Who is the Most Influential Archangel?

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By IntimatEvolution

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Who do you think is the most influential Archangel? Is it the Archangel Michael, or perhaps it is the archangel Raphael, or Gabriel, Uriel, or Raguel? Most Protestant Christian believers believe there are two Archangels, as they are found cited in the canonical texts of the bible, and referred to as Michael and Gabriel.

The Roman Catholic faith believes there to be three Archangels existing in heaven. They are Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The angel Raphael is mentioned in the Book of Tobit. You can find the Book of Tobit in any Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Christian bible. However, since the Book of Tobit is considered an Apocrypha text to most Protestant Christians, it is not found in the King James biblical version.

The Islamic religion recognizes four archangels; Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Azrael. Azrael is known to them as the Angel of Death. To my knowledge there are no explicit references supporting the word archangels in the canonical texts of the Hebrew Bible, known as the Old Testament to some religious followers. Despite those facts, according to the Kabbalah (an early Jewish collection of oral traditions) and the Book of Enoch, (who was Noah's Grandfather) there are at least seven prominent angels known as "archangels" by God. The names of these seven are:

  1. Michael - he is God's right hand, considered to be the most fiercest angel. He is God's warrior. Michael's actual title According to the book of Enoch, Michael is called the Archistratege . Michael is believe to be stationed on the tenth plain/level of heaven called Aravoth. Enoch describes the Archistratege as the "commander of the armies of the nations of God."
  2. Gabriel - she, yes that is right....., she is considered to be God's messenger.
  3. Raphael - is God's healer.
  4. Uriel - known to Enoch as Adoil, considered to be the Light of God. However, God never calls Uriel an angel, let alone an archangel. The text on Uriel simply states that God called on Uriel, who carried a huge belly of light.
  5. Raguel - sometimes spelled Raguil , his name means "Friend of God." Raguel was one of the two angels that accompanied Enoch on his heavenly adventure. In the Book of Enoch they are clearly distinguish as only "angels." (The Book of Enoch, Chp. 33)
  6. Remiel - is a unique angel. His name means by some definitions "Thunder of God" or "Mercy of God." Remiel's role in heaven is to stand and watch or guard. His actual title is "Grigori" according to Enoch's writings.
  7. Sarguel - sometimes known as Suriel in Judaic customs, is the archangel sent to recover Moses's soul in hell. His name means "Command of God." He literally does what Gods commands, and sees to it that Gods commandments are kept. He is believed to be one of the seven guardian angels to earth.

Since I have read the Book of Enoch several times, I find it to be of interest that the Archangel Pravuil, is not considered one of the seven angels in the mainstream, biblical, ideology's list. I think this is a huge blunder on the part of past biblical scholars. Especially since these are the very same angels, whom Enoch meets while he is in heaven, and later writes about in one of his epigrams authored by the Archangel Pravuil and himself.

Even today, if someone wanted to know how biblical lore on angels came to be, they would only need to the Book of Enoch. Which ironically was purposely left out of the bible, because of it's explosive descriptions of God, his angels and of heaven and hell. Interestingly enough, this ancient, uncanonized, Jewish text is actually part of the canonical text of the Ethiopian Orthodox Old Testament. Which dates back to the time of King Solomon, and his first born son Menelik. Menelik, was King Solomon and Queen Sheba's only son, and later became King of Ethiopia.

I'm not sure who I think is the most influential angel is. I actually have a hard time recognizing angels, and angel mythology. There is such a fine line between "worshiping" and "recognizing" people..., angels..., Gods......, in a monotheistic faith such as mine. Over time, and through out the history of mankind, God has stated to (all) his followers, his strict rules governing the subjects of idolatry, animal sacrifices, and worship. He clearly states that we are not to put false gods before him. God personally tells Enoch not to make sacrifices to him anymore, and nor should he allow his kin folk to worship any other gods before him (God). God, also tells Enoch (and Moses) that he will condemn and convict idolators and sodomitic formicators.

God calls Enoch his intercessor. The act of Intercession, gets it's meaning from the Book of Enoch. He was mankind's first, real, ambassador to God. The idea of praying as a group on something with global consequences- such as praying for people after an earthquake, comes from the very notion of Enoch's intercessory relationship with God. Maybe we all are Archangles of God's.

Raphael; "Healing power of God"
Raphael; "Healing power of God"

Prayers

Archangel Michael


"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen."— Pope Leo XIII


—Archangel Gabriel


"I pray to you to assist me as I develop the strength to carry out my life's mission. Please send your strengthening energy to help me to live life with courage and love for myself and all humanity. With your guidance I will strive to fulfill my purpose and assist others on their journey. This I ask of you through Christ, Amen."


"Whom God Helps"
"Whom God Helps"
Photo by Kevin Mallory in 2007
Photo by Kevin Mallory in 2007

Who's the most influential Archangel?

