts 12:7-10: An angel appeared in Peter's prison cell, filling it with light, and led Peter out.
Bright and Full of Light: Their presence often came with a divine glow.
Luke 2:9: "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them."
Hints of Ranks:
Archangel Michael: He's called a "chief angel" (Jude 1:9; Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1).
"Principalities and Powers": These terms in Paul's letters refer to different levels of spiritual beings, both good and evil, suggesting an organized spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:16).
Are Some Angels More Important or Powerful?
Yes, the Bible does suggest that angels have different levels of importance or power. While we don't get a full chart of their ranks, we can see some clear differences:
Archangels: The word "archangel" means "chief angel," showing they are leaders. Michael is the only one clearly called an archangel (Jude 1:9). He's shown as a warrior angel, even fighting against Satan (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1).
Cherubim and Seraphim: These seem to be special kinds of angelic beings with very important roles connected to God's presence, holiness, and worship. Their unique descriptions show they are different from other "messengers."
"Principalities and Powers": These terms in the New Testament refer to spiritual authorities and powers, both good and bad. This tells us there's an organized structure in the angel world, with some angels having more authority or influence (Ephesians 1:21; Colossians 1:16).
"Ministering Spirits": Hebrews 1:14 says angels are "ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who will inherit salvation." This describes most angels who carry out God's bidding.
It's super important to remember that all angels, no matter their rank, are created beings. They are under God and Jesus. The Bible always shows Jesus as being far above all angels (Hebrews 1:4-14).
What Do We See Angels Doing in the Bible?
Angels are very busy throughout the Bible, serving God in many ways:
Delivering Messages: This is their main job.
Angel Gabriel announcing births (Luke 1:11-38), bringing good news.
Angels warning Joseph in dreams (Matthew 1:20; 2:13).
Angels helping to deliver God's Law (Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19).
Worshiping God: They are always praising and honoring God.
Isaiah 6:3: Seraphim crying "Holy, holy, holy!"
Revelation 5:11-12: Countless angelic hosts around God's throne worshiping Jesus.
Protecting and Rescuing:
Psalm 34:7: "The angel of the LORD camps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."
Psalm 91:11-12: God commands His angels to guard and support His people. This shows the good work of angels in people's lives.
Acts 5:19; 12:7-10: Angels freeing apostles from prison.
Fighting Spiritual Battles:
Daniel 10:13: Michael helping to fight against a spiritual enemy.
Revelation 12:7-9: Michael and his angels fighting against Satan. This is part of their only mission to serve God.
Carrying Out God's Judgments:
Exodus 12:23: The "destroyer" (angel) passing over homes during the Passover.
2 Kings 19:35: An angel striking down many enemy soldiers.
Helping Jesus:
Matthew 4:11: Angels helping Jesus after His temptation.
Luke 22:43: An angel strengthening Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Gathering Believers and Bringing Judgment at the End of Time:
Matthew 24:31; 25:31: Jesus will return with His angelic hosts to gather His chosen ones and bring judgment.
Should Christians Pray for Angelic Help?
Since angels are so powerful and active, it's natural to wonder: Should we ask God to send angels to help us? Or should we pray directly to an angel for help or protection?
The Bible gives us clear guidance on this.
Do NOT Pray Directly to Angels: The Bible consistently teaches that we should pray directly to God alone, through Jesus Christ. Angels are fellow servants, not beings to be worshipped or prayed to.
Revelation 19:10 and Revelation 22:8-9 show John attempting to worship an angel, and the angel immediately stops him, saying, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you... Worship God!" This is a strong warning against directing worship or prayer to angels.
Our direct access to God is through Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). We don't need any other go-between.
YES, You Can Ask God to Send Angels for Help: While we don't pray to angels, we can certainly pray to God and trust that He might use angels to answer our prayers or provide help. God is the one who sends them. This is part of the work of angels.
