Nine levels of Angels...
Nine levels of Angels...
Goetia
8 The coiled serpent is only shown in one private codex, the Hebrew names being in most cases simply written round in a somewhat spiral arrangement within the double circle. It is to be remembered that Hebrew is always written from right to left, instead of from left to right like ordinary European languages.
The small Maltese crosses are placed to mark the conclusion of each separate set of Hebrew names. These names are those of Deity Angels and Archangels allotted by the Qabalists to each of the 9 first Sephiroth or Divine Emanations.
In English letters they run thus, beginning from the head of the serpent:
1 Ehyeh Kether Metatron Chaioth Ha-Qadehs Rashith Ha-Galgalim S.P.M. (for "Sphere of the Primum Mobile")
2 lah Chokmah Ratziel Auphanim Masloth S.S.F (for "Sphere of the Fixed Stars," or S.Z. for "Sphere of the Zodiac")
3 Iehovah Eolhim Binah Tzaphquiel Aralim Shabbathai S. (for "Sphere") of Saturn
4 El Chesed Tzadquiel Chaschmalim Tzedeq S. of Jupiter
5 Elohim Gibor Geburah Kamael Seraphim Madim S. of Mars
6 Iehovah Eloah Va-Daath Tiphereth Raphael Malakim Shemesh S. of the Sun
7 Iehovah Tzabaoth Netzach Haniel Elohim Nogah S. of Venus.
8 Elohim Tzabaoth Hod Michael Beni Elohim Kokav S. of Mercury
9 Shaddai El Chai lesod Gabriel Cherubim Levanah S. of the Moon
Highest order Seraphim Cherubim Thrones.
Middle order Dominions Virtues Powers.
Lowest order Principalities Archangels
The Ranks of Angels
Throughout time, millions of people have felt the grace and guidance of Angels. People in all walks of life have been helped, guided, saved or just confronted by their Guardian Angels and are more than eager to share their encounters with anyone willing to listen.
George Washington spoke of his Guardian Angel often, and credited his success at Valley Forge to "an inspiring visit from a heavenly being." Abraham Lincoln often called upon the healing powers and wisdom of the Angels to help guide him and heal the nation in times of death and devestation. Stories of encounters with these Celestial Beings have been around since the beginning of written history.
Angels are all around and watching over us. They are more popular and more visible today than ever before. And even though they have always been with us, it seems as though we are just discovering them. In spite of all the skepticism, human belief in these Heavenly Beings has withstood the test of time and lately more people are willing to come forward and share their stories of encounters with these Heavenly visitations.
Anyoe whose life has been touched by an Angel will agree wholeheartedly that these Angels are indeed messengers from God.
According to the dictionary an Angel is "a celestial attendant of God; one of a class of Spiritual Beings who, in Medieval Angelology, were the lowest of the nine celestial orders: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels." However for most people, an Angel is an Angel, regardless of their so called 'rank'.
The Rank of Angels:
In the 5th Century A.D., a Middle Eastern Scholar named Dionysius studied the references to Angels in the Scriptures and other non-biblical sources. He concluded that there were 9 "classes." or "choirs" of Angels which were divided into 3 "spheres." Even though there are some minor discrepencies in the field of Angel scholars, Dionysius' Hierarchy of Angels is still accepted today and are as follows (starting with those closest to God)"
1st Sphere - Seraphim, Cheribum and Thrones
2nd Sphere - Dominions, Virtues and Powers
3rd Sphere - Principalities, Archangels and Angels.
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 untill 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 "shinning'" ones, they are associated with acts of heroism and bring courage when needed.
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."
9 Levels Of Angels
We may be able to speak directly to God through prayer, but according to the Bible, he reaches us through a variety of angels, each with distinct duties. There are nine types of angels within three major groups known as choirs. Regardless of where they are on the hierarchy, like us, they are individuals.
Unlike us, because they are able to see far beyond a mortal timeline, they are extremely patient and forgiving. They are aware of our personal life goals and are assigned to assist us, but never interfere with our free will. The first choir, in its celestial form, is represented by wavelengths of light and force fields and frequencies of sound. These entities emanate vibrations, or waves, of devotional love into the universe.
1. Seraphim
These are the angels who are closest to God. They encircle his throne and emit an intense fiery light representing his love. Seraphim are considered “fiery serpents” and not even the other divine beings may look at them. There are only four of them and each has four faces and six wings. When they come to Earth, they leave their serpent appearance behind, preferring tall, thin, clean-cut human embodiments.
2. Cherubim (Plural of Cherub)
These angels are the keepers of celestial records and hold the knowledge of God. They are sent to Earth with great tasks, such as expelling humankind from the Garden of Eden. Ancient art depicts cherubim as sphinx-like, winged creatures with human faces, not the fat babies with wings that now grace greeting cards and book covers. Ophaniel, Rikbiel, and Zophiel are cherubim, as was Satan before his fall to evil.
3. Thrones
Thrones’ appearance is perhaps the most bizarre of the first grouping. They are said to look like great glowing wheels covered with many eyes. They serve as God’s chariot and dispense his judgment in order to carry out his desires for us. The angels in the second choir can exist in a state of transition between the celestial and human worlds. They are considered heavenly governors, attempting to strike a balance between matter and spirit, good and bad.
Under the highest angelic forms lay the ‘middle’ angels. Read on to find out more about the virtues, archangels and guardian angels.
4. Dominions or Dominations
Think of dominions as middle management. They receive orders from seraphim and cherubim, then dish out duties to the “worker bee” angels of the lower orders. Their main purpose is to make sure that the cosmos remains in order by sending down power to heads of government and other authority figures. Zadkiel (sometimes called Hashmal) is the chief of this order.
5. Virtues
Shaped like sparks of light, virtues are in charge of maintaining the natural world, and they inspire living things in areas such as science. They also take orders from the angels above and convert them into miracles for the deserving. When they make themselves known to us in their earthly form, they are musicians, artists, healers, and scientists who work with the power of love, as well as physics. The two angels at the ascension of Jesus are believed to have been virtues.
6. Powers
In their celestial form, powers appear like brightly colored, hazy fumes. Powers are border patrol agents between heaven and Earth. They are the angels of birth and death. Some believe that they also preside over demons who wish to overthrow the world, while others, namely St. Paul, thought the powers themselves were the evil ones. In any case, powers are a group of experts who serve as advisers in terms of religion, theology, and ideology.
The third choir is best known to us because they are most like us with their vulnerability to the act of sinning.
7. Principalities
These angelic beings are shaped like rays of light. Just like a principal in school, it’s the principalities who oversee everything. They guide our entire world — nations, cities, and towns. What’s more, they are in charge of religion and politics. As if their plate isn’t full enough, they are also in charge of managing the earthly duties of the angels below them.
8. Archangels
They, along with the angels, are guardians of people and all things physical. But don’t call on them to help you personally; archangels respond best when dealing with matters involving all humankind. They are the first order of angels that appear only in human form. As such, they function among us as pioneers for change in the form of explorers, philosophers, and human rights leaders. This order is most commonly known because they are mentioned by name in the Bible — Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
9. Angels
Angels are the true intermediaries between God and individual people. Angels don’t watch over nations; they safeguard households and individuals who believe in God and keep them safe from demons. They nurture, counsel, and heal. We all have a “personal angel,” better known as our guardian angel, with us daily.
תגובות