Western tradition, which many are fighting to preserve, has a lot of ‘7 rays’ Christian symbology in its history and culture. If someone wants to understand spiritual truths in a more mystical or esoteric way, it may not mean anything evil. St. Peter looked at things one way, St. John in another.
And ‘they’ may want us divided, but we are also free to know people by their fruits.
The highest ‘7 Angels’ have also been regarded as God’s light, and/or light rays can symbolize the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit (and it doesn’t have to be ‘either/or’ thinking, simply different true perspectives on God, i.e. ’both/and’.)
Seven rays
(Wiki)
‘The seven rays’ is a concept that has appeared in several religions and esoteric philosophies, in both Western culture and in India since at least the sixth century BCE. They are also known as chohans or angels from heaven.
In occidental culture, it can be seen in early Western mystery traditions, [and] texts and iconic art of the Catholic Church as early as the Byzantine Empire.
In India, the concept has been part of Hindu religious philosophy and scripture since at least the… post-Vedic era … Beginning in the late 19th century, the seven rays appeared in a modified and elaborated form in the teachings of Theosophy…
In early Christian iconography, the dove of the Holy Ghost is often shown with an emanation of seven rays, as is the image of the Madonna, often in conjunction with a dove or doves.
[A Mount Sinai monastery circa 565 CE] shows a *Transfiguration of Christ mosaic, with "seven rays of light shining from the luminous body of Christ…”
[A present-day Byzantine-style Missouri Cathedral] has an engraved circle with many symbols of the Holy Trinity. The inscription reads:
“Radiating from this symbol are seven rays of light representing the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.” [note: which also have been associated with the ‘7 angels angels who stand nearest the throne of God’]
The Annunciation [Jan van Eyck,1400’s] shows Archangel Gabriel [and] Virgin Mary, [as] Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit descend to her on seven rays of light … The seven rays [with dove descending] are unique elements [showing] the heavenly realm rather than the earthly [by using gold leaf vs. ordinary oil paint. Only the seven rays are so treated, and — while all of the other light sources in the painting cast shadows — the seven rays do not.
Angels are a complex subject debated throughout history, but the Bible does say that ‘7 Angels stand immediately before the throne of God’.
Revelation 8:2 > The seven angels who stand before God
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%208&version=NIV
Revelation 8, 1-2 NIV - The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer - Bible Gateway
8 … there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
8:2 ‘And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.’
The top 3/‘trinity’ of angels named in Judeo-Christian scriptures are: Sts. Michael ‘Who is like unto God’; Gabriel ‘God is my strength’; and Raphael ‘The medicine of God’. (Their traditional feast day, by the way, is this upcoming Wednesday, September 29th.)
Pseudo Dionysus added early on that the other four angels nearest God were Uriel (‘light’), Chamuel (‘love/communion’), Tzadkiel (‘star, glory’) and Jophiel (‘beauty’) - but these names vary.
Artists, poets and writers have reflected their era's understanding of these angels ( http://catholicsaints.info/angels-in-art-archangels )
Milton recognizes thus:
“Uriel, for thou of those Seven Spirits that stand In sight of God’s high throne, gloriously bright”
Lord Byron wrote of how angels express God’s love for us:
"Yes, love indeed is light from heaven; A spark of that immortal fire with angels shared**…”
http://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-angels-made-of-123836 What Are Angels and What Are They Made Of?
By Whitney Hopler Updated February 23, 2019
Angels seem so ethereal and mysterious [and unlike people] don’t have physical bodies, so they can appear in a variety of ways - in the form of a person, [as] exotic creatures with wings, or as beings of light…
Angels are purely spiritual beings [not] bound by Earth’s physical laws. [but] angels are still created beings that have an essence. So what are angels made of?
What Are Angels Made Of?
Each [is] a unique being, says Saint Thomas Aquinas in "Summa Theologica:" “[with] no matter or bodiliness at all, for they are pure spirits, they are not individuated, [meaning each] is the only one of its kind, [a] species or essential kind of substantial being, [with each angel] essentially different from every other.…”
The Bible calls angels "ministering spirits" in Hebrews 1:14, [made] to best empower that angel to serve the people whom God loves.
