Angels, Part One

ANGELS, PART ONE

By Dr. Lee Warren, B.A., D.D.

(c) May/June 1996 PLIM REPORT

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Angels or spirit beings have always played an important role in human history and religion. The Bible illustrates that angels have appeared to humans of the middle-eastern cultures long before the formation of any of the worlds major religions, as recorded in the book of Genesis (Gen. 18:1-2; 19:1-2; 22:15).

Angels had a major role in establishing Christianity, Judaism, and the Islamic religions that shaped the history of the world for the last 2,000 years. For example, an angel appeared to Moses in the burning bush giving him a commission to deliver Israel from Egypt. This divine intercession established Israel as a nation. Angels appeared at the birth of the Messiah and at His resurrection to announce these events to Israel. It is alleged that the angel Gabriel came to Mohammed who established Islam.

What are some questions this article will answer about angels?

The intent of this article, that will be divided into two parts, is to answer questions Christianity has been unable to answer because they refuse to use the tabernacle pattern given to Moses and Israel.

When you use the divine measuring rod correctly, it reveals many of the mysteries of Yahweh. The questions we will answer are as follows:

" What are angels?

" Were they created first before the physical creation?

" Did angels have any part in creating the physical creation along with Elohim?

" Do angels have an order and purpose?

" Can an angel have sex with a physical woman?

" How did Lucifer fall from heaven and did he reign over the angelic host prior to his fall?

These are some of the questions this article will answer. Before beginning to examine the role of angels, we will define the word angel.

What does the word angel mean?

The Strongs Exhaustive Concordance and Harpers Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience both state that the word angel is derived from the Greek word angelos and the Latin word angelus, which means "messenger." The Greek and Latin versions of the word angel are used mostly in the New Testament.

The original Hebrew word for angel was malakh, and appears in the Old Testament. Malakh originally meant Shadow side of God, but later became to mean messenger according to Malcom Godwins book Angel, An Endangered Species (Simon and Schuster, copyright 1990). Angels are also described as follows: Sons of God (Elohim, Job 1:6; 2:1); Holy Ones (Dn. 4:17); and Host of Heaven (1 Kgs. 22:19; Psa. 89:7).

In modern terms, angels are defined as non-material creatures that Elohim created to reside in the spiritual realm. This non-physical world was created before the physical creation. The angelic realm compares to plant and vegetable life that were created on the third day according to Moses' vision before animals and man on the sixth day (Gen. 1:9-11, 26-27). According to modern science's evolutionary theory, plants were created before man. We will discuss the symbiotic relationship between plants and animals later in this article.

How can we understand the spiritual realm?

Now the Biblical accounts of angels by Israels prophets are the best source for mankind to understand the spiritual realm. Their accounts allow one to develop a frame work for the angelic realm according to the tabernacle pattern (Heb. 8:5). It must be understood that Yahweh chose Israel as a model through which to demonstrate His power and wisdom. Simply put, Yahweh gave their seers symbols and visions to understand spiritual things. Israel was supposed to be a light to the Gentiles (Isa. 42:6-7).

Does this article cite more than one reference?

This article will use many references to explore the subject of angels. Besides the King James Version of the Protestant Bible, that only refers to two angelsMichael and Gabrielby name, we will reference the Roman Catholic Bible. It mentions the angel Raphael in the book Tobit (12th chap. verse 15) and Uriel in the book Esdras (2 Esdras 4:1; 10:28).

Many students of the scriptures are not conscious of the fact that the Roman Catholic Bible contains more books than the Protestant Bible. The Roman Catholic Bible consists of 66 KJV books, plus 14 more books called the Apocryphal. (See "Do You Know& What the Apocryphal Is?" in the July/August 1993 issue of the "PLIM REPORT.") The Apocryphal was part of the original Hebrew scriptures that were translated into Greek in the 3rd century before the Messiahs birth. This original Hebrew Bible was called the Septuagint because 72 Jewish scribes translated it. The Septuagint Bible was translated into Latin and called the Latin Vulgate Bible. When the Protestant Reformation began in the 16th century, Martin Luther removed these 14 books.

What does the Book of Enoch say about angels?

