Angel

(Gr. angelos , a me enger), one of those spiritual intelligences who are regarded as dwelling in Heaven and employed as the ministers or agents of God. To these the name of good angels is sometimes given, to distinguish them from bad angels, who were originally created to occupy the same bli ful abode, but lost it by rebellion. The Old Testament represents them as me engers of the Divine will, and Christ spoke of them more than once ( St. Matt. xviii, 10; St. Luke , xv, 10). Generally, however, Scripture speaks of angels with great reserve, Michael and Gabriel alone being mentioned by name in the canonical books, while Raphael is mentioned in the Apocrypha. The angels are represented in Scripture as in the most elevated state of intelligence, purity, and bli , ever doing the will of God so perfectly that we can seek for nothing higher or better than to aim at being like them. There are indications of a diversity of rank and power among them, and something like angelic orders—Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, ., seraphim and cherubim. They are represented as frequently taking part in communications made from heaven to earth, as directly and actively ministering to the good of believers, and shielding or delivering them from evils incident to their earthly lot. That every person has a 164 good and a bad angel attendant on him was an early belief, and is held to some extent yet. Roman Catholics, since St. Ambrosius, who died in 397, show a certain veneration or worship to angels, and beg their prayers and their kind offices. The New Testament, however, formally forbidding such veneration ( Col. ii, 18, .), Protestants consider this unlawful. IMG:4014330425200354480_image057.jpg:Angel of Queen Elizabeth Angel of Queen Elizabeth