Bible Studies

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Angels are supernatural beings that help administer the government of God throughout the universe, including earth, and are almost always depicted as having wings; whether in art or based upon the recollection of dreams and visions. Angel is more of a generic term, though, because there are several classes of them, but the question that remains to be answered in this study is whether the angels that are usually associated with appearing to humans, do indeed have wings.

1 Kings 8: 7
The cherubim spread their wings over the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles.

NOTE: This involves the symbolic representation of the creatures that overshadowed the mercy seat in the Ark of the Covenant.

Isaiah 6: 2
Above the LORD were the seraphs, each with six wings, with two wings they covered their faces, with two wings they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.

Ezekiel 1: 4b-9a
The center of the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their forms were like that of a man, but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed [shone] like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man. All four of them had faces and wings, and their wings touched each other.

NOTE: These four living creatures are mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

Daniel 4: 17
The decision is announced by the Watchers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men. . .

Zechariah 5: 9
Then I looked up- and before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.

Revelation 8: 13a
As I watched, I heard an angel that was flying in mid heaven call out with a loud voice. . .

Revelation 14: 6a
Then I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth-

NOTE: It does not say anything about either angel having wings. So, to sum it all up then, in all the instances where an angel appears to humans, no matter how awesome their appearance [like lightning, radiant, and clothing imbued with divine light, etc.] no mention is made of having wings. I would think that such an important detail like that would fail to be omitted if it were true and factual.

Lastly, the angel Gabriel flew very quickly to the prophet Daniel while he was praying around the time of the evening sacrifice (Cp. Daniel 9: 21), but it didn’t describe that the angel had wings. Sometimes “wings” can be used metaphorically, like coming on the ‘wings’ of the wind to mean that the person came in a hurry; which was probably the case with the angel Gabriel’s urgent rush to be sent by God to instruct Daniel. Angelic baby cherubs with wings and golden hair or adult ones with strong and powerful wings like those of Asgardian Valkyries may exist in dreams, fantasy, the imagination and folklore of Northern European and Scandinavian legends, Western European Greek or Roman mythologies, as well as those in Asia and probably Africa, but the Bible is silent on winged angels that any Bible personage tells us about, specifically.


Robert Randle
776 Commerce St Apt B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
June 10, 2015
[email protected]

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