Angels are described in various parts of the Bible, including:
- Genesis 19:1 – Angels visit Lot in Sodom.
- Isaiah 6:1-3 – Description of seraphim with six wings.
- Ezekiel 1:4-14 – Vision of cherubim with four faces and wings.
- Luke 1:26-38 – Angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to Mary.
- Revelation 4:6-8 – Description of four living creatures around God’s throne.
These passages offer different portrayals and roles of angels in the biblical narrative.
Genesis 19:1
And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
Genesis 19:1
Isaiah 6:1-3
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory
Isaiah 6:1-3
Ezekiel 1:4-14
And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
Ezekiel 1:4-14
Luke 1:26-38
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-38
Revelation 4:6-8
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 4:6-8
10 characteristics of angels according to the Bible and what it teaches us
When we dive into the Bible to understand angels, it reveals ten distinct characteristics about these heavenly beings that help us understand their role and nature. Here’s what we learn:
- Messengers of God – Angels are primarily seen as messengers sent by God. In the Bible, angels delivered important messages to people, like when the angel Gabriel told Mary she would have a son named Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).
- Spiritual Beings – Angels are not physical beings like humans; they are spiritual beings created by God. This means they don’t have physical bodies like we do.
- Worshippers of God – Angels are constantly in worship of God. In Isaiah 6:1-3, seraphim, a type of angel, are described as calling out to one another, «Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts.»
- Powerful and Mighty – Angels possess great power and strength. They are able to execute God’s commands swiftly and effectively, reflecting God’s mighty power.
- Bearers of God’s Presence – They often appear in scenes where God’s presence is intensely felt, like the vision in Ezekiel where angels come from amidst a fiery whirlwind (Ezekiel 1:4-14).
- Protectors – Angels also act as protectors. For example, in the Old Testament, angels came to protect Lot and his family in the city of Sodom (Genesis 19:1).
- Holy and Pure – Angels are depicted as pure and holy beings. They stand in the presence of God and are untouched by sin.
- Agents of Judgment – In some instances, angels carry out God’s judgment. They are instruments through whom God enforces His will and decrees.
- Varied in Appearance – Although traditionally depicted as beautiful and winged, angels in the Bible appear in many forms. Some have multiple wings and even multiple faces (Ezekiel 1:4-14, Revelation 4:6-8).
- Obedient to God – Above all, angels are completely obedient to God. They do as God commands without hesitation or fail.
Through these characteristics, we see that angels serve as extensions of God’s will, meant to guide, protect, and proclaim His messages to humanity. Their existence and actions teach us about the nature of divine service—total obedience, deep reverence, and commitment to God’s plan. As believers, these qualities remind us of the posture we should aspire to in our own lives: one of worship, reverence, and readiness to fulfill God’s will. Angels, then, are not just supernatural beings but exemplars of how to live in alignment with God’s purposes.