The Hidden World of Angels
When reading the Bible, we are sometimes filled with curiosity about what the Garden of Eden and the first world looked like, what the spiritual realm is like, and what kind of creatures dwell there.
Although we find various names for celestial beings in the Bible, we do not know for certain whether there is a hierarchy among the angels—and if there is, we cannot say exactly what it looks like.
For example, the word “Seraphim” is translated from Hebrew as “bright” or “fiery.” From the Bible we know that these are heavenly six-winged beings:
”Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”“ (Isaiah 6:2–3)
Other winged celestial creatures are called cherubim. The etymology (origin) of this word is uncertain. Based on some passages of Scripture, we can conclude that the Seraphim and the Cherubim are the beings closest to God.
After Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, it was the Cherubim with a flaming sword who was assigned by God to guard the entrance to this earthly paradise (Gen. 3:24).
Two cherubim cast in gold were made at either end of the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:18–20). According to 2 Samuel 22:11, the Lord ”… rode upon a cherub as He flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.“ (2 Samuel 22:11)
In the book of the prophet Ezekiel, there is also the following description of them:
”Each one had four faces. The first face was the face of a cherub, the second face was the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. Then the cherubim rose up. They are the living creatures that I saw by the River Kebar.“ (Ezekiel 10:14–15)
Archangel Michael is known as a warrior who, with his angels, fought with the devil and a third of the angels who followed him (Rev. 12:7). The prophet Daniel also mentions him as one of the princes (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1).
In addition to Michael, the angel Gabriel is also mentioned by name. He announced to Mary that through her our Savior Jesus Christ would be born into this world (Luke 1:26–27). Daniel speaks of him as a man who delivered messages to him in answer to his prayers (Dan. 9:21–22). Although angels are spiritual beings, this indicates that they can assume human form.
Concerning humanity, Scripture says:
“For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But someone in a certain place testified, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands.” (Hebrews 2:5–7).”
This is a quotation from Psalm 8:4–6. From this, we see that although angels are slightly higher than humans, they still desire to understand the mystery of redemption revealed to us:
“It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven—things into which the angels desire to look.“ (1 Peter 1:12)
Are there guardian angels? This idea is suggested by the following Scripture:
”See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.“ (Matthew 18:10)
It seems as if every person has his own angel.
I believe that the Lord did not give us clarity regarding the hierarchy of angels for two reasons. First, it could lead humans to honor and worship angels alongside God—something the angel John saw strictly forbade, saying:
”… See that you not do that. I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!” (Revelation 19:10)
Second, people might become preoccupied with matters that distract them from the most important pursuit—following the Lord.
While we are naturally curious to learn more about spiritual reality, should we become overly preoccupied with it? In the time of the Apostle Paul, there were already people like the Gnostics, who sought something supernatural and mystical, attempting to peer into the spiritual realm. However, Paul warned against such behavior, saying:
”Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.” (Colossians 2:18–19)
Paul emphasizes that it is not necessary to know everything about the spiritual world.
The irony is that the Gnostics not only mixed Christianity with philosophy and myths—the worldly concepts of their time—but also considered themselves particularly spiritual, whereas Paul saw them as carnal.
Interestingly, times change, yet echoes of the past appear even today, when those who claim the closest relationship with the Holy Spirit are often puffed up by their fleshly minds.
May the Lord be with us and keep us from all evil!
Max Volkov in Christ
