When you think that of angels, what first involves mind? Do you think that of cute little creatures in white whispering in peoples’ ears? Or cupids shooting arrows at potential lovers? Or do huge, mighty warriors with wings come to mind? These are among the cultural representations of angels, but are they biblically accurate?
In the book of Revelation, the author mentions angels over 60 times. We see them performing quite a few tasks, including delivering messages, holding back winds, and binding Satan. But who’re these beings? What do they represent? And what do they need to do with the top times? These questions are what we’ll explore more below.
Who Are the Angels Described in Revelation?
Although it’s comprehensible that meeting an angel could fill anyone with awe, angels within the Bible never accepted adoration or worship (aside from Satan). In Revelation 22:8-9, John fell on the feet of the angel showing him the New Jerusalem; the angel admonished him, “Don’t do this. I’m a fellow servant with you.”
The word used for angels in the unique Greek is angelos, which suggests messenger, or one who is distributed. The celestial angels present in Revelation were created by God with the remaining of creation (Col. 1:16). Hebrews 1:14 describes them as “ministering spirits sent out to serve.” They are spirits who serve God and His followers.
The word messenger can confer with either a heavenly messenger (Luke 22:43) or a human one. (Consider Luke 7:24, where the word applies to the messengers of John the Baptist.)
We may wonder: what number of angels are there in Revelation?
Although we see angels performing many tasks in Revelation, we don’t get many details about them. John does describe the worship that happens in heaven. When he describes the angels worshiping before the throne of God, the number is simply too great to be counted. (See Revelation 5:11, where “myriads of myriads and hundreds of hundreds” were before the throne of God praising the Lamb.)
In Revelation, though, the main focus is rarely on the shape of the angel. The emphasis is at all times on the One who sent them and the role that they had to play.
Some angels listed in Revelation include:
1. The Angels of the Seven Churches
Revelation 2 and three are seven letters from Jesus to the angels of the seven churches. The letters were written to actual churches in John’s time; nevertheless, each letter ends with an analogous phrase: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” This lets us know the letters were intended for everybody, not only the particular churches.
But who’re the angels to whom the letters are addressed? Are they addressed to the earthly heads of the churches? Or to a literal celestial representative of every church? The answer is open to debate. For more on this, go to the Christianity.com article “What Do The Seven Stars of Revelation Symbolize?”
2. Michael the Archangel
Michael is the one angel whose name appears in Revelation. The name Michael means “who’s like God?” Daniel 10:13 identifies him as a chief prince who helped one other angel deliver a solution to Daniel’s prayer. In Revelation 12:7-9, he leads his angels against Satan and his angels. Michael defeats Satan and his angels and throws them out of heaven.
3. The Angels of the Judgements
Revelation 8 tells us in regards to the seven angels who got seven trumpets to announce God’s judgment on the earth in various plagues. Then one other angel appears with a censer that held the prayers of the saints. The plagues weren’t left as much as likelihood. They were rigorously orchestrated with the angels assigned specific roles to play in the course of the judgments, similar to signaling for acts of nature like fire, turning the ocean into blood, and striking a 3rd of the sun, moon, and stars.
What Messages Do Angels Deliver throughout Revelation?
When we consider the messages God sent by His angels to His followers, we’d like to recollect the trials His followers were facing. Although we don’t know the date of John’s vision, the Roman emperor Domitian exiled him to the island of Patmos in 94 A.D. Domitian declared himself a god and compelled the people to worship him. He brutally persecuted the young Christian church by taking its property and exiling or killing its leaders.
Faced with this persecution, the activities of the angels in Revelation give its readers a message of hope. They show that:
1. God Is Worthy of All Worship.
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels across the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the variety of them was myriads of myriads, and hundreds of hundreds, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” – Revelation 5:11-12
John gives us a peek into the throne room of God in heaven. It shouldn’t surprise us that the sight was too awesome for him to place into words. The entire creation, each from earth and in heaven—man, angels, and other creatures alike—had gathered together praising and worshiping God and the Lamb.
2. God Controls the Judgments.
“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and 7 trumpets got to them. And one other angel got here and stood with them.” – Revelation 8:1-2
Although the church may appear defeated in the course of the end-time persecutions, God uses His angels to bring His judgments upon the earth. Here, we see the angels about to announce the seven trumpet judgments, but they pause until they’re given the sign to proceed. This shows that God might be fully in charge and can protect those that belong to Him.
