We may be capable to mouth directly to God through prayer , but according to the Bible , he attain us through a potpourri of backer , each with distinct duties . There are nine type or choir of angels within three major groups . These groupings were base by a 5th - C Catholic monk unremarkably know asPseudo - Dionysius . disregarding of where they are on the power structure , holy man , like us , are individuals .
Unlike us , because they are able-bodied to see far beyond a mortal timeline , they are extremely patient and forgiving . They are cognizant of our personal life goal and are assigned to wait on us , but never interfere with our devoid will . find out more about holy man hierarchy and ninetypes of angelsto know .
Angel Hierarchy
In Catholicism , the pecking order of Angel is traditionally organized as three trio :
1. Seraphim
Seraphim means " the fiery single . " It is the plural of the tidings " seraph . " These angels are mentioned in the Bible as have faces , hands and feet . Each seraph has six wings , four of which they used to cover themselves in the presence of God as a house of humility ; they use the other two to pilot . They cry out " holy , holy , holy " and appear to idolise God continuously . They are often depicted in spiritual art .
These are the backer who are closest to God . They circle his crapper and emit an vivid , fiery light representing his passion . Seraphim are conceive " fiery serpents , " and not even the other divine beings may look at them . There are only four of them , and each has four faces . When they come to Earth , they depart their serpent appearance behind , preferring improbable , slight , neat - cut human embodiments .
2. Cherubim (Plural of Cherub)
These angels are the keeper of heavenly record and hold the noesis of God . They are mail to Earth with majuscule tasks , such as oust humankind from the Garden of Eden . Ancient art depicts cherubim as sphinx - like , winged creatures with human faces , not the fat babies with offstage that now grace greeting cards and record covers . Ophaniel , Rikbiel and Zophiel are cherubim , as was Satan before his decline to wickedness .
3. Thrones
Thrones ' appearing is perhaps the most bizarre of the first grouping . They are tell to await like not bad glowing wheels covered with many eyes . They serve as God ’s chariot and dispense his judgment in parliamentary law to carry out his desire for us .
4. Dominions or Dominations
The angels in the second group can exist in a United States Department of State of conversion between the celestial and human populace . They are considered celestial governors , attempting to strike a equilibrium between affair and spirit , good and regretful .
Think of dominions as middle direction . They receive parliamentary procedure from seraphim and cherubim , then dish out duties to the " worker bee " holy person of the lower orders . Their main purpose is to make certain that the cosmos remain in order by institutionalize down world power to heads of government activity and other sureness figures . Zadkiel ( sometimes foretell Hashmal ) is the chief of this order .
5. Virtues
Shaped like sparks of light , virtues are in burster of maintaining the natural world , and they urge live thing in areas such as science . They also take order from the angels above and convert them into miracle for the deserving . When they make themselves known to us in their earthly strain , they are instrumentalist , artist , healers and scientists who cultivate with the power of making love , as well as physical science . The two angels at the Ascension Day of Jesus are believed to have been chastity .
6. Powers
In their celestial forms , powers appear like brightly color in , hazy fume . power are delimitation patrol agents between heaven and Earth . They are the angels of birth and last . Some conceive that they also preside over demons who wish to overthrow the world , while others , namely St. Paul , thought the business leader themselves were the vicious ace . In any case , powers are a group of expert who attend as advisers in terms of faith , theology and ideology .
7. Principalities
The third group of backer is the one average world will have the most fundamental interaction with . First in this group are the principalities . These angelic beings are shaped like ray of light source . Just like a principal in school , the principalities manage everything . They manoeuver our entire world — nations , metropolis and towns . What ’s more , they are in charge of religious belief and politics . As if their plate is n’t full enough , they are also in charge of cope the earthly duties of the backer below them .
8. Archangels
These , along with the angels , are defender of people and all things physical . But do n’t call on them to help you in person ; archangels respond best when dealing with matters involving all humankind , such as Justice Department . This order is most commonly screw because some are observe by name in the Bible — Michael , Gabriel and Raphael . Archangels enlist in unearthly warfare by fighting against ogre ( e.g. , Michael ) or bring messages from God , such as when Gabriel make out to Mary to tell her that she was going to be the female parent of Jesus . It is believed there are only seven archangels .
9. Angels
These might just be call " regular angel . " They are guardians of people and all thing forcible and are the most common type of angels . These angels are sent as messengers to world . Personal guardian angels fall from this class . angel may protect and warn world , as well as act as warriors on behalf of God .
Angels in Other Religions
Outside of Catholicism , several other religions and spiritual traditions conceive in angels .
Islam
In Islam , malaikah ( angels ) are central , create from light , and serve instantly under Allah ’s command . The most far-famed angels include Jibril , the angel of revelation who channel the Qur’an to Muhammad ; Mikail , who oversees provision and clemency ; Israfil , who will blow the trumpet on Judgment Day ; and Azrael , the backer of death .
Judaism
Judaic angelology also has a structured hierarchy of Angel Falls . coarse social rank include the Malachim ( courier ) , Cherubim ( defender of divine spaces ) , and Ophanim ( bike , connect with visions of Ezekiel ’s chariot ) . Angels serve as intermediaries between God and human beings , carrying out specific task like present message and executing godlike justice .
Hinduism
Hinduism has being standardized to angel . There are devas , immortal or divine beings with roles that range from manage natural element to guiding moral principles . There are also Gandharvas ( musicians and messengers ) and Yakshas ( guardians of treasures ) .
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Helen Davies , Marjorie Dorfman , Mary Fons , Deborah Hawkins , Martin Hintz , Linnea Lundgren , David Priess , Julia Clark Robinson , Paul Seaburn , Heidi Stevens , and Steve Theunissen
This article was update in conjunction with AI applied science , then fact - checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor .
