Angels, according to the Bible, are beings created by God, they exist and perform functions in creation. These beings are very important in the biblical narrative and are present at key moments in the Scriptures. Angels are divine servants with superhuman capabilities.
According to the Scriptures, there are some classes of angels, each with a specific responsibility. The Bible also tells what angels are like and what they look like. Let’s look at some of the types of angels mentioned in the Bible.
Appearance and description of angels
Cherubim
The exact description of cherubim can vary in different parts of the Bible, and their appearance is often surrounded by symbolism and spiritual significance.
- Four wings: Cherubim are often depicted as winged creatures. In Ezekiel 10:8, for example, they are mentioned as having wings.
- Human Form: In some passages, cherubim are described as having a human form or human appearance, as in Ezekiel 1:5-11.
- Multiple Faces: In Ezekiel 1:6, the cherubim are described as having four faces, representing a human being, a lion, an ox, and an eagle.
- Human Hands: In Ezekiel 10:7, they have human hands under their wings.
- Brightness and Glory: Cherubim are often associated with an aura of brightness and glory, symbolizing the presence of God. In Ezekiel 1:13-14, they are described as having a glow like glowing coals.
Seraphim
The description of seraphim based on the Bible is quite brief and symbolic, mentioned in Isaiah 6:1-3.
- Six wings: Seraphim are described as having six wings. With two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet and with two they flew. This implies an angelic way of being, with multiple wings, which symbolize majesty and holiness.
- Face Covering: With two of their wings, they cover their faces. This is interpreted as a sign of reverence and respect for God’s divine presence, as they cannot look directly at Him.
- Foot Coverage: With the other two wings, they cover their feet. This can also be seen as an act of humility, acknowledging God’s holiness, and possibly symbolizing separation from sinful humans.
- Voices and chants: The seraphim are described as crying out to one another with words of praise and worship to God. They proclaim the holiness of God by repeating “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
It is important to note that the biblical descriptions of seraphim are primarily symbolic and spiritual, intended to convey the idea of holiness and worship of God.
Archangels
The only archangel mentioned in Scripture is called Michael. The Bible does not provide a detailed description of the appearance of the archangel Michaelas its main role is spiritual and related to celestial battles.
Its visual representation and physical characteristics can vary widely in art and religious culture throughout history, but without a biblical basis.
Angelic Beings: The 4 Living Beings
The “four living beings” mentioned in the book of Ezekiel in the Bible are described in a very symbolic and mysterious way. They are often associated with Ezekiel’s vision in chapter 1 and the divine throne.
- Four Faces: Each living being had four faces, representing different creatures: a lion’s face, an ox’s (or bull’s) face, an eagle’s face and a human’s face. These faces symbolize different aspects of God’s creation.
- Four Wings: Every living being had four wings. Two of them were stretched upwards, touching each other, while the other two were covering their bodies. Wings are often associated with mobility and speed.
- Calf Feet: Below their bodies, the living beings had feet that looked like calf’s hooves. They shined like polished bronze. These feet can symbolize stability and strength.
- Rings and Wheels: Each living being had large wheels on its side, covered with eyes. These wheels rotated in conjunction with the movements of living beings, suggesting an ever-vigilant divine presence.
- Radiance and Fire: Living beings were described as glowing like glowing embers or torches of fire. This resplendent feature represents the holiness and glory of God.
- Joint Movement: The four living beings moved in perfect synchrony, going where the Spirit of God directed them, without ever turning around.
The 4 Living Beings are also mentioned in the book of Revelation, with differences related to the context and emphasis in the visions in which they are presented.
Fallen angels
The Bible does not provide a detailed description of the appearance of fallen angels (also known as demons or evil spirits). However, there are some relevant points:
- Light and Beauty: Before their fall, the fallen angels were heavenly angels created by God, therefore, they possessed divine beauty and splendor. Some verses suggest that Lucifer, or “morning star,” one of the best-known fallen angels, was beautiful before his rebellion (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-19).
- Sky fall: After his rebellion against God, Lucifer is often imagined as falling from heaven in disgrace.
- Transformation into a Serpent: The Bible makes a connection between Lucifer and the serpent that tempted Adam and Eve, suggesting that he took the form of a serpent to deceive them.
Function of angels
Angels
According to the Bible, angels have several functions, as messengers, protectors and executors of God’s will. We can see this function through the action of the angel Gabriel, the only angel identified with a name in the Bible, announcing to Mary that she would be blessed by God.
