Angels

The Bible reveals the existence of angels and an Angelic Conflict that predates human history. They are a higher creation than mankind and also have free will just as mankind has. Angels are made of light and so can be visible or invisible to mankind. Angels are greater in power, ability to travel, and intellect than mankind.

Although angels were created higher than mankind, Church Age believers who are in union with their Savior Jesus Christ are positionally higher than all angels.

Categories of Angels

Angels are divided into two categories – elect and fallen. The elect angels are called “chosen” in 1 Timothy 5:21 and “holy” in Mark 8:38.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.” (1 Timothy 5:21, NASB)

““For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”“ (Mark 8:38, NASB)

The fallen angels are led by Satan and are called “deceitful spirits” in 1 Timothy 4:1 and “demons” in 1 Corinthians 10:20-21. Those fallen angels who disobeyed God have been imprisoned awaiting final judgment. 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6.

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1, NASB)

"No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons." (1 Corinthians 10:20-21, NASB)

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;” (2 Peter 2:4, NASB)

"And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day," (Jude 1:6, NASB)

All fallen angels, including Satan, were sentenced by God to the Lake of Fire prior to the beginning of human history. Matt. 25:41.

““Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;” (Matthew 25:41, NASB)

Organization of Elect Angels

People are different in intelligence, race, language, culture, vocation, and geography. Certain races have always been troublesome, others contribute to culture, others to welfare. Gen. 9; Gen. 10. This is also true in the angelic realm. What is true in the human race is also true of angels. This means that no two angels look alike.

Angels have nationalities, races, and entities. All angels are not equal. They do not have the same IQ, abilities, talents or even the same race. Only the Seraphim and Cherubim have wings.

Seraphim

The seraphim are the highest ranking angels who report directly to our Lord Jesus Christ and are distinguished from all other angels as the highest ranking angels because of their six wings. Isaiah 6:2.

"Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew." (Isaiah 6:2, NASB)

This rank was created after the fall of Satan to reward those elect angels who had advanced spiritually in some way analogous to human believers’ spiritual growth. They received blessings and rewards that glorified Jesus Christ to the maximum. Among these rewards were the receipt of wings. The number of angel wings is a sign of rank – the more wings, the higher the rank. Seraphim have two roles – to lead heavenly worship thereby glorifying God and to function as angelic heralds or messengers between God and man.

The two highest ranking seraphim are called archangels whose names are Michael and Gabriel. Michael is the warring angel. Michael commands the army of angels who defend Israel. Michael was the only angel who had the nerve to tackle Satan when it came to a dispute over who would take possession of the body of Moses. It was Michael who got to the angelic court and stopped Satan from getting the kings of Persia to destroy the Jews. Dan. 10:21; Jude 1:9.

""However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince." (Daniel 10:21, NASB)

"But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"" (Jude 1:9, NASB)

During the Tribulation, Michael will lead his army of elect angels against Satan and his fallen angels in heaven. His objective will be to protect the believing Jews from Satan and to ultimately remove Satan and all fallen angels from heaven, which begins the last half of the Tribulation. Rev. 12:7-9; Dan. 12:1.

"And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." (Revelation 12:7-9, NASB)

""Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued." (Daniel 12:1, NASB)

Gabriel explained to Daniel the meaning of his vision of the 70 weeks and events of the future Tribulation. Dan. 8:16; Dan. 9:21; Dan. 9:27.

"And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, "Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision."" (Daniel 8:16, NASB)

"while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering." (Daniel 9:21, NASB)

""And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."" (Daniel 9:27, NASB)

Gabriel was sent to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist in Luke 1:18-19.

"Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years." The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news." (Luke 1:18-19, NASB)

Gabriel was sent to Mary to announce that she would give birth to Jesus Christ in Luke 1:26-27.

"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." (Luke 1:26-27, NASB)

Gabriel is the “the archangel” at the Rapture of the Church in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NASB)

There are other unnamed seraphim mentioned in the Scripture. Rev. 14:15; Rev. 19:5; Rev. 19:17. The strong angel of Revelation 5:2.

"And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe."" (Revelation 14:15, NASB)

"Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, "Come, assemble for the great supper of God," (Revelation 19:17, NASB)

"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?"" (Revelation 5:2, NASB)

The angel with great authority in Revelation 18:1.

"After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory." (Revelation 18:1, NASB)

The angel who will hold the key to the Abyss and will throw Satan into the Abyss at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ where he will be held until the end of the Millennium. Rev. 20:1-3.

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time." (Revelation 20:1-3, NASB)

The seraphim with the burning coal in his hand of Isaiah 6:6-7.

"Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."" (Isaiah 6:6-7, NASB)

The four living creatures full of eyes of Revelation 4:6-8.

"and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME."" (Revelation 4:6-8, NASB)

The angel with power over fire of Revelation 14:18.

"Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe."" (Revelation 14:18, NASB)

Cherubim

Cherubs were the highest creation of angel from God prior to the fall of angels. Cherubs have four wings whose function is to guard and protect.

There are the four cherubim in Ezekiel 1 and 10 with one at every wheel of the chariot of fire, a vehicle of judgment which Jesus Christ will ride.

There are the ruling cherubim angels called the 24 elders who sit on 24 thrones that surround the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. 4:4; Rev. 4:10.

"Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads." (Revelation 4:4, NASB)

"the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying," (Revelation 4:10, NASB)

There were two cherubim who guarded the east gate of the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were expelled. Gen. 3:24.

