8. Are angels of a higher order of beings than man?
“Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels.” Ps. 8:5.
Notes.—There are different orders of angels: “Cherubim” (Gen. 3:24); “Seraphim” (Isa. 6:2, 6); “Archangel” (1 Thess. 4:16; Jude 9).
Some of their names are: “Michael” (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9); “Gabriel” (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19); “Uriel” (2 Esdras [Apocrypha] 4:1, 36; 5:20. See 1 Chron. 15:5); “Ariel” (doubtless of angelic origin. See Ezra 8:16).
Michael means, “Who is like God,” and hence is a fit title for Christ. Gabriel signifies, “The strength of God,” an appropriate name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ (Dan. 10:21). Uriel means, “The light of God;” Ariel, “The lion of God.”
9. Is Christ ever called an angel?
“Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Ex. 23:20. See verse 23; Acts 7:38; and margin of 1 Cor. 10:4. “The Angel of His presence saved them.” Isa. 63:9. “Michael the Archangel.” Jude 9. See also Dan. 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:16.
Note.—Angel means messenger. In Mal. 3:1, Christ is called “the messenger of the covenant.”
10. What is said of the strength and character of the angels?
“Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, harkening unto the voice of His word.” Ps. 103:20.