Why did God create the angels?

Question: Why did God create angels? Is there a purpose for them to exist?
Answer: Both the Greek word for angels, aggelos (Strong's Concordance # G32) and the Hebrew word malak (Strong's # H4397) mean "messenger". These two words reveal a key reason why they exist.

Angels were created to be messengers between God and humans or between him and those spirits who became evil or demons (Isaiah 14:12 - 15, Ezekiel 28:11 - 19, etc.).

Although we don't know exactly when angels began to exist, the scriptures tell us they were in the making of the entire universe (see Job 38: 4 - 7). In the Old Testament, they are accustomed to calling Gideon to serve (Judges 6) and consecrate Samson as a Nazirite while still in his mother's womb (Judges 13: 3 - 5)! When God called the prophet Ezekiel, he was granted visions of angels in heaven (see Ezekiel 1).

In the New Testament, angels announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem (Luke 2: 8 - 15). The births of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11 - 20) and Jesus (Luke 1: 26-38) were announced by them to Zechariah and the Virgin Mary in advance.

Another purpose for angels is to praise God. For example, the four living creatures on the throne of God in heaven are apparently a class or type of angelic being. They were given a simple but profound task of praising the Eternal on a continuous basis (Revelation 4: 8).

There are also angels to help people, especially those who convert and are destined to inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14, Psalm 91). In one case, they appeared to protect the prophet Elisha and his servant (see 2 Kings 6:16 - 17). In another situation, God had a just spirit to open the doors of a prison to free the apostles (Acts 5:18 - 20). God used them both to convey a message and to save Lot from Sodom (Genesis 19: 1 - 22).

Jesus will have both the saints (converted, resurrected Christians) and the holy angels with him when he returns to earth in what is called his Second Coming (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16 - 17).

The book of 2 Thessalonians 1, verses 7 and 8, reveals that those angelic beings who return with Jesus will be used to quickly confront those who reject God and who refuse to obey the gospel.

In conclusion, angels exist to serve both God and humans. The Bible tells us that their destiny will not be to rule the universe (the new paradise and the new earth) for all eternity. That gift, made possible by the sacrifice of Christ, will be given to the greatest creation of God, humanity, after our conversion and resurrection!