Angels Not to be Worshipped

Back to Angels'

The Bible shows that angels are not to be worshipped. Notice Revelation 22:8-9: “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then said he unto me, See you do it not: for I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: WORSHIP GOD.” (Also notice Revelation 19:10.)

The “Star in the East”

Another subject commonly misunderstood by most professing Christians is the “star in the east,” mentioned in Matthew 2:1-2. Many read this verse and mistakenly assume that the wise men from the east were following a literal star, marking the location of Jesus and His parents. (It is also commonly believed that there were three wise men, although Scripture does not indicate the actual number.)

Notice what these verses state: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.”

It is important to note that these men had come from the east. The “star” they saw was also in the east. Therefore, they could not have been travelling from a place to the same place. These men had to travel west to arrive in Jerusalem. Otherwise, the reference to “from the east” would have no meaning.

Now read Mt 2:9: “When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” This could not have been a literal star.

Genesis 1:14 records, “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.” Some may read this verse and think that stars, which would be among the “lights in the firmament,” were created by God to serve as “signs.” They might therefore conclude that the men of the east were following a literal star. But Gen 1:16 states, “…He made the stars also.” Stars were not created for signs.

To understand, we must allow the Bible to interpret itself. Again notice Job 38:7. Also read Revelation 1:20: “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches…” Here, stars are plainly shown to symbolize angels.

Therefore, the “star in the east” was an angel given the responsibility of leading the wise men to Jesus.

What About “Guardian Angels”?

Another popular misconception concerning the angelic realm that has intrigued and confused many involves so-called “guardian angels.” Many read Acts 12:15 and conclude that each human being has a single “guardian angel” looking out for him personally. However, there is no evidence in Scripture that angels are “assigned” to us one at a time. Notice what the verse states: “And they said unto her [Rhoda], You are mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.” Why would they have said this?

Another vital key to understanding the Bible is to examine the context in which a verse is written. When people focus solely on a single verse, and ignore the context (as well as other related scriptures), they get off track in their understanding.

To understand Acts 12:15, first read the following verse: “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways” (Psa. 91:11; also notice Matt. 4:6; Luke 4:10). These scriptures establish that, at any given time, God’s people each have more than one angel serving to protect them.

It is also important to understand that we must meet certain conditions in order to have angelic protection. Notice I Corinthians 11:10: “For this cause ought the woman to have [a symbol of] power on her head”—why?—“…be-cause of the angels.” When a woman demonstrates a humble, submissive attitude, it sends a signal to the angels, giving them the responsibility to protect her. Notice Job 1:6;2:1. In these verses, we see angels coming before God’s throne to receive their “marching orders,” as alluded to in Psalm 91:11.

The context of Acts 12 is that King Herod had taken the apostle Peter and imprisoned him. When the brethren heard Peter’s knock at the door, they were praying (vs. 12), no doubt for Peter’s release. Their reply to Rhoda was not due to a lack of faith, but was rather the reaction one would naturally expect from zealous people who had witnessed and endured much persecution. They had faith that Peter would be delivered, and that even death is a form of deliverance “from this present evil world” (Gal. 1:4; also notice II Tim. 4:6-8; Heb. 11:39-40).

During the apostolic era, interactions between Christians and angels were not uncommon. The New Testament records several accounts of this (Matt. 1:20; 2:19; 28:2-7; Luke 1:11-20, 26-38; Acts 5:19-20; 10:3-6; 12:7-9). Read Galatians 1:8: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

To further understand, notice Matthew 18:10: “Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.” It is important to note the reference to “their angels,” those who watch over “these little ones.”

Again, the members of the Church would have understood this. Christ’s words in Matthew 26:53 further show this: “Think you that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions [72,000] of angels?” This is an astonishing number of angels that Christ had command of at any given time!

In Psalm 68:17, King David wrote, “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.” This is another amazing statement concerning the number of God’s angels.

Also notice David’s words, in another reference to the “angel of the LORD,” in Psalm 34:7: “The angel of the LORD encamps round about them that fear Him, and delivers them.” Whenever angels carry out their responsibilities, they are acting on behalf of the Father and Christ, and according to their express will and intent. In Psalm 34:7, David again demonstrated the number of angels that are loyal to God.

Since angels are always in God’s presence, there has to be, of necessity, a “rotation of duties.” But there is obviously more than ONE angel assigned to each person.

What We Can Understand Now

We cannot at this time know all there is to know about angels, just as we cannot now know every detail about events prior to man’s creation, or all the details beyond God’s 7,000-year Plan. There are many things we cannot know until we are resurrected as spirit beings into God’s Family (I Cor. 13:9-12).

But God’s Word provides all the vital information to make us “wise unto salvation” (II Tim. 3:15). In other words, it tells us all we need to know in order to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:18).

II Kings 6 provides a fascinating account showing the awesome role that angels have in the lives of God’s people. You may wish to read the entire chapter, especially II Kings 6:15-17.

This account shows that, as the prophet Elisha stated, “they that be with us are more than they that be with them [our enemies]…And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (vs. 16-17).

This shows that, as God’s servants, we have a vast spirit army on our side! And, as I Corinthians 6:3 shows, true Christians will one day judge angels. As they now serve us, they are aware of the future responsibility that we will have, and that they are like regents, serving those who will one day be kings over them.

Therefore, as did Paul, we can say with confidence, “…neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39). This is a sure promise from God, which will not fail (II Pet. 1:4; Rev. 22:6).

(Rom 8:38-39). This is a sure promise from God, which will not fail (II Pet. 1:4; Rev. 22:6).

Back to Angels'

Back to By David C. Pack