is the great body of angelic messengers who serve as a means of communication between God and man. However, they do more than simply relay messages. As agents and deputies of the Most High God, they serve as responsible executioners of the divine purpose, be it protection and deliverance of God’s people or destruction of the wicked.—Gen. 19:1-26.

PERSONALITY

Some may deny distinct personality of individual angels, claiming they are impersonal forces of energy dispatched to accomplish the will of God, but the Bible teaches otherwise. Individual names imply individuality. The fact that two of their names, Michael and Gabriel, are given sufficiently establishes the point. (Dan. 12:1; Luke 1:26) The lack of more names was a safeguard against giving undue honor and worship to these creatures. They were dispatched by God as agents to act in his name, not in their own name. Hence, when Jacob asked the angel’s name, he refused to give it. (Gen. 32:29) The angel that approached Joshua, when asked to identify himself, replied only that he was “prince of the army of Jehovah.” (Josh. 5:14) When Samson’s parents asked for the angel’s name, he withheld it, saying: “Just why should you ask about my name, when it is a wonderful one?” (Judg. 13:17, 18) The apostle John attempted to worship angels and was twice rebuked: “Be careful! Do not do that! . . . Worship God.”—Rev. 19:10; 22:8, 9.

As personalities, angels have the power to communicate with one another (1 Cor. 13:1), the ability to talk various languages of men (Num. 22:32-35; Dan. 4:23; Acts 10:3-7), the thinking ability with which to glorify and praise Jehovah. (Ps. 148:2; Luke 2:13) It is true that angels are sexless, because Jehovah made them so, not because they are simple impersonal forces. Angels are generally represented as males, and when materializing it was always in the male form, because God and his Son are spoken of as males. However, when certain materialized angels indulged in the pleasure of sex in the days of Noah, they were expelled from Jehovah’s heavenly courts. Here was a display of angelic individuality, for, like humankind, they too are free moral agents, with the power of personal choice between right and wrong. (Gen. 6:2, 4; 2 Pet. 2:4) By personal choice hordes of angels joined Satan in his rebellion.—Rev. 12:7-9; Matt. 25:41.

POWERS AND PRIVILEGES

Since God created man “a little lower than angels” (Heb. 2:7), it follows that angels have a greater mental capacity than man. They are superhuman in power too. “Bless Jehovah, O you angels of his, mighty in power, carrying out his word.” Angelic knowledge and power were displayed when two angels brought flaming destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrah. A single angel killed 185,000 of the Assyrian army.—Ps. 103:20; Gen. 19:13, 24; 2 Ki. 19:35.

Angels too can travel at tremendous speeds, far exceeding the limits of the physical world. Thus when Daniel was praying, God dispatched an angel to answer his prayer; and the angel arrived within moments, even before the prayer was concluded.—Dan. 9:20-23.

But for all their higher mental and spiritual powers, angels are limited in many respects. They did not know the “day and hour” when this system of things would be swept away, Jesus said. (Matt. 24:36) They take a keen interest in the outworking of Jehovah’s purposes, yet there are some things they do not understand. (1 Pet. 1:12) They rejoice at the repentance of a sinner, and they watch the “theatrical spectacle” furnished by Christians here on the world stage of public activity. They also observe the proper example of Christian women who wear a sign of authority upon their heads.—Luke 15:10; 1 Cor. 4:9; 11:10.

As Jehovah’s ministers the angels have enjoyed many privileges during the aeons of passing time. Angels ministered on behalf of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Daniel, Zechariah, Peter, Paul and John, to mention but a few. (Gen. 22:11; 31:11; Josh 5:14, 15; Isa. 6:6, 7; Dan. 6:22; Zech. 1:9; Acts 5:19, 20; 7:35; 12:7, 8; 27:23, 24; Rev. 1:1) Their messages contributed toward the writing of the Bible. In Revelation angels are mentioned far more times than in any other Bible book. Innumerable angels were seen around the great throne of Jehovah; seven blew the seven trumpets, while another seven poured out the seven bowls of God’s anger; an angel flying in midheaven had “everlasting good news”; but another proclaimed, “Babylon the great has fallen.”—Rev. 5:11; 7:11; 8:6; 14:6, 8; 16:1.

Ministration to and support of Christ and followers

From beginning to end, the holy angels of God followed the earthly sojourn of Jesus with extreme interest. They announced his conception and birth and ministered to him after the forty-day fast. An angel strengthened him when he prayed in Gethsemane on his final night as a human. When the mob came to arrest him, no less than twelve legions of angels were at his command had he chosen to use them. Angles also announced his resurrection and were present at his ascension into heaven.—Matt. 4:11; 26:53; 28:5-7; Luke 1:30, 31; 2:10, 11; 22:43; Acts 1:10, 11.