"So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life." (Genesis 3:24, NASB)

Lucifer, now fallen Satan is a cherub. Ezek. 28:14.

""You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire." (Ezekiel 28:14, NASB)

Cherubim are the “seven peals of thunder” of Revelation 10:3-4.

"and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices. When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them."" (Revelation 10:3-4, NASB)

There is the cherub who was the messenger of judgment in 2 Samuel 22:11.

""And He rode on a cherub and flew; And He appeared on the wings of the wind." (2 Samuel 22:11, NASB)

There will be the angel of evangelism in the Tribulation. Rev. 14:6.

"And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people;" (Revelation 14:6, NASB)

There will be the angels of judgment in the second half of the Tribulation. Rev. 14:17-19.

"And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe." So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God." (Revelation 14:17-19, NASB)

Wingless Elect Angels

Wingless elect angels make up by far the majority of the unknown number of elect angels. They function as guardians, messengers of judgment, and as soldiers.

There were the two angels who warned Lot to leave Sodom and struck Lot’s would-be attackers with blindness. These angels then destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah under orders from the Lord. Gen. 19:1-25.

"for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the LORD that the LORD has sent us to destroy it."" (Genesis 19:13, NASB)

There are the destroying angels of 2 Samuel 24:16 and Psalms 78:49.

"When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who destroyed the people, "It is enough! Now relax your hand!" And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." (2 Samuel 24:16, NASB)

"He sent upon them His burning anger, Fury and indignation and trouble, A band of destroying angels." (Psalms 78:49, NASB)

There are the seven trumpet angels of Revelation 8:6.

"And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them." (Revelation 8:6, NASB)

There are the seven angels with the plagues of Revelation 15:1.

"Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished." (Revelation 15:1, NASB)

There are the four angels that will restrain the four winds of the earth in Revelation 7:1-2.

"After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree." (Revelation 7:1, NASB)

There are guardian angels. Psalms 91:11-12.

"For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone." (Psalms 91:11-12, NASB)

There are guardian angels for children (Matthew 18:10), for Church Age believers (Hebrews 1:13-14) and for client nations (Daniel 10:20).

""See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10, NASB)

"But to which of the angels has He ever said, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET"? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:13-14, NASB)

"Then he said, "Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come." (Daniel 10:20, NASB)

There are the angelic armies in Psalms 148:2 and Luke 2:13-14.

"Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!" (Psalms 148:2, NASB)

"And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."" (Luke 2:13-14, NASB)

Organization of Fallen Angels

Satan has a demon organization, an unseen organization more powerful than any human power. Satan is, of course, the supreme dictator. Eph. 2:2.

"in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:2, NASB)

There are the fallen angels who were involved in infiltration of the human race in Genesis 6. These angels were imprisoned in the Abyss and will not be allowed to communicate with any creature nor to come out until the Tribulation.

There are also the operational fallen angels who are free to function also known as demons. These are the rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, NASB)

In Ephesians 6:12, “rulers” is the plural of ἀρχή (archē) and means highest ruler, the general officers under Satan. These are super demons with super power and super responsibility. The word is used in the Attic, Alexandrian and Koine Greek and is always the same. How many generals does Satan have in his demon army? This is unknown.

“Powers” is the plural of ἐξουσία (exousia) and means authorities or equivalent to our military commissioned officers. This includes all of the commissioned officer ranks below the general officers the equivalent of our First and Second Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Colonels.

“World forces” is the plural of κοσμοκράτωρ (kosmokratōr) and refers to world rulers of darkness. This is the spy system of Satan. This is a special team of demons to discredit and attack rulers. An example of the spy system of Satan can be found in Daniel 10:13 and is referred to as “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” who is a strong demon assigned to Persia by Satan. He tangled with Michael the Archangel. Later, he would be assigned to Greece in Daniel 10:20 as the “prince of Greece.” These demon officers attack any nation operating under the Divine Institutions, any important believer like Paul, and anyone in the vicinity of an important believer like Timothy.

""But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia." (Daniel 10:13, NASB)

In Ephesians 6:12, “spiritual forces of wickedness” is πνευματικός πονηρία (pneumatikos ponēria) and is referring to spirits of evil in the heavenlies. These are the rank and file demons who perform numerous evil functions. Some indwell unbelievers to cause sickness. When Satan calls them out, the unbeliever is miraculously healed so that many will be confused and deceived. They also push faith healers for the same purposes.

Some control the vocal chords such as the engastrumuthos demons that speak in tongues. Some manufacture pressure situations against believers – especially in the Tribulation. They also entice people to do human good and often to sin. Demons are designed to entice people to sin, although the old sin nature is basically designed to tempt people to sin.

Conclusions

The Bible does not reveal much detail about elect angels. What we can conclude from verses in Daniel, Isaiah, Revelation, Zechariah and Luke is that there are differences in rank among elect angels. This rank resulted prior to the creation of mankind where each elect angel was given opportunity to advance in some way consistent with the plan of God for His angelic creatures and each elect angel was rewarded for that spiritual advancement. This period of time is called the Prehistoric Angelic Conflict.

In contrast, Satan and his fallen angels were tried by God for their rejection of the grace and authority of God and sentenced to the eternal Lake of Fire. Satan appealed that judgment and sentence. Because of that appeal, God created the human race to resolve the Angelic Conflict.