Angels

Supernatural beings—thousands and thousands of them—created by God before He created people. Angels appear many times in the Old and New Testaments. They do not marry; they also never die. But they are not to be worshipped. Angels worship God and serve as His messengers. The Greek word for angel (angelos) means “messenger.” Angels appeared to people many times in the Bible. Here are some of the types of angels mentioned in the Bible:

Angel of the Lord. An angel sent by God to act as His representative. This angel always speaks in the first person, as if God is speaking those very words. An angel of the Lord appeared to several people in the Bible (Hagar, Jacob, Joshua, Samson’s parents).

Archangel. A term applied to the angel Michael. It seems to mean the highest rank among the angels. Michael’s name means “Who is like God?” Michael’s assignment seems to be caring for God’s people, the Jews. He also fights against evil. Messengers. The Bible mentions a messenger angel, Gabriel, several times. Each time, he came with an important message from God. He appeared twice to Daniel to explain visions that Daniel had. He also appeared to Zechariah, the priest, in 6 BC, and to Mary to announce the upcoming births of their sons.

Cherubim. Winged creatures with four faces: man, lion, ox, and eagle. Cherubim and a flaming sword were placed east of the garden of Eden to keep Adam and Eve from returning there. Pictures of cherubim were embroidered on the curtains of the tabernacle; carvings of cherubim were on the walls of the temple. Cherubim made of gold were on top of the ark of the covenant.

Seraphim. Another type of winged angel that appeared in Isaiah’s vision of heaven.