Essay on "Bible Role & Characteristics of God's Angels"

Essay 24 pages (6845 words) Sources: 0

[EXCERPT] . . . .

In these lengthy and elaborated descriptions of Enoch's transformation into a celestial being, on a level with the archangels, one may find the origin of another image of Enoch which was developed later in Merkabah mysticism, that is, the image of the angel Metatron, The Price of Presence."

Orlov writes that the Merkabah tradition emphasizes the role of Metatron as the `Knower of Secrets" and as well he is held to be as well the "Revealer of Secrets" or the one responsible for transmitting the highest secrets to those under him and to mankind. Enoch/Metatron is according to the theological material in 2 Enoch transmitted the secrets of the Written Torah and the Oral Tradition. (Orlov, 1998, paraphrased)

Chapter 4: How Faith Is Manifest in Today's Popular Works

Today's popular movies, books, magazines and games often contain meaning and symbolism in them. For example, the popular Matrix series of moves centered on a character named Neo when rearranged spells one. In this move Neo learned that he was in the matrix, the source, just as the source (God) is the basis of our lives today. Another great example is Afatar: the Last Airbender, which is a cartoon series that follows a character that controls the elements, just as the Archangel Michael has the ability to do. In a church setting, we call the source God. In science fiction, it is called the source. This source pushes everything. God is pure energy. There is a cause and effect, and this story is told in countless works. The world is aware of the constant push and pull between good and evil and the ongoing battle between the two contrasting forces in the world and the lives of individuals. Throughout the vast array of literature and movies is the running theme of light and darkness. One example is that of the movies series Star Wars in which the dark side is represented by Darth Vader and the light is represented by Hans and his friends who battle against the dark forces to save their planet.

The work of Ostwalt (2000) entitled "Armageddon at the Millennial Dawn" published in the Journal of Religion and Film Volume 4, Number 1, April 2000 states that there has been a growing interest in the last days scenarios and this includes films such as Independence Day, Contact, Deep Impact and Armageddon. As well the movie the Matrix is stated to have, just as the others, drawn upon the imagery and symbolism, which is a "rich tradition" in culture. The `Matrix' is stated to draw from "contemporary science fiction" and "apocalyptic texts" alike. It is reported that the secular version of the apocalypse is such that "...removes the divine element from the apocalyptic drama yet not religious symbolism, imagery, or language. In light of religion's trivialization of apocalyptic thought, popular cultural forms have become significant, if not more effective, purveyors of our culture's eschatological consciousness and thus of a basic religious category." (Ostwalt, 2000) Neo in the `Matrix' is representative of the Messiah and in fact "one of the strongest messiah figures in contemporary apocalyptic movies because of the religious imagery associated with his status. Religious language and devotion predominates in Morpheus' selection of Neo as "the One." (Ostwalt, 2000)

And Neo's initiation to messianic ways becomes highly ritualized. Neo's training involves martial arts expertise and mind control bringing an eastern religious element into the picture as well. So Keanu Reeves becomes one in a line of macho messiahs (eg. Bruce Willis and Kevin Costner) who use muscle and force to save humanity, but unlike other messiahs, this one must use mind control as well. And his literal "waking up" out of his catatonic state makes Neo as much a bodhisattva as a western-style messiah. " (Ostwalt, 2000)

Chapter 5: Early Angels and Prophets

Angels are recorded throughout the different cultural histories and according to scholars the earliest representations of angels in religion date back to the city of Ur located in the Euphrates Valley c. 4000-2500 b.c.e. It is reported that a "stele, which is a stone slab showed a winged figure descended from one of the seven heavens to pour the water of life from an overflowing jar into the cup held by the king." (Paolino, nd)

