6 Things You Didn’t Know About the Archangels

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How much do you really know about the archangels? The word “archangel” occurs in only two verses in the Bible. First Thessalonians 4:16 says, “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” Jude verse 9 declares, “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’” The word “archangel" comes from a Greek word meaning “chief angel,” referring to an angel that seems to be the leader of the other angels. The Archangels are called the great heralds of good news, announcing the great and most glorious. Their service consists in revealing prophecies, knowledge and understanding of God’s Will which they receive from the higher orders, of angels and announce to the lower order, i.e. the angels, and through them, to men. St. Gregory the Dialogist says that the archangels strengthen people in the holy faith, enlightening their mind with the light of knowledge of the holy Gospel and revealing mysteries of devout faith. Here are six things you didn’t know about the archangels.

Archangels Have Significant Names

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Archangels are the highest degree of the angelic realm, and their names have significant meaning that is specific to their mission. Michael, whose very name means “who is like God,” is the warrior, the defender of the good, protector and one to call upon for defense against evil. Raphael’s special mission is healing. The most graphic story of Raphael is found in the Book of Tobit in the Hebrew scriptures. The name Raphael means, “God will heal.” According to Jewish tradition, Raphael is also one of the three angels who appeared to Abraham. The name Gabriel means “strength of God." He appears in many places in Scripture and is the announcing angel. Gabriel is the one commissioned to announce major historical events. The name Uriel means “Fire of God,” and a lot is not known beyond his name. It is said that Uriel is the angel of comfort, the one who comforts in times of great loss.

Archangels do Not Look Like Popular Depictions

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Contrary to popular depictions, nowhere in the Bible are angels described like the pictures, paintings or figurines of little baby cherub angels with wings that we so often see. Archangels Michael and Gabriel are archangels and are anything but little and cute. They are powerful agents and messengers of God that are formidable in their own right. Angels are not effeminate looking and resembling beautiful women with wings. While this is typically depicted in popular culture, this does not come from the Bible. Even Satan, a fallen angel and a powerful one at that does not have horns and a pitchfork. He was perhaps the most beautiful and splendid angel ever created by God and of the highest order, but his pride caused his downfall and God caste him from heaven (Ezekiel chapter 14 and 28).

Archangels Are Entrusted With Delivering Important Messages to Humans

Archangels are called by God to deliver important messages to mankind. They are the ones that communicate and interact with us. Michael is believed to be the angel who delivered God’s divine inspiration to John in the Book of Revelation and is known as the protector of the Church, guarding her from evil. Michael is most widely known for his role in expelling Lucifer from heaven. Gabriel is first mentioned in the Book of Daniel and helps Daniel in his mission on earth. Later on, Gabriel appears to Zachariah and the Blessed Virgin Mary, delivering the greatest message ever that God meant to Incarnate and set his tent with us. Raphael is mentioned in the Book of Tobit, to heal Tobit and deliver Sarah from a demon. Raphael accomplished both acts, disguised as a human, guiding Tobias along the way and instructing him on what to do.

Archangels Can Protect Us From Evil

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Given we know that the Archangel Michael was called to expel Satan and his minions out of heaven, we can conclude that the archangels can fight against demonic attack on our world and protect us from their influence. Archangel Michael, who leads the angelic forces for good in spiritual warfare, can help protect you from thoughts that are caused by evil. Spiritual attacks happen when people are at crucial points in their spiritual journeys as they consider whether or not to take the risks necessary to follow where God is leading them. You can call on archangels like Michael to give you the faith and courage to move forward in God’s Will.

Archangels Still Exist Today

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Even though we may not have the ability to see them, archangels still exist today. God created their immortal spirits at the beginning of time and they will never cease to exist. In the Bible, angels appear to people in unpredictable and various ways. From a causal reading of Scripture, a person might get the idea that angelic appearances were somewhat common, but that was not the case. When they appeared, it was because God called them to be there for a very specific reason. God is still active in the world as He has always been, and His angels are certainly still at work. Just as angels protected God’s people in the past, we can be assured that they are present, guarding us today.