CHAPTER NINE
THIRD HIERARCHY
Principalities, Archangels, Angels
PRINCIPALITIES
The third hierarchy forms the angelic group that is directly
concerned with the matters on the earth. They are the contact with
humans and the earth. Among them Principalities form the first
along with archangels and angels. They are sometimes called
Princedoms and Princes.
They are given charge over every nation, province, county, district,
city, town, village, and house. They work with guardian angels who
are also assigned to every spot and person.
Principalities/Princes
- derived from Latin princeps (sing.) and principates
(pl.). The Greek of the Septuagint Old Testament and of the New
Testament is arche (sing.) and archai (pl.), from archomai,
beginning or commencement. The implication is that the arche
or prince is the principle of order, the ruler of a
principality. The Hebrew word used is sar, and carries the
same meaning.
Guardian Angels of
People and Places
There are clear
references to specific angels being assigned to nations. To Moses
God says an angel
is the appointed leader of the host of Israel, and in 32:34, God
says to Moses:
Exodus 23:20-23
“See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on
the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. [21] Be
attentive to him and heed his voice. Do not rebel against him, for
he will not forgive your sin. My authority resides in him. [22] If
you heed his voice and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy
to your enemies and a foe to your foes.
[23] "My angel will go before you and bring you to the
Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites;
and I will wipe them out.
David emphasized
this protection of the Angels over Israel
Psalm 34:8
The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who
fear God.
It seems that there
are evil Angels also in power over other nations. In Daniel the
Prince of Persia is said to have fought with the angels in charge of
Israel and Michael is mentioned as one.
Daniel 10:13
but the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood in my way
for twenty-one days, until finally Michael, one of the chief
princes, came to help me. I left him there with the prince of 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.
In the vision of Paul
an angel in charge of Macedonia invited him to go to Macedonia and
help.
Acts 16:9
During (the) night Paul had a vision. A Macedonian stood before
him and implored him with these words, "Come over to Macedonia and
help us."
In the book of
Revelation an angel is assigned to each of the seven churches.
Rev. 1:20
This is the secret meaning of the seven stars you saw in my
right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands: the seven stars are
the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the
seven churches.
Rev. 3:1
"To the angel of the church in Sardis, write this:
" 'The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars
says this: "I know your works, that you have the reputation of being
alive, but you are dead.
The Archangels
Archangel
is a term meaning an angel of high rank. The New Testament makes
only two references to "archangels." They are: Michael in Jude 1:9
and I Thessalonians 4:16, where the "voice of an archangel" will be
heard at the return of Christ
Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism and Wicca.
In the Roman Catholic
tradition we have the following angels honored as Archangels
-
Michael
-
Gabriel
-
Raphael ( who is
mentioned in the Apocryphal book of Tobit 3:17, 12:15)
St. Gregory the Great gave the names of the other four:
-
Uriel who is named in
the Apocryphal book of 2 Esdras,
-
Phanuel, (Orfiel,
Ophaniel) and
-
Zarachiel (Saraqael)
who were named in the Book of Enoch
-
Simiel (Proclaimer of
God).
Eastern Orthodox
Tradition mentions "thousands of archangels”; however,
only seven archangels are venerated by name
ICONS OF
ARCHANGELS
An
icon (from Greek εἰκών
eikōn "image") is a religious work of art, within the
Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism where an image
becomes a representaion of the otherwise difficult concept. The
icons of Archangels are some stray collections from around the
world. .
The
book of Enoch mentions the seven archangels, as Michael, Raphael,
Zerachiel, Gabriel, Uriel, Remiel, and finally Raguel.
Pseudo-Dionysius the
Areopagite, listed the archangels within his book the Celestial
Hierarchy, as Michael, Zadkiel, Chamuel, Raphael, Gabriel, Jophiel,
and lastly Uriel.
Pope Saint Gregory I
listing the names as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Oriphiel, Zachariel,
Uriel, and Simiel.
The reason for these
changes may be just because they are pronounced differently and
written differently. The Angelology was a favorite subject of the
Gnostics and they have impacted the names and attributes in time..
But the three names Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael consistently
persisted in all systems at all times within the Abrahamic faiths.
Catholic Church
considers the Archangels as Saints and assigns each day of the week
with one of the archangels. The Day In which you were born
determines which Angel is your Guardian Angel But with some
uncertainties these are
Saint Michael represents
Sunday, Saint Gabriel
represents Monday,
Saint Raphael represents
Tuesday, Saint Uriel
represents Wednesday,
Saint Sealtiel represents Thursday,
Saint Jegudiel
represents Friday, and
Saint Barachiel represents Saturday.
THE THREE ARCHANGELS:
[St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael]
The Canonical Scriptures mentions only three Angels, all of whom
belong to the Choir of the Archangels. They are: Michael, Gabriel,
Raphael.The apocryphal literature of the Old Testament contains
other names. Some churches do accept these books as authentic even
though they are not canonical. Names like Uriel, Raguel, Sariel,
and Jeremiel are not found in the canonical books of Sacred
Scripture, but in the apocryphal book of Enoch, fourth book of
Esdras, and in rabbinical literature. The Gnostic tendencies have
boosted up the Angelology to their fancies. As such Christian
Churches have rejected these names as authentic. Pope Zachary, in
745 AD rejected those names as there must have been danger of
serious abuses in this regard during that century. A synod held at
Aix-la-Chapelle in 789 AD again repeated this.
The Orthodox Church gives seven names.
Angelic
Council
(Ангелскй Собор). Orthodox icon of the seven archangels.
From left to right: Jegudiel, Gabriel, Selaphiel, Michael, Uriel,
Raphael, Barachiel. Beneath the disc of Christ-Emmanuel are
representations of
Cherubim and Seraphim
There are vast numbers of archangels beside the seven.
-
Michael
in the
Hebrew language means "Who is like unto God?" or "Who is equal to
God?" St. Michael is depicted as a commander, who holds in his
right hand a spear with which he attacks Lucifer/Satan, and in his
left hand a green palm branch. Michael
is the angel of Truth, Justice, Courage and Awareness. Michael’s
sapphire blue sword of Love protects against fear and injustice.
