Angels in the Book of Revelation: A Complete Chapter-by-Chapter Guide

Updated: 8-26

Angels In Revelation Chapter 1-5

The word “angel” appears in the very first verse of Revelation. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” Revelation 1:1 (KJV). God directed a heavenly messenger,  an angel, to deliver this revelation, this heavenly vision, to the Apostle John.

In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, the writer of Revelation specifically addresses the single angel who is associated with each of the seven churches. These seven angels, each one associated with one of the seven churches of Revelation, may be the most well-known seven angels of Revelation.

There is no specific mention of angels in Revelation chapter 4. But in this chapter, John is invited up into heaven where he sees the 24 elders who are sitting on thrones and four winged beasts who surround God’s throne. These wfour beasts may be a type of angel.

In Revelation chapter 5, a strong angel seeks out someone who is able to open the sealed book. Later in the same chapter, verse 11 mentions the first numbering of angels — “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” Revelation 5:11 (KJV)

Angels In Revelation Chapters 6-10

After this great number of angels in Revelation, there is no direct mention of angels in Revelation chapter 6. In this chapter, John sees the effects of the first six seal judgments. But in Revelation chapter 7, when the seventh seal is opened, angels assist in the sealing of the 144,000 servants of God (Revelation 7:1-3). Later in the same chapter, angels bow down and worship God with the humans who came out of the Great Tribulation.

Angels sound their trumpets, which result in the seven trumpet judgments described in Revelation chapter 8. But before these seven judgments, another angel offers the prayers of saints to God upon the golden altar.

Not all of the angels in Revelation are godly angels. There are fallen angels in Revelation too. Revelation chapter 9 both mentions, and names, “the angel of the bottomless pit,” Abaddon, also known as Apollyon. Both of these names mean “destroyer,” and describe the nature of this evil angel. Also, in this chapter, God orders one of His angels to free four, captive, fallen angels from their watery prison in the Euphrates River which is located in the modern-day country of Iraq. Once these four angels are freed, they kill one-third of the world’s human population.

The angel John sees in Revelation chapter 10 is so large that he can stand on both the sea and the earth at the same time. This angel offers a “little book” to John to eat but warns him that this book will be sweet in his mouth and bitter in his belly.

Angels In Revelation Chapters 11-14

There are two specific angels mentioned in Revelation chapter 11. The first one instructs John to measure the temple of God in verse 1. Later, in verse 15, the seventh and final angel sounds his trumpet, finishing the last of the trumpet judgments of the Book of Revelation.

Revelation chapter 12 shows the two types of angels who are busy in the world today. Michael the archangel seen here in Revelation and described as the archangel in Jude 1:9-is a holy angel who leads other angels to fight against Satan and his angels. These two divisions of angels, the good versus the bad, are described in Revelation. “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7 (KJV)

There are no angels described in Revelation chapter 13. This chapter rather describes the two blasphemous and deceiving beasts — the Antichrist and his false prophet.

An unusual service is performed by an angel in Revelation chapter 14. At this point in time, the world’s population has become much smaller due to the death and destruction being visited upon humankind. But God has a message for the people of the Earth. Instead of using humans, He employs an angel to preach His message, the “everlasting gospel,” to all those who are still alive. This preaching angel also has two other angels helping him, who tell all of the Earth dwellers about the fall of Babylon, and warn them of the dire consequences of worshiping the beast.

Angels In Revelation Chapters 15-17

Later in this chapter, another angel gathers (or “reaps” ) humans to bring their souls to God’s judgment.

In Revelation chapter 15, the seven vial judgements, sometimes called “bowl judgments,” are recorded. These seven judgments of God are administered to the Earth by seven angels. Each angel has a vial that contains a portion of God’s wrath.

In Revelation chapter 16, these angels get the permission to pour out the contents of their vial, the wrath of God upon the Earth. Revelation 16 describes the effects of the contents of these vials upon the Earth.

After the vial judgements are over, an angel in Revelation chapter 17 shows John God’s judgement on the Great Whore of Revelation.

Angels In Revelation Chapters 18-22

Revelation chapter 18 records the fall of Babylon in the words and actions of angels. There are at least two angels mentioned in Revelation chapter 18. The first angel is extremely powerful and bright in appearance, according to Revelation 18:1. “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” (KJV) Another angel uses an object lesson of “a great millstone ” to describe the complete and violent destruction of Babylon.

In Revelation chapter 19, two feasts are described. The first is the wedding feast of the bride, the Lamb’s wife. The second feast is macabre-dark and gruesome in nature — that of the dead bodies of those who followed the beast and the false prophet and who are killed by Jesus Christ when He comes back to judge the people who are still alive on Earth. An angel invites birds of prey to feast on these dead carcasses of the armies who followed the Antichrist.

In Revelation chapter 20 John sees an angel tasked with binding Satan (an angel himself, but a fallen one) in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years.

In Revelation chapter 21, it is an angel who gives John a tour of New Jerusalem that has come down from heaven with the glory of God.

