First Sphere - Seraphim, Cheribum, and Thrones

First level: This is the highest level of angels and therefore the closest to God.
These enlightened celestial beings have the deepest understanding of divinity
and manifest to humans as a beam of pure, shining light, too holy to be looked
upon.
Seraphim protectors of Gods divinity, spreading His word
through praise and song and surrounding His throne.
Cherubim guardians of light and stars and providers of divine love
and wisdom.
Thrones - called the 'many eyed ones' have the duty of carrying out
God's decisions. they are portals of Gods intellect and full of divine
knowledge. They are often represented as firey wheels. Also known as
'Ophanim'.
Second Sphere - Dominions, Virtues and Powers
Second level Angels in the second level of the hierarchy function as celestial
governors, presiding over existence on earth without manifesting their
existence to humans.
Dominions also known as hashmallim, these angels take orders
from the first level in order to lead the lower ranks of angels and watch
over earthly existence.
Virtues the source of spiritual power and often thought of as
miracle angels, these celestial beings guide human spiritual
growth.
Powers regulate the course of history on the earth to ensure that
Gods good is carried out.
Third Sphere - Principalities,Archangels, and Angels.
Third level: These angels are spiritual messengers, acting as a link between
humankind and the celestial world.
Principalities guide countries and nation groups to keep the earth
in balance.
Archangels provide guidance in matters of great human
importance.
Angels these are the angels with whom we are most familiar, as they
are concerned with all matters in our personal lives and guide everyone
on earth, whether we know it or not.
SERAPHIM - sometimes called "the burning ones" because they are closest to
God and radiate Pure Light. These are the Angels who constantly sing God's
praise, and whose duty it is to regulate the heavens. (Lucifer is said to have
been one of the Seraphim who had outshone all the others until he became the
head of the fallen angels).
CHERUBIM - sent to guard the gates of Eden. Originally they were depicted
as the bearers of God's Throne, as the charioteers, and as powerful beings
with four wings and four faces. However, in modern times, Cheribum have
evolved into chubby babies with wings.
THRONES - called the 'many eyed ones' have the duty of carrying out God's
decisions. They are often represented as firey wheels.
DOMINIONS - their job is to regulate the duties of the other Angels and
ensure that God's wishes are carried out. VIRTUES - the Angels of Grace
who bring God's blessings to Earth, usually in the form of miracles. Known as
the 'brilliant' or "shining'" ones, they are associated with acts of heroism and
bring courage when needed.
VIRTUES - which are filled with divine strength, quickly fulfill the will of the
All-High and Omnipotent Lord, strong and powerful. They both work very
great miracles and send down the grace of miracle-working to God's saints,
who are worthy of such grace, in order that these may work miracles, such as
healing every sickness and foretelling the future. The holy virtues also help
people laboring and those overburdened by the bearing of an obedience
placed on them by someoneby which their name "virtues" is
explainedand they bear the infirmities of the weak. They also strengthen
every man in patience, so that he does not faint away in affliction but rather
bears all misfortune with a strong spirit, courageously, and with humility,
giving thanks for everything to God, arranging all for our benefit.
POWERS - their job is to prevent the 'fallen angels' from taking over the
world and keeping the Universe in balance. They are also seen as the Angels of
birth and death.
PRINCIPALITIES - the Guardian Angels of cities, nations and rulers, and
guards against the invasion of evil angels.
ARCHANGELS - probably the best known of all Angels. They carry God's
most important messages to humans. They also command God's 'armies' of
Angels in the constant battle with the "sons of darkness."
ANGELS - the Celestial Beings closest to humans. They act as intermediaries
between the Almighty and humanity. Often called our "Guardian Angels."
Angels and atheists: Angels may appear to anyone, regardless of religious
backgrounds or beliefs. Case in point... in 1985 a Russian space scientist
defected and then told what had happened to 6 cosmonauts aboard the Soyuz
7 space station. After orbiting the Earth for 155 days, a band of Angels had
miraculously appeared outside their spacecraft. Leonid Kizim, Vladimir
Solevev and Oleg Artkov were working on routine medical experiments when
suddenly they were nearly blinded by a brilliant orange light from outside the
orbiting laboratory. It took a few seconds for their eyes to adjust to the
astonishing radiance, but then, according to the secret report, they saw "seven
giant figures in the form of humans, but with wings and mist-like halos as in
the classic depiction of Angels. They appeared to be hundreds of feet tall with
a wingspan as great as a jetliner."

