Angel Hierarchy?

[Galadriel]

Hey all,
I was wondering, how does the angel hierarchy work? I know there are seraphim, cheribum, archangels, and Im not sure what else, but like which are the highest ones, and how powerful are they? I would think that they would be on levels to match the demons that they oppose. If this is in the wrong forum, feel free to move it! I thought tho this was a good place to ask it. Thanks!

 

[Radagast]

Nobody really knows. This is pretty much all the Bible says on seraphim, cherubim, and archangels:

Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying ... Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. (Isaiah 6:2,6)

After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)

The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. (Psalm 99:1)

Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand to the fire that was among them. He took up some of it and put it into the hands of the man in linen, who took it and went out. (Under the wings of the cherubim could be seen what looked like the hands of a man.) (Ezekiel 10:7-8)

Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. (Ezekiel 10:14)

You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. (Ezekiel 28:14)

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9)

-- Radagast

 

[Galadriel]

Thanks for that Radagast (I like your name! )
So Michael went against Satan?

 

[WashedClean]

The Bible doesn't say too much about angels, especially their hierarchy, as Radagast pointed out.

I believe Archangels are more powerful than cherubim and seraphim. It seems like the Archangels are involved in spiritual warfare and getting messages to people from God. I think cherubim and seraphim mostly exist to worship God.

Satan was an angel and the most beautiful creature God ever created as Lucifer. He had special access to God's throne and was in charge of all the angels (I think, not sure about that). But this caused him to be full of pride instead of worshipping His Creator, he wanted to be worshipped.

Good point you made about Satan and his "angels". I'm sure there is a hierarchy there as well.

Sorry I couldn't offer much more. I find angels fascinating and wish the Bible said more about them. I'm sure we will learn everything once we get to heaven!

Love in Christ,

WC

 

[Radagast]

Thanks for that Radagast (I like your name! )

I like your avatar!

So Michael went against Satan?

Apparently so...

-- Radagast

 

[Sketcher]

No! No singing!

 

[Nom De Guerre]

1 Corinthians 6: 3-6

3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.


As wonderful as the thought and perceiving of Angels is, we're certainly far more illuminated to behold the Glory of God which created these angels; however, I do not say that you cannot behold and worship Angels, but rather that as has been given them to do, they shall serve and be praised for their service unto God, Christ, and salvation:


Colossians 2:18-19

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.


after all, it's the Angels which fall before the throne of God and praise Him:


Revelation 7:10-12

10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

 

[vinc]

In my opinion, the Cherubims and Seraphims are extremely powerful beings too who gaurd the throne of God without sleeping. That is why God kept them to gaurd the "Tree of Life" in the Garden of Eden during the times of Adam.

The 7 Archangels are higher in hierarchy and extremely powerful than other innumerable Angels in heaven.

God being the source of their power.

Apart from the Scriptures posted earlier, The Book of Enoch, which was very much regarded as part of Holy Scripture, describes much more. The following excerpts from The Book of Enoch are interesting -

The Book of Enoch, Chapter 20.

1,2 And these are the names of the holy angels who watch. Uriel, one of the holy angels, who is 3 over the world and over Tartarus. Raphael, one of the holy angels, who is over the spirits of men. 4,5 Raguel, one of the holy angels who takes vengeance on the world of the luminaries. Michael, one 6 of the holy angels, to wit, he that is set over the best part of mankind and over chaos. Saraqael, 7 one of the holy angels, who is set over the spirits, who sin in the spirit. Gabriel, one of the holy 8 angels, who is over Paradise and the serpents and the Cherubim. Remiel, one of the holy angels, whom God set over those who rise.

The Book of Enoch, Chapter 40.

'This first is Michael, the merciful and long-suffering: and the second, who is set over all the diseases and all the wounds of the children of men, is Raphael: and the third, who is set over all the powers, is Gabriel: and the fourth, who is set over the repentance unto hope of those who inherit eternal life, is named Phanuel.

The Book of Enoch, Chapter 71.

And round about were Seraphin, Cherubic, and Ophannin: And these are they who sleep not And guard the throne of His glory. 8 And I saw angels who could not be counted, A thousand thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand, Encircling that house. And Michael, and Raphael, and Gabriel, and Phanuel, And the holy angels who are above the heavens, Go in and out of that house. 9 And they came forth from that house, And Michael and Gabriel, Raphael and Phanuel, And many holy angels without number. 10 And with them the Head of Days, His head white and pure as wool, And His raiment indescribable.

I would recommend The Book of Enoch (even though it is not included in the Bible Canon) as a useful reading for any Bible student who wants to know more about the Heavenly Mysteries.

Enoch was one of the most blessed Man of God whom Father-God revealed many heavenly mysteries. Click on http://www.earth-history.com/Pseudepigrapha/Enoch/enoch-main.htm to read more.