What do angels look like? What do angels not look like? What does the Bible say are angel’s primary duty to humans?
What do angels look like?
Angels are not composed of physical matter but are spirit beings created by God (Heb. 1:14). They can resemble human form when God permits or wills it (Gen. 19). There are different orders or ranks of angels in heaven. Those that covered the throne in heaven were mighty seraphim angels. They had six wings that hovered over the throne of God. Their height must have been close to 15 to 18 feet tall. Two of the seraphim’s wings covered their faces because God is so holy that even the seraphim angels could not look upon God (Isaiah 6:2). Another set of wings covered their feet for they were in the midst of holy ground where God abided and Moses (Exodus 3:5) and Joshua (Joshua 5:15) had to remove their shoes while in the presence of God. Angels do have some human features like feet, voices, and faces (Isaiah 6:1-2).
Daniel 10:5-6 gives a vivid description of an angel that he saw: “I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.” So Daniel describes an angel with a face like a lightning bolt, eyes like flaming torches of fire, arms and legs that gleam like polished chrome, and a voice like that of thunder. It is no wonder that those men who were keepers of Jesus’ tomb severely shook and fell down like dead men in terror at the sight of the angel present there because “His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow” (Matt. 28:4).
Angels are neither male nor female although they always appear as a man when they take human form. They are nonetheless too powerful for humans to resist as a mighty cherubim kept Adam and Even from entering back into the Garden of Eden because he also had a mighty, flaming sword (Gen. 3:24). Daniel, in his vision, saw that the number of angels could not be counted saying, “Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him…“(Dan 7:10).
What angels do not look like
What angels do not look like
Nowhere in the Bible are angels described like the pictures, paintings, or figurines of little baby cherub angels with wings that we so often see. Michael and Gabriel are archangels and they are anything but little and cute. They are powerful agents and messengers of God that are formidable in their own right. Angels are not effeminate looking and resembling beautiful women with wings. These are man made concoctions and do not come from the Bible. Even Satan, a fallen angel and a powerful one at that, stands some 18 feet tall, and he does not have horns and a pitchfork. He was perhaps the most beautiful and splendid angel ever created by God and of the highest order, but his pride caused his downfall and God caste him from heaven (Ezekiel chapter 14 and 28).
What does the Bible say are Angel’s Primary Duty To Humans?
Angels have a primary duty to man but more so for God. They are His messengers. They are His agents for bringing punishment and displaying His holy wrath. They will be used by God during the coming Great Tribulation as described in the book of Revelation (18:21). Even a king was not spared as he once boasted that “I am a god” and an angel apparently killed him on the spot (Acts 12:20-25).
Angels do serve a purpose for humans. Each one of us has at least one, maybe more, that are assigned to each and every one of us and one helped to strengthen Jesus (Luke 22:43). They’re commanded to “encamp all around us” and keep us from falling, getting hurt, who have been and will be “…from this time forth and forever to be with us”… and even strengthen us, and minister to us (Luke 22:43, Psalm 34:7, 91:10-13, 103:21). It’s possible that we might have encountered and entertained angels without even knowing it (Heb 13:1-2). Matthew 18:10 indicates that children have their own angels with the scriptures saying, “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.” The sheer numbers of holy angels disposed to fight for us is uncountable (Dan. 7:10, Heb 12:22).
Even when we die, angels may be the ones that carry our spirit into the presence of God as Lazarus was “carried by the angels (plural indicates there may be more than one assigned to us) into Abraham’s bosom” after he had died (Luke 16:22). So angels are nothing to be afraid of for the believer but a terror to be reckoned with in the day of God’s wrath, but today if you will hear His voice and believe in Jesus Christ, they will be your sovereign protector, dispatched by God Almighty. And when you are saved, the angels rejoice in heaven over you. I hope they can rejoice for you if you are not already saved. If you are, I rejoice too with them. Christians will someday meet their own angels, but more importantly, meet Jesus Christ and be with Him forever in eternal joy and happiness.
