Angels
The Bible affirms the existence of an inhabited supernatural realm. It uses the term angel in reference to certain beings that inhabit that realm. The word angel comes from the Greek word angelos, which means messenger. The name is appropriate since angels often function in the role of messengers sent from God.
said to me, 'Do not do it ... Worship God!'" (Revelation 22:8-9).
A second function of angels is to carry out God's decrees.
In the Bible, angels are generally referred to in the masculine. They are created beings, and they have free will. The majority of angels love, worship, and serve God, but a lesser number have chosen to reject God and to follow Satan. Those who have rejected God are often referred to as demons, evil spirits, or fallen angels. Lucifer is a fallen angel.
Angels have a genuine interest in humanity, and the vast majority desire to see human
beings restored to fellowship with God:
The term angel can also be used in reference to a human, again, in the context of a
messenger. The majority opinion is that the angels of the seven churches mentioned in
Revelation chapters two and three refer to the human leaders of these churches.
Christians are instructed to test the messenger by testing the message. The message
must be totally in accord with Scripture -- there will never be a "new revelation" that will
contradict what God has already revealed:
This instruction is written to Christians -- it is a warning that both human and angelic
messengers will attempt to lead Christians astray. Many, if not all, cults are founded upon the teachings of messengers who are in reality teaching doctrines of demons. The Christian must test every messenger and message by the word of God.
- "I John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them,
said to me, 'Do not do it ... Worship God!'" (Revelation 22:8-9).
A second function of angels is to carry out God's decrees.
- "He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 'Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God'" (Revelation 7:2-3).
In the Bible, angels are generally referred to in the masculine. They are created beings, and they have free will. The majority of angels love, worship, and serve God, but a lesser number have chosen to reject God and to follow Satan. Those who have rejected God are often referred to as demons, evil spirits, or fallen angels. Lucifer is a fallen angel.
Angels have a genuine interest in humanity, and the vast majority desire to see human
beings restored to fellowship with God:
- "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).
The term angel can also be used in reference to a human, again, in the context of a
messenger. The majority opinion is that the angels of the seven churches mentioned in
Revelation chapters two and three refer to the human leaders of these churches.
Christians are instructed to test the messenger by testing the message. The message
must be totally in accord with Scripture -- there will never be a "new revelation" that will
contradict what God has already revealed:
- "Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned" (Galatians 1:7-8).
This instruction is written to Christians -- it is a warning that both human and angelic
messengers will attempt to lead Christians astray. Many, if not all, cults are founded upon the teachings of messengers who are in reality teaching doctrines of demons. The Christian must test every messenger and message by the word of God.
How Many Archangels Are There?
There are three angels that are specifically given names in the Bible: Michael – who seems to be a warring angel.
Apparently Michael is specifically assigned to the task of watching over God’s chosen people.
The angel Gabriel is always bringing a message.
And finally, Abaddon (in Hebrew) or Apollyon (in Greek). He is God’s prison warden. He is in charge of Hades (a compartment of sheol) and the abyss or bottomless pit. He is so closely tied to his place of work that sometimes he and his work are treated synonymously.
But the Apostle John clearly identifies him as an angelic person.
However, the only one who is clearly identified as an “archangel” is Michael.
Some people believe that, because Gabriel is always announcing things, that he is the archangel Paul mentioned to the Thessalonicans. However, that is merely conjecture. There is no clear indication of the name of either Gabriel’s or Abbadon’s rank.
The reason people believe that there are several archangels is because Michael is described as “one of the chief princes.”
However, the phrase there is “Mich’a’el ech’ad rishown sar.” The word “sar” is primarily used in the sense of prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official. It is secondarily a vassal, noble or leader. It tertiary meaning is captain, general or military commander. Notice that all these words deal with his role and that nearly all of them have military connotations. Add that to the facts that Michael always fights and that he is in charge of other warring angels.
Since neither Gabriel nor Abaddon are military – I don’t think they should be listed along with Michael as archangels. Teaching that there are multiple archangels based solely on what is stated in Daniel 10:13 is a bit of a stretch in my opinion.
So, to the best of my present (and admittedly limited) knowledge there is only one archangel – Michael.
- Revelation 12:7 HCSB Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels also fought,
- Daniel 10:12-13 HCSB "Don't be afraid, Daniel," he said to me, "for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
- Daniel 10:20-21 HCSB He said, "Do you know why I've come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come. 21 No one has the courage to support me against them except Michael, your prince. However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth.
- Daniel 12:1 HCSB At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.
- Jude 1:9 HCSB Yet Michael the archangel, when he was disputing with the Devil in a debate about Moses' body, did not dare bring an abusive condemnation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
Apparently Michael is specifically assigned to the task of watching over God’s chosen people.
- Daniel 10:21 HCSB No one has the courage to support me against them except Michael, your prince. However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth.
