Section XVIII: The Number of the Angels, § 78
SECTION XVIII: ON THE NUMBER OF ANGELS
§ 78. The Scholastics ask more questions about both the good and evil angels, but most of them are formed in such a way that they ask them with excessive subtlety and settle them too boldly to be discussed profitably. They ask about the number of angels in this way, as exemplified by Thomas ([ST,] part 1, q. 50, art. 3): “Insofar as angels are nonmaterial substances, they exist in an exceedingly great multitude that surpasses every material multitude; for the more perfect some things are, in so much greater a number were they created by God. As in corporeal things greatness is considered according to size, so in noncorporeal things it is considered according to multitude. But now, incorruptible bodies surpass corruptible bodies incomparably as far as size is concerned; therefore it is reasonable that immaterial substances surpass material ones with respect to number.” Dionysius Carthusianus repeats Thomas’s reasoning in his commentary on Revelation 5 (f. 234). However, Biel attacks it (Sent. 2, dist. 9, q. 1, art. 3, doubt 1) and concludes: “The number of angels is indeed very great, but is uncertain to us.” Cyril of Jerusalem claimed (Catech. 15, p. 244) that we shall see more angels than humans on the Last Day.
It is better to discuss the number of angels on the basis of Scripture. Dan. 7:[10]: “A thousand thousands served the Ancient of Days, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.” In Gen. 32:2 there appeared to Jacob “an army” of angels. In Matt. 26:53 Christ says: “Do you think that I cannot ask My Father, and He will send Me more than twelve legions of angels?” According to Vegetius (De re militar., bk. 2, ch. 6), twelve legions comprise 73,200 infantry and 8,760 horsemen. Twelve legions, then, would be 81,960 [angels]. Heb. 12:22: “You have come to myriads of angels.”