This is intended to be a reference point presenting in one place, some of the main biblical documentations of angels within the Bible. In the Bible, there are many occasions of angels appearing to, communicating with, and interacting with people. Sometimes live in person, sometimes in a dream. There appears to be an angelic hierarchy. Some are messengers, some are mighty warriors, some have been created for a purpose reserved for the end of our current history near the end of the book of Revelation. Near the beginning of biblical history, some rebelled and became what’s commonly known as “fallen angels”.
Here are merely some of the encounters and observations people have had with the angelic world which are listed in the Bible:
Genesis 6:1-4 (Things taking place during the time of Noah)(The flood event follows immediately after)
Gen 6:1 “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,”
Gen 6:2 “That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”
Gen 6:3 “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”
Gen 6:4 “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
This Genesis passage is a bit challenging to interpret, but the phrase “the sons of God” is “sons of elohiym” (Hebrew: אלהים ) and is not referring to human males, but more likely some form of angels.
(H430 Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries)
“Giants”: bully, tyrant, giant. The word “Nephilim” is also used here.
(Hebrew: נפל נפיל) (H5303 nephı̂yl nephil Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries )
“Mighty men”: warrior, tyrant: – champion, chief, strong man, valiant man
(Hebrew: גּבּר גּבּור ghib-bore’) (H1368 Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries)
*** Notice verse 4 says “there were giants / Nephilim in the earth in those days; and also after that”. We know Joshua and his men had to deal with them centuries after Noah and the flood. The giants were also known as Nephilim and also called the sons of Anak. This is recorded in the books of Number 13, Deuteronomy 9, Joshua 15, 18, and 21.
The book of Jude from the New Testament speaks of what happened to angels mentioned above in Genesis 6:1-4
Jude 1:6-9 (Note: Jude is the half brother of Jesus, who became a believer after the resurrection of Jesus. These passages refer to the book of Enoch)
“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, did not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”
Jude 1:14-15
“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Genesis 19 Records two angels interacting with Lot, who offers them lodging and a place to wash their feet. They also physically rescue Lot from crowds of people and even caused them to be blinded. This shows that angels can be completely physically interactive in our realm and dimensions.
Genesis 28:12, 17 (Note: This speaks of Jacob recognizing a door, portal, or gateway into heaven which is used by angels. Jacob named the location “Bethel”, meaning “house of God”)
“And he (Jacob) dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it….. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Judges 13 (Note: An angel appears to the wife of Manoah, then Manoah himself, but the couple doesn’t realize he is more than a man until they offer a sacrifice to the Lord, and the angel ascends into heaven in front of their eyes).
1 Chronicles 20:5-8 (David and his men are fighting giants with 6 fingers and 6 toes on their hands and feet!)
“And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam. And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant. But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him. These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.”
Daniel has several encounters with the angel Gabriel:
Daniel 9:20-23
“And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.”
Daniel 10:12-15 (Note: The angel speaks of having to contend with an opposition angel , “the prince of the kingdom of Persia”, struggling with him for 21 days, until Michael, one of the chief princes of the Lord’s angels came to assist him, likely Gabriel. This shows there are unseen battles being fought in the unseen spiritual realms.)
“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.”
Ezekiel 1:4 – 28 Note: this appears to be the description of some sort of angelic vehicle – chariots of fire?
Matthew chapter 1 and Luke chapter 1 & 2 “The birth of Jesus” – History: The angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.
“Fear Not”, is a common part of the angels greeting. This suggests people are often startled upon seeing an angel.
Luke 1:11-22 (An angel tells of the coming birth of John the Baptist who will prepare the way for Jesus, and also states that he stands in the presence of God… this is an important angel!)
“And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias (Elijah), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.”
Matthew 2:13-14 (An angel spoke to Joseph in a dream, and Joseph obeyed)
“And when they (the wisemen / magi) were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:”
Luke 22:43 (An angel is sent to strengthen Jesus when he prays at the Mount of Olives.)
“And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”
Acts 5:18-20 (Angels can physically interact with our world)
“And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
Acts 12:21-23 (God’s angels have all sorts of abilities and purposes)
“And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”
(The History Channel mentioned this as well!)
The book of Revelation has numerous passages with angels. Here are a couple key thoughts out of it.
Revelation 22:8-9 (The apostle John who received a vision / revelation of Jesus) Here he bows to worship an angel, but the angel says to not do it – he is merely another servant of Jesus, as is John.):
“And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”
Revelation 22:16
“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
There are also other passages which speak of fallen angels being disguised and manipulating people, situations, and sowing confusion, drawing people away from the saving gospel of Jesus the Messiah, the risen Son of God:
Galations 1:6-9 (The apostle Paul writing to the believers in Galatia, some of whom have had confusing teachers)
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (The apostle Paul’s writing)
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
There are many other passages pertaining to angels, but this should give people a good start. Remember throughout the Bible people sought the Lord, and sometimes He would send angels to personally and visibly intervene in an individuals life, but humans were never meant to worship angels which are created beings as are we. Rather, pray to and worship the Lord God of heaven and earth who created all that exists, and provides salvation through Jesus alone.
Jude 1:24-25
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
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