What is the hierarchy of angels?

Answer

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 challenge is that the Bible does not identify such a hierarchy of angels. In the Bible, we observe different kinds of angels, and if there is a hierarchy, it is not explicitly mentioned. If knowledge of this hierarchy were crucial, the Bible would have provided clarity. The term angel simply denotes a “messenger” and underscores the tasks angels carry out.

Seraphim (singular seraph) simply means “fiery” or “bright.” Seraphim are described as angelic beings solely 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 term seraphim is purely descriptive, it is possible that seraphim are merely “fiery beings” that may or may not constitute a distinct “type” of angel.

Cherubim (singular cherub) are mentioned numerous times in Scripture. After Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, cherubim were stationed there to guard the entrance «So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.», (Genesis 3:24). The majority of references to cherubim are related to the ark of the covenant. For instance, two cherubim adorned the cover of the ark (Exodus 25:18-20; 37:7-9; 1 Samuel 4:4). In a song of praise, David describes God as riding on cherubim and flying on the wings of the wind “And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: And he was seen upon the wings of the wind.”, (2 Samuel 22:11). When Ezekiel witnesses the glory of God departing from the temple, he sees cherubim carrying the throne of God (Ezekiel 10). These cherubim are depicted with four faces: a cherub, a human, a lion, and an eagle. However, as angels are spiritual beings, they may have appeared to Ezekiel in this form for that specific revelatory vision.

Scripture only names one archangel: Michael, mentioned in Jude 1:9. The voice of the archangel is heard in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 without specifying his name. Revelation 12:7 portrays a war between Michael and his angels against the devil and his angels. In Daniel 10:13, 21 and 12:1, Michael is described as an angelic prince. Michael’s leadership among the angels aligns with both the title archangel and his role. It is possible that being an archangel is a role rather than a distinct type of angel.

Another individual angel named in Scripture is Gabriel. Gabriel delivered messages concerning the births of John the Baptist “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”, (Luke 1:19) and Jesus “AndIn the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth (Luke 1:26). When 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 response to his prayer (Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:21). Daniel describes him as a man, indicating that Gabriel appeared in human form. Although angels are essentially spirit beings and do not possess physical bodies, it appears they can take on various forms.

Michael and Gabriel are the only angels mentioned by name, but we are aware of countless myriads of angels who serve God. It is important to note that while angels have greater power and glory than human beings, it is human beings who are created in God’s image. Human beings, not angels, will reign with Christ «For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. », (Hebrews 2:5). It is human beings, not angels, who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ «For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. », (Hebrews 2:16). Angels are God’s servants who minister to believers «Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?», (Hebrews 1:14). While angels may be considered greater than people from one perspective, human beings hold the primary position in God’s created order, with angels somewhat excluded. They do not comprehend redemption in the same way.

Say that God’s children understand it «Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. », (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 iImportant work, but we are never encouraged to fixate on them, and, of course, we are forbidden from worshiping them «Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, », (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!’” «And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. », (Revelation 19:10). Angels simply serve in the background and bring glory to God.