Angels
What is your position on angels? Do you believe in their existence? For what purpose do they exist? Do they exist for different purposes? Are there different kinds of angels? What do they look like? Do they interceed for us? Do they talk to us? Why does God feel the need to keep angels around? What exactly IS an angel?
These were questions I had when I began my study tonight on Angels. I learned a lot about angels. My source was, of course, the Bible, and also Catholic Online at catholic.org.
An angel is a pure spirit created by God. The Old Testament (OT) theology included the belief in angels: the name applied to certain spiritual beings or intelligences of heavenly residence, employed by God as the ministers of His will.
I was surprised to learn that there are apparently nine choirs, or orders, of angels. Seven are mentioned in the New Testament (NT) and two in the OT. Here's a briefing on what I learned:
Seraphim are the highest order of angels. They are angels who are attendants or guardians before God's throne. They have six wings: 2 cover their face, 2 cover their feet, and 2 are for flying. I can't really even produce the image of a Seraph in my mind. There are also Cherubim, the 2nd highest choir. They are the guardians of God's glory. In Revelation 4:6, they are alluded to as celestial attendants in the Apocalypse (the four appeared as having the form of a lion, an ox, a human face, and an eagle).
Thrones are the Angels of pure Humility, Peace and Submission. They reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. The lower Choir need the Thrones to access God. I am unclear of how we know what we know about Thrones.
Dominion (ations) are Angels of Leadership. They regulate the duties of the angels, making known the commands of God. I am unclear of how they access God and how we know anything about this order, either. There are Virtues, known as the Spirits of Motion who control the elements. Apparently this choir controls all nature- the seasons, stars, moon, and even the sun. They are also in charge of miracles and provide courage, valor, and grace.
The most interesting to me were the Powers. Powers are Warrior Angels against evil, defending the cosmos and humans. They are known as potentates. The chief is said to be either Samael or Camael, both angels of darkness. Could these be the helpers in the mighty battles fought in the name of God? How about in the Battle of Jericho? Or the battles of the Crusades? Are they fighters in the sense of Spiritual Warfare?
The Archangels are the most frequently mentioned throughout the Bible. They may be of this or other hierarchies as St. Michael Archangel, who is a princely Seraph. The Archangels have a unique tole as God's messengers to the people at critical times in history and salvation as in the Annunciation and Apocalypse. Of special significance is St. Michael as he has been invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Look in Luke 1 and 2 to find the Archangel St. Gabriel.
"Gabriel appeared to her (Mary) and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!...Don't be frightened, Mary for God has decided to bless you!" Luke 1:28-30
Okay, the next one confuses me a lot. Principalities are one type of spiritual (metaphysical) being which are now quite hostile to God and to humans. These beings were created through Christ and for Him. Given their hostility to God and humans due to sin, Christ's ultimate rule over them (ibid) expresses the reign of the Lord over all in the cosmos. This is the Lordship of Christ.
Christ's reign over them is because of his holiness because humans (and Christ was human) are beneath angels (Psalm 8). "God has given him authority over all things (except God, who gave Christ his authority)" is stated in 1 Corinthians 15:27. So Christ has power over the angels. I guess if I were an angel that would make me pretty mad. But why only the Principalities?
The only answer I find is in Ephesians 6:12: "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms."
Okay, but why are they wicked? They are not fallen angels or are they? What is this about? Where do I find more information?
The last group is comprised of the regular angels, the common folk. These angels are closest to the material world and to human beings. They deliver the prayers to God and God's answers and other messages to humans. Angels have the capacity to access any and all other angels at any time.
Now, I am excited to learn that we all have guardian angels. Psalm 91:10-12 states that "no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone." And it then goes on in Verse 14: "The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name." That is exciting! This is the first scriptural reference I have found revealing the existance of guardian angels. Is there one for each of us? That's a lot! Is there one for many of us? How can they do that!
So, it is like God is everywhere at once because he created angels to be his eyes and ears and hands and mouth and tongue and legs and feet. Angels are how God is everywhere at once! I still believe he is with me always, but it helps to have help! Catholic Online says that angels bridge the huge gap between the holiness and protection of God in heaven and the shortcomings of dying people on this planet. Wow.