3. God’s Promises are Sure.
“Another angel got here and stood on the altar, holding a golden censer; and far incense was given to him, in order that he might add it to the prayers of all of the saints on the golden altar that was before the throne.” – Revelation 8:3
Throughout the history of the church, there have been martyrdom and persecution. Many of His followers have cried out to God for deliverance and felt devastated that He didn’t respond. Revelation assures us that He stays faithful to His guarantees. Here we see the prayers of the martyrs being lifted up before God because the judgments begin.
How Should Christians Understand the Symbolism of Angels in Revelation?
Although the pictures John saw within the visions God gave him were spectacular and mind-boggling, John took special care to say the angels he encountered. When we have a look at their actions, we discover several necessary themes.
1. Protection
In Revelation 2-3, God told the early church that He knew what was happening to and in His churches. By sending the letters to the angels of the churches, He let the churches know they were under His authority. It also showed them that even when things worsen in the long run times, He will always remember them.
We all know what it seems like to have bad things occur to us after which to feel that God doesn’t care or can’t do anything about it. But Revelation shows God is on top of things and that the enemies of His children might be held accountable for his or her actions.
2. Worship
Twice in Revelation, the host of angels is shown worshiping before the throne of God. Angels usually are not to be worshiped, but they are going to join with us as we worship our Creator.
3. Judgment
The angels were lively in the approaching judgments foretold in Revelation. Their actions showed not only the facility that God will reveal on earth but additionally how each step of the judgment has been rigorously orchestrated. God’s judgment affirmed to the early church and to us that a day is coming when He will judge sin and honor His people.
4. Spiritual Warfare
Although the Bible is evident about God’s ultimate victory, we see several examples of battles between two spiritual forces: those of excellent and evil, God and Satan. In Revelation 12, the angel Michael led his angels against Satan and defeated him. Even though Jesus has won the victory, an ongoing spiritual struggle continues that may end in Satan’s defeat.
5. Revelation (as in revealed truth)
God used angels to act as mediators of His truth to humanity. In several places in Revelation, He sent angels to John to disclose His truths. We also see angels delivering messages in other parts of the Bible. In the story of Jesus’ birth, angels were sent to Mary and others to inform them of the approaching Christ.
What Do Revelation’s Angels Teach Us About God’s Plan for The End Times?
God’s use of angels in Revelation offers profound insight into His plans for the top times. It reminds us that, though these events are still to return, every detail is already known to Him. Just as Old Testament prophecies accurately pointed to Christ’s life and ministry, God—through His perfect omniscience—revealed to the early church what’s going to unfold in the long run.
Second, God holds the church—His people—in a special place in His heart, and he won’t abandon them. Christ loved the church a lot that He died for it. As Ephesians 5:26 says, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” In Revelation 2-3, His instructions and the criticisms of the seven churches revealed how intimately He knew their actions and troubles.
Finally, Revelation shows that God will claim the final word victory. He has no challengers. Revelation ends with a have a look at the New Jerusalem and the brand new heaven. An angel led John through town that God has planned for His followers. They measured the partitions to focus on its immensity. What an experience His people need to stay up for!
Conclusion
Revelation begins with a blessing.
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those that hear, and who keep what’s written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)
And ends with an announcement from an angel affirming the reality of the message.
“And he said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to indicate his servants what must soon happen.’” (Revelation 22:6)
Revelation gives us a glance into the unseen spiritual world with amazing actions and visions. The angels we encounter on this book only add to His glory.
The book doesn’t intend to be a full account of heaven, angels, or the top times. In fact, in Revelation 10, John is told not to disclose what he heard when the seven peals of thunder sounded. Much of the book is difficult to know because we’ve only our inadequate experiences here on earth to make use of to grasp heaven and a holy God. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t study to grasp this book, which comes with its own blessing. And once we do, we are going to get a greater understanding of our God, whom we, with the angels, get to serve and worship.
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This article is an element of our larger End Times Resource Library. Learn more in regards to the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that designate Biblical truths. You don’t have to fear or worry in regards to the future!
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