ANGEL in the original Bible languages means a "messenger." Any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes can be called an angel. It is used of an ordinary messenger (Job 1:14; 1 Samuel 11:3; Luke 7:24; Luke 9:52), of prophets (Isaiah 42:19; Haggai 1:13), and of priests (Malachi 2:7). It is also applied to such impersonal agents such as the the wind (Psalm 104:4).

     The main application is to certain intelligent heavenly beings whom God employs in carrying on his government of the world. The name does not denote their nature as much as their office as messengers.

1. The existence and orders of angelic beings can only be discovered from the Scriptures. Although the Bible does deal with the angels specially, there are numerous incidental details that furnish us with ample information. Their personal existence is affirmed in such passages as Genesis 16:7, 10-11; Judges 13:1-21; Matthew 28:2-5; Hebrews 1:4, etc. These superior beings are very numerous. "Thousand upon thousands," etc. (Daniel 7:10; Matthew 26:53; Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22-23). They have various ranks and powers (Zech. 1:9, 11; Daniel 10:13; Daniel 12:1; 1 Thes. 4:16; Jude 1:9; Ephes. 1:21; Col. 1:16).

2. As to their nature, they are spirits (Hebrews 1:14). Such expressions as "like the angels" (Luke 20:36), and the fact that whenever angels appeared to humans it was always in a human form (Genesis 18:2; Genesis 19:1, 10; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10), and the titles that are applied to them ("sons of God," Job 1:6; Job 38:7; Daniel 3:25; comp. Daniel 3:28) and to humans (Luke 3:38), seem all to indicate some resemblance between them and the human race. Imperfection is ascribed to them as creatures (Job 4:18; Matthew 24:36; 1 Peter 1:12). As finite creatures they may fall under temptation; and accordingly we read of "fallen angels." Of the cause and manner of their "fall" we given little information. We know only that "they left their first estate" (Matthew 25:41; Rev. 12:7, 9), and that they are "reserved unto judgement" (2 Peter 2:4).  Angels never die (Luke 20:36). They are possessed of superhuman intelligence and power (Mark 13:32; 2 Thes. 1:7; Psalm 103:20). They are called "holy" (Luke 9:26), "elect" (1 Tim. 5:21). The redeemed in glory are "like unto the angels" (Luke 20:36). They are not to be worshipped (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10).

3. Their reponsibilities are many. (a) In the widest sense they are agents of God's purposes (Exodus 12:23; Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 11:28; 1 Cor. 10:10; 2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Chron. 21:16; 2 Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23). (b) They are specially God's agents in carrying on his great work of redemption. There frequent references to their ministry on earth (Genesis 18-19; Genesis 24:7, 40; Genesis 28:12; Genesis 32:1). They appear to rebuke idolatry (Judges 2:1-4), to call Gideon (Judges 6:11-12), and to consecrate Samson (Judges 13:3) and to assist the prophets (1 Kings 19:5; 2 Kings 6:17; Zech. 1-6; Daniel 4:13, 23; Daniel 10:10, 13, 20-21).

     The Incarnation, birth of Christ, introduces a new era in the ministrations of angels. They come with their Lord to earth to do him service while here. They proclaim his coming (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:26-38), minister to him after his temptation and agony (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43), and declare his resurrection and ascension (Matthew 28:2-8; John 20:12, 13; Acts 1:10, 11). They are now ministering spirits to the people of God (Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 34:7; Psalm 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Acts 5:19; Acts 8:26; Acts 10:3; Acts 12:7; Acts 27:23). They rejoice over a penitent sinner (Luke 15:10). They bear the souls of the redeemed to paradise (Luke 16:22); and they will be the ministers of judgement hereafter on the great day (Matthew 13:39, 41, 49; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:31). It may be that every individual has a particular guardian angel (Luke 4:10, Matthew 18:10). It is certain, however, that God employs the ministry of angels to deliver his people from affliction and danger, and that the angels do not think it below their dignity to minister even to children and to the least among Christ's disciples.

The "angel of his presence" (Isaiah 63:9. Comp. Exodus 23:20-21; Exodus 32:34; Exodus 33:2; Numbers 20:16) is probably rightly interpreted of the Messiah as the guide of his people. The appearances to Abraham at Mamre (Genesis 18:2, 22. Comp. Genesis 19:1), to Jacob at Peniel (Genesis 32:24, 30), to Joshua at Gilgal (Joshua 5:13, 15), of the "Angel of the Lord" (Yahweh Malak), were doubtless manifestations of God Himself, "foreshadowings of the incarnation," revelations before the "fulness of the time" of the Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Adapted from Easton's Bible Dictionary.

• Created by God / Christ. Neh. 9:6; Col. 1:16
• Worship God / Christ. Neh. 9:6; Phil. 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:6
• Are ministering Spirits. 1 Kings 19:5; Psalm 68:17; Psalm 104:4; Luke 16:22; Acts 12:7-11; Acts 27:23; Hebrews 1:7, 14
• Communicate the will of God / Christ. Daniel 8:16-17; Daniel 9:21-23; Daniel 10:11; Daniel 12:6-7; Matthew 2:13, 20; Luke 1:19, 28; Acts 5:20; Acts 8:26; Acts 10:5; Acts 27:23; Rev. 1:1
• Obey the will of God. Psalm 103:20; Matthew 6:10
• Execute the purposes of God. Numbers 22:22; Psalm 103:21; Matthew 13:39-42; Matthew 28:2; John 5:4; Rev. 5:2
• Execute the judgments of God. 2 Samuel 24:16; 2 Kings 19:35; Psalm 35:5-6; Acts 12:23; Rev. 16:1
• Celebrate the praises of God. Job 38:7; Psalm 148:2; Isaiah 6:3; Luke 2:13-14; Rev. 5:11-12; Rev. 7:11-12
• The law given by the ministration of. Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2
ANNOUNCED.
     • The conception of Christ. Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:31
     • The birth of Christ. Luke 2:10-12
     • The resurrection of Christ. Matthew 28:5-7; Luke 24:23
     • The ascension and second coming of Christ. Acts 1:11
     • The conception of John the Baptist. Luke 1:13, 36
• Minister to Christ. Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43; John 1:51
• Are subject to Christ. Ephes. 1:21; Col. 1:16; Col. 2:10; 1 Peter 3:22
• Shall execute the purposes of Christ. Matthew 13:41; Matthew 24:31
• Shall attend Christ at his second coming. Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31; Mark 8:38; 2 Thes. 1:7
• Know and delight in the gospel of Christ. Ephes. 3:9-10; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Peter 1:12
• Ministration of, obtained by prayer. Matthew 26:53; Acts 12:5, 7
• Rejoice over every repentant sinner. Luke 15:7, 10
• Have charge over the children of God. Psalm 34:7; Psalm 91:11-12; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 18:10
• Are of different orders. Isaiah 6:2; 1 Thes. 4:16; 1 Peter 3:22; Jude 1:9; Rev. 12:7
• Not to be worshipped. Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; Rev. 22:9
• Are examples of meekness. 2 Peter 2:11; Jude 1:9
• Are wise. 2 Samuel 14:20
• Are mighty. Psalm 103:20
• Are holy. Matthew 25:31
• Are elect. 1 Tim. 5:21
• Are innumerable. Job 25:3; Hebrews 12:22

-Adapted from Torrey's Topical Textbook.