HOLY ONES – WATCHERS – PRINCIPALITIES – POWERS – RULERS OF DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD – SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES – THRONES - DOMINIONS

I think this will be the last post identifying names used to reference angels in scripture.

holy ones – watchers – These terms are used by Nebuchadnezzar in describing his dream in chapter 4 of Daniel.

Daniel 4:13–17 “I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven….This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”

This is the only chapter in scripture that mentions the watchers in reference to beings other than humans. I have heard them referenced as evil beings from those who use non-biblical sources, but I can find no biblical support for such a statement.

principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places – These are the titles Paul gives to the evil spiritual forces that are in ongoing warfare against the follower of Christ in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:11–12 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

He uses some of the same terminology in his letters to the Romans and the Colossians.

Romans 8:38–39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Colossians 2:15 “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

In all three instances the same Greek word is used for principalities; it goes back to a root that seems to be referencing evil spiritual forces of the highest rank. Two different Greek words are used for the word powers; taken together they seem to be referencing beings possessing power beyond human capabilities. In looking at the Greek for the phrase “rulers of the darkness of this world,” I understood it to be referencing evil forces that are the “shadows” or spirits behind the evil rulers of this world. “Spiritual wickedness in high places” seems to be referencing supernatural, malicious spirits in the heavens. All of these seem to be making a reference to “the devil and his angels” talked about in scripture.

Matthew 25:41 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels….”

Revelation 12:9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

There is another verse in Colossians that appears to be referencing spiritual beings that we would call angels.

Colossians 1:16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

It seems to me that these thrones and dominions are being grouped with the principalities and powers. The Greek for both terms indicate positions of power and mastery.

This concludes my attempt at identifying the different names by which references to angels are made in scripture.

I think it is important to note that angels are created beings as stated in the verse from Colossians above. Nehemiah also makes a specific statement regarding their creation.

Nehemiah 9:6 “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”

The “host of heaven” is a reference to beings with the ability to worship God.