Biblical Examples of Asking God for Angelic Help/Protection:
2 Kings 6:15-17: When Elisha's servant was afraid of the enemy army, Elisha prayed, "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire (angels!) all around Elisha. Elisha didn't pray to the angels, but to God to reveal and use them.
Psalm 34:7 (mentioned earlier): "The angel of the LORD camps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." This is a promise of God's protection, which we can certainly pray for, trusting He might use His angelic hosts.
Matthew 26:53: When Jesus was being arrested, He told Peter, "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" This shows Jesus' understanding that His Father could dispatch angels if He chose to.
So, the clear biblical pattern is to pray to God alone, trusting that He, in His wisdom and love, may choose to use His angels to carry out His will and provide help or protection according to His perfect plan.
How Do They Appear to People?
Angels show up in different ways, depending on what God wants them to do:
As Spirits (Unseen): Most of the time, angels are working behind the scenes, invisibly. The Bible doesn't say we'll always see these magnificent beings.
In Human Form: This is the most common way they appear when seen. They often look like regular men, sometimes so much so that people don't even realize they're talking to an angel. They can appear in physical form.
Hebrews 13:2: "Don't forget to show kindness to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." This verse strongly suggests that angels can look so human that we wouldn't know their true identity. These angel encounters might be more common than we think.
Would a modern Christian know an angel if they saw one? Based on the Bible, often no. If an angel's job is to be unnoticed, they will look like a normal person. Only in special, God-planned moments, or if God later reveals it, might their true nature become clear.
In Glorious/Awesome Forms: In special visions or big divine encounters, angels can appear in their heavenly glory, often with bright light. Their appearance can be very powerful and even scary (like in Daniel 10, Ezekiel 1, Isaiah 6, or the angel at Jesus' tomb in Matthew 28).
The Guardian Angel Idea: What the Bible Says vs. What We Hear
The idea of a specific guardian angel assigned to watch over and protect you your whole life – is a very popular belief. You hear about it in stories, songs, and even in some church traditions. But what does the Bible actually teach?
The Bible Does Support General Angelic Protection: The Bible clearly teaches that angels are involved in protecting God's people:
Psalm 34:7: "The angel of the LORD camps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." This talks about angels protecting believers in general.
Psalm 91:11-12: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." This is a strong promise of God's protection, often carried out by angels.
Hebrews 1:14: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" This broadly confirms that angels are sent by God to help believers.
No Clear "One-to-One" Assignment: While the Bible confirms angels protect us, it doesn't clearly state that each person gets their own specific guardian angel. The two verses often used to support this idea can be understood differently:
Matthew 18:10: "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." This could mean angels generally help believers, or that there's a special group of angels who care about children, rather than one angel for each person.
Acts 12:15: When Peter was miraculously freed from prison, his friends first thought, "It's his angel!" This shows that people in the early church believed in individual angels watching over them, but it's what they said, not a direct teaching from God's Word that says everyone has one.
Where Did the Idea of a Guardian Angel Come From?
The idea of personal angelic protection grew from Jewish writings that came between the Old and New Testaments, and from Jewish teachers (rabbis). These writings sometimes talked about angels being assigned to people or nations.
Early Church Leaders: Some important Christian writers from the early church, like Origen (in the 200s AD) and Jerome (in the 300s-400s AD), wrote about guardian angels. Their teachings helped make the idea more common in Christian thought.
Later Church Teachings: The idea became even more official in later church history and influenced many Christian groups.
How It Influenced Modern Ideas: Over hundreds of years, through church teachings, art, songs, and personal stories, the idea of a personal guardian angel for everyone became a very popular and comforting belief in Western culture.
Why It's Not Explicitly in the Bible: While the Bible clearly shows God using angels to protect and help people, the specific teaching that every believer has their own assigned angel for life is a tradition that grew beyond what the Bible directly says. The Bible's main point is God's powerful care, often through angels, rather than the angels themselves being our main protectors.
