Hierarchy and Orders

 

First Sphere – Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones

Seraphim

Seraphim (plural; singular form is Seraph) – Isaiah saw the Seraphim in his famous vision. They stood above Jehovah as He sat on His throne (Isaiah. 6:2; 6). They are divine creatures from the Old Testament, associated with the Cherubim, and later taken to be angels. The root of Seraphim comes either from the Hebrew verb seraph (‘to burn’) or the Hebrew noun seraph (a fiery, flying serpent). Because the term appears several times with reference to the serpents encountered in the wilderness (Num. 21.8, Deut. 8.15; Isaiah 14.29; 30.6), it has often been understood to refer to “fiery serpents.” From this some suggest that the Seraphim were snake-like in form and in some sense “fiery” creatures or associated with fire.

 

They dwell in the presence of God and cleave to Him, and are immediately united to Him. They receive revelations of God before the other angels and then relate such information to them.

We identify them with the fire of healing and love. Each Seraph radiates powerful light – a light so powerful that the Thrones and Cherubim cannot look at them. It is said that anyone who lays eyes on a Seraph would instantly be incinerated due to its immense brightness (Isaiah notwithstanding). They are described as tall, with six wings and four heads, one for of the cardinal directions. They use one pair of wings to fly, one to cover their eyes (a token of humility), and one to cover their feet (a token of respect). They stand in the direct presence of God. They bear a general resemblance to the human figure in some aspects. Writers other than Isaiah describe them with a face, voice, feet, and hands. In this way, they passed from Jewish tradition to Christianity as angels.

 

They remain close to the Throne of God. In fact, they serve as caretakers of God’s throne and are always in His presence. They circle the Throne in perpetual adoration of God. Some scholars describe them as angels of unadulterated love, light and fire. The Seraphim that Isaiah saw hovered above and on both sides God’s throne, forming two opposite choirs and presenting antiphonal worship. Their occupation was two-fold: to celebrate the praises of Jehovah’s holiness and power and to act as the medium of communication between heaven and earth. From their antiphonal chant (“one called out to another”) we may picture them ranging in opposite rows on each side of the throne.

Cherubim

Cherubim – Name signifies “fullness of knowledge.” God often dispatches them to the physical realm to do specific tasks such as the expulsion of man from the Garden of Eden and the Annunciation of Christ. They remain on duty at the entrance of the Garden of Eden in order that man cannot find his way toParadiseto eat from the Tree of Life.

 

God directed Moses to place two golden Cherubim on the top of the Ark of the Covenant, where they are fastened to the Mercy Seat, and, facing each other, stretched out their wings so as to form a screen over the seat. Cherubim were also woven into or embroidered upon the inward curtain of the Tabernacle, and later the veil that opens into the Holy of Holies in theTempleproper.

Solomon instructed two Cherubim to be placed in the firstTemple. They were made of olive wood, overlaid with gold. They had bodies ten cubits high, and stood on their feet like men. Length of their wings was five cubits.

They are filled by participation in Divine Wisdom, and through them, lesser orders of angels receive knowledge and wisdom. Their name means, “Streams of Wisdom.”

 

 

Thrones

Thrones – Lesser known group of angels, but as important. They are exempt from and untainted by any base and earthly things. Because of their high rank, they are worthy of fellowship with Jesus Christ and possess the highest knowledge that angels can have of the works of God. In fact, some say that the very essence of God’s Spirit is conveyed to and through these angels, who then pass on the message to men and/or lower classes of angels.

Thrones are known to be involved with justice in the heavens, and are some of the most powerful angels in service to God. Their primary function is to carry out or fulfill the divine justice of God. They have the ability to channel the energy and purpose of God and transmit that message to others. Because they retain such a high position and responsibility, they come closest of all angels to spiritual perfection.

Second Sphere– Dominions, Virtues, Powers

Dominions

Dominions — Some sources refer to them as the Hashmallim. Their primary function that God delegates to them is the task of regulating the duties of lower angels. As their name implies these angels present order to the lower ranks and will on occasion make themselves known to man. They preside over nations. The Dominions are believed to look like divinely beautiful humans with a pair of feathered wings, much like the common representation of Angels, but they may be distinguished from other groups by wielding orbs of light fastened to the heads of their scepters or on the pommel of their swords. They are purified, illuminated and perfected by the divine Illuminations bestowed on them in a secondary manner through the first order of angels.

