“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him.”
"everything visible and everything invisible, Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers – all things were created through him and for him." - the Epistle to the Colossians
The Epistle to the Ephesians also lists several entities: "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come".
In the 5th and 6th centuries, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite set out a more elaborate hierarchy, consisting of three lists, each of three types:
- Angels of presence, praising God
- Seraphim – spirits of love
- Cherubim – spirits of harmony
- Thrones – record keepers of universal laws
- Angels of government, spreading light
- Dominions – spirits of wisdom and knowledge
- Virtues – angels of movement and free will
- Powers – angels of form and space
- Angels of revelation, able to communicate with humans
- Principalities – angels of time and personality
- Archangels – powerful angels superior to ordinary angels
- Angels – governors of spirits of nature
THRONES
The angels of the thrones choir are generally described as great wheel, covered in eyes, that deliver Divine justice and hold up God, remaining forever in his presence.
Angels as thrones were first described in the Bible in Daniel 7:9: "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire."
DOMINIONS
This choir is also known as "dominations" or "lordships" in some English translations of the De Coelesti Hierarchia. According to Meteorologica Cosmica by Robert Fludd, this choir is ruled over by the Archangel Zadkiel. Angels in the dominions choir regulate the duties of lower angels. It is only with extreme rarity that the angelic lords make themselves physically known to humans. When they do appear, they look like humans of perfect beauty with wings.
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him.”
POWERS
Powers (lat. potestas, pl. potestates) are a choir of angels in the hierarchy of angels. It is the sixth choir. According to Meteorologica Cosmica by Robert Fludd, this choir is ruled over by the Archangels Samael and Camael. The "Powers" are given their name because they are angels who have power over evil forces, which the angels are able to restrain to keep them from doing harm. They ensure the cosmos remains in order. Angels in this choir are considered to be warrior angels, prepared to destroy evil spirits or cast them down to prisons.
Virtues
Virtues are a choir of angels in the hierarchy of angels. They are the fifth choir. According to Meteorologica Cosmica by Robert Fludd, this choir is ruled over by the Archangel Michael. Angels from the Choir of Virtues are responsible for making miracles occur upon the Earth. They possess an unshakable energy welling forth from their Godlike abilities. Virtues are known for their control of the elements. Some even refer to them as “the shining ones.” In addition to being the Spirits of Motion, they also assist in governing nature. They encourage humans to strengthen their faith in God.
Principalities
(Latin: principatus), also translated as "Princedoms" and "Rulers", from the Greek archai is a choir of angels in the hierarchy of angels. It is the seventh choir. According to Meteorologica Cosmica by Robert Fludd, this choir is ruled over by the Archangel Haniel. Duties Angels in this choir are responsible for guiding and protecting nations, or groups of peoples, and institutions such as the Christian Church. The Principalities preside over the bands of angels and charge them with fulfilling the divine ministry. There are some who administer and some who assist. The Principalities are shown wearing a crown and carrying a sceptre. Their duty also is said to be to carry out the orders given to them by the upper sphere angels and bequeath blessings to the material world. Their task is to oversee groups of people. They are the educators and guardians of the realm of earth. Like beings related to the world of the germinal ideas, they are said to inspire living things to many disciplines such as art or science. Textual basis Principalities are mentioned in the Bible in Ephesians 3:9-10: The fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.
Seraphim
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seraph
seraph - "burning one"; pl.: seraphim
Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in Christian angelology and in the fifth rank of ten in the Jewish angelic hierarchy. A seminal passage in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1–8) used the term to describe six-winged beings that fly around the Throne of God crying "holy, holy, holy".
According to Meteorologica Cosmica by Robert Fludd, this choir is ruled over by the Archangel Metatron.
In the Book of Revelation (4:4–8), the beasts are described as being forever in God's presence and praising him: "And they rest not day and night, saying, 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.'" This account differs slightly from the account of Isaiah, stating in the eighth verse, "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within". They appear also in the Gnostic text, On the Origin of the World.
“The Seraphim are the denizens of the Angelarium. Their bodies are the domain itself and the beings that dwell within it. Physical manifestation of concepts and ideas as they exist on Earth. They hold no will of their own and carry no ambition. They are servants to nothing and everything. Caretakers of the Infinite.”
A cherub is one of the unearthly beings who directly attend to God, according to Abrahamic religions. The numerous depictions of cherubim assign to them many different roles, such as protecting the entrance of the Garden of Eden.
ARCHANGEL
The English word archangel is derived from Greek ἀρχάγγελος, literally 'chief angel' or 'angel of origin'. It appears only twice in the New Testament in the phrase "with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God" (1 Thessalonians 4:16) and in relation to "the archangel Michael" (Jude 9). According to Meteorologica Cosmica by Robert Fludd, this choir is ruled over by the Archangel Raphael.
Angels are a rank of angel in the hierarchy of angels. It is the 9th and lowest order of angels. According to Meteorologica Cosmica by Robert Fludd, this choir is ruled over by the Archangel Gabriel.
Angels in this choir are the ones most concerned with the affairs of men and women. Within the category of the angels, there are many different kinds, with different functions. The angels are sent as messengers to humanity. Angels are the messengers of Divine light who descend from the Heavens to minister to mortals. They have diverse powers and roles, and some are given specific tasks. They are capable of performing great miracles and unleashing tremendous destruction.