LESSON 6
God's Angels in Heaven
People are always wondering and asking, "Are angels real? Are there really angels in heaven?
How about on earth?" There’s some exciting news for you. Take a moment to learn God's
answers to your questions about angels!
Please read Hebrews 1:3-14 before starting.
Previous Lesson: Jesus In Heaven
Preliminary Bible Study Questions:
1) Are angels real?
2) What are some things that angels do for the Lord?
3) Will you meet angels at your death?
The Reality of Angels
Are angels in heaven? Are they real? YES! Angels are real creatures - it's a fact. If you believe
the Bible is God's Word then you'll easily believe in angels. They are mentioned over 100 times
in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament!
The Bible is loaded with accounts that include real live angels in heaven and on earth. Some of
the angels are good and some are bad in character. They are created beings and all of them were
created to praise and serve God.
The Creation of Angels
The name angel actually means "messenger" and they're created by God, which implies that the
Lord has a message to send. We need to pay attention to angels, but more importantly to the
message they bring.
Are angels in heaven? Of course, and there are millions roaming the earth all around you, too.
I've personally never witnessed an angel for certain. Wish I had, but not yet. Maybe the Lord will
send one to me now and show me what an angel looks like. I'll snap a pic if I can get the phone
out of my pocket!
Some of these originally pure angels chose to rebel against God - a sad story, which we'll talk
about for a minute.
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The Bad Angels
We shouldn't allow our imaginations and discussions of angels to go beyond the biblical
accounts. The reason is that there are good and bad angels. There are good angels in heaven and
bad angels on earth and in hell. Unsuspecting people can be easily fooled by a bad angel with a
false message (Jude 1:6) - it often happens.
We're warned by God to biblically discern messages from these fallen angels (aka demons).
The fallen angels are deceivers doing Satan's work and they can definitely deceive us - ANY of
us. Falling for their lies usually ends up wrecking our faith.
False religions and idolatry all have their origins in demonic workings (1 Corinthians 12:1-
2). King Nimrod was the world's first known sorcerer, operating out of Babylon (Genesis
10:812). Noah's grandson was a master at using fallen angels to create magic acts and perform
dark miracles. Hidden, dark satanic worship in today's culture still look back to King Nimrod as
their father. See the Book of Enoch for more details.
Finally, bad angels can be dangerously toyed with and eventually cost someone their opportunity
of salvation (1 Timothy 4:1-2). You won't find these bad angels in heaven, for sure.
You'll notice there aren't many pictures of angels because of the serious nature of this topic.
There is already too much garbage on the internet that glorifies angels. We're forbidden by the
Scriptures to practice the veneration of spiritual beings, other than God.
The Good Angels
Let's return to the good angels in heaven who remain in fellowship with God. I'll list some facts
about the angels' nature and being:
• Angels were created (Psalms 148:5) by Christ before the earth was formed (Job 38:7).
• Angels were created holy, but some were elect (1 Timothy 5:21); while others sinned (2
Peter 2:4). The fallen angels will be judged like all responsible, unforgiven creatures (1
Corinthians 6:3).
• Angels are a special class of created beings, separate and distinct from God, and a totally
different domain than humans (1 Corinthians 6:3; Hebrews 1:14).
• Angels are a lower class than God (2 Peter 2:11), but a higher creation than man
(Hebrews 2:7-9).
• Angels are eternal beings (Luke 20:36) who do not marry (Matthew 22:30).
• Angels have a spiritual body, meaning they're not material; and having no physical body
(Hebrews 1:14) but a type of spiritual body (Matthew 8:16; Luke 7:21; 8:2; 11:26). They
can reveal themselves to humans as they so often did in Scriptures (2 Samuel 24:12-17).
• Usually, angels appear as male figures, but there is one instance in Zechariah 5:9 where
two angels appear possibly as females.
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• Good angels in heaven are God's soldiers who carry out his will and judgment on earth.
The Angels in Heaven
The history of Jesus Christ would be incomplete without discussing his servants, the angels in
heaven. He created them for the purposes of God, so they must be included in this study. Let's
take a look at some of their tasks.