The most comprehensible explanation of the angelic host is found in another non-canonized or unofficial book, called the Book of EnochEthiopia (© 1976 Wizard Bookshelf). There is quite a bit of controversy about the authenticity of this book. A Scottish archaeologist James Bruce found it in Ethiopia in 1733. Archbishop Richard Laurence D.D., translated it in 1883. The Book of Enoch was part of the scriptures until the 4th century. Many scholars believed it was written in the 2nd century BC, before the Messiahs birth. It was recognized by Ireaneus, a disciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of the Apostle John.

In numerous scriptures of the New Testament, the Messiahs Apostles quote directly from the Book of Enoch. For example, Paul referred to the word archangel, that is not in the Old Testament, in 1 Thes. 4:1:16 and Jude 1:9. The word archangel comes right from the Book of Enoch and relates specifically to the archangel Michael (70th chp. verse 4). The verse Jude 14 also came directly out of the Book of Enoch.

Just as angels inspired the Apostles and early patriarchs, the appeal of angels has become popular again in our modern times.

Why is there so much interest in angels now?

Currently, there is a great interest and fascination with angels in our modern society. There is a great commercial boom in all types of angel paraphernalia, books, and movies on the subject. Whether this is a current fad of the new age movement or a genuine search for Spirit, no one can say. However, there is one factor that has to be taken into considerationthe times we live in are troubled.

We are plagued by war, drugs, unemployment, and crime of every kind. The cover story in Time magazine entitled, The New Age of Angels, by Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy at Boston University, stated: "These are desperate times. People seek super natural solutions to their problems. We want to reassure ourselves of our spiritualism (December 27, 1993)."

This issue of Time magazine also stated that 69% of Americans believe in the existence of angels and 46% believe they have a guardian angel. The Gallop Poll from 1978 to the present also has shown that over 40% of Americans believe in angels. A small percentage of people interviewed in this Gallop Poll had actual personal experiences with angels who perform miracles, etc. Their experiences verify the divine authenticity of the scriptures. On the other hand, others are skeptical of these reports because there is no tangible evidence to prove these spiritual encounters.

The only other period in history where there was a great interest in angels was during the medieval period and the middle ages. This was a golden age for worshipping angels in accordance to the edicts of the Roman Catholic Church. The church members of this period prayed to angels for all types of deliverance, including healings, miracles, etc. In total disregard to the scriptures, the church designated certain angels to specific jobs in heaven. Before we examine what roles Roman Catholics assigned to angels, let us closely examine the Biblical role of angels.

What is the role of angels?

The Bible illustrates many roles that angels played in their relationships with humans and Elohim. The literal definition of the word angel tells the function. The Encyclopedia Britannica confirms this by stating: "Thus angels have their significance primarily in what they do rather than in what they are, whatever essence or inherit nature they possess in terms of their relationship to their source (God, or the Ultimate Being - Vol. 17; p. 380, 15th edition).

Basically, there are three roles that angels play beside forming a courtly assembly around the Most High (1 Kgs. 22:19; Job 1:6; Isa. 6:1-3; Matt. 25:31; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11). Angels are messengers carrying directives from Elohim to humankind. They act as warriors executing the vengeance of Elohim on Israel or protecting them from their enemies. They also work miracles, such as healing or leading the way out of impossible situations.

These roles show the symbiotic relationship between angels and humans. This relationship is much like the plant and animal kingdom, where the plants breathe in carbon-dioxide and exhale oxygen and the animals breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon-dioxide. Each one has the life substance the other needs to survive. Simply put, these celestial creatures enable humans to understand who they are, where they originated, and what is their destiny. The Bible classifies angels as follows.

Messengers of Elohim

There are numerous examples of angels delivering a message from Elohim, declaring some event or prophecy, or giving some instructions. For example, angels announced the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra (Gn. 19:1). Angels also heralded the birth of Isaac (Gn. 18:10), the birth of Samson (Gn. 13:3), and the birth of the Messiah (Mt. 1:20, 2:13, 28:15); Lk. 1:11, 28 2:10). In addition, angels brought instructions (Num. 22:35; Dn. 8:16; 9:22) and revelations to the prophets (Dn. 10:1; Ezk. 40:4; 1Kg. 14:18; Zec. 4:1-7).

Avengers of Elohim

Angels carried out the vengeance of Yahweh, such as in the destruction of Sodom and Gommorah (Gn. 19:11). They also placed the ten plagues on Egypt (Ps. 78:49) and punished Israel when they sinned (2 Sam. 24:16-17, 1 Chr. 21:12). Angels defended Israel against the Assyrain host (2 Kg. 19:35), and chased and persecuted evil doers (Ps. 35:5-6).