Thereafter God’s spirit messengers continued ministering to his servants on earth, even as Jesus promised: “Do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father.” (Matt. 18:10) “Are they not all spirits for public service, sent forth to minister for those who are going to inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14) No longer do these mighty angelic ones appear visibly in behalf of Jehovah’s servants on earth, as when they delivered the apostles from prison; nevertheless, God’s servants are assured of the ever-present invisible protecting armies, as real as those that surrounded the prophet Elisha and his servant. “He will give his own angels a command concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” Yes, “the angel of Jehovah is camping all around those fearing him, and he rescues them.”—Ps. 91:11; 34:7; Acts 5:19; 2 Ki. 6:15-17.

Angels are further shown accompanying Jesus Christ when he comes for judgment, separating the wheat from the weeds and the sheep from the goats. Angels joined with Michael in his war on the dragon and the demons at the birth of God’s kingdom in heaven. They will also support the King of kings in fighting the war of the great day of God the Almighty.—Matt. 13:41; 25:31; Rev. 12:7-10; 19:14-16.

ANGER

In the Bible the Hebrew and Greek words basically meaning “nostrils” (because of the violent breathing [or snorting] of a passionate person), “heat,” “excitement,” “anger,” “rage,” “overflowing [of temper],” “a natural impulse or desire,” are translated into English by the words “anger,” “indignation,” “wrath,” “heated opposition,” “rage” and “fury,” according to their shades of meaning and the context.

GOD’S ANGER

Anger may be justified or unjustified. On God’s part, his anger is always justified, being based on principle dictated by his right to exclusive devotion and his constancy in upholding truth, and governed by his love for righteousness and for those practicing righteousness. Divine anger does not stem from a momentary whim, to be later regretted. Jehovah sees all the issues involved in a matter and has complete, entire knowledge of a situation. (Heb. 4:13) He reads the heart, he notes the degree of ignorance, negligence or willful sin, and he acts with impartiality.—Deut. 10:17, 18; 1 Sam. 16:7; Acts 10:34, 35.

Principles controlling divine wrath

God’s anger is always under control and in harmony with his attributes of love, wisdom and Justice. Because of his almighty power it is expressible to the degree he desires. (1 John 4:8; Job 12:13; 37:23) God’s anger is not futile. It is fully based on sufficient cause and always takes effect. His anger is satisfied and quieted only by the application of his principles. For example, in Israel a willful murderer could not be ransomed. Only by the shedding of his blood could the land be cleansed and free from God’s displeasure. (Num. 35:16-18, 30-33) But an arrangement was made on the basis of sacrifices and the services of the high priest to satisfy justice and to allay the anger of the God-ordained avenger of blood, whose heart may have been “hot.” This was the provision of the cities of refuge.—Deut. 19:4-7.

The anger of Jehovah can be allayed or satisfied only when justice is fully carried out. God’s wrath is against all unrighteousness. He will not tolerate unrighteousness nor exempt from punishment one deserving it. (Ex. 34:7; Hab. 1:13) His anger may be relieved and turned away, however, on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the pains and chastisement justly due to those who come to exercise faith. (Isa. 53:5) By means of this arrangement, Jehovah God is able to exhibit his own righteousness, “that he might be righteous even when declaring righteous the man that has faith in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26) In this way justice is fully satisfied and yet God has a basis on which to extend mercy. Anyone who is disobedient has the wrath of God remaining upon him. (John 3:36) But when one exercises faith, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ saves him from the wrath of God.—1 Thess. 1:10.

Means for expressing and causes of anger

God’s anger may be expressed directly or indirectly. He may use his laws governing natural things, or he may use other persons as instruments to express his anger. Those who violate his moral laws are under his wrath and receive in themselves “the full recompense, which was due for their error.” These suffer a disapproved mental state, degradation, diseases, strife and death. (Rom. 1:18, 24, 27-32) When a person violates laws of the land that are in harmony with God’s laws and is punished by the governmental authority, this is an indirect expression of God’s wrath against that one. (Rom. 13:1-4) Jesus Christ is the chief executioner of God’s anger, and will completely express God’s wrath to fulfill his anger against the wicked.—Jer. 30:23, 24; Rev. 19:7-16, 19-21.

Wrong attitudes and actions toward God’s chosen ones will provoke his anger. The Egyptians were plagued because of not letting Israel worship Jehovah. (Ps. 78:43-50) Miriam and Aaron felt the heat of divine anger because of disrespect for Moses’ God-appointed position. (Num. 12:9, 10) Jehovah’s anger was against judges who oppressed the lowly. (Isa. 10:1-4) Those who hinder the preaching of the “good news” are in line for God’s wrath.—1 Thess. 2:16.

