FEATURES

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ANGELS : A DEFINITION

- excerpts from the "Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Bible"

Angels

Pure spirits created by God, probably at the same time as the visible creation. The word angel means "messenger" and is sometimes used of a human person who acts as a messenger (e.g., Is. 18:2; 33:7). But normally the word is used in the English Bible only of those pure spirits who act as divine messengers. Thus God sends angels to announce His will, to correct, punish, teach, rebuke, console (Ps. 102:20; Matt. 4:11; 13:49; 26:53). The mission and apparition of angels are constantly mentioned in Scripture.

It is commonly taught that there are nine orders or choirs, all named in the Bible (see above). According to a doctrine attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite these choirs are divided into three hierarchies of three choirs each. A common theological teaching is that God appoints an angel to guard every soul from the moment of its birth. The Church has not defined this doctrine as of faith, but it is supported by Scripture (Ps. 90:11; Matt. 18:10) and by Catholic tradition. Pope Clement X approved the traditional devotion to the guardian angels.

Different grades or choirs are named: Seraphim (Is. 6:2, 6); Cherubim (Gen. 3:24; Sirach. 49:10; Ez. 10:1-22); Thrones (Col. 1:16); Dominations (Col. 1:16); Virtues (1 Pet. 3:22); Powers (Col. 1:16; 1 Pet. 3:22); Principalities (Col. 1:16); Archangels (1 Thess. 4:16); and Angels.

The good angels can see God (Matt. 18:10), are called sons of God (Job 1:6; 38:7), are the ministers of God’s will (Ps. 102:20, Matt. 4:1; 13:49; 26:53), aid those who fear God (Ps. 33:8; 90:11), are guardians of countries (Dan. 4:10, 20; 10:10, 13, 20, 2 1; Acts 16:6), and of individuals (Matt. 18:10). Angels were sent by God to assist Hagar (Gen. 16:7; 21:17), Abraham (Gen. 18; 22:11), Lot (Gen. 19), Jacob (Gen. 28:12; 32), Elijah (1 Kings 19:5), the three children (Dan. 3:49), Daniel (Dan. 6:22), Tobias (Tob. 5:6-22), Peter (Acts 10:19; 12:7-11), Cornelius (Acts 10:3; 11:13), the eunuch of Queen Candace (Acts 8:26-39), to aid the sick (John 5:4), and to bear the just to Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22). The Law was given through angels (Heb. 2:2). An angel guided the people of Israel (Heb. 12:22; Num. 20:16). God promised to send an angel to His people (Ex. 23:20; 33:2), sent an angel to prevent Balaam from cursing His people (Num. 22:22), and sent another to Joshua (Joshua 5:13-14). An angel rebuked the people (Judg. 2:1-4), directed Gideon (Judg. 6:11-40; 7:1-7), appeared to Samson’s mother (Judg. 13:3-21) and to Zechariah (Zec. 2-6), punished David (2 Sam. 24:16; 1 Chron. 21:15), directed Elijah (1 Kings 19:5; 2 Kings 1:3, 15), and defeated the Assyrians (2 Kings 19:35). Angels also explained visions (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; 10:5, 10, 16), led the army of the Maccabees (2 Mac. 11:6-11), and punished Heliodorus (2 Mac. 3:24-27). An angel appeared to Joseph (Matt. 1:20; 2:13-19), to Zachary (Luke 1:11, 19-20), to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38), to the shepherds (Luke 2:9, 15), to Our Lord in His agony (Luke 22:43), to the disciples after the Resurrection (Matt. 28:2), to the disciples after the Ascension (Acts 1:10), and to Paul (Acts 27:23). They revealed Revelation to John (Rev. 1:1; 19:10; 22:8). Angels were revered by the patriarchs (Gen. 18:2; 19:1; Num. 22:31), and by Gideon (Judg. 6:11). A woman should have her head covered because of the angels (1 Cor. 11:10). Angels desired to know the mystery of the Gospel (1 Pet. 1:12). They will summon men to judgment (Matt. 24:31; 1 Thess. 4:16), although they know not the day (Mark 13:32), and will come with Christ to judge mankind (Matt 16:27; 2 Thess. 1:7). The Sadducees denied the existence of angels (Acts 23:8). The angels are not all equal (Dan. 10:13; Rev. 12:7).

Those angels that did not preserve grace but fell from their high state together with Satan (2 Pet. 2.4; Jude 1:6) are called fallen angels, angels of the devil, or angels of the dragon (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:7). A fallen angel is the king of the infernal hordes symbolized by the locust plague (Rev. 9:11). An angel or messenger of Satan was allowed by God to inflict physical ills on Paul, so that, like Job, his virtue might be tried (2 Cor. 12:7).

MICHAEL

An archangel and leader of the good angels. At their head he overcame Lucifer and the bad angels and cast them out of heaven (Apoc. 12:7). Many times he has aided those who were faithful to God (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 1:9). (The Holy Bible, RSV)

GABRIEL

An Archangel whose name means "the Power of God." He appeared under the form of a man to the prophet Daniel (Dan. 8:16; 9:21), to the priest Zachary to announce the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11, 19), and to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce the birth of Our Savior (Luke 1:26 ff.).

RAPHAEL

1. Son of Semeias. He was a Levite and porter of the Temple (1 Chron. 26:7).

2. One of the seven angels constantly before the throne of God (Tob. 12:15). Under the appearance of a man, he guided young Tobias to Ecbatana, cast out the devils from Sara, and obtained her in marriage for Tobias. He received the money from Gabael, then guided Tobias safely home and cured the blindness of the elder Tobias (Tob. 5-11). His name means "God has healed." (C)

GUARDIAN ANGELS

Angels appointed by God to guard each soul. Although the existence of an individual guardian angel for every soul is not a doctrine of faith, it is supported by Scripture (Ps. 91:11; Matt. 18:10) and has been commonly taught in the Church. See Angels.