Is there an angel of death?

Did you in the use of the term Angel of Death mean a real, substantial being or was it a mere figure of speech?

In speaking of the Angel of Death, I meant just such a being as I am myself. It is no figure, but a simple reality.

The ancients were not far wrong in representing him in statuary, as something beautiful and godlike.

He is indeed well worthy of all such honour, for he is, as it were, the guide, guardian and superintendent of the man from the moment of his first birth as a spirit, proceeding from the Great Spirit to his second birth into the material body, and from that to his third birth into the world of spirits, once more a so-called disembodied spirit.

In all this, the greatest attention and care is required on the part of the guardian, for important indeed is the charge committed to him—a spirit made in the Image of the Eternal, the greatest and most glorious of all creation.

Our Prince is in the same form, and in Him, we behold clearly the likeness of the Creator. So when a spirit is about to leave the body, this angel is duty-bound to look after his advent into the spirit world. He comes to smooth the way, to remove the hindrances that lie in the way of the spirit's progress. And glad is he when he finds that the spirit of his care will not be necessitated to undergo the discipline, which must inevitably be the lot of those whose earth lives have been spent in folly, despite the efforts of their guardians to preserve them from evil.

O, there is nothing disjointed here—all is in harmony.

The Angel of Death is he who ushers the spirit into life, whatever that life may be, whether into the Paradise of the wise and good who have gone before or into the deep and dark abodes of the evil-doers—those who have set at nought all the guidance and the guardianship of their good angels.

But is this Angel of Death one individual?

No―this same angel or guardian angel if it please you watches over the spirit when first he is born into the material body and continues his care even until death. He may be driven away, grieved by the man's rebellious courses, but at death, he is ready to resume his great work and joyfully guide the spirit to the mansions of the blessed or sadly direct it to the region of darkness and despair. The good guardian angel has done his work, and henceforth others come in to take his place.

You will observe from what I have just said that there is a trinity in man's existence, as in other things.

First, there is his birth as a spirit―the creation of the Great Father, but we cannot tell of that which belongs to this, the first part of his existence. Secondly, there is his birth into the material form before which death or a change must take place. Thirdly, his birth into the spirit life again, preceded by the death of the material body.

After completing their work with those over whom they are placed, do these angels ever become guardians to others?

Yes―when their work is done with one, they are as ready to go forth to the work again, of guarding and guiding another through the dangers and difficulties of the earth life.

―Hermes, the Egyptian

Hafed, Prince of Persia—His Experiences in Earth Life and Spirit Life