Jehovah is provoked to anger by false worship, especially when his professed people turn away to other gods. (Ex. 32:7-10; Num. 25:3, 4; Judg. 2:13, 14, 20; 1 Ki. 11:8, 9) His anger is aroused by immorality, by suppression of the truth, unrepentance, disobedience to the “good news,” despising his words and mocking at his prophets, covetousness, injuriousness, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malicious disposition, those who are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, insolent ones, haughty, self-assuming, inventors of injurious things, disobedient to parents, false to agreements, merciless, spiritists, liars—all of these and the practice of any other unrighteousness are causes for God’s anger.—Col. 3:5, 6; 2 Thess. 1:8; Rom. 1:18, 29-31; 2:5, 8; 2 Chron. 36:15, 16; Rev. 22:15.

Anger not a dominant quality

However, Jehovah God is “slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.” (Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18) If one fears Jehovah and works righteousness, he will receive mercy from Jehovah, for the Almighty recognizes man’s inherited imperfection and shows mercy to him on this account and on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice. (Ps. 103:13, 14; Gen. 8:21; see also Zephaniah 2:2, 3.) He checks his anger in behalf of his name and in order to carry out his purpose toward his chosen people. (Isa. 48:9; Joel 2:13, 14) Jehovah’s anger in time passes from those who truly serve him and acknowledge their sin and repent. (Isa. 12:1; Ps. 30:5) He is not an angry God but a happy God, not unapproachable, but pleasant, peaceful and calm toward those who properly approach his presence. (1 Tim. 1:11; Ps. 16:11; compare Revelation 4:3.) This is in contrast to the angry, merciless, cruel characteristics ascribed to the false gods of the pagans and portrayed in images of these gods.

MAN’S ANGER

Man’s expression of anger may be proper if it is based on principle. One may rightly express righteous indignation. We are commanded to “abhor what is wicked.” (Rom. 12:9) The Bible provides numerous examples of righteous indignation.—Ex. 11:8; 32:19; Num. 16:12-15; 1 Sam. 20:34; Neh. 5:6; Esther 7:7; see also 2 Samuel 12:1-6.

However, the anger of man is more often unjustified and many times uncontrolled. It is often based on insufficient causes and expressed without due regard for the consequences. After Jehovah had spared Nineveh, Jonah was displeased, “and he got to be hot with anger.” Jonah lacked mercy and had to be corrected by Jehovah. (Jonah 4:1-11) King Uzziah of Judah became enraged when corrected by the priests of Jehovah and went ahead in his presumptuous course, for which he was punished. (2 Chron. 26:16-21) Naaman’s ill-advised pride caused indignation and rage on his part, almost costing him the loss of a blessing from God.—2 Ki. 5:10-14.

Vital need for control

Unjustified and uncontrolled anger has led many persons into greater sin, even acts of violence. “Cain grew hot with great anger” and slew Abel. (Gen. 4:5, 8) Esau wanted to kill Jacob, who received the blessing of their father. (Gen. 27:41-45) Saul in his rage hurled spears at David and Jonathan. (1 Sam. 18:11; 19:10; 20:30-34) Those in attendance at the synagogue in Nazareth, aroused to anger by Jesus’ preaching, endeavored to hurl him from the brow of a mountain. (Luke 4:28, 29) Angered religious leaders “rushed upon [Stephen] with one accord” and stoned him to death.—Acts 7:54-60.

Anger, even when justified, if not controlled, may be dangerous, producing bad results. Simeon and Levi had reason to be indignant at Shechem for violating their sister Dinah, though some of the blame was hers. But the wanton slaughter of the Shechemites was over and beyond the proper penalty to inflict. Hence their father Jacob denounced their uncontrolled anger, cursing it. (Gen. 34:1-31; 49:5-7) When under heavy provocation one should control his anger. The complaint and rebelliousness of the Israelites provoked Moses, the meekest man on the earth, to an uncontrolled act of anger in which he failed to sanctify Jehovah, and for which he was punished.—Num. 12:3; 20:10-12; Ps. 106:32, 33.

Fits of anger are classified along with other detestable works of the flesh, such as loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism and drunken bouts. Such will keep one from inheriting God’s kingdom. (Gal. 5:19-21) Angry talk is to be kept out of the congregation. Carrying on of prayer will help to accomplish this. (1 Tim. 2:8) Christians are commanded to be slow about wrath, being told that man’s wrath does not work out God’s righteousness. (Jas. 1:19, 20) They are counseled to “yield place to the wrath” and