The angel replied, “I am Gabriel, the one who is always in the presence of God. I have been sent to convey this good news to you.
– Luke 1:19
The angel, approaching her, said: “Rejoice, blessed one! The Lord is with you!”
Maria was disturbed by these words, thinking about what this greeting could mean.
But the angel said to him:
“Don’t be afraid, Maria;
you were blessed by God!
– Luke 1:28-30
At various times, angels appeared to perform some sign or workas in the rescue of Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah:
The two angels arrived in Sodom at dusk, and Lot was sitting at the city gate. When he saw them, he got up and went to meet them. He prostrated himself with his face to the ground
– Genesis 19:1
Or appeared to deliver a messageas in the empty tomb of Jesus Christ:
They were perplexed, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, two men in clothes that shone like sunlight stood beside them. Frightened, the women lowered their faces to the ground, and the men said to them, “Why are you looking for the living one among the dead? He is not here! He is risen! Remember what he said when he was still with you in Galilee:
– Luke 24:4-6
In this way, it is shown that angels are servants of God, sent to special situations, as said in Hebrews:
Aren’t angels all ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
– Hebrews 1:24
The Bible also tells us that the angels that God placed as guardianslike in the Garden of Eden after expelling Adam and Eve.
After driving out the man, he placed cherubim and a moving flaming sword to the east of the Garden of Eden, guarding the way to the tree of life.
– Genesis 3:24
Archangels
Archangel is a title that denotes authority. An archangel is a chief angel who holds the highest position among angels. The Bible does not give us a physical description of archangels, it only tells us that they are angels with authority and a powerful voice. In fact, the only archangel the Bible mentions by name is the archangel Michael, implying that he is the leader of the angels.
We find an interesting and somewhat confusing passage in the Epistle of the Apostle Saint Jude. We see the archangel Michael and the devil fighting over Moses’ body after his death, an event not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible.
The important thing is to highlight that Michael, even though he was the main one among the angels, did not face the devil through his own strength or by trusting in himself. He did this in the power and authority of the Lord. This confirms Christ’s lordship over all angelic beings, including those of the highest rank.
Another passage in which Michael is mentioned as leader of the angels is chapter 12 of Revelation. There the great battle that will take place in heaven at the end of time is prophesied. Michael will lead a group of angels into battle against the devil and his angels, and they will be defeated by the archangel.
A passage that seems to strengthen the idea that archangels are beings with a very high level of authority is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
In this verse, which also speaks of the end times, we see that Jesus will return with a voice of command or authority, the voice of an archangel. The verse does not say that Jesus is an archangel, but that his voice, like that of an archangel, has authority. Jesus will give orders, lead and the Father’s will will be fulfilled.
Cherubim
Another group of spiritual beings mentioned in the Bible are the cherubim. The Bible gives us more detailed descriptions about them. We know that at the ends of the ark of testimony in the tabernacle (mentioned in Exodus 25:19-20), the image of the cherubim appears, so we can understand that the people of Israel knew their appearance.
There are several verses in Ezekiel 10 that give us a very clear description of the cherubim. They have an impressive appearance, they are beautiful, with wings, four faces and full of eyes.
In verse 14 of Ezekiel 10 it says, “each of the cherubim had four faces: one face was that of a cherub; the second, of a man; the third, of a lion; the fourth, of an eagle.” Verse 21 adds that “each one had four faces and four wings, and under their wings were what looked like human hands.”
Another fact about cherubs is that before he became proud and rebelled against God, Satan was a beautiful protective cherub.
Seraphim
The Bible mentions seraphim only once, in the vision described by Isaiah in chapter 6 of the book that bears his name. There we are described both his physical appearance and his function of continuous worship before the Lord.
Seraphim seem to have powerful voices that give you goosebumps. They use their voices to worship and proclaim the holiness of the Lord God almighty. Another of its functions is to transmit a message from God to humans. In Isaiah 6 we see that one of the seraphim approached Isaiah, touched him, and spoke to him.
As for their physical appearance, seraphim have 6 wings: 2 to cover their faces, 2 to cover their feet and 2 to fly.
Fallen angels
The Bible talks about fallen angels, who disobeyed God and were expelled from His presence. These are better known as demons, with Lucifer being the leader among them.
In general, the Bible does not mention the names of fallen angels or their appearances. In Jude 1:6 it only says that these fallen angels will be imprisoned and condemned at the Final Judgment.
The 4 Living Beings
Two chapters of the Bible in which visions are told describe 4 very bright living beings with an appearance…