When Were Angels Created?

Now in Colossians 1, Paul writes, “By Him were all things created that are in heaven, that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created by Him.”

In this verse the words "thrones, dominions, principalities and powers" is referring to titles for the angels. It says there in Colossians 1:16 that God created angels. All the angels were created at the same time by a direct act of God.

Now we do not know when angels were created, because the Bible does not specifically state it.

However, we can look at some verses to give us clues as to a possible time frame.

We also know by reading Genesis 1:1 that God created the heavens and the earth on the first day of the creation week.

• "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."—Genesis 1:1

During his answer to Job, God asked this question:

• "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" — Job 38:4-7

The "sons of God shouted for joy” in response to God’s wonderful creative work!

The "sons of God" were the angels who sang together in celebration of God's creation. We know these are the angels because in Job 1:6, the "sons of God" who included Satan, came to report to God on his throne.

• "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them." — Job 1:6
  
  

These verses tell us that the angels rejoiced when God laid the foundations of the earth. This could be a reference to day 1, when God made the earth; or it could be a reference to day 3, when God made the dry land. Either way, the angels were in existence before day 4 of the Creation Week.

We find more info on the creation of Satan in Ezekiel 28 who when he was created had not yet sinned.

• "You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you." — Ezekiel 28:13-15

Verse 15 mentions that Satan was created on a specific “day.” Since time did not exist before day 1, this means that Satan was created during the Creation Week.

So we can speculate that the angels were created at some point during the Creation Week before God made man on Day 6.

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