Divine Love
Most importantly, believers say, faithful angels are filled with divine love. … "God is love, and any real angelic encounter will be filled with love…” [The Catholic Church teaches] angels express that great love by caring for each person throughout his or her life: "From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.”
Intellect of Angels
God made angels [with] impressive intellectual capabilities. The Torah and the Bible mention in 2 Samuel 14:20 that God has given angels the knowledge about "all things that are on the earth.” [and] the power to see the future [Daniel 10:14].
Strength of Angels
Even though angels don’t have physical bodies, they can nevertheless exert great physical strength to perform their missions. The Torah and the Bible both say in Psalm 103:20: "Bless the LORD, you his angels, mighty in strength, who perform his word, obeying the voice of his word!".
Light
Angels are often lit from within when they appear on Earth, and many people believe that angels are either made out of light or work within it when they visit Earth. The Bible uses the phrase “angel of light” in 2 Corinthians 11:4…
[…and appear as] fire. In Judges 13:9-20 … "As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame …
Angels Are Incorruptible
God has made angels in such a way that they retain the essence that God originally intended for them, Saint Thomas Aquinas: "The angels are incorruptible substances. This means that they cannot die, decay, break up, or be substantially changed. For the root of corruptibility in a substance is matter, and in the angels there is no matter.”
So whatever angels may be made of, they’re made to last forever!'
Western tradition, which many are fighting to preserve, has a lot of ‘7 rays’ Christian symbology in its history and culture. If someone wants to understand spiritual truths in a more mystical or esoteric way, it may not mean anything evil. St. Peter looked at things one way, St. John in another.
And ‘they’ may want us divided, but we are also free to know people by their fruits.
The highest ‘7 Angels’ have also been regarded as God’s light, and/or light rays can symbolize the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit (and it doesn’t have to be ‘either/or’ thinking, simply different true perspectives on God, i.e. ’both/and’.)
Seven rays
(Wiki)
‘The seven rays’ is a concept that has appeared in several religions and esoteric philosophies, in both Western culture and in India since at least the sixth century BCE. They are also known as chohans or angels from heaven.
In occidental culture, it can be seen in early Western mystery traditions, [and] texts and iconic art of the Catholic Church as early as the Byzantine Empire.
In India, the concept has been part of Hindu religious philosophy and scripture since at least the… post-Vedic era … Beginning in the late 19th century, the seven rays appeared in a modified and elaborated form in the teachings of Theosophy…
In early Christian iconography, the dove of the Holy Ghost is often shown with an emanation of seven rays, as is the image of the Madonna, often in conjunction with a dove or doves.
[A Mount Sinai monastery circa 565 CE] shows a *Transfiguration of Christ mosaic, with "seven rays of light shining from the luminous body of Christ…”
[A present-day Byzantine-style Missouri Cathedral] has an engraved circle with many symbols of the Holy Trinity. The inscription reads:
“Radiating from this symbol are seven rays of light representing the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.” [note: which also have been associated with the ‘7 angels angels who stand nearest the throne of God’]
The Annunciation [Jan van Eyck,1400’s] shows Archangel Gabriel [and] Virgin Mary, [as] Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit descend to her on seven rays of light … The seven rays [with dove descending] are unique elements [showing] the heavenly realm rather than the earthly [by using gold leaf vs. ordinary oil paint. Only the seven rays are so treated, and — while all of the other light sources in the painting cast shadows — the seven rays do not.
Angels are a complex subject debated throughout history, but the Bible does say that ‘7 Angels stand immediately before the throne of God’.
Revelation 8:2 > The seven angels who stand before God
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%208&version=NIV
Revelation 8, 1-2 NIV - The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer - Bible Gateway
8 … there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
8:2 ‘And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.’
The top 3/‘trinity’ of angels named in Judeo-Christian scriptures are: Sts. Michael ‘Who is like unto God’; Gabriel ‘God is my strength’; and Raphael ‘The medicine of God’. (Their traditional feast day, by the way, is this upcoming Wednesday, September 29th.)
