So, angels. Was that all about?

[Jamza]

I really can't say any more than that! What are angels, biblically? I realized recently that they're more important than just an extension of God's will, think about it; they caused 'evil' and the fall of man. But then there are holy angels, of course. Does God love them? If yes then does he love them more than us? Are the fallen angles completely condemned? Could they ever be saved in some angelic version of the salvation of humans? What do they look like? Are there different kinds? Can they fly? Can they change shape? Will they be living with us in heaven? Are they incapable of sinning? How much free will do they have? Just how often are they 'among us'? Are they made 'in God's image'? Were we similar to them before the Fall? Do you think they had some sort of heavenly civilisation of their own?

Okay, I apologise, I got kind of carried away there, but I think its interesting. Does anyone have any verses, opinions or ideas?

 

[Katydid]

Well, angels, or in Hebrew Malakim, means messenger.

Does God love them?

Considering that He created them, I would imagine so.

If yes then does he love them more than us?

I don't think so, we are different, we have free will to choose to believe or not. They do not. Psalm 103 :20-21 states that angels do the will of God.

Just how often are they 'among us'?

I have no clue, but we are warned in Hebrews 13:2 to entertain strangers because by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing.

How much free will do they have?

Psalm 103:20-21 seems to state that the angels always do the will of God.

As far as the rest of your questions, I am not sure if my answers are biblical, but it is how I was taught.

There are cherubim, and seraphim. The seraphim have wings, the cherubim don't (I think that is how it goes). I believe they will be with us in heaven, but I don't understand all of it. I haven't really studied angels. I do know that Gabriel and Michael are very important in the end times. I don't think I helped much, but it was fun.

 

[Archangel]

What are angels, biblically?

As KatyDid said they are messengers. Angels generally are supernatural beings who serve Christians and God and worship God in heaven.

Does God love them?

God loves all his creation and he loves angels especialy.

If yes then does he love them more than us?

Not enough to die for them. Angels are loved by God, but they understand that God's love for man is greater than anything [John 3:16]

Are the fallen angles completely condemned?

All Fallen Angels [or demons] are condemed to hell. [2 Peter 2; Jude 14]

Could they ever be saved in some angelic version of the salvation of humans?

The thing is about salvation is this. Christ died for us because when we sinned we sinned out of temptation and our choice. So since we sinned through temptation, we can now choose to come back to God through Christ.

Satan and the demonic sinned without any external elements acting on them. It was entirely independent choice with no - one tempting them.

What do they look like?

Angels may appear as humans. Ezekiel saw some pretty wierd angels with eyes all over them. Revelation 4 shows living creatures which worhsip God. These angelic beings have animal heads and many wings.

Are there different kinds?

I think Judisim has 10 types of angels. The bible mentions Angels, Archangels, Cherubium, Seraphium, Princes, Thrones, Powers and Principalities.

Can they fly?

They appear to in the book of Revelation, in Ezekiel, Danile and Isaiah.

Can they change shape?

In Revelation there is an angel who is so big he stands on the earth and sea. Angels are spiritual beings, so they are not confined to physical laws, so yes they could change shape.

Will they be living with us in heaven?

The Holy Angels shall worship and serve with us in the New Heaven.

Are they incapable of sinning?

Angels are capable of sinning. Satan and the demonic sinned. I doubt that any other angels will sin as they know of Satan's judgment. Ezekiel 28 says that all who knew Satan were appauled by his fate.

How much free will do they have?

They have free will to turn against God or to serve him from what Satan's history tells us.

Just how often are they 'among us'?

In 2 Kings Elisha has an army of thousands of angels guarding him. Angels to serve Christians and are called to watch over them. We may not have personal guardian angels, but we do have angels that guard us and watch us. You could make a habbit of praying to God for angelic protection.

Are they made 'in God's image'? Were we similar to them before the Fall?

