Do you
believe in Angels?
If
you do, you join millions of people around the world who also believe in
Angels. In Greek the word Angel means "messenger" - celestial beings believed
to be messengers or intermediaries sent by God to instruct, inform, or
command humankind. All religions deals with the relationship humans
have with the supernatural realm. Angels are represented in ancient
Greek religion, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Traditional Israelites
believed that angels have the form of human males, and as a consequence
they were sometimes mistaken for men. Years later and after Mesopotamian
and Persian influence, another dimension was added to the Jewish conception
of angels which now included hostile and destructive angels who are rebellious
against God. Later developments in both Judaism and Christianity
show a remarkable growth of angelic folklore. In the early and mid
1990s there was a renewed interest in angels with the use of angels on
greeting cards and television specials concerning encounters with angels.
Most
of us imagine angels as beautiful beings with white wings. My personal
favorite has always been the fat little baby cherub. Imagine my surprise
to realise that Cherubim are actually tall, thin beings!
There
are three "Levels" or "Ranks" of angels. One of the most common listings
used is that produced by Pseduo-Dionysis.
Highest Rank
Seraphim
"Spirits of Truth"
Those
closest to the throne of God and often referred to as celestial nobility.
It is said that their light is so intense that no other devine beings may
look upon them.
Cherubim
"Devoted Guardians"
They
hold the knowledge of God and are given the greatest of tasks. They are
the most reliable and loyal angels. Man's expulsion from Eden and
the Annunciation of Christ were both performed by Cherubim.
Thrones/Ophanim
"Agents of Motion"
They
serve the primary function of being God's chariot and handing down His
judgement.
Middle Rank
Dominations/Hashmallim/Elohim
"Objective Observers"
Holding
the tasks of regulating the duties of lower angels. They receive
their orders from the Seraphim and Cherubim and are responsible for ensuring
that the cosmos remains in order.
Virtues/Malakim/Tarshishim
"Honour-bound Warriors"
They
have to maintain the aspects of the natural world as well as bestow blessings
upon the material world and encouraging humans to turn to the good and
to The Creator in times of hardship.
Powers/Kyriotates
"Discordian Borrowers"
Having
perhaps the most dangerous task of defending the border between Heaven
and Earth from all evil, they are constantly on the lookout for demonic
attack. They also have to guard the cosmic realms to ensure that
souls which leave earth reach heaven safely. Not surprising then
that most fallen angels are from the rank of Powers.
Lowest Rank
Principalities/Mercurians
"Celestial Socialites
Watching
over the mortal world directly, guiding and protecting the earth's nations,
cities and towns, these are the angels that perform miracles. They
also protect the interests of religion and politics. They also manage
the duties of the other angels.
Archangels/Grigori
"Shepherds of the Black Sheep"
Also
known as "The Watchers", Archangels were sent to do the Creator's will
as it directly affects humans. They also watch over the duties of
other angels and are the leaders in the divine army during battle. It is
surprising to see Archangels occupying the lowest Rank of angels.
The reason is that they deal with humans more closely than any other angels.
Angels
Given
two major tasks, that of watching over the affairs of mortals in a more
direct manner by watching over entire households and individual souls,
guiding them and keeping them safe from demonic attack, and acting as messengers
and couriers to both God and the upper ranks of angels. |