Angels: Messengers of God and Their Divine Assignments

Have you ever wondered how angels interact with humanity? From delivering life-changing messages from God, ascending in flames, or appearing in radiant glory, angels have played pivotal roles in God’s divine plan. What does Prophet TB Joshua say about these wonderful Heavenly beings? How do they support God’s Prophets? How do they operate at SCOAN living water services?

Author

Sammy Egot

Published

January 25, 2025

Understanding Angels

Judges 13:2–25, Luke 1:5–23, Luke 1:26–38, Matthew 28:2–3, Acts 12:7, Daniel 10:5–6

Angels? Who are they?

Angel Michael Defeats Satan: Image Credits to Guido Reni

Angels are heavenly beings and messengers of God, bringing messages from His throne through dreams, visions, and direct encounters with men. They communicate the saving will of Christ and play significant roles in revealing God’s plans to mankind. Their presence brings awe, reverence, and hope, and they help God’s Children in this world understand their spiritual gifts and destinies, their divine purpose on this earth.

When angels stand before a person they’ve been sent to, you don’t need to tell them the problem; they already know it. This aligns closely with the pattern followed by the Prophets of God when communicating deep secrets of God to men in prophecies.

When angels deliver messages, they come with purpose, clarity, and brevity. Their missions often follow a divine structure, including:

Acknowledging the Challenge: They recognize or acknowledge the recipient’s struggles, challenges or needs.
Bringing Hope: They reassure the recipient and lift their spirit with words of hope.
Giving Instructions from the Lord: They deliver specific actions to fulfill God’s plan.
Revealing God’s Purpose: They explain the divine reason behind their assignment.

Biblical Examples of Angelic Messages

1. Samson’s Birth (Judges 13:2–5)

The Israelites cried out to the Lord for deliverance from their oppressors, and in response, God sent His angel to reveal His plans to rescue them through the birth of Samson. This highlights God’s faithfulness to hear the cries of His people and act in His divine timing to bring about salvation. Through the angel’s message, God’s purpose for Samson—to begin rescuing Israel from the Philistines—was made clear even before his birth (Judges 13:2–25).

Judges 13:2 “In those days a man named Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. His wife was unable to become pregnant, and they had no children. ³ The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. ⁴ So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. ⁵ You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.”

Acknowledgment of the Challenge(s):
“Even though you have been unable to have children”..
Bringing Hope to Lighten the Heart:
“You will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son..”
Instructions from the LORD:
“Be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink, nor eat anything unclean.” You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut..”
Revealing God’s Purpose:
“For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.”

2. Sending Gideon – Judges 6:11–16

Gideon was born to lead Israel, but he was completely unaware of his purpose and mission to the world. He was also hiding away from being seen by their enemies, the very people God had already equipped him to destroy since birth.

¹²The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” ¹⁴ Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”¹⁶ The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

Acknowledgment of the Challenge(s):
“Mighty Hero….” (Gideon was hiding grain to avoid the Midianites.)
Bringing Hope to Lighten the Heart:
“the LORD is with you…”
Instructions from the LORD:
“Go with the strength you have…. I am sending you!”
Revealing God’s Purpose:
“and rescue Israel… from the Midianites.I will be with you, and you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

3. John the Baptist’s Birth – Luke 1:5–23

God revealed His will concerning the birth of a forerunner to our Lord Jesus Christ through the angelic announcement of John the Baptist’s birth. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, declaring that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth and would prepare the way for the Lord. John’s purpose was to turn the hearts of many Israelites back to God and to make ready a people for the coming of the Messiah (Luke 1:5–23).

¹²Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. ¹³ But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. ¹⁴ You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.¹⁶ And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

Acknowledgment of the Challenge(s):
“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer.”
Bringing Hope to Lighten the Heart:
“Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”
Instructions from the LORD:
“You are to name him John, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth.”
Revealing God’s Purpose:
“He will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.”

4. The Birth of Jesus Christ – Luke 1:26–38

God revealed His will concerning the birth of a Savior, whose mission was to restore the relationship and fellowship between God and man. Through the angel Gabriel, Mary was told she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, and this child, Jesus, would save His people from their sins. The angel also reassured Joseph in a dream, affirming that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would fulfill God’s promise of salvation (Matthew 1:20–21; Luke 1:26–38). This divine revelation marked the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

“²⁰ As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,for he will save his people from their sins.”

Acknowledgment of the Challenge(s):
“Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.”
Bringing Hope to Lighten the Heart:
“She will have a son..”
Instructions from the LORD:
“You are to name him Jesus..”
Revealing God’s Purpose:
“For he will save his people from their sins.”

Forms in Which Angels Appear

In the Bible, angels appeared to humans in various forms depending on the context, their mission, and the message they carried. Here are some examples of the forms angels have taken:

1. Bright Light or Glorious Appearance

Luke 2:9: “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” (The angel appeared in radiant glory to the shepherds at Jesus’ birth.)
Matthew 28:2-3: At Jesus’ resurrection, an angel rolled back the stone, and “his appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.”
Acts 12:7: An angel appeared to Peter in prison, and “a light shone in the cell.”

