As I dug deeper into the concept of angels, I found myself drawn to the idea of “angels in armor”—those powerful, heavenly beings who act as protectors, guides, and agents of God’s will throughout Scripture. Often depicted with swords or flames, these angels aren’t merely ethereal messengers; they’re also fierce guardians and warriors, enforcing divine boundaries and carrying out God’s justice and mercy. Here are some of the most compelling examples from the Bible, stories that inspired the lyrics and heart behind the song.
Here is a link to the song:
Angels in Armor (Blues Style)
Guardians of the Tree of Life
One of the earliest mentions of angels in the Bible is in Genesis, where they stand as guardians at the gates of Eden. After Adam and Eve’s fall, God places cherubim at the east of the Garden to guard the Tree of Life, alongside a flaming sword flashing back and forth (Genesis 3:24). These angels not only serve as sentinels, protecting sacred ground, but they also prevent humanity from living eternally in a fallen state. By guarding the Tree of Life, they preserve God’s redemptive plan, one that would eventually bring humanity back to Him. They’re a reminder that God’s care sometimes means setting boundaries—boundaries that protect us and draw us back to His purpose.
The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey
Another story that features an angel with a sword is found in Numbers 22, where the prophet Balaam encounters an angel standing in his path. Balaam, despite God’s warning, is on a misguided mission. But it’s his donkey, not Balaam, who first sees the angel standing in the road, sword in hand. This “angel in armor” acts as both a barrier and a guide, redirecting Balaam away from destruction. Once Balaam’s eyes are opened, he realizes that the angel is there to enforce God’s will, demonstrating that angels sometimes intervene as a form of divine course correction.
The Angel of the Lord and the Assyrian Army
One of the most dramatic displays of an angel in armor occurs in 2 Kings 19:35. When the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatens Jerusalem, King Hezekiah prays, and God responds by sending an angel to the Assyrian camp. That night, the angel strikes down 185,000 soldiers, protecting Jerusalem from invasion. This “angel in armor” defends God’s people with swift and decisive action, showing that God’s protection is both powerful and thorough, capable of turning back entire armies to safeguard His promises. This angel inspired Lord Byron to write about it- an amazing poem!
The Destruction of Sennacherib
By Lord Byron (George Gordon)
The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,
And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;
And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,
When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.
Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,
That host with their banners at sunset were seen:
Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown,
That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.
For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,
And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;
And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill,
And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!
And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide,
But through it there rolled not the breath of his pride;
And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf,
And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.
And there lay the rider distorted and pale,
With the dew on his brow, and the rust on his mail:
And the tents were all silent, the banners alone,
The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.
And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,
And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;
And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,
Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!
Michael the Archangel: Defender of Israel.
In the book of Daniel, we encounter Michael the Archangel, a powerful defender of Israel. Michael, one of the chief angels, fights against the spiritual powers that seek to disrupt God’s plans. In Daniel 10 and 12, he is described as standing guard over Israel and battling the “princes” of opposing realms, which represent dark spiritual forces. Michael’s protective role shows that angels are deeply involved in the unseen battles of the spiritual realm, intervening on behalf of God’s people. This depiction of Michael as a warrior angel reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles; God’s forces are constantly at work, protecting and defending us.
The Angels of Elisha’s Vision
Another powerful moment involving “angels in armor” occurs in 2 Kings 6, when Elisha and his servant are surrounded by the Aramean army. As fear rises, Elisha prays for God to open his servant’s eyes. Suddenly, the servant sees an entire hillside filled with horses and chariots of fire. These angelic warriors stand ready to defend Elisha, showing that God’s protection is often present in ways we cannot see. This story brings comfort and awe, reminding us that even when we’re unaware, God’s heavenly armies are encamped around us.
The Angel with the Drawn Sword in Jerusalem
In 1 Chronicles 21, we encounter an angel with a drawn sword over Jerusalem. After David sins by taking a census, God sends an angel to bring judgment on Israel. As David repents, God relents, instructing the angel to put away his sword. This moment reflects both God’s justice and His mercy, with the angel as a visible sign of His holiness. The scene illustrates that angels can bring both judgment and protection, showing that while God enforces His standards, He is always open to sincere repentance.