These were questions I had when I began my study tonight on Angels. I learned a lot about angels. My source was, of course, the Bible, and also Catholic Online at catholic.org.
An angel is a pure spirit created by God. The Old Testament (OT) theology included the belief in angels: the name applied to certain spiritual beings or intelligences of heavenly residence, employed by God as the ministers of His will.
I was surprised to learn that there are apparently nine choirs, or orders, of angels. Seven are mentioned in the New Testament (NT) and two in the OT. Here's a briefing on what I learned:
Seraphim are the highest order of angels. They are angels who are attendants or guardians before God's throne. They have six wings: 2 cover their face, 2 cover their feet, and 2 are for flying. I can't really even produce the image of a Seraph in my mind. There are also Cherubim, the 2nd highest choir. They are the guardians of God's glory. In Revelation 4:6, they are alluded to as celestial attendants in the Apocalypse (the four appeared as having the form of a lion, an ox, a human face, and an eagle).
Thrones are the Angels of pure Humility, Peace and Submission. They reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. The lower Choir need the Thrones to access God. I am unclear of how we know what we know about Thrones.
Dominion (ations) are Angels of Leadership. They regulate the duties of the angels, making known the commands of God. I am unclear of how they access God and how we know anything about this order, either. There are Virtues, known as the Spirits of Motion who control the elements. Apparently this choir controls all nature- the seasons, stars, moon, and even the sun. They are also in charge of miracles and provide courage, valor, and grace.
The most interesting to me were the Powers. Powers are Warrior Angels against evil, defending the cosmos and humans. They are known as potentates. The chief is said to be either Samael or Camael, both angels of darkness. Could these be the helpers in the mighty battles fought in the name of God? How about in the Battle of Jericho? Or the battles of the Crusades? Are they fighters in the sense of Spiritual Warfare?
The Archangels are the most frequently mentioned throughout the Bible. They may be of this or other hierarchies as St. Michael Archangel, who is a princely Seraph. The Archangels have a unique tole as God's messengers to the people at critical times in history and salvation as in the Annunciation and Apocalypse. Of special significance is St. Michael as he has been invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Look in Luke 1 and 2 to find the Archangel St. Gabriel.
"Gabriel appeared to her (Mary) and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!...Don't be frightened, Mary for God has decided to bless you!" Luke 1:28-30
Okay, the next one confuses me a lot. Principalities are one type of spiritual (metaphysical) being which are now quite hostile to God and to humans. These beings were created through Christ and for Him. Given their hostility to God and humans due to sin, Christ's ultimate rule over them (ibid) expresses the reign of the Lord over all in the cosmos. This is the Lordship of Christ.
Christ's reign over them is because of his holiness because humans (and Christ was human) are beneath angels (Psalm 8). "God has given him authority over all things (except God, who gave Christ his authority)" is stated in 1 Corinthians 15:27. So Christ has power over the angels. I guess if I were an angel that would make me pretty mad. But why only the Principalities?
The only answer I find is in Ephesians 6:12: "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms."
Okay, but why are they wicked? They are not fallen angels or are they? What is this about? Where do I find more information?
The last group is comprised of the regular angels, the common folk. These angels are closest to the material world and to human beings. They deliver the prayers to God and God's answers and other messages to humans. Angels have the capacity to access any and all other angels at any time.
Now, I am excited to learn that we all have guardian angels. Psalm 91:10-12 states that "no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone." And it then goes on in Verse 14: "The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name." That is exciting! This is the first scriptural reference I have found revealing the existance of guardian angels. Is there one for each of us? That's a lot! Is there one for many of us? How can they do that!
So, it is like God is everywhere at once because he created angels to be his eyes and ears and hands and mouth and tongue and legs and feet. Angels are how God is everywhere at once! I still believe he is with me always, but it helps to have help! Catholic Online says that angels bridge the huge gap between the holiness and protection of God in heaven and the shortcomings of dying people on this planet. Wow.
posted by Becca @ 8:25 PM
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