Understanding the mysteries behind archangels...
In the traditional sense, an archangel is a high-ranking angel. The word "archangel" comes from the Greek word "archangelos," which means "Chief Messenger."
Archangels are believed to be God's liaisons between the deity and mankind, being in charge of heavenly armies, heads of government and religion. Archangels are also thought to oversee Guardian Angels.
In Roman Catholicism, three archangels are considered saints: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. It is believed that Michael the Archangel defends the church against darkness and is the only archangel identified as such within the Bible. Gabriel seems to be an archangel that announces events, such as the births of John the Baptist and Jesus.
Islam mentions only four archangels: Michael (angel of mercy), Jibril (Gabriel) (communicates with the prophets), Azrael (angel of death), and Israfil (Raphael - signals the coming of judgment day).
Archangels can be found within the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, as they are prominent in Judeo-Christian religious writings and magical texts.
Several times, archangels (and angels) in the Bible are described, notably, having human attributes. For example, they appear human in form and speak with men, even being indistinguishable from mankind, at times.
The following angels are the archangels mentioned by Enoch. We have included their meaning:
- Archangel Michael - Who is like God.
- Archangel Sariel (Suriel) - God's Command.
- Archangel Gabriel - Man of God.
- Archangel Raphael - God's Healing.
- Archangel Uriel - Fire of God.
- Archangel Raguel - Secrets of God.
- Archangel Phanuel - Interpreter of God.
- Archangel Saraqael - Communicant of God.
The next list of angels are often thought to also be archangels:
- Archangel Jehudiel (also spelled, Jegudiel) - Glorifier of God.
- Archangel Barachiel - Blessing of God.
- Archangel Zadkiel - Righteousness of God.
- Archangel Anael - Love of God.
- Archangel Sealtiel (also spelled, Selaphiel) - Intercessor of God.
- Archangel Oriphiel - My Neck is God.
- Archangel Jeremiel - Mercy of God.
- Archangel Jophiel - Beauty of God.
Archangel names vary in spelling, often having different names for the same archangel. For example:
- Gabriel is also called Djibril or Jibril.
- Raphael is also called Israfel.
- Uriel is also called Sariel, Suriel, or Muriel.
- Selaphiel is also called Salathiel, Selathiel, Seraphiel, Sarakiel, Saraqael, Zarachiel,
- Zerachiel, or Zachariel.
- Jehudiel is also called Jegudiel or Gudiel.
- Barachiel is also called Varachiel.
- Raguel is also called Raziel.
- Jeremiel is also called Jeramiel, Jerahmiel, Jerehmiel, Ramiel, or Remiel.
- Anael is also called Aniel, Hanael, or Haniel.
- Jophiel is also called Orifiel, Jouphiel, Zouphiel, Zophiel, Zophkiel, Zaphiel, Zaphkiel,
- Kaphziel, Cassiel, or Kepharel.
- Zadkiel is also called Sachiel, Tzadkiel, Zadakiel, Zedekiel, or Zedekul.
What is the Hidden Meaning Behind the Archangels?
It's interesting to take a look at ancient names of archangels, for they figuratively convey a hidden truth about all of us. The most obvious meaning that stands out is "Man of God," the description for Gabriel. We must ask ourselves why would an angel be called a man if not human? This lines up nicely with Biblical descriptions of archangels, and angels in general, appearing as men (as I mentioned previously) - simply human messengers from the spirit realm interacting with those in physical bodies.
Let's look at what else we can learn from the meanings of the archangel names. We find out that mankind as a whole is god-like, in command, blessed, beautiful, merciful, righteous, loved, healthy, glorified and the one who God speaks through! In other words, archangels reveal our true, hidden Divine nature - our oneness with God the Spirit!
We might not be aware of who we truly are in the highest places of Spirit, but the "chief message" clearly paints the picture that we are not separate from God, but one with the deity in Spirit. That is the secret message of the archangels - a big difference from believing we are condemned, evil, unworthy, etc.