-
Gabriel
means "Man
of God" or "Might of God." He is the herald of the mysteries of
God, especially the Incarnation of God where Gabriel was the angel
that appeared to Mary bringing the news of incarnation through
her for the redemption of man He is the
Archangel of Communication,
Teaching, Ideals and Mental Genius.
-
Raphael
means "God
heals" or "Godi s the Healer" (Tobit 3:17, 12:15). Raphael is
usually depicted as holding a physician's alabaster jar.
Raphael is the Archangel of
Intuition, Healing, and Emotion
-
Uriel
means "Fire
of God," or "Light of God" (III Esdras 3:1, 5:20). He is depicted
holding a sword against the Persians in his right hand, and a
flame in his left and is associated with fire
Uriel is the Archangel of
manifestation and healing from the past.
Sealtiel
means
"Intercessor of God" (III Esdras 5:16). He is depicted with his
face and eyes lowered, holding his hands a censor representing
prayers.
-
Jegudiel
means "Glorifier of God." He is depicted bearing a golden wreath
in his right hand and a triple-thonged whip in his hand.
-
Barachiel
means "Blessing of God." He is depicted holding a white rose in
his hand.
-
(Jeremiel
means "God's exaltation." He is venerated as an inspirer and
awakener of exalted thoughts that raise a person toward God (III
Ezra 4:36). As an eighth, he is sometimes included as
archangel.)
Islam
enumerates four: Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Azrael.
Other traditions have identified a group of Seven Archangels, the
names of which vary, depending on the source.
The fallen archangel Lucifer (also known as Satan) was an
archangel until he rebelled against God who then had Michael cast
him down to Hell from heaven
Abraham receives the three angels.
Michael
The
Archangel
(
מִיכָאֵל,
Μιχαήλ)
The most
important most referred to Angel other than the Angel of the Lord is
Michael, Michael the Archangel is also referred to as Taxiarch
Archangel Michael and is specifically named in one Old Testament
book and two New Testament. Book of Daniel, the Book of
Jude and the
Book of Revelation.
There are only five
references to Michael the Archangel in the Bible.
Daniel 10:13; 10:21; Daniel 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7-8
In
the book of Daniel, Michael appears as "one of the chief princes"
Daniel 10:12-13
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that
thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself
before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
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.
Dan 10:20-21 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. 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.
It is common in the Old Testament times to consider that each nation
had their own guardian angel. Here we ssee Michael as he guardian
angel of Israel - technically the Prince of Israel being the head
of the nation in times of War. The Prince of Persia is Dobiel,
("bear-god")
Daniel 12:1-3 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. And many of them
that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting
life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be
wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that
turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
In Jude we have the
reference to Michael standing in defense for the body of Moses.
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.
Michael reappears in
the end time fighting with Satan for the redemption of the called
out people.
Revelation 12:7-12
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.
The Archangels are
involved in major events on the earth and the universe as a whole.
According to rabbinic Jewish tradition, Michael was associated with
every aspect of Adamic race and specially with the history of
Israel. Thus in the approcryphal Judaic tradition Michael was
present in every historical event of Israel
Jewish Encyclopedia
gives the following description for Michael
Israel's
Advocate.
One of the archangels one of the chief princes"; Dan. x. 13), who is
also represented as the tutelary prince of Israel (ib. x. 21,
xii. 1). The signification of the name (= "Who islike El"?) was
recognized by the Talmudists, who found an allusion to it in Ex. xv.
11
() and in Deut. 33. 26 (), combining the first word of the former
passage with the second of the latter (Num. R. 2. 9). According to
Simeon b. Laḳish,
however, the names of the angels were brought by the Jews from
Babylon (Yer. R. H. 54d; Gen. R. 48. 9). Upon the basis of the
above-cited passages from the Book of Daniel (where Michael is
represented first as helping Daniel in his dispute with the angel of
Persia and then as helping Israel in time of trouble—that is, in the
Messianic time—and where he is styled "your prince") Michael is
specially designated in early Jewish writings and very frequently in
the Book of Enoch as "the prince of Israel" (), and in later Jewish
writings, particularly in cabalistic works, as "the advocate of the
Jews." It is for this reason that he is represented as the angel of
forbearance and mercy (Enoch, xl. 3) who taught Enoch the mysteries
of clemency and justice (ib. 71.2).
Wrestles with Jacob.
Being the prince or advocate of Israel, Michael had to fight with
the princes of the other nations (comp. Dan. 10. 13) and
particularly with Samael, Israel's accuser. His enmity with Samael
dates from the time when the latter was thrown down from heaven.
Samael took hold of the wings of Michael, whom he wished to bring
down with him in his fall; but Michael was saved by God (Pirḳe
R. El. 26.). The Rabbis declare that Michael entered upon his rôle
of defender at the time of the Patriarchs. Thus, according to
Eliezer b. Jacob, it was Michael who rescued Abraham from the
furnace into which he had been thrown by Nimrod (Gen. R. xliv. 16).
It was Michael, the "one that had escaped" (Gen. 14. 13), who told
Abraham that Lot had been taken captive (Pirḳe
R. El. l.c.), and who protected Sarah from being defiled by
Abimelech (ib.). He announced to Sarah that she would bear a
son (comp. Gen. xviii. 10); and he rescued Lot at the destruction of
Sodom (B. M. 86b; comp. Gen. R. l. 2). Michael prevented Isaac from
being sacrificed by his father by substituting a ram in his place ("Yalḳ.
Reubeni," section "Wayera"), and saved Jacob, while yet in his
mother's womb, from being killed by Samael (Midr. Abkir, in Yalḳ.,
Gen. 110). Later Michael prevented Laban from harming Jacob (Pirḳe
R. El. 36.). It was Michael, too, who wrestled with Jacob and who
afterward blessed him (Targ. pseudo-Jonathan to Gen. 32. 25; Pirḳe
R. El. 37.). The Midrash Abkir (l.c. 132) thus graphically
describes the scene of the wrestling: "At the break of day companies
of angels came, saying, 'Michael, the hour of singing in praise of
the Lord has arrived.' Michael began to implore Jacob to cease
wrestling, saying he was afraid the angels might burn him (Michael)
for omitting to take part in the heavenly chorus. When Michael
finally struck Jacob's thigh he was blamed by God for having caused
a blemish in God's priest. Michael applied to his companion Raphael,
who healed Jacob's wound. Then God appointed Michael to be the
defender of Israel" (comp. "David," No. 13, "Yalḳ.
Ḥadash,"
where it is said that Michael's appointment took place when Solomon
had built the Temple). Michael saved Asenath, daughter of Shechem by
Dinah, from being killed by Jacob's sons (Pirḳe
R. El. 38.), and Tamar from being burned (Targ. pseudo-Jonathan and
Targ. Yer. to Gen. 38. 25).
Teacher of Moses.
Michael exercised his function of advocate of Israel at the time of
the Exodus also, when Satan accused the Israelites of idolatry and
declared that they were consequently deserving of death by drowning
in the Red Sea (Ex. R. xviii. 5). But according to Midr. Abkir (Yalḳ.,
Ex. 241), when 'Uzza, the tutelar angel of Egypt, summoned Michael
to plead before God, Michael remained silent, and it was God Himself
who defended Israel. Michael led the Israelites during their forty
years' wandering in the wilderness (Abravanel to Ex. xxiii. 20).
Legend makes him the teacher of Moses; so that the Israelites are
indebted to their advocate for the supreme good of the Torah. This
fact is alluded to in Deut. R. xi. 6 in the statement that Michael
declined to bring Moses' soul to God on the ground that he had been
Moses' teacher. It is clearly stated in Apoc. Mosis, i. that Moses
received the two tables through the mediation of Michael. In the
Book of Jubilees (i. 27, ii. 1) the angel who is said to have
instructed Moses on Mount Sinai and to have delivered to him the
tables of the Law is most probably Michael.
Michael destroyed the army of Sennacherib (Ex. R. 18. 5). He
endeavored also to prevent Israel from being led into captivity by
Nebuchadnezzar and to save the Temple from destruction; but the sins
of the people were so great that he was powerless to carry his
purposes into effect. "Michael, thy nation has sinned," God said.
"Save them for the sake of the good men which they still have,"
Michael answered. "I will burn Israel with his good men," God
replied (Yoma 77a; comp. Zohar, Ex. col. 414). According to Yalḳ.,
Lam. 1009, Michael and Gabriel pleaded for the Israelites, who,
however, were doomed, and the two angels were themselves compelled
to set the Temple on fire. In later writings Michael is represented
as refuting also on this occasion the accusations of Samael (Zohar,
Mishpaṭim).
There is a legend which seems to be of Jewish origin, and which was
adopted by the Copts, to the effect that Michael was first sent by
God to bring Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem, and that Michael was
afterward very active in freeing his nation from Babylonian
captivity (Amélineau, "Contes et Romans de l'Egypte Chrétienne," ii.
142 et seq.). According to most of the rabbis, Michael saved
Hananiah and his companions from the furnace (Gen. R. xliv. 16).
Michael was very active in the time of Esther: "The more Haman
accused Israel on earth, the more Michael defended Israel in heaven"
(Esth. R. iii. 8). It was Michael who reminded Ahasuerus that he was
Mordecai's debtor (Targ. to Esth. vi. 1); and there is a legend that
Michael appeared to the high priest Hyrcanus, promising him
assistance (comp. Josephus, "Ant." xiii. 10, § 3).
Continuous Guardianship.
Michael will continue his advocacy to the very end; and he will
contend with Samael for the liberationof Israel from Edom or Rome ("Yalḳ.
Ḥadash,"
"Galut," No. 11). Samael will be subdued by Michael; but when the
latter asks God to help Israel, God will say, "Israel should turn
toward Me, be it only as far as the point of a needle." When Israel
turns toward the Lord, his advocate, Michael, will plead in his
favor (Pesiḳ.
R. 44 [ed. Friedmann, p. 185a]). According to Ex. R. (xviii. 5),
Michael and Gabriel will have the charge of vindicating Israel
against Edom; but Rabbi's opinion is that Michael alone will act. He
will, besides, cleanse Israel from the wicked people ("Otot ha-Mashiaḥ,"
in Jellinek, "B. H." ii. 61). It was Michael's fight with Samael
(with the devil in Assumptio Mosis, x.) which gave rise to the
well-known legend of Michael and the dragon. This legend is not
found in Jewish sources except in so far as Samael or Satan is
called in the Cabala "the primitive serpent" ("naḥash
ha-ḳadmoni").
The idea that Michael was the advocate of the Jews became so
prevalent that in spite of the rabbinical prohibition against
appealing to angels as intermediaries between God and His people,
Michael came to occupy a certain place in the Jewish liturgy. Apart
from the word , which occurs frequently and which refers to Michael,
there are two prayers beseeching him as the prince of mercy to
intercede in favor of Israel: one composed by Eliezer ha-Ḳalir
(Bartolocci, "Bibl. Rab. Magna," i. 192 et seq.), and the
other by Judah b. Samuel he-Ḥasid
(MS. De Cambrai No. 946, fol. 110). But appeal to Michael seems to
have been more common in ancient times. Thus Jeremiah is said
(Baruch Apoc. Ethiopic, ix. 5) to have addressed a prayer to him.
"When a man is in need he must pray directly to God, and neither to
Michael nor to Gabriel" (Yer. Ber. ix. 13a).
Michael as High Priest.
The conception of Michael as an advocate always interceding on
behalf of Israel gave rise to another idea, that of his being a high
priest making atonement for his people. Ezra recognized the place of
the altar by seeing there one on which Michael, the great prince,
was in the act of sacrificing (Zeb. 62a; comp. Men. 110a). The
fourth heaven is called "Zebul" () because it contains the heavenly
Jerusalem, the Temple, and the altar on which Michael, the great
prince, sacrifices (Ḥag.
12b). A different statement is given in "Seder Gan 'Eden" (Jellinek,
l.c. iii. 137), which places Michael in the upper heaven
called "'Arabot" (; comp. Midr. Abkir in Yalḳ.,
Gen. 132). This idea was afterward greatly developed by the
cabalists. Michael is identified with Melchizedek ("Yalḳ.
Ḥadash,"
"Mal'akim," No. 19); and the words "and the priest shall pronounce
him clean" (Lev. xiii. 23) are explained in the "Tiḳḳune
Zohar" (fol. 2b) as referring to Michael, the high priest, acting as
the representative of clemency. Michael, the high priest, is the
standard-bearer of God (Joseph Gikatilla, "Sha'are Orah," p. 60c).
