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ETYMOLOGY AND DEFINITION
The most common Hebrew word for angel is malakh, really meaning "messenger." The plural is malakhim. NOTE:
The -im ending, which you will see a lot in this report, pluralizes, so one cherub, two cherubim.
The Arabic word for angel is malak, derived from the Hebrew.
The English word "angel" derives from the Sanskrit angiras through the Greek angelos ("messenger").
However, there were several other terms used in ancient Hebrew to refer to heavenly beings, such as cherubim, elohim
("gods") and bene elohim ("sons of God" or "sons of gods") or metaphors like "chariots of God."
What is an angel? In the earliest Biblical books, angels are merely servants or messengers, running errands for God, including
jobs such as guardians, counselors, judges, warriors, matchmakers, gravediggers, and cooks. By the Middle Ages and after,
angels are some sort of supernatural being, an intermediary between God and man. Angels are members of heavenly choirs, they
sit around the throne of judgment, and they deliver messages of prophecy or doom. They fight battles and inspire hope. They
do miracles and save Jimmy Stewart's Christmas.
What do angels look like? That's changed a lot over time. Since angels are (presumably) spiritual beings rather than material
beings, they (also presumably) would not have physical bodies. However, the authors, prophets, and poets who first wrote about
angels in biblical times did not know how to describe invisible spirits except in anthropomorphic terms--that is, they depicted
the angels as human. For example, Abraham sees three men approaching (Genesis 18:2) who turn out to be angels bringing messages,
and King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:25) sees four men in the fiery furnace when he only threw in three, and Acts 1:10 mentions
"two men in white who stood by" at Jesus'' tomb. So, the bible reports angels that can be easily mistaken for humans, usually
males. Female angels (and demons), such as Lilith
First order: Closest in order to God |
Seraphims |
The guardians before God's throne, referred to as "the fiery spirits", they are usually pictured with
six wings and flames. They constantly sing God's praise and regulate heaven. They are colored a flaming red and
gold to symbolize fire. God's grace flows through the seraphim to the angels below, dispelling darkness and purifying
the universe. It was from this order that satan emerged. Before his fall from Grace, he was considered the angel
who outshone all others. Seraphims are the highest order of angels.
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Cherubims |
Gods record keepers and guardians of God's glory. Over the years Cherubims
have undergone radical transformations from the Assyrian leonine-monster guardian to the winged creature of the Old Testament
to a chubby baby with blue wings which appeared in the 1600s. Originally, Cherubims were depicted with multi-eyed peacock's
feathers to symbolize their all-knowing character. The first angels mentioned in the bible, God placed the Cherubim
at the east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the Tree of Life. They are the charioteers of God and bearers
of his throne.
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Thrones |
Referred to as "the many eyed ones", portrayed as winged wheels within wheels,
whose rims were covered in eyes. They support the Throne of God and consider how God's decisions should be manifested.
Their mission is to bring judgment for individual karma and society as a whole.
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Second order: Priest-Princes of the court
of heaven |
Dominions |
These are the Angels who bring you the teachings of intuition. Through them
the majesty of God is manifested. They carry scepter and sword to symbolize the given power over all creation and decide
what needs to be done to accomplish God's needs and regulate the duties of angels to ensure the universe keeps working as
it should. They appear in human shape, wearing a triple crown to signify their position over the physical form.
They can be seen carrying a scepter, holding a cross and/or a sword to symbolize the balance between the active and passive
forces.
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Virtues |
Drawing on God's force to work miracles on earth, the "brilliant" or "shining ones"
are the angels of miracles, encouragement and blessings. Virtues are the ones who become involved whenever people are
struggling with their faith. They have four blue feathered wings and war sparkling armor. They can often be seen
with a scepter, axe spear, sword and/or a shield for protection. But each of these "tools" are decorated with instruments
of passion. They work hand-in-hand with the Thrones to bestow grace and rewards on those who have overcome deeds in
their physical lives.
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Powers |
First order of angels created by God, it is the job of the Powers to prevent the
fallen angels from taking over the world and keep the universe in balance. They also bring the power of intellect in
such matters as math, geometry, astronomy and so on, making them the professors and educators.
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Third order: The Ministering Angels |
Principalities |
The protectors of religions, guardian angels of cities, nations, rulers. They
keep watch over nations and attempt to inspire their leaders to make wise decisions. Often depicted wearing soldier's
garb and sandals, they are seen in human form. They provide strength to the tribes of Earth to pursue and endure their
faith.
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Archangels |
The "chief-angels", they carry God's messages to humans and command God's armies
of angels in constant battle with the "Sons of Darkness". They look after the affairs of humankind and act as guardian
angels to leaders of world movements. These are the Angels who stand around God's throne, ready to carry out the divine
and most important decrees to humans. According to the book of Revelation, there are seven archangels who stand
in the presence of God, but only four are mentioned in the Old Testament, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel.
The identity of the other three is subject to debate. The three recognized in the Judeo-Christian belief are Raguel,
Jophiel and Chamuel. Other possible candidates are Ariel, Azrael, Camael, Haniel, Jeremiel, Metetron, Raziel, Sandalphon
and Zadkiel.
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Angels |
Celestial beings closest to humans, Angels are the intermediaries between God and
mortals. Assigned by God to every human being at the time of his or her birth, they assist every aspect of life in the
universe. They deal with the aspects of everyday life and act as the direct gateway for information, knowledge and communications
between human kind and the God force. These angels are seen with human bodies, wings and clothed in various garments
depending on the traditions and visual acceptance of the human they have "been assigned to". In reality,
Angels do not have human bodies, wings or clothing, they are made up of energy and love. The only thing Angels do not
help humans do is destroy themselves, the planet and other human beings, they are always a force for all that is positive,
good and true. |
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