A Study on Angels

Copyright 2017 by Joan Berry

Part I: Creation and Purpose

Angels are mentioned 273 times throughout the Old and New Testaments, and other
ancient-related records because God wants us to be knowledgeable about their purpose. He
created the angels following the initial Genesis of Earth to glorify Him (as were we, Gen. 2).
Angels are spiritual beings above us temporarily until we reach Heaven. They are subject to
Christ and they neither marry nor die and we are cautioned not to worship them. Angels are also
called messengers, Watchers, military hosts, Sons of the Mighty, and Sons of God (I Peter 3: 22;
Luke 20: 36; Matt. 22: 30; Rev. 4:8; Heb. 1: 16; Col. 2:18; Rev. 22: 8-9).

Description of Angels

When most of us think of angels, we envision handsome, quite tall, blonde male figures
dressed in long white robes and adorned with a pair of beautifully-feathered long wings. While
this may be the description of some angles, it does not describe all of them. There is a hierarchy
of angles whose assignments and positions are determined by God. There are nine levels of
angels that will be discussed. They are as follows according to rank:

Seraphim: In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne,
high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 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. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth
is full of his glory… (Isiah 6; Job 38:7; Rev. 4: 8; Rev. 5:11-12). Angels (Sons of God) were
with God at the Creation

Cherubim: Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the
cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness
of a throne. And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels,
even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and
scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight. Now the cherubims stood on the right side
of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. … (Ezek. 10).

Archangels of Thrones, Dominions or Lordships, Virtues of Strongholds, Powers of

Authorities, and Principalities of Rulers: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him (Colossians 1:16).

Archangels: The archangels are listed in ancient Hebrew Scriptures: The seven
Archangels that are talked about come from Jewish writings of 250 BC in the Book of Watchers,
which were merged with other writings to create what we know as the book of Enoch, and used
in Orthodox Ethiopian Christian Cannon (one of the first Christian movements in the world); but
was omitted by the Roman Catholic Western Cannon around 700 AD, and considered heretical
due to the confusion over the order of chapters, parables and visions inserted in the wrong places.
References to the seven archangels are found in the book of Enoch, Dead Sea Scrolls and Tobit.
Note that the names may differ depending on text eg: Zadkiel also known as Sachiel. New and
more accurate translations are available with the material in the proper order.
http://scriptural-truth.com/stuff/BookOfEnoch.pdf

Chief Archangel Michael is especially considered to be the Guardian of the Orthodox

Faith and a fighter against heresies, and a military commander. His name in Hebrew means
“Who is equal to God?” Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed
about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord
rebuke thee (Jude 9). He is associated with protecting and being a leader of God’s army

Archangel Gabriel is the messenger of God and whose name means “God is my strength.” He is
in care of the mysteries of God.

Archangel Raphael is associated with healing. His name means “It is God who heals.”

Archangel Uriel’s name means “God is my light,” and who is usually seen as an angel of
repentance.

Archangel Jophiel is the angel of justice, wisdom and understanding.

Archangel Zadkiel is associated with freedom, benevolence and mercy.

Archangel Cameal is associated with strength, courage and war.

God created the chief angels in this order: Michael, Lucifer, Raphael, and Gabriel. The
three angels in Rev. 14: 6-12 are believed to be preparing the world for the Second Coming.
Lucifer was guardian of the throne and in charge of music.

Sources for Part I:

Elwell, Walter A. “Entry for ‘Angel.” (1997). Evangelical Dictionary of Theology.

Life Application study Bible. (NIV, 2005). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois

And Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Luginbill, Robert Dr. (n.d.). Angelology: the study of angels.

New King James Version Study Bible. (2007). Pub. Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Part II: Exploring the angels and fallen angels listed in the Book of Enoch.

Note: This group errant Watchers is listed in ancient Hebrew/Jewish writings of 250 BC in the
Book of Watchers, which was merged with other writings to create what we know as the book of
Enoch, and used in Orthodox Ethiopian Christian Cannon (one of the first Christian movements
in the world); but was omitted by the Roman Catholic Western Cannon around 700 AD, and
considered heretical due to the confusion over the order of chapters, parables and visions
inserted in the wrong places; and the fact that that this account was written when the Earth was
young. References to Watchers/angels are found in the Book of Enoch, Dead Sea Scrolls and
Tobit. Note that the names may differ depending on text eg: Zadkiel also known as Sachiel. New
and more accurate translations are available with the material in the proper order.
http://scriptural-truth.com/stuff/BookOfEnoch.pdf.

