Angels

There are over 300 scripture references that speak of various kinds of angels; however, their numbers are unknown. The Bible leads us to believe there could be trillions of angels of various ranks. When the angelic hosts were created we do not know because Scripture does not give reference when that happened.   Biblical speculations are that it could have been millions or even billions of years ago.  In God's creation, angels were created with a purpose – to serve God and minister out His commands.  As servants under God, angels were given the privilege of ruling over the world.  All angels were created good; however, they were created with the ability to choose, but not given the right of choice.  As servants of God, most angels have been obedient to God’s authority; however, there were some who chose to follow Lucifer (Satan) in his attempt to win over God’s throne. They thus became evil like Satan, serving him as their master. In the war against God, Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven into the earth. Rev 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Tradition has rendered man to have concepts of angels with cupid doll faces with curly or long blond flowing hair, wearing white robes, and having wings. While certain variations of angels do have wings, there is no place in scripture which identifies angels as looking like little girls with cupid doll faces with long blond flowing hair. There have been a few people who have personally seen angels and nearly all of them have stated they are large in stature - all being at least seven feet tall and even as tall as 16-18 feet tall. They are only male in gender, being of strong muscles and bodily power. There is no scripture that would support female angelic beings. The Bible (Eph 6:12) supports thoughts of powerful angels having various levels of ruling authority.

These descriptions of angels, having ruling authority, designates ones who are large, strong, and powerful, not female childlike figures with cupid doll faces.

According to the following scripture verses, here are some general things to know about God’s angels: (Gen 18:2,4,6, 19:1-22, Judges 13:6, 2 Sam 14:20, 2 Kings 2:11-12, 6:13-17, Psm 103:20, Mark 8:38, Luke 2:13, 15:10, John 20:12, 1 Cor 13:1, I Cor 15:40, Heb 13:2, Rev 4:8, Rev 12:11-21, Rev 18:1)

• Angels are created beings of God and must never be worshipped (Col 2:18)
• They have bodies, yet they are spiritual in nature
• They are powerful
• They need no sleep
• They appear and disappear to the human eye
• They speak, having their own language
• They are holy
• They are wise
• They are joyful
• They sing
• Many angels wear white garments
• Some ride horses in heaven

In all three heavenly realms (refer to the article on heaven ), angels roam. There are good and evil angels - they are all around us. The Word of God list five ranks of angels. Each will be discussed:

Ranks of angels

1. Archangels : Highest rank

There were at one time three archangels; however, there are now only two.

Michael – Warring angel (Dan 10:13, Dan 10:21, Jude 9, Rev 12:7).

The name Michael means “Who is like God.” He is a top angel having many angels under his authority; his name is recorded four times in Scripture. As one of God’s chief angels, Michael and his angelic troops were responsible for casting Satan out of heaven. He is also described as the “great prince who stands in times of conflict over the Israelites.” He disputed over the body of Moses, and did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you.” Michael also acted as a special guardian of the Jew. He has been the defender of the Jews in times of trouble. He is also listed during the New Testament in the Great Tribulation period when the survivors will be delivered and established in the millennial kingdom. His strength will overpower Satan.

Gabriel – Ministering angel (Dan 8:16, Dan 9:21, Matt 1:20, Luke 1:19, Acts 8:26).

The name Gabriel means “Hero of God.” Like Michael, Gabriel is also a top angel for God, acting as His messenger. In his authority, Gabriel has many angels under him. The name of Gabriel designates the heavenly messenger sent to explain to Daniel the visions that he saw (Dan 8:16; 9:21) and who rang out the birth of the Messiah when born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:19). All other appearances of Gabriel recorded in the Bible are connected with the promise about the coming of the Messiah. One passage, however, may link Gabriel with Christ's return. In Christian tradition, Gabriel is sometimes identified as the archangel whose voice is heard at the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thess 4:16) and depicted as the trumpeter of the Last Judgment.

Lucifer – Disobedient angel (Is 14:12-17, Ez 28:12-15, 2 Pet 2:4-5, Rev 12:9).

At one time, Lucifer was one of God’s top angels (anointed cherub) who held a very important leading position in heaven. Out of all of the trillions of angels, Lucifer was one of the few angels who could come on the mountain of God and spend time in His presence. Ezek 28:14 Thou (Lucifer) art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.  God gave Lucifer rulership over the earth long before the creation of Adam and Eve – probably having the Garden of Eden as his headquarters. Lucifer, however, used the ability of choice to violate his position and disobeyed God. Pride set in and he dared to war against God in a revlt against His Throne - desiring to be His superior.  He wanted more than earth to rule over. He desired to take over God’s place on the throne and rule over all of the worlds. Ezek 28:12-15 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God…Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 

Lucifer influenced and infected a multitude of lesser angels, and by the power of his persuasion drew one-third of the angelic hosts into battle against God for the heavenly throne.  Isa 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 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.  Heaven was severed with two forces at war. At God’s command, the archangel Michael, along with the his supportive angels who followed God, warred with Lucifer and his supportive angels. Michael and God’s angels cast Lucifer and his angels out of the third heaven and they went spiraling down to earth. Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth… Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Lucifer, the once anointed archangel of God became an enemy of God, having a name change to Satan or the devil . Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (For more information, refer to the article on Lucifer)

Satan: Satan and his followers now roam in the first and second heaven. The Bible refers to him as a thief, killer, adversary, Beelzebub, serpent, prince and power of the air, the evil one, and dragon just to name a few. All these names are evil names to now fit his character.  Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The Bible refers to Satan’s personality (not Lucifer’s) after he has fallen from heaven.

