Changes

[[File:The Archangel Michael by Guido Reni. ca. 1636 .jpg|right|thumb|The [[Michael (archangel)|Archangel Michael]] by Guido Reni]]

[[File:The Archangel Michael by Guido Reni. ca. 1636 .jpg|right|thumb|The [[Michael (archangel)|Archangel Michael]] by Guido Reni]]

'''Angels''' are incredibly powerful servants of [[God]]. Angels announce the word of God,<ref>Luke 1:26-38</ref> protect God's people,<ref>Dan 6:22</ref> perform wonderful deeds,<ref>"And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it." {{bibleref|Matthew|28|2}}</ref> and enforce God's will.<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|13|41-42}}</ref>  "[[Los Angeles]]" is Spanish for "The Angels."<ref>https://laalmanac.com/history/hi03a.php</ref>  Popular rock music references angels,<ref>"Angel of the Morning" mentions "angel" 14 times; ''see also'' https://www.learnreligions.com/top-popular-songs-about-angels-123888</ref> as do [[Christmas]] carols.<ref>https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/nations-top-30-christmas-carols/</ref> Polls show that "'''''55% of Americans believe not just in angels, but that angels directly influenced their lives by protecting them from harm'''''."<ref name="Modern">https://owlcation.com/humanities/AngelsinWesternCultureAShortHistoryofAngelsandAngelicBeings</ref>  Popular movies featuring angels include ''[[It's a Wonderful Life]]'' (1946) and ''[[Heaven Can Wait]]'' (1978).

'''Angels''' are incredibly powerful servants of [[God]]. Angels announce the word of God,<ref>Luke 1:26-38</ref> protect God's people,<ref>Dan 6:22</ref> perform wonderful deeds,<ref>"And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it." {{bibleref|Matthew|28|2}}</ref> and enforce God's will.<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|13|41-42}}</ref>  "[[Los Angeles]]" is Spanish for "The Angels."<ref>https://laalmanac.com/history/hi03a.php</ref>  Popular rock music references angels,<ref>"Angel of the Morning" mentions "angel" 14 times; ''see also'' https://www.learnreligions.com/top-popular-songs-about-angels-123888</ref> as do [[Christmas]] carols.<ref>https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/nations-top-30-christmas-carols/</ref> Polls show that "'''''55% of Americans believe not just in angels, but that angels directly influenced their lives by protecting them from harm'''''."<ref name="Modern">https://owlcation.com/humanities/AngelsinWesternCultureAShortHistoryofAngelsandAngelicBeings</ref>  Popular movies featuring angels include ''[[It's a Wonderful Life]]'' (1946) and ''[[Heaven Can Wait]]'' (1978). In literature: “For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”<ref>''An Essay on Criticism'' (1711), by [[Alexander Pope]].</ref> The [[Bible]] mentions angels 350 times.<ref>Fully half of the books in the Bible -- 33 out of 66 -- mention angels. [https://devotionalstsf.org/2015/02/25/calling-all-angels-hebrews-114/ Serioiusly? The Goal-Oriented Christian Life, “Calling All Angels” (Hebrews 1:14)]</ref>

 

Angels take human form today.  The mysterious carpenter who built the incredible [[Loretto spiral staircase]] was almost certainly an angel.  Baseball Hall-of-Famer [[Roberto Clemente]] talked and acted like an angel (he had a superhuman throwing arm), and Clemente reportedly perished on a humanitarian mission without his body ever found (his crashed airplane was discovered).  Other potential angels whose bodies were never found include [[Amelia Earhart]], [[Mozart]], [[Leonardo da Vinci]], [[Alexander the Great]], [[Glenn Miller]], Rep. [[Larry McDonald]], and [[Davy Crockett]].<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/historical-figures-whose-bodies-have-never-been-found/ss-BB1d6vHP#image=26</ref>  [[Shakespeare]] may have been an angel, in light of his [[Miracle|miraculous]] work and unexplained partial disappearance from his unmarked grave.<ref>https://www.thoughtco.com/what-happened-to-shakespeares-skull-4019536</ref>  [[Joan of Arc]] was guided by specific angels,<ref>https://angels-angelology.com/joan-of-arc-and-the-angels</ref> and fascinated [[Mark Twain]].

