Angels*

January 28, 2024

God created the spiritual, non-corporeal (bodiless) beings we call angels, explains the Catechism of the Catholic Church (nos. 328-336) before He created the universe or anything in it.  The Church bases this teaching on both Scripture and Tradition.

Each angel has intelligence and will, and each is a personal and immortal creature.  In other words, each heavenly angel is a unique being who has chosen to love and serve God, its Creator.  It is a being who will never die.

Angels are pure intellects with no physical form and they do not reproduce sexually.  They are numerous, immaterial, and immortal, so they don’t need to reproduce.  Indeed, angels do not reproduce at all; God created each of them out of nothing.

Sexual reproduction is something God designed many earthly creatures to do. Others he designed to reproduce asexually (for example, by mitosis).  But since he designed angels not to reproduce, he didn’t design them to be male or female.

Angels may appear to have gender in visions or in artwork (as shown in this narrative), but that is just symbolism that makes it easier for us to think about them.  If we were being strictly literal, they couldn’t be seen even in visions because, according to their immaterial nature, they are spirit and therefore have no visible or physical form at all.  Can God occasionally give angels a physical form so that they can be seen?  Of course He can, He's God. 

Most of us seem to know very little about the existence and ministry of Angels.  We use them to decorate our Christmas trees, to wear as jewelry, to decorate our nurseries or carve into our tombstones.  Children don cherub costumes for Christmas programs.  Angels actually have a lot to do, especially for those who have eyes to see.  Most of their work goes on behind the scenes where they are not usually noticed.

Traditionally, angels are said to be in a hierarchy of three groups comprising nine choirs.  Since the fourth century, these nine choirs are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.  This last choir is from where our guardian angels are assigned.

Seraphim (fire)

These angels are the supreme choir, and were made for one thing alone – to love the God of Love. They are the angels who are attendants or guardians before God's throne. They praise God, calling, "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts".  The only Bible reference is Isaiah 6:1-7. One of them touched Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar, cleansing him from sin. Seraphim have six wings, two cover their faces, two cover their feet, and two are for flying.

Cherubim (fullness of knowledge and wisdom)

These angels rank after the seraphim and are the second highest in the nine hierarchies or choirs of angels. The Old Testament does not reveal any evidence that the Jews considered them as intercessors or helpers of God. They were closely linked in God's glory. They are manlike in appearance and double-winged and were guardians of God's glory. They symbolized then, God's power and mobility. In the New Testament, they are alluded to as celestial attendants in the Apocalypse (Rev 4:6). Catholic tradition describes them as angels who have an intimate knowledge of God and continually praise Him.

Thrones (seat of exaltation)

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 Choirs of Angels need the Thrones to access God.

Dominions (justice)

Dominions are Angels of Leadership. They regulate the duties of the angels, making known the commands of God.

Virtues (courage)

Virtues are known as the Spirits of Motion and control the elements. They are sometimes referred to as "the shining ones." They govern all nature. They have control over seasons, stars, moon; even the sun is subject to their command. They are also in charge of miracles and provide courage, grace, and valor.

Powers (order and harmony)

Powers are Warrior Angels against evil defending the cosmos and humans. They are known as potentates. They fight against evil spirits who attempt to wreak chaos through human beings. The chief is said to be either Samael or Camael, both angels of darkness.

Principalities (authority)

In the New Testament, Principalities refers to one type of spiritual (metaphysical) being which are now quite hostile to God and human beings. (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10, 15) Along with the principalities are the powers (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 1 Pet 3:22; 2 Thess 1:7); and cosmological powers (1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; Col 2:15); Dominions (Eph 1:21; Col 1:16) and Thrones (Col 1:16). The clarity of the New Testament witness helps see that these beings were created through Christ and for Him (Col 1:16). Given their hostility to God and humans due to sin, Christ's ultimate rule over them expresses the reign of the Lord over all in the cosmos. This is the Lordship of Christ, which reveals God's tremendous salvation in conquering sin and death at the cross, and now takes place in the Church (Eph 3:10).

Archangels (unity)

Archangels are generally taken to mean "chief or leading angel" ( Jude 9; 1 Thess 4:16), they 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 role as God's messengers to the people at critical times in history and salvation (Tb 12:6, 15; Jn 5:4; Rev 12:7-9) as in The Annunciation and Apocalypse. A feast day celebrating the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael is celebrated throughout the Church on September 29. A special part of the Byzantine Liturgy invokes the "Cherubic Hymn" which celebrates these archangels and the guardian angels particularly.

Of special significance is St. Michael as he has been invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. The Eastern Rite and many others place him over all the angels, as Prince of the Seraphim. He is described as the "chief of princes" and as the leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over Satan and his followers. The angel Gabriel first appeared in the Old Testament in the prophesies of Daniel, he announced the prophecy of 70 weeks (Dan 9:21-27). He appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist (Luke 1:11). It was also Gabriel which proclaimed the Annunciation of Mary to be the mother of our Lord and Savior (Luke 1:26). The angel Raphael first appeared in the book of Tobit (Tobias) Tob 3:25, 5:5-28, 6-12). He announces "I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the throne of God." (Tob 12:15)

Angels (revelation, messengers)

These angels are closest to the material world and human begins. They deliver prayers to God and God's answers and other messages are delivered to humans. Angels have the capacity to access any and all other Angels at any time. They are the most caring and social to assist those who ask for help. Our guardian angels are assigned from this choir.

