Angels (Monotheism)

Angels
Name	Angels
Aliases	Greek: ἄγγελος, ángelos (messenger); Hebrew: mal'akh, מַלְאָךְ (messenger); abbir, אַבִּיר (mighty), Elohim, אלוהים ("Godly beings"); "the ones with the halos and the golden harps"
Affiliation and Identity
Identity	Secret
Affiliation	Heavenly Hosts, God
Physical Characteristics
Body Type	Humanoid
Average Height	Various
Average Weight	Various
Hair	Variable
Skin	Variable
Number of Limbs	4
Number of Fingers	5
Number of Toes	5
Special Adaptations	Wings
Unusual Features	Glowing aura
Origin and Status
Origin	Created to serve God and protect humanity
Reality	Earth-616
Galaxy	Milky Way
Star System	Sol
Base of Operations	Heaven
Place of Birth	Heaven
Creators and Appearances
Creators	Bill Everett
First	Venus #14 (February, 1951)
First	Venus #14 (February, 1951)

She's not an angel perched on a fluffy cloud waiting to impart unknown wisdom to me from the afterlife!

—Miguel O'Hara[source]

In many of Earth's monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc.), as well as in Zoroastrianism, angels are believed to be guardians of mankind and messengers of God.

During the Hyborian Age, the Zoroastrian God Mithra, under his name Mitra and monotheistic worship, was told to command to a Heavenly Host of angels and saints, while the worship of Erlik and of the Tarim involved angels as well (playing lyres in the "Garden of Tarim"), including the Sea-God.

It is unknown if there is a relation between those angels.

Angels are celestial beings that live in Heaven.

History

Origins

There are different origins among the angels. The most powerful angels claim to have served God since the dawn of time. They were created by God with the sole purpose to serve him. Some mortal souls who reached Heaven after their deaths have also seemingly become angelic beings.

Early years

Among the most powerful angels was Lucifer the Morningstar, the Son of the Dawn and the Bringer of Light. Allegedly, he led an army of angels to repel the N'Garai from Earth.

Rebellion against God / War in Heaven

For more details on this event, please see the War in Heaven page.

The angels were charged with protecting mankind from the evils of the universe. However, some of the angels were jealous of the humans. Lucifer led a rebellion against God, starting a war in Heaven.

Among the angels mentioned to have joined Lucifer's rebellion as his lieutenants were 14 angels, including Asmodeus, Lilith the Mother of All Demons, Samael, Pazuzu, Xaphan, Micah (later Kazann), Beelzeboul, and Olivier.

Although only Lucifer, Micah, and Olivier's claims are corroborated by non-fallen angels, Pazuzu, Lilith, and Xaphan's claims are considered to be confirmed as well. Other demons' claims are not formally confirmed, but do appear to be true.

Lucifer was ultimately defeated after being sold out by Zadkiel, whom he saw as a friend.

Aftermaths

Lucifer and his 14 lieutenants were cast down into Hell.

Zadkiel and his subordinates of the Black Host, including the Malakim brothers Emmael and Vraniel, because of their previous alliance with Lucifer, were no longer allowed to serve in the Choirs, but were instead to serve as a "black ops" team,. They were also cast down to a portion of Heaven where they could not hear God and He could not hear them.

One-third of the angels were expelled from Heaven. According to some sources, there were about 130 million fallen angels; unconfirmed sources listing as fallen angels (all of whom are believed to have followed Lucifer as their leader in the war against Heaven) whose fate is unrevealed include the following: Abbadona, Adramaelec, Agares, Amezyarak, Amnixiel, Amy, Anane, Ananel, Anmael, Arakiba, Araqiel, Araziel, Arel, Arioch, Armen, Artaqifa, Asael, Asbeel, Asmoday, Astaroth, Astoreth, Atarculph, Auza, Azael, Azaradel, Azibeel, Azkeel, Azza, Azzael, Badariel, Bael, Balam, Baraqel, Baraqijal, Barbatos, Barbiel, Bartarel, Batarjal, Beelzebub, Beleth, Belial, Beliar, Belphegor, Busasejal, Byleth, Balberith, Cameron, Carnivean, Carreau, Caym, Chobaliel, Dagon, Danjal, Ertrael, Ezequeel, Flauros, Focalor, Forcas, Forneus, Gaap, Gadreel, Gressil, Gurson, Hakael, Hananel, Harut, Hauras, Helel, Hosampsich, Iblis, Ielahiah, Imamiah, Incubus, Iomuel, Ithuriel, Iuvart, Jeqon, Jetrel, Jomjael, Kasdaye, Kasdeja, Kawkabel, Kazbiel, Lauviah, Leviathan, Los, Mammon, Mara, Marbas, Marchsias, Marou, Marut, Mephistopheles, Meresin, Meririm, Moloch, Mulciber, Murmus, Nelchael, Neqael, Nilaihah, Nithael, Oeillet, Ophis, Orus, Ousir, Ouzza, Paimon, Penemue, Procell, Pruflas, Pursan, Qemuel, Rabdos, Ramiel, Raum, Regent, Rimmon, Rofocale, Rosier, Rumjal, Salamiel, Sammael, Samsaveel, Saraknyal, Satan/Shaitan, Saturunus, Sealiah, Semyaz, Senciner, Seriel, Shamshiel, Simapesiel, Sonneillon, Sophar, Sumiel, possibly Symnay, Tabaet, Taus-Melek (later pardoned by God), Tausa, Thammuz, Thaphabaoth, Thausael, Theutus, Tumael, Turael, Turel, Urakabarameel, Urian, Urthekau, Usiel, Uzza, Verrier, Verrin, Vual, Wall, Wormwood, Yetzer Hara, Yomyael, Zaciel Parmar, Zavevebe, and Zophiel.

