Angels serve God
Throughout Scripture, angels carry out God’s purposes. The Hebrew word often translated angel can mean messenger, and the Greek word angelos means messenger too. Angels may bring news, offer help, worship God, or carry out his judgement.
Hebrews calls them ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). That is the best starting point. They are God’s servants, not independent spiritual powers for people to seek, command, or worship.
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Cherubim guard holy things
Cherubim appear where God’s holiness and glory are especially present. After Adam and Eve were sent from Eden, cherubim guarded the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). God also commanded cherubim to be woven into the curtain of Israel’s tabernacle, the place where he met with his people (Exodus 26:31).
Ezekiel saw extraordinary living creatures in his vision of God’s glory, and later identified them as cherubim (Ezekiel 10:20). They are not pictured as harmless decorative figures. The Bible presents them as awe-inspiring beings connected with God’s holy presence.
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Seraphim worship before the Lord
Seraphim appear in Isaiah’s vision of the Lord in the temple. Isaiah describes them with six wings, calling out to one another about God’s holiness (Isaiah 6:2-3). One seraph later brings a coal from the altar to cleanse Isaiah, preparing him for God’s calling (Isaiah 6:6-7).
The name seraphim is connected with a Hebrew word associated with burning. The passage does not explain every feature of these beings, so there is room for humility here. Their central role in Isaiah’s vision is clear, though. They worship the holy God.
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Michael and Gabriel have particular tasks
Michael is the only being directly called an archangel in the KJV (Jude 1:9). Daniel calls him one of the chief princes and shows him involved in a spiritual conflict (Daniel 10:13). Even Michael does not act as though authority belongs to him alone. He leaves final rebuke and judgement to the Lord.
Gabriel is never called an archangel in Scripture, though he clearly has significant assignments. He identifies himself to Zechariah before telling him that Elizabeth will bear John (Luke 1:19, Luke 1:13). He is also sent to Mary, where he tells her she will bear Jesus (Luke 1:26, Luke 1:31). These accounts show distinct roles, but they do not give a full organisational map of heaven.
Some heavenly beings remain mysterious
Revelation describes four living creatures around God’s throne, giving him honour without ceasing (Revelation 4:6-8). They share some features with Ezekiel’s vision, yet Revelation does not directly call them angels or cherubim. Christians have suggested different connections, but the text leaves room for mystery.
That matters because the Bible’s main purpose is not to satisfy every curiosity about angelic categories. When John fell before an angel, the angel redirected him to worship God alone (Revelation 22:8-9). So it is good to study angels with wonder, while keeping your attention on the Lord they serve.