SERAPHIM
They were considered
the highest order of the Hierarchy of Angels. They are the Angels of
Love, Light, and Fire. Seraphim are the closest to God. In the Throne
Room, several of the Seraphim were described as flying directly above
the Throne of God and constantly sing His praise. They are also called
"the Burning Ones" because they are aflame with Love. Isaiah 6
in the Old Testament speaks of the Seraphim as "having six wings;
two covering the face, two covering the feet, and two were used for
flying." They are associated with the color of white.
CHERUBIM
The second highest
Order of Angels. Their name stands for "Wisdom" or "one
who prays." In the Throne Room they were said to stand next to the
Throne of God. They are also depicted on the Ark of the Covenant as its
Guardians. Cherubs are the first Angels mentioned in the Bible when two
Cherubs are placed by God to guard the gates to Eden with Flaming
Swords. "He drove out the man; and at the east of the Garden of
Eden he placed the Cherubim, and a Flaming Sword which turned every way,
to guard the way to the Tree of Life." Genesis 3:24. The Cherubim
were also known as the record keepers of Heaven. They were not described
as the cute little "cupidlike" angels depicted by painters,
but instead as having four wings.
THRONES
The third ranking Order
of Angels. They were also known as "Wheels" and "the
Many-eyed Ones". They were considered Angels of Justice as they
were said to carry out God's decisions. These Angels were often believed
to be deployed like charioteers around the Throne of God. They were
described in Ezekiel 1:13-19 as having four wings and four faces. They
sparkled like the color of burnished brass. They had the hands of a man
under their wings. Their wings were joined one to the other and they did
not turn when they traveled - they all went straight forward. They had
four faces. They had the face of a man as well as three other faces on
their helmets - that of a lion, an ox, and an eagle. They moved on
wheels in the middle of wheels, blue-green in color. Above their heads
"the likeness of the firmament," which was the color of
crystal, and under this were their wings, two on each side of their
bodies. The noise of their wings was "like the noise of great
waters."
DOMINIONS
The fourth ranking
Order of Angels. According to Jewish traditions, the success or failure
of nations was decided by this Order of Guardian Angels. Dionysius
claims that this realm "regulates the Angels." Dominations
have been described as wearing long albs, or gowns reaching to their
feet, hitched with a golden belt and adorned with a green sole. They
carry golden staffs in the right hand and the Seal of God in the left.
At other times, they are said to hold an orb or a scepter.
VIRTUES
The fifth ranking Order
of Angels. They have been called "The Brilliant or Shining
Ones." They were called the Angels of miracles, encouragement, and
blessings, and were particularly involved with people struggling with
their faith. Virtues have been said to be the chief bestowers of grace
and valor. The two Angels at the Ascension of Jesus were traditionally
believed to be from the Order of Virtues. Virtues were usually
represented in a group.
POWERS
The sixth ranking Order
of Angels. Powers have been credited as being the first Order of Angels
created by God. In Romans 13:1 it is written that "The Soul is
subject to the Powers." It is their duty to protect the world from
the infiltration of demons. They protect our souls from these evil
beings and act as ministers of God who avenge evil in the world. It was
also believed that at death, the Powers guided our transition to Heaven.
PRINCIPALITIES
The seventh ranking
Order of Angels. The Principalities were described as the Angels who
protect religions. They were also considered to be the guardians over
the nations and the leaders of the world. It was from this Order that
the Angel who aided David in his task of slaying Goliath was thought to
have come. Principalities have been described as being dressed in
soldier's uniforms with golden girdles.
ARCHANGELS
The eighth ranking
Order of Angels. These were considered to be the Angels in command of
ministering to humans. They are also the most widely known Order of
Angels, since the only Angels mentioned by name in the Bible (Michael,
Gabriel, and Raphael) come from this Order. They carry God's messages to
humans and are ultimately in command of God's Armies of Angels who are
constantly in spiritual warfare with the forces of evil and the fallen
angels. Michael was almost universally believed to be their leader. The
number of Archangels usually considered to be associated with our system
of worlds is seven, as in the Seven Angels who stand before God in
Revelation 8:2, which is often interpreted to mean the Seven Archangels.
The Seven Beloved Archangels are Michael,
Jophiel, Chamuel,
Gabriel, Raphael,
Uriel, and Zadkiel.
ANGELS
The ninth ranking Order
of the Angelic Host. Angels are the Order closest to humanity. The word
angel derives from the Greek "angelos" meaning
"messenger."
Actual
Photograph of an Angel in a Cloud Formation
Another Actual Photograph of an
Angel in a Cloud Formation
