en_bc/articles/angel.md

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Angel

The word “angel” is used to talk about a powerful being whom God created. Angels are spirits who serve God. They do whatever God tells them to do.

The word "angel" means "messenger." In the Bible, angels served God by giving his messages to people (see: Luke 1:26-38). These messages told people about the things God wanted the people to do. Sometimes angels told people about things that were going to happen in the future. Sometimes angels told people about things that had already happened (see: Revelation 1:1).

Angels also serve God by protecting and strengthening people (see: Hebrews 1:14).

See: Spirit (Spiritual); Serve (Servant, Slave)

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There are a very large number of angels (see: Revelation 5:11). There are different types of angels. Some are called cherubim (see: Genesis 3:24; Isaiah 37:16; Ezekiel 10:1-20). Some are called seraphim (see: Isaiah 6:2, 6). Archangels are angels that lead other angels (see: 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 1:9).

There are also angels who disobey God and obey Satan (see: Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; Revelation 12:9). These angels are sometimes called “demons” or “evil spirits” (see: Luke 8:2).

The Bible also talks about the “angel of Yahweh” (see: Genesis 22:11-15; Exodus 3:2-4). The word “Yahweh” is a name for God. Some scholars think the angel of Yahweh was an angel who spoke for God. Some scholars think it was God himself. That is, they think God appeared in the form of an angel when he talked to people.

The Bible teaches that people should not worship angels (see: Colossians 2:18). Jesus is greater than the angels (see: Hebrews 1:1-14).

See: Satan (The Devil); Demon; Yahweh (I am)

Advice to translators: A “being” is something that is alive. However, it is not a person or an animal.