• Ruler of this world (John 12:31, John 14:10, John 16:11)
• Satan is a real being (Job 1:6-12)
• He has a body (Job 2:1-7, Psm 109:6, Zech 3:1-2, Matt 4:1-11, Rev 10:1-3)
• He is the father of lies – the father of liars (John 8:44).
• He is a murderer and wicked one (John 8:44)
• He is very cunning (2Cor 2:11)
• He is a coward. He never attacks you when you are strong, only when you are weak (James 4:7).
• He is a thief, robber, and a killer (John 10:10).
• He is deceitful (2 Cor 11:14)
• He is proud (I Tim 3:6). He is cruel and fierce (1 Pet 5:8-9).
• The accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10).
• Slanderer or false accuser.

Satan, often referred to the devil in the New Testament, arbitrarily roams about and seeks to do evil. Throughout the Old Testament, he is displayed as a fallen angel removed from his position of great dignity and honor who is the supreme enemy of God and man. Satan sought to destroy the messianic line and destroy the Jews. In the New Testament, he is the head of the personification of evil spirits (Matt 8:28, Matt 9:34, Matt 12:26, Luke 11:18-19). Jesus referred to him as the god of this world, but one who has already been judged. Satan’s purpose has not changed – destroy Jesus and the Messianic people by taking over the world. It is only a matter of time before God will win the final victory at the end of time over him and evil (1 John 3:8, Matt 25:41, Rev 12:7). The final phase of Satan’s work is listed in Rev 20 where he will be bound for a thousand years and then cast into the lake of fire for eternity in his last ditch to overcome God.

It is important to know that we never need to fear Satan because he is a defeated foe. In spite of what Satan’s personality may be like, we as believers have a far more powerful God living on the inside of us through His Holy Spirit. I John 4:4b…because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world . We have been given weapons to fight the forces of the enemy (Eph 6:11). God has provided a way to not only escape, but be victorious over him. The devil should not be feared, but conquered in our lives. (For more information, refer to the article on Satan).

2. Cherubim: Cherub is a term that most people use to refer to all angelic beings. It is important that you do not confuse a cherubim with a cherub. A cherubim is a specific kind of spiritual angelic being. (Ex 25:18-20, Ez 1:6-8, Heb 9:5).

Each cherubim has four faces – the front as a man, the right as a lion, the left as an ox, and the back as an eagle. They have two pair of wings – one pair spreading out from the middle of the back, and another pair used to cover the whole body. The pair on the back is used to fly with. Four human hands are located under each wing. They each have legs as men, but feet cloven like calves feet, shining like burnished brass. The duties of the cherubim included guarding the entrance to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden after the fall into sin by Adam and Eve. Two golden cherubim were also constructed at God’s command and were placed at both ends and on top of the ark lid in the tabernacle of the Holy of Holies.

3. Seraphim:  Means “Burning ones.”

Each seraphim has six wings (three pair). Two pair of the wings are used to cover their faces, two to cover their feet, and two are used to fly with. They can be completely engulfed in wings. They are worshipping angels who cry out “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory” (Is 6:1-7).

4. Living Creatures: Worshipping angels in heaven.

The Living Creatures seem similar to the cherubim and the seraphim; however, they are in a separate class by themselves. Their numbers seem to be limited to only four. Each living creature has a different face all covered with eyes - both in front, behind, and on the inside. They see everywhere. One of these angels has the face of a lion, another, the face of an ox, another, the face of an eagle, and still another, the face of a man (Rev 4:6-9, Rev 5:8, Rev 6:1, Rev 3, Rev 5, Rev 7).

Living Creatures are praise and worshipping angels. Without ceasing, they “proclaim God praises day and night.” In other words, they continuously praise the Lord.

5. Common angels:  (Ruling and guardian angels)

Common angels do most of the work and consist of the greater number of angels. All of God’s people have at least one guardian angel watching over them. They are sent to minister to those who are heirs of God’s salvation. Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Psa 91:11-12 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.

God’s angels have a multitude of duties: (Luke 16:22, 22:43 Acts 5:19-20, Acts 10, I Cor 4:9, Heb 1:14, Rev 20: 1-2, Rev 21:12). These angels are obedient to God, ready at every command to do what is needed. They are very powerful, stronger than Satan or any of his forces. On the command of God, they are bound.

• They impart God’s will.
• They watch over God’s people.
• They continuously fight for God’s people, protecting them as believers ask God to put His angels to work.
• They bring answers to prayer.
• They minister to God’s people when they need them.
• They strengthen God’s people when they are in trouble.
• They can appear in dreams.
• They receive the saints at death.
• Angels also guard the twelve gates in New Jerusalem, securing who may or may not enter into heaven.