The subject of angels has certainly become very fashionable. Bookstore shelves hold a plethora of books revealing authored expressions depicting the appearance of angels and their powers. Nor is angelic subject matter confined just to books. Many of us remember watching "It's A Wonderful Life" or “Highway To Heaven” on TV or at the movies.
Angels are never referred to in any gender other than masculine. In the many appearances of angels in the Bible, never is an angel referred to as “she” or “it.” Furthermore, when angels appeared, they were always dressed as human males (Genesis 18:2, 16; Ezekiel 9:2). We do not have any Scriptural record of an angel ever appearing as a female.
But to what extent do angels affect us in the present day? The actions of angels are prone to much speculation and easily caught up in idle fables. Yet, angels are certainly an important Biblical subject, therefore worthy of conscientious consideration. The English word "angel" comes from the Greek “angelos”, which means 'messenger'. The Hebrew word for "angel" is malak, also implying messenger.
Angels are spirits created by God. So you might ask: “Why did God create angelic beings in the first place?” They were created much for the same reasons humans were created. We and they were created to love God, follow His instructions and do His bidding. Most of the time, even when guardian angels hover in our vicinity, they are invisible. Sometimes they take the form of humans. Good angels are spiritual beings employed by God as the curators of His will. Bad angels are agents of Satan. Like humans, some angels are known to be evil. Like us, angels have free will. Those who continue to love God are the forces of good while the fallen angels work towards the eternal imprisonment of our souls.
The theologies of both the Old and New Testaments relate to the descriptions and purposes of angels. Angels are special creatures of several different types. If a person was to say he or she does not believe in angels, it would be akin to saying they don't believe in gravity because they can't see it or explain it. Just as we may not consider the effects of gravity until we stumble and fall, often we do not think of God or his angels until we need help. Yet, like gravity, an angelic presence can sometimes be felt.
Most Christian parishioners send our prayers directly to God. Upward prayers. The Bible informs us that God usually branches downward to us through a variety of angels, each with distinct duties. You might be surprised, as I was, to learn that there can be nine types of angels. Regardless of where they are in the angelic hierarchy, each tier differs in purposes and powers. Much the same as we individually have various talents and work at different ministries for God. Unlike us, angels are able to see far beyond our mortal timelines. Angels can be extremely patient with us. They are aware of our personal life trials and are appointed to help protect us, but never impede our free will.
Neither the Old nor New Testament Scriptures describe the creation event of angels. One can assume their existence was long before ours. The Bible speaks to us of angels hundreds of times. Yet, rarely are angels given names. Michael, for instance, was “the great prince” for the children of Israel.” (Daniel 12:1). Also, the angel Gabriel was sent to the prophet Daniel and proceeded to prophesy about the first coming of the Messiah.
Some 550 years later, there was great expectations among the Jews that Jesus Christ was about to be born, and this was heightened by another angelic appearance. First to Zacharias the priest and then to Mary, betrothed to Joseph. The angel announced. "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God: and am sent to speak unto thee" (Luke 1:19). The angel Gabriel stated that “Mary had found favor with God, and she would be the mother of the expected Messiah.” Gabriel spoke of her conceiving through the power of the Holy Spirit and her son would be named Jesus. That was extraordinary because Mary was not yet married. Joseph, her husband-to-be, also received angelic messages advising him of this unique birth. An angel also foretold the birth of John the Baptist. Angels are empowered to do whatever God wishes and sometimes deliver messages of great importance.
God bestowed upon angels great wisdom. Their frequent biblical appearances are indications of the prime roles assigned to them. Like us, angels are objects of God's grace and love. Unlike us, as celestial creatures, their response to God's love does not require time to grow and mature. As soon as they were created, all the angels had the opportunity to respond to God's love and thus be welcomed to stay in heaven's bliss. While many did so, some did not for both the New Testament and Old Testament refer to the angels that had fallen.
God is so almighty and glorious that He cannot be approached by humans. We notice that angels can stand in the glorious presence of God and can travel between heaven and earth. This is something mankind cannot do here on earth. Angels do not have these shortcomings. They receive God's instructions, therefore representing Him when communicating with men and women. They bridge the immense gap between the perfection of God in heaven and the defects within us. Angels are immortal. This eternal quality is evidenced when Jesus compared believers to angels, saying, “They (Christians) which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:35-36) Jesus was saying, that in the same way as the angels live forever so will we after we die.
As Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an angel (possibly Gabriel again) of the Lord appeared to shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were filled with fear. Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:9-14, RSV)
Mankind was created in God's own image. Not created as God but in his image, for we are lower than God, lower than angels until we get to heaven, then we will judge angels. In Psalm 8, says, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.” This does not mean that the first of the human race had exactly the same physical nature as the angels. Angels were made to live forever, men and women die to be born again. Adam and Eve were not created to die, necessarily. They did sin, and, as punishment, they were destined to suffer death.
Demons are fallen angels under the command of Satan, called the Prince. He is the ruler of all demons as related by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Demons are ambassadors of Satan, minions if you will. Satan has a brilliant and conniving mind. He has a strong, dedicated organization. These minions because of pride and following a false leader did not return God's love. God did not destroy them but permits a restricted range of activity here on earth. Their condition seems permanent for no additional biblical information speaks of any spiritual being, who has turned away from God, returning to His grace. Are not we ourselves warned, by Matthew, of the one unforgivable sin: “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”
Now let's delve into the different types, classes or hierarchies of angels. As with opinions in general, in a group of 50 Bible scholars, you'd likely have hundreds of different opinions. The Old Testament specifically mentions two types of angels, Seraphim and Cherubim. Within the New Testament, seven other types of angels are delineated as Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangel, and Angels. Some denominations do not recognize the nine classes of angels listed here.
Paul tells us in Colossians 1:16 (KJV) “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”
The first tier is comprised of the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones.
Seraphim. They often are manifested as fiery entities emitting intense lights, fields of force, and powerful sounds. Some say these are the highest order of angels. The Seraphim are the angels who are closest to God. They encircle God's throne as guardians. They praise God, calling to one another: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” The sound of their voices shook the Jewish temple doorposts and filled the sanctuary with smoke.”
Seraphs worship God continually. They are considered to be divine as some other angels are not allowed to even cast their eyes upon them. The Bible only describes four of them. So, therefore, it is likely that only four such seraphs exist. Each Seraph has six wings, two cover their face, two cover their feet, and two are for flying.
On the rare occasions when they come to Earth, they leave their majestic and threatening appearance behind, preferring (possibly) to take a human-like form. As such the Bible reference of Isaiah 6:1-7 tells us, “There was a fire on the altar. One of the Seraph angels used a pair of tongs to take a hot coal from the fire. Then the angel flew to me with it in his hand. Then he touched my mouth with the hot coal and said, “When this hot coal touched your lips, your guilt was taken away, and your sins were erased.”
Cherubim. Cherubim are first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 3:24, “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden Cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. Some biblical scholars express the opinion that Satan was a cherub. They link the King of Tyre as Satan being an anointed guardian cherub from the Garden of Eden. Ezekiel 28:12-15 is the reference used as their basis. As attendants of God, Cherubs are closely linked with God's glory.
Ancient art often depicts Cherubim as winged creatures with human faces or four faces: one of a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle. That is a far more accurate portrait than the fat babies shown with wings which now grace many a greeting card and prayer book. Since some believe Satan was a guardian cherub and we are told Satan can take many forms and appearances, it is reasonable to say Cherubim may appear as they please. Ezekiel is the most descriptive book describing the cherub's appearance. They are manlike, yet endowed with a double set of wings, two of which are stretched upward holding the "firmament," that is, the bottom of the Divine throne, while two wings are stretched downward, in concert the one to the other as to cover their bodies. It is said, “cherubs can vanish in a flash of lightning.”
Thrones. The Thrones are angels mentioned by Apostle Paul in Colossians. They serve God's chariot. Some scholars believe the lesser angels need the Thrones to access God. The outward appearance of Thrones is freakish, to say the least. They are said to look like great glowing wheels covered with many eyes. They appear as a wheel-within-a-wheel, their rims covered with hundreds of eyes.
They are closely connected with the Cherubim. When they move, the others move; when they stop, the others stop; and when they rise from the earth, the wheels rise along with them; for the spirit of the living Cherubim was in the wheels.”
The second tier of angels consists of Dominions, Virtues, and Powers.
Dominions. The Dominions are said to regulate the duties of lesser angels. Think of them as foremen or supervisors. It is rare for the angelic Dominions to make themselves known to humans. The Dominions are believed to look like divinely beautiful humans with a single pair of feathery wings. This is much like the characteristic depiction of angels, but they may be distinguished from other angels by wielding orbs of light fastened to their scepters or the hilt of their swords.
