In our current series we’ve been going through an old list of questions and answers contained in the Westminster Larger Catechism published in 1648. Last week we began to look at God’s work of creation. This week I want to start looking at one aspect of God’s creation: angels.

What do we know about angels? Firstly, we know that God created angels: ‘For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him’ (Colossians 1:16). And again in Hebrews we learn: ‘In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire”’ (Hebrews 1:7).

Secondly we know that angels are spiritual beings: ‘Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?’ (Hebrews 1:14). And of course the implied answer is ‘Yes!’

Thirdly we know that angels are immortal. Jesus says: ‘But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels’ (Luke 20:35-36).

Fourthly we know that some angels are holy. Jesus says: ‘If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels’ (Luke 9:26).

Fifthly we sadly know that some angels are now unholy. In Jude we read: ‘And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home–these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day’ (Jude 1:6). Also in 2 Peter we see: ‘God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment’ (2 Peter 2:4). And unholy angels include Satan: ‘He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning’ (1 John 3:8).

So do you believe in the God who created angels as spiritual, immortal holy beings? Or do you worship a different god?

Joel Radford.