An angel is a supernatural being found in many religions. In Christianity,
Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, angels, as attendants or guardians to
man, typically act as messengers from God. In some cultures, they are
believed to be the most powerful type of fairy. Here you will find information
about angels hierarchy in different religions.
Angelology Christian angelic hierarchy
1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Ophanim (Thrones)
4. Dominions
5. Virtues
6. Principalities
7. Powers
8. Archangels
9. Angels
Jewish angelic hierarchy - Kabbalistic angelic hierarchy
Islamic angelic hierarchy Gallery Angelology Angelology (from Greek: angel,
"angel"; logos, "knowledge") is a branch of theology that deals with a
hierarchical system of angels, messengers, celestial powers or emanations, and
the study of these systems.
It primarily relates to Kabbalistic Judaism and Christianity, where it is one of
the ten major branches of theology, albeit a neglected one.
Many secular scholars believe that Judeo-Christianity owes a great debt to
Zoroastrianism in regards to the introduction of angelology and demonology,
as well as the fallen angel Satan as the ultimate agent of evil, comparing him
to the evil spirit Ahriman. As the Iranian Avestan and Vedic traditions and
also other branches of Indo-European mythologies show, the notion of demons
had existed long before. It is believed that Zoroastrianism had an influence on
Jewish angelology,and therefore modern Christian angelology, due to the
appearance of elements from Zoroastrianism in Judaism following Israel's
extended contact with the Persian Empire while in exile in Babylon.[6]
Borrowed notions may include the introduction of Satan as a supreme head
over the powers of evil (present mainly in Christian and Islamic theology), in
contrast to God; comparing Satan to Angra Mainyu (also known as Ahriman)
of Zoroastrian faith[citation needed], who was the arch-enemy of Ahura
Mazda, the supreme Universal God of mankind.
Angels, some also believe, may have first been depicted as God's helpers in
Zoroastrianism, and their hierarchy is comparable to modern Angelology's
hierarchy. Christian angelic hierarchy
The most influential of these classifications was that put forward by Pseudo-
Dionysius the Areopagite in the Fourth or Fifth century, in his book "The
Celestial Hierarchy". However, during the Middle Ages, many schemes were
proposed, some drawing on and expanding on Pseudo-Dionysius, others
suggesting completely different classifications (some authors limited the
number of Choirs to seven).
Several other hierarchies were proposed, some in nearly inverted order.
Scholars of the Middle Ages believed that angels and archangels were lowest
in the order because they were the most involved in the world of men and thus
more susceptible to sin. In
The Celestial Hierarchy and in the Summa Theologica the Catholic Church
theologians drew on passages from the New Testament, specifically Ephesians
1:21 and Colossians 1:16 (considered by modern scholars to be very tentative
and ambiguous sources in relation to the construction of such a schema), in an
attempt to reveal a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels,
with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs.
From the comparative study of the Old Testament and New Testament
passages, the above mentioned theological works (which contain variations),
and esoteric Christian teachings, the descending order of rank, appears to be:
First Hierarchy - Seraphim - Cherubim - Ophanim (Thrones/Wheels) Second
Hierarchy - Thrones (Gr. thronos) - Dominions (Gr. kuriotes) - Principalities
(Gr. arche) Third Hierarchy - Powers (Gr. exousia) - Archangels - Angels.
1. Seraphim The Seraphim (singular "Seraph"), mentioned in Isaiah 6:17
[1], serve as the caretakers of God's throne and continuously singing his
praises: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. All the earth is filled with His
Glory." It is said that they surround the throne of God, singing the music of
the spheres and regulating the movement of the heavens as it emanates from
God. It is also said that such a bright light emanates from them that nothing,
not even other divine beings, can look upon them. It is said that there are four
of them surrounding God's throne, where they burn eternally from love and
zeal for God.
The Seraphim have six wings; two covering their face, two covering their feet,
and two that they fly with. Unlike other Seraphim who had six wings, Lucifer
was featured to have twelve wings.
Names of Seraphim in various traditions.
