Angels - FriendsCommunities.org

Topic : Angels
Topic Editor: Tammy Brennan

What are Angels?

An angel is a pure spirit created by God. Spiritual beings of heavenly residence, employed by God as the ministers of His will. Martin Luther wrote an angel is a spiritual creature created by God without a body, for the service of Christendom and of the Earth. They rescue, guard, keep, protect, bring us messages from God, fight our battles, carry out Gods desires.

Angels are included in many different religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The earliest accounts of angels date back to the Assyrians and Babylonians. The Babylonians believed that we all have our own special angel, called guardian angels who would stay with us when we were good and disappear when we did wrong.

Angels are not now, nor ever have been human. Only one case of man becoming an angel can be found. According to the story, the prophet Enoch was taken up into the heavens and became Metatron, whose name means closest to God. In the Kabbalah he is the most important angel. He is not an archangel however, but is often referred to as King of the Angels.

Angels can appear in any form and at any time. In the Epistle to the Hebrews (13:2), Paul says: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

History

Angels are mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament. Angels are purely spiritual or bodiless persons (Mt 11:30), some of whom behold the face of God and thus are in bliss (Mt 18:10). These spiritual beings are called angels (from the Greek for “messenger”) because, according to the Bible, they carry out missions at God’s command. In order to complete these missions, they can at times assume bodily form. According to the Bible, their missions are sometimes of great importance – e.g., the Annunciation (Luke 1:26; 2:9-14).

How I became interested in Angels.

My oldest daughter has always been enamoured with the angels. She was drawn to artwork and stories of them. She would pray her guardian angel prayer every night, beginning when she was just three years old. Over the years her interest fully blossomed and matured. She has bought many books and artwork over the years, but her favorite angel books are those that people have sent her. In one case a complete stranger sent a large volume called the Dictionary of Angels, inscribed from one angel lover to another. A lady in our hometown wrote another favorite volume. When this author found out that my daughter had literally loved the book to pieces, she autographed and hand delivered a new copy.

Guardian Angels:

An angel assigned to watch over us in times of need.

No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, for to His Angels God has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways. Upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Psalm 91: 10-12

The Celestial Hierarchy

The celestial hierarchy is the holy order of Angels, first written by Pseudo Dionysius the Areopagite in the fifth century. He came up with nine choirs of angels, arranged in three groups or triads.

First Triad

~ The choirs in the first triad are the angels who are always in Gods company. ~

Seraphim

The angels closest to God, they surround his throne, singing the Kadosh, and regulating the movements of the heavens as it emanates from God. The Kadosh is still used today (Holy, Holy, Holy). The few prophets who have seen them describe them as flaming angels, who shine so brilliantly that few humans could look upon them.

Cherubim

These angels are Guardians of certain holy places; guard the Garden of Eden from mans re-entry; and the Tree of Life. They are the guardians of light, and the stars. Lucifer was known as the angel of light before he was cast out of heaven. The word Cherubim means those who pray, those who intercede, and fullness of knowledge.

Thrones

Companion angels of the planets. For example the Earth Angel is the guardian of the Earth. They are sometimes referred to as Wheels or Ophanium. Their task is to reveal injustices and send healing energy to people who need it, usually through the persons guardian angel.

Second Triad

~ The angels of the second choir are more concerned with the universe than in individuals. They are the organizing and ministering angels. ~

Dominions

Heavenly beings that govern the activities of all the angels on spheres lower than themselves. (4 – 9) They take their orders from God and the Angels of the first triad.

Virtues

The virtues work mainly with spiritual energy, sending and utilizing it to for good. They provide strength, courage, and motivation.

Powers

These angels are the angels of order and keepers of humanities history. They protect heaven and are considered to be warrior angels.

Third Triad

~ The third choir of angels is those most involved in our day to day lives. ~

Principalities

This group of angels are the guardians of all large groups ( such as city, state or country ). Also the protectors of religions and nations. They constantly transfer information to and from heaven. They watch over our earthly leaders.