After receiving orders from Seraphim and Cherubim, Dominions regulate the duties of other angels by making known the commands of God. Their main purpose is purported to assure that the universe remains in order by sending down power to heads of government and other authority figures.
Virtues. These angels are sometimes referred to as "the shining ones." Shaped like sparkles of light. Under God's will, Virtues govern all nature subject to their bidding. They receive orders from higher angels and manifest miracles for the deserving. The two angels at the ascension of Jesus are said to have been Virtues.
Powers. These angels are warriors against evil, completely loyal to God. They are tasked with defending the cosmos and the Earth. Powers are like border patrol agents roving below the heavens, and above the earth as well as on Earth to fight chaos. Their duty is also to oversee the distribution of power among humankind, hence their name. In their celestial form, Powers appear like brightly colored, hazy fumes. Being warrior angels, they subdue and cast evil spirits to places of detention. These angels are most often portrayed as soldiers with armor, helmet, wielding weapons of offense, and defense such as shields, spears, or chains.
Some believe that no Power angel has ever fallen from grace and their clan presides over and holds in check the demons who wish to overthrow the Christian Church. Conversely, others, namely Paul, thought the Powers themselves were the fallen or evil angels of darkness. Some believe that Satan before he fell, was the Chief of the Powers (for Cherubim are higher than Powers). Thus Powers are a class of angels who may ill-advise us within matters of theological virtue or ideology.
The last tier of angels consists of Archangel, Principalities, and just plain Angels.
Archangel. The term “Archangel” is only mentioned twice in a protestant Bible. Jude 1:9, “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” and in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
The term “archangel” is generally taken to mean “chief or highest angel.” The Archangel is also a Holy Messenger of God bringing His messages to humankind. Is there more than one Archangel? Revelation 8:2 reads: "And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets." Some identify these seven angels as Archangels.
Principalities. In some New Testament versions, Principalities refers to a type of spiritual being usually hostile to God and human beings. The Geneva Bible of 1599 uses the word “principalities six times, all in the New testament. Here are two quotes: Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly governors, the princes of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, which are in the high places.” That same Geneva Bible version (not verse) reads in Titus 3:1, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be not brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”
The King James Version adds an Old Testament quote: Jeremiah 13:18 “Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.” Note that the New International Version of the Bible only uses the word “principalities” once. Be that as it may, that Principality angels may be good or bad, given their hostility to God and humans. So, as in all things, we need to be aware and discerning when bordering on foolishness or other acts of disobedience.
Angel. “Plain” Angels are the closest to us and our everyday world. These types of Angels are recognized as the most concerned about our daily way of life. Even though they are considered the lowest order of the angels, they are constantly among us. Within this category of Angels, there with different functions. These Angels are sent as messengers to humanity. Personal guardian angels come from this class. Perhaps this is the most significant activity of these good angels, to be the agents of mankind's betterment and providence.
Psalm 91:10-12, (KJV) “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” So it is easy to see that one purpose of angels is to watch over us. This is a part of our traditions and beliefs. Therefore, as Kingdoms and leaders have angels assigned to them, so does humankind have Guardian Angels. The role of the guardian angel is to guide us to good thoughts, works, and words while preserving us from evil. Yet this type of angel is considered to be the last hierarchy of the different angelic groups.
God has charged this ministry of Angels to watch and safeguard everyone, though we are the most sinful and undeserving of all creatures except, possibly, Satan himself. Maybe angels get to choose us or not. There are no clear biblical edicts on that matter. However, a common belief is that they are assigned to every human being, Christian or not. It is unknown whether they guard multiple humans during their existence or just one at a time. Who cares as long as they are on the ball? As for myself, it might take more than one Angel to keep me out of trouble for “Nothing is impossible with God!”
Angels carry our prayers to God and some of God's answers and other messages, back to humans. Guardian Angels are the most caring and assist those who ask for help and those that don't. As Christians we are promised, “No evil shall befall us, nor shall affliction come near our tents, for to His Angels God has given command about us that they guard us in all your ways. Upon their hands they will bear us up.” And no matter how good the angels may be to us, no matter what perils that may save us from, we are not to worship angels, only God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Ghost.
The choice of salvation is yours to make!
