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Christian Symbolism
The definition and the meaning of the Christian Symbol or Icon in early religious art forms. A Catholic sign or icon, such as the
Angels as Christian Symbols, is an object, character, figure, or color used to
represent abstract ideas or concepts - a picture that
represents an idea. A religious icon, such as the Angels as
Christian Symbols, is
an image or symbolic representation with sacred
significance. The meanings, origins and ancient traditions
surrounding Christian symbols date back to early times when the
majority of ordinary people were not able to read or write
and printing was unknown. Many were 'borrowed' or drawn from early pre-Christian traditions.
The Meaning of Angels
as
Catholic Christian Symbols
Catholic Christian symbolism in art provides a clear graphic illustration which
represents people or items of religious significance. What is the definition and the meaning of the
Angels as Christian Symbols? The Angels as Christian Symbols represent
the following:
Angels Definition 1 - A messenger.
Angels Definition 2 - A spiritual, celestial being, superior
to man in power and intelligence. In the Scriptures the
angels appear as God's messengers.
Angels Definition 3 - One of a class of ``fallen angels;''
an evil spirit; as in the devil and his angels.
Reference to the Angels as
Christian Symbols in
the Bible
The Easton Bible Dictionary
provides the following definition, meaning and emblem for
the Angels as Christian Symbols in the Bible.
Angels as Messengers
A word signifying, both in the Hebrew
and Greek, a “messenger,” and hence employed to denote any
agent God sends forth to execute his purposes. It is used of
an ordinary messenger (Job 1:14: 1 Sam. 11:3; Luke 7:24;
9:52), of prophets (Isa. 42:19; Hag. 1:13), of priests (Mal.
2:7), and ministers of the New Testament (Rev. 1:20).
It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the
pestilence (2 Sam. 24:16, 17; 2 Kings 19:35), the wind (Ps.
104:4).
But its distinctive application is to certain heavenly
intelligences whom God employs in carrying on his government
of the world. The name does not denote their nature but
their office as messengers. The appearances to Abraham at
Mamre (Gen. 18:2, 22. Comp. 19:1), to Jacob at Peniel (Gen.
32:24, 30), to Joshua at Gilgal (Josh. 5:13, 15), of the
Angel of the Lord, were doubtless manifestations of the
Divine presence, “foreshadowings of the incarnation,”
revelations before the “fulness of the time” of the Son of
God.
The existence and orders of angels
The existence and orders of angels can only be
discovered from the Scriptures. Although the Bible does not
treat of this subject specially, yet there are numerous
incidental details that furnish us with ample information.
Their personal existence is plainly implied in such passages
as Gen. 16:7, 10, 11; Judg. 13:1-21; Matt. 28:2-5; Heb. 1:4,
etc.
These superior beings are very numerous. “Thousand
thousands,” etc. (Dan. 7:10; Matt. 26:53; Luke 2:13; Heb.
12:22, 23). They are also spoken of as of different ranks in
dignity and power (Zech. 1:9, 11; Dan. 10:13; 12:1; 1 Thess.
4:16; Jude 1:9; Eph. 1:21; Col. 1:16).
The nature of angels
As to the nature of angels, they are spirits (Heb. 1:14), like
the soul of man, but not incorporeal. Such expressions as
“like the angels” (Luke 20:36), and the fact that whenever
angels appeared to man it was always in a human form (Gen.
18:2; 19:1, 10; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10), and the titles that
are applied to them (“sons of God,” Job 1:6; 38:7; Dan.
3:25; comp. 28) and to men (Luke 3:38), seem all to indicate
some resemblance between them and the human race.
Imperfection is ascribed to them as creatures (Job 4:18;
Matt. 24:36; 1 Pet. 1:12). As finite creatures they may fall
under temptation; and accordingly we read of “fallen
angels.” Of the cause and manner of their “fall” we are
wholly ignorant. We know only that “they left their first
estate” (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:7, 9), and that they are
“reserved unto judgement” (2 Pet. 2:4). When the manna is
called “angels’ food,” this is merely to denote its
excellence (Ps. 78:25). Angels never die (Luke 20:36). They
are possessed of superhuman intelligence and power (Mark
13:32; 2 Thess. 1:7; Ps. 103:20). They are called “holy”
(Luke 9:26), “elect” (1 Tim. 5:21). The redeemed in glory
are “like unto the angels” (Luke 20:36). They are not to be
worshipped (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10).
The functions of Angels
The functions of Angels are manifold. (a) In the widest sense
they are agents of God’s providence (Ex. 12:23; Ps. 104:4;
Heb. 11:28; 1 Cor. 10:10; 2 Sam. 24:16; 1 Chr. 21:16; 2
Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23). (b) They are specially God’s
agents in carrying on his great work of redemption. There is
no notice of angelic appearances to man till after the call
of Abraham. From that time onward there are frequent
references to their ministry on earth (Gen. 18; 19; 24:7,
40; 28:12; 32:1). They appear to rebuke idolatry (Judg.
2:1-4), to call Gideon (Judg. 6:11, 12), and to consecrate
Samson (13:3). In the days of the prophets, from Samuel
downward, the angels appear only in their behalf (1 Kings
19:5; 2 Kings 6:17; Zech. 1-6; Dan. 4:13, 23; 10:10, 13, 20,
21).
The ministrations of angels
The Incarnation introduces a new era in the ministrations of
angels. They come with their Lord to earth to do him service
while here. They predict his advent (Matt. 1:20; Luke
1:26-38), minister to him after his temptation and agony
(Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43), and declare his resurrection and
ascension (Matt. 28:2-8; John 20:12, 13; Acts 1:10, 11).
They are now ministering spirits to the people of God (Heb.
1:14; Ps. 34:7; 91:11; Matt. 18:10; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3;
12:7; 27:23). They rejoice over a penitent sinner (Luke
15:10). They bear the souls of the redeemed to paradise
(Luke 16:22); and they will be the ministers of judgement
hereafter on the great day (Matt. 13:39, 41, 49; 16:27;
24:31). The passages (Ps. 34:7, Matt. 18:10) usually
referred to in support of the idea that every individual has
a particular guardian angel have no such meaning. They
merely indicate that God employs the ministry of angels to
deliver his people from affliction and danger, and that the
angels do not think it below their dignity to minister even
to children and to the least among Christ’s disciples.
The “angel of his presence” (Isa. 63:9. Comp. Ex. 23:20, 21;
32:34; 33:2; Num. 20:16) is probably rightly interpreted of
the Messiah as the guide of his people. Others have supposed
the expression to refer to Gabriel (Luke 1:19).
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