Do angels have wings?

[he-man]

Who are the angels?
So – lets have a brief introduction to who the angels are before we consider if they have wings. The Bible teaches that angels are “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14) which are sent forth by God to help those called to a knowledge of Gods truth and to bring about Gods purpose with the earth. They currently work under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, since his resurrection and ascension to glory has been given by God, authority over them (1 Peter 3:22).
If the question were asked – where exactly did these “ministering spirits” come from, we would have to answer honestly; that the Bible is mainly silent on this account. It must therefore not be necessary for our salvation to know the answer to this question at this present time (2 Timothy 3:15).
In the Bible angels are often used by God as his representatives and as such are often given the name of God. For example we read in Exodus:

“Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.” Exodus 23:20-21
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They are then important “messengers” from God which is what the hebrew for “angel” (which is “mal’ak”) literally translates as meaning.
The Bible teaches that these angels are always obedient to God and do His will.

“Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.” Psalm 103:20-21
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Man created in the form of angels

An interesting thing to consider is that if angels have wings then so should you and I. Consider this verse in Genesis:

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him” Genesis 1:27
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The word “God” in the hebrew is “Elohim” and means “mighty ones”. Elsewhere in the Bible the word has been translated “angels” (see for example Psalm 8:5 and then the apostles Paul’s endorsement of that translation in Hebrews 2:7). So this tells us that man was created in the same shape as the angels. Men do not have wings. Therefore angels do not have wings.
Angels mistaken for men

We can see that angels were in the form of men because often they are described and mistaken for “men”. Consider these verses:
“And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son… And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman?” Judges 13:3+11
“And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house… But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them…” Genesis 19:1-5
If these angels then had huge wings how were they mistaken for mere men? They couldn’t of had wings!
Do angels need wings?

The Greek god Eros. See his wings? Were they fused into the 'Christian' idea of angels when paganism and Christianity were mixed?

The idea of wings probably entered “Christianity” through the ideas of Paganism. Many of the pagan “Gods” had wing. These inventions of man would have been given wings because in ancient times this was the only known way of flying and traveling swiftly. Of course immortal powerful beings do not need wings to get around! The power of God the Almighty creator is not contained by rules of nature which He has created! We see then in the Bible many instances of people that God teleports using his spirit or “power”. This should not surprise us – as we have said God created everything we see around us. Science is a study of this creation and for the most part it has set rules which men can define and examine. However these rules do not constrain God if He needs to break them.

Painting by Carl Heinrich Bloch (1865-1879) - but why does this angel need it's wings?!

Jesus, after his resurrection ascended up into heaven in front of his disciples. This is what we read:

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9
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Did Jesus have wings? Nobody would suggest that! So if he could fly by the power of God without wings why would angels need wings?
Consider the example of Philip, an early beleiver. We have a record in Acts 8 that he was preaching to an Ethiopian Eunuch. After he had given the gospel to this man and baptized him we read:

“And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” Acts 8:39-40
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Azotus was around 25 miles away so Philip was in effect ‘teleported’ there. No need for wings! How much more useless would wings be to an immortal being like an angel!
These experience of being teleported by Gods power was also shared by Elijah. We have this said to him by Obediah:

“And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not…” 1 Kings 18:12
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The Cherubim / Seraphim

The Greek god 'Cupid' - pagan god of love

The only thing closely resembling the idea that angels have wings in the Bible are “Cherubim”. A fusion of Pagan ideas into Christianity saw the adaptation of the Greek God “Cupid” into the so called Christian “Cherub”. The cute “god of love” is depicted a little child with wings, who flies around firing little arrows into peoples hearts so that they fall in love. Such a god is clearly the makings of mans imagination.
What does the Bible teach about Cherubim then? We read of Cherubim in a number of places and they are described as having wings. However they are also described as having four faces; a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle (Ezekiel 1). They are also described as having wheels as well as wings. They also have feet which are like the colour of “burnished brass” and their general appearance is like “burning coals of fire” (Ezekiel 1:7&13).
In most places these beings are often used in a symbolic way. For example in the visions of Ezekiel which we have refereed to, or in the Most Holy place in the Tabernacle – in which all the features were symbolic, pointing to the work of Christ in some way (Galatians 3:24). Their ‘features’ are all symbols whose meaning can be deciphered by looking up the characteristics in other parts of the Bible. They represent Gods character which is manifested.
We read of the Seraphim in Isaiah 6. This is clearly a vision and has a deeper, symbolic meaning than at first glance. In Isaiah 6 we read for example that the Seraphim take coals from the alter of the temple and place them in Isaiah’s mouth – this is obviously a vision and not literal because Isaiah speaks soon afterwards (v8). Just as the coals are not literal, the Seraphim are not either.
Can we take these symbolic creatures and apply their symbolic characteristics as literal elements of an angel? It seems like quite a jump to assume that because a symbolic Cherubim has symbolic wings that they should be made literal on a literal angel!
What is the future role of the angels?