"Here is a short biblical primer on the nature and work of angels.  Angels appeared to people in the Bible in three ways. 

First, some angels appeared in a recognizable form, even seeming to be human.  For example, the angel that announced the virgin birth to Mary appeared in some kind of recognizable form (Luke 1:26-38), as did the angel who appeared to the shepherds and the angelic multitude who praised God (Luke 2:8-15).  The angels who appeared to Abraham and Lot in Genesis 18-19 were humans from the men’s standpoint.

Second, other angels appeared in dreams.  This was especially true surrounding the birth of Jesus.  An angel appeared to Joseph, the man engaged or betrothed to Mary, in a dream to tell him to take Mary as his wife and that their son would be Jesus, the Messiah (Matthew 1:20-21).  An angel also appeared to Joseph in another dream to warn him to flee to Egypt with his family (Matthew 2:13).

Third, some angels appeared in visions.  This was true of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1 and 10), as well as John’s vision in Revelation.  These visions were distinct from dreams, as they took place when the individuals were awake.  However, these visions were also different from appearances in which angels came to people in a recognizable way, or as humans, and could be seen by others." 

— Dr. Roger Barrier¹

1. God created angels before He created anything else.

"Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its size? Surely you know? Who stretched out the measuring line for it? Into what were its pedestals sunk, and who laid its cornerstone, while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God* shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7).

*sons of God — angels

2. All of the angels were created simultaneously.

"At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven." (Matthew 22:30). The number of angels has always been constant and they are unable to procreate.

3. The number of angels is incomprehensible.

"I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number." (Revelation 5:11) 

4. Angels are powerful.

"That night the angel of the Lord went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. Early the next morning, there they were, dead, all those corpses!" (2 Kings 19:35).

5. Angels were created to praise and worship God around His throne.

"And they cried out in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.” (Revelation 5:12)

6. Some angels rebelled against God.

"How you have fallen from the heavens, O Morning Star, son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the earth, you who conquered nations! In your heart you said: “I will scale the heavens; Above the stars of God I will set up my throne; I will take my seat on the Mount of Assembly, on the heights of Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will be like the Most High!”  No! Down to Sheol you will be brought to the depths of the pit!" (Isaiah 14:12-15).  

7. Angels fight Satan and his demons until the victory is won at the end of time.

"Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it." (Revelation 12:7-9)

8. Every church is assigned an angel to watch over it.

"This is the secret meaning of the seven stars you saw in my right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." (Revelation 1:20)

9. Angels will separate the wheat from the weeds at the end of the age.

"The field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned [up] with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." (Matthew 13:38-42)

10. Angels minister to those who believe in Christ.

"Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s angels were going up and down on it." (Genesis 28:12)

11. Angels provide for physical needs of believers.

"He lay down and fell asleep under the solitary broom tree, but suddenly a messenger touched him and said, “Get up and eat!” He looked and there at his head was a hearth cake and a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again, but the angel of the Lord came back a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you!” (1 Kings 19:5-7)

13. Angels protect believers from danger.

"Then King Nebuchadnezzar was startled and rose in haste, asking his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Certainly, O king,” they answered. “But,” he replied, “I see four men unbound and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” (Daniel 3:91-92) 

14. Angels sometimes reveal the Lord’s plans.

"In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26-28)

15. Angels minister to us at our time of death.

"When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side." (Luke 16:22)

16. Not all angels are good.

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach [to you] a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!" (Galatians 1:8-9)

17. Have you ever wondered about guardian angels?

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." (Matthew 18:10)

Lucifer (the "light bearer," one who was close to God's throne) and as Satan (from the Hebrew for "adversary").  He's also been referred to as Beelzebub ("the lord of the flies").

The origin of the word "devil" is the Greek word for "slanderer." "Demon" is based on the Greek for "evil god." The Church teaches there is a devil and a multitude of demons, all are "fallen angels."

¹Dr. Roger Barrier retired as senior teaching pastor from Casas Church in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to being an author and sought-after conference speaker, Roger has mentored or taught thousands of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders worldwide. Casas Church, where Roger served throughout his 35-year career, is a megachurch known for a well-integrated, multi-generational ministry. The value of including new generations is deeply ingrained throughout Casas to help the church move strongly right through the twenty-first century and beyond. Dr. Barrier holds degrees from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Seminary in Greek, religion, theology, and pastoral care. His popular book, Listening to the Voice of God, published by Bethany House, is in its second printing and is available in Thai and Portuguese. His latest work is, Got Guts? Get Godly! Pray the Prayer God Guarantees to Answer, from Xulon Press. Roger can be found blogging at Preach It, Teach It, the pastoral teaching site founded with his wife, Dr. Julie Barrier.

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