• Angels praise God (Psalm 148:1-2; Isaiah 6:3).
• Angels in heaven worship God (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:8-13).
• Angels rejoice in God's wondrous works (Job 38:6-7).
• Angels serve God (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 22:9).
• Angels appear before the throne of God (Job 1:6; 2:1).
• Angels are instruments of God's wrathful judgments (Revelation 7:1; 8:2).
Angels throughout the Nations
Angels specifically work through the world's governments - YES, both good and bad angels are
at work in our world's governments! Michael, the archangel, watches over and guards Israel,
God's chosen nation (Daniel 12:1). Angels also watch over the gentile nations (Daniel 4:17).
They can easily influence the government leaders of those nations (Daniel 10:21; 11:1). The
angels will also distribute God's wrath upon the evil nations of the world (see Revelation
chapters 8, 9,16). There's a spiritual war happening right now, with battles for kingdoms, lands,
and the nations' peoples; and the angels are the warriors in this historical battle.
Angels Working with Unbelievers
Angels in heaven serve God by sending messages of pending judgments to unbelievers (Genesis
19:13; Revelation 14:6-7). They actually inflict the punishment upon disobedient humans (Acts
12:23; Rev 16:1).
And the angels will finally separate the righteous from the wicked on judgment day (Matthew
13:39-40).
Angels Ministering to Believers
Angels help us in many ways (Hebrews 1:14). They've helped the Lord communicate heavenly
truths to humanity for centuries and will continue into the future (Daniel 7:15-27; Revelation 1:1;
22:6). The angels from heaven also help true Christians in these ways:
• Angels bring answers to our prayers (Acts 12:5-10).
• Angels help save souls (Acts 8:26; 10:3).
• Angels celebrate a sinner at his true repentance and salvation (Luke 15:10).
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• Angels observe Christian order, work, and sufferings (1 Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 3:10;
1 Peter 1:12).
• Angels encourage us in times of distress and danger (Acts 27:23-24).
Angels Will Attend Our Death
I personally believe the first thing you will see as you take your last breath will be an angel - and,
here's a passage on this idea (Luke 16:22). Again, this is an opinion with little evidence and only
one person's sense of the initial post-death experience.
If you're "in Christ" at death you'll be visited by good angels; but, if not, well, you'll probably
experience a couple fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4), or even the angel of death, who will escort you to
the outer darkness.
Again, this is serious business and you don't want to gamble with your soul. Give your life to
Christ today and let the angels throw a celebration in heaven just for YOU!
Grasp This!
Whatever you do, don't get caught up in some strange fascination of angels, because they're not
Jesus Christ. He is greater than the angels and a very jealous God. But, you're encouraged to call
upon a ministering angel when you have no other option.
Remember, when in distress, cry out to God - believing - that he can and will send you help.
Angels are strong and glorious and will leave you speechless if you happen to meet one. The
angels tell shocked people "Fear not!" (Luke 2:10) and "No! Don't worship me!" (Revelation
19:10). Respect them, listen closely to their message, but do NOT bow down in worship.
With that said, always know that you should practice the golden rule, because you never know
when you could be meeting and hosting angels from heaven (Hebrews 13:2). Wow!
We have an absolutely amazing God who loves his creation. Once your faith is placed in him
you'll be transformed into a new creature who knows your God (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your fears
of death and the great unknown will vanish as you gain confidence in God's Word. Faith replaces
doubt. Confidence replaces fear, and love possesses your soul.
Bible Study Questions:
1) How can you protect yourself against falling into bad doctrine brought by bad angels?
2) Will knowledge of the fact of angels change how you watch nations and their leaders at work?
3) What are the possibilities that you will encounter angels after you take your final breath?
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Inspirational Bible Verses:
"If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer
you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever
you go." Psalm 91:11
Prayers of Thanksgiving:
Dear Lord Jesus, Your angels are amazing and we praise you for ministering to us through your
heavenly angels. Please protect us from falling victim to the hellish fallen angels. Keep us strong,
God, keep us focused on You and your Word. Amen.
