God's Creation Angelic Beings

Angelic Beings

The information we have about Angelic beings are very limited. From the Bible we have the following clues...

Attributes

Angels were created by God (Psalm 148:2-6; Colossians 1:15-16)
Angels were created before the Earth existed (Job 38:4-7)
There are multitudes of angels created (Daniel 7:10; Psalm 68:17; Hebrews 12:22; Luke 2:13; Revelation 5:11)
Angels are spirits (Hebrews 1:14)
- Angels do not have flesh-like bodies like humans (Luke 24:39)
Angels are sent by God (Hebrews 1:14)
- Angels guard (Psalm 91:11-12)
- Angels ministering (Hebrews 1:14)
Angels have less authority than the Son (Hebrews 1:13)
Angels are usually invisible, unless God reveals them (Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:17, Luke 2:13)
- When Angels are visible, they could look like humans (Genesis 18:2-3; Daniel 9:21)
Angels are made as winds and fire (Exodus 13:21-22; Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7)
Angels speak on behalf of God (Genesis 16:7-13, 31:11-13, 32:24-30; Exodus 3:2-6; Judges 2:1-2; Hosea 12:2-4; Revelation 1:1-2)
Angels represent God (Genesis 18:1 vs John 1:18 (NKJV); John 6:46; 1 John 3:6, 4:12; Exodus 33:20; Isaiah 64:4)
Angels can discern between good and evil (2 Samuel 14:17)
Angels are limited and not omnipresent (Daniel 10:12–14)
Angels are very powerful (Psalm 103:20; Ephesians 1:21; Colossians 1:16)
- Angels are more powerful than humans (2 Peter 2:11; Matthew 28:2)
- Angels are powerful enough to battle against Satan and his demonic forces (Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7–8, 20:1–3)
- Angels are superior to humans on Earth (Hebrews 2:7)
- However, angels are considered "equal" to resurrected humans (Luke 20:34-36)
Angels do not marry (Luke 20:34-36)
Angels should not be worshipped (Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10)
Angels should not be prayed to (1 Timothy 2:5)
Angels worship God (Psalm 103:20, 148:2; Nehemiah 9:6)

Cherubim

They guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24)
God is enthroned above them (Ezekiel 10:1–22
God rides on them (Psalm 18:10)
Two golden figures of cherubim sit above the Ark of the Covenant, where God promised to dwell among his people (Exodus 25:18-22)

Seraphim

They continually worship the LORD (Isaiah 6:2–7)

Living Creatures

Non-human creatures found around God's throne (Ezekiel 1:5–14, Revelation 4:6–8)
They somehow resemble a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle
They too continually worship God (Revelation 4:8)

Archangels

Michael is considered an "Archangel" (Jude 1:9)
"Archangle" is considered a special angelic rank (Daniel 10:13)
It appears they are a special type of warrior or guardian angels (Judges 1:9; Daniel 10:13; Rev 12).

Named Angels

Gabriel

The name "Gabriel" comes from the Hebrew name גַבְרִיאֵל (Gavri’el) meaning “man of God”

Gabriel is a messenger, interpreter (Daniel 8:14) and an angel that reveals the future:

For example:

Daniel's visions (Daniel 8, 9 and possibly 10)
Zechariah that he is to be the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-20)

Michael

The name "Michael" comes from the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha’el) meaning “who is like God?”

Michael is warrior or guardian angel: