Heavenly host

Heavenly host refers in the Bible to an 'army' ( [http://bible.org/netbible/luk2.htm Luk.2:13] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/rev19.htm Rev.19:19] ) of good angels in Heaven.

It is comparable and directly contrasts with the legions of Hell.

Most descriptions of angels in the Bible describe them in military terms. For example in terms such as encampment ( [http://www.bible.org/netbible/gen32.htm Gen.32:1-2] ), command structure ( [http://bible.org/netbible/psa91.htm Ps.91:11-12] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/mat13.htm Matt.13:41] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/index.htm?rev7.htm Rev.7:2] ), and combat ( [http://bible.org/netbible/index.htm?jdg5.htm Jdg.5:20] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/index.htm?job19.htm Job 19:12] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/index.htm?rev12.htm Rev.12:7] ).

Its specific hierarchy differs slightly from the Hierarchy of Angels as it surrounds more military services, whereas the Hierarchy of angels is a division of angels into non-military services to God.

Organization of the Heavenly Host

Cherubim

Cherubim, Seraphim( Originally the Cherubs are the Elders who are usually associated with royal paraphernalia such as crowns and thrones ( [http://bible.org/netbible/rev4.htm Rev.4:4] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/rev4.htm 4:10] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/rev5.htm 5:8] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/rev11.htm 11:16] ) and who are nowhere described as part of the heavenly host of angels.

There are said to be 24 Elders, but it is uncertain as to their origins. Some suggest they could be the 12 disciples of Jesus and the 12 elders/chiefs of the 12 tribes of Israel protecting Tabernacle.Fact|date=February 2008

Archangels

This angelic designation can be given to angels of various ranks, although normally those of high rank. An example would be Raphael who is a CherubFact|date=August 2008 and Archangel. This suggests that Archangels are angels in commanding positions or positions of great authority ( [http://bible.org/netbible/eph3.htm Eph.3:10] )

Angels

The vast majority of Angels in military service fall into this category. A rank and file position. They are however no less significant in God's eyes, and no less important to God's plan ( [http://bible.org/netbible/1co12.htm 1Cor.12:12] ).

Some scholarsFact|date=December 2007 believe there are 9 'corps' of angels that are spoken of and represented as precious jewels ( [http://bible.org/netbible/eze28.htm Ezek.28:13-21] ). Each 'corps' member would have a ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, or beryl on his breastplate, representing his corps. Even though Satan took one third of all of the angels during his Rebellion ( [http://bible.org/netbible/rev12.htm Rev.12:4] )Fact|date=August 2008|a vision of the Satan dragon knocking down a third of the stars; citation needed in support of assertion that this means angels, not stars there still remains 9 heavenly 'corps', though fewer in number.

It is not known how many angels there are but one figure given in [http://bible.org/netbible/rev5.htm Revelations 5:11] for the number of "many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders" was "ten thousand times ten thousand", which would be 100 million.

Angelic combat

During the Rebellion, Satan's forces were defeated by the Heavenly Host lead by Archangel Michael ( [http://bible.org/netbible/rev12.htm Rev.12:7-9] ). Michael was given this commanding position after being the first to refuse Satan in the pre-rebellion build up when Satan was tempting the other angels to follow him.

According to the bible at present there is an uneasy truce in the heavenly realms. Satan and his followers are in fact even allowed access to the throne of God, a freedom that the devil takes full advantage of in his constant accusations of believers to God ( [http://bible.org/netbible/zec3.htm Zech.3:1] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/job1.htm Job 1] & [http://bible.org/netbible/job2.htm 2] ; [http://bible.org/netbible/rev12.htm Rev.12:10] ). Open warfare is not predicted to break out in heaven until the tribulational period ( [http://bible.org/netbible/rev19.htm Rev.19:11-21] ) when the heavenly host will be commanded by Christ. Christ will ride from Heaven on a white horse, his eyes like fiery flame, wearing clothes dipped in blood ( [http://bible.org/netbible/rev19.htm Rev.19:11-14] ) The mysterious phrase "he has a name written that no one knows but he himself" is also included in the description. Then later "He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”"

A rank and file angel is apparently posted at each church to provide protection, according to Revelation chapters 2–3, in the context of the seven churches.

It is also told of an angel who smites, in one night, the whole Assyrian army of 185,000 men ( [http://bible.org/netbible/2ki19.htm 2Kng.19] ).

Lord of Hosts

The title "Elohe Tzevaot", or "Elohim Sabaoth", translated as "Lord of Hosts", describes God as the master of the 'legions' (army) of angels (but only in the New Testament). Christ is sometimes referred to as the "Angel of the Lord" in the Bible,Fact|date=August 2008 but as a translation of Greek (ἄγγελος, "ángelos"), which basically means "messenger", not as indicating an angel in the sense of a being inferior to God, but as saying he is the messenger of God, or the Word of God.

The term "Lord of Hosts" is also used in the Bahá'í Faith as a title of God [http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/SLH/] . Bahá'u'lláh, claiming to be the mouthpiece of God, wrote letters to kings and is published as Summons of the Lord of Hosts.

ee also

*Hierarchy of Angels

References

* [http://bible.org/netbible/ The Bible]
*cite book
author=Bahá'u'lláh
authorlink=Bahá'u'lláh
year=2002
title=The Summons of the Lord of Hosts
publisher=Bahá'í World Centre
location=Haifa Israel
id=ISBN 0-85398-976-1
url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/SLH/

External links

* [http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=939&letter=H Jewish Encyclopedia: Host of Heaven]