When you hear the word “angel,” the first image that likely comes to mind is a radiant human figure with wings. Perhaps a cherubic baby, a graceful woman, or a noble-looking man with flowing robes and feathery wings.
This imagery, popularized by Renaissance paintings and modern films, presents angels as gentle, benevolent beings of light. However, the Bible tells a far more intriguing and, at times, terrifying story about these celestial beings.
While angels can take many forms, sometimes appearing as ordinary men, as seen when they visited Abraham (Genesis 18) or wrestled with Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30), their true forms are far beyond human comprehension.
They are described as awe-inspiring, powerful, and at times, fearsome creatures whose presence can evoke overwhelming fear. The phrase “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) takes on a whole new meaning when one examines the biblical descriptions of these divine beings.
In This Article
Types of Angels and What They Look Like
The Bible provides fascinating descriptions of different types of angels, each serving a unique purpose in the divine order. Some are guardians, others are warriors, and some exist solely to worship God.
Ezekiel and Isaiah recorded their visions of angelic beings, while John, in the book of Revelation, described the heavenly throne room filled with angels worshiping God. Below are the main categories of angels found in the Scriptures.
The Seraphim
The Seraphim are the highest order of angels, serving as the caretakers of God’s throne. The very name “Seraphim” means “the fiery ones,” a testament to their blazing, celestial nature. The prophet Isaiah describes them as having six wings: two covering their faces, two covering their feet, and two for flying. Their bodies radiate with divine fire and such immense holiness that not even other divine creatures can gaze upon them directly., and their entire presence exudes overwhelming holiness.
“Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.” (Isaiah 6:2)
John’s vision in Revelation 4 reveals even more striking details about these heavenly beings. Seraphim are covered in countless eyes, symbolizing their ability to see and understand the depths of God’s will. They constantly proclaim the holiness of God, singing:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)
But what would happen if a human saw a Seraphim in its true form?
The sheer intensity of their holiness and fiery essence would be unbearable for any mortal. Their radiance would incinerate anyone who gazes upon them. Their power is so overwhelming that even a prophet like Isaiah felt unworthy in their presence. One of these Seraphim took a burning coal from the altar and touched it to Isaiah’s lips, purifying him to be a messenger of God. (Isaiah 6:6-7)
The Cherubim
When people think of cherubs, they often imagine chubby, winged babies playing harps. However, the biblical description of the Cherubim is something entirely different, something far more formidable.
Both Isaiah and Ezekiel describe these beings as hybrid creatures with a human form, yet possessing four faces, those of a lion, an ox, an eagle, and a human. This imagery represents power, strength, majesty, and intelligence.
Ezekiel adds more astonishing details: Cherubim have four wings, two stretched upward and two covering their bodies. Their legs are straight, and their feet resemble those of a calf, glowing like burnished bronze (Ezekiel 1:7). They appear as burning coals of fire, moving like flashes of lightning (Ezekiel 1:13-14).
Perhaps the most bizarre and mesmerizing aspect of Ezekiel’s vision is the mention of the “wheels.” Each Cherub is accompanied by a mysterious, spirit-filled wheel that moves in perfect synchronization with them.
These wheels are described as intersecting circles, covered in eyes, signifying omnipresence and the ability to see everything. When the Cherubim move, these wheels move with them, never turning but always following their motion. Their very presence appears like burning coals of fire, crackling with divine energy (Ezekiel 1:15-21).
Cherubim serve as divine guardians. After Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden, God placed Cherubim with a flaming sword at the entrance to prevent reentry (Genesis 3:24). They also play a role in God’s chariot-throne, as depicted in Ezekiel’s vision.
The Archangel
The Bible identifies Michael as an Archangel, a warrior who leads God’s armies against the forces of darkness. Daniel describes him as looking like beryl, a shimmering gemstone (Daniel 10:6).
Among the angels, Michael is the only one explicitly called an “archangel.” He is a warrior, leading the armies of heaven against the forces of evil.