Angels seem to appear as humans at times...other times they are just wacky. We were sortof the same before the fall. We dont turn into angels when we die. Angels however do not share that personal relationship with God that we have. Adam and Eve had a relationship with God more special than angels.

Do you think they had some sort of heavenly civilisation of their own?

They operate in various ranks. Michael appears to be one of the head angels. Apocrapha and the Book of Enoch claim that other angels such as Uriel and Raphael are also Archangels with the same rank as Michael. Satan was probably the most powerful angel before he feel...he had a postiion of extremem authoutiry, guarding God's Throne.

Okay, I apologise, I got kind of carried away there, but I think its interesting.

Yea it is. But dont let all your time go towards angelology. A good knowledge is fine, speculation is ok...obsession..not good. Make your goal making disciples here on earth and wait a few years until you are dead then ask God himself>?

Does anyone have any verses, opinions or ideas?

Try reading Angels by Billy Graham. It answers most of your questions.

 

[Jamza]

Thanks, very detailed!

 

[Abiel]

We are studying Angels at the moment and last night came across this verse:

1 Peter 1:12
They[some prophets] preached to you by the power of the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven. And their message was only for you, even though angels would like to know more about it (CEV)

What's that all about then?

 

[Archangel]

We are studying Angels at the moment and last night came across this verse:

1 Peter 1:12
They[some prophets] preached to you by the power of the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven. And their message was only for you, even though angels would like to know more about it (CEV)

What's that all about then?

That verse is one of the ones speaking on how angels like to be part of what we are doing. As Christians we have a huge previliage...in fact one of the biggest jobs out there, and that is preaching the gospel,,,something that angels cant do. SO thats why they watch us and wouldlove to know more about it

 

[MbiaJc]

We are studying Angels at the moment and last night came across this verse:

1 Peter 1:12
They[some prophets] preached to you by the power of the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven. And their message was only for you, even though angels would like to know more about it (CEV)

What's that all about then?

God's plan of salvation for man is what angels wants to know more about. I guess, because as far as I know, they have no plan of salvation.

 

[mark kennedy]

I really can't say any more than that! What are angels, biblically? I realized recently that they're more important than just an extension of God's will, think about it; they caused 'evil' and the fall of man. But then there are holy angels, of course. Does God love them? If yes then does he love them more than us? Are the fallen angles completely condemned? Could they ever be saved in some angelic version of the salvation of humans? What do they look like? Are there different kinds? Can they fly? Can they change shape? Will they be living with us in heaven? Are they incapable of sinning? How much free will do they have? Just how often are they 'among us'? Are they made 'in God's image'? Were we similar to them before the Fall? Do you think they had some sort of heavenly civilisation of their own?

Okay, I apologise, I got kind of carried away there, but I think its interesting. Does anyone have any verses, opinions or ideas?

Soooo many questions, I guess you have really thought about this. I couldn't answer all of these questions and wouldn't want to. It is wonderfull that you are so curious about these enigmic glorified beings. I'll let you in on a little secret, they are just as curious about you.

"To them it was revealed that , not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preaced the gospel to you by the Holy spirit sent from heaven things which angels desire to look into." (I Peter 1:12)


We know that God loves the angels, even Satan, God mourns Satan's descent into the pit.

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."

(Isaiah 14:12-15)

There a number of different kinds of angels:

"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).

"So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life" (Gen. 3:24). See also Exodus 25:18-22; Heb. 9:5.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first" (1 Thess. 4:16).

Are there different kinds of angels?

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[Jamza]

Thanks mark, that really helpful; I'll have to post topics about other issues too

 

[VeronicasImage]

Angels! Love this subject! Spiritual,personal,and immortal creature,with intelligence and free will,who glorifies God without ceasing and who serves God as a messenger of his saving plan!

 

[Archangel]

Angels! Love this subject! Spiritual,personal,and immortal creature,with intelligence and free will,who glorifies God without ceasing and who serves God as a messenger of his saving plan!

cool quote! Mind if i steal, i mean "borrow" it?