2. Human Form

Genesis 18:1-2: Angels appeared as three men to Abraham near the oaks of Mamre.
Genesis 19:1: Two angels appeared as men to Lot in Sodom.
Judges 6:11-12: The angel of the Lord appeared as a man to Gideon.
Hebrews 13:2: Suggests that angels can appear in human form, stating, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

3. Terrifying or Majestic Form

Daniel 10:5-6: Daniel describes an angel with a face like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, arms and legs like polished bronze, and a voice like the sound of a multitude.
Revelation 10:1: An angel is described as being “robed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.”

4. In Dreams or Visions

Genesis 28:12: Jacob saw angels ascending and descending a ladder in a dream.
Matthew 1:20: An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to reassure him about taking Mary as his wife.
Acts 10:3: An angel appeared to Cornelius in a vision.

5. Invisible, Acting Through Natural Phenomena

Numbers 22:31: The angel of the Lord was initially invisible to Balaam but later revealed, standing with a drawn sword.
Psalm 104:4: Suggests angels can manifest as wind or flames of fire.

Angels appear in ways that align with their mission, often adapting their form to either reassure or invoke awe and reverence in humans. If you’d like further elaboration on any of these examples, let me know!

Who Can See Angels?

Angels often reveal themselves to the righteous, those in a strong relationship with God, or the innocent. Scripture highlights examples of individuals who encountered angels due to their faithfulness or purity:

Righteous People

Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:6): They were described as righteous in God’s eyes, living blamelessly, and were visited by the angel Gabriel to announce the birth of John the Baptist.
Manoah and his wife (Judges 13:6–9): Manoah prayed for the angel to return and was heard by God, revealing their strong relationship with Him.
Joseph (Matthew 1:19): A righteous man, Joseph was visited by an angel in a dream to confirm God’s divine plan for Jesus’ birth.
Daniel (Daniel 10:11): Daniel, referred to as “greatly loved” or “precious to God,” received angelic visitations due to his unwavering faith and commitment to God in prayer. The angel Gabriel appeared to him with insights and wisdom, revealing God’s plans for Israel and the world. Daniel’s relationship with God and his righteousness brought clarity and revelation in times of uncertainty.
Mary (Luke 1:26–38), a young woman described as favored by God, encountered the angel Gabriel, who announced that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world. Her purity and faith were evident in her response: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Cornelius (Acts 10), a Roman centurion described as devout, God-fearing, and generous to the poor, encountered an angel who told him his prayers and acts of charity had come up as a memorial offering before God. The angel directed him to summon Peter, leading to Cornelius and his household receiving the Gospel and the Holy Spirit. His sincere faith and pursuit of God opened the door for this divine encounter.
Abraham ( Genesis 18), known as the father of faith, was visited by three angels in human form near the oaks of Mamre. They revealed God’s plan to bless Abraham with a son, Isaac, despite his and Sarah’s advanced age. Abraham’s hospitality and close relationship with God made him worthy of this visitation.
Moses (Exodus 3:1-17), a shepherd at the time, encountered the angel of the Lord in a burning bush. This angelic appearance revealed God’s plan to use Moses to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. Moses’ awe, reverence, and initial humility in removing his sandals in God’s presence highlighted his readiness for this divine assignment.
Joshua ( Joshua 5:13), encountered the angelic commander of the Lord’s army near Jericho. The angel appeared as a man holding a drawn sword, declaring, “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” Joshua fell face down in reverence, showing his submission to God. This encounter reassured Joshua that God’s presence and power would be with him as he led Israel into battle.
Jacob (Genesis 32:22-32), wrestled with an angel in human form during the night. This mysterious figure was later revealed to be God’s messenger, and Jacob refused to let go until he received a blessing. The angel changed Jacob’s name to Israel, signifying his transformation and role in God’s covenant plan. Jacob’s persistence and willingness to engage with God demonstrated his faith.
Paul & Silas (Acts 16:10), While imprisoned for their faith, Paul and Silas prayed and worshiped God. During the night, an angelic intervention caused an earthquake that opened the prison doors and broke their chains. This miraculous event led to the salvation of the jailer and his household. Their unwavering faith and commitment to God attracted angelic assistance in their time of need.
Peter (Acts 12:6), While Peter was imprisoned, an angel appeared to him at night. The angel woke him, released his chains, and led him out of the prison past the guards. This divine intervention was in response to the prayers of the believers for Peter’s release. His strong relationship with God and faithful ministry made him a recipient of this miraculous deliverance.
Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:16–28), three righteous men who refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, were thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment. However, they were protected by the presence of an angelic figure described as “like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25). This angel walked with them in the furnace, and they emerged unharmed, demonstrating God’s divine protection for His faithful servants.
Elijah (1 Kings 19:4–8), after fleeing from Jezebel, Elijah was exhausted and ready to give up. An angel appeared to him twice, providing food and water to sustain him for his journey to Mount Horeb. This encounter reminded Elijah that God had not abandoned him in his mission.
Lot (Genesis 19:1–22), Two angels came to Lot in Sodom to warn him of the city’s impending destruction. Because of Lot’s righteousness, the angels urged him to take his family and flee, ensuring their safety from the judgment about to come upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
Gideon (Judges 6:11–24), encountered an angel who referred to him as a “mighty hero” and revealed that he would deliver Israel from the Midianites. Gideon’s humility and doubts didn’t disqualify him; instead, the angel strengthened his faith and called him to action.
Philip (Acts 8:26–40), An angel instructed Philip to go to the desert road leading to Gaza. There, he met an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah. Philip explained the scripture, leading to the eunuch’s baptism and conversion. This encounter highlights how angels can guide believers to divine appointments.

