Created beings whose primary function is to serve and worship God. Though some interpret the “us” in Gen 1:26 as inclusive of God and His angelic court, the Bible does not comment as to when they were created. Unlike God they are not eternal or omniscient. The Hebrew word in the OT is mal’ak, and the NT Greek word is angelos. They both mean “messenger” and occasionally refer to human messengers.

CLASSIFICATION OF ANGELS – Angels not only carry messages to people (Gen 18:9-16; Judg 13:2-24; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:8-15), they also carry out God’s will as He directs them (Ps 148:2-5; Col 1:16), The Bible offers little description of angelic messengers because the focus is on the message and not the messenger. Angels also performed tasks as mediators (Acts 7:53; Gal 3:19; Rev 1:1; 10:1).

Angels also serve God in His heavenly court. Titles such as “sons of God.” (Gen 6:2-4; Job 1:6; 2:1), “holy ones” (Ps 89:5; Dan 4:13), and “heavenly host” (Luke 2:13) identify angels as celestial beings who worship God (Luke 2:13-15; Rev 19:1-3), attend His throne (Rev 5:11; 7:11), and make up God’s army (1 Sam 1:11; 1 Chron 12:22).

Angels are sometimes identified as winged creatures-the cherubim and seraphim. These angels appear in Ezekiel’s visions (1:4-28; 10:1-22) and in Isa 6:2-6, Cherubim are primarily guards/attendants to God’s throne, whereas seraphim attend God’s throne and offer praises to Him.

ANGELIC APPEARANCE – The physical appearance of angels varies, based on their categorization. Unlike popular imagery, only cherubim and seraphim have wings. Within biblical texts angels always appears as men and never as women or children. Angels identify with humans on the basis of form, language, and action. Angelic uniqueness is sometimes evidenced in Scripture by their activity or appearing in ways humans do not (Gen 16:1-11; Exod 3:2; Num 22:23; Judg 6:21; 13:20; John 20:12). The feature of a brilliant white appearance of angels occurs only in the NT (Mark 16:5).