If we look deeper into the word we will see that the description of angels in the bible is so far from the cute little babies with wings, carrying a bow and arrow.
So why do we have such a false image of angels?
The image of Angels that are depicted today came from Greek mythology; the story of Eros or Cupid as we know it. For instance, Eros had wings and carried a bow and arrow.
Eros shot his arrow at Psyche to make her fall in love with a beast but instead injured himself with the arrow; then he fell in love with her.
Angels are mentioned throughout the bible from Genesis to Revelations. The angels in the bible are mighty, powerful and their strength is incomparable.
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
~Psalm 103:20-21~
Different types of angels in the bible
Cherubim in the Bible
The Cherubim were assigned with guarding the Tree of Life.
- Genesis 3:23-24 – So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
The Lord instructed Moses to add Cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant with their wings spread covering the Mercy Seat.
- Exodus 25:17-19 – Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.
Solomon added two huge Cherubim inside the temple.
- 1 Kings 6:27 – He placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple, with their wings spread out. The wing of one cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the other touched the other wall, and their wings touched each other in the middle of the room
The Cherubim are described as having two pairs of wings, and four faces: that of a lion, an ox , a human, and an eagle.
- Ezekiel 1:5-6 – and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, but each of them had four faces and four wings.
Seraphim in the Bible
The Seraphim hover over the throne of God, singing His praises non stop and described as having six wings.
- Isaiah 6:1-3 – In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.
- Revelations 4:8 – And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!
The seraphim were considered to be the burning or the fiery ones.
- Hebrews 1:7 – In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”
- Psalm 104:4 – He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.
Part of Isaiah’s vision was being purified by a Seraphim before he started his ministry.
- Isaiah 6:6-7 – Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And with it he touched my mouth and said: Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.
Archangels in the Bible
The archangels are high ranking and are just above the angels. Although they are referred to as “chief princes” we do not pray to them or follow them. (Revelations 22:9)
They’re purpose is to serve God by worshiping Him, protect His people, provide direction through messages from God and wage spiritual warfare, to name a few.
Archangel Michael
Michael is mentioned as “one of the chief princes”, which could only mean there are others.
- Daniel 10:13-14 – But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.
Michael stands guard over Israel to protect God’s people.
- Daniel 12:1 – At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Michael seems to be very powerful as he leads an army of angels to battle against Satan.
- Revelations 12:7-9 – Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Gabriel
The bible does not call Gabriel an archangel. However, it is safe to say that he held a very high position since he stood in the presence of God.
- Luke 1:19 – And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
Gabriel was sent to deliver messages to God’s favored people.
The birth of John the Baptist.
- Luke 1:11-13 – Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
The birth of Jesus.
- Luke 1:26-31 – In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
Interprets Daniel’s vision.
- Daniel 8:16-17 – And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.” As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,”he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
Angels can also appear in human form as mentioned in Hebrews 13:2. Now that’s something to think about…The person you least expect could be an angel.
Angels rejoice over every sinner that repents. Luke 15:10 It’s like having our own cheerleading squad.
Throughout the bible there are many accounts of angels. From Hagar when she was running away from Sarai to the thousands of angels that showed up for the birth of Jesus.
Angels were very present in biblical times and I believe that we should not count them out in our times.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ~Colossians 1:16~
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I love this!! So many people have such a wrong view of angels. You explain the truths so perfectly and in a way that’s easy to follow and understand. Thank you!! I appreciate the time you put in to make it a success. 💗
I appreciated how you so rightly identified that most of our images of angels today come straight out of Greek mythology. You did some real research here to describe more Biblically the true descriptions of angels in the Bible which I found refreshing and very accurate! I hope many will read this blog and learn from your excellent insights!!