What is difference between
Archangels and Cherubim?

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Question: What is the difference between Archangels and the Cherubim?

Answer: Archangels and Cherubim are spirit beings who are at God's service and endowed with tremendous power and knowledge. They are collectively called angels, the host of heaven (1Kings 22:19, etc.), or "principalities and powers" (see Romans 8:28). Interestingly, the Bible only reveals the names of three angels. Two of them are almost certainly archangels: Michael and Gabriel. The third named angel, Lucifer (who became the devil), was not one of them. Interestingly, although the Bible refers to Cherubim (plural of Cherub) in several places, Archangels are directly referred to only twice: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an ARCHANGEL . . ." (1Thessalonians 4:16, NKJV throughout) and "Yet Michael the ARCHANGEL, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses" (Jude 9)

The only spirit being directly designated as one of the Archangels is Michael, who is also called "one of the chief princes" (Daniel 10:13) and "your prince" (v. 21). He (and no doubt others like him) have and will be involved in major events around the world: "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought . . . " (Revelation 12:7-8).

Gabriel, because he has been involved in major Biblical events, is likely one of the Archangels (though the Bible does not directly say so):

"Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, 'Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.' . . ." (Daniel 8:15-16)

It was Gabriel who gave Daniel the famous 70 weeks prophecy that revealed when the Messiah would appear (Daniel 9:20-21, 24). This angelic being also announced the miraculous births of both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ (Luke 1:13, 19, 26-27, 31).

There is no description of what these spirit beings looked like. Although some speculate that Cherubim are the same as Archangels, there is no Biblical support for this belief. What seems clear is that both of them belong to a higher order of angels.

A representation of these angelic beings was on top of the Ark of the Covenant during the time of Moses (Exodus 25). They were still on the ark when it was moved to a very special place in Jerusalem's temple known as the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) - a replica of God's throne in heaven (1Kings 8:6-7, Hebrews 8:5).

The only time these angels appear away from God's throne is after the casting of Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden. The Bible seems to indicate that several of them were used by God to stop any attempt to re-enter the garden:

"So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. " (Genesis 3:24)

The description of what they look like is very scant except for the mention that they have four faces and four wings (Ezekiel 10:10-12, 14). Lucifer, who because of vanity and sin turned himself into the devil (see Ezekiel 28:12-19), was originally one of the Cherubim and was directly associated with the throne of God (Ezekiel 28:14).

As was stated previously, the Bible gives us precious little information about angelic beings - especially the Archangels. We would all like to know more about these extraordinary creatures, yet God has chosen in this present age to disclose very limited knowledge about them. In the kingdom of God, however, all will be made clear to us, including the mystery of the angels:

"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. " (1Corinthians 13:12)