Seraphiel
Metatron
Michael
Vehuel
Uriel
Nathanael
Jehoel
Chamuel (Kemuel, Shemuel)
Lucifer
Abaddon
Asmodeus
Astaroth
Samael
Semyazza
2. Cherubim
The Cherubim (singular "Cherub") are beyond the throne of God; they are
the guardians of light and of the stars. It is believed that, although they are
removed from man's plane of reality, the divine light that they filter down
from Heaven still touches the lives of living things.
They have four faces: one of a man, ox, lion, and eagle. The ox-face is
considered the "true face", as later on in Ezekiel the ox's face is called a
cherub's face (Chapter 10.) They have eight conjoined wings covered with
eyes, and they have ox's feet.
Cherubim are considered the elect beings for the purpose of protection.
Cherubim guard Eden and the throne of God. Their rank among angels is
uncertain but they are always categorized in the First Sphere. Some believe
them to be an order or class of angels; others hold them to be a class of
heavenly beings higher than angels.
Cherubim are said to have perfect knowledge of God, surpassed only by the
love of the Seraphim. The Cherubim are mentioned in Genesis 3:24; Ezekiel
10:1720 ; and 1 Kings 6:2328.
Names of Cherubim in various traditions:
Cherubiel
Gabriel
Ophaniel
Raphael
Uriel
Zophiel
Azazel
Beelzebub
Berith
Lauviah
Marou
Salikotal
Shamsiel
3. Ophanim The Ophanim (Heb. owphan: Wheels, also known as Thrones,
from the vision of Daniel 7:9) are unusual looking compared to the other
celestial beings; They appear as a beryl-coloured wheel-within-a-wheel, their
rims covered with hundreds of eyes. They are closely connected with the
Cherubim: "When they moved, the others moved; when they stopped, the
others stopped; and when they rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with
them; for the spirit of the living creatures [Cherubim] was in the wheels."
(Ezekiel 10:17). In Esoteric Christianity they are called Lords of Flame. De
Coelesti Hierarchia refers the Thrones (from the Old Testament; Ezekiel and
Daniel visions of the Thrones/Weels) as the third Order of the first sphere,
corresponding to the description of the Ophanim; the other two superior
orders being the Cherubim and Seraphim.
The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception refers that the "Lords of the Flame", the
Hierarchy of Elohim astrologically assigned to Leo, are the Thrones "because
of the brilliant luminosity of their bodies and their great spiritual powers.",
corresponding also to the description of the Ophanim; the other two superior
hierarchies being also the Cherubim and Seraphim. According to this esoteric
Christian teachings, these three Hierarchies have already reached liberation,
thus no longer active in the work of evolution.
Names of Thrones / Ophanim in various traditions:
Bodiel
Ophaniel
Jophiel
Zaphkiel
Oriphiel
Raziel
Astaroth
Gressil
Focalor
Forneus
Murmur
Nelchael
Phenex
Purson
Raum
Samael
Sonneillon
Verrine
Second Sphere
Angels of the Second Sphere work as heavenly governors.
4. Thrones
Thrones The Thrones (Gr. thronos) are a class of celestial beings mentioned
by Paul of Tarsus in Colossians 1:16 (New Testament) and related to the
throne of God the Father. They are living symbols of God's justice and
authority. They come the closest of all Angels to spiritual perfection and
emanate the light of God with mirror-like goodness. They, despite their
greatness, are intensely humble, an attribute that allows them to dispense
justice with perfect objectivity and without fear of pride or ambition. Because
they are living symbols of God's justice and authority, they are called Thrones
and have as one of their symbols the throne. The Thrones may possibly be
equated with the Lords of Wisdom, a Hierarchy of Elohim astrologically
associated to Virgo, presented in The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception.
They inhabit, in Rosicrucian cosmology, the World of Divine Spirit, which is
the home of The Father. According to this source, the Lords of Wisdom (here
equated with the Thrones; thronos) and the higher Lords of the Flame
(Thrones/Wheels: Ophanim) have worked together in a far past toward the
development of mankind.
5. Dominions
The Dominions, also known as the Hashmallim hold the task of regulating the
duties of lower angels. They are responsible for ensuring that the cosmos
remains in order. It is only with extreme rarity that the angelic lords make
themselves physically known to mortals. Instead, they quietly concern
themselves with the details of existence. They are also the angels who preside
over nations.