The institution of tithes is ascribed to Michael (Targ.
pseudo-Jonathan to Gen. xxxii. 25); and his place is appointed in
the east, with the tribe of Levi ("Midr. Konen," in Jellinek,
l.c. ii. 39).
Michael as Guide of Souls.
With regard to the nature of the offerings which Michael brings to
the altar, one opinion is that they are the souls of the just, while
according to another they are fiery sheep (Tos. to Men. 110a). The
former opinion, which has become prevalent in cabalistic writings
("Seder Gan 'Eden," l.c.; "Yalḳ.
Ḥadash,"
"Neshamot," No. 31; "Reshit
Ḥokmah,"
ch. iii.), explains the important position occupied by Michael in
Jewish eschatology. The idea that Michael is the Charon of
individual souls, which is common among Christians, is not found in
Jewish sources, but that he is in charge of the souls of the just
appears in many Jewish writings. In the Testament of Abraham
(Robinson, "Texts and Studies," ii. 2, Cambridge, 1893), which is
Jewish, it is said that Michael was ordered by God to bring
Abraham's soul to Him. He had a discussion with Samael over the soul
of Moses (Deut. R. xi. 6; "Midr. Peṭirat
Mosheh," in Jellinek, l.c. vi. 75 et seq.; comp. Jude
9). According to the Zohar (Gen., col. 303), Michael accompanies the
souls of the pious and helps them to enter the gates of the heavenly
Jerusalem. In "Midr. ha-Ne'elam" ("Zohar
Ḥadash,"
p. 19c), however, it is said that Michael and his host are stationed
at the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem and give admittance to the
souls of the just. Michael's function is to open the gates also of
justice to the just (comp. Baruch Apoc. Ethiopic, ix. 5). David was
not admitted there till the Temple was built by Solomon; then he was
introduced by Michael ("Yalḳ.
Ḥadash,"
"David," No. 13). At the resurrection Michael will sound the
trumpet, at which the graves will open and the dead will rise ("Otot
ha-Mashiaḥ,"
in Jellinek, l.c. ii. 61-62; comp. Dan. xii. 1). It is in
this sense that the Falashas mention Michael in their prayer ("Prières
des Falashas," ed. J. Halévy, pp. 48-49, Ethiopic text). There is
another haggadah to the effect that when the Messiah comes Michael
and Gabriel will place themselves at the entrance of paradise and in
the name of God greet the just (Jellinek, l.c. vi. 148).
Michael's Mount.
Michael's residence will be in a range of seven mountains,
surrounded by a grove of fragrant trees, among which one will be
particularly distinguished for its beauty. The highest of the seven
mountains will be the seat of the Lord, and the most fragrant tree,
which will be inaccessible to any human being till the Day of
Judgment, will be given to the pious (Enoch, xxiv.-xxv. 5). Contrary
to Dan. xii. 2, it is said in "Otiyot de-R. 'Aḳiba,"
s.v. (in Jellinek, l.c. iii. 28), that at the advent
of the Messiah, God will give the keys of hell to Michael and
Gabriel, who will bring the souls of the wicked into paradise.
Michael and Gabriel.
It is quite natural that, owing to his position with regard to the
Jews, Michael should be represented in the Haggadah as the most
prominent of the archangels. He is called by Daniel (Dan. xii. 1)
"the great prince," and his greatness is described at length in
later Jewish writings. He was one of the seven archangels first
created (Enoch, xc. 21-22; Targ. Yer. to Deut. xxxiv. 6 gives only
six), but among these seven four excel, and Michael is the chief of
the four. Both he and Gabriel are called "great princes"; but
Michael is higher in rank thanGabriel (Ber. 4b; Yoma 37a). He is the
viceroy of God, who rules over the world (Enoch, lxix. 14 et seq.),
and wherever Michael appears the Shekinah also is to be found (Ex.
R. ii. 8). Michael is on the right of God's throne, while Gabriel is
on the left ("Haggadat Shema' Yisrael," in Jellinek, l.c. v.
166; Targ. to Job xxv. 2; Enoch, xl. 9). Four armies of angels sing
in praise of the Lord, the first being that of Michael at the right
hand of God (Pirḳe
R. El. iv.; "Hekalot," in Jellinek, l.c. ii. 43-44). A
similar tradition is given in "Seder Gan 'Eden" (l.c. p.
138): Michael's place is by the first river, Pison, while Gabriel's
is by the second, Gihon. It is Michael who, on account of his
occupying the first place near God, receives the prayers of men from
the angels and presents them to God (Baruch Apoc. Slavonic, xii.).
His position makes him the companion of Metaron (Zohar, i. 149b).
As an angel of nature, Michael is represented as of the element of
water, on account of which he is the prince of water, while Gabriel
is the prince of fire ("'Ammudeha Shib'ah," p. 49c; "Berit Menuḥah,"
37a; and elsewhere). This is probably the origin of the haggadah
that when Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter, Michael drove into the
bed of the sea a stick around which slime gathered and on which,
later, Rome was built (Cant. R. i. 6). In Sanh. 21b and Shab. 56b,
however, this is ascribed to Gabriel, owing to a confusion which
occurs also in Targ. to Job xxv. 2, where Michael is called the
prince of fire. Michael is really the prince of snow, which is the
element of water (Deut. R. v. 12); and he is also the angel of
silver, while Gabriel is the angel of gold ("Yalḳ.
Ḥadash,"
"Mal'akim," No. 75). Michael presides over the planet Mercury and
consequently over Wednesday (Abraham Avenar, in Münster, "Calendar
Hebræorum," Basel, 1527). The same statement is given in the Hebrew
manuscripts Paris No. 602 (fol. 142a) and No. 603 (fol. 125a), both
containing cabalistic formulas. But it would more befit Michael to
preside over Saturn and be the angel of Saturday; and this position
is ascribed to him in "Sefer Razi'el," pp. 8a, 17b. He presides over
the second solar period ("teḳufah")
and over the south wind, which blows during that season (ib.
7a; Paris MS. No. 602, fol. 122a). He is the third of the "figure
equivalents" ("Ḳeneh
Binah," p. 19a); and in enchantment his name is pronounced to charm
reptiles ("Sefer Razi'el," p. 4a)
Bibliography: A. Kohut, Jüdische Angelologie, pp. 24 et
seq., in Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes,
iv., No. 3;
W. Lüken,
Michael, Göttingen, 1898;
M. Schwab,
Vocabulaire de l'Angélologie, s.v. , Paris, 1897.J.
