Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

Although angels are superior to human beings in terms of intellectual understanding and in terms of power, God has ordained that they should be ministering spirits for those who will inherit salvation. In this capacity they are “sent forth” by God to render aid to Christians as they do their part to advance and enhance the Kingdom of God on earth.

Angels may do many different things for the people of God, but here are a few with biblical examples. First, they deliver messages to us from God. Luke 1:30-31 tells us that an angel told Mary about her future role: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.” Luke 2:10-12 tells us that angels told some shepherds about the birth of Jesus: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Acts 1:11 tells us that while the disciples were gazing up during Jesus’ ascension to heaven, two angels said: “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Second, they defend, deliver and strengthen us. Acts 5:19 says that an angel delivered the apostles from prison: “But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out.” Psalm 34:7 says that “The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And He delivers them.” Another angel destroyed Sennacherib’s army: “And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand,” (2 Kings 19:35). And Jesus Himself is strengthened in His human nature by an angel in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43).

Finally, angels apparently escort us to heaven when we die. Luke 16:22 says that Lazarus the beggar “was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.” And although angels are not specifically mentioned, we are told that Jesus was “carried up into heaven” at His ascension (Luke 24:51).

Given what the Bible says about angels, don’t rule them out from possible participation in your life and experience. Though you may not realize it, one may show up to minister to you just when you need it most.

By John Huisman, friend of Bible League International