Paolino states that it is shown in Mesopotamian records that there were "giant winged creatures, part human, part animal, known as griffins". (nd) Egypt history includes Nepthys, the goddess Isis' twin sister who is depicted "enfolding the dead in her beautiful wings." (Paolino, nd) The image of Nepthys is reported to be carved in the inner right hand door of Shrine II in the bomb of Tutankhamen (c. fourteenth century b.c.e.) Archaeological evidence indicates that angels were acknowledged long before the appearance of Christianity. Angels even predate early Judaism appearing in Asia Minor and Greece and Italy. God has been sending his angels to earth since before the time of Christ and this is evidenced not only throughout the world's cultural history but also in the Old Testament of the Bible when angels were sent to speak to Abraham and Moses and were used by God for many kinds of Jobs. Twenty characteristics of angels can be identified in the scripture and these are stated as follows:

* Angels are intelligent and wise. (2 Samuel 14:20; 19:27; Matthew 24:35)

* Angels are patient. (Numbers 11:22-35)

* They are meek. (2 Peter 2:11)

* They can be joyful. (Luke 15:1-10)

* Angels are modest. (1 Corinthians 11:10)

* They are holy. (Mark 8:38)

* They are glorious. (Luke 9:26)

* Angels are immortal. (Luke 20:36)

* They are mighty and powerful. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, Revelation 18:1)

* Angels are obedient. (Psalm 103:20; Matthew 6:10)

* Angels have wills. (Isaiah 14:12-14)

* Angels can be referred to as male (Judges 13:6; Daniel 10:5-21) and in one case female (Zechariah 5:5-9).

* They have spirit bodies with limbs, eyes, voice, etc (Hebrews 13:2; Judges 13:6; Revelation 15:1-6)

* Angels don't seem to need rest. (Revelation 4:8)

* Angels can eat food. (Genesis 18:8; 19:3; Psalm 78:25)

* They can be visible or invisible to us. (Numbers 22:35; John 20:12; Hebrews 13:2)

* Angels can operate in our physical realm. (Genesis 18:1-19, 24; 2 Kings 9:35)

* They can travel at incomprehensible speed. (Revelation 8:13, 9:1)

* Angels can ascend and descend between heaven and earth. (Genesis 28:12; John 1:51)

* Angels can speak languages. (1 Corinthians 13:1)

(Source: Lund, 2011)

Angels additionally appear in the Book of Ezekiel and specifically angels known as Ophanim or the "Wheels within a wheel" related in Ezekiel

Chapter 6: Holy Places, Objects, and Symbols

Throughout the history of humankind, God has used holy places, objects, and symbols to spread His message of renewal or birth and of the trinity. Symbolism can be found in landscape or the use of sacred space and the use of natural landscape to display and actualize spirituality. Symbolism is also seen in temples, shrines, and burial grounds.

Physical elements of religion carries powerful symbolism and this includes the construction of temples, shrines, mosques, churches, synagogues, as well as manifestation of theology in buildings of all types displaying religion. Symbolism is rich in all cultures throughout the world and in all religions as well. The work of Fitzgerald (2002) states that medieval architecture is replete with symbolism that serves to remind humankind of God and his principles. In fact, everything in medieval architecture reflected the hierarchical order of the society on which it was constructed" with its detail and the "complex relationships connecting lines, arches, vaults and buttresses..." and all of this is reported to have "analogized the multifaceted interdependency of secular, ecclesiastical and familial authority - bellatores, oratores and laboratores (those who fight, those who pray and those who work). It was a hierarchical society where, each part in its turn, followed God's plan in creation." (Fitzgerald, 2002)

Medieval buildings were made of rock which demonstrated strength against the weather and the wearing away of the rock against the centuries. Reflected in these buildings is the "timelessness and unchangeableness of the Catholic Faith, which inspired those edifices in the countries that made up Christendom." (Fitzgerald, 2002)

The buildings great height in addition to the "astonishing polychromic display of light coming from the stained glass windows, give one the impression that, although his feet are on earth, he could ascend to heaven by praying silently there or assisting at the beautiful ceremonies of the Church."… READ MORE

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