Do Angels have a gender? (Page 4)

Cenababy: And surely if we look at the angels actually named, such as Michael and gabriel, obviously in male form and authority.

Captain Nemo1: Still waiting for those who said angels don't have wings to respond..again Isaiah 6. Ireffutable.. Bible says it

Zanjan: Cena, I explained what term the ancient Jews used and what it meant. That was a paternalistic society so using the word "He" was the default gender. In ancient times, males in all eastern societies had the greatest authority. Also, there has never been a Revelator of God who wasn't male.

We know Abraham and Moses had children. That there is no mention of Jesus having biological children doesn't mean He didn't have any - it means none survived. However, there is no mention of Him taking any other bride except the church. Married to an object? Right.

He knew his own end - at the time, He was supporting His mother. So, it doesn't make sense to marry a woman and have children one can't afford to support and one wont be around to bring them up. He's had many spiritual children though.

Zanjan: Smith, I've already said previously that "wings" is a metaphor. When the heart takes flight, it soars like an eagle. When the soul takes flight, it wings its way to the next world. That journey is also a metaphor.

Captain Nemo1: did you read all of Isaiah chapter 6. I know what you are saying as far as a metaphor but he is describing an actual physical being an angel that has six wings One Wing covering the face another the feet and the hands how can a metaphor cover something physical but I know where you're coming from

tularcitas: I tend to feel that the intent of the authors of the Bible was that the contents are meant to be metaphorical for the human condition...not to be taken literally.

Zanjan: Isaiah made prophecies - we were discussing Genesis, not visions.

Captain Nemo1: Whatever..we obviously have different takes on it but I respect your position

tularcitas: But then, I'm referring to the first five books.

Captain Nemo1: Tulare..point taken..I see what you mean...appreciate your take

Zanjan: Refering to Jesus........who lamented to the Jews how He would have spread His wings over them and gathered them to Himself like a hen with chicks. Believers are all under the shadow of the wings of God.

Captain Nemo1: I know what you're talking about Jesus was speaking in a metaphorical sense there but my position still stands Isaiah was describing something physical he saw and I know the reference you were talking about in The Book of Matthew about Gathering Together chicks under the hens wings

tularcitas: Thanks...I'm Jewish, but secular. I've read the NT and was moved by the gospels insofar as Jesus as the healer.

Zanjan: Wings imply there are TWO elements which are the same. You can take that to mean genders or Pillars of Faith. If it's the latter, then we go deeper into meaning - the angel that came before the current one, and the angel who comes after the present one.

Captain Nemo1: Tulare..no problem...I respect everything you say..you seem to have more courtesy and respect and a take on a lot of the people here do

tularcitas: Ty...We are all on our own paths in life...I like the epithet which is attributed to Jesus "Love thy neighbor as thyself"...I see it to mean love the fact that you exist, have the gift of life and if you do, you can love and respect that others also have the same gift.

Captain Nemo1: Tulare..I agree with you implicitly on what you just said that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves and also we are to love God with all thy heart mind body and strength on these two sayings hang all the law and Prophets of course I am quoting from the New Testament

tularcitas: I respect your belief.

Captain Nemo1: Can..I see what you're saying...true ..

Captain Nemo1: Zan...lol..sorry for the typo on your name

Zanjan: Exodus 19; 3- 4

" Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:

"‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself........."

The reason First Nations people have revered the eagle is because it's the highest flying of all birds. To spot one above you is a very good omen - a sign of the Will of God.

chronology: Not just 'First Nation' people Zan. Roman Legions all had their own Legion 'Eagle' Standard.

The Roman Legions placed a great deal of pride in the Legions Eagle. After the catastrophic defeat against the Germanic Tribes in the Tuton Forrest the Romans spent decades negotiating with the German Tribal Leaders to recover their Eagle Standards which had been carried away by triumphant German worriers.

The Wolf was also a symbol of Rome. A rider with a Wolf pelt on him would ride in a chariot alongside Caesar on Parades in Rome.

Zanjan: Yep. Every culture that's ever been has seen the spirit of something in a living creature and has wanted that spirit to represent them on their own standard (flag). Today, any business that doesn't have a logo makes a lousy impression. I think symbols are here to stay.

chronology: Well Zan, you know my views on 'modern' Business Symbols. There is nothing modern about virtually any of the Big Corporate Logos, they are strait out of Babylonian Culture 3000 years ago. True they are often disguised, but they are there none the less. One Europes biggest Businesses some years ago was British Telecom, a phone company. It had a Logo of a man with a trumpet. But if you looked at the Logo for a while you notice it was a large serpent.

plitiksnly: While not attempting to pray any religion, my best idea of what angels are was developed from Billy's book, Angels, it shows the source of his beliefs and idea development. I believe the book is still available. It explains that angels are genderless and tells the reason for it. All of it is sourced from the Bible. I am a believer, but even from an Gnostic point of view it would be a good reading!.