Angel History

As long as mankind has been able to draw, mould and write, angels have existed. Hermes was probably one of the first messengers portrayed with angelic qualities. Pictures of him show him with winged feet.

Ancient Egyptian heiroglyphics show winged animals with human heads which were called Griffins. And yet; what's strange is that originally, in the Christian, Judaism and Islamic faiths, Angels originally were portrayed as beings of light.

In Catholicism, the belief is that angels provide the only link between the human race and God. The angels were created by God to serve him and be his messengers. The Catholic faith describes angels as being 'pure spirits' who don't speak to you with words, but through you; therefore connecting with your inner spirituality. These pure spirits have never incarnated (never been of the flesh). 

It's also quite common for Catholics to pray to their angels; and it's their belief that each person is assigned a guardian angel who will help guide them in their lifetime.

In contrast to the Catholic faith, Judaism holds the belief that angels are only created to assist God in his work. They may at times intervene in a humans life, but they don't directly have any influence on a human being.

In Judaism, prayers are only for God. In Judaism, it's believed that angels, similar to the Catholics, are incarnate but here's where the similarity ends.

In the Torah, angels are described as 'metaphorically' taking human form.

The Protestant/Orthodox Christians' beliefs about angels are very similar to those of the Catholics, although they take on a less prominent role in the bible, merely serving Jesus and his disciples, and being messengers of God.

The Christians are less likely to pray to angels, as it's strongly upheld by the words, "For thou shalt worship no other god "   which can be found in Exodus 13:14.

If we take a look at Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism; although messengers of God exist, these are quite different from the western world view.

In Hinduism and Buddhism, angels are known as 'devas' and thought to be spiritual beings with emanations of light/energy. The Hindu's belief of devas, is that their purpose is to help humans on their spiritual path and sometimes even block that path.

Buddhists view the devas as beings who will not intervene with human life.

Islamics angels are known as 'Malaikah', who can appear in dreams or visions but not necessarily in human form. They believe that each human being is assigned two guardian angels who will watch your life for testimony on the last day.

The Mormon faith, which was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, believe that angels are re-incarnated humans who are exactly as humans but in spirit form. The Mormons view angels as messengers of God and their purpose is to help us by assisting us in daily life. Unlike the Catholic faith, it's believed that no particular angel is assigned to anyone person.

In the Catholic, Judaism, and Christian faiths the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael feature prominently in the bibles.

The Islamists believe Archangel Gabriel dictated the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad.

In Hinduism and Buddhism, there isn't any particular angel singled out.

If you take a look at most Mormon places of worship you'll see the angel Moroni, either in a statue or depicted in paintings, Moroni is believed to have been the Prophet Mormon's son re-incarnated. I'm currently led to believe that Mormons, pray only to God.

to be continued.....

 

Copyright © 2002 by Jill Harrison.

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