Angels are spiritual beings that act as attendants, agents, or messengers of God. They are often depicted as having bird wings, halos, and divine light. The word angel is derived from the Late Latin angelus, which was borrowed from the Late Greek angelos, meaning messenger. While angels are typically associated with divine or spiritual beings, the term can also be used to describe a person of exemplary conduct or virtue, or someone who is innocent, pure, or loved. In the context of business, an angel refers to an investor who provides private capital to small or newly established enterprises.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Noun | Angel |
Synonyms | Divine messenger, dear, darling, dream, gem, ideal, jewel, paragon, saint, treasure, beauty, donor, herald, attendant, agent, donor, cherub, guardian, seraph, spirit, sprite, celestial being, heavenly being, holy being, spiritual being, supernatural being, innocent, knight in shining armour, healthcare assistant, personal care attendant, licensed practical nurse, registered general nurse, community care assistant, distributor of largesse, knight on a white charger, correctional officer, vision of loveliness, Florence Nightingale, health care assistant, etc. |
Antonyms | N/A |
Examples of usage | "You've been an absolute angel to all of our children", "Baby, you're my angel. Come and save me tonight", "Parents can be forgiven for considering their child to be a perfect little angel", "I didn't fit the American ideal of a leading man. Charlie? Oh, he's a treasure, he's so kind", "An angel appeared before the residents of Springfield, announcing the bringing of love to their community", etc. |
What You'll Learn
Angels as divine messengers
Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him as messengers. The word "angel" comes from the Greek word "angelos", which means "messenger". They are described as pure spirits, like God, but are limited and created, receiving their nature and existence from God.
Angels are often depicted as having human-like features, such as long hair and flowing robes, or even Roman armour. They are believed to be powerful beings, capable of destroying 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night. In the Bible, angels are described as having multiple faces and wings, and their presence is so awe-inspiring that those who see them are known to fall to the ground.
Angels act as intermediaries between God and humanity and are often referred to as God's "couriers". They deliver God's messages to humans, appearing to figures such as Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and Mary. They also serve as guardians, protecting humans, and as warriors, fighting against demons.
In addition to regular angels, there are archangels, or angel princes, such as Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael. These archangels are God's chief messengers and are believed to have specific roles and responsibilities. For example, Michael is described as representing an entire nation, while Gabriel is a special emissary, standing in God's presence and carrying His word to His servants.
Angels are not to be worshipped, as they are not God Himself, but they are highly respected and esteemed by Jews and Christians alike. They are seen as occupying high positions in the divine, governmental hierarchy, and are believed to be subject only to the Lord Jesus.
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Angels as cherished beings
Angels are cherished beings in many religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism. In these religions, angels are often depicted as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God and humanity, acting as protectors and guides for humans.
In Islam, angels are believed to be created from light, and Muslims often describe them as glowing with light from within as a physical manifestation of their passion for God.
In Christianity, angels are viewed as spiritual beings and messengers of God, acting as protectors, intercessors, and worshippers of God. They are also believed to play a role in guiding humans towards salvation.
In Judaism, angels are considered supernatural beings who stand by God in heaven and are subordinate to Him. They occasionally reveal God's will and instructions to selected people.
Zoroastrianism also recognises angel-like figures, including guardian angels and emanations of Ahura Mazda, the "Wise Lord" or God.
In Buddhism, angels are described as having the essence of light, although they may be depicted in art as having human or animal bodies.
Angels are cherished beings in these religions, playing a variety of roles such as messengers, protectors, guides, and worshippers of God. They are believed to be spiritual beings with a deep connection to the divine, and they are often associated with light and purity.
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Angels as investors
Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to businesses, including startups, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity. They are often wealthy private investors who finance small business ventures using their own net worth. Angel investors may be involved in a series of projects on a purely professional basis or may be found among an entrepreneur's family and friends. They are not in the loan business; instead, they invest in ideas they like, expecting a reward only if the business succeeds.
