Jamin Bradley

The literal translation of the word angel is messenger. These divine postmen not only pass along messages from God, but they return to Heaven with messages for God. As a part of God’s divine council, they weigh in on issues they’ve witnessed and offer input when God desires it.

For example, God sent some angels to Sodom and Gomorrah to see if was as bad as he had heard. The angels immediately ran into Lot, sitting at Sodom’s gate, where judges took care of matters of justice. The angels planned on staying the night in the town square, but Lot insisted they stay in his house. Lot clearly knew that the town square was no place for strangers to be staying—especially at night. Though Lot’s house was not safe either, and he proved to be a very questionable judge. Upon angelic inspection, the qualifications for destroying Sodom and Gomorrah had been met. The community had completely surrendered to darkness, so the angels used their authority to destroy it.

This dynamic is seen in other stories as well. For example, Jesus warned those who oppress children that angels will report them. In the Book of Job, an angel that was assigned to roam the earth came back and expressed his frustration with humanity’s unfaithfulness. God then used Job as proof to the heavenly council that there was at least one human on the earth who would be faithful to God no matter what. In 1 Kings 22, God’s heavenly council gave God ideas on how to successfully end King Ahab’s reign. In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar was given a verdict created by angels known as watchers—a term that might very well fit a kind of angel that’s always watching the affairs of earth.

God could work alone, but instead, he offers other spiritual beings power, authority, and assignments and invites them into the conversation. The same is true with his earthly followers.