(angelos) A messenger from a divine source, or God. (See "The Five Gospels", by Funk, Hoover, Harpper-Collins, 1993, p. 544. "Heavenly Messenger".) Gamaliel, Gabrial, Samblo, and Abrasax, are angels, or ministers of Light. "Seven (creators of man) have power over all of these: Michael, Ouriel, Asmenedas, Saphasatoel, Aarmouriam, Richram, Amiorps. And the ones who are in charge over the senses (are) Archendekta; and he who is in charge over the receptions (is) Deitharbathas; and he who is in charge over the imagination (is) Oummaa; and he who is over the composition Aachiaram, and he who is over the whole impulse Riaramnacho. ("Apocryphon of John".)

Gnostics recognize nine choirs of angels, including seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, powers, virtues, principalities, archangels and angels. Most important are the archangels of the original Jewish Bible and those mentioned in the Book of Enoch, a text not included in the Bible. The archangel Michael is of particular importance to Gnostics, recognized as a defender of the gnosis, or divine knowledge. Gnostics believe angels are needed to guide humankind through the spiritual journey necessary for salvation, and the archangel Michael can offer protection from the spiritual evils encountered along the way.