In many of the paintings, cartoons and video games we have seen since childhood, there are always some winged, white-robed, holy-looking characters.They are called “angels”, but have we ever thought that there is not only one kind of angel?Especially when we hear the names “Killing Angel” and “Cherubim”, many of us may think that they are similar, just called by different names.
However, if you look into the information carefully, you will find that there is actually a clear difference between the two!
As a lover of the occult and the spiritual world, I used to think that the “Killing Angels” and the “Cherubim” were the same kind of beings, but it wasn’t until I started to read the relevant chapters of the Bible that I realized that they were in fact completely different types of celestial beings.creatures.
Today, I’m going to take you on a journey to find out what the difference between a “Killing Angel” and a “Cherub” is, why they appear in different classics, and what they represent.
Starting with a picture: What you think is an angel may not be an angel at all.
In many works of art, we see angels in the form of chubby children or a smiling white man holding a harp.But this is actually a “cultural misinterpretation”.The real image of an angel is much more complex, and can even be a bit frightening.
For example, the “fiery angels” mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Isaiah, and the “cherubim” found in Genesis and Ezekiel, are nothing like the cute little angels we see in Christmas cards.
So what do they look like?And what are their roles?
Seraphim: Praisers of God.
The word Seraphim first appears in the sixth chapter of Isaiah.It describes an experience in which the prophet Isaiah saw a vision.He saw God sitting on a throne surrounded by a group of creatures with six wings.
These creatures are the fiery angels.What is their main task?Not to fight or guard, but to praise God without ceasing.With their voices they shouted, “Holy!Holy!Holy!”This praise was so strong that the whole temple shook.
There are several key points in the image of the blazing angel:
- Six wings: two to cover the face, two to cover the feet, and the other two for flying.
- Flame-like appearance: Since the word “blaze” itself means “to burn”, the Killing Angel is usually considered a being of fire.
- Circle around God’s Throne: They are the closest group of angels to God, and can almost be said to be on God’s side.
Simply put, the Killing Angels are like the “Praise Band in Heaven”, and they exist to constantly pay homage and worship to God.
Cherubim: Guardians of sacred space.
The name Cherubim first appears in the third chapter of Genesis.At that time, after Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden, God arranged for a cherubim to stand guard there, with a flaming sword that turned in his hand, to prevent mankind from re-entering Paradise.
Later in the Book of Ezekiel, the image of the cherubim became more detailed.They were no longer simple guards, but a creature of extremely complex appearance.According to the description, they had four faces: the face of a man, the face of a lion, the face of an ox, and the face of an eagle; as well as four wings, covered with eyes, and even had wheel-like structures rolling underneath.
The characteristics of the cherubim include:
- Multiple faces with multiple eye designs: symbolizing omniscience and the ability to see in all directions at once.
- Mobile Throne System: They are associated with God’s “chariots” in the Book of Ezekiel, as if they were God’s vehicles or carriers.
- Performing Divine Duties: Not only guarding the Garden of Eden, they are also responsible for carrying God’s glory and even participating in judgment.
If the Killing Angels are “praisers”, the Cherubim are more like ‘executors’ and “guardians”.
Seraphim vs Cherubim : The core difference between the two.
Although both are high ranking angels and both appear in the Bible, their functions, images, and roles are distinctly different:
| Characteristics | Killing Angels | Cherubim |
|---|---|---|
| Occurrence Literature | Primarily in the Book of Isaiah | Multiple occurrences in Genesis and Ezekiel |
| Characteristics | Six wings, covered face, covered feet, flying | Four faces, four wings, full of eyes, with wheels |
| Main Functions | Praise God | Guarding sacred space and transmitting God’s will |
| Relationship with God | Close to God’s throne | Carrying God’s glory and operation |
| Sense of atmosphere | Pure and passionate atmosphere of worship | Mystery, majesty, and awe |
From these comparisons, it is clear that the cherubim are more like “worship specialists” and the cherubim are “doers” – they are not just gatekeepers, but also have deeper responsibilities.
Why do people confuse them?
There are several reasons why many people can’t tell the difference between the Killing Angels and the Cherubim:
- Name similarity: Both terms sound like some kind of “higher angel”, making people think they are the same kind of being. 2.
- Visual Misinterpretation: Angels are often depicted in modern art and movies as one and the same, ignoring their original depiction in the Bible.
- Hierarchy Confusion: Some religious books or internet articles directly confuse the two or even place them in the same hierarchy in order to simplify the content.
In fact, the Bible does not clearly state who has a higher status, but rather emphasizes the different roles of each of them.The Killing Angels are close to God and responsible for praise; the Cherubim have more to do with God’s operations and judgment.
My summary: Understand them in order to better understand the divine world.
The biggest thing I have learned from this study is that I have come to understand that although the Killing Angels and the Cherubim are both angels, their tasks, images, and meanings are completely different.
The Killing Angels are like “God’s Choir”, who manifest God’s holiness with endless praises; while the Cherubim are more like “God’s Guardians”, who guard the sacred space and carry God’s glory.
If you are studying religion, mythology or the spiritual world, you may want to learn more about these two types of angels.Not only are they present in ancient scriptures, but they have also left a profound impact on modern culture.
The next time you see a picture of an angel, think: Is it a Killing Angel or a Cherubim?Is it praising God or guarding something?
Tip: How do you remember the difference?
- Killing Angel = “fiery” + “praise ”: Imagine a fire saying “holy, holy, holy” over and over again.
- Cherubim = “guardian” + “complex ”: Visualize a monster with wings, multiple faces, and rolling wheels.
Doesn’t that make it easier to memorize?