Bring the bible into your everyday conversations
As Christians, we have a great chance to share biblical truth in our everyday talks, even about angels, without sounding strange. Here's how you can gently guide conversations from common ideas to what the Bible truly says:
Listen and Understand: Start by really listening to what your friend, family member, or even a stranger says about angels. Show that you hear and understand their feelings or experience.
Someone says: "My guardian angel must have been looking out for me today!"
Your response: "Wow, that sounds like a really close call! It's amazing how we can feel like there's a divine presence watching over us."
Introduce the Bible's Meaning (Job vs. Being): Gently bring in the core biblical meaning of "angel."
You could add: "You know, it's interesting, the word 'angel' in the Bible actually means 'messenger.' So, an angel is really a spiritual being that does the job of bringing God's messages or carrying out His plans. This is part of the work of angels."
Share What Angels Do in the Bible: Talk about the active roles angels play in Scripture.
Building on the last point: "The Bible talks a lot about how God uses angels to protect His people, deliver important good news, and even fight spiritual battles. It's truly incredible to read about!" (You could even mention, "Like in Psalm 91, where it says God commands His angelic hosts to guard us.")
Talk About How They Appear:
Someone says: "I always picture angels with big feathery wings and halos."
Your response: "That's a very common picture, and some angels in the Bible are described that way, especially in visions! But did you know the Bible also says that sometimes angels appeared so much like regular human beings that folks didn't even realize who they were? Hebrews 13:2 says, 'Don't forget to show kindness to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.' These angel encounters might be more common than we think."
Address the "Guardian Angel" Question:
Someone says: "I truly believe I have my own specific guardian angel watching over me."
Your response: "It's wonderful to feel that sense of God's protection! The Bible definitely shows that God uses angels to protect and help His people, and that's a huge comfort. While it doesn't clearly say that each person has their own assigned angel, it's absolutely clear that God's angels are ministering spirits sent to serve us. It just shows how much God cares for us, using His heavenly helpers to work in the world today and in people's lives."
Always Point Back to God and Jesus: The main goal is to gently guide conversations back to God's complete control and Jesus' supreme authority. Angels are servants, God is the Master.
"Ultimately, it's God who commands the angels, and His care for us is what truly matters most."
"It's a powerful reminder that Jesus is superior to all angels, and it's through Him that we find salvation and can experience God's amazing care."
By being informed, gentle, and keeping your focus on God's truth, you can turn everyday comments about angels into meaningful conversations that help others understand what the Bible truly teaches and strengthen their faith.
Quick Q&A: Other Questions About Angels
Here are a few quick answers to some other common questions about angels that might come up:
Are "Earth Angels" a biblical idea? The term "earth angels" often refers to people who are exceptionally kind or helpful, or sometimes to a New Age concept of humans with angelic qualities. The Bible does not use this term, nor does it teach that humans can be "earth angels" in the sense of being angelic beings in disguise. As we've learned, angels are distinct spiritual beings created by God.
Do angels have specific features like "blue eyes"? The Bible describes angels in various ways, sometimes with human-like features, but it doesn't specify details like eye color. When physical descriptions are given, they tend to be about their overall appearance, glory, or unique features like multiple wings or faces, rather than specific human facial details.
How do angels relate to the Holy Spirit? Angels are created spiritual beings who serve God. The Holy Spirit, however, is God Himself – the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, guides them, empowers them, and is omnipresent. Angels are distinct from the Holy Spirit and are not to be confused with Him.
Could Malachi have been an angel? This is an interesting question! The name "Malachi" (מַלְאָכִי) in Hebrew literally means "my messenger" or "my angel." Because of this, and because the book of Malachi ends the Old Testament with a strong prophetic message, some have wondered if the prophet Malachi was actually an angel in human form. However, the book itself presents Malachi as a human prophet, similar to other prophets like Isaiah or Jeremiah. While the name is the same as the word for "angel" or "messenger," it was also a common human name. The most likely answer, based on how the book is written, is that Malachi was a human prophet whom God used as His messenger to deliver His word to the people of Israel. There's no biblical evidence to suggest he was a celestial being in disguise.
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