M. Sel.
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com
Hebrew apocrypha
Most of the
later elaborations on Michael is based on the Apocryphal Book of
Enoch where he is presented as
the prince of Israel" and
the "archistratege" of God. Book of Enoch is referred to by Jude but
it never made it to the Cannon any time. It has lots to say about
the angels, their creation, their fall, their coming down to earth
and cross breeding with humans etc.
The Book of Jubilees ( ספר היובלים Sefer haYovelim),
sometimes called the Lesser Genesis (Leptogenesis), is an ancient
Jewish religious work, considered one of the Pseudepigrapha
by most Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant
Christians. It was well known to Early Christian writers in the East
and the West, as well as by the Rabbis It is
considered canonical for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, where it is
known as the Book of Division (Ge'ez: Mets'hafe Kufale).
The Book of Jubilees explains how mysteries of creations were
secretly revealed to Moses (in addition to the Torah or
"Instruction") by Angels while Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty
days and forty nights
We do have four complete Ethiopic manuscripts that date to the 15th
and 16th centuries and here are some exerpts
9.1 And then
Michael, Gabriel, Suriel and Uriel, looked down from Heaven and
saw the mass of blood that was being shed on the earth and all the
iniquity that was being done on the earth.
Refering to
the fallen progeny of Nephilim Enoch says:
10.9 And the Lord
said to Gabriel: "Proceed against the bastards, and the
reprobates, and against the sons of the fornicators. And destroy the
sons of the fornicators, and the sons of the Watchers, from amongst
men. And send them out, and send them against one another, and let
them destroy
themselves in battle; for they will not have length of days.
10.11 And the Lord
said to Michael: "Go, inform Semyaza, and the others with him,
(Angels who left their first estate) who have associated with the
women to corrupt themselves with them in all their uncleanness.
10.12 When all their sons kill each other, and when they see the
destruction of their loved ones, bind them for seventy generations,
under the hills of the earth, until the day of their judgment and of
their consummation, until the judgment, which is for all eternity,
is accomplished.
20.1 And these are
the names of the Holy Angels who keep watch.
20.2 Uriel, one of the Holy Angels; namely the Holy Angel of the
Spirits of Men.
20.4 Raguel, one of the Holy Angels; who takes vengeance on the
world, and on the lights.
20.5 Michael, one of the Holy Angels, namely the one put in
charge of the best part of humankind, in charge of the nation.
20.6 Saraqael, one of the Holy Angels; who is in charge of the
spirits of men who cause the spirits to sin.
20.7 Gabriel, one of the Holy Angels, who is in charge of the
Serpents, and the Garden, and the Cherubim.
24.6 And then Michael, one of the Holy and Honoured Angels,
who was with me, and was in charge of them,
Enoch 53:6 states that Michael, along with Gabriel, Raphael and
Phanuel shall be strengthened during the Battle of Armageddon.
Enoch 70:11-16 shows that Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and
Phanuel
always 'escort' Yahweh [God the Father], whenever he leaves his
throne.
Is Michael Jesus?
There
are several bible scholars who consider that the Angel of the Lord
as mentioned in the Old Testament is the Archangel Michael who is
the pre-incarnate form of Jesus. The proof texts quoted are given
below:
1 Th 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:
The shout of the Lord
is equated with the voice of the archangel. It is Jesus who raises
the dead with his voice as indicated in:
John 5:28 Marvel not
at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation.
Hence they believe
that Jesus must be an Archangel. But it does not identify Him with
Michael.
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.
This passage is an
echo of:
Zec 3:1 And he showed
me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and
Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
Zec 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan;
even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a
brand plucked out of the fire?
While Michael is
called the Archangel it does not identify him with Jesus. On the
other hand a one on one conflict with Jesus and Satan would make
Satan the equal opponent with Jesus. Satan is a created being and
only a created similar angel will be the fair equal. There is no
evidence that Jesus contended for the body of Moses anywhere in the
scripture.
The major danger in
this identification lies in the fact that the equal adversaries in
these passages are Satan and Michael. Both are Archangels by
species and must be both created beings. This equal and opposite
somehow echoes the ideas of Gnostic and Zoroastrian idea of Good and
Evil Gods. As long as we have no clear evidence it will be safer
not to tread that road.
Dan 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
The prince of the
kingdom of Persia is a reference to Satan, and Michael is called one
of the chief Princes. Unless the “Princes” refer to Trinity it is a
far fetched argument. Are there other princes? It is more
appropriate to assume that Michael is one of the many Princes of the
Heavenly host.
Dan 10:21 But I will
show 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.
Here the
understanding of the scripture is given to Gabriel along with
Michael. Again the equation is with a created angel Gabriel with
Michael and that cannot establish Michael as Jesus. Michael is the
Angel in charge of Israel. But Jesus is for all mankind.
Rev 12:7 And there
was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon;
and the dragon fought and his angels, ..
Who leads the angelic
host of heaven, who is their Captain?
Josh 5:13 And it came
to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and
looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his
sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto
him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
Josh 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD
am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did
worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
Josh 5:15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose
thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is
holy. And Joshua did so.
The name Michael
means “who (is) like God?” It is doubtful that we can determine the
identity of the person from the name given to the person.
On the basis of these
correlations some believe that Michael is just another title for the
Son of God, the pre-incarnate Jesus. However the argument rests on
slender parallels. The conclusive evidence of Lordship and worship
is totally missing in the specific cases related to Michael.
Among those who
believe that Michael is Jesus is the Jehovah Witness who do not
believe that Jesus is God. It fits their theology very well. The
Jehovah witnesses say "Scriptural evidence indicates that the name
Michael is applied to God’s son before he left heaven to become
Jesus Christ." (Aid to bible understanding) "Michael the Archangel,
the first creation of Jehovah, before He came to earth and returned
to the identity of Michael after his resurrection." (Aid To Bible
Understanding, p. 1152).
Royce Bilusack in
arguing against the Jehovah Witness thesis collected 12 facts from
proof texts referring to Michael from the Bible as follows:
What do the
Scriptures reveal about ‘MICHAEL’?
