Guido Reni's Michael (in Santa Maria della Concezione church, Rome, 1636) tramples Satan. A mosaic of the same painting decorates St. Michael's Altar in St. Peter's Basilica.
People today are fascinated by the concept and study of angels, called "angelology." Angels are depicted in everything from jewelry and Christmas decorations to movies and television programs. This in the first in a series on angels.
Many people, including lots of Christians, believe they have the authority to command angels to do their bidding, while others believe they can command angels (and even demons) in the name of Jesus.
NOTE: Sometimes by “angels” people mean any sort of created spiritual being, including angels in heaven with God and the “fallen” or wicked angels, also called demons. In this post when I refer to angels I’m referring to the good heavenly angels.
Before I get into what I believe that the Bible teaches about man’s authority to command angels let’s take a look at what the bible says about angeles.
The word “angel” comes from the Greek word angelos, which literally means “messenger.” In fact, both the Hebrew word mal,ak and the Greek word angelos are occasionally used in the Bible to refer to human messengers.
2 Samuel 11:22-23 (NKJV)22 So the messenger went, and came and told David all that Joab had sent by him.23 And the messenger said to David, "Surely the men prevailed against us and came out to us in the field; then we drove them back as far as the entrance of the gate.
Luke 7:24-27 (NKJV)24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.27 This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'
2 Corinthians 8:23 (NKJV)23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
That tells us what angels do but doesn’t tell us what they are. The best biblical description of angels is that they are “spirit(s)”
Hebrews 1:7 (NKJV)7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV)14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
From this description we can say that although angels can appear as people they are not physical beings but spirits sometimes taking on the appearance and mannerisms of physical beings ( before you become confused Jesus became a physical being but angels are only able to appear as if they are physical beings. The title angel is the name of their position or office not their nature. Angels are spiritual beings who serve as God’s messengers to mankind.
Angels are created beings and were created as angels. Angels are not human beings who have died and returned to heaven, nor are angels given physical bodies for a time.
Many people, including lots of Christians, believe they have the authority to command angels to do their bidding, while others believe they can command angels (and even demons) in the name of Jesus.
NOTE: Sometimes by “angels” people mean any sort of created spiritual being, including angels in heaven with God and the “fallen” or wicked angels, also called demons. In this post when I refer to angels I’m referring to the good heavenly angels.
Before I get into what I believe that the Bible teaches about man’s authority to command angels let’s take a look at what the bible says about angeles.
The word “angel” comes from the Greek word angelos, which literally means “messenger.” In fact, both the Hebrew word mal,ak and the Greek word angelos are occasionally used in the Bible to refer to human messengers.
2 Samuel 11:22-23 (NKJV)22 So the messenger went, and came and told David all that Joab had sent by him.23 And the messenger said to David, "Surely the men prevailed against us and came out to us in the field; then we drove them back as far as the entrance of the gate.
Luke 7:24-27 (NKJV)24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.27 This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'
2 Corinthians 8:23 (NKJV)23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
That tells us what angels do but doesn’t tell us what they are. The best biblical description of angels is that they are “spirit(s)”
Hebrews 1:7 (NKJV)7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV)14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
From this description we can say that although angels can appear as people they are not physical beings but spirits sometimes taking on the appearance and mannerisms of physical beings ( before you become confused Jesus became a physical being but angels are only able to appear as if they are physical beings. The title angel is the name of their position or office not their nature. Angels are spiritual beings who serve as God’s messengers to mankind.
Angels are created beings and were created as angels. Angels are not human beings who have died and returned to heaven, nor are angels given physical bodies for a time.
Can Man Command Or Dispatch Angels?
In the hierarchy of God’s creation angels are of higher rank than humans.
Psalm 8:4-5 (NKJV)4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
Even Jesus, when he came to earth as a man, was lower in rank than angels.
Hebrews 2:5-9 (NKJV)5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him?7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
When He was arrested Jesus didn’t summon angels, because as human at the time, He had to defer to His Father to send angels to save Him.
Matthew 26:52-53 (NKJV)52 But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
There are no instances in Scripture where humans were able to give angels commands, either in their own name or in Jesus’ name. There are no passages where man has control over the work of the angels. As Jesus showed when arrested, believers can ask God the Father to dispatch or command angels to protect or guide them.
Here are some examples:
Numbers 20:14-16 (NKJV)14 Now Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. "Thus says your brother Israel: 'You know all the hardship that has befallen us,15 how our fathers went down to Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians afflicted us and our fathers.16 When we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice and sent the Angel and brought us up out of Egypt; now here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your border.
The Israelites didn’t command an angel to come help the appealed to God and He heard them and despatched the Angel.
Daniel 3:17-18, 28 (NKJV)17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." 28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!
There is no record that the Hebrews summoned or dispatched the angel but as Nebuchadnezzar said God “sent His Angel and delivered His servants.
Daniel 6:21-22 (NKJV)21 Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."
Daniel didn’t say that I called an angel or my angel (that’s the subject of another post), but that God sent His angel.
That’s Old Testament you say, and after Jesus we have more authority. Not so fast my friend. look at this.
Acts 12:5-11 (NKJV)5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.8 Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me."9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."
The church prayed for Peter when he was in prison and when he was released Peter said that he had no doubt that the Lord sent His angel to rescue him. The church was surprised when Peter came to the door so it’s pretty clear that they didn’t command an angel to rescue him.
But The Bible Says That We Will Judge Angels
1 Corinthians 6:3 (NKJV)3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
Some look at this scripture as evidence that believers are superior to angels and can command them to do their bidding.
Let’s look at a scripture that I used earlier in this post.
Hebrews 2:5-9 (NKJV)5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him?7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Here’s the point. This scripture does say that God will put everything in subjection under man. But it says that those things are not subject to him now, but when we look to Jesus we see what is to come. At Jesus’ Second Advent all who believe in Him will, at time become like Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NKJV)16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 John 3:1-2 (NKJV)1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
At time time we may be able to command or dispatch angels, although scripture doesn’t say that we can even then. We certainly can’t command or dispatch them today because they are still superior to us since we are not like Jesus yet.
Until then when we need protection or guidance, don’t call on an angel.
Psalm 34:7 (NKJV)7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
Pray and ask God for what it is that you need and He will command, or dispatch His angel(s) to help, guide, or protect.
Psalm 91:11-12 (NKJV) 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
God does work through angels and it is God who makes the decision to direct an angel to do His bidding, not us.
Revelation 22:8-9 (NKJV)8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
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