Angels
Angels are one of my favorite subjects ( right after GOD, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit :-) They are GOD's messengers, our protectors, friends in time of trouble, companions along the pathway, fierce champions of GOD's judgement, recorders of our deeds, ministers of the Heavenly Temple, singers of the Heavenly Choir and Soldiers in the Army of Christ... The list could go on and on. Angels are all around us. Throughout the Scriptures we learn of their working in all aspects of creation. There are angels given charge of every person, place, and thing. All have their angel.
Lately the popularity of angels has greatly increased. There are movies, books, calenders, tee shirts, bumper stickers; again the list goes on and on. Unfortunately this newfound angel mania is not at all Scripturaly based. Much is part of the 'New Age' doctrine (a doctrine of devils). Angels are seen as forces to be manipulated or as beings to be worshiped. This is not 'New Age' but ancient lies, created by the father of lies, the devil. Throughout Scripture, we see men worshiping the creation rather than the Creator. And we know of many angels who have fallen victim to the temptation of being worshiped. Many angels have already "left their first estate" and a full third of those which remain will be swept from Heaven under satan's temptations. Angels are not immune to temptation and sin.
What exactly are Angels? They are spiritual beings that share with us in the service of our Creator GOD. There are many different types, or orders of angels. We are most familiar with the orders of Michael (the guardian angels) and Gabriel (the messenger angels). There are also the Cherubim and Seraphim who are less active in mortal affairs, as well as the living creatures( who seem to be unique individual creations) and the Sons of GOD. There may also be other types and orders of which we have no knowledge. There are myriads of myriads within the Hosts of Heaven. A countless number.
Lucifer, the bearer of light: This individual, despite common belief, is not the same as Satan. He is called the Annointed Cherub that Covereth. Cherubim are the ministers of GOD's Heavenly Temple. Two Cherubim, their wings outstreached, covered the Mercy Seat of the Ark. Another Cherub with a flaming sword was placed at the gates of Eden after the fall of Adam. They minister GOD's justice, and mercy. Lucifer, the chief of these beings, fell to the temptation of being worshiped. He desired the adoration due GOD. This is a recurring theme in the Scriptures, men falling at the feet of divine beings and rightly being told, ARISE! Worship GOD! Angels know they are not to allow men to worship them, but the temptation is surely great.
The Sons of GOD: Satan is counted among them in Job. They are not to be confused with the Only Begotten of the Father, Jesus Christ. He is the one and only true SON of the FATHER. Though Satan would like this misconception to flourish. These sons are they who left their first estate for the lust of the flesh. They desired the daughters of men and to produce children. They sought to gain dominion in the earth as Lucifer sought it in Heaven. These are the ancient gods, the false gods, worshiped by the sons of men, both in the Old Testament and in the New Age.
The word 'saraph' appears 126 times in the Hebrew Scripture, but is translated as burn, burning, or burnt all but twice, both in Isaiah, where it is 'seraphim' (angelic beings with six wings). Most of the referances are of Holy Fire or the burnt offering. These beings of Holy Fire are the refiners and purifiers of the Heavenly Temple.
That brings us to what most of us think of when we think of angels; Michael and Gabriel. Michael is called the Archangel and the Chief Prince. He is the chief of the guardian or warrior angels. They are GOD's foot soldiers, the Army of Christ in the Heavenlies. Gabriel is said to stand in the presence of GOD. He is the chief of the messengers of GOD, those which bring GOD's word to man and man's prayers to GOD. They are also called 'recording angels' fore it is their duty to record the works of man and present them at the time of judgment.
It is impossible to write down all of the myriads of spirits that inhabit the universe. GOD's creation is beyond our reckoning. These are just a few, that, by their interaction with man, have become well known to us. Because angels, or more correctly spirits, are subject to temptation and fall, many are no longer righteous servants of GOD. Many have fallen and many yet will. They too are subject to the judgment.
Fallen Ones: We are warned in the Scriptures to 'test the spirits' to know if they be true. It is written that even Satan can still appear as an angel of light. The spiritual warfare that has raged in Heaven since the fall of man has spilled forth on the earth since the time of Christ. This warfare of titans will increase as the end approaches fore Satan knows he has but a little time. More and more the angels are taking physical form and being seen by man, the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is thinning and about to rupture. In the last days there will be angels and demons walking openly among us (in fact this is beginning now). But we have the promise of Christ that in those last days the Spirit will be poured out like never before and the least among the children of GOD will be accounted as mighty men. The book of Acts is just a foretaste of what the saints shall do in the last days. Praise GOD we will stand side by side with Michael in the final battle as members of the Army of Christ our King. .oO(the old dragon ain't got a chance).