Pseudo Dionysus added early on that the other four angels nearest God were Uriel (‘light’), Chamuel (‘love/communion’), Tzadkiel (‘star, glory’) and Jophiel (‘beauty’) - but these names vary.
Artists, poets and writers have reflected their era's understanding of these angels ( http://catholicsaints.info/angels-in-art-archangels )
Milton recognizes thus:
“Uriel, for thou of those Seven Spirits that stand In sight of God’s high throne, gloriously bright”
Lord Byron wrote of how angels express God’s love for us:
"Yes, love indeed is light from heaven; A spark of that immortal fire with angels shared**…”
http://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-angels-made-of-123836 What Are Angels and What Are They Made Of?
By Whitney Hopler Updated February 23, 2019
Angels seem so ethereal and mysterious [and unlike people] don’t have physical bodies, so they can appear in a variety of ways - in the form of a person, [as] exotic creatures with wings, or as beings of light…
Angels are purely spiritual beings [not] bound by Earth’s physical laws. [but] angels are still created beings that have an essence. So what are angels made of?
What Are Angels Made Of?
Each [is] a unique being, says Saint Thomas Aquinas in "Summa Theologica:" “[with] no matter or bodiliness at all, for they are pure spirits, they are not individuated, [meaning each] is the only one of its kind, [a] species or essential kind of substantial being, [with each angel] essentially different from every other.…”
The Bible calls angels "ministering spirits" in Hebrews 1:14, [made] to best empower that angel to serve the people whom God loves.
Divine Love
Most importantly, believers say, faithful angels are filled with divine love. … "God is love, and any real angelic encounter will be filled with love…” [The Catholic Church teaches] angels express that great love by caring for each person throughout his or her life: "From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.”
Intellect of Angels
God made angels [with] impressive intellectual capabilities. The Torah and the Bible mention in 2 Samuel 14:20 that God has given angels the knowledge about "all things that are on the earth.” [and] the power to see the future [Daniel 10:14].
Strength of Angels
Even though angels don’t have physical bodies, they can nevertheless exert great physical strength to perform their missions. The Torah and the Bible both say in Psalm 103:20: "Bless the LORD, you his angels, mighty in strength, who perform his word, obeying the voice of his word!".
Light
Angels are often lit from within when they appear on Earth, and many people believe that angels are either made out of light or work within it when they visit Earth. The Bible uses the phrase “angel of light” in 2 Corinthians 11:4…
[…and appear as] fire. In Judges 13:9-20 … "As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame …
Angels Are Incorruptible
God has made angels in such a way that they retain the essence that God originally intended for them, Saint Thomas Aquinas: "The angels are incorruptible substances. This means that they cannot die, decay, break up, or be substantially changed. For the root of corruptibility in a substance is matter, and in the angels there is no matter.”
So whatever angels may be made of, they’re made to last forever!
Western tradition, which many are fighting to preserve, has a lot of ‘7 rays’ Christian symbology in its history and culture. If someone wants to understand spiritual truths in a more mystical or esoteric way, it may not mean anything evil. St. Peter looked at things one way, St. John in another.
And ‘they’ may want us divided, but we are also free to know people by their fruits.
The highest ‘7 Angels’ have also been regarded as God’s light, and/or light rays can symbolize the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit (and it doesn’t have to be ‘either/or’ thinking, simply different true perspectives on God, i.e. ’both/and’.)
Seven rays
(Wiki)
‘The seven rays’ is a concept that has appeared in several religions and esoteric philosophies, in both Western culture and in India since at least the sixth century BCE. They are also known as chohans or angels from heaven.
In occidental culture, it can be seen in early Western mystery traditions, [and] texts and iconic art of the Catholic Church as early as the Byzantine Empire.
In India, the concept has been part of Hindu religious philosophy and scripture since at least the… post-Vedic era … Beginning in the late 19th century, the seven rays appeared in a modified and elaborated form in the teachings of Theosophy…
In early Christian iconography, the dove of the Holy Ghost is often shown with an emanation of seven rays, as is the image of the Madonna, often in conjunction with a dove or doves.
