What exactly is an Angel?

[igator99]

Are they entire different creatures than humans or humans in heaven working for God? I’ve always been curious about it.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Hi “Igator”. Angels are pure spirits… created by God and existing solely to adore and serve Him. There are 9 “choirs” of angels, identified in Sacred Scripture. They are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels. Angels were never “human”, nor… do humans become angels… when we die. Humans who live their lives striving for holiness, become saints… when they go to Heaven.

Each one of us also has a Guardian Angel… assigned to us for life. The only 3 angels mentioned by name in Sacred Scripture… are St. Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel. Angels are also referred to as “saint” because they are pure spirits, existing in Heaven and they behold the Face of God. Even our own Guardian Angels behold the Face of God. Pretty awesome, huh? God bless.

 

[JimG]

What MarieVeronica said! That was concise and accurate. Since angels have no bodies and are pure spirits, you might think of them as something like “minds without bodies.” But they are far superior to humans in their nature.

I have heard it said that even in thinking about the nine choirs of angels as some sort of categorization, that each angel is unique in its own being, so much so that each would (angelically speaking) be considered a distinct species unto itself.

It’s noteworthy that all of the three angels whose names we know from scripture end in “El,” an ancient name for God. Micha-el, Gabri-el, Rapha-el. Those names have particular meanings, but I don’t at the moment recall what they are!

 

[beckycmarie]

If you really want to learn a lot about angels, I recommend this book by Dr. Peter Kreeft:

Angels (and demons): What Do We Really Know About Them?

It’s a fascinating short read in a Q&A format.

 

[sawman]

If you really want to learn a lot about angels, I recommend this book by Dr. Peter Kreeft:

Angels (and demons): What Do We Really Know About Them?

It’s a fascinating short read in a Q&A format.

Dear Beckycmarie,
Peter Kreeft’s book is excelent! Btw, I hope you did suffer any damage from the tornados last nite. My daughter lives in marriotsville? and her neighborhood got hammered pretty good. Marietta. Any way hope your O.K.

 

[beckycmarie]

Thanks sawman, we had a tornado warning for a while, but as far as I know, no damage in my county.

 

[Spirithound]

It’s noteworthy that all of the three angels whose names we know from scripture end in “El,” an ancient name for God. Micha-el, Gabri-el, Rapha-el. Those names have particular meanings, but I don’t at the moment recall what they are!

Michael: Who is like unto God
Gabriel: God is my strength
Raphael: God has healed
:angel1:

 

[JimG]

Michael: Who is like unto God
Gabriel: God is my strength
Raphael: God has healed
:angel1:

Thanks!

 

[Sam_777]

There are 9 “choirs” of angels, identified in Sacred Scripture. They are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels.

Which one from the above humans will be like at the resurrection per Matthew 22:30 ?
“At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”

 

[MarieVeronica]

Which one from the above humans will be like at the resurrection per Matthew 22:30 ?
“At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”

I’m sorry Sam. I don’t understand your question. The reference to “Choirs” in that response are Angels… not humans. Can you please help me to understand what you’re asking? Thank you. God bless.

 

[Sam_777]

Sam_777;3721177:

Which one from the above humans will be like at the resurrection per Matthew 22:30 ?
"At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

"I’m sorry Sam. I don’t understand your question. The reference to “Choirs” in that response are Angels… not humans. Can you please help me to understand what you’re asking? Thank you. God bless.

I mean on the resurrection day, humans will be like angels (per Matthew 22:30), so out of those 9 choirs of angels, which type we humans would be alike?

 

[beckycmarie]

I mean on the resurrection day, humans will be like angels (per Matthew 22:30), so out of those 9 choirs of angels, which type we humans would be alike?

Interesting question. The highest choir of angels are the Seraphim, and 1 Corinthians 6:3 says man will judge the angels. Sounds to me that human saints will have a higher degree of glory in heaven than even the Seraphim.

I don’t know if this is correct, but I’ve heard that the reason the fallen angels rebelled was over this issue. Because of the Incarnation, man would be raised above the angels. Lucifer and his followers would not tolerate bowing down to Jesus in his human nature.

I think it’s interesting that the Qu’ran teaches a similar concept:

And We created you, then We shaped you, then We said to the Angels: “Submit to Adam;” so they submitted except for Satan, he was not of those who submitted.

He said: “What has prevented you from submitting when I have ordered you?” He said: “I am far better than him, You created me from fire and created him from clay!”

He said: “Descend from it, it is not for you to be arrogant here; depart, for you are disgraced.”

He said: “Grant me respite until the Day they are resurrected?”

He said: “You are granted.”

He said: “For that which You have caused me to be misled, I will stalk for them on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from between their hands, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left; You will find most of them are unappreciative.”
Qu’ran 7:11-17

In Mystical City of God, a book of private revelation approved by the Holy See, the author says that the creation of man was hidden from Satan, and that Satan thought Adam and Eve could be Jesus and Mary. Satan knew the latter two would defeat him.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Interesting question. The highest choir of angels are the Seraphim, and 1 Corinthians 6:3 says man will judge the angels. Sounds to me that human saints will have a higher degree of glory in heaven than even the Seraphim.

I don’t know if this is correct, but I’ve heard that the reason the fallen angels rebelled was over this issue. Because of the Incarnation, man would be raised above the angels. Lucifer and his followers would not tolerate bowing down to Jesus in his human nature.

I think it’s interesting that the Qu’ran teaches a similar concept:

In Mystical City of God, a book of private revelation approved by the Holy See, the author says that the creation of man was hidden from Satan, and that Satan thought Adam and Eve could be Jesus and Mary. Satan knew the latter two would defeat him.

Awesome response to Sam’s question, Beckymarie! So much to ponder here. Thanks for making us “think”! God bless.