Workers of Miracles

One of the greatest miracles performed by any angel was when Gabriel impregnated Mary with a fertilized egg (ovum), which initiated the birth of the Messiah (Lk. 1:26-35). [NOTE: We will discuss the misunderstanding some have regarding the ability of angels to have sex with humans in the section entitled "Can angels have sex with humans?" on p. 29.] An angel also delivered Peter from jail (Acts 12:7-10).

These are some of the Biblical functions of angels as pointed out in the scriptures. Now the Roman Catholic Church expanded the angels role.

What role had the Catholic Church assigned to angels?

The Roman Catholic Church appointed all types of jobs and classifications to angels during the late Middle Ages. The Church explained natural phenomenon in terms of angels performing some duty, such as moving the planets, propelling comets through the heavens, and causing weather patterns, etc.

The era of angels ended with the apocalyptic horrors of the Black Death. No one in the Church could explain what caused this plague. If this disease was the result of fallen angels, then why could not the righteous angels, to which stricken were praying, remove this plague?

Modern science finally gave these angelic concepts of the Roman Catholic Church the death blow in the 16th and 17th century. During this era, modern science proved that the laws of nature moved heavenly bodies, and not angels.

Do all religions have the same concept about angels?

The answer to this question is no. It must be understood that many people have had visions of angels and the angelic creation. In many cases, they have not fully understood what they have seen, but they have reported it and given their interpretation. A 20th century example is Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), called the sleeping prophet. He had visitations from angels from a youth. Later he began to enter trances where he diagnosed diseases and proscribed remedies for people he had never met.

The history of angels is primarily shaped by cultural views on the cosmos or universe as well as by the culture. It must be understood that the dominant Hebrew concept of angels is based on other cultures such as Babylon, Egypt, Sumerian, and Persia. Angels appeared to many in these cultures and men interpreted these incorporeal creatures in accordance to their culture. It is quite obvious that none of these cultures saw an angel as blond or blue eyed. The eastern religions had their concept about angels. Many believed that the wings on the great Sphinx in Egypt have something to do with the angelic creation, as many other statues of these civilizations reveal.

What are Middle Eastern religions views on angels?

The monotheistic religions of Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam share a common belief beside being founded in the middle east. They believe that the cosmos is divided into Heaven, Earth, and Hell and all are populated respectively with angels, humans, and demons, according to Malcom Godwin and the Encyclopedia Britannica. This was mainly due to the fact that they correlated stars in the physical heaven with the celestial angelic creatures.

By correlating the physical heavens with the divine and spiritual realm, man begins to structure the divine and spiritual realm in relationship to the physical. The seven planets in the solar system at this time were correlated with the supposed to exist seven heavens in the angelic realm.

What are Eastern religions views on angels?

The eastern religions, Janis, Buddhists and Hindus, have primarily monistic concepts of the cosmos. The word 'monism' means: "1 the doctrine that there is only one ultimate substance or principle, whether mind (idealism), matter (materialism), or some third thing that is the basis of both, 2 the doctrine that reality is an organic whole without independent parts Cf. dualism, pluralism (Webster's New World Dictionary, ©1995 Zane Publishing, Inc. ©1994, 1991, 1988 Simon & Schuster, Inc.)."

Eastern religions believe that God is a universal law, not an anthropomorphic being. They can only conceive of God in an abstract state. They do not believe that God took on the shape and form of man (John 1:1-2; Exo. 24:9-10; Ezk. 1:26-28). They do not believe in a three-part realm of heaven, earth, and hell, nor in angels or demons inhabiting the non-material creation. The Hindu concept of the cosmos as monistic, regards God as a single divine principle (Brahman, or Being itself).

Neither Hindus nor Buddhists believe that incorporeal beings are angels who function as revealers of truth, as do the Jews and Christians. According to Malcom Godwins book: "This function is left to other beings [such as incarnations of the gods in Hindu (avataras) or by the Buddhas-to-be, called Bodhisattas in the Buddhist religion,] often reincarnations of the holy sages or incarnations of the deities (Angels, p. 7)."

The beliefs of the east and west tend to verify the concept that seeing is believing (i.e. seeing = believing) which is confirmed by modern psychology. Mr. Godwin states this fact in his book. "Simply put, anyone who, supported by a particular belief system, expects to experience a particular phenomenon is all the more likely to have that experience (p. 153)."

