The Bible teaches that they are spiritual beings, whose primary function is the service of God, with special emphasis on ministering to human beings. Cherubim and seraphim are often erroneously confused with angels, or thought to be a type of angel. In fact they are something quite different,. Whenever angels appear to people in the Bible, they always have the form of ordinary men. It is sometimes stated that they are dressed in white robes. Many people ever since have believed they have received visits from angels. In every case, when these angels are seen, they look like ordinary people. Sometimes they may be dressed in white robes, but often they are wear ordinary clothes. The Bible also states that one very important function of angels is to stand constantly in the presence of God, praising him. Only two angels are named in the Bible. One is Gabriel who was God's special angelic messenger to the prophet Daniel, and also to Zechariah, Joseph and Mary in the gospel accounts of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. The other is Michael, who is the angelic guardian assigned to the nation of Israel. Certain other angels are named in the Apocrypha. One that springs to mind is Raphael. Angels are often associated with stars and this has a certain amount of backing in the Bible. Satan and his demons are in fact fallen angels, according to the Bible. Satan was originally Lucifer, or the light-bearer (morning star), a very important archangel who rebelled against God, and who was cast out of heaven in a very great battle between Lucifer and his following of fallen angels against Michael and his loyal angels. One very special being in the Old Testament is referred to as "the angel of the Lord". This personage is throughout the OT recognised to be a manifestation of God in human form and, is therefore described by christian theologians as a pre-incarnate (i.e. Before being born at the nativity) appearance of Jesus Christ.