The SCRIPTURES (in 5
verses) only reveal 12 Facts about Michael the Archangel.
According to the
Hebrew Scriptures, MICHAEL:
1.
is "ONE OF (echad) the foremost (rishown)
princes (sar)". Dan. 10:13
2.
"came to help"
another angel. Dan. 10:13
3.
is "the prince (sar) of you people". Dan. 10:21
4.
is "the great (gadowl) prince (sar)".
Dan. 12:1
5.
"during that time... will stand up
(amad)"..
Dan. 12:1
6.
"is
standing (amad)
in behalf of the sons of your people". Dan. 12:1
According to the
GREEK Scriptures, MICHAEL :
7.
is an "archangel". Jude 9
8.
"had
a difference with the Devil & was disputing about Moses' body".
Jude 9
9.
"did
not dare to bring a judgment against him in abusive terms".
Jude 9
10.
"said: 'May Jehovah rebuke you.'"
Jude 9
11.
was there when "war broke out in heaven". Rev. 12:7
12.
"&
his angels battled with the dragon... & its angels"
& won. Rev. 12:7
Royce Bilusack
http://www.geocities.com/etalk99/i1mta.html
These
references will only identify Michael as one of the foremost princes
among the Angelic group (usually referred to as Arch Angel) who is
in charge of Israel and stands for their protection. It also
indicates that Michael was present during the War in Heaven when He
fought against the dragon and the evil angels. But those
characteristics in themselves are insufficient to identity Michael
as Jesus.
But consider the
following verses:
Heb.1:4 "having
become so much better than the angels." 5 "For to which of the
angels did he ever say "you are my Son today I have begotten you"
These definitely
indicate that Jesus was not a created angel, he was the begotten
son. Because the Son has the same nature as Father and it was
Jesus who created angels (Col.1:14-17, Jn.1:3) Above all, Michael
never received worship directly, nor was he ever called as LORD
anywhere. On the otherhand the Angel of the LORD receives worship
and was directly addressed as the LORD through out His appearance.
As such the proof texts are insufficient to establish a direct
identification of Michael with Jesus.
Latter-Day Saints belief
“In the scheme of the Latter Day Saints, Adam’s role in the eternal
plan of God began in our premortal first estate. There he was known
as Michael, literally one “who is like God.” Indeed, “by his
diligence and obedience there, as one of the spirit sons of God, he
attained a stature and power second only to that of Christ, the
Firstborn. None of all our Father’s children equalled him in
intelligence and might, save Jesus only”
“Then who is Adam? He is Michael the archangel, appointed by God and
Christ to be the mortal progenitor of the race.” Adam, the
Archangel: Elder Mark E. Petersen Of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles
Jehovah's Witness belief
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus and the Archangel Michael are
the same, saying "the evidence indicates that the Son of God was
known as Michael before he came to earth and is known also by that
name since his return to heaven where he resides as the glorified
spirit Son of God." He later took human form as
Jesus
Seventh-day Adventist belief
Seventh-day Adventists believe that Michael (meaning "Who is
like God?") was another name for the Word-of-God (John 1)
before He became incarnate as Jesus. Archangel
(meaning "Chief of the Angels") was the leadership position held by
the Word-of-God as Michael while among the angels. Michael was the
Word-of-God, not a created being, by whom all things were created.
The Word-of-God was then born incarnate as Jesus [becoming the
Son-of-God] for one purpose, to save mankind by dying a
substitutionary death, being resurrected and returning to heaven
incarnate.
The Archangel Gabriel
Strong's Dictionary
defines him as:
”He is one who stands in the very presence of Jehovah the
Almighty God of Israel.
01403 Gabriy'el {gab-ree-ale'}
Gabriel = "warrior of God" or "man of God" "Fortitudo Dei”
an archangel; the
angel God used to send messages of great importance to man; sent to
Daniel, to Zacharias, and to Mary”
The Hebrew word
Gabriel means "Hero of God" or "Man of God" or "God is my strength"
In the Old
Testament, he is only mentioned by name in two visions of Daniel
(Daniel 8 and 9) .
In Daniel 8 Gabriel
tells of a 2300 day time span which would occur at the 'time of the
end.' Of how the 'little horn' power would desecrate the heavenly
sanctuary, challenge the Prince of princes (Messiah himself), cast
some of the heavenly host down to earth and stop the Daily Sacrifice
for 2300 days! Once again Gabriel is commanded by the Son of God to
enlighten Daniel as to what this all means.
In chapter 9 Gabriel
tells Daniel of a 490 year time span starting with the commandment
to rebuild Jerusalem after Judah's 70 year captivity in Babylon.
Orthodox
tradition attributes several acts which are not specifically
mentioned in the scripture. Some of them are:
·
Gabriel
inspired Moses to write the five books known as Pentateuch.
·
Gabriel
taught Joseph 70 languages so that he could rule in Egypt
·
Gabriel
was sent on by God was to deal death and destruction to Sodom and
Gommorah.
·
Gabriel, according to the Zohar, was to attack Moses for neglecting
to observe the covenantal rite of circumcision with regard to his
son Gershom. Gabriel came down in a flame of fire, in the form of a
burning serpent with the purpose of destroying Moses for this sin.
Exodus 4:24-26
·
Moses was
buried by Gabriel in the mount.
In the New Testament, Gabriel is specifically mentioned only twice,
both in Luke.
·
Gabriel appeared to the High Priest Zachariah to announce the birth
of John the Baptist in the Holy of Holies. Here he says, “I am
Gabriel who stand before God, and I have been sent to speak to
you….” Luke 1:11-25
·
Gabriel also appear to Mary to announce to her that she is going to
be the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:26-37
Tradition attributes the following also to Gabriel
·
who came to Joseph in the dream, telling him that Mary's pregnancy
was indeed through the Holy Spirit..
·
He then appeared to the shepherds near Bethlehem, telling them of
the Nativity.
·
He will also announce the Second Coming of the Lord by blowing a
trumpet.
·
He is identified as the mysterious "young man, wearing nothing but a
linen garment ... following Jesus" who fled naked after he was
seized during Christ's arrest in Gethsemene (Mark 14:51-2)
·
It was Gabriel who announced Christ's Resurrection to the Women
outside the tomb.
