Exploring the Angels of the Bible, Part 9

Exploring the Angels of the Bible, Part 9 

This is the conclusion of this series.  

While so many people are focusing on the demonic things of Halloween, I thought I would post my series on angels from the Bible. 

The word "angel" is listed in Revelation 72 times (KJV), so, as with the rest of the series, I will not be mentioning all accounts.  

The Book of Revelation was written by one of Jesus' original 12 apostles, John who also wrote John & 1, 2, 3 John.  He was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was eventually released and continued to preach until he died of old age in Ephesus.  He was the only one of the apostles not martyred (not counting Judas Iscariot who committed suicide). 

While I always say that for the majority of the Bible " you can pretty much take it as face value without trying to interpret it from a different language or try to find secret codes in between the words," the exceptions to that rule are the prophetic books in the Old Testament as well as Revelation.  They are difficult to understand due to being full of symbolism.  That is not to say that, as I have recently heard a prominent singer declare, that these books are merely allegories.  Make no mistake, they are real prophesies (many in the OT have already come to pass), and these things are indeed coming, and coming quickly.  For example, there may not be an actual beast with 7 heads and 10 horns as this is symbolic, but there will be at least one antichrist with immense power.  But I digress as this is not a writing about the prophecies in Revelation, as that would have to be a whole different multi-part series.

Therefore, because it would also take several more parts to this series to go into all the angelic mentions in Revelation, I will only mention a few passages. Let's just dig into the first chapter and go from there.

(Revelation 1:1-2) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Most of the time throughout the book an angel is John's guide, but He also has an amazing encounter with Jesus.

(Revelation 1:10-20) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book..." And I turned to see the voice that spake with me... And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man... His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, "Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter... The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."

Now we know the seven churches each have an angel assigned to them.  My husband wrote an excellent 2-part series on the seven churches that you can read here: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/05/revelation-21-29-seven-churches-part.html & Julie's Bible Journey: Revelation 3:1-22: The Seven Churches: Part Two, Written by my Husband

Along with the elders and beasts (etc.), angels are twice viewed in John's vision as worshipping God around the throne (although I am sure they are always there not just when specifically mentioned by John) and singing beautiful songs, many of which have been turned into songs we love to sing.  I have heard someone once claim that technically the angels are not mentioned as singing but speaking. This may or may not be accurate, but for someone like me who practically breathes music more than spoken words, I cannot imagine simply speaking to the King of Kings but praising Him with music (maybe even with my trumpet) as loudly and reverently as I can! How much more profound will it be to sing all the actual songs John heard with the angels before the Holy of Holies!  I cannot even fully grasp how amazing that will be.

As you read these two portions, consider signing them, or speaking if that seems more technical to you, but do so in an act of worship and really let the heavenly words sink into your soul.   

(Revelation 5:11-13) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, "Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. "

(Revelation 7:11-12) And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, "Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."

As I conclude this series, I will say again what I did at the start, we are not to worship angels, but only the Holy trinity.

(Revelation 19:10) And I fell at his feet to worship him (the angel). And he said unto me, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

(Revelation 22:8-9) And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, "See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God."

And I will end with these words of Jesus:

(Revelation 22:11-21) "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let him that heareth say, "Come." And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely... He which testifieth these things saith, "Surely I come quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.