- Daniel 12:1 HCSB At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.
The angel Gabriel is always bringing a message.
- Daniel 8:16-19 HCSB I heard a human voice calling from the middle of the Ulai: "Gabriel, explain the vision to this man." 17 So he approached where I was standing; when he came near, I was terrified and fell facedown. "Son of man," he said to me, "understand that the vision refers to the time of the end." 18 While he was speaking to me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, made me stand up, 19 and said, "I am here to tell you what will happen at the conclusion of the time of wrath, because it refers to the appointed time of the end.
- Daniel 9:21 HCSB while I was praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the first vision, came to me in my extreme weariness, about the time of the evening offering.
- Luke 1:19 HCSB The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.
- Luke 1:26 HCSB In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
And finally, Abaddon (in Hebrew) or Apollyon (in Greek). He is God’s prison warden. He is in charge of Hades (a compartment of sheol) and the abyss or bottomless pit. He is so closely tied to his place of work that sometimes he and his work are treated synonymously.
- Job 26:6 HCSB Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.
- Job 28:22 HCSB Abaddon and Death say, "We have heard news of it with our ears."
- Job 31:12 HCSB For it is a fire that consumes down to Abaddon; it would destroy my entire harvest.
- Psalms 88:11 HCSB Will Your faithful love be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon?
- Proverbs 15:11 HCSB Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD--how much more, human hearts.
- Proverbs 27:20 HCSB Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and people's eyes are never satisfied.
- Revelation 9:11 HCSB They had as their king the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he has the name Apollyon.
But the Apostle John clearly identifies him as an angelic person.
- Revelation 9:11 HCSB They had as their king the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he has the name Apollyon.
However, the only one who is clearly identified as an “archangel” is Michael.
- Jude 1:9 HCSB Yet Michael the archangel, when he was disputing with the Devil in a debate about Moses' body, did not dare bring an abusive condemnation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
Some people believe that, because Gabriel is always announcing things, that he is the archangel Paul mentioned to the Thessalonicans. However, that is merely conjecture. There is no clear indication of the name of either Gabriel’s or Abbadon’s rank.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 HCSB For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
The reason people believe that there are several archangels is because Michael is described as “one of the chief princes.”
- Daniel 10:13 HCSB But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
However, the phrase there is “Mich’a’el ech’ad rishown sar.” The word “sar” is primarily used in the sense of prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official. It is secondarily a vassal, noble or leader. It tertiary meaning is captain, general or military commander. Notice that all these words deal with his role and that nearly all of them have military connotations. Add that to the facts that Michael always fights and that he is in charge of other warring angels.
- Revelation 12:7 HCSB Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels also fought
Since neither Gabriel nor Abaddon are military – I don’t think they should be listed along with Michael as archangels. Teaching that there are multiple archangels based solely on what is stated in Daniel 10:13 is a bit of a stretch in my opinion.
So, to the best of my present (and admittedly limited) knowledge there is only one archangel – Michael.
Is My Guardian Angel a Boy or a Girl?
Angels are special guardians. They have been given the responsibility of watching over the children of God.[1] All of God’s children have guardian angels – even children and these angels report to God how their charges are being treated.[2] Angels will come to our rescue if we pray to God and He so commands.[3] In the event of our death they carry our souls to the afterlife.[4]
Some people believe that there are neither male nor female angels. They say this because they read a passage where Jesus taught that angels are not bound by human marriage traditions and rituals.
However, notice that Jesus never said that there weren’t male of female angels. He merely said that our marital rituals will be meaningless in heaven. After all, which human marital ceremonies would we practice? African? Jewish? Russian? American? In our next life race will not be a consideration. In fact it should already be that way!
The passage in Luke seems to be the key to a proper understanding of the point of that particular conversation. In all three the resurrection is being discussed. Luke clarifies that it is the fact that angels are immortal that is the crucial point – not that they do not enjoy sex.
When Hashem first created us He did so by creating sexual beings. He created us both male and female. He proceeded to give us our very first command, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth…”[5] and then called the whole thing “very good.”[6] This command was reiterated after the flood.[7] In the New Covenant He commanded that His people should not refrain from sexual activity too long lest they be subject to temptation[8] and called the marriage bed holy.[9]
Why is this important? It is important because the idea that angels are without gender and that we will become androgynous creatures when we enter the next life is not a Christian concept but a Gnostic one. Gnosticism was always particularly prissy about bodily functions and thought that the only true spiritual being would be an ethereal, sexless one. How contrary to the Scriptures that teach that the most Holy became flesh and dwelt among us! God has never presented Himself to us as a sexless drone, even though the Father and the Spirit are spirits and thus possess neither flesh nor bone.[10] He has always presented Himself as masculine.