The Angels of Revelation: Wielding Swords of Judgment
In the apocalyptic scenes of Revelation, angels appear repeatedly as agents of God’s final judgment and as defenders in the ultimate battle against evil. In Revelation 12, we see Michael and his angels fighting the dragon, representing Satan, and casting him from heaven. The battle between good and evil is intense and all-encompassing, and these angelic warriors reveal the cosmic scope of God’s power over darkness. These images show that while angels bring comfort and protection, they also stand as powerful forces of divine justice in the end times.
Angels in Armor as a Sign of Hope
These “angels in armor” remind us that God’s protection and guidance are constant, even when unseen. Whether guarding Eden, blocking a dangerous path, or standing alongside us in spiritual battles, they reveal that God’s care for us is fierce and unwavering. They illuminate the path when we’re lost, keep us from harm, and stand ready to shield us from spiritual threats.
The song “Angels in Armor” is a celebration of these mighty beings who serve at God’s command. As we sing about these warriors in light, we’re reminded that divine guardians are always near, ready to defend and guide us in ways we may never fully understand. So, whether we’re facing physical threats, spiritual battles, or moments of doubt, we can hold on to this truth: God’s angels are standing guard, watching over us with swords drawn high, as warriors in light and agents of His boundless love and justice.
Here are angels we find in this context:
Guardians of the Tree of Life
One of the earliest mentions of angels in the Bible is in Genesis, where they stand as guardians at the gates of Eden. After Adam and Eve’s fall, God places cherubim at the east of the Garden to guard the Tree of Life, alongside a flaming sword flashing back and forth (Genesis 3:24). These angels not only serve as sentinels, protecting sacred ground, but they also prevent humanity from living eternally in a fallen state. By guarding the Tree of Life, they preserve God’s redemptive plan, one that would eventually bring humanity back to Him. They’re a reminder that God’s care sometimes means setting boundaries—boundaries that protect us and draw us back to His purpose.
The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey
Another story that features an angel with a sword is found in Numbers 22, where the prophet Balaam encounters an angel standing in his path. Balaam, despite God’s warning, is on a misguided mission. But it’s his donkey, not Balaam, who first sees the angel standing in the road, sword in hand. This “angel in armor” acts as both a barrier and a guide, redirecting Balaam away from destruction. Once Balaam’s eyes are opened, he realizes that the angel is there to enforce God’s will, demonstrating that angels sometimes intervene as a form of divine course correction.
The Angel of the Lord and the Assyrian Army
One of the most dramatic displays of an angel in armor occurs in 2 Kings 19:35. When the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatens Jerusalem, King Hezekiah prays, and God responds by sending an angel to the Assyrian camp. That night, the angel strikes down 185,000 soldiers, protecting Jerusalem from invasion. This “angel in armor” defends God’s people with swift and decisive action, showing that God’s protection is both powerful and thorough, capable of turning back entire armies to safeguard His promises. This angel inspired Lord Byron to write about it- an amazing poem!
The Destruction of Sennacherib
By Lord Byron (George Gordon)
The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,
And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;
And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,
When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.
Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,
That host with their banners at sunset were seen:
Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown,
That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.
For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,
And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;
And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill,
And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!
And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide,
But through it there rolled not the breath of his pride;
And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf,
And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.
And there lay the rider distorted and pale,
With the dew on his brow, and the rust on his mail:
And the tents were all silent, the banners alone,
The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.
And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,
And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;
And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,
Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!
Michael the Archangel: Defender of Israel.
In the book of Daniel, we encounter Michael the Archangel, a powerful defender of Israel. Michael, one of the chief angels, fights against the spiritual powers that seek to disrupt God’s plans. In Daniel 10 and 12, he is described as standing guard over Israel and battling the “princes” of opposing realms, which represent dark spiritual forces. Michael’s protective role shows that angels are deeply involved in the unseen battles of the spiritual realm, intervening on behalf of God’s people. This depiction of Michael as a warrior angel reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles; God’s forces are constantly at work, protecting and defending us.