  • Michael
  • Gabriel
  • Uriel
  • Raphael
  • Lucifer
See results without voting

Comments

Robwrite profile image

Robwrite Level 7 Commenter 15 months ago

I've heard the most stories about Michael and Gabriel, although I never heard before that Gabriel was a female. Angels are interesting. "Wings of Desire" is a great film about Angels.

Twilight Lawns profile image

Twilight Lawns Level 7 Commenter 15 months ago

Fascinating hub. Marked Useful Thank you.

IntimatEvolution profile image

IntimatEvolution Hub Author 15 months ago

Hey Rob, thanks for the movie tip. I'll check it out. Hey Twilight thanks for the mark!! You're the bomb-diggied!

Glad you both like this hub.

no body profile image

no body Level 5 Commenter 15 months ago

You know pretty lady, that you come up with the most interesting extra-Biblical material. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba had close times but I never heard they had a son. Wouldn't surprise me in the least with all those women he "stuck it to". Interesting. As far as the most prominent archangel, I'm not sure who that may be. If Satan was an archangel (and there is some who argue that with some valid points) I would say he was, at least at some point, most prominent. Now I guess he is in a whole other class. Of those left, the book gives me the impression that Michaeal loves to war and Gabriel loves to take messages. But most everything else, as far as using the Scripture is concerned, gives us very little to go on to think on these things. You always make me think and most of the time it is a pleasant experience, but sometimes you give me a headache. Good thing I love you so much, huh? Bob.

Vladimir Uhri profile image

Vladimir Uhri Level 5 Commenter 15 months ago

It is an interesting article.

We do not see in God's Kingdom as in politics, someone is influential or not. We do not pray to angels.

The Bible mentioned only once as the archangel and it is Michael. Gabriel is probably also one since He is the messenger of God, assistance of God. Apocrypha mentioned others as archangels are heresy. Apocryphal books were not placed to Bible by reformers and reason is as fallow:

Apocrypha are written in Greek and not in Hebrew still claimed to be as part of OT. The Book of Enoch is heretic book written 200 years AD in Greek language. Enoch lived 3188 years before Book was written. It is irrelevant if Ethiopian group had it in Bible or not. This book is not in Tanakh.

Because of heretic teaching of New Age and questionable teachings come along we are not going to change the original Bible.

It is violation of any man to pray to angels or other persons, except God the Father and it is labeled as idolatry.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed; 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Please see: http://hubpages.com/hub/APOCRIPHIC-BOOKS-EXTRA-BIB

The name Gabriel in Hebrew is grammatically male gender.

Vladimir Uhri profile image

Vladimir Uhri Level 5 Commenter 15 months ago

@ no body: Lucifer was only cherub, not archangel. :).

IntimatEvolution profile image

IntimatEvolution Hub Author 15 months ago

Hi Vladimir, are you sure that Lucifer was a Cherub? I'd like to read something about that. I can't really find any texts that reveal who or what Lucifer was to God. The Book of Enoch as you probably know uses the term Satanail, and tells us only that Satanail had a woman companion, Diana and that he had followers known as "fallen angels."

So maybe we could compare notes.

Yeah you know Bob, in some religious circles Gabriel is a woman. The older the text, Gabriel is a woman. Texts from the Medieval era and the Victorian era (which has the largest impact on mainstream thinking as we know it today) has Gabriel and all supporting evidence thereof, in the male form. So....., whose to say. I've never personally met Gabriel, so I don't have a clue. I wrote the female version because it is what ancient supporting artwork depicts Gabriel to be, along with the earliest known Judaic traditions.

Wow-thank you all so much for your remarkable comments!

Vladimir Uhri profile image

Vladimir Uhri Level 5 Commenter 15 months ago

In Hebrew word Gabriel is male gender. Actually the ending -el means God's and what ever prefix is. Let say El-Shadday means God almighty one or more that enough.

Paul said even if angel of light will preach what is not in the Bible should be accursed. See angels are God's and man's servants.

Love yea.

no body profile image

no body Level 5 Commenter 15 months ago

Yeah, now that you mention it I guess Lucifer was a cherub. You guys are so smart. I spoke without thinking. It's all your fault Julie. I get distracted because I have so much fun when I visit your hubs. Thank you Vlad for the correction.

Disappearinghead profile image

Disappearinghead Level 3 Commenter 12 months ago

I suppose the bible makes so little mention of angles because in the grand scheme of God's dealings with men, they are rather unimportant.

We should not pray to angels, because Yeshua told us to pray to our Father in Heaven.

Lucifer is a Latin word crow-barred into the bible by the institionalised Church. Personally, far from Lucifer aka Satan being some fallen Angle, I don't believe he exists at all. I have adopted the Jewish interpretation that Only God, his angels and humans exist, and all the works attributed to Satan, are either originating in human minds, or satans (opposing angels) sent by God to frustrate the plans of men who need to get over themselves.

IntimatEvolution profile image

IntimatEvolution Hub Author 12 months ago

Thanks for the input Disappearinghead.

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