Background of the Book of Enoch

“The book is probably what it appears to be; well preserved, ancient and genuine. Enoch
was the great-grandfather of Noah, and father of Methuselah, and his book gives a unique view
of the world before the flood; which recent research suggests may have occurred as long ago as
17,000 BC. Enoch wrote his book, after his grandson Lamech was born, but before Noah was
born. Noah is only named in the section that Methuselah wrote, (see section 10 at 107.3), and of
course in his own section (section 11, The Book of Noah). So, there may still have been 40 – 80
years left before the flood, at the time when Enoch wrote his book. There is a long gap between
the time of the flood and the time when Moses gave praise to Enoch in Genesis. Genesis dates
from around 1400 BC, and forms part of the Torah (the first five books of the bible). In
Genesis, there is Enoch’s family; as named by him in this book, and a quick recap of some of
Enoch’s story. It seems likely therefore, that copies of the Book of Enoch survived into Egyptian
times, 3500 BC, and was known to Moses around 2,000 years later” ( McCracken,2002).

Fallen watchers/angels and their fate

The Watchers/angels discussed in this section of Enoch were not the angels associated
with the treasonous archangel, Lucifer. These were 200 rebel Watchers whose leaders conspired,
under the threat of being cursed, to take human females as mates. The rebels were described as
blonde, stature much like giants, white hair, and capable of changing into human form of men.
(This is also mentioned in the Old Testament (OT). It should be noted that the abode of the
Watchers was Heaven and Enoch referred them as angels as well as Watchers because of their
divinity (McCracken, 2002).

The leaders of the 200 Watchers and of all the others with them were: Semyaza, who was
their leader, Urakiba, Ramiel, Kokabiel, Tamiel, Ramiel, Daniel, Ezeqiel, Baraqiel, Asael,
Armaros, Ananel, Zaqiel, Samsiel, Satael, Turiel, Yomiel, and Araziel. These leaders taught their
hybrid families charms and spells, the cutting of roots and trees. This information was forbidden
to be shared. The children born to the fallen Watchers are described as giants and these hybrid
children became a disastrous race of beings with horrendous appetites. They ate all crops of the
people and when all that was devoured, they ate any animal they could get their hands on. When
they depleted the animal source, they turned on each other and became cannibals and drank the
blood of their victims. At some point, the people of Earth complained that the world had changed
and nearly destroyed by the wicked Watchers and their offspring. The holy Watchers petitioned
God on their behalf for a solution. It was at this time that God ordered the destruction of the rebel
leaders and foretold the flood to cleanse the Earth (Enoch).

Following are the leaders and the forbidden knowledge they passed on to their families:
Azazel taught men to make swords, and daggers, and shields, and breastplates. And he showed
them the things after these, and the art of making them; bracelets, and ornaments, and the art of
making up the eyes, and of beautifying the eyelids, and the most precious stones, and all kinds of
colored dyes. See then what Azazel has done; how he has taught all iniquity on the earth and
revealed the eternal secrets that are made in Heaven.

Semyaza used known spells to rule over those who are with him.

Amezarak taught all those who cast spells and cut roots.

Armaros taught the release of spells.

Baraqiel taught astrologers.

Kokabiel taught portents.

Tamiel taught astrology,

Asradel taught the path of the Moon.

“And the world was changed. And there was great impiety, and much fornication, and they went
astray, and all their ways became corrupt” (Enoch).

The punishment

God instructed archangels Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael to carry messages to the rebel
leaders of their doom and then proceed to destroy them. Raphael was ordered to “Bind Azazel by
his hands and his feet and throw him into the darkness. And split open the desert, which is in
Dudael, and throw him there. And throw on him jagged and sharp stones and cover him with
darkness. And let him stay there forever. And cover his face so that he may not see the light.
And so that, on the Great Day of Judgment, he may be hurled into the fire.”
 And the Lord said to Gabriel: “Proceed against the bastards, and the reprobates, and
against the sons of the fornicators. And destroy the sons of the fornicators, and the sons of the
Watchers, from amongst men. And send them out, and send them against one another, and let
them destroy themselves in battle; for they will not have length of days. They will see their
families destroyed by fighting amongst themselves during their lifetime. They will suffer in the
afterlife and the societies they founded will be wiped away by a flood.” He says, at 10.22, that
there will never again be another flood like the one to come.”

The Lord also said: “When all their sons kill each other, and when they see the
destruction of their loved ones, bind them for seventy generations, under the hills of the earth,
until the day of their judgment and of their consummation, until the judgment, which is for all
eternity, is accomplished. And in those days, they will lead them to the Abyss of Fire; in torment,
and in prison they will be shut up for all eternity. And then Semyaza will be burnt, and from then
on destroyed with them; together they will be bound until the end of all generations. And destroy
all the souls of lust, and the sons of the Watchers, for they have wronged men. Destroy all wrong
from the face of the Earth and every evil work will cease.

And the Lord said, “And restore the Earth which the Angels have ruined. And announce
the restoration of the Earth. For I shall restore the Earth so that not all the sons of men shall be
destroyed because of the knowledge which the Watchers made known and taught to their sons.
And the whole Earth has been ruined by the teaching of the works of Azazel; and against him
write: ALL SIN.”