So sexlessness is not a Christian but a Gnostic idea, and the passages where the Christ discussed the marriage rituals are primarily meant to focus on the idea of immortality and have no direct bearing on the issue of angel gender. These are not, in themselves sufficient arguments. Argument by a lack of something is not an argument.
However we find the following odd passage in the Old Covenant:
While angels generally appear as men in Scripture, Zechariah 5:9 may suggest this is not always the case. The two women mentioned in this passage are not specifically called angels, but they are clearly agents of God. The fate of the woman (wickedness) is portrayed: She is to be removed from the land. Although some regard the two women as agents of evil (partly because the stork is an unclean bird, Lev 11:19), it seems preferable to regard them as divinely chosen agents because they, along with the wind (also an instrument of God, Ps 104:3-4), would thus demonstrate that the removal was the work of God alone.
The simile “wings like those of a stork” is evidently intended to show that the winged women—carried along by the wind—were capable of supporting the woman in the basket over a great distance. Though Scripture does not clearly identify them as angels we must be careful about making dogmatic statements about angels being without gender or sex.
In our opinion then, the issue of whether or not our guardian angels are male or female remains open. We probably have many angels surrounding us – whether any of them are boys or girls…who’s to say?
[1] Psalm 34:7; Daniel 6:21-22
[2] Matthew 18:10
[3] Psalm 34:7; Matthew 26:53; Acts 12:7-11
[4] Luke 16:22
[5] Genesis 1:28
[6] Genesis 1:31
[7] Genesis 9:1
[8] 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
[9] Hebrews 13:4
[10] Luke 24:39
Some people believe that there are neither male nor female angels. They say this because they read a passage where Jesus taught that angels are not bound by human marriage traditions and rituals.
- Matthew 22:30 HCSB For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven.
- Mark 12:25 HCSB For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven.
- Luke 20:34-36 HCSB Jesus told them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to take part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 For they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are sons of God, since they are sons of the resurrection.
However, notice that Jesus never said that there weren’t male of female angels. He merely said that our marital rituals will be meaningless in heaven. After all, which human marital ceremonies would we practice? African? Jewish? Russian? American? In our next life race will not be a consideration. In fact it should already be that way!
The passage in Luke seems to be the key to a proper understanding of the point of that particular conversation. In all three the resurrection is being discussed. Luke clarifies that it is the fact that angels are immortal that is the crucial point – not that they do not enjoy sex.
When Hashem first created us He did so by creating sexual beings. He created us both male and female. He proceeded to give us our very first command, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth…”[5] and then called the whole thing “very good.”[6] This command was reiterated after the flood.[7] In the New Covenant He commanded that His people should not refrain from sexual activity too long lest they be subject to temptation[8] and called the marriage bed holy.[9]
Why is this important? It is important because the idea that angels are without gender and that we will become androgynous creatures when we enter the next life is not a Christian concept but a Gnostic one. Gnosticism was always particularly prissy about bodily functions and thought that the only true spiritual being would be an ethereal, sexless one. How contrary to the Scriptures that teach that the most Holy became flesh and dwelt among us! God has never presented Himself to us as a sexless drone, even though the Father and the Spirit are spirits and thus possess neither flesh nor bone.[10] He has always presented Himself as masculine.
So sexlessness is not a Christian but a Gnostic idea, and the passages where the Christ discussed the marriage rituals are primarily meant to focus on the idea of immortality and have no direct bearing on the issue of angel gender. These are not, in themselves sufficient arguments. Argument by a lack of something is not an argument.
However we find the following odd passage in the Old Covenant:
- Zechariah 5:9 HCSB Then I looked up and saw two women approaching with the wind in their wings. Their wings were like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and sky.
While angels generally appear as men in Scripture, Zechariah 5:9 may suggest this is not always the case. The two women mentioned in this passage are not specifically called angels, but they are clearly agents of God. The fate of the woman (wickedness) is portrayed: She is to be removed from the land. Although some regard the two women as agents of evil (partly because the stork is an unclean bird, Lev 11:19), it seems preferable to regard them as divinely chosen agents because they, along with the wind (also an instrument of God, Ps 104:3-4), would thus demonstrate that the removal was the work of God alone.
The simile “wings like those of a stork” is evidently intended to show that the winged women—carried along by the wind—were capable of supporting the woman in the basket over a great distance. Though Scripture does not clearly identify them as angels we must be careful about making dogmatic statements about angels being without gender or sex.
In our opinion then, the issue of whether or not our guardian angels are male or female remains open. We probably have many angels surrounding us – whether any of them are boys or girls…who’s to say?
[1] Psalm 34:7; Daniel 6:21-22
[2] Matthew 18:10
[3] Psalm 34:7; Matthew 26:53; Acts 12:7-11
[4] Luke 16:22
[5] Genesis 1:28
[6] Genesis 1:31
[7] Genesis 9:1
[8] 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
[9] Hebrews 13:4
[10] Luke 24:39