The fallen angels became known as either demons or devils. These two factions have been at war with each other for over 1 million years.

...

Grigori's exile

When God created humanity, He sent the Grigori to watch over them, but they liked what they saw too much.

Christian apocrypha mentioned 200 angels, although those numbers are unverified.

Originally Heaven's weapons-master, Gadriel taught humanity to make weapons, and was consequently demoted to the Grigori.

Great Flood

After the Great Flood, Zadkiel was tasked by the Throne to oversaw Heaven's more clandestine of missions, including the overseeing of the Spirits of Vengeance.

Modern Days

Heaven's on Fire

For more details on this event, please see the Heaven's on Fire page.

The war ended with Zadkiel claiming the Throne of Heaven for himself.

Classification

Hierarchy

Both Judaism and Christianity have the angels divided into hierarchies, but they are different between the two religions.

Judaism

In Judaism, the angels are ranked in descending order as Chayot Ha Kadesh, Ophanim, Erelim, Hashmalim, Seraphim, Malakhim, Elohim, Bene Elohim, Cherubim, and Ishim.

Elohim is also one of the general designations for angels in Hebrew.

Christianity

In Christianity, the angels are divided in three Spheres, each including three Choirs:

• The First Sphere includes the Seraphim, the Cherubim and the Thrones (Council of Thrones, or Orphanim)
• The Second includes the Kyriotites (Order of Dominions, or Dominions), the Dynameis (Choir of Virtues, or Virtues) and the Exousiai (Powers),
• The Third includes the Archai (Principalities), the Archangels and the Angels.

Angels has become a common term for their entire kind, and many Seraphim appear to be Archangels, which suggests that it is more of a title than a rank.

Choirs' leaders also sometimes appear to be Archangels:

• Zadkiel himself was the chief of the Order of Dominions, yet was also an Archangel.
• Haniel, the disputed Archangel, was the prince of the Choir of Virtues.

Groups

Additionally to the Choirs, many groups exist within the Angels:

• The Asura, a group of Angels known as "the assassins of Heaven".
• The Black Host, a group of Angels operating as Heaven's "black ops".
• The Grigori, a group of Angels that were originally created to protect mankind, but went rogue and remained in the Earthly realm.
• Religion as Replacement for Thought Coalition.

The Seraphim and Cherubim are seemingly associated together among Seraphim and Cherubim, Inc..

The angels as a whole and some of these groups are sometimes mentioned as the Heavenly Host(s).

The Ephemera

A group of Angels created with a short lifespan for one specific purpose, such as saving souls of specific mortals. Such angels would include Anielle.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

The appearances of angels are widely varied and many seem able to alter their appearance at will, but most favor beautiful humanoid forms with large bird-like wings protruding from their shoulder blades. They are immortal and do not age.

Angels, depending on their ranking in the hierarchy of Heaven, have varying levels of superhuman capabilities.