 

Virtues

Virtues – Responsible for the maintenance of the physical universe. Their primary duty is to supervise the movements of the heavenly bodies in order to ensure that the cosmos remains in order. They possess great strength and appear to be “workhorses” of the angels.

Powers

Powers – Some sources list Powers as the bearers of conscience and the keepers of history. They sometimes serve as warrior angels, fiercely loyal to God. Some believe that no Power has ever fallen from grace, but another theory states that Satan was the Chief of the Powers before his fall. They work diligently to oversee the distribution of power among humankind, hence their name.

Third Sphere – Principalities, Archangels, Angels

Principalities

Principalities – We usually see these entities wearing a crown and carrying a scepter. Their duty also is to carry out the orders given to them by the Dominions and grant blessings to the material world. They oversee groups of people. As beings related to the world of the ideas, they inspire living things to many branches of knowledge such art and/or science.

Archangels

Archangels – We know Archangels from the Bible, but we don’t know as much as we may think. We usually associate these “chief” angels as the great heralds of good news, announcing the great and most glorious. According to Dionysius the Areopagite, their principle service consists in revealing prophecies, knowledge, and understanding of God’s will, which they receive from the higher orders of angels and announce to the lower order ( the angels), and through them, to men. St. Gregory says that the Archangels “strengthen people in the holy faith, enlightening their minds with the light of knowledge of the holy Gospel and revealing the mysteries of devout faith.”

Archangels govern affairs of the messengers of the various realms. Their presence on earth usually signals great change. They can take human form and can cause occurrences or change the tide of events for/on behalf of humanity. They are perhaps the most confusing of the Angelic Orders in that we often use their rank for other angelic beings. In addition, they are among the few angelic beings mentioned specifically by name in the New Testament (See Jude 1:9 where the Archangel Michael contends with Satan over the body of Moses). Gabriel, although not specifically named anArchangelin the Scriptures, is generally regarded as such in Christian thought.

Angels

Angels – Messengers that commune with various life forms within the physical worlds. This Order includes guardian angels of mankind, and as such, are the most accessible angels to humans. They are more properly named angels by humans than those of higher rank because their Order is more directly in contact with humans.

We see them as spirit beings that exist to fulfill the tasks given to them by God. As their name suggests, they are chiefly messengers of God and/or higher Orders of angels. In Muslim tradition, two angels are assigned to each person at birth. One angel records the person’s good deeds while the second records bad deeds.

In Psalms, we learn the concept of “guardian angels”:

“For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalms 91: 11, 12.

 

34 Responses to “Hierarchy and Orders”

  1. GEORGE F. KERKHOFF says:

    If you don’t mind my asking; sometime back I used to access the Steliart website because I really did like the manner they wrote/identified ‘angelology! The detailed information and graphics they used; however, it appears they are no longer on the web! Could you give me some enlightenment, I would appreciate that!

    Thank you very much.

    George F. Kerkhoff

  2. how can a man see his own guardian angels and how will he beable to communicate with them anytime situation requires and also knowing their names

    • Morgan says:

      You can meditate and ask for them to join you. Ask for their name, they may or may not give it to you. A persons gaurdian angel(s) are always with them, so it is easy to talk to them. I hope this helped a little

      • Benis says:

        Not true in hebrews it clearly states that we cannot see angles less we fall and worship them instead of God.

        • Angela says:

          NOT so Benis. I have personally seen an Angel … yes I had a witness with me. I have not ever worshiped Angels nor called on one by name. I worship the LORD JESUS CHRIST & HE alone I call on. We can’t get to GOD without JESUS.