The first chapter of the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], probably spoken or written by [[Jesus]],<ref>See [[Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews?]]</ref> explains his relationship to angels who were being discussed at [[Luke 17-24 (Translated)#24:23|Luke 24:23]] when Jesus, initially unrecognized, joined the discussion on the [[road to Emmaus]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vepBqHvZ0Xs Start at 2:38 in YouTube video]</ref>  Angels are referenced repeatedly in connection with Jesus, such as after the [[Three Temptations of Christ]], and in Matthew 24:36: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."<ref>[[NASB]]</ref> Angels were present both to witness the [[Creation]] of the universe, and to witness the [[Resurrection]].<ref>Job 38:4-7 and Luke 24:1-9. [https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-was-the-purpose-of-the-angels-at-jesus-tomb.html]</ref>  Jesus mentioned angels twice in {{bible ref|Mark|13|27-32}}, and [[Jesus]] explained that angels will gather for [[Hell]] the evildoers at the end of this era, see {{bible ref|Matthew|13|40-42}}

The first chapter of the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], probably spoken or written by [[Jesus]],<ref>See [[Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews?]]</ref> explains his relationship to angels who were being discussed at [[Luke 17-24 (Translated)#24:23|Luke 24:23]] when Jesus, initially unrecognized, joined the discussion on the [[road to Emmaus]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vepBqHvZ0Xs Start at 2:38 in YouTube video]</ref>  Angels are referenced repeatedly in connection with Jesus, such as after the [[Three Temptations of Christ]], and in Matthew 24:36: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."<ref>[[NASB]]</ref> Angels were present both to witness the [[Creation]] of the universe, and to witness the [[Resurrection]].<ref>Job 38:4-7 and Luke 24:1-9. [https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-was-the-purpose-of-the-angels-at-jesus-tomb.html]</ref>  Jesus mentioned angels twice in {{bible ref|Mark|13|27-32}}, and [[Jesus]] explained that angels will gather for [[Hell]] the evildoers at the end of this era, see {{bible ref|Matthew|13|40-42}}

Angels, often taking the form of men, can be incredibly forceful, as illustrated by their role in the destruction of [[Sodom]] and [[Gomorrah]].<ref>Genesis 18-19.</ref>  '''''The words "angel", angel's" and "angels" are mentioned 295 times in the [[Bible]]'''''.<ref>[[English Standard Version]].</ref>  The [[Old Testament]] features a few additional references to "cherub", a type of guardian angel.  The [[Book of Revelation]] has 27 references to angel activity.<ref>https://exploringthetruth.org/angels-in-the-book-of-revelation/</ref>  An angel rolled back and sat on the massive stone at [[Jesus]]'s tomb.<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|28|2}}: "And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it."</ref> {{Bible|Hebrews|13|2}} states, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares,"<ref>[[ESV]] quoted.</ref> which implies that angels are more prevalent than realized. The [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] also indicates there is an [[infinite]] ("innumerable") number of angels.<ref>{{bibleref|Hebrews|12|22}} ([[ESV]]).</ref>

Angels, often taking the form of men, can be incredibly forceful, as illustrated by their role in the destruction of [[Sodom]] and [[Gomorrah]].<ref>Genesis 18-19.</ref>  '''''The words "angel", angel's" and "angels" are mentioned 295 times in the [[Bible]]'''''.<ref>[[English Standard Version]].</ref>  The [[Old Testament]] features a few additional references to "cherub", a type of guardian angel.  The [[Book of Revelation]] has 27 references to angel activity.<ref>https://exploringthetruth.org/angels-in-the-book-of-revelation/</ref>  An angel rolled back and sat on the massive stone at [[Jesus]]'s tomb.<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|28|2}}: "And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it."</ref> {{Bible|Hebrews|13|2}} states, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares,"<ref>[[ESV]] quoted.</ref> which implies that angels are more prevalent than realized. The [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] also indicates there is an [[infinite]] ("innumerable") number of angels.<ref>{{bibleref|Hebrews|12|22}} ([[ESV]]).</ref>

