In chapters 2 and 3 of this book we are shown that angels are not only spiritual beings but that they can also refer to a human who delivers God’s messages to a church. There are also two other incidents that take place toward the end of Revelation that reveal another interesting aspect of who can be considered an angel.And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: … And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 17:1, 19:10
Lord to receive. The angel identifies himself as a “fellowservant” and one “of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus.” Regular angels in heaven are never referred to as fellowservants or brothers of believers in Christ, nor do they have the testimony of Jesus since Jesus did not die to save them.
This angel was assigned to escort John into the spirit realm to show him what would happen to spiritual Babylon. John tells us that he is one of the seven angels who had one of the seven vials to pour out one of the seven last plagues on the earth. When John was shown what would happen, he was so overwhelmed emotionally that he bowed down to worship the angel. How did the angel respond? He commanded John not to worship him since worship was only for the
Hebrews 2:16-17 tells us that Jesus made himself lower than the angels to be made like his brethren, the human saints. Ephesians 3:8-11 and 1 Peter 1:10-12 reveal to us that God established salvation for mankind through Jesus Christ to show the angels through his church just how vast his power is. Therefore, it is impossible for the regular heavenly angels to have Jesus’ testimony of salvation from sin that brings righteousness and eternal life to every believer. That being the case, this “angel” who took part in pouring out one of the last seven plagues is actually a Christian. He is a saint that has died and dwells in heaven who God told to take part in punishing the Earth during the great tribulation. There is a second similar incident in Revelation:
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. … And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. Revelation 21:9, 22:8-9
So another angel carrying one of the seven last plagues takes John on a spiritual tour of New Jerusalem. John once again becomes emotionally overwhelmed and worships the angel. Like the previous angel, he claims to be a fellowservant. But he also says he is a brother who is a prophet and who practices the word of God. These terms, like the terms I discussed above, can only refer to a Christian. Although regular angels prophesy, they are never called prophets and as I stated before, they are never referred to as being our brothers. So now we see there are at least two saints of God who have a hand in pouring out God’s judgment on the Earth.
