There are two types of angels in the Bible. The first type is the archangel, which is a high-ranking angel who rules over other angels. The second type is called a guardian angel, who are assigned to each human being at their birth and guides them throughout life.
Angels are spiritual beings, and there are many different types of angels in the Bible.
The first type of angel is the Seraphim. These angels have six wings and they sing praise to God. They also appear as flames of fire.
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Types Of Angels In The Bible
1. Archangels
Archangels are some of the highest-ranking angels in the Bible. They are named as such because they are leaders among the angels. One well-known Archangel is Michael, who is depicted as a warrior and protector against evil forces. In the Book of Revelation, Michael leads the angels in battle against Satan:
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels.” – Revelation 12:7
2. Seraphim
Seraphim are described as fiery, six-winged beings who continuously sing praises to God. In the book of Isaiah, we read about their angelic songs:
“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.’ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.” – Isaiah 6:1-4
3. Cherubim
Cherubim are often depicted as winged creatures with human faces. They are associated with guarding the entrance to the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were banished. In the book of Genesis, we learn about their role in protecting holy places:
“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.” – Genesis 3:24
4. Angels of the Presence
Angels of the Presence refer to a group of angels who have the privilege of being in the direct presence of God. In the Book of Exodus, God promises to send an angel to guide the Israelites on their journey:
“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” – Exodus 23:20
These are just a few examples of the types of angels found in the Bible. Each type of angel has a specific role and purpose in the divine plan of God.
Types Of Angels In The Bible
Another type of angel is called Cherubim. They have four faces: one face is that of a lion, one face is that of an ox, one face is that of an eagle, and one face is that of a man. These angels guard God’s throne in heaven.
The third type of angel is the Ophanim, which means “wheels”. These angels are described as wheels within wheels, covered with eyes all around them (Ezekiel 1). The Ophanim have wings like flashes of lightning and fly very fast through the air. They also have four faces: one face looks like a lion’s head; another looks like an ox’s head; another looks like an eagle’s head; and another has the face of a man.
There are also guardian angels who watch over us humans on earth (Genesis 28:12-15). Each person has their own guardian angel; however, we can also pray for other people’s guardians when we need help from them.
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Types Of Angels And Their Duties
9 Types of Angels
We may be able to speak directly to God through prayer, but according to the Bible, he reaches us through a variety of angels, each with distinct duties. There are nine types of angels within three major groups known as choirs. Regardless of where they are on the hierarchy, like us, they are individuals.
Unlike us, because they are able to see far beyond a mortal timeline, they are extremely patient and forgiving. They are aware of our personal life goals and are assigned to assist us, but never interfere with our free will. Here are nine types of angels to know.
9. Seraphim
Seraphim means “the fiery ones.” It is the plural of the word “seraph.” These angels are mentioned in the Bible as having faces, hands and feet. Each seraph has six wings, four of which they used to cover themselves in the presence of God as a sign of humility; the other two, they use to fly. They cry out “holy, holy, holy” and appear to worship God continuously. They are often depicted in religious art.
8. Cherubim (Plural of Cherub)
These are the angels who are closest to God. They encircle his throne and emit an intense fiery light representing his love. Seraphim are considered “fiery serpents” and not even the other divine beings may look at them. There are only four of them and each has four faces and six wings. When they come to Earth, they leave their serpent appearance behind, preferring tall, thin, clean-cut human embodiments.
7. Thrones
These angels are the keepers of celestial records and hold the knowledge of God. They are sent to Earth with great tasks, such as expelling humankind from the Garden of Eden. Ancient art depicts cherubim as sphinx-like, winged creatures with human faces, not the fat babies with wings that now grace greeting cards and book covers. Ophaniel, Rikbiel, and Zophiel are cherubim, as was Satan before his fall to evil.
6. Dominions or Dominations
Thrones’ appearance is perhaps the most bizarre of the first grouping. They are said to look like great glowing wheels covered with many eyes. They serve as God’s chariot and dispense his judgment in order to carry out his desires for us. The angels in the second choir can exist in a state of transition between the celestial and human worlds. They are considered heavenly governors, attempting to strike a balance between matter and spirit, good and bad.