Angels may take human form in modern times as much as reported in the [[Bible]].  The mysterious carpenter who built the incredible [[Loretto spiral staircase]] was almost certainly an angel.  Baseball Hall-of-Famer [[Roberto Clemente]] talked and acted like an angel (he had a superhuman throwing arm), and Clemente reportedly perished on a humanitarian mission without his body ever found (his crashed airplane was discovered).  Other potential angels whose bodies were never found include [[Amelia Earhart]], [[Mozart]], [[Leonardo da Vinci]], [[Alexander the Great]], [[Glenn Miller]], Rep. [[Larry McDonald]], and [[Davy Crockett]].<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/historical-figures-whose-bodies-have-never-been-found/ss-BB1d6vHP#image=26</ref>  [[Shakespeare]] may have been an angel, in light of his miraculous work and unexplained partial disappearance from his unmarked grave.<ref>https://www.thoughtco.com/what-happened-to-shakespeares-skull-4019536</ref>  [[Joan of Arc]] was guided by specific angels.<ref>https://angels-angelology.com/joan-of-arc-and-the-angels</ref>

==Characteristics of Angels==

[[File:Carracci The Holy Women at the Tomb of Christ.jpg|left|thumb|The true ending of the [[Gospel of Mark]] without the subsequent vandalism of its text, as depicted by [[Annibale Carracci]], ''The Holy Women at the Tomb of Christ'', circa 1597-98.]]

 

''See also:'' [[Bible]]

The [[Bible]] mentions a number of people interacting with angels and of angels intervening on behalf of people. Angels, as far as their relation to man, seem to be devoid of natural affection. That is, they relate, interact, and involve themselves with the affairs of man not motivated by personal attachments, attractions, choices, affinities, etc. They come to us from God, with a message, an act, that expresses the will and choice of their Creator alone. This provides them with a certain authority transcending their own personal free will. Demons, on the other hand, involve themselves totally with their subjects, merging themselves with their oppressed, dominating all to their own evil spirit, until all seem to be "one" in destruction. Expelling a demon is therefore freeing a man to be himself once again. All this is not to say that angels have no natural affection for each other. Just that, in their relationship to mankind, they are willingly ruled by the will of God.

The [[Bible]] mentions a number of people interacting with angels and of angels intervening on behalf of people. Angels, as far as their relation to man, seem to be devoid of natural affection. That is, they relate, interact, and involve themselves with the affairs of man not motivated by personal attachments, attractions, choices, affinities, etc. They come to us from God, with a message, an act, that expresses the will and choice of their Creator alone. This provides them with a certain authority transcending their own personal free will. Demons, on the other hand, involve themselves totally with their subjects, merging themselves with their oppressed, dominating all to their own evil spirit, until all seem to be "one" in destruction. Expelling a demon is therefore freeing a man to be himself once again. All this is not to say that angels have no natural affection for each other. Just that, in their relationship to mankind, they are willingly ruled by the will of God.

==Angels in the Bible==

==Angels in the Bible==

''See also:'' [[Angels and the Bible]]

''See also:'' [[Angels and the Bible]]

* Archangels

* Archangels

* Angels

* Angels

 

The different groups of these spirits are called choirs because it is said in the [[Bible]] that they are constantly praising God in song. The exact hierarchical order of the nine choirs was a matter of dispute among [[theologian]]s; the order above follows that used by [[Aquinas]], and by [[Dante]] in his ''[[Paradiso]]''. Other speculative orderings of the ranks of the angelic choirs agree with Aquinas and Dante only on the relative positions of the Seraphim and Cherubim at the top and the Archangels and Angels at the bottom. Dominions have been placed above Thrones or above Principalities, Powers above Virtues, and Principalities above Powers, or Powers above Dominions.