The Dominions are believed to resemble unnaturally beautiful humans with a
pair of feathered wings, much like the common representation of Angels, but
they are physically characterized from other groups as wielding orbs of light
fastened to the heads of their sceptres or on the pommel of their swords.
The Dominions may possibly be equated with the Lords of Individuality, a
Hierarchy of Elohim astrologically associated to Libra, presented in The
Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception.
They inhabit, in Rosicrucian cosmology, the World of Life Spirit, which is the
home of Christ, The Son.
6. Principalities
The Principalities (Gr. arche) are shown wearing a crown and carrying a
sceptre. They lie beyond the group of archangels. They are the guardian
angels of nations and countries, and are concerned with the issues and events
surrounding these, including politics, military matters, commerce and trade.
One of their duties is to choose who amongst living things will rule. Their duty
also is said to be to carry out the orders given to them by the Dominions and
bequeath blessings to the material world.
Their task is to oversee groups of people. As beings related to the world of the
germinal ideas, they are said to inspire living things to many things such as art
or science.
The Principalities may possibly be equated with the Lords of Form, a
Hierarchy of Elohim astrologically associated to Scorpio, presented in The
Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception.
They inhabit, in Rosicrucian cosmology, the Worl of Thought in the Region of
Abstract Throught (higher region), which is the home of Jehova, The Holy
Spirit.
Third Sphere - Angels who function as heavenly messengers.
7. Powers
The Powers (Gr. exousia) are the bearers of conscience and the keepers of
history. The angels of birth and death are Powers. They are academically
driven and are concerned with ideology, philosophy, theology, religion, and
documents pertaining to those studies.
Powers are the brain trusts: a group of experts who serve as advisers and
policy planners. They are also the warrior angels created to be completely
loyal to God, thus the only order created after the fall.
Some believe that no Powers have ever fallen from Grace but others say that
not only have some of them Fallen, the Devil was believed to have been the
Chief of the Powers before he Fell (see also Ephesians 6:12)
Their duty is to oversee the distribution of power among mankind, hence their
name.
The Powers may possibly be equated with the Lords of Mind, a Hierarchy of
Elohim astrologically associated to Sagittarius, presented in The Rosicrucian
Cosmo-Conception.
They inhabit, in Rosicrucian cosmology, the Worl of Thought in the Region of
Concrete Throught (lower region), which is the location of the human mind.
Paul used the term powers in Colossians 1:16 and Ephesians 1:21 but he may
have used it to refer to the powers of nations, societies or individuals, instead
of referring to angels.
8. Archangels
The word archangel comes from the Greek a?????e??? (archaggelos),
meaning chief angel. It derives from the Greek archo, meaning to be first in
political rank or power; and aggelos which means messenger. This suggests
that they are the highest ranking angels. The word is only used twice in the
Bible: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Jude 1:9.
Only Michael and Gabriel are mentioned by name in the Holy Bible. Michael
is the only angel the Bible names expressly as an archangel. In Daniel he is
referred to as 'one of the chief princes'. The word 'prince' here is the ancient
Hebrew word sar, which means: "a head person (of any rank or class), a chief,
a general etc." In most Christian traditions Gabriel is also considered an
archangel, but there is no direct literal support for this assumption.
The name of the archangel Raphael appears only in the Deuterocanonical
Book of Tobit (Tobias). Tobit is considered canonical by Catholics, Orthodox
and some Protestants. Raphael said to Tobias that he was "one of the seven
who stand before the Lord", and it is generally believed that Michael and
Gabriel are two of the other seven.
Another possible interpretation of the 'seven' is that the seven are the seven
spirits of God that stand before the throne. 9. Angels The Angels are the
lowest order of the angels, and the most familiar to men. They are the ones
most concerned with the affairs of living things. Within the category of angels,
there are many different kinds, with different functions.
