When you think of angels, what first comes to mind? Do you think 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 some of the cultural representations of angels, but are they biblically accurate?
In the book of Revelation, the writer mentions angels over 60 times. We see them performing numerous tasks, including delivering messages, holding back winds, and binding Satan. But who are these beings? What do they represent? And what do they have to do with the end times? These questions are what we'll explore more below.
Who Are the Angels Described in Revelation?
Although it’s understandable that meeting an angel could fill anyone with awe, angels in the Bible never accepted adoration or worship (except for Satan). In Revelation 22:8-9, John fell at the feet of the angel showing him the New Jerusalem; the angel admonished him, “Don’t do that. I am a fellow servant with you.”
The word used for angels in the original Greek is angelos, which means messenger, or one who is sent. The celestial angels found in Revelation were created by God with the rest 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 refer to 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: how many 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 occurs in heaven. When he describes the angels worshiping before the throne of God, the number is too great to be counted. (See Revelation 5:11, where “myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands” were before the throne of God praising the Lamb.)
In Revelation, though, the focus is never on the form of the angel. The emphasis is always on the One who sent them and the role they had to play.
Some angels listed in Revelation include:
1. The Angels of the Seven Churches
Revelation 2 and 3 are seven letters from Jesus to the angels of the seven churches. The letters were written to actual churches in John’s time; however, each letter ends with a similar 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 everyone, not only the specific churches.
But who are 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 each 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 only angel whose name appears in Revelation. The name Michael means “who is like God?” Daniel 10:13 identifies him as a chief prince who helped another angel deliver an answer 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 about the seven angels who were given seven trumpets to announce God's judgment on the earth in various plagues. Then another angel appears with a censer that held the prayers of the saints. The plagues were not left up to chance. They were carefully orchestrated with the angels assigned specific roles to play during the judgments, such as signaling for acts of nature like fire, turning the sea into blood, and striking a third 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 need to remember 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 forced 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 around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 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 put into words. The entire creation, both 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 seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood with them.” – Revelation 8:1-2
Although the church may appear defeated during 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 are given the sign to continue. This shows that God will be fully in charge and will protect those who belong to Him.
3. God’s Promises are Sure.
“Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all 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 promises. Here we see the prayers of the martyrs being lifted up before God as the judgments begin.
How Should Christians Understand the Symbolism of Angels in Revelation?
Although the images John saw in the visions God gave him were spectacular and mind-boggling, John took special care to mention the angels he encountered. When we look at their actions, we find several important 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 get worse in the end times, He will never forget them.
We all know what it feels like to have bad things happen to us and then to feel that God doesn’t care or can’t do anything about it. But Revelation shows God is in control and that the enemies of His children will be held accountable for their actions.
2. Worship
Twice in Revelation, the host of angels is shown worshiping before the throne of God. Angels are not to be worshiped, but they will join with us as we worship our Creator.
3. Judgment
The angels were active in the coming judgments foretold in Revelation. Their actions showed not only the power that God will reveal on earth but also how each step of the judgment has been carefully 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 clear about God’s ultimate victory, we see several examples of battles between two spiritual forces: those of good 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 will 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 reveal 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 tell them of the coming 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 end times. It reminds us that, though these events are still to come, 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 will unfold in the future.
Second, God holds the church—His people—in a special place in His heart, and he will not abandon them. Christ loved the church so much 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 ultimate victory. He has no challengers. Revelation ends with a look at the New Jerusalem and the new heaven. An angel led John through the city that God has planned for His followers. They measured the walls to highlight its immensity. What an experience His people have to look forward to!
Conclusion
Revelation begins with a blessing.
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)
And ends with a statement from an angel affirming the truth 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 show his servants what must soon take place.’” (Revelation 22:6)
Revelation gives us a look into the unseen spiritual world with amazing actions and visions. The angels we encounter in this book only add to His glory.
The book does not intend to be a full account of heaven, angels, or the end times. In fact, in Revelation 10, John is told not to reveal what he heard when the seven peals of thunder sounded. Much of the book is difficult to grasp because we have only our inadequate experiences here on earth to use to understand heaven and a holy God. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t study to understand this book, which comes with its own blessing. And when we do, we will get a better understanding of our God, whom we, with the angels, get to serve and worship.
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This article is part of our larger End Times Resource Library. Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. You do not need to fear or worry about the future!
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