          • Jim says:

            The Lord always knows what we have need of ( Matthew 6:8), and the Holy Spirit endwells all true believers (1 Corinthians 3:16). So passages in the Old Testament about Angels don’t have the same impact as (like with Daniel, Lot, Abraham) because Christ had not yet fullfilled his “mission”, and Old Testament saints did not have the Holy Spirit as post resurrection Saints. Some OT saints had temporary filling, not permanent. Regardless of their Spiritual condition, I.E. Sampson, Saul, Judges. Various individuals were given the Holy Spirit for tasks, David, Saul, Bezalel who made much of the tabernacle art work. Angels only act based on Gods wishes, no where does scripture say each believer always has an angel assigned to him or her. God doesn’t need us or the Angels to accomplish anything, only the Lord is omniscient, omnipotent,etc.Hebrews 13:5-6, Christ will never leave us or forsake us. Abraham saw the Lord and two Angels prior to any worshiping of the Lord. He ran to met them and bowed down. He some how knew that The Lord was the Lord, because it was the Lord he tried to convince not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for Lots sake. Daniel saw the Angel before he fell from fright. No where does it say a person has to fall and worship to see an Angel. That’s false Gospel. Just as Catholics will pray to Mary, which is not in scripture, neither is so much of what many of you are discussing. Jesus, Matthew 4:10, “you shall worship the Lord your God and him alone shall you serve.”If we worship God in Spirit and in Truth, we cannot worship anyone or anything else. Satan is an angel, he still could visit God the Father as in Job. Jesus is fully human and fully God, not only didn’t he worship Lucifer he told him this statement. Joshua say the captain of the Lords Hosts, pre incarnate Christ, and walked up to him and asked are you with us or are enemies? Anyway, Benis, please don’t create new scripture. Exegesis, eisegesis, and hermeneutics. 2 Timothy 3- read it. Search scriptures daily. Jesus, God loves us. Lord bless you all.

          • J says:

            That was is demon, you can hear Angels but being blind to them is for our safety. Demons are well known to play convincing Angels, Especially (lucifer: “Anonym”)

            Here is a quick check list:

            You weren not informed of their coming prior by a herald ?
            Are you sure you have not indulged in Noah’s 7 laws ?
            Was there a sound of rushing water or a beehive ?
            Glowing skin & eyes ?
            Four faces ?
            Four wings ?
            Four metals ?
            Lights on/off ?
            Doors or furniture move ?
            Do not know the entities name ?

          • J says:

            Oh and last but not least,
            Odd behaviour such as the following is a good indication that a person is possessed or being tormented;
            -Over using all capitals unnecessarily and especially for certain words like; Jesus, Lord, God, Word, Angel, Heaven, Sin and their antithesees.
            -Misspelling words and misplacing punctuation.

        • Jim says:

          The Lord always knows what we have need of ( Matthew 6:8), and the Holy Spirit endwells all true believers (1 Corinthians 3:16). So passages in the Old Testament about Angels don’t have the same impact as (like with Daniel, Lot, Abraham) because Christ had not yet fullfilled his “mission”, and Old Testament saints did not have the Holy Spirit as post resurrection Saints. Some OT saints had temporary filling, not permanent. Regardless of their Spiritual condition, I.E. Sampson, Saul, Judges. Various individuals were given the Holy Spirit for tasks, David, Saul, Bezalel who made much of the tabernacle art work. Angels only act based on Gods wishes, no where does scripture say each believer always has an angel assigned to him or her. God doesn’t need us or the Angels to accomplish anything, only the Lord is omniscient, omnipotent,etc.Hebrews 13:5-6, Christ will never leave us or forsake us. Abraham saw the Lord and two Angels prior to any worshiping of the Lord. He ran to met them and bowed down. He some how knew that The Lord was the Lord, because it was the Lord he tried to convince not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for Lots sake. Daniel saw the Angel before he fell from fright. No where does it say a person has to fall and worship to see an Angel. That’s false Gospel. Just as Catholics will pray to Mary, which is not in scripture, neither is so much of what many of you are discussing. Jesus, Matthew 4:10, “you shall worship the Lord your God and him alone shall you serve.”If we worship God in Spirit and in Truth, we cannot worship anyone or anything else. Satan is an angel, he still could visit God the Father as in Job. Jesus is fully human and fully God, not only didn’t he worship Lucifer he told him this statement. Joshua say the captain of the Lords Hosts, pre incarnate Christ, and walked up to him and asked are you with us or are enemies? Anyway, Benis, please don’t create new scripture. Exegesis, eisegesis, and hermeneutics. 2 Timothy 3- read it. Search scriptures daily. Jesus, God loves us.

