Only One Archangel

ResLight
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Posts: 1,853

Only One Archangel Oct 8, 2023 20:32:09 GMT -5

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Post by ResLight on Oct 8, 2023 20:32:09 GMT -5

Let it be observed that the word archangel is never found in the plural number in the sacred writings. There can be properly only one archangel, one chief or head of all the angelic host. Nor is the word devil, as applied to the great enemy of mankind, ever found in the plural; there can be but one monarch of all fallen spirits. Michael is this archangel, and head of all the angelic orders; the devil, great dragon, or Satan, is head of all the diabolic orders. When these two hosts are opposed to each other they are said to act under these two chiefs, as leaders; hence in Revelation 12:7, it is said: Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon and his angels. The word Michael , seems to be compounded of mi , who, ke , like, and El , God; he who is like God; hence by this personage, in the Apocalypse, many understand the Lord Jesus.

-- Adam Clarke

www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/30682/eVerseID/30682/RTD/clarke

trevorl
New Member

Posts: 45

Only One Archangel Oct 9, 2023 16:19:22 GMT -5

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Post by trevorl on Oct 9, 2023 16:19:22 GMT -5

Greetings Reslight,

Adam Clarke: "Let it be observed that the word archangel is never found in the plural number in the sacred writings. There can be properly only one archangel, one chief or head of all the angelic host. Nor is the word devil, as applied to the great enemy of mankind, ever found in the plural; there can be but one monarch of all fallen spirits. Michael is this archangel, and head of all the angelic orders; the devil, great dragon, or Satan, is head of all the diabolic orders. When these two hosts are opposed to each other they are said to act under these two chiefs, as leaders; hence in Revelation 12:7, it is said: Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon and his angels. The word Michael , seems to be compounded of mi , who, ke , like, and El , God; he who is like God; hence by this personage, in the Apocalypse, many understand the Lord Jesus."

My impression which I would need to research further to confirm or deny is that the term "arch angel" represents a "chief angel" or something like that, representing their status and this may include the fact, but not absolutely necessary with all of them, that they have a large group of subordinate angels under them. I consider that Gabriel is also an "arch angel" and he would not be directly under Michael. Gabriel stands in the Presence of Yahweh, God the Father and answers directly to God, not to Michael. As such the various arch angels may have different responsibilities and as such this shows the greater role of Jesus who has been appointed to be over all.

Kind regards

Trevor

Last Edit: Oct 9, 2023 16:24:20 GMT -5 by trevorl

joyful
Junior Member

Posts: 86

Only One Archangel Oct 11, 2023 8:25:26 GMT -5

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Post by joyful on Oct 11, 2023 8:25:26 GMT -5

Oct 9, 2023 16:19:22 GMT -5 trevorl said:

Greetings Reslight,

Adam Clarke: "Let it be observed that the word archangel is never found in the plural number in the sacred writings. There can be properly only one archangel, one chief or head of all the angelic host. Nor is the word devil, as applied to the great enemy of mankind, ever found in the plural; there can be but one monarch of all fallen spirits. Michael is this archangel, and head of all the angelic orders; the devil, great dragon, or Satan, is head of all the diabolic orders. When these two hosts are opposed to each other they are said to act under these two chiefs, as leaders; hence in Revelation 12:7, it is said: Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon and his angels. The word Michael , seems to be compounded of mi , who, ke , like, and El , God; he who is like God; hence by this personage, in the Apocalypse, many understand the Lord Jesus."

My impression which I would need to research further to confirm or deny is that the term "arch angel" represents a "chief angel" or something like that, representing their status and this may include the fact, but not absolutely necessary with all of them, that they have a large group of subordinate angels under them. I consider that Gabriel is also an "arch angel" and he would not be directly under Michael. Gabriel stands in the Presence of Yahweh, God the Father and answers directly to God, not to Michael. As such the various arch angels may have different responsibilities and as such this shows the greater role of Jesus who has been appointed to be over all.

Kind regards

Trevor

Where do you find the word "arch angels"?

Arch angel is one not plural, friend.

trevorl
New Member

Posts: 45

Only One Archangel Oct 11, 2023 17:19:37 GMT -5

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Post by trevorl on Oct 11, 2023 17:19:37 GMT -5

Oct 11, 2023 8:25:26 GMT -5 joyful said:

Oct 9, 2023 16:19:22 GMT -5 trevorl said:

Greetings Reslight,

My impression which I would need to research further to confirm or deny is that the term "arch angel" represents a "chief angel" or something like that, representing their status and this may include the fact, but not absolutely necessary with all of them, that they have a large group of subordinate angels under them. I consider that Gabriel is also an "arch angel" and he would not be directly under Michael. Gabriel stands in the Presence of Yahweh, God the Father and answers directly to God, not to Michael. As such the various arch angels may have different responsibilities and as such this shows the greater role of Jesus who has been appointed to be over all.

Kind regards

Trevor

Where do you find the word "arch angels"?

Arch angel is one not plural, friend.

Greetings joyful,

Nice to hear from you again. It has been some time and this forum is the only one where we are both active and this forum is very quiet, especially for you as you do not have to face Trinitarians here.

If you consider Gabriel, then he states that he stands directly in the presence of God and that God had sent him:

Luke 1:19 (KJV): And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

I find no evidence here that it was Michael who sent Gabriel, but it suggests that Gabriel received his instructions directly from God. Now does this prove that there are more than one "Arch" Angels?

It depends on how much weight you give the expression in Jude:

Jude 9 (KJV): Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

I suggest that there is an order of Angels who have a high position, in the Presence of God who have been given particular responsibilities, distinct from each other, and this seems to be what the following suggests, and that Michael is only one of such a number who have this rank and status:

Daniel 10:13 (KJV):But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Here, Gabriel had a task to perform directly from God, but he calls upon Michael who assists him when Gabriel was facing some difficulty in achieving his own task that God had assigned for him. Here Michael is described only as "one of the chief princes", showing that he is only one of many with that status. This possibly goes against the JW view that Michael was the pre-existent Jesus, and I am not sure if Charles Taze Russell initiated the JW view here, and whether @reslight also endorses CT Russell seeing he also quoted the article by Adam Clarke.

Kind regards

Trevor

Last Edit: Oct 11, 2023 17:28:00 GMT -5 by trevorl

joyful
Junior Member

Posts: 86

Only One Archangel Oct 11, 2023 19:33:31 GMT -5

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Post by joyful on Oct 11, 2023 19:33:31 GMT -5

Oct 11, 2023 17:19:37 GMT -5 trevorl said: