Types of Angels

QUESTION: What are the types of angels?

ANSWER:

When we talk about angels we need to keep in mind that there are two classes of angels -- good and bad. For this search we are mainly focusing on the good angels. There are different types of good angels starting with the highest order, which includes:

• Christ as the Angel of God or Angel of the Lord (Hebrews 1:5-2:16).
• Cherubim are known for their power and beauty (Genesis 3:24; Ezekiel 1:5-28; 28:12, 13, 17; 8:1-4; 10:1-22).
• Seraphim perform priestly duties (Isaiah 6:1-7).
• Living creatures are mentioned in Revelation, worshiping God (Revelation 4:6-5:14; 6:1-8; 7:11; 14:3, 9-11; 15:7; 19:4).
• Arch-angels or chief angels rule kingdoms and planets (Colossians 1:15-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9).
• Michael is one of the chief princes, the prince of Israel (Daniel 10:13, 21; 11:1; 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7-9).
• Gabriel stands before God and delivers important messages (Daniel 8:16-19; 9:20-23; 10:8-11:1; Luke 1:19, 26).
• Common angels are heavenly spirit beings (Matthew 1:20-29; 2:13-19; 28:2-5; 1 Kings 1:11-38; 2:9-21; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7-23).
• Guardian angels are given charge over us lest we stub our toes (Psalm 91:12).
• Ministering angels are like the one who cooked a hot meal for Elijah when he was running away from an angry Jezebel (1Kings 19:5-7).
• Avenging angels are the ones that carry out God’s judgment upon mankind for their wicked deeds (Genesis 19:1-29).
• Death angels bring a type of judgment upon a people who persecute innocent groups (Exodus 12: 23; Revelation 6:8).

Angels can travel at inconceivable speeds (Ezekiel 1; Revelation 8:13; 9:1). Faithful angels of the Lord had been tested and tried at the time that Lucifer rebelled, which caused tumult in heaven and he fell from God’s grace (1 Timothy 5:21; Job 4:1-8). The angels test man by unknowingly appearing at times to see how individuals treat strangers (Hebrews 13:2). They are being taught wisdom by the Bride of Christ [the Church] (Ephesians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 4:9).

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