Angels were created by God probably at the same time as creation. They were not created all equal (Dan. 10:13 ; Apoc. 12:7) they are commonly grouped into three hierarchies with three choirs each, the name of which are mentioned in the Bible: seraphim (Is.6:2,6), cherubim (Gen. 3:24 ; Ezech. 10:1-22) and Thrones (Col.1:16) dominations (Col. 1:16), virtues (1 Pet. 3:22), powers (Col. 1:16 ; 1 Pet. 3:22), principalities (Col. 1:16), archangels (1 Thess. 4:16), and angels. But they were all destined for the beatific vision of God depending on the outcome of a trial to which God subjected them. In this trial some rebelled against God and were consequently cast into hell (2 Pet. 2:4)

The good angels can see God (Matt. 18:10), are called sons of God (Job 1:6 ; 38:7), aid those who fear God (Ps. 33:8 ; 90:11 ; Bar. 6:6), are guardians of countries (Dan. 4:10,20 ; 10:10 ,13, 20, 21 ; Acts 16:6) and of individuals (Matt. 18:10) The thought that God appoints an angel to guard every soul from the moment of its birth is a common theological teaching. The Church has not defined this doctrine as of faith, but it is supported by Scripture (Ps. 90:11 ; Matt. 18:10) and also by Catholic tradition.

Angels who did not preserve grace but fell from their high state together with Satan (2 Pet. 2:4 ; Jude 1:6) are called fallen angels, angels of the devil, or angels of the dragon (Matt. 25:41 ; Apoc. 12:7).

Having driven man out of the Garden of Eden, God placed the Cherubim at its gates as guards (Gen. 3:24).

Angels were sent to assist Agar (Gen. 16:27 ; 21:17), Abraham (Gen. 18 ; 22:11), Lot (Gen. 19), Jacob (Gen. 28:12-22) Elias (3 Kings 19:5) the three children (Dan. 3:49) Daniel (Dan. 6:22), and Tobias (Tob. 5:6-22).

The Law was given through angels (Heb. 2:2). An angel guided the people of Israel (Heb. 12: 22); (Num. 20:16). God promised to send an angel to His people (Ex. 23:20 ; 33-2), sent to prevent Balaam from cursing His people (Num. 22:22), and sent another to Josue (Josue 5:13-14) And angel rebuked the people (Judg. 2:1-4), directed Gedeon (Judg. 6:11-40), appeard to Samson's mother (Judg. 13:4-21), punished David (2 Kings 24:16 : 1 Paral. 21:15), directed Elias (3 Kings 19:5 ; 4 Kings 1:3-15), and defeated the Assyrians (4 Kings 19:35), Angles also explained visions (Dan. 8:16 ; 9:21 ; 10:5 10, 16), lead the army of the Machabees (2 Mach. 11:6-11), and punished Heliodorus (2 Mach. 3:24-27).

An angel appeared to St. Joseph (Matt. 1:20 ; 2:13-19) to Zachary (Luke 1:11, 19-20), to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38), to the shepherds (Luke 2:8,15) to our Lord in His agony (Luke 22:43), to the disciples after the Resurrection (Matt. 28:2) and after the Ascension (Acts 1:10), and to St. Paul (Acts 27:23). God sent an angel to assist St. Peter (Acts 10:19 ; 12:7-11), Cornelius (Acts 10:3 ; 11:13) the eunuch of Queen Candace (Acts 8:2639): to aid the sick (John 5:4), and to bear the just to Abraham's bosom (Luke 16:22). They revealed the Apocalypse to St. John (Apoc. 1:1 : 19:10 ; 22:8), Angels desire to know the mystery of the Gospel (1 Peter 1:12). They will summon men to judgment (Matt. 24:31 ; 1 Thess. 4:16) although they know not the day (Mark 13:32), and will come with Christ to judge mankind (Matt. 16:27 ; 2 Thess. 1:7).