The upper triad consists of seraphim(love), cherubim(knowledge), and thrones. The supernatural beings of this
upper triad are the closest to God. They have direct contact with Him. According to Pseudo-Dionysus, they receive "the
primal theophanies and perfections." They pass these on to the next triad. The three levels mentioned in this triad are
perfect and absolutely pure because of their closeness to God. These angels dance non-stop, singing God's praises. * The name seraphim means "fire-makers"
or "carriers of warmth." Seraphim maintain an unfaltering heat of movement about the throne of God, and are able
to hold undiminished both the light they have and the illumination they give out. They purify through fire and lightning,
and have the ability to push away every shadow. * The name cherubim means "fullness of
wisdom" or "outpouring of wisdom." They have the power to see and to know God; to contemplate the divine splendor
in primordial power; and to pour out their wisdom to others. * The thrones transcend all earthly
defects, and are forever seperated from all that is inferior to them. They are free from passion and material interests, and
can openly receive and bear God.
The middle triad consists of
dominions, powers, and authorities. The authorities are also called virtues. These in turn pass God's word to the last
triad. * The name dominion signifies a lifting up that is
free of earthly tendencies. Dominions strive ceaselessly toward true dominion and the true source of all dominion, rejecting
empty appearances and returning completely to God. * The powers exhibit a kind of masculine
and unshakable courage in all that they do. They manifest a dynamic energy. Powers point to the transcendent power of God,
the source of all power. * The authorities receive God in a harmonious and unconfused way, and
point to the ordered nature of both celestial and intellectual authority.
The last triad, of principalities, archangels, and angels, is responsible for communicating God's word
to humans. *The principalities possess a godlike and princely hegemony,
and set the example of behavior according to the highest principals. * The archangels commune
with the principalities and bring about the unity of all the angels. They interpret and mediate divine pronouncements and
announce them to the angels. * The angels are closest in the celestial hierarchy to human beings,
and transmit what they receive from higher up in the form of enlightenment and wisdom.
Angel Hierarchy According to:
Pseudo-Dionysuis The
first sphere~ Angels who serve as heavenly counselors:
01. Seraphim 02. Cherubim 03. Thrones
The second sphere~ Angels who work as heavenly governors:
04. Dominions 05. Virtues 06. Powers
The third sphere~ Angels who function as heavenly messengers:
Berith Menucha 01.
Arelim 02. Ishim 03. Bene Elohim 04. Mala Kim 05. Hashmallim 06. Tarshi Shim 07. Shinnanim 08. Cherubim 09. Ofanim 10. Seraphim
In Heaven an angel is nobody in particular.~~George
Bernard Shaw
Thousands of things do thee employ In
ruling all This spacious globe: Angels must have their joy, Devils their rod, the sea his shore, The winds their stint: and yet when I did call, Thou heardst my call, and more.
~~George Herbert
.
The Ruling Princes
of the Nine Celestial Orders
Seraphim Michael,
Seraphiel, Jehoel, Uriel, Kemuel, Metatron, Nathanael, and Satan (before his fall).
Cherubim Gabriel, Cherubiel, Ophaniel, Raphael, Uriel, Zophiel, and Satan (before his fall).
Thrones Orifiel, Zaphkiel, Zabkiel, Jophiel, and Raziel.
Archangels Metatron, Raphael, Michael, Gabriel,
Barbiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Satan (before his fall).
Angels Phalag,
Adnachiel, Gabriel, Chayyliel.
HIERARCHIES OF ANGELS There
are numerous ranks of angels referred to in the Bible. These ranks were
arranged into hierarchies by the time the 6th century came around. For every rank
of these celestial beings there are ranks of fallen angels in hell. These evil beings become demons,
whose role is to tempt all mankind to do sinful things and to steal souls into the kingdom of Satan. The fathers of the church
of Christianity gave extensive meditation to the duties, functions, abilities, nature and numbers of these celestial beings.
The interest in all of this consideration hit an all time high in the middle Ages. Unfortunately, this interest began to decline
during the Renaissance period. These winged messengers made a comeback and became popular again around the early 21st century,
thanks to a widespread hunger for personal, spiritual relationships with the Eternal One. Along with that hunger came the
ease of available supernatural help and guidance. Popular thinking has led people to put into a best friend position, forgetting
about the angel history of relentlessness and impartiality. An angel is a supernatural creature who acts as a medium between
God and humans. Angels maintain the position to minister over all existing things and the common world, and everything in
the cosmos. The word angel means messenger, although that their only duty. The Bible introduces as messengers of God, and
refers to angels or God as Angel of the Lord numerous times. Angels are spiritual, and also possess the ability to take on
the form of humans. They appear as creatures of glorious light, fire, and lightning. At times they appear with wings and other
times without. According to the Bible angels are the main players in the game of life, and in the situating and perfecting of mankind's
relationship with the Eternal One. Some angels became different angels like Michael, the guardian angel of Israel. The thousands
of angels are ranked in hierarchies. The top hierarchies of Judaism and
Christianity, are the seven archangels, each of whom is assigned to one of the seven spheres in Heaven: Gabriel, Raphael,
Michael, Uriel, Jophiel, Zadkiel, and Samael(Satan). Lower ranked angels are called cherubim, seraphim,
and various, among many others. Catholics and a few Protestants believe that everyone has a guardian angel watching over them.
In the mystical Jewish Kabbalah, an archangel is assigned to each emanation on the Tree of Life: Metatron for Kether, Ratziel
for Chokmah, Tzaphiel for Binah, Tzadqiel for Chesed, Khameal for Geburah, Raphael for Tipereth, Haniel for Netzach, Michael
for Hod, Gabriel for Yesod, and Sandalphon for Malkuth. Islam has four archangels, Azrael, Israfil, Gabriel, and Michael.
The Gnostics, influenced by Persian traditions, focused on angelic hierarchies also, and believed
that angels lived in a mystical world of light between the earthly world and the Transcendent Causeless Cause. Rudolph Steiner,
occultist and philosopher, envisioned an intricate aristocracy of and spirits, the result of fantastic experiences of his
own. In his outlandish system, exist on the first level of consciousness above humankind; above them, in ascending order of
levels, are Archangels, Archai(original forces), Exusiai(Revelations or Powers), Dynameis(Mights), Kyriotetes(Dominions),
Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim. Beyond the Seraphim is the Godhead. Each level of supernatural beings has higher and more
extensive responsibilities in terms of spiritual growth, starting with archangels, some of whom are responsible for guiding
entire races, nations, and countries. In 1924, a clairvoyant and Theosophist, Geoffrey Hodson, was contacted by an angel named
Bethelda, who transfered ideas and information to him, that he eventually turned into five books, the best known of them is
The Brotherhood of Angels and Men(1927). Hodson conceived human beings and angels as two branches in God's family, who
require the ability to work more closely together for the spiritual benefit of humans. Hodson believes that the angelic host
is organized in divisions: Angels of Power, who teach human kind how to release spiritual energy. Angels of Healing, Guardian
Angels of the Home, who protect the hearth against danger, disease, and ill fortune. Building Angels, who perfect and inspire
in the worlds of thought, feeling, and flesh. Angels of Nature, the elemental spirits. Angels of Music, and Angels of Beauty
and Art.
~*(The
angels listed above will be talked about on another page of this site.)*~
According to the Bible angels are the main players in the game of life, and in the situating and perfecting of mankind's
relationship with the Eternal One. Some angels became different angels like Michael, the guardian angel of Israel. The thousands
of angels are ranked in hierarchies. The top hierarchies of Judaism and
Christianity, are the seven archangels, each of whom is assigned to one of the seven spheres in Heaven: Gabriel, Raphael,
Michael, Uriel, Jophiel, Zadkiel, and Samael(Satan). Lower ranked angels are called cherubim, seraphim,
and various, among many others. Catholics and a few Protestants believe that everyone has a guardian angel watching over them.
In the mystical Jewish Kabbalah, an archangel is assigned to each emanation on the Tree of Life: Metatron for Kether, Ratziel
for Chokmah, Tzaphiel for Binah, Tzadqiel for Chesed, Khameal for Geburah, Raphael for Tipereth, Haniel for Netzach, Michael
for Hod, Gabriel for Yesod, and Sandalphon for Malkuth. Islam has four archangels, Azrael, Israfil, Gabriel, and Michael.
The Gnostics, influenced by Persian traditions, focused on angelic hierarchies also, and believed
that angels lived in a mystical world of light between the earthly world and the Transcendent Causeless Cause. Rudolph Steiner,
occultist and philosopher, envisioned an intricate aristocracy of and spirits, the result of fantastic experiences of his
own. In his outlandish system, exist on the first level of consciousness above humankind; above them, in ascending order of
levels, are Archangels, Archai(original forces), Exusiai(Revelations or Powers), Dynameis(Mights), Kyriotetes(Dominions),
Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim. Beyond the Seraphim is the Godhead. Each level of supernatural beings has higher and more
extensive responsibilities in terms of spiritual growth, starting with archangels, some of whom are responsible for guiding
entire races, nations, and countries. In 1924, a clairvoyant and Theosophist, Geoffrey Hodson, was contacted by an angel named
Bethelda, who transfered ideas and information to him, that he eventually turned into five books, the best known of them is
The Brotherhood of Angels and Men(1927). Hodson conceived human beings and angels as two branches in God's family, who
require the ability to work more closely together for the spiritual benefit of humans. Hodson believes that the angelic host
is organized in divisions: Angels of Power, who teach human kind how to release spiritual energy. Angels of Healing, Guardian
Angels of the Home, who protect the hearth against danger, disease, and ill fortune. Building Angels, who perfect and inspire
in the worlds of thought, feeling, and flesh. Angels of Nature, the elemental spirits. Angels of Music, and Angels of Beauty
and Art.