The Bible does not provide a definitive answer on the origins of angels, but it does offer some clues that help us understand where angels come from and what their role is in God’s creation. Here is an overview of the key biblical evidence on this topic:
Angels were created by God
The Bible makes it clear that angels are spiritual beings created by God. They are not eternal like God, but had a beginning point when God brought them into existence. For example:
- “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6 ESV). This seems to include the angelic “host” or army.
- “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16 ESV). This refers to spiritual powers, including angels.
Angels are therefore part of God’s creation, made by his power and for his purposes. But when exactly this occurred is not specified.
Angels existed before the creation of the world
Angels were present before Genesis 1, when God created the heavens and the earth. Several passages indicate the pre-existence of angels:
- “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? …when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4,7 ESV). The “sons of God” here are commonly understood to be angels.
- “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24 ESV). Christ’s glory was seen by angels before creation.
From these texts, we can conclude angels were present before Genesis 1:1. This means they were likely created prior to the creation of the physical universe.
Angels were created holy but some rebelled
Angels were created as holy beings, though some rebelled against God:
- “God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment” (2 Peter 2:4 ESV)
- “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day” (Jude 1:6 ESV)
From these passages we learn that although created holy, some angels sinned in rebellion against God. This likely refers to Satan and the demons following him (see Revelation 12:7-9). The holy angels who did not rebel are those who serve God and are referred to as “elect angels” (1 Timothy 5:21).
Angels were created with a free will
In order for angels to choose to rebel against God, they must have been endowed with a free will at their creation. But the holy angels were also confirmed in their state of holiness so they would not fall as Satan did:
- “[The elect angels] did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day” (Jude 1:6 ESV). They were free to rebel but did not.
- “[The elect angels] have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8 ESV). They exercised their free will to remain faithful.
Angels are rational, emotional, volitional beings. They can make real choices. This is reflected in their creation.
Angels were created with incredible power
Angels have remarkable abilities that far surpass human limitations:
- “Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!” (Psalm 103:20 ESV). They have great strength to obey God.
- “Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14 ESV). They are powerful spiritual servants.
- “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7 ESV). They guard and protect God’s people.
Such passages show angels wield power far beyond humans. This was part of their design to serve God’s purposes.
Angels were created before humans
Angels predate the creation of mankind. They were present when the earth was formed (Job 38:4-7). Then humans were created on the 6th day of creation (Genesis 1:26-31). So angels already existed when God made Adam and Eve.
Angels were created in vast numbers
While the Bible does not specify how many angels God made, their numbers are great:
- “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering” (Hebrews 12:22 ESV). The angels here are “innumerable.”
- “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11 ESV). The angles number in the millions at least.
Jesus also said he could instantly call on over 12 legions of angels, where a Roman legion could number around 5,000 soldiers (Matthew 26:53). So the angels number at least in the tens of thousands if not millions.
Angels do not marry or reproduce
Angels do not marry and have “angel babies” as some mythologies promote. Jesus said:
- “For in the resurrection they [believers who die] neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30 ESV). There is no marriage or reproduction among angels.
Therefore, each individual angel was directly created by God. They did not come into being through sexual procreation. Their numbers are fixed as God designed them.
Angels are not little flying babies
Contrary to cartoons and popular culture, angels in the Bible do not take the form of chubby infant cherubs with wings. Rather they generally appear as mature men:
- “On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.” Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord, how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord. Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider: Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.” The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.” (Haggai 2:10-23 ESV)
- “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38 ESV)
Rather than cute winged babies, biblical angels look and act like adult men.
Summary
In summary, the Bible teaches angels were created by God before the Genesis creation account. They were made holy and powerful spiritual beings having free will. Though vast in number, angels do not reproduce. While popular culture often depicts angels as cute babies, in Scripture they appear as mature men. Though details are limited, these key biblical truths help us understand the origins of angels within God’s marvelous creation.