THE NUMBER AND RANKS OF ANGELS

By Gary Ray Branscome

The Bible tells us that the number of angels is great. The words, “You have come to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,” tell us that the angels cannot be numbered (Hebrews 12:22). The words, “I kept looking until thrones were brought down, and the Ancient of days took His seat… A stream of fire came out from Him: and thousands upon thousands served Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judge was seated, and the books were opened,” tell us that at the final judgment (when the books are opened) “thousands upon thousands” who serve God will be present (Daniel 7:9-10). The words, “God’s chariots are twice ten thousand, even thousands upon thousands: the Lord is among them, as He was in Sinai, in the holy place,” seem to be speaking of angels as “God’s chariots,” and, again their number is described as “thousands upon thousands” (Psalm 68:17). And, the words, “Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host,” tell us that many of the angels were present in Bethlehem when Christ was born (Luke 2:13).

The Bible indicates that there are different kinds, or ranks of angels. The words, “So He drove out the man; and He placed Cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life,” refer to some angels as “Cherubim,” a name that is also applied to the metallic angels that were part of the ark of the covenant (Genesis 3:24, see Exodus 25:18-22). The words, “I saw the Lord sitting upon a high and lofty throne, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings,” refer to another group of angels as “seraphim” (Isaiah 6:2). The words, “By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers,” seem to be describing some angels as “principalities, or powers” (Colossians 1:16). And, in the words, “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first,” the use of the term “archangel” indicates that some angels have greater authority than others (1Thessalonians 4:16).

The Bible also indicates that there are differences of rank among the fallen angels. The words, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers” tell us that the “principalities, or powers” mentioned in the previous paragraph are not something with flesh and blood. And, the fact that the words, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,” describe the forces that oppose us, tells us that some of the angels described as “principalities, or powers” have come under Satan’s control (Ephesians 6:12).

The words, “Then He will say to those on His left, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels,” tell us that Satan has angels under him (Matthew 25:41). The words, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?” tell us that Satan does not allow any dissention in the ranks (Luke 11:17-18)

Finally, even though the Bible describes the number of angels as “innumerable,” it does not tell us how many there are (Hebrews 12:22). And, even though the Bible mentions different kinds or ranks of angels, it does not reveal their order of authority. In fact, the words, “thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers,” list them in a different order than the words, “principality, and power, and might, and dominion” (Colossians 1:16, Ephesians 1:21). And, because the Bible does not specify how many angels exist, or what their ranks are, we should never profess ourselves to be wise, by going beyond what the Bible says. As it is written, “Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you, and you are found to be a liar” (Proverbs 30:6).