“…having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.” (Hebrews 1:4)
Angel, “messenger,” is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. 2 Samuel 14:20; Psalms 103:20; 104:4.
In the Tanakh (Old Testament) the expression “the angel of the Lord” (sometimes “of God”) usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form. (Genesis 16:1-13; 21:17-19; 22:11-16; 31:11-13; Exodus 3:2-4; Judges 2:1; 6:12-16; 13:3-22; see also Scofield Study Bible “Malachi 3:1”).
The word “angel” is used of men in Luke 7:24; James 2:25; Revelation 1:20; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14.
In Revelation 8:3-5 Christ is evidently meant.
Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man. (Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15)
Though angels are spirits (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:14) power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. (Genesis 19:1 cf; 19:5; Exodus 3:2; Numbers 22:22-31; Judges 2:1; 6:11,22; 13:3,6; 1 Chronicles 21:16,20; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:26; John 20:12; Acts 7:30; 12:7,8 etc).
The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels. (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25)
They are exceedingly numerous. (Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11; Psalm 68:17)
Their power is inconceivable. (2 Kings 19:35)
Their place is about the throne of God. (Revelation 5:11; 7:11)
Their relation to the believer is that of “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation,” and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers. (1 Kings 19:5; Psalms 34:7; 91:11; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 2:13,19; 4:11; Luke 22:43; Acts 5:19; 12:7-10).
From Hebrews 1:14; Matthew 18:10; Psalm 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life.
The angels observe us (1 Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 3:10; Ecclesiastes 5:6) a fact which should influence conduct.
They receive departing saints (Luke 16:22).
Man is made “a little lower than the angels,” and in incarnation Christ took “for a little time” this lower place. (Psalm 8:4,5; Hebrews 2:6,9) that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. (Hebrews 2:9,10)
The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. (Matthew 25:31)
To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. (Matthew 13:30,39,41,42; see also Scofield Study Bible “Matthew 25:32”)
The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. (Hebrews 2:5)
An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections. (Daniel 10:13,21;12:1,2; Jude 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16)
Gabriel was employed in the most distinguished services. (Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19; Luke 1:26)
Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:
(1) “The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation,” are “chained under darkness,” awaiting judgment. (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6; 1 Corinthians 6:3; John 5:22)
(See Scofield Study Bible “Genesis 6:4”)
(2) The angels who have Satan as leader. (Genesis 3:1)
(See Scofield Study Bible “Revelation 20:10”)
The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.
(See Scofield Study Bible “Matthew 7:22”).
For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10)
(The photo above is a stained glass depicting the Archangel Gabriel announcing the message of Yahweh to the Blessed Virgin Mary concerning the birth of Christ.)