THE ARCHANGEL
RAPHAEL
Raphael, from the
Hebrew “rapha” means to heal, and 'el: is the name of God, Thus
Raphael literally means "God heals," or the "Divine healer." The
name does not appear in the canonical scripture. It appears in the
book of Tobias where Raphael appears as a young man named Azarias.
At the end of his long mission the Archangel revealed his own
identity and his real name, "And now the Lord hath sent me to heal
thee, and to deliver Sara thy son's wife from the devil. For I am
the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord."
ANGELS
Watchers
The Watchers (from Greek egrḗgoroi (ἐγρήγοροι))
or Grigori’. In the Book of Daniel an Aramaic term used to
denote angels is "watchers" (`îrîn). The term "watcher"
probably derives from the verb "to be awake" or "to be vigilant," so
that the implication of calling the angels "watchers" is that they
are constantly on watch as sentinels for Yahweh. In
Jewish folklore, wathers are described as looking like large human
beings constantly watching over the afairs of men and keeping a
record of them. They never sleep and remain forever silent
reporting to Yhvh. In early Hebrew lore the Irin were a high order
of angels that sat on the supreme Judgment Council of the Heavenly
Court as the book of Daniel indicates. Clement of Alexandria
attributed the movement of the Stars and the control of the four
elements fire, air, earth, and water to the watchers. The
"watchers" are considered to be made of fire and air.
Dan 4:13
I was looking in the visions of my head on my bed. And, behold, a
watcher, even a holy one, came down from the heaven.
Dan 4:17
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the command
by the word of the holy ones, so that the living may know that the
Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He
will. And He sets up over it the lowest of men.
Mic 7:4
The best of them is like a thorn; the upright more than a hedge of
thorns. The day of your watchers, your visitation is coming;
now their shame shall be.
The Watchers appear in Biblical apocrypha, in the first and second
books of Enoch and Jubilees. In the Book of Enoch, the "watchers"
are angels apparently dispatched to Earth simply to watch over the
people.
The book of Enoch and the book of Jubilees which form part of
apocryphal book and is accepted by the Orthox Canon gives more
details regarding the Watchers. It gives the names of 20 leaders of
the Watchers
Book of the Watchers,
Chapter VI.
7.
And these are the names of their leaders:
Sêmîazâz,
their leader,
Arâkîba,
Râmêêl,
Kôkabîêl,
Tâmîêl,
Râmîêl,
Dânêl,
Êzêqêêl,
Barâqîjâl,
Asâêl,
Armârôs,
Batârêl,
Anânêl,
Zaqîêl,
Samsâpêêl,
Satarêl,
Tûrêl,
Jômjâêl,
Sariêl.
8. These are their chiefs of tens."
-
R. H. Charles
translation
It is generally thought that the Angels who left their proper place
and came down to earth referred to in Genesis 6:4 and Jude 1:6 is
the Watchers. This story is given in detail in the books of Enoch
and Jubilees. Since they are in constant contact with humans, they
were soon attracted by the beauty of the human women and fell in
love with them.
1 Enoch 6:1-7"In
those days, when the children of man had multiplied, it happened
that there were born unto them handsome and beautiful daughters. And
the angels, the children of heaven , saw them and desired them; and
they said to one another, 'Come, let us choose wives for ourselves
from among the daughters of man and beget us children.' And Semyaz,
being their leader, said unto them,'I fear that perhaps you will not
consent that this deed should be done, and I alone will become
(responsible) for this great sin.' But they all responded to him,
'Let us all swear an oath and bind everyone among us by a curse not
to abandon this suggestion but to do the deed.' Then they all swore
together and bound one another by (the curse) And they were
altogether two hundred;" -
Their leader is named as Samyaza, and he led a group to defect en
masse.
The angels descended on Mount Hermon during the days of Jared.
1 Enoch 7:1-5"they took wives unto
themselves, and everyone (respectively) chose one woman for himself,
and they began to go unto them. And they taught them magical
medicine, incantations, the cutting of roots, and taught them
(about) plants. And the women became pregnant and gave birth to
great giants whose heights were three hundred cubits. These (giants)
consumed the produce of all the people until the people detested
feeding them. So the giants turned against (the people) in order to
eat them."
1 Enoch 15 "But now
the giants who are born from the union of the spirits and the flesh
shall be called evil spirits upon the earth, because their dwelling
shall be upon the earth and inside the earth. Evil spirits have come
out of their bodies. Because from the day that they were created
from the holy ones they became the Watchers; their first origin is
the spiritual foundation ….. They eat no food, nor become thirsty,
nor find obstacles. And these spirits shall rise up against the
children of the people and against the women, because they have
proceeded forth from them.”
Book of Enoch give a list of 200 who came down to earth with Samya.
These fallen watchers brought in occult arts and technologies
such as weaponry, cosmetics, mirrors, sorcery, and other
techniques.
-
Araqiel
taught humans
the signs of the earth – Geomancy during the days of Jared.
-
Armaros (eleventh on a
list of 20 leaders of a group of 200 fallen angels) in Enoch I
taught men the resolving of enchantments.
-
Azazel
taught men to make knives, swords, shields, and how to devise
ornaments and cosmetics.
-
Gadriel
taught the art of cosmetics.
-
Baraqel
(Baraqiel)
taught men astrology
-
Bezaliel
-
Chazaqiel "cloud of
God", taught men the signs of the clouds (meteorology)
-
Kokabiel is a
high-ranking, holy angel but, in general
apocryphal lore and also in
Enoch I, he is a fallen Watcher, resident of
nether realms, and commands
365,000 surrogate spirits to do his bidding. Among other duties,
he instructs his fellows in astrology.
-
Penemue
"taught mankind the art of writing with ink and
paper," and taught "the children of men the bitter and the sweet
and the secrets of wisdom."
-
Sariel (also Suriel)
taught mankind about the courses of the
moon
-
Samyaza is one of the
leaders of the Watchers who fell from heaven.
-
Shamsiel, once a
guardian of Eden, served as one of the 2 chief aides
to the archangel Uriel (the other aide being Hasdiel) when Uriel
bore his standard into battle, and is the head of 365 legions of
angels and also crowns prayers, accompanying them to the 5th
heaven. He is referred to as one of the Watchers. He
is a fallen angel who teaches the signs of the sun.