Angel investors are different from venture capitalists. Venture capitalists deploy large sums of pooled money from multiple investors, and they tend to spend it on existing businesses that they believe have the potential to turn a substantial profit. Angel investors, on the other hand, use their own money to back good ideas in the early stages of becoming successful businesses.
Angel investors can be a great source of funding for startups, but there are some disadvantages. One big disadvantage is that angel investors typically want 10% to 25% of the company in exchange for funding, which can result in business owners losing control of their company. Additionally, angel investors require compensation for their funding, typically in the form of equity, which can be more expensive than debt financing.
There are several ways to find angel investors. One way is to focus your search geographically, as many angel investors like to play an active role in the business they fund. You can also target industry associations and digital platforms, such as the Angel Capital Association (ACA) and the Angel Messenger Forum (AMF). Social media platforms like LinkedIn can also be a gateway to connecting with angel investors in your local area.
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Angels as protectors
Angels are often seen as protectors in many religions and spiritual practices. In Christianity, angels are described as "heaven's soldiers" and "heavenly hosts" that guard and watch over believers, protecting them from harm. This idea of angels as protectors is mentioned in several Bible verses, such as Psalm 91:11, which states, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
Angels are believed to protect people from physical and spiritual dangers, often intervening in dangerous situations to ensure the safety of believers. For instance, in Acts 12:7-11, an angel helps Peter escape from prison, and in Daniel 6:22, an angel shuts the mouths of lions that would have harmed Daniel. These stories illustrate the concept of angels as divine messengers and protectors, working under God's command to ensure the safety of those who follow Him.
The idea of guardian angels is also prevalent, with some believing that each person has an angel assigned to protect and guide them. While this belief is not explicitly stated in the Bible, passages such as Matthew 18:10 suggest that angels watch over believers, especially children, to ensure their safety.
Archangels, such as Michael, are also considered powerful protectors. Michael, in particular, is known as "the great protector" and is often depicted as holding a golden sword, symbolizing his role in cutting through negative energy and offering protection to those who call upon him.
Angels are also believed to provide spiritual protection, engaging in spiritual warfare with fallen angels to prevent evil plans from coming to fruition. They are described as "ministering spirits" in Hebrews 1:14, highlighting their role in serving and protecting those who will inherit salvation.
In addition to protection, angels are also associated with guidance, comfort, and spiritual support. They are believed to offer wisdom and healing messages, providing solace and reassurance during challenging or uncertain times.
The concept of angels as protectors is not limited to Christianity. In Islam, for example, the Qur'an mentions that "For each person, there are angels in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah [God]" (Qur'an 13:11). This suggests that angels are constantly watching over and protecting individuals, reinforcing the idea of angels as protectors across different faiths.
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Angels as physical beings
Angels are spiritual beings without physical bodies. They are created by God and are not glorified human beings. They are not subject to death or extinction and do not marry or reproduce. Angels are not omniscient or omnipotent, but they are stronger and more knowledgeable than humans. They can take on the appearance of men, and sometimes appear in dazzling white and blazing glory.
Angels are referred to as "ministering spirits" in Hebrews 1:14, and are said to be filled with divine love. They honour God and serve people, caring for each person throughout their life on Earth.
Angels have impressive intellectual capabilities. The Torah and the Bible mention that God has given angels knowledge about "all things that are on the earth". They also have the power to see the future. Their intellect does not depend on any kind of physical matter, as they are pure spirits without bodies.
Angels can exert great physical strength when performing their missions. They are often lit from within when they appear on Earth, and many people believe that angels are either made out of light or work within it.
Angels are incorruptible and retain the essence that God originally intended for them.
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Frequently asked questions
I'm sorry, I don't understand the request. Do you mean the word "angel"? If so, you can't change the word itself, but you can find synonyms for it, such as "darling", "dear", "cherub", "messenger", or "attendant".
Synonyms for "angel" that convey a sense of beauty or innocence include "beauty", "darling", "dream", "gem", "innocent", "pure", and "guileless".
Some synonyms for "angel" in the context of business or investing include "backer", "donor", "funder", "investor", and "patron".