Revelation chapter 22 reiterates the truth of the vision John saw, but also the proof of it, because John received the vision from an angel of God. Also, in this last chapter, John becomes so overwhelmed by all he is shown that he attempts to worship this glorious, heavenly messenger. But this powerful angel reminds John that he, too, like the apostle, is just a servant of God. The angel tells John that God, and God alone, is worthy of worship.

What We Can Learn From the Angels in Revelation

The angels of the Book of Revelation show us that these heavenly messengers of God sometimes are tasked to bring God’s message in powerful physical ways. God uses angels to not only deliver messages of good tidings but also to pour our His terrible judgements. Also despite the fact these magnificent heavenly beings are glorious, they are still only servants of God-they are not to be worshiped. God alone, the Creator and Commander of angels, is only worthy of our worship.

Other Questions Asked About Angels in Revelation

Here are some other questions and answers about angels specifically as related to the book of Revelation.

How many times are angels mentioned in Revelation?

The word “angel” appears in 53 verses and “angels” in 22 verses

Who is the angel of the bottomless pit in Revelation?

Abaddon in Hebrew, Apollyon in Greek — both names mean “destroyer”

What angel fights Satan in Revelation?

Michael, who leads God’s angels against Satan and his fallen angels (Revelation 12:7)

How many angels pour out God’s wrath in Revelation?

Seven angels, each carrying a vial (or bowl) of God’s wrath

Why does the angel in Revelation 22 refuse John’s worship?

The angel reminds John that he is a fellow servant, and that only God is worthy of worship

Are there evil angels in Revelation?

Yes — Satan and his fallen angels, as well as Abaddon/Apollyon, the angel of the bottomless pit

Explore the Complete Book of Revelation

Chapter	Summary
Revelation Chapter 1: John’s Vision of Jesus Christ	John’s vision of the risen Christ standing among seven golden candlesticks on the island of Patmos; Christ identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation Chapter 2: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos & Thyatira	Christ’s messages to four of the seven churches of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira.
Revelation Chapter 3: Sardis, Philadelphia & Laodicea	Christ’s messages to the remaining three churches: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Revelation Chapter 4: John’s Vision of God’s Throne in Heaven	John is caught up to heaven and sees God’s throne room, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures.
Revelation Chapter 5: The Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who Was Slain	God holds a seven sealed book; but only Jesus Christ, Who is both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who was slain, is worthy to open it.
Revelation Chapter 6: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse	The Lamb opens six of the seven seals, releasing the Four Horsemen, the cry of martyrs, and cosmic disturbances.
Revelation Chapter 7: The 144,000 and the Great Multitude	An interlude: 144,000 are sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel, and a great multitude in white robes stands before God’s throne.
Revelation Chapter 8: Meaning of the Seven Trumpets	The seventh seal is opened, bringing silence in heaven, followed by the first four trumpet judgments.
Revelation Chapter 9: The Locusts of Abaddon and the 200 Million	The fifth and sixth trumpets release demonic locusts led by Abaddon and an army of 200 million horsemen.
Revelation Chapter 10: The Little Book and the Seven Thunders	A mighty angel gives John a little book; the words of seven thunders are sealed; the book is sweet, then bitter.
Revelation Chapter 11: Who Are the Two Witnesses of the Apocalypse?	The ministry, death, and resurrection of the two witnesses; the seventh trumpet sounds.
Revelation Chapter 12: The Woman, the Dragon, the Angel Michael and War in Heaven	A woman, a great red dragon, and a man child; war breaks out in heaven as Michael defeats Satan.
Revelation Chapter 13: The Mark of the Beast and 666 Explained	Two beasts rise — one from the sea, one from the land — introducing the mark of the beast, 666.
Revelation Chapter 14: The 144,000, the Three Angels, and the Harvest of Wrath	The 144,000 stand victorious on Mount Zion; three angels proclaim their messages; the wheat and grape harvests.
Revelation Chapter 15: The Sea of Glass and Song of Moses	Seven angels prepare the seven last plagues; the redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb beside a sea of glass.
Revelation Chapter 16: The Seven Vial Judgments and the Battle of Armageddon	The seven vial (bowl) judgments are poured out; the Euphrates dries up, gathering the nations to Armageddon.
Revelation Chapter 17: The Woman on the Beast	A vision of “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” a woman riding a scarlet, seven-headed beast.
Revelation Chapter 18: The Fall of Babylon the Great	The sudden fall of Babylon the Great; kings and merchants mourn her destruction while heaven rejoices.
Revelation Chapter 19: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ’s Return	The Marriage Supper of the Lamb; Christ returns as King of Kings and defeats the beast and false prophet.
Revelation Chapter 20: The Millennium, Satan’s Doom, and the Great White Throne	Satan is bound for a thousand years; the Millennium; Satan’s final rebellion; the Great White Throne judgment.
Revelation Chapter 21: The New Jerusalem Described	A new heaven and a new earth; the heavenly city of New Jerusalem descends from God, adorned like a bride.
Revelation Chapter 22: The River of Life and the Bible’s Final Invitation	The river and tree of life; the Bible’s final invitation and the promise and warning; “Surely I come quickly.”

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