what are angels?(open)

[genestealerbroodlord]

A

 

[Adammi]

A simple question, but one ive always wondered about.

What are angels?

Are they like us or are they something else completly?

Do they have wings?

What about seraphim and cherubim. Are the differant again or are they another type of angel? If so, what is there purpose?

Tell me your opinions on angels, no matter how mad or out there.

God bless

John

I have never had much of an interest in angels so I've never done much thinking or reading on the topic. I am not saying that I agree with this statement because I haven't really thought about, but I have heard many say that angels are completely spirit, animals are completely flesh, and we are smack dab in the middle.

 

[Loki]

Summa Theologica

Here's what Aquinas has to say on the topic.

 

[spinningtutu]

"angel" means "messenger"

In the religious sense, any messenger of God is an angel. Of course, there's a lot of mythology regarding celestial and/or divine messengers...that being as it may, one should not assume that Biblical references to "angel" are necessarily supernatural.

---
Angel is also the name of one of my favorite TV shows (Buffy spin off). Also, "angel" is a term of endearment my wife uses for me.

 

[Aquamarine81]

I like to think that angels, when on earth, actually take a human form. Sort of like "Touched by an Angel".
In heaven, I don't have a clue what angels might look like -- spirit forms perhaps? But I doubt they have wings and halos as they are often pictured.

 

[Adammi]

In heaven, I don't have a clue what angels might look like -- spirit forms perhaps?

I would say that they look like nothing. I don't think that they possess physical characteristic and are therefore undetectable to the human eye.

 

[Domenico]

I believe Angels do have wings, they are the embodiment of the Holy Spirit, and are messengers from God. A cherub is a child Angel and a Seraph is an adult Angel. They look like feminine men, but have no gender.

My favourite Angel is Raphael, who heals.

 

[Aquamarine81]

I often wonder about guardian angels. I was taught everyone has one, is there any scripture to back this up? I used to think peoples consciences were really their guardian angels, but now I'm not so sure.

 

[ScottUnitarian]

I believe angels are the souls of physically dead saints (holy people) who are sent to the world by Jesus to give a message or instructions to living saints, or to "those with ears".

 

[tryingtobeagain]

I never really believed in angels until I looked at my daughter....

(you said no matter how mad or out there...)

 

[Gukkor]

A classification of beings similar in some ways to humans, but on a somewhat higher level spiritually. They are closer to God than us, and the vast majority dedicate their entire existence to serving Him. In my opinion, each of the different types of angels (i.e. seraphim, cherubim, ophanim, etc., etc.) is a seperate "species," much like how humans are an individual species of primate. Each is spiritually closer to or farther from God in relation to the others, thus creating the illusion of a hierarchy among them, though I don't think they really have that sort of relationship to each other (in fact, I don't see why different types of angels would interact with each other directly anymore than angels in general interact with humans directly).

 

[genestealerbroodlord]

I believe angels are the souls of physically dead saints (holy people) who are sent to the world by Jesus to give a message or instructions to living saints, or to "those with ears".

T

 

[Catherineanne]

Tell me your opinions on angels, no matter how mad or out there.

Angels can look like us, and mostly when we see them they do. They do not wear what we call clothes, but are robed in light, and it is the appearance of the light that makes them look clothed in one way or another. Similarly, they do not have wings, but their arms can shine, and this makes them look as if they do. They are spirits in human form, but they are not former humans. The Bible says that angels were created separately from humans, and are dissimilar in that they are spirits, and they are not given or received in marriage as humans are. Hence, no angel babies.

Traditionally, all angels were regarded as being in male form (as far as a spirit can be male), but there is also a suggestion that Gabriel is female, rather than male, because s/he is God's messenger to women who are to have a child.

Angel means messenger, as has already been said. The other interesting thing about angels is that all their names include the ending -el, denoting God. And their names describe their character or relationship to God, which is nice.

 

[united4Peace]

Myself...I dont believe in Angels...
However I believe that people...humans are Angels in our own way...(when someone does something special for no apparent reason or does something and doesnt expect anything in return...does it from their heart and soul not becuase they feel they need too)

 

[epyon]

http://www.steliart.com/angelology.html

The best site to study angel with.