Four Archangels in Hebrew and Christian Scriptures
《圣经》提到了四位大天使的名字——米迦勒、加百列、拉斐尔和乌列。这些大天使中的每一位都在灵界扮演着独特的角色,他们的故事让我们深入了解了上帝的本质和他的天使们的工作。
米迦勒是最著名的天使长,出现在旧约和新约中。他经常被描绘成一个战士,他的名字的意思是“像上帝的人”。在《启示录》中,米迦勒带领上帝的军队对抗撒旦和他堕落的天使。但以理书中也提到他是以色列的保护者,据信他是在一场灵战中击败波斯王子的人。
加百列是另一位著名的大天使,他同时出现在旧约和新约中。他的名字的意思是“上帝是我的力量”,他经常与来自上帝的信息和公告联系在一起。在《但以理书》中,加百列似乎为先知解读了一个愿景,在《路加福音》中,他向玛丽宣布她将生下耶稣。加百列在以诺的次经中也被提到是将毁灭世界的四位天使之一。
拉斐尔是《托比特书》中提到的第三位大天使,该书被天主教徒和正统派基督徒视为经典,但未被纳入新教圣经。在《托比特书》中,拉斐尔似乎陪伴托比特的儿子托比亚斯旅行,并帮助他克服一路上的各种障碍。拉斐尔的名字的意思是“上帝治愈”,他经常与治愈和奇迹行为联系在一起。
最后,在各种次经和伪经中都提到了乌列,但在《圣经》中没有提到他的名字。他的名字的意思是“上帝是我的光”,他经常与智慧和知识联系在一起。在以诺书中,乌列是掌管四风的四位天使之一,据说他还向以诺透露了天体的秘密。
这四位大天使合在一起,让我们得以一窥上帝天使的精神境界和工作。他们提醒我们,上帝是强大和仁慈的,他的天使积极参与人类的事务。无论是作为保护者、信使、疗愈者还是向导,大天使都是上帝在世界上实现其目的的许多方式的榜样。
The Bible mentions four archangels by name – Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel. Each of these archangels plays a unique role in the spiritual realm, and their stories provide insight into the nature of God and the work of his angels.
Michael is the most well-known archangel, appearing in both the Old and New Testaments. He is often depicted as a warrior, and his name means “who is like God.” In the book of Revelation, Michael leads the armies of God against Satan and his fallen angels. He is also mentioned in the book of Daniel as the protector of Israel, and is believed to have been the one who defeated the prince of Persia in a spiritual battle.
Gabriel is another well-known archangel, who appears in both the Old and New Testaments. His name means “God is my strength,” and he is often associated with messages and announcements from God. In the book of Daniel, Gabriel appears to interpret a vision for the prophet, and in the Gospel of Luke, he announces to Mary that she will give birth to Jesus. Gabriel is also mentioned in the apocryphal book of Enoch as one of the four angels who will destroy the world.
Raphael is a third archangel who is mentioned in the book of Tobit, which is considered canonical by Catholics and Orthodox Christians but is not included in Protestant Bibles. In the book of Tobit, Raphael appears to accompany Tobit’s son Tobias on a journey, and helps him overcome various obstacles along the way. Raphael’s name means “God heals,” and he is often associated with healing and miraculous acts.
Finally, Uriel is mentioned in various apocryphal and pseudepigraphical texts, but is not mentioned in the Bible by name. His name means “God is my light,” and he is often associated with wisdom and knowledge. In the book of Enoch, Uriel is one of the four angels who are set over the four winds, and he is also said to have revealed the secrets of the heavenly bodies to Enoch.
Together, these four archangels provide a glimpse into the spiritual realm and the work of God’s angels. They remind us that God is powerful and merciful, and that his angels are actively involved in the affairs of humanity. Whether as protectors, messengers, healers, or guides, the archangels serve as examples of the many ways in which God works to bring about his purposes in the world.