Some branches of Christian theology have proposed a 9-level
hierarchy of angels as follows:
• Highest/First Order:
Seraphim
Cherubim
Thrones
• Middle/Second Order:
Dominions
Virtues
Powers
• Lowest/Third Order:
Principalities
Archangels
Angels
The difficulty is that the Bible identifies no such hierarchy of angels. In the
Bible we see that there could be different kinds of angels,
and, if there are different kinds, there might be some sort of
hierarchy. If a hierarchy exists, the Bible does not tell us about it
explicitly. If it were important for us to know about it, the Bible would have
told us. The term angel simply means “messenger” and
emphasizes the work that angels do.
Seraphim (singular seraph) is simply a word that
means “fiery” or “bright.” Seraphim are mentioned as angelic beings only
in Isaiah 6:1–4: “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne;
and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with
six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their
feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple
was filled with smoke.” Since the word seraphim is simply a
description, it may be that the seraphim are simply “fiery beings” that may or
may not be a distinct “kind” of angel.
Cherubim (singular cherub) are mentioned numerous times
in Scripture. After Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden,
cherubim were placed there to guard the entrance (Genesis 3:24). The vast
majority of the instances where cherubim are mentioned are in connection with
the ark of the covenant, as the likeness of two cherubim adorned the cover
of the ark (Exodus 25:18 –20; 37:7 –9; 1 Samuel 4:4). David sings a
song of praise to God in which he says that God “mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind” (2 Samuel 22:11). When Ezekiel sees the
glory of God leaving the temple, he also sees cherubim carrying the throne of
God (Ezekiel 10). In verse 14, the cherubim are described as having four faces,
those of a cherub, a human being, a lion, and an eagle. However, since angels
are essentially spirit beings, it may be that they simply appeared to Ezekiel
in this form for that particular revelatory vision.
There is only one archangel named in Scripture: Michael. He is mentioned
in Jude 1:9. The voice of the archangel is heard in 1 Thessalonians
4:16, with no mention of his name. Revelation 12:7 describes war
between Michael and his angels and the devil and angels. In Daniel 10:13, 21 and 12:1,
Michael is described as an angelic prince. Michael’s being the leader of the
angels would fit with both the title archangel and the role he
plays. Archangel may be a role rather than a distinct kind of
angel.
Another individual angel, Gabriel, is also named in Scripture. Gabriel
delivered messages regarding the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19) and
Jesus (Luke 1:26). In speaking to John’s father, he describes himself as one
who stands in the presence of God. There is no mention of what “kind” of angel
Gabriel may be. He also delivered messages to Daniel in answer to his prayer (Daniel
8:16; 9:21). Daniel describes him as a man, which means that Gabriel
appeared in human form. Again, as angels are essentially spirit beings, they do
not have physical bodies, but it seems they may appear in various forms.
Michael and Gabriel are the only angels mentioned by name, but we know there
are untold myriads of angels who serve God. It should be noted that, although
angels have greater power and glory than human beings, it is human beings who
are created in God’s image, and it is human beings, not angels, who will reign
with Christ (Hebrews 2:5). It is human beings, not angels, who have been
redeemed by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 2:16). Angels are servants of God who
minister to believers (Hebrews 1:14). From one perspective, angels are
certainly greater than people, yet, from another perspective, human beings
occupy the primary place in God’s created order, and angels are to some extent
excluded. They do not understand redemption in the way that God’s children
understand it (1 Peter 1:12).
The term guardian angel is never mentioned in Scripture,
although this concept is commonly assumed. Perhaps it is based on Matthew
18:10, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you
that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
Finally, there are fallen angels. Jude 1:6 clearly mentions
them: “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but
abandoned their proper dwelling - these he has kept in darkness, bound with
everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day”; as does Revelation
12:7–9: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against
the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong
enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down -
that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world
astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
In summary, speculation abounds, but there is no elaborate hierarchy of angels
revealed in Scripture. Seraphim and cherubim are mentioned in close connection
with the throne and glory of God. Since seraph simply means
“fiery,” it may be a description of an angel rather than a separate kind. The
cherubim and seraphim are generally described as other-worldly creatures.
Michael is the archangel, which would indicate that he has a distinct role, but
not necessarily that he is a distinct kind of angel. Gabriel is an important
messenger for God. When Gabriel appears, he is normally identified as being a
“man,” as are other angels when they appear to humans. Angels do an important
work, but we are never encouraged to fixate on them, and, of course, we are
forbidden from worshiping them (Colossians 2:18). Overcome by the glory of his
visions, John records, “At this I fell at [the angel’s] feet to worship him.
But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your
brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!’” (Revelation
19:10). Angels simply serve in the background and bring glory to God.
- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"