Types of Angels

There are different types of angels depicted in the bible that have varying degrees of divine missions, different names and descriptions. First of all they are said to be with God..

Angels are found throughout the Old Testament and also in the New Testament, though less often. Origen, one of the earliest biblical scholars living at the time of the first Century, recognized the notion of Guardian Angels. St. Jerome told us that each of us is given a Guardian Angel at birth, and St. Thomas concurred with this belief. The Old Testament was not explicit on a personal Guardian Angel but there was a belief that guardian angels put people under their protection.

God promised to commune with Moses "from between the cherubim" (Gen 25:22)

Two cherubim were placed on the mercy-seat of the ark; two of colossal size overshadowed it in Solomon's temple. Ezekiel (1:4-14) speaks of four; and this number of "living creatures" is mentioned in Rev. 4:6.

Those on the ark are called the "cherubim of glory" (Heb. 9:5), Two cherubim were placed on the mercy-seat of the ark; two of colossal size overshadowed it in Solomon's temple. form the throne and chariot of Jehovah in his manifestation of himself on earth.

He dwelleth between and sitteth on the cherubim (1 Sam. 4:4; Ps. 80:1; Ezek. 1:26, 28). Ezekiel (1:4-14) speaks of four; and this number of "living creatures" is mentioned in Rev. 4:6. Those on the ark are called the "cherubim of glory" (Heb. 9:5), i.e., of the Shechinah, or cloud of glory, for on them the visible glory of God rested.

The 2nd group is composed of dominations, virtues and powers. Each group is associated with specific symbols. The dominations held scepters and wore crowns. The virtues are shown with flasks of perfume, trumpets, and rays of lightening. The powers are depicted wielding flaming swords.

Archangels: The 3rd group includes the principalities, protectors of nations, the archangels, and the angels who protect humans. The word "archangel" is not found in the Old Testament.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first" 1 Thess. 4:16.

Raphael is the healing angel. Many nurses and physicians claim angels have guided them.

And now the Lord has sent me to heal thee, for I am the angel Raphael one of the 7 who stand before the Lord. -Book of Tobias

Throughout history and parts of the world, angels have different meanings and different powers, but all angels are able to do special things for believers. Each angel was a distinct species. Medieval thought was that angels were a distinct being, endowed with intelligence and free will, which humans could never hope to attain. To others, angels are here to serve the human race, to guide us, to protect us, but never to interfere in our free will; as we humans are higher than angels, as we are children of God, and made in the image of God and they are to serve God.

Gabriel, the angel of the enunciation, in Daniel. 8:15-26 and 9:21-27. Gabriel also appears in Luke 1:11 Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to the right of the incense altar. 19 Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!.

As a messenger angel. 'principalities' comes in the form of communicating to people about their personal problems or life decisions. Some believe that Gabriel submits prayers to heaven or bring information to us.

Uriel is an angel of death who was also thought to be the angel of transformation, is believed to be standing by people on the verge of death.

Michael the archangel appears as a warrior angel in 1 Thess. 4:16 and Jude 9. Michael is said to be the defender angel who does battle Daniel 10:13, 21; and 12:1. Also in Romans. 8:38, Eph. 1:21, and Col. 1:16.

The guardian angels are all aspects and forms of Michael, personal guardian angels, as well as those that help armies and protect nations. They say that earth has an angel.

There is another angel that appears if a person has died. There is said to be an angel called the Gatekeeper who comes to gently lead them into the spiritual realm.

"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones (children and animals), for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

"Angels of the Lord" "As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife." Matthew 1:20-24

Dionysius, a 5th or 6th century writer gives us the hierarchical order of the angels. The first group is the seraphim, cherubim and thrones. The word seraphim (singular is saraph) is taken from the fiery imagery often associated with the Presence of God-- Ezek. 1:27. Cherubim are represented as guardians with many wings. Thrones have been depicted wearing stoles and kneeling before God.

"Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew" . Isaiah 6:2

"So He drove out the man; and placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life". Gen. 3:24

The name cherub (cherubim plural) denotes the power of knowing and beholding God. Their receptivity to the most high gift of light. Their contemplation of the beauty of the divinity in its first manifestation. They are filled by participation and divine wisdom and bounteously outpour to those below them from their own fountain of wisdom. -Dionysius.