      • T.Hancock says:

        Your “gardian” angels are messengers of God. You should only desire to talk to God and the Holy Spirit will communicate with you. There is nowhere in the Word of God where a person willingly communicated with an angel simply because they chose to. However, in every instance the angel only appeared and spoke to deliver a message or execute God’s judgement. Angels don’t work for you, they work for God, they do God’s will and not yours so if you can willingly contact an “angel” then 10 times out of 10 you’re contacting a demon or fallen angel.

  3. Gerhard says:

    Thanks for this and I will like to hear more about this subject.

  4. Emmanuel says:

    Please, how can i know when an angel that is assigned to protect me is around and can i see them?

    • ditt says:

      I have always known my guardian angel and it has been my experience that you never see them but you will know when they are there.

  5. Joel says:

    You need to pray to the Holy Spirit

  6. Kenneth Jones says:

    I think if you really want to see your own guardian angels or just angels, you just need to tell them to give you a sign, maybe through the clouds, smoke coming out from a fire, etc.. maybe, I don’t know really.

  7. Frater P.E.P.P.O. says:

    Emanmanuel,

    The answer to your question depends on to whom you ask. One way to do it is through the Abramelin Process. Purchase a book by the name “The Book of Abramelin: A New Translation”, you can purchase it through Barnes & Noble:

    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-abramelin-abraham-von-worms/1120437612?ean=9780892542147

    This book will explain one way to contact your HGA. It uses a Judea cosmology, which Christianity and Islam are based on. It explains to you the difference, in their terms, between divine magic and sorcery.

    It takes roughly 18 months to complete the operation, but will be in direct contact with you HGA.

    I hope this helps.

    Kindest Regards,

    Frater P.E.P.P.O.

  8. Janet says:

    “thrones” are not angels according the bible

  9. Neka says:

    Please, please, please. I am begging you. DO NOT attempt to contact an angel. You probably would only be contacting an evil entity. Beware of ANYONE who attempts to teach you to do so. It is probably steeped in occultism. Do your own research and check out people’s backgrounds to find out more about them and their possible motives. Do not just take what anyone says as” gospel”. Be like the Christians of Berea and fact check yourself. It could mean your life. God bless.

  10. Angel (???) says:

    hey just wondering you all are speculating about my kind’s ideals and consulting a 2016 year old book that is been used to put people down and raise people up by reading and quoting certain aspects so if you want you can do that but I highly question the idea that you could see one of us unless you knew what they would be named and where we’d be born. also you may not realize this but I will drop you guys a big hint:

    We have been taking the form of humans and been born in every part of the world and even some animals are angels that were born into an animal I can safely say you are looking for us in the wrong way and trying to find us is the first part getting us to admit we are the real deal is harder I am not any different in that since so P.S. If you find me and preform the right (sorry won’t tell you how to catch me) you could very well be able to join a new part of the world that you probably never even knew existed but I won’t divulge anymore.

    Happy Hunting,

    Angel (???)

  11. Angel (???) says:

    Also I might add angels may retain information that can help them figure out themselves and I was no exception and I will drop you all some places if you really want to get the chance for you to find angels (any angels looking at this forum please note I am not discriminating or picking because I want to get back at you or settle a score but I am doing this as a way to give humanity the chance to have a insight into what we are not what we are said to be.) so with that said I am going to give you a list of places where a Real Angel may live or has been spotted what you do with this information is your business not mine and should you wind up killing yourself or otherwise I will say I wasn’t to blame it was your actions( That was a hint to the angel I know is watching this forum so don’t pretend to say you are innocent!) so here is the first 5 places in the us for angel hunters…
    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
    State Town/City

    Texas Hickory Creek

    Rhode (??????????)
    Island

    New York NYC

    Florida (I’m not to sure where)

    California (they walk on the big bridge and live in angel isle state park but are known to be seen near San Francisco)

    Next up:

    GERMANY

    TOWN/CITY

    Brunswick (head up this one is a known fighter and they mean business)

    Wolfsburg (Night only will not be able to be seen anywhere during the day

    Berlin (Not really one you want to go near as they will not allow humans to talk to them.)

