Angels Among Us: Have Faith In The Divine

Angels are a 'truth of faith' according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They are pure spirits and personal beings with intelligence and free will. They are immortal and appear to humans in apparitions with a human form. The Bible describes angels as beings that see, praise and worship God in His divine presence. They are also referred to as 'messengers' in Greek. The Bible mentions archangels such as Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, who have important roles in God's plan. The existence of angels is a central theme in the film 'Faith of Angels', which portrays the true story of a young boy lost in a mine and the spiritual support he receives.

Angels are spiritual beings with intelligence and free will

Angels are spiritual beings with intelligence, emotions, and free will. They are pure spirits, created by God before the rest of creation, and are higher than humans in the order of creatures. They are immortal and do not possess physical bodies, but they are still personalities and can occasionally take on physical form.

Angels have greater knowledge than humans, which may be due to their innate nature, their knowledge of God's word, and their long observation of human activities. They are endowed with intellect and free will, and their most outstanding qualities are knowledge and intelligence. They are referred to as "minds" and "intelligences" by theologians and philosophers. Their intelligence is so advanced that they are able to take in vast amounts of information at a glance.

Angels are also emotional beings, capable of experiencing joy, gratitude, happiness, and love. They love God above all else and also love humans because we are made in God's image. They protect humans, inspire us with holy thoughts, and offer our prayers to God.

Angels have free will, as evidenced by the fact that some chose to follow Satan and sin, while others remained loyal to God. Their free will allows them to choose to praise and serve God, and they always do God's bidding.

Angels are not to be worshipped

In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John describes how he instinctively fell down to worship an angel, but was told: "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

The Bible also states that angels have no power to act independently of God. They are created by God and are therefore not worthy of worship. The Apostle Paul condemned the practice of angel worship, which was apparently common in the early church. He wrote to the Colossians: "Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking."

Angel worship is idolatry. God alone has the exclusive right to be worshipped. He alone is the one who creates, redeems, provides, and sustains.

Angels are messengers

Angels have played a prominent role in a variety of situations in Christian scripture and tradition. Their primary role is to bring messages from God, whether delivering an actual message of God's plan of salvation, rendering justice, or providing strength and comfort.

In the Bible, angels have appeared to humans to deliver messages from God, such as when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus, or when angels protected Lot and his family in Sodom and Gomorrah. They have also been depicted as surrounding and worshipping God's throne in Heaven.

Angels are not to be worshipped, as they are created beings and not God. However, they occupy high positions in the divine, governmental hierarchy and are subject to Jesus, who is their Creator and God.

The interest in angels is at an all-time high in popular culture, with angel characters appearing in television shows, novels, and movies.

Angels are powerful

Archangels are the highest rank of angels, derived from the Greek 'arch-angelos', meaning 'chief messenger'. In Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels, while Raphael is also recognized as a chief angel in the Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox churches. Michael is described as a warrior who engages in spiritual combat against evil, making him one of the most powerful beings in heaven. He is also a protector of God's people, particularly the Jews.

Angels play a significant role in interacting with the human world, acting as messengers of God. They deliver messages, render justice, and provide strength and comfort. In the Bible, angels are referenced over a hundred times, with four angels playing a definitive role in the narrative: Gabriel, Michael, Lucifer, and Abaddon/Apollyon.

Gabriel, for instance, visited the prophet Daniel to help him understand his strange visions and later delivered the news to Zechariah that his wife would bear a son, John the Baptist. Gabriel's most important role, however, was to deliver a message to Mary, mother of Jesus, telling her she was pregnant with the son of God. Michael, on the other hand, is described as a powerful warrior and protector, battling against Satan and his forces of evil.

Angels are glorious creations called to worship and war

Angels are spiritual beings without physical bodies, but the Bible vividly describes their appearances when they manifest in the physical world. They are glorious, powerful, and majestic, with their true existence lying in the spiritual realm.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that angels are a "truth of faith", and they are defined as pure spirits and personal beings with intelligence and free will. They are immortal beings, created by Almighty God before the rest of creation.

Angels have various roles, including seeing, praising, and worshipping God; acting as His messengers to humans; waging spiritual warfare against demonic forces; and providing service and care for believers. They are often depicted as having bird wings, halos, and divine light, usually shaped like extraordinarily beautiful humans.

The Bible describes different types of angels, such as seraphim and cherubim, and mentions specific angels by name, such as Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, and Uriel. These angels are part of God's heavenly host and carry out His sovereign will.

While angels are powerful spiritual beings, Christians are instructed not to worship them but to worship God alone. Angels are ministers who point us to God and carry out His purposes on our behalf. They are glorious creations called to worship God and war against evil.

Frequently asked questions