We only know the names of three angels, Michael the archangel, Gabriel and Lucifer the devil. Michael the archangel is in Daniel 10 & 12 and Jude 1:9. Michael means “one who as God” and refers to Jesus. (The Revelation 12:7 reference refers symbolically to a church system and not to a specific angel.) Gabriel is mentioned four times in the Bible: Daniel 8 & 9 and twice in Luke 1. “Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!” Luke 1:19 (NLT) Finally, the name Lucifer is given only once in Isaiah 14:12, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer (Day Star) son of the morning!” These names are probably names for mankind to understand. They may not be the names they are called in heaven.
An angel came to Manoah to tell him his wife would give birth to baby Samson. Manoah specifically asked the angel his name. “Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the LORD, What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true? He replied, Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding” Judges 13:17,18. The angel never told Manoah his name.
The Bible tells us very little about the spirit realm of heaven. Instead, God has revealed Himself to mankind through the Bible and the natural creation. The earth and stars proclaim God’s majesty – that God is omnipotent, omniscient, always loving, and forever just. Psalms 19:1-2(NIV) reads, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”
Romans 1:19-20, “…what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse…”
The Bible teaches us to focus our hearts and minds on obeying God’s will in our everyday lives. That task is huge. The spirit realm is currently beyond our understanding. As Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:12(NIV), “I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?”
Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1304: “How Do Guardian Angels Take Care of Us?”
Understanding what God’s angels do and don’t do on our behalf
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
