What is the purpose of the seven arch angels?

Answer 1

The Bible only names one Archangel, Michael, although it is generally stated that there are three - the others being Gabriel and Lucifer, now Satan. There are others in the Apocryphal writings of certain branches of Christianity.

Jude 1:9New International Version (NIV)

9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

Gabriel is generally associated with being the deliverer of critical messages from God. He, therefore, is considered by some to be this unnamed archangel:

1 Thessalonians 4:16New International Version (NIV)

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the Trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Lastly, as both Gabriel and Michael are mentioned as being at either side of God's Throne, the then angel Lucifer was said to be above the Throne. Therefore, he was considered an archangel who is now the 'Adversary.'

Answer 2

The Scripture only mentions one Archangel by name, Michael. It is commonly accepted though that Gabriel is also one and Lucifer was once one. These three are mentioned at the very throne of God. Michael stands for the people of Israel - both physical and spiritual. Gabriel is the main messenger of God bringing vital/transformational information. Lucifer, (now Satan) as his name is translated in the Latin Vulgate, is above the very throne of God and was given the future home of God and His Family, the Earth, as his responsibility to beautify and keep.

Jude 1:9New King James Version (NKJV)

9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

Roman Catholic AnswerThe Archangels (or chief or ruling angel) form the second of the nine choirs of angels, they are distinct from guardian angels as they are messengers of God to men in matters of greater significance. There are only three archangels named in the Bible:

St. Michael the Archangel, the prince of the Seraphim, is mentioned in Daniel 10:13 sqq., in Daniel 12, in the Epistle of St. Jude, and in the Apocalypse 12:7. He is also mentioned in the apocryphal book on the assumption of Moses (Origen, De Principiis III.2.2). The Fathers tell us he has four jobs (based on his mention in Scripture):

1. To fight against Satan.

2. To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death.

3. To be the champion of God's people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament; therefore he was the patron of the Church, and of the orders of knights during the Middle Ages.

4. To call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgment (signifer S. Michael rapraesenter eas in lucam sanctam" - Offertory Mass of the Dead.

St. Gabriel "Fortitudo Dei". Only four appearances of Gabriel are recorded:

Daniel 8, 9, maybe chapter 10 verses 5 and 6. In the New Testament he foretells to Zachary the birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, that of the Savior.

St. Raphael is only mentioned in the Book of Tobias, first appearing disguised as a human to shepherd the younger Tobias, he calls himself "Azarias the son of the great Ananias. In Tobit 12:15, see also Revelation 8:2) he announces himself as the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" The others, according to the Book of Enoch (Jewish Apocrypha) are Uriel, Raguel, Sariel, and Jerahmeel.

Answer 3

The seven archangels include Michael, Saraqael, Remiel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, and Gabriel whose roles revolve around spiritual guidance and intervention.

Answer 4

There are 7 Arch Angels.