Archangels

Archangels

            The word “archangel” occurs within Scripture.  It only appears two times within Scripture[1] and only once in reference to a specific angel.[2]  The Greek word for “archangel” is “archaggelos.”  According to Strong’s Greek Dictionary, the word “archaggelos” literally means “chief angel.”  Michael remains the only angel directly referred to as an archangel in Scripture.[3] The names of three of angels in Scripture refer to them in a non-fallen state.[4]  Considering the honorable mentioning of their names, these angels apparently hold/held high positions in heaven.  Taking into consideration that the word “archangel” refers to chief angels, one can assume that three of these four angels are/were archangels.[5]  One may assume that Gabriel is an archangel and that Lucifer was an archangel, but God specifically referred to Michael as an archangel

            Michael remains one of the chief angels in heaven, and his name means “who is like God?.”  Scripture directly referred to him in only five verses.[6]  Michael resides as the angel of war.  He buffeted the attack of Lucifer in heaven and cast him to the earth;[7] he defended the deceased body of Moses against the attack of the devil;[8] and Michael also battled with the “prince of the kingdom of Persia in order for Gabriel to deliver the answer to Daniel’s prayer.[9]  He resides as the protectorate of Israel.[10]  Scripture directly referred to Michael as an archangel in Jude 9, thus some theologians conclude that “the voice of the archangel” in I Thessalonians 4:16 is a reference to Michael.[11]  On the contrary, others believe that “the voice of the archangel” of I Thessalonians 4:16 is a reference to Gabriel.

            Gabriel[12] resides as the second angel mentioned by name in Scripture.  His name occurs four times within the Scriptures.[13]  Gabriel’s name means “God is my strength.”  He resides as the personal messenger of God.[14]Gabriel stands in the presence of God.[15]  Considering that Gabriel was one of three angels mentioned by name and also that he “stands in the presence of God,” some theologians believe that Gabriel is an archangel.  He delivered messages to Daniel,[16] Zacharias,[17] and Mary.[18]  Gabriel also delivered to Daniel the interpretation of the vision Ram and the He-Goat of Daniel chapter eight[19] and he also explained the Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9:21-27 to Daniel.  Gabriel played an important role in delivering messages in the Bible.  However, in Daniel 10:20, Gabriel performed an action that few apparently noticed.  Most authors and theologians refer to Gabriel as the “messenger angel” but in this passage, Gabriel fights.  He returns to aid Michael in fighting the Prince of Persia.[20]  Scripture specifically mentioned Michael and Gabriel by name, but there exists one more angel specifically mentioned by name in the Scriptures and that is Lucifer.

Lucifer remains as the third and final angel mentioned by name in a non-fallen state.  His name means “bringing light,” “burning light,” “morning star,” or “day star.” Only one verse directly mentioned the name of “Lucifer.”[21]  Lucifer fell from his position in heaven.[22]  He resides as a fallen Cherub.[23]  Before pride arose in his heart,[24] Lucifer was perfect.[25]  He dwelt in the presence of God and was anointed, which meant that he possessed God’s approval.[26]  Before his fall, Lucifer existed as one of the most beautiful creations of God and possibly the highest ranking of all the angels.[27]  He probably resided as the song leader in heaven and was in charge of the heavenly music.[28]  God hid nothing from him.  Lucifer possessed all wisdom and knowledge concerning God.[29]  However, Lucifer’s beauty made him prideful[30] and he eventually led a revolt against God in heaven and was cast to the earth,[31] along with one-third of the angels.[32]  As a result, he corrupted all of his wisdom and knowledge.[33]

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[1]I Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

[2]Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

[3]Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

[4]Note:  The three angel’s names that refer to them in a non-fallen state are Michael, Gabriel, and Lucifer.

[5]Some theologians believe that there originally existed three archangels.  The rational for this stems from the fact that the Scriptures mention only three angels specifically.  Also, in numerology, the number “three” resides as one of the few prominent numbers associated with the Godhead.

[6]Daniel 10:13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”

Daniel 10:21 “But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”

Daniel 12:1 “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

Revelation 12:7 “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,”

[7]Revelation 12:7-9 “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

[8]Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

[9]Daniel 10:13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”

[10]Daniel 12:1 “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Daniel 10:21 “But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”

[11]I Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

[12]Note:  It seems that Gabriel possesses the appearance of a man.

[13]Daniel 8:16 “And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.”

Daniel 9:21 “Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.”

Luke 1:19 “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”

Luke 1:26 “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,”

[14]Daniel 8:19 “And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.”

Luke 1:19 “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”

[15]Luke 1:19 “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”

[16]Daniel 8:16 “And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.”

Daniel 9:21 “Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.”

[17]Luke 1:19 “And the angel answering said unto him [Zacharias], I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”

[18]Luke 1:26-27”And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.“

[19]See Daniel 8:16-27.

[20]Daniel 10:20 “Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.”

[21]Isaiah 14:12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”

[22]Isaiah 14:12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”

Revelation 12:9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

[23]Ezekiel 28:14 “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”

Ezekiel 28:16 “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.”

[24]Isaiah 14:13 “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

[25]Ezekiel 28:15 “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

[26]Ezekiel 28:14 “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”

[27]Ezekiel 28:12-13 “Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.”

Ezekiel 28:12 “Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.”

[28]Ezekiel28:13 “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” 

Note: “Tabrets” is the plural form of “tambourine.”  This alludes to the fact that Lucifer was in charge of the music in heaven.

[29]Ezekiel 28:12 “Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.”

[30]Ezekiel 28:17 “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.”

[31]Revelation 12:9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

[32]Revelation 12:4 “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood.”

[33]Ezekiel 28:17 “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.”