Under the highest angelic forms lay the ‘middle’ angels. Read on to find out more about the virtues, archangels and guardian angels.
5. Virtues
Think of dominions as middle management. They receive orders from seraphim and cherubim, then dish out duties to the “worker bee” angels of the lower orders. Their main purpose is to make sure that the cosmos remains in order by sending down power to heads of government and other authority figures. Zadkiel (sometimes called Hashmal) is the chief of this order.
4. Powers
Shaped like sparks of light, virtues are in charge of maintaining the natural world, and they inspire living things in areas such as science. They also take orders from the angels above and convert them into miracles for the deserving. When they make themselves known to us in their earthly form, they are musicians, artists, healers, and scientists who work with the power of love, as well as physics. The two angels at the ascension of Jesus are believed to have been virtues.
3. Principalities
In their celestial form, powers appear like brightly colored, hazy fumes. Powers are border patrol agents between heaven and Earth. They are the angels of birth and death. Some believe that they also preside over demons who wish to overthrow the world, while others, namely St. Paul, thought the powers themselves were the evil ones. In any case, powers are a group of experts who serve as advisers in terms of religion, theology, and ideology.
The third choir is best known to us because they are most like us with their vulnerability to the act of sinning.
2. Archangels
These angelic beings are shaped like rays of light. Just like a principal in school, it’s the principalities who oversee everything. They guide our entire world — nations, cities, and towns. What’s more, they are in charge of religion and politics. As if their plate isn’t full enough, they are also in charge of managing the earthly duties of the angels below them.
But don’t call on them to help you personally; archangels respond best when dealing with matters involving all humankind. They are the first order of angels that appear only in human form. As such, they function among us as pioneers for change in the form of explorers, philosophers, and human rights leaders. This order is most commonly known because they are mentioned by name in the Bible — Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
1. Angels
These might just be called “regular angels.” They are guardians of people and all things physical and are the most common type of angel. These angels are sent as messengers to humanity. Personal guardian angels come from this category. Angels may also protect and warn humans, as well as act as warriors on behalf of God.
Types of Angels And Their Duties
There are four types of angels in the Bible.
- Seraphim
The seraphim are the least mentioned of the types of angels. They are only found in Isaiah. The prophet Isaiah tells of seeing the Lord sitting on his throne. Angels identified as seraphim were flying above him. When translated the word “seraphim” means “fiery or burning ones”. These angels are most noted for having six wings.
(Isaiah 6:2-3) 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.”
(Isaiah 6:6) Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
- Cherubim
Of the four types of angels in the Bible, the cherubim are mentioned the most. In (Ezekiel 10:20-21) they are described as having a head that has four faces, in addition to having four wings with what looks like human hands under their wings.
When Adam and Eve were drove from the Garden of Eden, God placed cherubim on the east side of the Garden to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)
We find them mentioned numerous other times in the Scriptures including figures of cherubim being carved on the walls of the temple (2 Chronicles 3:7). The Bible even says God flew on a cherub when he heard David cry out in distress. (2 Samuel 22:7-11)
- Archangels
The word archangel comes form the Greek word “archangelos”, which means “chief angel”. The only archangel directly named in the Bible is Michael. Two references are made to him in the New Testament.
(1 Thessalonians 4:16) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
(Jude 1:9) But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Michael The Warrior Archangel
Most people associate Michael with being a warrior angel.
(Revelation 12:7) Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
(Daniel 10:13) 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.
(Daniel 12:1) At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise.
Gabriel The Messenger Archangel
While the Bible never directly calls Gabriel an archangel, most Christians consider him to be one. From reading the Scriptures, he appears to be the messenger archangel. He was sent to bring good news to both Zechariah and Mary. He came to give Daniel insight and instruction.
(Luke 1:19) The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
(Luke 1:26) 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.
(Daniel 9:21-22) 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. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.
- Fallen Angels (Satan and Demons)
Satan was at one time an anointed guardian cherub (Ezekiel 28:14). Because of his desire to raise himself above God he was cast down to earth (Isaiah 14:12-13), along with a third of the angels (Revelation 12:3-4). The former guardian cherub is now known as Satan (the devil), and the other fallen angels are referred to as demons.