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is soon to return to the earth. There is to be a resurrection and judgment and those accepted will be granted eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:23+50-51). These new immortals will assist Christ in establishing Gods Kingdom on the earth (Luke 1:32-33, Matthew 6:10, Acts 1:6, Psalm 149:9)- with Jerusalem as it’s capital (Micah 4:8). The wicked will be destroyed and Christ will rule in peace and righteousness. The newly appointed immortals, previously lowly in the eyes of men (1 Corinthians 1:27 & 3:18-20), will be mercifully given an undeserved place of high authority to rule with Christ in that day – as Kings and Priests (Revelation 5:20). They will rule over those who have accepted Christ as the King and will help teach them the ways of God. The Bible indicates that this state will continue for 1000 years (Revelation 20:6) and then there will be another resurrection and judgment – where finally the wicked will be eradicated and all the righteous given immortality. Death will be eradicated from the earth and we are told “God will be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:26-28).
But where are the angels in this future age to come you may ask? All we know is that they do not seem to have an active role. We read this for example in Hebrews:

“For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” Hebrews 2:5
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It seems therefore that the role of the angels will be superseded by the immortal faithful at the time of Christ return and at the birth of the age to come. We read that like the angels, those prepared to follow Christ now are a people being prepared “for Gods name” (Acts 15:14). A glorious destiny is set before them. Consider the words of the Lord Jesus Christ:

“The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” Luke 20:36
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Conclusion

So what a journey we have been on in this consideration. By asking a simple question about angels we have seen from the word of God that this subject opens up many important topics which deal with the message of the Bible itself. The great hope of a future Kingdom. The merciful offer of God of eternal life and a place in that future Kingdom on this earth. An offer to be made “equal unto the angels”. The question is – what do we do about this offer?
Matt Davies | Nottingham

 

[eachallberg]

The root cause of angels having wings can be dated as far back as the epic of Gilgamesh.

Egypt used similar symbols...
http://the-kundalini.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Ra-the-Sun-God-Story.jpg

Israel did...
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U6Ti3bG6v_8/TMOQQDg_Y5I/AAAAAAAAAVU/_dyULNyMsZ0/s1600/solomon-temple.jpg

The symbols are used today.
Examples:
Air forces around the world use those logos.
Jones day building in Washington DC, and other architectural symbolism that depicts them.
Manufactures use it as their logo; almost every automotive company, and others of various goods as services like food companies and entertainers do too.

Cherubims and Seraphims are only in the OT.

Winged (human or serpent-like) beings are not in the NT...

Maybe it's an issue of image?

 

[COG2013]

Some Angels have wings and some don't. There are common Angels who serve as messengers and protectors. They do not have free will. There are Archangels, free willed Super Angels who are 8 ft tall and have glorious wings. There are Guard Angels, who look like Archangels, but don't possess all the powers of the Archangels. These are the large winged Angels who guard the gates into the Holy City. Then there are the Cherubs. These are little winged babies who fly around. the Throne of God. I know of one instance where God sent Cherubs to the Earth to help a person.

 

[Heterodoxus]

According to who? The History Channel's "ancient astronaut theorists"?

 

[hiscosmicgoldfish]

hi he man. i think you'r correct about angels. the wings was brought in by the romans. angels dont have wings. except maybe the living creatures.
i've seen angels, and i agree that humans are made in the image of angels. i saw two types. they were like humans, except that they had metallic bronze coloured skin and had no gender. there was also an angel who had red colour skin. there were no wings.
i think there might be other types, but i havn't seen them. ezekiel said that the cherub has the face of an ox.

 

[Noxot]

I get wings when i drink the red bull ( symbol of Jesus Christ ) the red heifer is a type of Christ.

 

[BurningKnight]

Well, if according to Ezekiel...

Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning. And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning. Now as I looked at the living creatures, behold, a wheel was on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their workings was like the color of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. The appearance of their workings was, as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel. When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside when they went. As for their rims, they were so high they were awesome; and their rims were full of eyes, all around the four of them. When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, because there the spirit went; and the wheels were lifted together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When those went, these went; when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Ezekiel, Chapter 1 verses 4-21.

 

[g_n_o_s_i_s]

If angels have wings, can less of them dance on the head of a pin?

 

[he-man]

Well, if according to Ezekiel...

Sounds like figurative language to me, could you please explain the meaning of the faces?

As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces.

 

[football5680]

Not really but they can appear in any form they need to. If you read genesis it says the angels of the Lord went to Sodom and saved Lot. They obviously came in the form of regular humans because the people would have noticed if they had wings.

They are depicted with wings just because of our view of where heaven is. When we think of Heaven we think that it is above us and the angels are the messengers of god, so this is what we would think their mode of transportation would be.

It isn't based on anything biblical. It is just our view. Like Jacob said he saw a ladder that went to heaven and the angels of the Lord were ascending and descending. So in the dream they didn't have wings.

 

[he-man]

Not really but they can appear in any form they need to. If you read genesis it says the angels of the Lord went to Sodom and saved Lot. They obviously came in the form of regular humans because the people would have noticed if they had wings.
It isn't based on anything biblical. It is just our view. Like Jacob said he saw a ladder that went to heaven and the angels of the Lord were ascending and descending. So in the dream they didn't have wings.

And the word means:
messenger αγγελία (“message”) +‎ -φόρος (“bearer”) αγγελιοφόρος מלאך ME: from Old North. Fr. messanger, var. of OFr. messager, from L. missus (see message).
© Oxford University Press, 2004

φύλακας άγγελος (guardian messenger [angel] developed in Christianity in the 5th century by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. Equivalents are daimones, genii; also from dhyani-buddhas )

Polythestic Teaching:
We often find two daemones accompanying the individual, one prompting to good, the other to evil; while again it may be the same genius, whose influence is defined as at one time good, at another evil.

As personification of evil, the word can only be truthfully applied to those beings that man himself, by his evil thoughts and passions, has generated. [Rakefet]
αγγέλω (angélo, “to announce”)
αγγελιοφόρος m. (angeliofóros, “messenger”)
αναγγελία f. (anangelía, “notice”)
επαγγελία f. (epangelía, “promise”)
Ευαγγελία f. (Evangelía, “Evangelia”)
καταγγελία f. (katangelía, “complaint, denunciation”)
προάγγελος f. (proángelos, “harbinger, precursor”)