| Every religion has its own version of angel history, | | | | Powers are considered warrior angels. Since they |
| explaining their beliefs regarding the order of | | | | are assigned to deal with the distribution of power |
| angels - from their organization, hierarchy and | | | | to the individuals of our world, they are also given |
| assignment of duties. | | | | the duty as the bearers of conscience. Since they |
| Although the most prominent and well known | | | | are so involved with overseeing humankind in this |
| depiction of this hierarchy comes from Christian | | | | way, the Powers are also considered the keepers |
| writings, they are in fact a gathering of | | | | of history. |
| information taken from a variety of religions | | | | The Third Hierarchy (Sphere) of Angels |
| predating the Christian era. | | | | The third sphere of angels includes Principalities, |
| It is interesting that in the different religions of the | | | | Archangels, and Angels. These are the celestial |
| world, although the orders of the angels, their | | | | beings that tend to have the most direct dealings |
| duties and their names may vary somewhat, | | | | with humankind. |
| there is always three common denominators that | | | | Principalities |
| all religions agree upon: Angels are messengers of | | | | This level falls at the top of the third sphere and |
| God; they are here to guide and protect us; and | | | | includes celestial beings that appear to work |
| that angels were created before human beings. | | | | together with the Powers of the Second Sphere |
| Here is a brief description of each of the angelic | | | | and provide a bridge of instructions between the |
| hierarchies according to Judaic-Christian beliefs: | | | | Angels above them and the Archangels and |
| The First Hierarchy of Angels | | | | Angels that follow. One of their main tasks is to |
| It is believed there are several hierarchies of | | | | bequeath blessings upon the material world and |
| angels that watch over us and the universe. The | | | | they work to inspire creative ideas and encourage |
| first order of angels (or First Sphere, as it is often | | | | the blossoming of talents, such as in the fields of |
| called) is the angels that are closest to God. | | | | art and science. |
| These fall into three categories according to the | | | | Archangels |
| Old Testament: | | | | The word Archangel comes from the Greek |
| The Seraphim | | | | word meaning Chief Angels. These are the |
| This highest order of angels is the Heavenly Choir | | | | Messengers of God and include angels that we |
| as mentioned in Isaiah 6:1-7. The name Seraphim | | | | are all familiar with: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, |
| means "the burning ones" and includes four angels | | | | Raguel, Sariel and Remiel. |
| that continuously sing praises to the Lord. It is | | | | These seven archangels are the guardian angels |
| said they burn so brightly, that no other angel can | | | | of nations and countries. They watch over |
| look upon them. | | | | mankind and are tasked with overseeing issues |
| The Cherubim Angels | | | | such as politics, military matters, healing and |
| The chief task of the cherubs is protection. | | | | medicine, commerce and trade. They are also the |
| According to Genesis 3:24, they guard the way to | | | | angels whom we pray to when we are in need of |
| the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. They also | | | | help. |
| protect the throne of God (Ezekiel 28:14-16). | | | | Archangels have never incarnated as physical |
| Human society pictures the Cherubim as "baby | | | | beings (ie. they have not been born as babies, |
| angels" with wings. | | | | lived a life, then died a physical death), although |
| The Thrones | | | | people have related stories of brief encounters |
| The Thrones are angels of the Third Order who | | | | where these angels have manifested in human |
| carry out the divine justice of the Lord. They are | | | | form in order to help. |
| humble, which allows them to dispense justice | | | | Angels |
| with objectivity. They are also known by the titles | | | | Angels, as we know them, are considered "earth |
| of The Elders, Erelim or Ophanim. Paul of Tarsus | | | | angels". They are our guardian angels or spirit |
| wrote about this class of celestial beings in | | | | guides. These angels have all had one or more |
| Colossians 1:16. | | | | incarnations on earth, and therefore can more |
| The Second Hierarchy (Sphere) of Angels | | | | easily relate to human concerns, hopes, dreams |
| The second Sphere of angels also contains three | | | | and difficulties. Their task is to guide us on the life |
| ranks: Dominions, Virtues and Powers. This second | | | | path that we have chosen to pursue by providing |
| order of angels includes those who regulate the | | | | direction and subtle guidance when needed. They |
| duties of the angels in the Third Sphere, as well | | | | also help us to learn and understand the lessons |
| as overseeing that cosmic order is maintained. | | | | that we have set for ourselves at the beginning |
| They also keep tabs on how "power" is | | | | of our physical incarnation here on earth. |
| distributed within our own physical world. | | | | Conclusion |
| Dominions | | | | As you can see, there's a lot that goes on in the |
| The top of the Second Sphere of angels is called | | | | angelic realms to keep order in the universe and |
| the Dominions. They are tasked with regulating | | | | here on earth. From the highest order of angel - |
| the duties of the lower angels and to watch over | | | | the Seraphim - to the Guardian angels that guide |
| nations. They are said to be divinely beautiful | | | | us, everything works in tandem, flowing in |
| beings with feathered wings... much like we picture | | | | streams that direct our world and all the other |
| angels to be. Rarely do they show themselves | | | | worlds and celestial bodies in that vast expanse of |
| physically to humans. | | | | space we gaze at each night. |
| Virtues | | | | So, be assured that you are not alone. There are |
| Someone has to look after the order of the | | | | many spiritual beings watching over you. Listen to |
| universe and this task falls to the Virtues. Their | | | | their whispers of encouragement and guidance, |
| main duty is to supervise the movements of the | | | | and you'll soon begin to walk the enlightening path |
| heavenly bodies - the galaxies, planets, stars, | | | | that you were meant to take. One day, when our |
| moons, etc. They work to ensure that the | | | | lessons here on earth have been well learned, we |
| cosmos remains in order. | | | | too will become the spirit guides of humankind. |
| Powers | | | | |