[A Mount Sinai monastery circa 565 CE] shows a *Transfiguration of Christ mosaic, with "seven rays of light shining from the luminous body of Christ…”
[A present-day Byzantine-style Missouri Cathedral] has an engraved circle with many symbols of the Holy Trinity. The inscription reads:
“Radiating from this symbol are seven rays of light representing the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.” [note: which also have been associated with the ‘7 angels angels who stand nearest the throne of God’]
The Annunciation [Jan van Eyck,1400’s] shows Archangel Gabriel [and] Virgin Mary, [as] Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit descend to her on seven rays of light … The seven rays [with dove descending] are unique elements [showing] the heavenly realm rather than the earthly [by using gold leaf vs. ordinary oil paint. Only the seven rays are so treated, and — while all of the other light sources in the painting cast shadows — the seven rays do not.
Angels are a complex subject debated throughout history, but the Bible does say that ‘7 Angels stand immediately before the throne of God’.
Revelation 8:2 > The seven angels who stand before God
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%208&version=NIV
**Revelation 8, 1-2 **NIV - The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer - Bible Gateway
8 … there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
8:2 ‘And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.’
The top 3/‘trinity’ of angels named in Judeo-Christian scriptures are: Sts. Michael ‘Who is like unto God’; Gabriel ‘God is my strength’; and Raphael ‘The medicine of God’. (Their traditional feast day, by the way, is this upcoming Wednesday, September 29th.)
Pseudo Dionysus added early on that the other four angels nearest God were Uriel (‘light’), Chamuel (‘love/communion’), Tzadkiel (‘star, glory’) and Jophiel (‘beauty’) - but these names vary.
Artists, poets and writers have reflected their era's understanding of these angels ( http://catholicsaints.info/angels-in-art-archangels )
Milton recognizes thus:
“Uriel, for thou of those Seven Spirits that stand In sight of God’s high throne, gloriously bright”
Lord Byron wrote of how angels express God’s love for us:
"Yes, love indeed is light from heaven; A spark of that immortal fire with angels shared**…”
http://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-angels-made-of-123836 What Are Angels and What Are They Made Of?
By Whitney Hopler Updated February 23, 2019
Angels seem so ethereal and mysterious [and unlike people] don’t have physical bodies, so they can appear in a variety of ways - in the form of a person, [as] exotic creatures with wings, or as beings of light…
Angels are purely spiritual beings [not] bound by Earth’s physical laws. [but] angels are still created beings that have an essence. So what are angels made of?
What Are Angels Made Of?
Each [is] a unique being, says Saint Thomas Aquinas in "Summa Theologica:" “[with] no matter or bodiliness at all, for they are pure spirits, they are not individuated, [meaning each] is the only one of its kind, [a] species or essential kind of substantial being, [with each angel] essentially different from every other.…”
The Bible calls angels "ministering spirits" in Hebrews 1:14, [made] to best empower that angel to serve the people whom God loves.
Divine Love
Most importantly, believers say, faithful angels are filled with divine love. … "God is love, and any real angelic encounter will be filled with love…” [The Catholic Church teaches] angels express that great love by caring for each person throughout his or her life: "From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.”
Intellect of Angels
God made angels [with] impressive intellectual capabilities. The Torah and the Bible mention in 2 Samuel 14:20 that God has given angels the knowledge about "all things that are on the earth.” [and] the power to see the future [Daniel 10:14].
Strength of Angels
Even though angels don’t have physical bodies, they can nevertheless exert great physical strength to perform their missions. The Torah and the Bible both say in Psalm 103:20: "Bless the LORD, you his angels, mighty in strength, who perform his word, obeying the voice of his word!".
Light
Angels are often lit from within when they appear on Earth, and many people believe that angels are either made out of light or work within it when they visit Earth. The Bible uses the phrase “angel of light” in 2 Corinthians 11:4…
[…and appear as] fire. In Judges 13:9-20 … "As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame …
Angels Are Incorruptible
God has made angels in such a way that they retain the essence that God originally intended for them, Saint Thomas Aquinas: "The angels are incorruptible substances. This means that they cannot die, decay, break up, or be substantially changed. For the root of corruptibility in a substance is matter, and in the angels there is no matter.”
So whatever angels may be made of, they’re made to last forever!