"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
What are Angels?
There are many different ideas out there on the subject of angels. The Bible tells what they really are.
Angels are unique spiritual beings whose primary function today is to help Christians. The Bible describes angels as ". . . ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14 NIV)."
Angels provide protection to obedient Christians: "If you make the Most High your dwelling--even the Lord, who is my refuge--then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent (Psalm 91:9-13 NIV)."
References to treading on lions and poisonous snakes are, of course, not to be taken literally. These are metaphorical. They refer to protection from danger and disease. They may also refer to protection from the devil and/or demons (Genesis 3, 1 Peter 5:8).
Angels war on behalf of believers against demonic forces in response to prayer (Daniel 10-12-13), strengthen believers (Daniel 10:18), are involved in prophecy (Daniel 10:14) and have additional responsibilities during the future end times (Revelation 14:6-13).
Angels are invisible except in special circumstances when God allows them to become visible (Examples: Daniel 10:4-5, Acts 12:7).
The most important thing to remember is that angels today help obedient Christians: They protect from physical harm, provide strength to overcome difficulties and war against demonic forces in our favor as a result of prayer.
