Difference between revisions of "Angel"
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According to Christian belief, '''Angels''' are the servants of [[God]]. Angels announce the word of God<ref>Luke 1:26-38</ref>, protect God's people<ref>Dan 6:22</ref>, and enforce God's will<ref>Matthew 13:41-42</ref>. Throughout the [[Bible]] there are mentions of people interacting with angels and of angels intervening on behalf of people. | According to Christian belief, '''Angels''' are the servants of [[God]]. Angels announce the word of God<ref>Luke 1:26-38</ref>, protect God's people<ref>Dan 6:22</ref>, and enforce God's will<ref>Matthew 13:41-42</ref>. Throughout the [[Bible]] there are mentions of people interacting with angels and of angels intervening on behalf of people. | ||
| − | Though the popular notion of an angel is that of a celestial, vaguely human being with improbably bird-like wings, the original word in [[Hebrew]] is best translated as "messenger"; thus, it is | + | Though the popular notion of an angel is that of a celestial, vaguely human being with improbably bird-like wings, the original word in [[Hebrew]] is best translated as "messenger"; thus, it is possible that many of the angels featuring in the [[Torah]] were meant to be mortal human beings doing God's work, rather than an actual supernatural manifestation ''per se.'' Of course this is not always the case such as when an angel calls to [[Hagar]] "from heaven".<ref>Genesis 21:17</ref> |
Two angels are mentioned by name in the [[Bible]]: [[Michael the Archangel]] and [[Gabriel]]. [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] tradition in the [[Book of Tobit]] also mentions [[Raphael (the angel)|Raphael]] by name. | Two angels are mentioned by name in the [[Bible]]: [[Michael the Archangel]] and [[Gabriel]]. [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] tradition in the [[Book of Tobit]] also mentions [[Raphael (the angel)|Raphael]] by name. | ||
| − | In pictures angels are usually depicted as very beautiful creatures with golden hair, wings and long robes making them appear feminine. In contrast pictures depicting | + | In pictures angels are usually depicted as very beautiful creatures with golden hair, wings and long robes making them appear feminine. In contrast pictures depicting Michael the Archangel show him in armor usually crushing [[Satan]] beneath his feet. |
| − | According to early tradition, there are nine choirs of angels: Seraphim | + | According to early tradition, there are nine choirs of angels: |
| + | * Seraphim | ||
| + | * Cherubim | ||
| + | * Thrones | ||
| + | * Dominations | ||
| + | * Virtues | ||
| + | * Powers | ||
| + | * Principalities | ||
| + | * Archangels | ||
| + | * Angels | ||
| + | |||
| + | The different groups of these spirits are called choirs because it's said in the [[Bible]] they are constantly praising God in song. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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''Reverend Francis J. Connel'', Baltimore Catechism #3, pg. 26 | ''Reverend Francis J. Connel'', Baltimore Catechism #3, pg. 26 | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | [[category: | + | |
| + | [[category:Religion]] | ||
| + | [[category:Bible]] | ||
Revision as of 16:35, December 20, 2007
This article is about the supernatural being. For the TV show, see Angel (TV Show)
According to Christian belief, Angels are the servants of God. Angels announce the word of God[1], protect God's people[2], and enforce God's will[3]. Throughout the Bible there are mentions of people interacting with angels and of angels intervening on behalf of people.
Though the popular notion of an angel is that of a celestial, vaguely human being with improbably bird-like wings, the original word in Hebrew is best translated as "messenger"; thus, it is possible that many of the angels featuring in the Torah were meant to be mortal human beings doing God's work, rather than an actual supernatural manifestation per se. Of course this is not always the case such as when an angel calls to Hagar "from heaven".[4]
Two angels are mentioned by name in the Bible: Michael the Archangel and Gabriel. Catholic and Orthodox tradition in the Book of Tobit also mentions Raphael by name.
In pictures angels are usually depicted as very beautiful creatures with golden hair, wings and long robes making them appear feminine. In contrast pictures depicting Michael the Archangel show him in armor usually crushing Satan beneath his feet.
According to early tradition, there are nine choirs of angels:
- Seraphim
- Cherubim
- Thrones
- Dominations
- Virtues
- Powers
- Principalities
- Archangels
- Angels
The different groups of these spirits are called choirs because it's said in the Bible they are constantly praising God in song.
References
Reverend Francis J. Connel, Baltimore Catechism #3, pg. 26