Does believing = seeing?

Joseph C. Pearce's classic book The Crack in the Cosmos Egg (Copyright 1988, 1971 Julian Press) verifies that seeing is believing by quoting the great English philosopher and mathematician Bertand Russell. "Back in 1935, Bertand Russell, in his book Religion and Science, pointed out that Catholics, but not Protestants, could have visions in which the Virgin Mary appeared. Christians and Mohammedans, but not Buddhists, may have great truths revealed to them by the Archangel Gabriel (p. 62)."

In Time magazine, John Westerhoff, a theologian at Duke University Divinity School answers the question of why certain people can see angels and others cannot? He states: "Angels exist through the eyes of faith, and faith is perception. & Only if you can perceive it can you experience it. For some their faith doesnt have room for such creatures. Thats not to demean their faith. That just the way they are; they cant believe things that arent literal, that are outside of the five senses (12/27/93, p. 59)." Now the great Master Yahshua the Messiah echoed these same sentiments. He said: ".& If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mk. 9:23)."

This verifies what King Solomon wrote thousands of years ago. "So a man thinketh so is he (Pro. 23:7)."

What is the purpose of the physical and invisible creations?

Now many, especially students of the scriptures and divine metaphysics, may want to know what is the purpose of both the angelic and the physical creations. In order to answer properly the question, one has to understand the nature of Yahweh, Pure Spirit [See "The Philosophical Measuring Rod," in the Complimentary Issue and "The Revelation of the Divine Pattern of the Universe," in the September/October 1993 issue of the "PLIM REPORT" for a detailed explanation of the Godhead.]

It must be understood that Yahweh is the ultimate Source, Infinite and Inscrutable Principle, the All in All, an Eternal Self-Existing Deity without visible shape and form.

Yahweh is a Self-procreating Creator, who has created innumerable creations both angelic and physical through his Son Yahweh Elohim. What this means is that the creatures were created to honor, obey, and glorify Elohim. The Apostle Paul wrote the following concerning the angelic creation. "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him (Heb. 1:5-6)."

Did the Word or the Son create these creations?

Now Yahweh moved from this abstract, formless state and condition into a shape and form that can be seen in visions, dreams and revelations, known as the Word, Elohim or the Son (Jn. 1:1-4; Col. 1:16). It is from this state that Elohim created the angelic creation first before creating the physical creation (Heb. 1:3-8).

From what substance does the angelic creation originate?

From the appearances and descriptions of angels in the Bible and from personal testimonies, it is quite evident that the substance that make up angels is not physical. When angels appear, they usually are described as beings that emanate light, brighter than the sun, fiery human-like creatures in crystal-like bodies' or as 'bodies clear as heaven' (Ex. 24:9-10; Mt. 17:2). (See "What Is the Substance of the Soul," p. 24 in the May/June 1993 and July/August 1993 issues of the "PLIM REPORT.")

The Apostle John in his vision of Revelation describes Jerusalem above as a crystal city (Rev. 21:11-23). Now this description should not be taken in a literal sense. It is just an analogy to describe the spiritual city of Jerusalem above. There are other prophets or seers that describe it the same way.

The Book of Enoch also describes the material used to build Jerusalem as a crystal like substance. He states in his vision "& I proceeded, until I arrived at a wall built with stones of crystal. A vibrating flame surrounded it, which began to strike me terror. Into this vibrating fire I entered; And drew nigh to a spacious habitation built also with stones of crystal. Its wall too, as well as the pavement, were formed with stones of crystal, and crystal likewise was the ground &(Enoch XIV: 10-12)."

Is the angelic substance higher than the physical?

The visions of John and Enoch tell us that the substance of the angelic realm has to be of a higher nature than physical matter. In the Old Testament, Yahweh revealed Himself to Israel at Mt. Sinai as a fiery Phenomenal Cloud (Ex. 19th chp.) that gave them light and led them during their 40 years in the wilderness. The Apostle Paul also described Yahweh as a consuming fire (Heb. 12:22). It was from within this fiery cloud that the Son Elohim revealed himself to the prophets and that the angelic host revealed themselves (Ex. 3:2; Ezk. 1:4-5, 26-28; Mt. 17:1-5).

From these Biblical accounts and other sources, we see that the nature and vibration of the angelic substance is superior to physical matter. This angelic matter, lacking better words, is too ethereal to be pure matter and too dense to be pure spirit. To fully understand this you have to understand that the physical or natural is a reflection of Spirit, which means that the physical reflects the characteristic of Pure Spirit.