The different groups of these spirits are called choirs because it is said in the [[Bible]] that they are constantly praising God in song. The exact hierarchical order of the nine choirs was a matter of dispute among [[theologian]]s; the order above follows that used by [[Aquinas]], and by [[Dante]] in his ''[[Paradiso]]''. Other speculative orderings of the ranks of the angelic choirs agree with Aquinas and Dante only on the relative positions of the Seraphim and Cherubim at the top and the Archangels and Angels at the bottom. Dominions have been placed above Thrones or above Principalities, Powers above Virtues, and Principalities above Powers, or Powers above Dominions.

=== Cherubim ===

=== Cherubim ===

Cherubim is the plural translation of the singular form of the Hebrew word, "''k@ruwb''", pronounced "''ker-oob''", and is used 91 times in the Old Testament.<ref>Strong's Hebrew Dictionary. [http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/3742.htm 3742.kerub].</ref> The suffix "-im" in Hebrew indicates the plural, whether referring to spirit messengers or names of various peoples or nations. Cherub is singular, cherubim is plural. The KJV reading "cherubim'''s'''" is not proper. While Cherubim appear to be Angels, whether they are a distinct species of them is uncertain. The following traits about them are known, however:

[[File:Tetramorph meteora.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|A tetramorph [[Cherubim|cherub]], in [[Eastern Orthodox]] iconography]]

 

[[Cherubim]] is the plural translation of the singular form of the Hebrew word, "''k@ruwb''", pronounced "''ker-oob''", and is used 91 times in the Old Testament.<ref>Strong's Hebrew Dictionary. [http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/3742.htm 3742.kerub].</ref> The suffix "-im" in Hebrew indicates the plural, whether referring to spirit messengers or names of various peoples or nations. Cherub is singular, cherubim is plural. The KJV reading "cherubim'''s'''" is not proper. While Cherubim appear to be Angels, whether they are a distinct species of them is uncertain. The following traits about them are known, however:

* Guards: They guarded the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were cast out. ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=3|verses=24}}) They were always used, even in statues, to show the guarding of God's Mercy Seat.({{Bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=25|verses=18-22}}, {{Bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=37|verses=7-9}}, {{Bible ref|book=1Samuel|chap=4|verses=4}}, {{Bible ref|book=2Samuel|chap=6|verses=2}})

* Guards: They guarded the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were cast out. ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=3|verses=24}}) They were always used, even in statues, to show the guarding of God's Mercy Seat.({{Bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=25|verses=18-22}}, {{Bible ref|book=Exodus|chap=37|verses=7-9}}, {{Bible ref|book=1Samuel|chap=4|verses=4}}, {{Bible ref|book=2Samuel|chap=6|verses=2}})

=== Seraphim ===

=== Seraphim ===

Seraphim is translated from the Hebrew word "''saraph''", pronounced "''saw-rawf''", a word roughly translated meaning "burned" or "to burn", and is only used 9 times in the Old Testament.<ref>Strong's Hebrew Dictionary. [http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/8313.htm 8313.seraph].</ref>  

 

[[Seraphim]] is translated from the Hebrew word "''saraph''", pronounced "''saw-rawf''", a word roughly translated meaning "burned" or "to burn", and is only used 9 times in the Old Testament.<ref>Strong's Hebrew Dictionary. [http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/8313.htm 8313.seraph].</ref>  

Two of these usages occur in {{Bible ref|book=Isaiah|chap=6}}, verses 2 and 6, where it states that the Seraphim had 6 wings, 2 to cover their faces, 2 to cover the feet, and 2 with which to fly, while they proclaimed, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."(KJV) They are also said to have hands in verse 6, with which one used tongs to take coal from an altar.

Two of these usages occur in {{Bible ref|book=Isaiah|chap=6}}, verses 2 and 6, where it states that the Seraphim had 6 wings, 2 to cover their faces, 2 to cover the feet, and 2 with which to fly, while they proclaimed, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."(KJV) They are also said to have hands in verse 6, with which one used tongs to take coal from an altar.