In the Book of Daniel, Michael is described as looking like a man made of solid crystal, his body resembling beryl, a gemstone with radiant, multi-colored variations (Daniel 10:6). The Bible portrays him as a mighty protector of God’s people (Daniel 12:1).
In Revelation, Michael leads the angelic forces in battle against Lucifer and his followers, ultimately casting them out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-9).
Messenger Angels
Unlike the Seraphim and Cherubim, who dwell in God’s presence, some angels act as messengers, delivering divine revelations to humanity. Gabriel is the most well-known messenger angel, appearing to Daniel to interpret his visions (Daniel 8:16) and later announcing the births of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19) and Jesus (Luke 1:26-27).
The Bible also describes two unnamed angels who visited Abraham before proceeding to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. These angels took on human form and even dined with Abraham, showing their ability to interact with the physical world when necessary (Genesis 19:1-29). And also the angel who guided the Israelites through the wilderness (Exodus 23:20-23).
The Roles of Angels
Angels serve various purposes, as described throughout the Bible:
Worshiping God
One of the primary roles of angels is to worship God. In the book of Isaiah and Revelation, we see the Seraphim continuously singing praises before God’s throne, highlighting their role in glorifying and honoring the Creator. This act of worship serves as a reminder of the exalted position that angels hold in the celestial hierarchy. (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8)
Guarding Holy Places
Another important role of angels is that of guarding holy places. The Cherubim were tasked with protecting the throne room of God and were stationed at the entrance to the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were expelled. Their presence symbolizes the sacredness and purity of these spaces, signifying the need for divine protection. (Genesis 3:24)
Delivering Messages
Angels are also known for delivering messages from God to humanity. The angel Gabriel, for example, was sent to both Mary and Zechariah to announce the miraculous births of Jesus and John the Baptist. This role of messenger demonstrates the important role that angels play in conveying God’s will and communicating His plans to His people. (Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26-27)
Engaging in Spiritual Warfare
Angels are also engaged in spiritual warfare. The archangel Michael is often depicted as a warrior who fights against demonic forces and protects God’s people from harm. This aspect of angelic activity highlights their role as defenders and guardians, ensuring the safety and well-being of believers in the face of spiritual opposition. (Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7-9).
Guiding and Protecting
Angels are also known for guiding and protecting individuals in times of need. In the Old Testament, we see examples of angels guiding Lot out of the city of Sodom before its destruction and protecting Daniel in the lion’s den. These acts of guidance and protection demonstrate the care and concern that angels have for God’s people, intervening on their behalf in times of danger and distress.
Names of Angels in the Bible
While the Bible mentions multitudes of angels, only three are named specifically:
Gabriel
Gabriel is one of the most famous angels in the Bible, known for delivering messages from God to important biblical figures. He is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, appearing to Daniel to interpret his dreams and announcing the births of John the Baptist and Jesus to their respective parents. (Daniel 8:16, Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26-27).
Michael
Michael is another prominent angel in the Bible, often referred to as the “archangel” or chief of the angels. He is associated with being a warrior and protector, fighting against evil forces and leading heavenly armies. Michael is mentioned in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation, playing a crucial role in the battle between good and evil. (Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7-9).
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Lucifer
Lucifer, also known as the fallen angel Satan, is perhaps the most infamous angel in the Bible. He was once a beautiful and powerful angel who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. Lucifer is a symbol of pride, rebellion, and temptation, serving as the antagonist in many biblical stories. (Isaiah 14:12, Ezekiel 28:12-17, Revelation 12:7-9).
Conclusion
The Bible’s descriptions of angels reveal beings of immense power, beauty, and holiness, far beyond the delicate, winged figures we see in popular culture. Whether the fiery Seraphim, the four-faced Cherubim, or the warrior Archangel Michael, these celestial beings play critical roles in the spiritual realm.
They are guardians, warriors, messengers, and worshippers of the Almighty. The next time you think of angels, remember that their biblical descriptions paint a picture of entities so magnificent that even prophets trembled in their presence. Truly, they are fearfully and wonderfully made!