There are three states of matter: air, water, and solid. These states of matter correlate with the three states of spirit. The solid state of matter correlates with Spirit materialized or physical matter. The liquid state of matter correlates with the angelic or ethereal matter, and gaseous state of matter correlates with Yahweh Pure Spirit. Simply put, using the analogy of the three states of matter, one can begin to conceptualize how the substance for the angelic creation exists between physical matter and pure spirit.

How do angels appear?

It is quite evident to anyone that studies the Bible, especially the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation, that angelic appearances are portrayed numerous ways. Their descriptions follow: beings that emanate light of some type (Dn. 10:6; Mt. 17:2; Rev. 19:12), heavenly creatures that appear in the likeness of humans (Gn.19:1-5), and incorporeal spirits that are described symbolically (Ezk. 1:27; Rev. 4th Chp.). Many consider these symbolic descriptions to be weird. Clearly, we must understand all of these portrayals together in order to fully understand angels. Let us begin with the symbolic description.

What is the symbolic description of angels?

Ezekiel provides one of the first symbolic portrayals of angels. His description of angelic creatures could be misinterpreted as a depiction of some aliens in a science-fiction novel or movie. He described angels in his vision as having four heads: a man, an ox, an eagle and a lion. Their feet were like hoofs and each angel had four wings a piece. He states: "& I was among the captives [in Babylon] by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of Elohim (God). & The word of Yahweh (the LORD) came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Yahweh (the LORD) was there upon him. And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calfs foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass .& As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle (Ezk. 1:1-10)." No one understood the meaning of these four creatures until the Apostle John had his vision.

The Apostle John in his vision described four creatures around the throne, having six wings each; not four. He states: "& round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Yahweh Elohim (Lord God) Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come (Rev 4:6-8)."

Should symbolic descriptions be taken literally?

It is quite evident that Ezekiel and John visions cannot to be taken literally for we know that humans do not look like this. From Moses account in the book of Genesis, we learn that Elohim made the man in His image and likeness to rule the earthplane (Gn. 1:26-28). This implies that angels, who are a little higher than men (Heb. 2:6-7), are also made in the likeness and image of Elohim. Now neither humans nor angels have four faces, wings, and feet that look like hoofs because Elohimtheir Creator does not. We will give a brief overview of Ezekiel and the Apostle Johns visions, but more details on their angelic portrayals will be discussed in Part Two of this article in the July/August 1996 "PLIM REPORT" that deals with Orders of Angels.

What do these images mean?

The four creatures Ezekiel saw correspond to the four beasts that the Apostle John saw around the throne of Elohim. The creatures and beasts represent the angelic host that surround the throne of Elohim. Now the angelic host is divided into orders, just as Yahweh divided Israel into particular tribes and camps. Under the Law of Moses, Yahweh assigned four camps around the four sides of the tabernacle, which resided in the midst. Each camp was composed of three tribes and each had their own ensign or flag. For example, the camp of Judah was represented by the lion and the Messiah came out of this tribe. Thus, the four beasts and the four faces on the creatures that John and Ezekiel saw respectively, represent the four camps, which symbolized the angelic realm. Simply put, Johns and Ezekiels visions were Yahweh Elohims way of showing humans the divine ordering of the angelic host.

Finally, angels usually appeared with wings to humans to illustrate their ability to appear on earth and return to heaven or the angelic realm. Birds symbolically represent angels for they are the only physical creatures that have wings and can fly. They are able to soar into the heavens and walk on the earth.

Can angels appear in human form?

The Bible describes many instances where angels appeared in the likeness of humans. This means that if humans encountered angels, humans would assume these heavenly beings were physical. They would not realize that these beings were angels that just materialized out of the non-material realm. The only way humans can detect angels, is when angels unambiguously tell them who they are, or when an angel disappears before their eyes. Paul said: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Heb 13:2)."

One of the first accounts of angels appearing to man is when Abraham encounters them (Gn. 18:2-10). Three angels appeared to him and one of them seemed to be Elohim. They came to tell him that Sarah would have a child and announce the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

An angel came to Manoah, Samsons mother, and told her she would have a son. She did not know at this particular time that he was an angel. When he disappeared in flame of fire before her, Mahoah realized she had been entertaining a heavenly visitor (Jud. 13:15-25).

