Heavenly Blessings

 

The interest in angels  has really increased in the last few years. Unfortunately, some web sites and books contain very little factual information about angels. This is unfortunate, since the facts about angels are more interesting than the "fantasized " accounts any day! Although the bible refers to angels in many ways, for now, we will consider three forms of angels:

Matthew 18-10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of  My Father who is in heaven. ARCHANGELS   Saint Augustin Within the nine orders of angels, only archangels and angels (the lowest categories in the hierarchy) are traditionally said to interact with man and woman in the course of daily life. In some cases, the angel serves only as a messenger, but in others, the angel lingers in visible form, taking responsibility for the well-being of individuals in trouble, guarding them from harm, offering them sustenance, or leading them out of danger. We know that all children have what we could call guardian angels, as explained by Jesus in the following Bible verse. "God Appearing as an Angel " "Angels as God's Messengers to People " "Angels Who Remain in God's Presence ."

God Appearing as an Angel This happens many times in the bible. Most translations refer to this as the "Angel of the Lord. "The first example occurs in Genesis, chapter 16 where the Angel of the Lord appears to a servant of Abraham (the person whose story the Bible is relating at that time). How do we know this angel we meet in verse 7 is actually God. We have two sources of evidence. First, if you read the language, it sounds like God. After all, a normal (or angelic) person would not say " I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude” (verse 10). The second reason we think the Angel of the Lord is God, is because the servant says so in verse 13. Now, we admit that if this was an isolated incident that our argument would seem weak -but meetings of this type occurred many times. That being said, we realize that it is possible to get the wrong idea that the angels and God are about the same - only looking different because they are taking on different forms. This is a illogical jump in thought that the Bible does not support. It is one thing for God to appear as an angel and it is something quite different for God to be an angel. "Heavenly Messengers" Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy Luke 2:10

Angels are first and foremost messengers; in fact, the word angel is derived from the Greek word for messenger. One of the most frequently painted scenes in Christian art ~particularly favoured during the renaissance ~is the Annunciation. As chronicled in the Gospel of Luke, it was Gabriel who announced to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to the child of God. In many Annunciations a ribbon like banner unfurls, emblazoned with the words Ecce Ancilla Domini ("Behold the handmaid of the Lord"), taken from Luke's account.

"Cherubs" A cherub is not a cupid, although they often look much the same; in fact, in purely visual terms, they are frequently indistinguishable. But their meanings are as different as spirituality and sexuality. Cupid, the Roman god known as Eros to the Greeks, is a symbol of sensual love. Portrayed as a male child or adolescent, he often carries a bow and arrow, which are emblems of love's power; he is also frequently blindfolded, because love is blind. A cherub, however, has quite another meaning. Cherubim (the original plural form of cherub) rank as the second highest group in the celestial hierarchy and are the first angels mentioned in the Bible: in Genesis cherubim with a flaming sword guard the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. Cherubs rarely wear anything more than flowers, and the form they take is that of putti (Italian for "little boys") ~the plump, rosy-bottomed male figures used as decorative elements in both religious and mythological art. Adoring cherubs often worship the young Christ. "Guardian Angels" Every visible thing in this world is put under the charge of an Angel. .

...Be Not Forgetful To Entertain Strangers, For By So Doing Some Have Unwittingly Entertained Angels... ~Hebrews 13:2~