A Handbook of Angels

_This was truly a groundbreaking book when it came out in 1984. Prior to this there really was very little serious contemplation of the nature of angels. If they were considered at all it was on a sentimental and not serious level. This book changed that by showing that if mankind had largely forgotten angels they, most assuredly, had not forgotten us. Moreover, the veil between heaven and earth seems thinner than ever before as the two realms seem to be on a collision course. _The author combined both present day research as well as study of extremely ancient sources. He came to the conclusion that "angel" was a collective term for a wide range of spiritual beings. Not only that, but man himself is both a necessary partner of these beings, as well as, an angel in the making himself. _It is the depth of contemplation that makes this work stand out in the field of angel books. The author repeatedly points out that we are not on earth for the fun of it. As he puts it, "something durable is being brewed." That which perishes in our earthly struggles is only that which was too weak for eternity. All this suffering is to build love and tolerance- and wisdom- the sort that is welded to the heart and the soul- and not a passing fancy of the head. If strife and suffering and trial did not exist down here then we would learn nothing- the world would be a school for jellyfish. _Moreover, heaven's war is examined. The armies of Michael and Lucifer still oppose each other in the eternal present of heaven. Both sides still inspire like-minded mortals in this war. The one decisive factor is moral courage. And those fighting against the enslavement of mankind are seldom the ones in earthly power. _Most of all, I agreed with the unequivocal declaration that man's primary purpose is metaphysical- and not economic. The world is not what it seems. _As much as I like Burnham's angel series, this was the first and the best. "The world of spirit is not closed, your consciousness is closed, your heart is dead!"- Goethe