Conclusion
Angels are spiritual beings created by God. Sometimes God allows them to resemble humans and when they appear in a human form in the Bible, they are always a man even though angels are neither male of female. There are different ranks or classes of angels including the seraphim and the cherubim. The seraphim are described as having six wings that are very large. They have some human features, such as feet, voices and faces. Angels are God’s messengers as well as protectors of humans. As believers one day we will be with them in Heaven.
Would you like to read more questions and answers? Take a look at these:
What Does the Devil Look Like?
Are Guardian Angels Biblical?
What Do Christians Say About 2012?
Sources
The Holy Bible, New International Version
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
YouTube “Angels Unaware” by Michael W. Smith
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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I love this post and just stumbled on it!!
Thanks Mr Wellman for all your responses. I have a question about your above comment on homosexuality. First i agree 100% that homosexuality is not a possession of a demon. I think however, it is an oppression of demons since they constantly tempt you to fall (i don’t want to assume the devil is the one who comes “himself” to tempt people seeing as he is NOT omnipresent like God is. i just assume he sends his agents. I am aware that he goes to and fro looking for who to devour.)
Anyway, from your comment, i assume this applies to all forms of sexual sin too. Not to diminish your struggle with drug addiction and the freedom you now share in Christ, but according to the Bible, sexual sin is not like any other type of sin because it is a sin outside ones body. You mention that your drugs supplies dried up and i give Glory to God for that because he eliminated the source that caused you to fall into addiction!! God is soo awesome! Now, my question are, how is a homosexual or any one struggling with sexual sin supposed to receive freedom? I ask because apparently being saved or receiving Jesus as your personal savior is just the first step. There is a long journey after that but im curious to know what this freedom looks like! less urges? stronger will to resist? or no urge at all?
Indeed Joy, it is a long journey but God will enable those who have repented and confessed and put their trust in Christ for we know that we can do all things thru Christ Who will strengthen us but of ourselves, we can do nothing. God always provides a way for those who want to overcome. Sanctification is a life long process and there is room at the cross for all who will allow the Spirit to work in them to effectually overcome.
Yes, God can remove the urges but certainly most will still remain as even Paul battled all of his life with sin (Rom 7). Read all of Romans 7 to see how he struggle and his conclusion is found at the end in verses 24-25, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 says it all, concerning your question….
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
I believe this is precisely what Jack is referring to, “God providing a way out”. I can tell you that we will never be free from the urge to sin as we are still in the flesh and the flesh is sinful and we cannot necessarily trust our own hearts either (“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”
…Jeremiah 17:9). This is where the work of The Holy Spirit “within” our hearts prevails. We will only be free of the sinful nature upon our earthly death/entrance into “true life”, then we will be given new glorified bodies before our return with Christ to reign for 1,000 years!
I still have urges, although VERY few and far between, but now they only last mere seconds, and then I remember what Christ has done in my life and I submit to the power of The Holy Spirit and He gives me the strength to turn from it (repent) and carry on and fight the good fight of faith. By the way, the frequency has lessened and lessened the longer I have gone without giving in to the urge/temptation and you will become stronger and stronger as well, but remember that this is the Spirit of Power moving you to live out Messiahs will. Submit to His will on a daily basis and put on the full armor of God and He will sustain you. He promises this and His promises are SOLID!
God bless,
Thank you so much Mr. Dietrich. Wow, what an amazing testimony sir. You give us all hope for we are all battling sin for all of our lives, even like the Apostle Paul still did after his own conversion (Romans 7). You are so encouraging sir. May God richly bless you in your walk with Christ.
wow! Thank you Jordan and Jack for your responses and for taking the time to encourage and remind me of what the word of God promises. I’m letting go and not doing it by my power any longer. I’m ready to surrender and seek God with all of my heart! God bless you both. You have no idea how much you’ve helped!
I loved Mr. Dietrich’s comment. Doesn’t that give us ALL hope for as I told this man of God, we all struggle in this life and we all are facing our own giants (so to speak). I believe there is victory in surrender and when we fall down, take heart, He is there to pick us up again. Thank you Jesus! All glory to you.
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