and to give relief to you that are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,
The word "angels" (angelos) means "a messenger, envoy" (Thayer 5-2-32). The subject of angels is a vague one to many, but it is clear angels have a major part in God’s plan. Angels will accompany the return of Christ as this verse teaches. The fact that angels will accompany Christ’s return should not be a surprise since they attended most major events during the life of Christ: