17/05/2026
Bishop Fortune L Mwiza
⢠Title: The Purpose and Responsibilities of Angels
Scripture: Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Angels are created, spiritual beings with moral judgment and high intelligence, but without physical bodies. God desires for His Children to know about the angels. The primary purpose is to serve God and execute Godâs will.
They are described as "ministering spirits" (Hebrews 1:14) who exist to worship God, protect believers, and carry out heavenly decrees We are not worship angels, or pray to them or seek them. âBut seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.â Matthew 6:33 Here are ten responsibilities of angels.
1. Unceasing Worship and Praise
Angels are all over and occupy the throne room of heaven, continuously worshiping God, shouting His praises and cry out holy, holy and holy. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory" Isaiah 6:3
Revelation 5:11-13 âThen I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: âWorthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!â Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: âTo him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!ââ
2. Delivering Divine Messages
The word "angel" stems from the Greek angelos, meaning "messenger". They communicate Godâs will, guidance, or revelations to humans, often appearing in human form. The archangel Gabriel was sent to bring message from Father God to
Daniel (Daniel 8:16 And I heard a manâs voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, âGabriel, make this man understand the vision.â), Zechariah (Luke 1:19 And the angel answered him, âI am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.â),
Mary (Luke 1:26 âIn the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,â).
3. Protecting the People of God
Angels work as guardians or protectors for born again believers,
They act on God's orders to guard Godâs children from physical or spiritual harm. The psalmist states that,
"For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" Psalm 91:11,
Daniel too testifies âMy God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.â Daniel 6:22).
4. Executing Divine Judgment
Angels serve as agents of destruction when God passes judgment on evil or disobedience, demonstrating that they are not only agents of grace but also of justice.
The angel striking down the Assyrian army 2 Kings 19:35 âAnd that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.â
Acts 12:23 (NIV) "Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.â King Herod accepted worship from people, claiming divine status. An angel is sent as an agent of Godâs immediate judgment to punish this disobedience and pride.
5. Serving and Ministering to Believers
Hebrews 1:14 defines them as spirits "sent to serve those who will inherit salvation," meaning they provide aid, comfort, and encouragement to Christians. An angel strengthening Elijah
1 Kings 19:5-7 âThen he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, âGet up and eat.â He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, âGet up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.â
The angels ministered to Jesus after his temptation Matthew 4:11 âThen the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.â
6. Waging Spiritual Warfare
Angels fight against demonic forces and dark spiritual powers, engaging in battles that occur behind the scenes of human history. Michael the archangel fighting against Satan
Daniel 10:13 âThe prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.â
Jude 1:9 âBut when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, âThe Lord rebuke you.â
Revelation 12:7 âNow war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,â
7. Rescuing and Releasing from Danger
Angels often intervene to rescue the righteous from fatal situations or, particularly in the New Testament, to release them from captivity. An angel delivering Peter from prison
Acts 12:7-10 âAnd behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, âGet up quickly.â And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, âDress yourself and put on your sandals.â And he did so. And he said to him, âWrap your cloak around you and follow me.â And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.â
and the apostles from jail Acts 5:19 âBut during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,â But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said."
8. Guiding and Providing Directions
Angels offer specific, sometimes supernatural, guidance to individuals to ensure God's work is carried out.
An angel directing Philip to talk to the Ethiopian eu**ch Acts 8:26 âNow an angel of the Lord said to Philip, âGo south to the roadâthe desert roadâthat goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.â telling Cornelius to seek Peter Acts 10:3 âOne day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, âCornelius!â
9. Celebrating the Salvation of Sinners
Angels take personal interest in the redemption of humanity, rejoicing when a sinner turns to God.
Jesus Christ states, "...there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10)
10. Escorting Righteous Souls After Death
Scripture implies that angels play a role in caring for the souls of the righteous at the moment of death, transporting them into God's presence. The angels carrying Lazarus to "Abraham's side" Luke 16:22 ââThe time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abrahamâs side. The rich man also died and was buried.â
Angels are not to be worshiped because angels are creatures and servants, not creators; Angels specifically reject worship (Revelation 22:8-9). Angels are obedient: Angels instantly obey Godâs commands (Psalm 103:20). Angels have wisdom: They have high intelligence but are not omniscient.
Angels have no free will, unlike humans: They were created for specific roles.