Let’s Talk About Angels

Here is a glimpse into the fascinating world of angels as sometimes described in Christianity, Muslim, Japanese,  Palestinian, Hinduism and Judaism literature. It is stated that  angels’ physical forms and roles may vary, but they all “serve as messengers, protectors, and agents of God’s (G_d’s) will”.  

Angels are often described in various ways, and their appearances can be quite diverse. 

King James Testament: Old & New

Many angels in the Bible appear as human-shaped beings. They often take on a form that resembles people. For example, when angels visited Abraham, they looked like ordinary travelers. These human-like angels are sometimes depicted with wings, but not always. Their appearance can be both gentle and comforting. 

Psalms 78:25: “Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.”
This verse refers to a miraculous provision of food during the Israelites’ wilderness journey. After the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, they wandered in the desert for forty years. During this time, God provided for their needs, including manna (a type of bread) and quail(birds) as sustenance. The phrase “angels’ food” suggests that the manna provided was divine, beyond ordinary human sustenance. It emphasizes the miraculous nature of God’s provision.

The Israelites received this heavenly food directly from God, as if it were provided by angels. Exodus 16:14-15 describes manna as a small, round, white substance that appeared on the ground each morning. The Israelites collected it, and it served as their primary food source during their desert journey. It was described as sweet like honey and could be baked into bread or eaten as it was. Beyond its physical nourishment, manna symbolizes God’s faithfulness, provision, and guidance. Jesus later referred to Himself as the “bread of life” ( spiritual food) in the New Testament, connecting this miraculous provision to His role as the ultimate sustainer of spiritual life. 

Hebrews 13:2: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Genesis 32:1-2: “And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.”

Not all angels are gentle and peaceful. Some are portrayed as fierce and powerful beings. For instance: The angel guarding the entrance to the Garden of Eden had a fiery, ever-turning sword, signifying a fierce guardian. 

Hebrews 1:7: “And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

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

In the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet describes heavenly beings with multiple faces and wings. These creatures surround God’s throne and are both awe-inspiring and mysterious.

The seraphim (also known as the “fiery ones”) are six-winged beings who serve God. Their appearance is radiant and otherworldly.

Matthew 26:53: “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Cherubim, with their four faces and four wings, are also mentioned in the Bible. They are spiritual beings with a unique appearance.
Psalms 104:4: “Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire.”

One of the most unusual types of angels described in the Bible is the “thrones” or ophanim. These beings appear as giant glowing wheels or rings, covered in several eyes. They are associated with divine visions and mysteries.

Angels’ Role in Judgment:
Matthew 24:36: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

Angels’ Rank :
Luke 4:10: “For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Hebrews 1:4: “Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

1 Corinthians 6:3: “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?”

Angels’ Joy in Heaven Over Repentance:

Luke 15:10: “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

Psalm 91:11-12 “  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

ISLAM

In Islam, angels are considered faithful servants of Allah. They were created from light before humans were created from clay or earth.

In Islam, angels are genderless, do not require sleep, food, or drink, and have no free will to disobey Allah.

Their primary role is to worship Allah and carry out His commands. Angels can take on human form when required to communicate with humans.  Some well-known angels in Islam include:

Jibreel (Gabriel): Communicates Allah’s words to prophets.

Israfeel (Raphael): Blows the trumpet on the Day of Judgment.

Mikail (Michael): In charge of rainfall and sustenance.

Malak Am-Maut (Angel of Death): Takes possession of souls after death.

PALESTINIAN-MOSTLY MUSLIM:

While Palestinian culture is diverse, it is primarily influenced by Islam.

Palestinians believe in angels as part of their religious worldview.

Angels are seen as intermediaries between Allah and humans, assisting and protecting them.

The concept of angels is deeply ingrained in Palestinian religious and cultural practices.

HINDUISM :

Hinduism doesn’t feature angels in the same way as Abrahamic religions do. Instead, Hinduism includes a myriad of spiritual beings who act in angelic ways.

These beings include major gods (like Lord Krishna), minor gods (devas and devis), human gurus, and ancestors.

Hindu divine beings often appear in material form, resembling beautiful humans. They can either help or harm people, depending on their nature (benevolent or malevolent). Worshipers can spiritually connect with the type of divine being they choose to worship. 

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India’s rich cultural and religious diversity includes various beliefs about angels or divine beings.

Hinduism, Buddhism, and other indigenous traditions recognize devas (male) and devis(female) as spiritual beings.

These beings guard and assist living things, including humans, animals, and plants.

In Hinduism, devine beings can impart wisdom, protect, and influence people’s spiritual journeys. Worshipers can direct their devotion toward different types of divine beings, connecting with their chosen deity. 

ASIAN: 

Some Asian belief systems, such as New Age spirituality, recognize beings that have worked their way up from low to high spiritual planes, similar to angels.

While Hinduism doesn’t feature angels in the same way as Abrahamic religions do, it includes a myriad of spiritual beings who act in angelic ways.

These beings include major gods (like Lord Krishna), minor gods (devas for male deities and devis for female deities), human gurus (spiritual teachers), and ancestors who have passed away.

JAPANESE: 
In Japanese Buddhism, angels are known as Tennin (or Tenshi), which are equivalent to angels.

Tennin are divine spiritual beings found in Japanese Buddhism. They were seemingly imported from Chinese Buddhism, which was influenced by Indian Buddhism and Chinese Taoism.

Tennin are depicted as unnaturally beautiful women dressed in ornate kimono, carrying lotus blossoms or musical instruments.

They can fly and are believed to live in the Buddhist heaven as companions to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. 

The concept of angels varies across different religious and cultural contexts, the belief in spiritual beings that guide and protect humans is a common thread.

Whether in Christianity, Islam, Palestinian culture, or Hinduism, or others, these angelic beings play significant roles in shaping people’s faith and understanding of the unseen world. 

Image Source: Ezekiel’s Vision (detail & colorized), Bernard Picart, 1693 – 1783. Rijksmuseum.nlSource in collaboration with CoPilot.bing.com