Humankind is not alone in the universe. Our companions are the immaterial spirit-beings we call angels. Angelology, A True History of Angels, discusses the history of the angelic community from their creation, the fall of some, their character and attributes, and the works and appearances of holy and fallen. Special attention is given to the controversial passages Genesis 6, Isaiah 14, and Ezekiel 28. Numerous traditional views of what angels are like in appearance, nature, purpose, and organizational structure are challenged by Scripture. Myths thought to be Biblical are exposed. Five appendices list every appearance and work of the holy and fallen angels.

Fiery the angels fell; slow thunder rolled around their shores, burning with the fires of Orc.' Whether in recent popular culture, or back across countless centuries, angels have perpetually enthralled, mystified and even terrified us. 'Every single angel is terrible,' wrote the German Romantic poet Rilke: 'and so I hold myself back from the dark bird-cry of my anguished sobbing.' For some in the sceptical, post-Enlightenment West, angels may be no more than metaphors: poetic devices to convey, at least for those with a religious sensibility, an active divine interest in creation. But for others, angels are absolutely real beings: manifestations of cosmic power and energy with the capacity either to enlighten or annihilate those whose awestruck paths they cross. Valery Rees here offers the first comprehensive history of these beautiful, enigmatic and sometimes dangerous beings, whose existence and actions have been charted across the eons of time and civilizations. From the ancient Sumerian and Akkadian winged figures, to Egyptian representations of Ma'at, Persian genii, Arab djinn, biblical cherubim, daemons of Hermes Trismegistus and Milton's defiant fallen angels, From Gabriel to Lucifer reveals a mesmerising trajectory of angelic belief. Whether exploring the feverish visions of Ezekiel and biblical cherubim; the Islamic archangels Jibra'il, Azra'il, Mika'il and Israfil; the austere and haunting icons of Andrei Rublev; or Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire, and the more benign idea of the ever-watchful guardian angel, the author shows that the very ubiquity of these implacable celestial messengers reveal something fundamental, if not about God and the devil, then about ourselves: our perennial preoccupation withhow to depict the transcendent.

A BOOK OF ANGELS tells not only the extraordinary true stories of present-day encounters with angels, but also traces the understanding and study of angels through history and in different cultures. Discover what angels look like, whom they chose to visit, how they enter our lives, and so much more.

Set in the secluded world of cloistered abbeys, long-lost secrets and angelic humans, Angelology has all the makings of a blockbuster hit, combining elements of The Da Vinci Code and Kate Mosse's Labyrinth Sister Evangeline was just a young girl when her father left her at St. Rose Convent under the care of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Now a young woman, she has unexpectedly discovered a collection of letters dating back sixty years—letters that bring her deep into a closely guarded secret, to an ancient conflict between the millennium-old Society of Angelologists and the monstrously beautiful Nephilim, the descendants of angels and humans. Rich and mesmerizing, Angelology blends biblical lore, mythology and the fall of the Rebel Angels, creating a luminous, riveting tale of one young woman caught in a battle that will determine the fate of the world.

In the midst of the remarkable revival of interest and belief in angels comes this handsomely illustrated reference work--the fruit of 16 years of research in Talmudic, gnostic, cabalistic, apocalyptic, patristic, and legendary texts. "A wacky and wonderful compendium of angelic lore".--Time. Illustrations.

A thorough, comprehensive guide to the world of angels Angels, whose principal employment is the protection and encouragement of human beings, are more popular than ever. In this age of uncertainty, it is easy to understand why the concept of angels is so comforting. While much has been written about angels throughout history, no single source examines them as thoroughly or as thoughtfully as Angels A to Z. Written by an “angel expert” and a recognized authority on nontraditional religious movements, this enlightening resource is one of the most comprehensive books on angels and angel-related topics currently available. More than 300 entries, drawn from multiple religions, such as Christianity, Islam, and Hindu traditions, as well as from pop culture, are included. Celebrity angels, obscure angels still waiting for their big break, classifications of angels, guardian angels, fallen angels, biblical figures associated with angels, angels in art and architecture, and angels in the media and literature, how ancient, contemporary, and pop cultures represent angels in their mythology, folklore, architecture, art, literature, religion, and so much more. Angels A to Z explores a wide assortment of topics, including ... Gabriel, Michael, Lucifer, and other biblical angels Angels in various religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism) Different classifications of angels such as the Valkyries from Norse mythology and Hafaza from Islamic tradition Fallen angels, guardian angels, obscure angels, and angels across religious traditions Authors who write about angels, including Frank Peretti, Joan Wester Anderson, Eileen Freeman, Terry Lynn Taylor, and others Artists who depict angels such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Glenda Green, and Karyn Martin-Karl Beloved fictional characters like Clarence from the film It’s a Wonderful Life If you want to know more about the rich and important history of these spiritual beings, Angels A to Z is the answer to your prayers. With more than 130 photos and illustrations, this riveting read is richly illustrated, and its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness.