ANGELS NOT TO BE WORSHIPPED

Angels are created beings (Neh 9:6). As created beings, they are vastly inferior to God in every way.

Angels are spirits without bodies (Heb 1:7), but have appeared at times in a bodily form (Gen 19; Judg 2:1; Luke 1:11-20). Angels are not human beings who have died and been glorified; they were created separate and distinct from people (1Cor 6:3; Heb 12:22,23). Angels do not have the attributes of God, although their power and knowledge is greater than man’s (2Sam 14:20; 2Pet 2:11). They do not marry or die (Mark 12:25; Luke 20:34-36). They are intelligent, rational beings that are not human or divine. The word for “angel” in Hebrew means messenger. Angels were created to minister for God, assisting Him in the carrying out of His will and purposes (Heb 1:14). However, there are angels who chose to be evil (Satan and his demons), who are opposed to God’s benevolent will and Kingdom. These evil angels were not created to be evil, but rather chose rebellion over righteousness. Since they cannot harm God, these evil angels (demons) seek to deceive and enslave God’s most  treasured creation – mankind (2Cor 11:3,12-15).

The true angels of Heaven have as their highest and most important ministry giving praise and

worship to the only living God (Luke 2:13,14; Rev 7:11,12) and to His Son, Jesus Christ (Heb 1:6;

Rev 5:11,12). Angels ministered in Christ’s life on earth (Matt 4:11; Luke 22:43). They minister to us as heirs of salvation (Heb 1:14). They reveal God’s will (Job 33:23).

It is of great importance to note, however, that angels are not to be worshipped. The Bible clearly

warns against such practice. Fallen mankind has a pronounced weakness toward idol worship. The

Israelites – even though they had seen God’s powerful signs and wonders by day and night during the exodus from Egypt – still demanded that a golden calf be made for them to worship (Ex 32). Similar idolatry continues to this day as sinful people continue to exchange the worship of a glorious God for the worship of the corruptible glory of creation (Rom 1:21-25). Worship of angels is forbidden (Col 2:18; see also Revelation 19:10; 22:8,9). It is also forbidden to worship anything

or anyone other than God and Jesus Christ. The angels who are loyal and obedient to God will NOT accept worship; they forbid anyone to give them worship