I know that not all angels have wings.but what about the old saying that angels must earn their wings, and why do they need wings, if their spirits, they can float about, why need wings? And when do they earn them?

 
 
The Bible doesn't tell us that much about angels, and that is our only source of dependable information about spiritual beings.

That "old saying" is only that, and it has nothing to do with truth or reality. The Bible says nothing about angels earning their wings; it does say that God created them, and there are good angels and evil angels. Whatever wings they have were given to them by God.

Why do they need wings? The description of seraphim in Isaiah 6 says that those angels had ". . .six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying." Wings were used to show respect to God by covering their faces and feet, but they also used them to fly. I don't know why--maybe because it's fun? :::::smile:::::

Hope this helps separate the cultural ideas we have about angels from some of the biblical truth about them. My guess is that God doesn't tell us a whole lot about angels because He knows we'd concentrate on them instead of on Him. And holy angels would be horrified by that prospect!

Sue Bohlin
Probe Ministries

 
 
Thank you so much so replying to my questions. Ever since I was a child, my mom always told me that God's angels would watch over me. She taught me special prayers about angels, and I would say them every night before going to bed (in Portuguese) and ask God to send his angels to protect and watch over me. Now that I have grown children of my own, I find it sad that I can't remember not even one of my angels prayers. My nine year old son asked me the other day if I knew any angel prayers, and I started to cry, because I couldn't remember something that was so important to me as a child. My son turned to me and said, "It's OK mom, we'll pray our regular prayers, God still loves you, and He knows you didn't mean to forget your prayers." I felt such guilt, in realizing that I got too caught up in life's everday routine, that I can't even remember when was the last time I did say my angels prayers.

Once again, thank you for your reply.

P.S. One more question; do angels confort all dying?

 
 
Even though you can't remember the angel prayers, please let me encourage you that there is no power or magic in the words themselves. When you open your heart to the Lord and ask Him to send angels to protect you (and your children!) as you sleep, He will answer!

You might want to quote back Psalm 91:11 to Him as part of a prayer: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Something like, "Father God, I thank you that Your word says You will command Your angels concerning me to guard me in all my ways. I ask for angels to watch over me and protect me tonight. Thank You for answering my prayer in Jesus' Name. Amen."

By the way, I think your son is terrific! For him to know that the only important thing is that God loves you--and Jesus died for you!!--makes him one very smart, very wise boy.

One more question; do angels confort all dying?

The scriptures don't tell us. They sure show up a LOT, though, given the stories we hear from those who are dying and those who are there when the angels come!

Here's what the Bible does say: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14)

That's not ALL dying people, obviously. But those who are going to heaven get an angelic escort, I believe!

The bottom line is, we don't know for sure. I wish we did.

Sue