Before I answer this, we must interpret the Bible LITERALLY unless the context demands a SYMBOLIC interpretation. When one strays from this fundamental principle of interpretation, they can come up with any “fanciful interpretation that fits their theological beliefs and purposes.” There is no reason to believe that this “angel” is not a real angel. To suggest it is a “mere man” who is the founder of a religious group is absurd. Now let’s read verses 1-3:

“After these things I saw FOUR ANGELS standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw ANOTHER ANGEL ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads” (NKJV).

In verse 1 we learn that God will use FOUR ANGELS to administer His judgments upon the whole earth. As we study the book of Revelation and the many judgments that will be poured out on earth during this “time of Tribulation,” we see God using REAL ANGELS in these judgments (see 8:2, 6, 13; 9:14-15; 15:1, 6-8; 16:1; 17:1; 21:9). These is absolutely no reason to suggest that the “four angels” in verse 1 are not “literal angels” and if this is so, there is no reason to suggest that “another angel” is NOT “another literal angel.” The founder of the cult in the Philippines is either self-deceived in thinking he is the “other angel,” or he is not deceived but is using this interpretation to gain a following. In either case, his teaching is unscriptural and is definitely leading others into error. And he surely knows that his followers are putting him on a level with angels and thus making himself an object to be respected, served and unchallenged when it comes to his teachings. We should have sincere pity for them, but he deserves no pity, for he is assuming a place of authority that God has only given to REAL ANGELS.

In closing, one might ask the question, “Is the ‘angel rising from the east’ more powerful than the ‘four angels’ in that he commanded them not to harm the earth until God’s servants are sealed on their foreheads?” It would seem so, and this would not contradict Scripture in that we read of various “RANKS of angels” in different passages in the Bible. We read of one in Ephesians 1:20-21, “Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all PRINCIPALITY and POWER and MIGHT and DOMINION, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” Later, Ephesians 6:11-12, we read of various ranks of angels among fallen angels, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against PRINCIPALITIES, against POWERS, against the RULERS OF THE DARKNESS of this age, against SPIRITUAL HOSTS OF WICKEDNESS in the heavenly places.” In Revelation 12:7-9 we read that the “good angels” and the “fallen angels” will go to war in heaven but the good angels, led by a powerful angel named Michael, will defeat Satan and his angels. “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and HIS ANGELS fought with the dragon; and the dragon and HIS ANGELS fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and HIS ANGELS WERE CAST OUT WITH HIM.”  (DO)  (537.3)