What Can We Know About Angels?
1) Direct Answer
We can know this: angels are created, holy spirits who serve the one true God and carry His messages and works to men. They are not to be prayed to or worshiped. They minister to the heirs of salvation, protect, deliver messages, execute judgments, and will be involved in end-time gathering. Some fell with Satan and are reserved for judgment. Believers will not become angels; in Christ we are placed higher, and we shall judge angels.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- Created by God, innumerable:
- Colossians 1:16; Psalm 148:2,5; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11.
- Nature and duty:
- “Ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14); “He makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire” (Hebrews 1:7; Psalm 104:4); they “excel in strength” and “do His commandments” (Psalm 103:20).
- Not objects of worship:
- Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9; Colossians 2:18.
- Messengers and guides:
- Gabriel to Daniel (Daniel 9:21-23) and to Mary (Luke 1:26-38); an angel directed Philip (Acts 8:26), spoke to Cornelius (Acts 10:3-6), stood by Paul (Acts 27:23-24).
- Protection and deliverance:
- “The angel of the LORD encamps round about them that fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7); “He shall give His angels charge over thee” (Psalm 91:11); Daniel 6:22; Acts 12:7-11.
- Strengthening God’s servants:
- Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43.
- Appearances:
- They may appear as men (Genesis 18–19; Judges 13); “some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).
- Order and ranks:
- Michael the archangel (Jude 9; Revelation 12:7); “principalities and powers” (Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 3:10).
- The Angel of the LORD:
- Speaks as God and bears His Name (Exodus 3:2-6; Exodus 23:20-21; Judges 13:18-22). God revealing Himself by a messenger form.
- What they know and don’t know:
- They rejoice over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10); they desire to look into the things of the Gospel (1 Peter 1:12).
- Marriage and nature:
- They “neither marry” (Matthew 22:30). Saints do not become angels but are “equal unto the angels” in not marrying and not dying (Luke 20:36).
- Fallen angels and deception:
- Satan has angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7-9). Some angels sinned (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). Satan can appear as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
- Testing any message:
- Even if an angel preached another gospel, reject it (Galatians 1:8). “Try the spirits” (1 John 4:1).
- Angels in the end time:
- They will gather the elect (Matthew 24:31) and separate (Matthew 13:39-49). The Lord descends “with the voice of the archangel” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
- Believers’ position:
- In Christ we will “judge angels” (1 Corinthians 6:3). Jesus is far above angels, and angels worship Him (Hebrews 1:4-8).
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- If angels were to be worshiped, they would accept it; instead, they refuse and point us to God—so worship God alone.
- If an angel’s message ever disagrees with the written Word, it is not from God; God does not contradict Himself.
- Angels serve; the Holy Spirit leads. We pray to the Father in the Name of Jesus, and God may send angels as His servants.
- People do not become angels. Angels are one order of God’s creation; redeemed men and women are another, brought into sonship by Jesus Christ and set to judge angels.
4) Short Reinforcing Statement
Now notice, angels are real, present, and active—but always under God’s command and always in harmony with the Bible. Respect their ministry, refuse their worship, test all things by the Word, and keep your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whom angels themselves adore.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Seals 7: The Fifth Seal
63-0322 §86
...deliver Israel, sent the eagle. Do you believe that the time, even on John, on the Isle of Patmos, this message was so perfect that He couldn't trust it with an angel? You know, an angel is a messenger. But do you know the messenger was a prophet? Do you believe that? Let's prove it. Revelation 22---let's see if it was an eagle. Sure, he was an angel---he was a messenger. But it was a prophet that revealed this whole book of Revelation to him. Revelation the 22nd chapter and the 19th verse. I believe that's right...
The Angel and His commission
47-1102 §20
Now, notice. Then at the time of the promise drew nigh, there raised up a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph, and they put burdens upon the people. And the people were so burdened that they could not make the--the bricks and things that they were supposed to. And then, would you think that God would plague His people in that manner? Yes. For the Word of God is eternally true. Is that right? And He promised He would deliver them, and no other way He had to do it but this a way. So therefore, at the time of the persecut...
God in His people
50-0227 §31
...oment, going to start the prayer line within the next five or six minutes. Some people say, "after the Holy Ghost is come, He leads the Church. There is no such a things as Angels appearing after the church," so I know that I'm talking to a bunch of holiness people. Someone told me here a few months ago, said, "Brother Branham, I admire you as a man, but your teaching concerning an Angel coming to you, that's an error." Said, "For we do not need Angels now." Said, "The Holy Ghost is here." Said, "The Holy Ghost, af...
One man's influence on another
62-1013 §68
You know, it used to be if a woman or a man said they was a Christian, people respected it; but today they just like to see how much fun they can make out of it, see. Irreverent group! My! Why? You know what? This is the reason. They're not conscious that that's the truth. They're not conscious of God. They don't remember that the Bible says, "That the angels of God are encamped about those who fear Him." They don't only just come and visit them; they stick their tents down. Amen! "The angels of God are encamped ab...
The Angel of God
51-0720 §20
Now, sometimes maybe if you're prayed for, you hear the Angel of the Lord speak out and say, "THUS SAITH THE LORD, you'll be well." Don't you doubt that. Remember, if it's malignant, or cancer, or growth, in about seventy-two hours you'll get good and sick. Brother Baxter's probably explained all of that, which he does in a meeting, telling you what it all is. Cause without that, you'll sure miss your healing. You won't understand how to do it. If you don't know how to approach it, you're certainly out. So that's w...