Azazel
(Hebrew: עזאזל, Azazel, Aramaic: רמשנאל)
"Azaz" (rugged) and "El"
(power/strong/of God)
Azazel is considered by
many to be the evil being mentioned in connection with the ritual of
the Day of Atonement (Lev. xvi.). After Satan, for whom he was in
some degree a prototype.
Azazel is the chief of the Se'irim, or goat-demons, who haunted the
deserts area around Canaan and to whom Semitic tribes offered
sacrifices before the Hebrews occupied the land. The Old Testament
states that Jeroboam appointed priests for the Se'irim. But Josiah
destroyed the places of their worship, as the practices accompanying
this worship involved copulation of women with goats. The worship
of Goats has direct parallel with Aswamedha Yaga of the Hindus
where horses are used instead of goats.
The ritual on the day of
atonement was therefore a settlement of authority between Yhvh and
Azazel the god of the local tribes. In the ritual the sins of the
people are laid on the goat and the goat was pushed over the cliff.
The goat alloted to Yhvh was then sacrificed.
"The Azazel goat which
was pushed down the cliff in the Day of Atonement was to atone for
the wicked deeds of 'Uzza and 'Azzael, the leaders of the rebellious
hosts in the time of Enoch" (Yoma 67b); ….Azazel is represented as
the seducer of women, teaching them the art of beautifying the body
by dye and paint. (Midrash Abkir, Yalḳ.,
Gen. 44) “According to
Talmudical interpretation, the term "Azazel" designated a rugged
mountain or precipice in the wilderness from which the goat was
thrown down” ” It was the practice in
Jerusalem, according to Yoma vii. 4, to take the scapegoat to a
cliff and push him over it out of sight. In this way the complete
separation was effected.”
“He taught men the
art of warfare, of making swords, knives, shields, and coats of
mail, and women the art of deception by ornamenting the body, dyeing
the hair, and painting the face and the eyebrows, and also revealed
to the people the secrets of witchcraft and corrupted their manners,
leading them into wickedness and impurity; until at last he was, at
the Lord's command, bound hand and foot by the archangel Raphael and
chained to the rough and jagged rocks of [Ha] Duduael (= Beth
Ḥadudo),
where he is to abide in utter darkness until the great Day of
Judgment, when he will be cast into the fire to be consumed forever
(Enoch viii. 1, ix. 6, x. 4-6, liv. 5, lxxxviii. 1; see Geiger, "Jüd.
Zeit." 1864, pp. 196-204). “
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com
"And Azazel taught the people (the art of) making swords and knives,
and shields, and breastplates; and he showed to their chosen ones
bracelets, decorations, (shadowing of the eye) with antimony,
ornamentation, the beautifying of the eyelids, all kinds of precious
stones, and all coloring tinctures and alchemy." - 1 Enoch 8:1
In the Apocalypse of Abraham,
Azazel is portrayed as an unclean bird which came down upon the
sacrifice ofAbraham.
Gen
15:11
"Birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them
away."
Apocalypse of Abraham
13:4-9 "And the unclean bird spoke to me and said, 'What are you
doing, Abraham, on the holy heights, where no one eats of drinks,
nor is there upon them food for men. But these all will be consumed
by fire and ascend to the height, they will destroy you.' And it
came to pass when I saw the bird speaking I said this to the angel:
'What is this, my lord?' And he said, 'This is disgrace, this is
Azazel!' And he said to him, 'Shame on you Azazel! For Abraham's
portion is in heaven, and yours is on earth, for you have selected
here, (and) become enamored of the dwelling place of your blemish.
Therefore the Eternal Ruler, the Mighty One, has given you a
dwelling on earth. Through you the all-evil spirit (is) a liar, and
through you (are) wrath and trials on the generations of men who
live impiously."
+++
Their sins filled the Earth with violence and God decided to
destroy the world with water and to keep a remnant through Noah, who
remained righteous.
Genesis
6:1-4
When men began to
multiply on earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God
saw how beautiful the daughters of man were, and so they took for
their wives as many of them as they chose. Then the Lord said: "My
spirit shall not remain in man forever, since he is but flesh. His
days shall comprise one hundred and twenty years." At that time the
Nephilim appeared on earth (as well as later), after the sons of God
had intercourse with the daughters of man, who bore them sons. They
were the heroes of old, the men of renown.
Because this was against the quarrantine rules of God, the angels
were kept in chain "in the valleys of the Earth" until Judgment
Day.
Jubilees 7:21-22 "For
it was on account of these three things [fornication, uncleanness,
and injustice : Jubilees 7:20] that the flood was on the earth,
since it was due to fornication that the Watchers had illicit
intercourse - apart from the mandate of their authority - with
women. When they married of them whomever they chose they committed
the first acts of uncleanness. They fathered as their sons the
Nephilim.”
2 Enoch 18:3-4
“and giants are born and marvellous big men and great enmity. And
therefore God judged them with great judgment, and they weep for
their brethren and they will be punished on the Lord's great day." -
Eventually God sent the Great Flood to rid the earth of the
Nephilim, at the time of Noah. But Genesis says Nephilim remained
"on the earth" even after the Great Flood.
Guardian Angels of People and Places
These are the angels who are the
keepers of individual. The idea is expressed in the bible through
out.
Jesus himself refers
to their existence in the following verse regarding the children.
Psalm 91:11-13
For God commands the angels
to guard you in all your ways.
[12] With their hands they shall support you,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
[13] You shall tread upon the asp and the viper,
trample the lion and the dragon.
Matthew 18:10
"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I
say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of
my heavenly Father.
The general belief
that there was an angel for every person is reflected in the
following statement of the maid who opened the door when Peter who
was releleased from jail by an angel knocked at the door where the
church met.
Acts 12:14-15
She
was so overjoyed when she recognized Peter's voice that, instead of
opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing
at the gate. [15] They told her, "You are out of your mind," but she
insisted that it was so. But they kept saying, "It is his angel."
Acts 16:9
During (the) night Paul had a vision. A Macedonian stood
before him and implored him with these words, "Come over to
Macedonia and help us."
Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the
sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
The
belief that
God
sends a spirit to watch every individual was common in
Ancient
Greek philosophy,
and was alluded to by
Plato
in
Phaedo,
In late Judaism, the idea that every person have a guardian angel
who intercedes appears after the exile period. The
belief that angels can be guides and intercessors for men can be
found in Job 33:23-6,
