Michael and Gabriel, as far as I can recall these are the only two angels we know the names of, Lucifer, in the strictest sense of the word, is not categorized as an angel, but as a cherubim. Whether that classification is higher in the heavenly order I do not know, but we are told that he can transform himself as an angel of light.
There is the prince of Persia who withstood the angel sent to Daniel, the myriad of angels that proclaimed the birth of the Lord, the angel of the Lord that passed through Egypt on the Passover night, those that killed thousands of Israel’s enemies, and those spoken of in the book of Revelation. One might consider, though with no validation in the Scriptures, two other angels, now called devils, that are named Molech and Dagon, and the four that are bound in the great Euphrates river along with Legion and others who possessed individuals over time.
The angels we speak of here today are, in one sense, watchers over us who have been born again. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Heb. 1:14) But the question for you in this short, poorly written letter is this, does that ministering angel watch over you continuously, does he never leave your side ever?
“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8)
Even though the Almighty was speaking to Joshua here, we add to it ourselves, for in one sense it is truth, we have the Holy Spirit within us, never to leave us, always abiding, always comforting, appealing to God for us when we can only groan our words. With this truth in mind, and I mean this in no disrespect at all, what purpose would an angel serve if one was continuously watching over us? Again, with no disrespect intended, for these are no more than contemplative thoughts, what could an angel do that the Holy Spirit of God within us could not do? In what way are they ministering to us?
Does the Holy Spirit lead us on our path, or do we need additional promptings, as it were, from an angelic being? Does the Word of God speak the inerrant and final truth to us, and is our Spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit, what could an angel inform us of if indeed we are listening to and obeying the Word of God as led by the Spirit of God?
Perhaps they are in one sense a form of protection, an added part, if you will, to the armor we are to keep on, battling against those who were cast out who would attempt to hinder the work set before us, protecting us from pitfalls on the path, I do not know, and I can think of no place in the Scriptures that informs us just what form that ministering unto us takes.
I know this, I am more than grateful for whatever it is they do, when it comes to the knowledge of the Spiritual realm, they far exceed us. “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” (1st Cor. 6:3)
I believe there will come a day, perhaps far into the future, when we will recognize every one of them by name. I also believe this, the more willing you are to submit to the will of God in your life, the more ministering you will need. Perhaps that should be your goal then, and not to sound facetious, but submit more fully so that you will be ministered to more.
There is no end to the Father’s mercies, angels are another proof of that.
