Angels, Part 5: Are There Different Types of Angels?

We have not yet discussed whether angels are all alike or whether there are different kinds of angels. Some theologians believe the Bible has different terms (Cherubim, Seraphim, living creatures, etc.) for angels because, even though they are all rightly called "angels", they possess different attributes. This is difficult to grasp. If I could make a comparison: Think of angels like cats. Some believe there are different breeds (like the African Lion, Mountain Lion, Bob-Cat, house cat), but they are still all cats (or angels). Others, however, believe that the Bible has different names for angels and that, even though each one possesses their own unique characters and personalities, each one shares the same kind of essence. In other words, they believe angels are all alike, having the same essence.

Because there are theologically sound scholars on both sides of this debate, it's good to remember not to become too dogmatic on this issue. The Bible may not be as clear in this case as most of us would like it to be, so there's plenty of room for honest disagreement. In his Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem states his case:

There are three other specific types of heavenly beings named in Scripture. Whether we think of these as special types of "angels" (in a broad sense of the term), or whether we think of them as heavenly beings distinct from angels, they are nonetheless created spiritual beings who serve and worship God.

a. The "Cherubim": The cherubim were given the task of guarding the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:24), and God himself is frequently said to be enthroned on the cherubim or to travel with the cherubim as his chariot (Ps. 18:10; Ezek. 10:1-22). Over the ark of the covenant in the Old Testament were two golden figures of cherubim with their wings stretched out above the ark, and it was there that God promised to come to dwell among his people: "There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are upon the ark of testimony, I will speak with you of all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel" (Ex. 25:22; cf. vv. 18-21).

b. The "Seraphim": Another group of heavenly beings, the seraphim, are mentioned only in Isaiah 6:2-7, where they continually worship the Lord and call to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isa. 6:3).

c. The Living Creatures: Both Ezekiel and Revelation tell us of yet other kinds of heavenly beings known as "living creatures" around God's throne (Ezek. 1:5-14; Rev. 4:6-8). With their appearances like a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, they are the mightiest representatives of various parts of God's entire creation (wild beasts, domesticated animals, human beings, and birds), and they worship God continually: "Day and night they never cease to sing, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!'" (Rev. 4:8)

Representing the other view, Martin Lloyd-Jones, minister of Westminster Chapel in London for almost 30 years, states in God the Father, God the Son:

Now as we are dealing with this question of the names and designations we must, of course, refer to those beings who are described as 'cherubim' (e. g. Ps. 99:1; Ezek. 10:1-22) or 'seraphim' (Isa. 6:2), and, also, we must consider those that are described in Revelation 4 as the 'living creatures' or 'the beasts'. We cannot now go into all the evidence, but I think we can take it that these terms are synonymous, and all these names probably refer to the same beings. We speak with comparative ignorance; we are told very little about them. But we are told that they have the appearance of different animals, though generally the face of a man. They seem to be composite beings, at any rate in their representation.

I know what you are thinking and, believe me, if Martin Lloyd-Jones weren’t such a theological heavyweight his disagreement would hardly be worth mentioning here, especially since he offers us no support to back his views. That being said, I think Lloyd-Jones' view is completely valid. I see no problem with believing that these different terms for angels are synonymous just as Scripture sometimes uses other synonyms for angels such as "sons of God" (Job 1:6; 2:1), "holy ones" (Ps. 89:5, 7), "spirits" (Heb. 1:14), "watchers" (Dan. 4:13, 17, 23), "thrones," "dominions," "principalities," and "authorities" (Col. 1:16).

Another remote possibility is that the terms in question (Cherubim, Seraphim, etc.) may refer to different ranks and orders (gradations) of angels, even though they're all the same kind of being. This makes sense when one considers that Christ himself claimed to have twelve legions of angels at his disposal (Matt. 26:53) and that the Bible refers to Michael as an archangel (Jude 1:9).

Whichever one of these views you end up subscribing to, hopefully this post has been helpful in helping to define the terms we’re going to be dealing with as we progress in this series.

Editor's Note: Click Here to view this entire series.