If you read this description in Ezekiel 1:1-28, you will discover that these angels look nothing at all like cute, chubby babies with wings. In Ezekiel 10:20, we are told these angels are cherubim.
Some angels are called seraphim.
In Isaiah 6:1-8 we see a description of seraphim. These are tall angels, each with 6 wings, and they can fly.
- Angels are "ministers" in God's spiritual service.
- Angels are "messengers."
- Angels are "watchers" or supervisors for God.
- Angels are military "hosts."
- Angels are "sons of the mighty."
- Angels are "sons of God."
- Angels are "chariots."
- Some angels have names in the Bible:
Gabriel
• Daniel 8:16
• Luke 1:19
• Luke 1:26
Michael the Archangel
Michael is the only angel to be called an archangel in the Bible. He is described as "one of the chief princes," so it is possible that there are other archangels, but we cannot be sure. The word "archangel" comes from the Greek word "archangelos" meaning "a chief angel." It refers to an angel ranked highest or in charge of other angels.
• Daniel 10:13
• Daniel 12:1
• Jude 9
• Revelation 12:7
Revelation 4:8
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (NIV)
Over the years as a believer, I've heard dozens of mysterious stories telling of potential angel "sightings." I imagine you've heard a few as well. So remember, when you stop to show brotherly love and kindness to a stranger in need, not only are you serving the Lord Jesus, you just might be ministering to an angelic being. Even though angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible, very few of us have ever seen one. We learn in Scripture that God has sent angels to protect us from harm.
Did you realize our heavenly Father has an entire army of "heavenly hosts" specifically commissioned to care for us? Hebrews 1:14 says that angels are "servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation." That's you, if you're a Christian. Next time you're in need of protection, think of all those heavenly angels coming to your aid. That should calm your fears.
Is there really a Guardian Angel for every human being? Can we communicate or work with them? What is the difference between a Guardian Angel and other Angels?
Every one of has special Guardian Angels that watch over us. I have worked with people over the last 20-45 years of their lives and every person I have met has had at least two Guardian Angels. Your Guardian Angels are true spiritual friends and companions. They were with you in your soul form before you came to earth. They are with you in every breath you take, every step you take, every thought you think.
Your Guardian Angels are constant companions that help guard and protect you as well inspire and strengthen you to achieve your highest spiritual aspirations. Angelic powers include protecting, guiding, revealing (showing you the truth), providing, healing, answering prayer and caring for us at the moment of our death.
It is very important to remember that the Angels respect your free will. They can help you best if you choose to accept their help and are willing act upon the guidance you receive. Very often our Angels are working to help us but we are too occupied with our own thoughts, desires, worries or concerns to pay close enough attention to them. Create some quiet and peaceful times to call upon your Angels for help and be quietly receptive to their answers.
The difference between Guardian Angels and other Angels is that your Guardian Angels are focused exclusively on helping you to grow, prosper and evolve. You are their sole purpose and occupation. They are with you 24/7 to help bring you more fully into the pure and unconditional love that Creator has for you. Your Guardian Angels are also very practical and understand your every need. Trust them to guide you to your highest good in every situation. As you do this, you will find your ability to sense and connect with them will grow over time. Your relationship with them will become closer and more intimate and they will help you to understand the Divine Order in everything around you.
When they appear on Earth, angels may be in either human or heavenly form. So angels may visit in disguise, looking just like human beings. Or angels may appear as they've been popularly depicted in art, as creatures with human faces and powerful wings, often shining with light from within.
Busy Beings
Despite their portrayals in some cartoons, angels don't just sit around on clouds playing harps for eternity. Neither do they have much time to polish their halos. Angels have lots of work to do!
Worshiping God
Religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam say that an important part of angels' work is worshiping the God who created them, such as by praising him in heaven. Some religions, such as Islam, say that all angels serve God faithfully. Other religions, such as Christianity, say that some angels are faithful to God, while others have rebelled against him and are now known as demons.
Gaining Knowledge
Religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as belief systems such as New Age spirituality, say that angels can be beings who have worked their way up from low to high spiritual planes by passing spiritual tests, and may continue to grow wiser and stronger even after they've achieved an angelic state.
Delivering Messages
Just like their name implies, angels may deliver God's messages to humans, such as by comforting, encouraging, or warning people according to what's best in each situation into which God sends them.
Guarding People
Angels may work hard to guard the people they're assigned to from danger. Stories about angels rescuing people facing perilous situations are popular in our culture. Some people from religious traditions like Catholicism believe that everyone has a guardian angel divinely assigned to them for their entire earthly lifetime. About 55% of Americans said in a 2008 poll by Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion that they have been protected by a guardian angel.
Recording Deeds
Some people believe that angels record the activities people choose to do. Islam says that God has created angels called Kiraman Katibin who specialize in recording deeds, and that God assigns two of those angels to each person, with one recording the person's good deeds and another recording the person's evil deeds. In Sikhism, angels named Chitar and Gupat record the decisions of all people, with Chitar recording deeds that other humans see and Gupat recording deeds that are hidden to other people but known to God.
Angels are powerful spiritual beings who serve God and human beings in a wide variety of ways, say people who believe in them. The English word"angel" is derived from the Greek word "angelos," which means "messenger." The faithful from the world's major religions believe that angels are messengers from God who carry out tasks that God assigns them to perform on Earth.
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