Little Children or Innocent Hearts: (Genesis 16:7–12; Genesis 21:17–19): are pure and sensitive to the spiritual realm. They are not deep into sin and the ways of the world.

The angel of God appeared and told her not to be afraid, for God had heard the cries of the boy. The angel then guided her to a well of water, saving their lives. This encounter was a testament to God’s compassion and care for the innocent, as the intervention occurred because of the baby’s cries and innocence, not necessarily Hagar’s own righteousness.

The Awe-Inspiring Presence of Angels

Angels often invoke fear, awe, or reverence due to their holiness and divine nature.

The presence of angels and divine holiness serves as a mirror, exposing the true spiritual state of individuals. The righteous find comfort and assurance in angelic presence, while the impure feel unease or fear.

Impure Individuals Feel Uneasy in the Presence of Angels or Holiness

Impure individuals, particularly those possessed by demons or who live in sin, often feel uncomfortable, uneasy, or terrified in the presence of divine holiness or angels. This is because such encounters expose their unclean nature, creating a clash between light and darkness.

Demons and unclean spirits cannot withstand their presence.

In the Bible, demons consistently reacted with fear and recognition when confronted by the holiness of Jesus or the presence of God’s power:

Mark 1:24: A demon-possessed man cried out in fear, saying, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” The demons recognized Jesus’ divine authority and were terrified.
Luke 8:28: The demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes fell at Jesus’ feet, shouting, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”

Angelic Encounters at the SYNAGOGUE CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS

Heavenly Beings Revealed at the SCOAN

At the synagogue, we see many manifestations of demons whenever Prophet TB Joshua comes into the midst of the people to minister God’s healing, deliverance, and prophetic power. The altar at the Synagogue Church of all Nations is a modern-day example of the Lord manifesting his power using heavenly beings here on earth.

Here is a video of people whose spiritual eyes were opened at the synagogue altar to see heavenly beings. This is a chilling example of supernatural acts happening in our lifetime.

Here is another video of a man who was positioned by God to see an angel walking majestically into the Synagogue in broad daylight. This was an incredible experience captured on camera confirming angels walk in the air.

Heavenly Beings at work during SCOAN Living Water Services

During the Living water services at the Synagogue Churclh of all nations, people possessed with demons manifest physically and they get delivered without the physical presence of Prophet TB Joshua or Mama Evelyn or the Evangelists touching them. The SCOAN altar is an heavenly site on earth where heaven’s goodness is manifested on mankind.

Here is a video of angels healing and setting people free from bondage and satanic oppression

Class of Angels

There are different class of Angelic beings and they perform different functions for God as commanded by God.

Arch Angels (Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael): These are the chief angels and commanders of Heaven’s Army.
Cherubims (Ezekiel 10:1-2): These angels sing and worship God in heaven and deliver God’s messages to mankind.
Seraphims (Joshua 5:13-14, 2 Chronicles 32:21, 2 Kings 19) - These are battle Angels that work against the Kingdom of Darkness.
Four Living Beings (Revelations 5:8): These angels with six wings, covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. They stand before God and worship Him along with the 24 Elders.
Guardian Angels: These angels primary mission is to serve, guide and protect you while helping you along your spiritual path
Fallen Angels (Lucifer and his demons)

How Angels Move

Angels move in ways that defy human limitations, often demonstrating their supernatural nature through miraculous or awe-inspiring actions. Their movements highlight their divine origin and mission.

Walking in the Air:
- Daniel 10:5: Daniel looked up and saw an angel, “a man dressed in linen,” who appeared to be standing above the river, emphasizing his supernatural position.
- Daniel 12:5–7: Daniel observed two angels standing on opposite banks of a river while one angel stood above the water. This image of angels hovering above water reflects their ability to transcend physical constraints.
Ascending through flames:
- Judges 13:20: In the story of Samson’s parents, as the flames from the altar rose toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flames, leaving Manoah and his wife awestruck. This act confirmed the divine nature of the angel’s visit.
- Judges 6:21: When Gideon offered a meal to the angel of the Lord, the angel touched the offering with the tip of his staff, causing fire to consume it. Immediately after, the angel disappeared, leaving Gideon amazed and aware of the divine encounter.
Prophet TB Joshua Explains how heavenly beings move through Smoke:

Here is a video of Prophet TB Joshua explaining how heavenly beings move through smoke

Conclusion: Discern the Mind of God Through Angels

Angels are not just messengers but also carriers of divine purpose. By analyzing their messages, we can discern God’s will for our lives. Do you want an angel visitation today? Then be a devout Christian and give to the poor regularly like Cornelius.