The angels are sent as messengers to men. Jewish angelic hierarchy
Maimonides, in his Yad ha-Chazakah: Yesodei ha-Torah, counts ten ranks of
angels in the Jewish angelic hierarchy, beginning from the highest:
1 Chayot Ha Kadesh
2 Ophanim
3 Erelim (Isaiah 33:7)
4 Hashmallim (Ezekiel 1:4)
5 Seraphim
6 Malakhim: Messengers, angels
7 Elohim "Godly beings"
8 Bene Elohim "Sons of Godly beings"
9 Cherubim (Talmud Hagigah 13b) 10 Ishim "manlike beings" (see Daniel
10:5) Kabbalistic angelic hierarchy
According to the Kabbalah as described by the Golden Dawn there are ten
archangels, each commanding one of the choir of angels and corresponding to
one of the Sephirot. It is similar to the Jewish angelic hierarchy.
Rank Choir of Angels Translation Archangel Sephirah
1 Chayot Ha Kadesh Living Ones Metatron Keter
2 Ophanim Wheels Raziel Chokmah
3 Erelim Thrones Tzaphkiel Binah
4 Hashmallim Brilliant Ones Tzadkiel Chesed
5 Seraphim Fiery Serpents Khamael Gevurah
6 Malakhim Messengers, angels Raphael Tipheret
7 Elohim Godly Beings Haniel Netzach
8 Bene Elohim Sons of Godly Beings Michael Hod
9 Cherubim Strong Ones Gabriel Yesod
10 Ishim Souls of Fire Sandalphon Malkuth
Islamic angelic hierarchy
Angels are intangible, sentient entities, who do not posses free will.
They were created for the sole purpose of serving God. Being made of light,
they can assume almost any form, completely real to the human eye, and
traverse a distance just as fast as light or faster. While Iblis did disobey God,
was expelled from Heaven, and became the avowed enemy of man, he was a
Jinn not an angel, which is not angelic in any way, since they are made of
smokeless fire, not light, have free-will, and can disobey or openly defy God.
There is no standard hierarchical organization in Islam that parallels the
division into different "choirs" or spheres, as hypothesised and drafted by
early medieval Christian theologians.
Most Islamic scholars agree that this is an unimportant topic in Islam,
especially since such a topic has never been directly mentioned or addressed
in the Qur'an. However, it is clear that there is a set order or hierarchy that
exists between Angels, defined by the assigned jobs and various tasks to which
angels are commanded by God.
The general consensus agrees that Archangels are the highest order of Angels,
as those are the ones named the most in the Qur'an (Gabriel, Michael, etc.);
these are considered to be closest to God in terms of servitude, as their
meaning and purpose is more detailed than any other angel.
There are four Archangels whom Muslims are required to acknowledge as
part of their conversion to Islam. (Due to varied methods of translation from
Arabic and the fact that these Angels also exist in Christian contexts and the
Bible, several of their Christian and phonetic transliteral names are listed.)
Jibrail (OR Jibraaiyl OR Jibril OR Gabriel in English and the Bible). Jibra'il
is the Archangel responsible for revealing the Qur'an to Muhammad, verse by
verse. Jibra'il is known as the angel who communicates with (all of) the
Prophets that Muslims accept. He is mentioned specifically in the Qur'an.
**(Angel of Death)[ often mistakenly called "Azrael", which is not mentioned
in Quran or Hadith]: The Angel of Death who along with his helpers is
responsible for parting the soul of the human from the body. The actual
process of separating the soul from the body depends on the person's history
or record of good or bad deeds. If the human was a bad person in life, the soul
is ripped out very painfully. But if the human was a righteous person, then the
soul is separated like a 'drop of water dripping from glass'. It is also noted
that The Angel of Death will look like a terrifying beast or demon for the souls
of bad people and will look like 'the most pleasant sight' when he comes for
the souls of good people.
Mikail (OR Mikaaiyl OR Michael). Michael is the Archangel charged with
bringing thunder and lightning onto the Earth. He is also responsible for the
rewards doled out to good persons in this life. This archangel was mentioned
in Qur'an.
Israfil (OR Israafiyl OR Raphael). According to the Hadith, Israfil is the
Angel responsible for signalling the coming of Judgment Day by blowing a
horn and sending out a Blast of Truth. It translates to Hebrew as Raphael.
The blowing of the trumpet is described in many places in Quran. It is said
that the first blow will destroy everything [Qur'an 69:13], while the second
blow will bring all human beings back to life again [Qur'an 36:51].
Christian angelic hierarchy

First Sphere
Seraphim Cherubim Thrones

Second Sphere
Dominions Virtues Powers
Third Sphere
Principalities Archangels Angels