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Sarcasticool
26-09-2008, 03:49
ANGELS

I decided to post a thread on angels. I already had started a thread on FF , like with many other studies on there, but because of it's demise I was unable to finish It. It should be noted that this will be done from a Christian point of view, for the benefit of Christians and any others who wish to understand the subject from a Christian stand point. Although it is based on the Biblical accounts of angels, I will include information and references to other non biblical accounts of angels in other literature , as the subject of Angelology has always been a great love of mine, whether it is Biblical, Non- Biblical Theology, Mythological or fictitious.

Angels

Introduction:

Angels are very active in the Bible and are used by God as messengers, warriors, and servants. The word "angel" comes from the Greek word "angelos" which means messenger. Angels are spiritual beings without bodies of flesh and bones, though they apparently have the ability to appear in human form. (Gen. 19:1-22).

Angels had many functions

They praised and bless God:

Bless ye the LORD all his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

-Psalm 103:20



They served as messengers to people from God:

(Lk 1:11-20, 26-38; Lk 2:9-14)


They watched over God's people:

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, least thou dash thy foot against a stone.

-Psalm 91:11-12


They are sometimes instruments of God's judgment:

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just.

-Matt. 13:49-50

Some angels rebelled against God:

The Bible tells us that God created the angels and that at some time in the distant past there was a rebellion in heaven and many of the angels fell.

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

- Rev. 12:7-8

It was the elect angels that did not fall:

(1 Tim. 5:21)


This is the order I will post on the subject:
1. The types and order of angels
2. The two angels: Michael and Gabriel
3. The origin and fall of the Devil (Lucifer/Satan) and his angels
4. Fallen angels / Sons of God (Gen. 6)
5. Demons and evil spirits
6. Related topics:
Angel of the LORD,
Abaddon/Apollyon (angel of the bottomless pit)
Angels in other religions and non-biblical theology

tellconer
11-10-2008, 14:03
whats all this six wings all about with some angels ?

TheFullEffect
12-10-2008, 13:44
I always thought the order and class system was interesting. I had to do a paper on it for a theology class once.

tellconer
13-10-2008, 22:45
why do some angels have to cover both there face's and feet with wings, im clueless on this subject, it is somthing i have not really gone in to, good subject to study though

Ashdaw
27-10-2008, 06:36
I must say that I do believe in Angels. I have been protected more than once by forces I cannot explain. My story anyhoo. :)

Sarcasticool
08-12-2008, 07:22
Orders Of Angelical Hierarchy

There are many different Orders Of Angelical Hierarchy Lists according to various different Sources and Authorities: I will do my own list first, which will be based only on the Bible’s interpretation, then I will list the others, which many are extra-biblical!

Sarcasticool

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Thrones
4. Dominions
5. Principalities
6. Powers
7. Archangels
8. Angels

ST. Ambrose

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Dominations
4. Thrones
5. Principalities
6. potentates (Powers)
7. Virtues
8. Archangels
9. Angels

ST. Jerome

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Powers
4. Dominions (Dominations)
5. Thrones
6. Archangels
7. Angels

Constitutions Of The Apostles

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Aeons
4. Hosts
5. Powers
6. Authorities
7. Principalities
8. Thrones
9. Archangels
10. Angels
11. Dominions

Moses Maimonnides

1. Chaioth ha-Qadesh
2. Auphanim
3. Aralim (Erelim)
4. Chashmalim
5. Seraphim
6. Malachim
7. Elohim
8. Bene Elohim
9. Kerubim
10. Ishim

The Zohar

1. Malachim
2. Erelim
3. Seraphim
4. Hayyoth
5. Ophanim
6. Hamshalim
7. Elim
8. Elohim
9. Bene Elohim
10. Ishim

Maseket Azilut

1. Seraphim
2. Ofanim
3. Cherubim
4. Shinnanim
5. Tarshishim
6. Ishim
7. Hashmallim
8. Malakim
9. Bene Elohim
10. Arelim

John Of Damascus

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Thrones
4. Dominions
5. Authorities (Virtues)
6. Rulers (Authorities)
7. Archangels
8. Angels

Dante

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Thrones
4. Dominations
5. Virtues
6. Powers
7. Archangels
8. Principalities
9. Angels

Barrett, The Magus

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Thrones
4. Dominations
5. Powers
6. Virtues
7. Principalities
8. Archangels
9. Angels
10. Innocents
11. Martyrs
12. Confessors

There are ofcourse other lists, but this selection gives one an idea of the Angelic Hierarchy.

Sarcasticool
08-12-2008, 09:50
There are different kinds of angels with different characteristics and roles in the Bible: cherubim, seraphim, and archangels. It may also be that there are "powers" and "principalities", “dominions” and “thrones” that further describe ranks in the angelic realm, but it is debated. Nevertheless, I'll focus on the three main groups first.

The Seraphim

“Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.”

Isaiah 6:2

The word "seraphim" (singular is saraph) probably a translation of ‘fiery ones’ and probably stems from the fiery imagery often associated with the Presence of God (Ezek. 1:27).

http://images.elfwood.com/art/m/b/mbrackney/seraphimc.jpg



To be continued...

Sarcasticool
12-12-2008, 01:32
The Seraphim ...continued:

Usually represented as the highest order of angels in most Angelical hierarchies!

The seraphim, "fiery, burning ones," are angelic beings associated with the prophet Isaiah's vision of God in the Temple when he was called to his prophetic ministry.
Isaiah 6:1-7

Isaiah chapter 6 is the only place in the Bible that specifically mentions the seraphim. Each seraph had six wings. They used two to fly, two to cover their feet, and two to cover their faces (Isaiah 6:2). The seraphim flew about the throne on which God was seated, singing His praises as they called special attention to God’s glory and majesty. Isaiah 6:2-4

These beings apparently also served as agents of purification for Isaiah as he began his prophetic ministry. One placed a hot coal against Isaiah's lips with the words…
“Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” Isaiah 6:7

Similar to the other types of holy angels, the seraphim are perfectly obedient to God and similar to the cherubim, the seraphim are particularly focused on worshipping God.

Sarcasticool
14-12-2008, 02:25
Another depiction of the Seraphim in the form of a statute:

http://fc33.deviantart.com/fs19/f/2007/285/d/7/Seraphim_by_chicken32678.jpg

Sarcasticool
16-01-2009, 09:12
Because being in the presence of a Holy God their faces shone with such brightness that they for the sake of Isaiah would cover their faces with their wings. Just as Moses stood in God's presence , he shone so bright afterward that he had to veil his face from the children of Israel. Being in the presence of a Holy God changes the countenace of any being. the Seraphim would have been many times brighter than Moses was, as the are constantly in the presence of God's holiness and they are so in awe they constanlty worship and praise God in awe of his Holiness!


The Seraphim have six wings; with two they cover their faces to signify humility, with two they cover their feet, by which Hebrew means the lower body, to signify chastity, and with two they fly, signifying obedience in performing the errands the Lord may give them.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x137/alch3mist16/AngelsSeraphim2.jpg