Part III: The Holy Angels and the Nature of Angels

“Angels are created spiritual beings with moral judgment and high intelligence, but
without physical bodies. Angels have not always existed; they are part of the universe that God
created” (Grudem, 2000, p. 397). The mention of Angel of the Lord is the form God took at
various times to appear to human beings. Some angels were not totally righteous and at times
used bad judgment regarding their actions. An example is that of the angels that rebelled against
God in Heaven (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). They were severely punished for their sin against God as
were the Watchers who lusted after human women.

There are two or three views about when the angels were created: the first is based on
Gen. 2:1 which says “Thus the heavens and the Earth were finished, and all the hosts [angels
and other creatures] of them. The second view is based on Exodus 20:1 that states “In six days
the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the sea, and all that is in them.” By following that line of
thought, the angels may have been created by the sixth day. Still, another view is that God
created the angels in Heaven with Him where they had been given their ranks, and duties to carry
out following the Creation of Earth.

Supporting that idea is Job 38: 6-7, “The morning stars (heavenly beings) shouted for joy
at the time when God laid the foundations of the cornerstone and sunk its bases in the process of
forming or founding it” (Grudem, 2000, paraphrased p. 402). Prior to the temptation of Eve
(Gen. 3:1), the angel, Lucifer, and his followers sinned against God by trying to usurp His
throne. This event must have occurred after the seventh day because in Gen. 1:31, God saw
everything that He had made and beheld and said, “It is very good.”

For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night
(psalm 90: 4);But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a
thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8).

The nature of angels

First and foremost, angels do the biding of God and Jesus (1 Peter 3:22, NKJV). They
obey and worship God, carry out His plans, carry out punishment and watch over the Earth. They
praise and glorify God, sing, shout and have emotions. Two examples are when Jesus was born
and when someone turns to Jesus for salvation (Ps. 103:20; 148: 2, Rev. 4:8; Luke 2:14; Heb.
1:6; Luke 15:10; Grudem, 2000, pp. 405-406). In addition to singing and praising, angels can
speak to people (Matt, 28: 5; Acts 12: 6-11; Rev. 4: 11; 5: 11). Angels, being spirits or spiritual
creatures, usually do not have physical bodies (Heb. 1: 14; Luke 24: 39). However on important
occasions, they take on the appearance of human men. They also are charged with guarding and
protecting us (Num. 22:31; Luke 2: 13; 2 Kings 6: 17; Matt. 28: 5; Heb. 13:2). Angels observe
God’s people with interest (Luke 12: 8-9; 1 Cor. 4: 9; 1 Tim. 5:21). Angels appear to have the
ability to fly “. . . while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision,
came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice” (Daniel 9:21, NIV). “And I saw
another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people
who belong to this world—to every nation, tribe, language, and people” (Revelation 14:6, NIV).

We are cautioned to aware receiving false doctrine from evil angels because even Satan
can disguise himself as an angel (that he once was). Do not worship or pray or seek them Col.
2:18; Gal. 1:8; 2 Cor. 11: 14; Grudem, 2000, p, 407). Angels will not always be superior to
mankind. Just as our Lord’s humanity is, in resurrection, superior to angels in every way
(Heb.1:4 – 2:18). Angels should neither be worshiped nor disrespected. It is important to keep in
mind both their present superiority and their eventual subordination to us. Angels are not to be
disrespected (Luke 10:20; 2 Peter 2: 10-12; Jude 1: 8-10; Rom. 13: 7), but neither are they to be
worshipped (Rev. 19: 10, 22:9; 2 K 17: 16; Jer. 19: 13; Col. 2:18 NIV).

The apostle John mistakes an angel for God and the angel replied: And I fell at his feet to
worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that. I am your fellow servant, and of
your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19: 10 NKJV).

Humans and angels are the only moral and highly intelligent beings created, however
angels are not made in the image of God (Gen. 1: 26-27; 9: 6), and they are not subject to the
limitation of human flesh (Job 4: 18). Angels are powerful, mobile, and knowledgeable but not
omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent (2 Thes. 1:7; 2 Peter 2:11; Gen. 28: 28: 12; 2 Sam. 14:
20; Matt. 24: 36; Rom. 8:38; Dan. 10: 13). At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be
given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30, NIV).
Conclusion

There is much more to the nature of angles to include in an article such as this. In the
sources section, there are references that you can follow up with and that will lead you to other
sources. I hope this series has been helpful for you.

Sources:

Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/

Bible Verses about Angels. (2015). Compiled and edited by BibleStudyTools Staff.

Grudem, W. (1994/2000). Systematic theology: An introduction to biblical doctrine. Grand

Rapids, MI. Zondervan.

New King James Study Bible. (2nd.ed., 2007). Nashville, TN. Tomas Nelson, Inc.

Life Application Study Bible (2012). Carol Stream, IL. Tyndale House.

Luginbill, R. D. Dr. (2017). Angelogy: the study of angel

New King James Study Bible. (2nd.ed., 2007). Nashville, TN. Tomas Nelson, Inc.

Life Application Study Bible (2012). Carol Stream, IL. Tyndale House.

Luginbill, R. D. Dr. (2017). Angelogy: the study of angels