Finally, after the Messiah resurrected in a spiritual or incorporeal body, He appeared to two of His disciples, but they did not recognize him. They thought that He was just another man in Jerusalem. Luke wrote an account of this: "And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Yahshua (Jesus) himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him (Lk. 24:12-16)." They found out that He was the Messiah when they invited him into their house and He vanished out of their sight as they were eating bread (Lk. 24:29-31).

Do angels appear as brightly lit or luminous creatures?

When angels appear in a bright or luminous form to humans, there is no doubt that they are angels. All angels characteristically emit light, as all humans, without genetic damages, walk and talk. (See "What Is the Substance of the Soul?," p. 24, in the "On the Soul" section of the May/June and July/August 1993 issues of the "PLIM REPORT" magazine.) But in this day and time many may think they are visitors from another planet. There are numerous scriptures that describe incorporeal beings emanating a great light. One of the most famous is when the Messiah, in spiritual form, appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. Here is Lukes account: "And as he [Paul] journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven (Acts 9:3):" The reason that angels appear illuminated is because they are made in the image of Elohim. Even human have been said to "light up" a room by their vibrant personality.

What properties and powers do angels possess?

The powers and characteristics that angels possess are probably their most misunderstood feature. If modern day Christians understood these things, they would not think that the Messiah resurrected a physical body just because he ate the disciples food (Lk. 24:30, 41-43) and let them touch the wounds of His crucifixion (Jn. 20:24-29). An examination of the Old Testament accounts of angels appearing to humans show that they demonstrated the same powers as the Messiah did at His resurrection.

" Angels can appear to eat (Gn. 18:8) as when Abraham prepared food for three angels that visited him before they destroyed Sodom. No one understands whether they ingest the food and convert it into energy, or dematerialize each bite as they appear to put it in their mouths. When the Messiah resurrected from the grave, he appeared to His disciples and ate bread and fish with them just as the angels did with Abraham.

" Angels can appear in human form to men (Gn. 18:2, 16, 22; 13:6; Ezk. 40:3-4; Dn. 10:16-18). It seems that only righteous angels have the power to "put on" a physical body. No where in the canonized or non-canonized scriptures, such as the Book of Enoch, is there evidence that support fallen angels "putting on" a physical body. Fallen angels seem to have to incarnate into already existing human bodies.

When angels appear as men, a human cannot discern an angelic being simply by using physical sight. Neither can a human determine whether an angelic creature has put on an actual fleshy body or has mimicked flesh to appear human to our senses. This is what happened when the Messiah resurrected from the grave. His angelic body appeared as flesh and blood to His disciples.

" Angels and spirit beings appear wearing non-physical clothes (Ezk. 9:2; Dn. 10:5). Humans have seen their dead relatives appear to them in the clothes they wore when they were buried or killed. Now it is quite obvious that an immaterial human soul is not wearing physical clothes. Clearly, this is the projection of the soul. For example, when King Saul went to the witch of Endor, He asked her to bring up Samuels soul in a seance. When Samuels soul appeared, she described him as an old man with a mantle (1 Sam. 28:14). Clearly, this shows that spirits can project an image similar to their physical appearance.

" Angels are normally invisible to humans, but they can reveal themselves to whomever they will. Angels can reveal themselves to a group of people or just one individual in the whole group (Psa. 104:4; Jg. 13:20; 2 Kgs. 6:17; Dn. 10:6). The Messiah revealed himself in the angelic form to Paul and his companions on the road to Damasus, but only Paul saw His form (Acts 9:3-7).

" Angels can be seen in visions and dreams in human form (Gn. 19:1; Jos. 5:3; Jd. 6:11; Dan. 8:15)

" Angels have super human powers (Psa. 103:20; Gn. 19:10-11; Jg. 6:20-21). This was demonstrated by their destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorra, and Egypt. Their might was also manifest when they killed the Assyrian army (2 Kgs. 19:35).

" Angels can ride incorporeal horses (Zec. 1:8; 6:1). This implies that there are animal spirits in the angelic creation.

" Angels can brandish weapons that are not physical (Num. 22:23; Jos. 5:13; 1 Ch. 21:16, 30; Ezk. 9:2). These weapons can kill humans just as physical swords can.

" Angels can depart wisdom unto humans (Dn. 10:10-12; 2 Sam. 14:17, 20) as in the case of Daniel and David.

