HOW ARE ARCHANGELS & CHERUBIM DIFFERENT?

1. How Are Archangels And Cherubim Different? 

a) 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 (1 Kings 22:19, etc.), or "principalities and powers" (see Romans 8:28). Interestingly, the Bible only reveals the names of three Archangels - Cherubim (Michael, Gabriel, and Lucifer).

b) The Bible refers to Cherubim (plural of Cherub) at least 30 times in the Old Testament, with the books of Ezekiel (12), followed the book of 1 Kings (6), containing the most references. Archangels are directly referred to only twice, both of which are in the New Testament (1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Jude 9).

c) Michael is one of the three named spirit beings in Scripture. He is called both "one of the chief princes" (Daniel 10:13) and "your prince" (verse 21) and is one of the known Archangels. He has been, and will be, involved in major events around the world (Revelation 12:7 - 8). Gabriel, because he has also been involved in major Biblical events, is likely one of the Archangels as well (see Daniel 8:15 - 16).

d) 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).

e) 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.

f) A representation of two Cherubim (but not Archangels) was placed, by God's command, on top of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25, 37, etc.). 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), which is a replica of God's throne in heaven (1 Kings 8:6 - 7, Hebrews 8:5).

g) The only time Cherubim 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 (Genesis 3:24).

h) A description of what Cherubim look like (unlike Archangels) does exist but does not offer more information. We do know 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).

i) The Bible gives us precious, if any, information regarding angelic beings. While Michael and Gabriel are certainly Archangels, Lucifer was one of the Cherubim. It would be interesting to learn a bit more about these unusual beings. God, in his wisdom, has decided not to reveal much to man about the spirits he created.