• Superhuman Strength: Most angels have varying degrees of superhuman strength. Some can use their magical powers to augment their strength, but to an unknown degree.
• Superhuman Speed: Ruth is capable of running and moving at speeds greater than even the finest human athlete.
• Superhuman Stamina: The various mystical energies flowing through angels' bodies augment their musculature so that it generates virtually no fatigue toxins during physical activity. As a result, angels possess almost limitless superhuman stamina.
• Superhuman Durability: The tissues of angels' bodies, while similar in appearance to those of human beings, are considerably tougher and more resistant to injury than the tissues of human beings to the extent that their bodies are virtually invulnerable to conventional injury. Angels are capable of withstanding great impact forces, high caliber bullets, exposure to temperature and pressure extremes, and powerful energy blasts without sustaining injury.
• Regenerative Healing Factor: Despite their superhuman durability, it is possible to injure angels. However, their unique physiology and mystical energies enable them to rapidly recover from almost any form of injury. They are capable of regenerating almost any damaged or destroyed tissue, even missing limbs.
• Immortality: Angels are immortal and do not age. Angels are immune to all known Earthly diseases and infections. They are also beyond the need of food, water, or oxygen. If killed, they will merely reform themselves in Heaven.
• Magical Manipulation: Angels can use this magical energy for various effects, only a few which have been shown. Known abilities include the ability to project fire bolts and shapeshift. They can also summon Celestial armor and burning swords at will.
  • Ensnare Astral Bodies: Angels also possess certain powers that enable them to capture and detain the astral bodies (sheaths of the soul) of recently deceased human beings.
  • Invisibility to humans: Angels can make themselves (or simply their wings) invisible to humans, although rare sensitives (four or five million of them on Earth) may still see them (or their wings).
  • Many angels can generate illusions and compel humans to obey their will and inflict pain on themselves. Powerful angels can even "switch off" humans for a limited amount of time, with potentially dangerous effects (such as miscarrying for pregnant women) that were performed by Malachi.
  • Resurrection: Some angels can resurrect the dead by sharing their own divine essence with the deceased.
• Winged Flight: Angels possess large bird-like wings that protrude from their backs, which allow them to fly at incredible speed and defy the laws of gravity. It has been shown that angels can fly with their wings on show, so they may be symbolic.

Abilities

Warriors, scholars, philosophers

Angels speak Aramaic.

Average Strength Level

Varying levels of strength

Weaknesses

Angels can be harmed and killed with heavenly-made weapons and also by Judas' silver.

An angel's powers can be decreased by removing their wings. This will make them mortal and they can be just as easily as killed as a human. In that state they are humans and their souls will be judged as such, and if they have sinned, they will go to Hell rather than Heaven.

On Earth-85133, angels can kill humans only if commanded by Yahweh. That rule was verified with Gabriel, who was unable to defend himself against the Devil-Slayer.

Habitat

Habitat

Heaven

Gravity

Earth-like

Atmosphere

Earth-like

Population

No exact recorded number

Possibly about 400 million at the time of the War in Heaven, about 260 million immediately after the War

Miscellaneous

Type of Government

God (father/creator)

Level of Technology

Beyond humans

Cultural Traits

Servants of God

The angels use the Angelic Script for their writings.

Representatives

Angels:
Afterlife, the Agent of Heaven, Andy, the Angel of Death, Anielle, Arcturus, Armaziel, Azrael, Daniel, Emmael, Ephesus, Esther, Gabriel, the Golden Angel, Lusa Gregor, Hafaza, Jodyquiel, Metatron, Harry Moran, Ruth, Sansenoy, Semangol, Senoy, Shemhazai, the Spirit of Christmas, Thrasher, Todyquiel, Tzadqiel, Uriel, Vraniel

The Grigori (fallen angels):
Armaros, Azazel, Esphares, Ezekeel, Gadriel, Hafaza, Sariel, Tariel

Fallen angels that are now demons:
Asmodeus, Beelzebulb, Lilith the Mother of All Demons, Lucifer, Kazann (Micah), Malachi, Olivier, Pazuzu, Sammael, Xaphan, Zadkiel; possibly the Ghost of Christmas Past

Notes

• The First Book of Enoch listed fallen angels and their spheres of influence.
• Thor perceived the machinations of Zadkiel and the attack on Heaven as a war that was made by "mighty gods".

Trivia

• Most angels are a relatively recent addition to the Marvel Universe. While demons have appeared as villains in many titles for many years, Marvel Comics generally avoided featuring angels or directly mentioning the presence of the Judeo-Christian God until the 1990s (though a few angel characters had appeared prior to this, mostly in older titles from the 1950s).

See Also

• 100 appearance(s) of Angels (Monotheism)
• 2 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Angels (Monotheism)
• 68 minor appearance(s) of Angels (Monotheism)
• 267 mention(s) of Angels (Monotheism)
• 2 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Angels (Monotheism)
• 9 invocation(s) of Angels (Monotheism)
• 11 image(s) of Angels (Monotheism)
• 4 representative(s) of Angels (Monotheism)

Links and References

• Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #1