Angels - again.

[B-A-C]

1. What Is an Angel?​

In the Bible, an angel (Hebrew: mal’akh, Greek: angelos) means “messenger.” Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him and carry out His will. They often act as intermediaries between God and humans.

---

2. Where Do Angels Come From?​

Angels were created by God before the creation of the world:

• Colossians 1:16 – “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities…”
• Job 38:4-7 – Implies angels ("sons of God") were present when God laid the foundations of the earth.

---

3. Types of Angels​

a. Seraphim​

• Isaiah 6:2-6 – Seraphim are described as having six wings: two covering their faces, two covering their feet, and two for flying.
• They are associated with worship and purification, crying “Holy, Holy, Holy” before God.

b. Cherubim​

• Genesis 3:24 – Placed at the entrance to Eden with a flaming sword.
• Ezekiel 10 – Describes them with four faces (man, lion, ox, eagle), four wings, and wheels full of eyes.
• They are guardians of God’s glory and often associated with the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:18-22).

c. Archangel​

• Michael is the only named archangel (Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7).
• He is a warrior angel, leading heavenly armies and defending God’s people.

---

4. Descriptions of Angels​

• Wings: Not all angels are described with wings, but Seraphim and Cherubim are.
• Eyes: Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 1, 10) includes wheels within wheels covered in eyes, symbolizing awareness and divine omniscience.
• Faces: Cherubim have multiple faces—each representing different aspects of creation or divine attributes.
• Brightness/Glory: Often described as radiant or shining (Daniel 10:6; Matthew 28:3).

---

5. Can Angels Appear as Humans?​

Yes, angels can and do appear in human form:

• Genesis 18–19 – Angels visit Abraham and Lot as men.
• Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

---

6. Can Angels Become Tangible in the Material World?​

Absolutely. Angels can interact physically with the world:

• Genesis 19:10 – Angels grab Lot and pull him to safety.
• Acts 12:7 – An angel strikes Peter to wake him and breaks his chains.
• 1 Kings 19:5-7 – An angel touches Elijah and provides food.

 

[B-A-C]

Satan as a Created Angelic Being​

1. Created by God​

• Ezekiel 28:13,15 (NASB95)– Speaking to the “king of Tyre,” but widely interpreted as a dual reference to Satan:
  

  “You were in Eden, the garden of God… You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you.”

This passage emphasizes that Satan is not eternal—he was created, and originally blameless.

---

2. The Covering Cherub​

• Ezekiel 28:14 (NASB95):
  

  “You were the anointed cherub who covers, and I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God…”

This suggests Satan held a high position, possibly as a guardian of God’s throne or presence—similar to the cherubim who overshadowed the Ark of the Covenant.

---

3. In Eden​

• The same passage places him in Eden, described with precious stones and perfection, indicating beauty and honor before his fall.

---

4. Fall from Heaven​

• Isaiah 14:12-15 (often linked to Satan, though addressed to the king of Babylon):
  
  

  “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn!”

• Luke 10:18 – Jesus says:
  
  

  “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.”

• Revelation 12:7-9 – Describes a war in heaven where Michael and his angels cast Satan and his angels to the earth.

---

5. Pride and Rebellion​

• Ezekiel 28:17:
  
  

  “Your heart was haughty because of your beauty…”

• 1 Timothy 3:6 warns against pride, “so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.”

 

[B-A-C]

1. Historical Context​

• Ezekiel 28: Clearly addresses the king of Tyre, a real and powerful ruler known for his pride and wealth.
• Isaiah 14: Targets the king of Babylon, another historical figure known for arrogance and oppression.

Both passages use poetic and exalted language that seems to go beyond what would be appropriate for mere mortals.

---

2. Allegorical or Typological Interpretation​

Many scholars see these passages as types or allegories—where the human king is a symbol or representation of a greater spiritual reality:

• The “covering cherub” in Eden (Ezekiel 28) is not something that fits any known human king.
• The fall from heaven and desire to ascend above God (Isaiah 14:12–14) echoes the pride and rebellion attributed to Satan in later texts.

This dual-layered reading is supported by:

• The extravagant imagery (e.g., Eden, holy mountain, being cast down from heaven).
• The moral themes of pride, rebellion, and divine judgment.
• The New Testament references to Satan’s fall (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12) that seem to echo these Old Testament motifs.

---

3. Theological Implications​

A view—that these are not literal descriptions of the human kings but symbolic of a deeper spiritual reality—is consistent with:

• Typological interpretation (common in early Christian exegesis).
• The idea that Satan works through earthly powers, influencing rulers and systems (cf. Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 13).