Archangels

This group of angels includes the most familiar of the angels; Michael, Rapheal, Uriel, and Gabriel. They play a relatively large role in the Holy Books of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. These four Archangels are known as the Four Angels of the Presence. Each of these Archangels will be described at length.

The seven angels who stand before God in the book of Revelation are usually considered archangels. Their names are; Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Sariel, and Remiel. The only angel to ever be called Archangel in the bible is Michael.

Angels

Angels are the servants of God. This group is the closest to mankind and the most concerned with humanity. Your Guardian Angel is in this group as well as other Angels who have specific duties.

The Archangels

Michael

The best known of all the Archangels, Michael, is credited with stopping Abraham from sacrificing his son Isaac ( Gen. 22:10 ). He also appeared to Moses in the burning bush ( Exod. 3:2 ) and rescued Daniel from the lions den. ( Dan. 6:22 ) He is also believed to have been seen by Joan of Arc.

The name Michael means He who is like God. He is known to the Catholics as St. Michael, protector of the church. Catholics pray to St. Michael for protection from evil. He is also considered by Jewish people to be their defender.

Gabriel

Gabriel has traditionally been considered Gods envoy to mankind. Credit is given to Gabriel for visiting Zacharias to inform him that his wife Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptist ( Luke 1:11-20 ). Gabriel also visited Mary and told her that she would give birth to Jesus ( Luke 1:26 35 ). Gabriel also told Daniel of the coming of the Messiah ( Dan. 9:21 ). Gabriel means God is my strength.

It was Gabriel who went to Mt. Hira and told Muhammad that he was a prophet, a god. Islam began at that moment. Gabriel is known as Gibrail to the Muslims, who also believe that he dictated the Koran.

Raphael

The name Raphael means, shining one who heals. Raphael is not mentioned by name in the Bible, but appears in the apocryphal Old Testament book of Tobit. He is believed to heal the wounds of martyrs and protect travelers.

Uriel

The name Uriel means, Fire of God. Uriel is known as the Angel of Repentance and meets the souls of sinners when they cross over. In the Jewish tradition, he is believed to have given the Kabbalah to the Jews. He is believed to be the angel God sent to warn Noah of the flood destined to wash over the face of the Earth.

Raguel

Raguel is the angel who took Enoch to heaven. He makes sure the other angels maintain high standards of behavior. His name means, Friend of God.

Sariel

In the book of Enoch he is the angel responsible for disciplining the angels who misbehave. In various traditions he is said to be the teacher of Moses.

Remiel

The angel of hope. His name means God raises up. His main task is leading souls to heaven.

The fallen Angel

Lucifer

When God created the Angels, the most beautiful was Lucifer the Light Bearer. In the book of Ezekiel we read Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. ( Ezek. 28:15 ) In the book Isaiah a description of Lucifers transgressions can be read. For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isa. 14:13)

Angels in Scripture

From the Bible

Hebrews 1:13

But to what angel has He ever said, Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Genesis 19:15

When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying Arise, take you wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.

Matthew 1:20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Daniel 8:15 17

And when it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a mans voice between the banks of Ulai, which called and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

Zechariah 5:9

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.

Revelation 14:6

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

From the Koran

Sura 38, verse 71 79

When your Lord said to the angels; Surely I am going to create a mortal from dust: So when I have made him complete and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down making obeisance to him. And the angels did obeisance, all of them, But not Iblis: he was proud and he was one of the unbelievers. He said: O Iblis! What prevented you that you should do obeisance to him whom I created with My two hands? Are you proud or are you of the exalted ones? He said: I am better than he; Thou hast created me of fire, and him Thou didst create of dust. He said: Then get out of it, for surely you are driven away. And surely My curse is on you to the day of judgement.

Sura 42, verse 5

The heavens may almost rend asunder from above them and the angels sing the praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth; now surely Allah is the Forgiving, the Merciful.