    Albstadt (this one will run and finding the angel here is like trying to pick a wheat colored needle in a haystack

    Hatzfeld (this little one is a rarity so it is not recommended you catch this especially due to the heavy amount of protection around to guard it’s life)

    Last country I will tell for you this week is going to be a little bit of a spoiler to next week as I will post this and russia so really let me rephrase this,

    Russia and GB

    Kiev

    Moscow

    Chernobyl

    London

    Galloway Forest Park

    Norwich

    • Gabby says:

      My friend, an angel that is born into an earthly existence is fallen or Nephelim. Else they would be intangible and undying as they are not Mortal. Please call to The Father if you are truly an Angel born to flesh. A true Angelic presence would burn a human form to ash as they are not able to contain the power and enormity of an angelic self. Angels Are a part of The Father and far too large a being to fit entirely into human form. As such, a human may contain some part of a fallen while the remaining portion sleeps or toils for the shining betrayer. It could also be that you are ill and might benefit from some sort of mental health care. May the Blessings of the father be with you.

  12. Sir Alex says:

    Pls Mr “Angel”… Are u saying ure an angel or ure jst indirectly saying ure a demon… Bcus I dnt think an angel would have d time to b replying posts and giving us a hint on where we can find angels dat is really awkward… I really believe in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit nd angels bt nt dis one..

  13. Irishbri says:

    I remember when I had my first beer….

  14. Jason says:

    Archangel is the HIGHEST rank of angel……where did you get your info bro? According to scripture the Archangel Michael is 2nd only to God himself

    • Nina says:

      While it is true that Archangels are said to be the highest ranking, I feel as if this list is sorted into ‘job’ rather than what scripture may say. You must also keep in mind that Angelology is simply a humans interpretation on how things are ordered rather than the true closeness factor. While Archangels are essentially God’s generals, they may not actually regulate the heavens like the Seraphim are said to. However, keep in mind all of this is open for personal interpretation, we may never know the full hierarchy simply because we cannot get the answers we may seek by simply asking.

      I look at this the same way I look at how people say Satan and Lucifer are two different entities (Which I personally believe as well pending your area of study into such matters)
      We are all entitled to our own opinion on how things should be ordered, this just happens to be the most common that I’ve noticed 🙂

      • Donte' says:

        You are never entitled to your own opinion when it comes to the Word of God. If there is no biblical proof to back up a statement then reserve your thought to yourself. Lucifer is he who had status in the heavens, satan is his rebellion/fallen state. It was stated a couple of times on this thread, DO NOT meditate, summoned or call for an angel. If there is a need you are to call upon the Father in Jesus name and the Angels that are created to carry the prayers of the Saints will take your request unto the Father and He will respond accordingly with your best interest at heart but for His Glory. Otherwise you will definitely welcome the demonic.

  15. JoAnna Johnson says:

    Love love thanks for sharing. We all have to seek God for ourselves and we are at different levels in dimensions. I personally see angels and demons and definitely know the difference. If the men of God spoke to angels in the bible then why shouldn’t I. I never limit God and my faith grows the more I read His word. If God is the God of the Angel Armies then I know as a vessel of the very essence of God in me then I know I can speak to angels if this is where my faith lies and GOD allows.

    • JoAnna Johnson says:

      I know a woman that’s an angel from heaven and she’s a human. She literally prays, goes to heaven then comes back isn’t this amazing. What a mighty God we serve that Bible days are still today. Angels amongst us in human form. With God all things are possible IF U believe

  16. Eve says:

    How does we ‘humans’ comprehend and knew these stuff, the fact that were lowly beings? did God sent his Angels to notify us with this information?In fact were dealing with ‘holy beings’.

  17. Z says:

    youve got a point dude.. i wondering too

  18. NWAFORBE says:

    Agents of the devil claiming to be angels of light. Thank God for earlier warnings.
    Imagine God’s angel, a messenger coming to chat on internet with men, making syntax error difficult for humans to make.
    May God forgive you for claiming to be His angel and thus leading men astray.
    Repent and be saved or risk eternal damnation.

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