 

[B-A-C]

The English word angel comes from the Greek word angelos, meaning "messenger." This was translated into Latin as angelus, which then entered Old English as engel and eventually became angel in modern English. In the Hebrew Old Testament, the word is mal’akh, also meaning "messenger." Both mal’akh and angelos can refer to human or divine messengers, depending on the context. While "angel" is a transliteration rather than a direct translation, it is not a fake word—it has been naturally adopted into English through centuries of biblical translation and usage.

 

[B-A-C]

So then.. was Satan an angel? (Is he still an angel)? Is he invisible, or can you see him with natural eyes?
How about demons? Are they tangible? Can you see them?

Fallen Angels & Their Fate​

1. Angels Who Sinned and Were Imprisoned

• 2 Peter 2:4 – “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment…”
• Jude 1:6 – “And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper dwelling place, these He has kept in eternal restraints under darkness for the judgment of the great day.”

These verses suggest that some fallen angels are already imprisoned, possibly for a specific sin (often linked to Genesis 6 by some interpreters).

---

Angels and Marriage​

2. Angels Cannot Marry in Heaven

• Matthew 22:30 – “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.”

This implies that heavenly angels do not marry, though it leaves open the question of whether fallen angels could have taken human form and interacted physically on earth (as some interpret Genesis 6:1–4).

---

Tangible Angels in the Material World​

3. Wrestling with Jacob (not Isaac)

• Genesis 32:24–30 – Jacob wrestles with a “man” who is later revealed to be a divine being (possibly an angel or a theophany). Jacob names the place Peniel, saying, “I have seen God face to face.”

This shows that angels (or divine messengers) can take physical form and interact tangibly with humans.

---

Satan and a Third of the Angels​

4. Satan’s Rebellion and the Third

• Revelation 12:4, 9 – “And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and hurled them to the earth… and the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old… and his angels were thrown down with him.”

This is often interpreted as Satan leading a third of the angels in rebellion, who then became fallen angels or demons.

---

Are Fallen Angels the Same as Demons?​

This is debated:

• Some believe demons are the spirits of the Nephilim (offspring of angels and humans, per Genesis 6 and 1 Enoch).
• Others believe demons are simply fallen angels who now serve Satan.

Scripture doesn’t explicitly define the origin of demons, but both are clearly hostile spiritual beings.

---

Can Angels or Demons Possess Humans?​

• Demons clearly possess and control people in the Gospels (e.g., Mark 5:1–20).
• Angels, however, are never shown possessing humans in Scripture. They appear, speak, act, and influence, but not by inhabiting people.

This suggests that possession is a trait of unclean spirits/demons, not holy or even fallen angels in their original form.

 

[B-A-C]

Only a few angels are explicitly named:

Named Angels in the Canonical Bible​

1. Michael – Often referred to as an archangel (Jude 1:9), Michael is portrayed as a warrior and protector of Israel (Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7).
2. Gabriel – Acts as a messenger (Daniel 8–9, Luke 1), delivering important revelations to Daniel, Zechariah, and Mary.

Satan / Lucifer​

• Satan is more of a title meaning "adversary" or "accuser". In the Old Testament (e.g., Job 1–2), "the Satan" acts as a sort of prosecutor in the divine court.
• Lucifer comes from a Latin translation of helel ben shachar ("morning star, son of the dawn") in Isaiah 14:12, which originally referred to a Babylonian king. Over time, Christian tradition associated this passage with the fall of Satan, though the name "Lucifer" is not used elsewhere in the Bible.

Other Named Angels in Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Texts​

In texts outside the Protestant canon (but included in Catholic, Orthodox, or other traditions), more angels are named:

1. Raphael – Appears in the Book of Tobit (Tobit 12:15), identifying himself as "one of the seven who stand before the Lord."
2. Uriel – Found in 2 Esdras (also known as 4 Ezra), an apocalyptic text included in some versions of the Bible.
3. Other names like Raguel, Saraqael, and Remiel appear in 1 Enoch, a non-canonical but influential Jewish apocalyptic work.

 

[B-A-C]

All angels in the Canonized (even in the Apocryphal) Bible are male. he only questionable passage that could mention female angels is..

Zech 5:5 Then the angel who was speaking with me went out and said to me, "Lift up now your eyes and see what this is going forth."
Zech 5:6 I said, "What is it?" And he said, "This is the ephah going forth." Again he said, "This is their appearance in all the land
Zech 5:7 (and behold, a lead cover was lifted up); and this is a woman sitting inside the ephah."
Zech 5:8 Then he said, "This is Wickedness!" And he threw her down into the middle of the ephah and cast the lead weight on its opening.
Zech 5:9 Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and there two women were coming out with the wind in their wings; and they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heavens.
Zech 5:10 I said to the angel who was speaking with me, "Where are they taking the ephah?"
Zech 5:11 Then he said to me, "To build a temple for her in the land of Shinar; and when it is prepared, she will be set there on her own pedestal."