== Fallen Angels ==

== Fallen Angels ==

Although all spirits were created by God and therefore were originally good, at some point in time a large number of them rebelled against God and became evil, which is the implication regarding {{Bible ref|book=Matthew|chap=25|verses=41}}. Biblically, the angels who did not keep their first estate, sinning, God cast into Hell and has reserved in eternal chains under darkness until the great day's Judgment. ({{Bible ref|book=Jude|chap=1|verses=6}}, {{Bible ref|book=2 Peter|chap=2|verses=4}}) Given the account of this in {{Bible ref|book=Judges|chap=9|verses=8-15}} and {{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=31}}, 'Eden' was not only a garden for the creation of mankind, but the original dwelling place of the angels ({{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=28|verses=13}}, {{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel 31|chap=9}}), with a rebellion that began by many of the angels seeking a king to reign over them. The Fig Tree, Olive Tree, and Vine, each symbolizing an angel or type of angel, refused, while the bramble, Satan, became their leader. Sometime after the fall of the angels, Eden was destroyed and turned into a "desolate wilderness". ({{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=36|verses=35}}, {{Bible ref|book=Joel|chap=2|verses=3}})

Although all spirits were created by God and therefore were originally good, at some point in time a large number of them rebelled against God and became evil, which is the implication regarding {{Bible ref|book=Matthew|chap=25|verses=41}}. Biblically, the angels who did not keep their first estate, sinning, God cast into Hell and has reserved in eternal chains under darkness until the great day's Judgment. ({{Bible ref|book=Jude|chap=1|verses=6}}, {{Bible ref|book=2 Peter|chap=2|verses=4}}) Given the account of this in {{Bible ref|book=Judges|chap=9|verses=8-15}} and {{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=31}}, 'Eden' was not only a garden for the creation of mankind, but the original dwelling place of the angels ({{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=28|verses=13}}, {{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel 31|chap=9}}), with a rebellion that began by many of the angels seeking a king to reign over them. The Fig Tree, Olive Tree, and Vine, each symbolizing an angel or type of angel, refused, while the bramble, Satan, became their leader. Sometime after the fall of the angels, Eden was destroyed and turned into a "desolate wilderness". ({{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=36|verses=35}}, {{Bible ref|book=Joel|chap=2|verses=3}})

== Symbolized as trees ==

== Symbolized as trees ==

The following are examples where angels (perhaps Cherubim specifically) are symbolized by [[trees]]:

The following are examples where angels (perhaps Cherubim specifically) are symbolized by [[trees]]:

 

* In {{Bible ref|book=Judges|chap=9|verses=8-15}} it tells a parable of the trees seeking to anoint a king, with the Olive Tree, Fig Tree, and Vine all refusing promotion, and the Bramble accepting, and telling them to put their trust in him or fire will come out to devour the Cedars of Lebanon.

* In {{Bible ref|book=Judges|chap=9|verses=8-15}} it tells a parable of the trees seeking to anoint a king, with the Olive Tree, Fig Tree, and Vine all refusing promotion, and the Bramble accepting, and telling them to put their trust in him or fire will come out to devour the Cedars of Lebanon.

* In {{Bible ref|book=Psalms|chap=52|verses=8}} David compares himself to an Olive Tree in the house of God who trusts in the mercy of God forever and ever. This is similar also to {{Bible ref|book=Psalms|chap=92|verses=12-13}}.

* In {{Bible ref|book=Psalms|chap=52|verses=8}} David compares himself to an Olive Tree in the house of God who trusts in the mercy of God forever and ever. This is similar also to {{Bible ref|book=Psalms|chap=92|verses=12-13}}.

*[[Angels in literature]]

*[[Angels in literature]]

* [https://www.learnreligions.com/what-does-the-bible-say-about-angels-701965 21 Facts about Angels]

* [https://www.learnreligions.com/what-does-the-bible-say-about-angels-701965 21 Facts about Angels]

==References==

==References==