The Angels of Elisha’s Vision
Another powerful moment involving “angels in armor” occurs in 2 Kings 6, when Elisha and his servant are surrounded by the Aramean army. As fear rises, Elisha prays for God to open his servant’s eyes. Suddenly, the servant sees an entire hillside filled with horses and chariots of fire. These angelic warriors stand ready to defend Elisha, showing that God’s protection is often present in ways we cannot see. This story brings comfort and awe, reminding us that even when we’re unaware, God’s heavenly armies are encamped around us.
The Angel with the Drawn Sword in Jerusalem
In 1 Chronicles 21, we encounter an angel with a drawn sword over Jerusalem. After David sins by taking a census, God sends an angel to bring judgment on Israel. As David repents, God relents, instructing the angel to put away his sword. This moment reflects both God’s justice and His mercy, with the angel as a visible sign of His holiness. The scene illustrates that angels can bring both judgment and protection, showing that while God enforces His standards, He is always open to sincere repentance.
The Angels of Revelation: Wielding Swords of Judgment
In the apocalyptic scenes of Revelation, angels appear repeatedly as agents of God’s final judgment and as defenders in the ultimate battle against evil. In Revelation 12, we see Michael and his angels fighting the dragon, representing Satan, and casting him from heaven. The battle between good and evil is intense and all-encompassing, and these angelic warriors reveal the cosmic scope of God’s power over darkness. These images show that while angels bring comfort and protection, they also stand as powerful forces of divine justice in the end times.
Angels in Armor as a Sign of Hope
These “angels in armor” remind us that God’s protection and guidance are constant, even when unseen. Whether guarding Eden, blocking a dangerous path, or standing alongside us in spiritual battles, they reveal that God’s care for us is fierce and unwavering. They illuminate the path when we’re lost, keep us from harm, and stand ready to shield us from spiritual threats.
The song “Angels in Armor” is a celebration of these mighty beings who serve at God’s command. As we sing about these warriors in light, we’re reminded that divine guardians are always near, ready to defend and guide us in ways we may never fully understand. So, whether we’re facing physical threats, spiritual battles, or moments of doubt, we can hold on to this truth: God’s angels are standing guard, watching over us with swords drawn high, as warriors in light and agents of His boundless love and justice.
Angel's in Armor (Blues Style)
Verse 1
In the dawn of time, they took their stand,
Guarding the gates of a broken land.
Flaming swords at the Tree of Life,
Keeping us safe from endless strife.
They stood like walls of holy fire,
Sent from Heaven, bound by higher desire.
Chorus
Angels in armor, with swords drawn high,
Guarding the way between earth and sky.
Warriors in light, they watch and they warn,
Guides on the path where faith is reborn.
When we’re lost and astray, they light the night—
Angels in armor, defending what’s right.
Verse 2
On a winding road, in the desert’s dust,
A donkey sees what a man can’t trust.
A sword held high in an unseen hand,
An angel's voice to guide and command.
Balaam’s path was dark and twisted,
But mercy blocked where pride resisted.
Chorus
Angels in armor, with swords drawn high,
Guarding the way between earth and sky.
Warriors in light, they watch and they warn,
Guides on the path where faith is reborn.
When we’re lost and astray, they light the night—
Angels in armor, defending what’s right.
Bridge
They don’t always speak, they don’t always show,
But their flame keeps watch wherever we go.
Keeping the gate, holding the line,
Guiding the lost with signs divine.
Whether hidden in clouds or blazing like suns,
They shield the faithful till the victory’s won.
Chorus
Angels in armor, with swords drawn high,
Guarding the way between earth and sky.
Warriors in light, they watch and they warn,
Guides on the path where faith is reborn.
When we’re lost and astray, they light the night—
Angels in armor, defending what’s right.
Outro
So when shadows fall and doubt takes hold,
Remember the guardians, fierce and bold.
They’re sent from Heaven, pure and bright,
Angels in armor, keeping watch in the night.
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