But this raises a lot of questions... first the two women are not called angels in any translation I have.
Second they have wings like a stork (an unclean animal in Judaism).
Also they are carrying a woman (in the jar) who's name is "wickedness" to a place called Shinar so they can build
a temple for her (false god, idol). Would God's angels do this for a false god named wickedness?

 

[Brad Huber]

I assume you consider Satan to be a fallen angel (perhaps he was called Lucifer before his fall)?

 

[Brad Huber]

I found it interesting that in Genesis 3, satan is called an old (old-how long was he a serpent?) serpent. My wife loves watching ancient aliens on tv, and one of the theories they have is that there used to be lizard people on our planet at one time, or perhaps still are somewhere hidden. And it wasnt until God cursed him to be like a snake, after he deceived eve, that he became more snake like. Perhaps he chose to be a reptillian humanoid before so that he could more easily converse with eve. So that he was serpent like even before God's curse to be more so a snake.

 

[Garee]

I would offer the first commandment is to have no gods as false messengers before Christ. to include oneself first and foremost

Only one "Let there be" invisible entity God as Sons of God he calls us God to whom the word of God comes

Satin right from the beginning added to let there be (sola scriptura) with the false prophecy and "neither shall you touch it" .The cause of the fall

Our Holy Father Christ uses the tribe of Dan to represent the letter of the law death .

Dan in that parable represents the power of a false gospel. the poison affected the horse causes the rider to fall back and break neck .Indicating no salvation

In Revelation the last chapter in the book of prophecy no mention of the tribe of Dan (death) Death will not be part of the new born again order it will never come to mind forever and ever

Genesis 49:16-17 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

 

[B-A-C]

“I appreciate the spiritual depth you’re drawing from the text, especially the way Dan’s absence in Revelation is seen as symbolic of death and judgment. That said, I think it’s important to distinguish between what Scripture presents as historical prophecy and what we interpret as parables or symbols. Genesis 49 is a prophetic blessing, not a parable, and while Dan’s imagery is strong, it’s not labeled as symbolic in the text. I believe we can find spiritual meaning in these passages without redefining them as parables.”

• Genesis 49:16–17: Dan is described as a serpent, which has led many to associate him with judgment or deception.
• Revelation 7: Dan is notably absent from the list of tribes sealed, which some interpret as symbolic of apostasy or judgment.
• But Scripture does not explicitly say Dan represents death or a false gospel—it’s an inference.

Again this is something that simply isn't in the Bible. It's not "sola scriptura". It's literally a made up inference.

 

[B-A-C]

Hebrews 1:13-14​

“To which of the messengers did God ever say, ‘Sit at my right hand…’? Are they not all ministering spirits…?”

• Again, “ministering spirits” is the clincher. Humans are not spirits in this sense. The Greek word pneumata means non-corporeal beings.

Hebrews 2:6–9​

• Hebrews 2:7: “You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor…”
• Hebrews 2:9: “But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus…”

This passage shows:

• Humans are lower than angels in status and nature.
• Even Jesus, in His incarnation, was made lower than angels temporarily to suffer death.

So if angels were just human messengers, this hierarchy wouldn’t make sense. Why would humans be “lower” than other humans?

 

[Garee]

“I appreciate the spiritual depth you’re drawing from the text, especially the way Dan’s absence in Revelation is seen as symbolic of death and judgment. That said, I think it’s important to distinguish between what Scripture presents as historical prophecy and what we interpret as parables or symbols. Genesis 49 is a prophetic blessing, not a parable, and while Dan’s imagery is strong, it’s not labeled as symbolic in the text. I believe we can find spiritual meaning in these passages without redefining them as parables.”

• Genesis 49:16–17: Dan is described as a serpent, which has led many to associate him with judgment or deception.
• Revelation 7: Dan is notably absent from the list of tribes sealed, which some interpret as symbolic of apostasy or judgment.
• But Scripture does not explicitly say Dan represents death or a false gospel—it’s an inference.

Again this is something that simply isn't in the Bible. It's not "sola scriptura". It's literally a made up inference.

I would offer it is important to mix and not distinguish between what Scripture presents as temporal historical prophecy and what we interpret as parables or symbols.as eternal faith signified prophecy

If no mixing then the temporal historical remains a mystery no gospel understanding The enriching power of faith the unseen eternal .

Both 2 Corinthians 4 and Hebrew 4:1-2 tools are needed to rightly divide the parables

One Corinthians 4. What to mix. .. the temporal historical with the eternal invisible things of faith and the final mixing stage. Hebrew 4 as to why they must be mixed or throw out the whole batch

2 Corinthians 4:18;While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are (historical) temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Hebrews 4 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.;For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith (the unseen) in them that heard it.

No mix it remains a gospel mystery and the literal historical remains. . . no gospel enrichment