" Angels can protect nations. The scriptures, especially in the Old Testament, tend to support that nations have guardian angels. Yahweh told Moses in the wilderness that He would send an angel to lead Israel throughout their journey to the promised land (Ex. 23:20, 23). An angel told Daniel that he had to go and fight with the king of Persia (Dn. 10:20). Clearly, this shows that angels aid warring nations, as angels aided Israel many times. Angels cannot only protect nations, but have been alleged to have sexual relations with women.

Can angels have sex with humans?

The answer to this age old question is no. Many cultures during primitive times advanced the belief that spirits could have sex with humans and bring forth offspring. One has to understand that during this era mythology reigned, as science reigns today. The belief that mythological gods, such as the Egyptian female god Isis and the male god Osiris, gave birth to Horus was common during this era. Many interpreted the Hebrew Old Testament scriptures with this same mindset.

It should also be noted that as far as the scriptures go, the non-canonized Book of Enoch is the source of this misinterpretation. The scriptures that they misinterpret follow. "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown (Gn. 6:1-2, 4-5)." The Book of Enoch states that the "sons of God" are angels that had sex with humans and they beget giants within the earth plane (Enoch 7th chap.).

Can an angelic encounter be misinterpreted?

Many have confused angels appearing TO women with angels engaging in actual physical sexual intercourse WITH women. There are many accounts where humans had visions of angels appearing to them that caused them to feel that God loved them within their soul. After such encounters the humans could not adequately describe their experiences. In some cases, the person actually had a sexual organism, but conception did not occur in the process for the experience was spiritual. Berini, a 17th century sculptor, did a carving to illustrate St. Teresas experience with an angel. He called his work Ecstasy of St. Teresa. It must be understood that this encounter does not depict a sexual relationship with an angel in a physical or literal sense. Berini tried to capture in stone, the essence of the spiritual communication that transpired between a human and an angel. (See a poem on this sculpture by Paino "The Rapture of Matter")

Has the phrases the daughters of men and the Sons of God been erroneously interpreted?

The phrase the "sons of God," referred to in Genesis 6:1-2, 4-5, caused many to stumble. Many have misinterpreted this phrase over the last two thousand years to mean angels. Rev. C. I. Scofield commented in a footnote in his Bible: "Some hold that these "sons of gods" were the angels which kept, not their first estate" (Jude 6). It is asserted that the title is in the Old Testament exclusively used of angels. But this is an error (Isa. 43:6). Angels are spoken of in a sexless way (p. 13)."

During the 8th century, Rabbi Elkiezer believed that angels had sex with angels. He is quoted in the book Angels. "The angels who fell from Heaven saw the daughters of Cain perambulating [i.e. traveling by foot] and displaying their private parts, their eyes painted with antimony in the manner of harlots, and, being seduced took wives form among them (p. 85)."

The Roman Catholics had very similar views which the Bishop of Paris espoused in the 13th century, according to the book Angels. The bishop believed that there were nine orders of angels, but it was the tenth that fell who were the sons of Elohim referred to in Genesis 6th Chapter. They saw the "daughters of men" and were seduced by them (p. 70).

What does Genesis 6th Chapter really mean?

In reality, the sons of Elohim refer to the lineage of Seth that replaced Abel whom Cain killed. Simply put, mankind was divided into two lineages; the lineage of Cain, who were the daughters of men that represent the unrighteous lineage, and the lineage of Seth who were the sons of God (i.e. Elohim) that represent the righteous. The Messiah came through the lineage of Seth (Lk. 3:23, 38). Under the law, marriage between tribes as well as cultures was strictly forbidden. Israel, who was the son of Elohim (Ex. 4:22), was not allowed to marry any the Gentile tribes (Deu. 7:1-4).

What is the Messiahs interpretation of angels?

Some of the teachers of Israel asked the Messiah a question: "Whose husband will a woman be in heaven if she had seven husbands when she was alive (Mt. 22:23-28)?" He told them they were in error not knowing the scriptures nor the power of Elohim. "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven Mt. 22:30; see also Mk. 12:18-27; Lk. 20:27-28)." Clearly, the Messiah is telling them that angels are sexless, which means they are male and female with themselves or hermaphrodites. The male and female principle exists separately only in the earth plane. Remember, when Elohim formed Adam He created him in His image, male and female within himself.

Now this ends part one of this article. Part two will begin with a detailed examination of the orders of angelic host.

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