Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

The Truth About Angels

The Watchtower (Public)—2017 | No. 5
- COVER SUBJECT | ANGELS—ARE THEY REAL? WHY IT MATTERS
  
  The Truth About Angels
  
  Would you like to know the truth about angels—who they are, how they came into existence, and what they do? There is no better place to look for the answers than in God’s inspired Word, the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16) What does the Bible tell us?
  - Just as God is a Spirit, angels too are invisible spirits who do “not have flesh and bones.” The loyal angels reside in the heavens and have direct access to God’s heavenly presence.—Luke 24:39; Matthew 18:10; John 4:24.
  - Angels have at times appeared in human form to care for God-given assignments on earth and then dematerialized after completing their assignments.—Judges 6:11-23; 13:15-20.
  - Although angels are presented in the Bible as males and have always materialized as males, there is no male or female distinction among them. They do not marry and reproduce their own kind. Moreover, angels did not first come into existence as humans on earth—whether as babies, children, or adults. Angels were created by Jehovah; thus the Bible calls them “sons of the true God.”—Job 1:6; Psalm 148:2, 5.
  - The Bible speaks of “the tongues of men and of angels,” indicating that spirit persons have language and speech. Although God has used angels to communicate with humans, he does not permit us to worship angels or pray to them.—1 Corinthians 13:1; Revelation 22:8, 9.
  - There are myriads upon myriads of angels, perhaps numbering into the billions.a—Daniel 7:10; Revelation 5:11.
  - Angels are “mighty in power”—much more powerful than humans—and they have superhuman intelligence. They evidently can travel at tremendous speeds, far exceeding the limits of the physical world.—Psalm 103:20; Daniel 9:20-23.
  - Despite their higher mental and spiritual powers, angels have limitations, and there are some things they do not know.—Matthew 24:36; 1 Peter 1:12.
  - Angels were created with personalities, divine qualities, and free will. Hence, like humans, they can choose to do right or wrong. Sadly, some angels chose to rebel against God.—Jude 6.
  a A myriad is 10,000. One myriad times one myriad is 100 million. Yet, Revelation speaks of “myriads of myriads” of angels. That is hundreds of millions, perhaps billions, of spirit creatures!
  
  How Are God’s Angels Organized?
  
  The archangel, Michael, is the chief angel in terms of power and authority. The Scriptures clearly indicate that Michael is another name for Jesus Christ.—1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9.
  
  Seraphs rank very high among the angels in privileges and honor, and they are in attendance around God’s throne.—Isaiah 6:1-3.
  
  Cherubs too have high rank and care for special responsibilities that are intimately associated with the Almighty’s glorious personage. They are often shown to be in attendance upon him.—Genesis 3:24; Ezekiel 9:3; 11:22.
  
  The myriads of other angelic messengers serve as the Most High’s agents and deputies in carrying out the divine will.b—Hebrews 1:7, 14.
  
  b For more information on angels, see chapter 10 of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? as well as the related appendix article “Who Is Michael the Archangel?” published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Also available at www.pr418.com.

Do You Have a Guardian Angel?

The Watchtower (Public)—2017 | No. 5
- Does that mean that angels do not help humans? No. (Psalm 91:11) Some feel quite strongly that God has provided them with angelic protection and guidance. Kenneth, mentioned in the opening article, is one who feels that way. Though we cannot be dogmatic, he may be correct. Jehovah’s Witnesses frequently see evidence of angelic intervention as they engage in their preaching work. However, because angels are invisible, we cannot say to what extent God uses them in helping individuals with various matters. Nevertheless, we cannot go wrong by thanking the Almighty for whatever support he may have provided.—Colossians 3:15; James 1:17, 18.