What About Angels

& Heavenly Beings?

(Part 1)

 

 

What are the biblical designations in the hierarchy of Angels and Heavenly Beings?
The Bible does not provide a detailed or systematic hierarchy of angels and heavenly beings as described in later Christian tradition (e.g., Pseudo-Dionysius’ celestial hierarchy). However, Scripture does mention various types of spiritual beings and angels, along with their roles and functions. Below is a biblical designation of the hierarchy based on references found in the Bible:

Heavenly Beings Mentioned in the Bible

1. Seraphim

  • Biblical Reference: Isaiah 6:1–7

  • Role: Seraphim are described as fiery beings who worship God continually and proclaim His holiness (“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty”). They are depicted as having six wings and serve in God’s presence.

  • Key Characteristics: Worshippers of God; associated with purification (e.g., touching Isaiah’s lips with a coal).

2. Cherubim

  • Biblical References: Genesis 3:24, Exodus 25:18–22, Ezekiel 10:1–22

  • Role: Cherubim are guardians of sacred spaces (e.g., guarding the entrance to Eden, guarding The Tree of Life) and are closely associated with God’s throne. They are often depicted as majestic, multi-faced creatures.

  • Key Characteristics: Guardians; symbols of God’s presence and majesty.

3. Archangels

  • Biblical References: Jude 1:9 (Michael), Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7

  • Role: Archangels are leaders among angels and serve as messengers or warriors in key divine missions. Michael is specifically called an archangel and is portrayed as a protector of God’s people.

  • Key Characteristics: Leaders among angels; defenders of God’s people.

4. Angels (General)

  • Biblical References: Hebrews 1:14, Psalm 91:11–12, Luke 1:26–38

  • Role: Angels are messengers and servants of God who interact with humans. They deliver divine messages (e.g., Gabriel announcing Jesus’ birth), protect individuals, and carry out God’s will.

  • Key Characteristics: Messengers; guardians; servants of God.

5. Living Creatures

  • Biblical References: Ezekiel 1:4–28, Revelation 4:6–8

  • Role: These beings surround God’s throne and worship Him continuously. They are described as having multiple faces (human, lion, ox, eagle) and wings.

  • Key Characteristics: Symbols of creation; perpetual worshippers of God.

6. Thrones

  • Biblical Reference: Colossians 1:16

  • Role: Thrones are mentioned as part of the spiritual realm created by God. While their exact nature is unclear in Scripture, they are often interpreted as beings that symbolize divine authority and judgment.

  • Key Characteristics: Associated with God’s sovereignty.

7. Powers, Principalities, Dominions

  • Biblical References: Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:16, Romans 8:38

  • Role: These terms refer to spiritual forces or beings that exist in the heavenly realms. While some may be aligned with God’s purposes, others are adversarial forces opposing Him (e.g., “rulers” in Ephesians 6:12).

  • Key Characteristics: Spiritual forces governing creation or opposing God.

Summary

The Bible does not explicitly rank these beings in a structured hierarchy, but provides glimpses into their roles and functions:

  1. Seraphim and Cherubim are closely associated with God’s presence and worship.

  2. Archangels like Michael serve as leaders and warriors for God’s purposes.

  3. Angels act as messengers and protectors for humanity.

  4. Living creatures symbolize creation’s worship of God.

  5. Thrones, Powers, Principalities, and Dominions reflect spiritual governance over creation.

Later theological tradition expanded upon these biblical references to create more formal hierarchies like the ninefold celestial hierarchy described by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite.

 

 

 

 

In several Biblical, Prophetic, and Visionary Encounters in the Biblical Record, there exist multiple beings in several spiriutal encounters with the prophets of God.

Please Note: In order to properly interpret these revelations, one must have a mastery of the scriptures, and a pure heart before God. Here is Why because God says: Blessed are the Pure in Heart–For they shall See God.

For Example:

In King David’s Vision:

Psalms 110:1-2 (KJV)

1

The LORD said unto my Lord,
Sit thou at my right hand,
until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion:
rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

 

 

In Daniel’s Vision #1:

 

Daniel 10:5-12 (KJV)

5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen:

  • Whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6
  • His body also was like the beryl, and
  • His face as the appearance of lightning, and
  • His eyes as lamps of fire, and
  • His arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and
  • The voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent.

And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

 

 

 

 

In Daniel’s Vision #2:

Daniel 7:9-10 (NIV)

9 “As I looked:

Thrones
were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.

  • His clothing was as white as snow;
    the hair of his head was white like wool.
  • His throne was flaming with fire,
    and its wheels were all ablaze
  • A river of fire was flowing,
    coming out from before him.
  • Thousands upon thousands attended him;
    ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.

The court was seated,
and the books were opened.

 

 

Now, we can compare Daniel’s Vision to John the Apostle’s Vision in the Book of Revelation.

 

 

In John’s Vision #1:

Revelation 1:12-20 (KJV)

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man:

  • clothed with a garment down to the foot,
  • and girt about the paps [loins] with a golden girdle.
  • His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow;
  • and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
  • And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace;
  • and his voice as the sound of many waters.
  • And he had in his right hand seven stars:
  • and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword:
  • and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and [I] have the keys of hell and of death.

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

 

Does not this Person have a remarkably similar description as in Daniel chapters 7 and 10?

 

So could it be safe to say that

  1. Ancient of Days,
  2. the one like unto the Son of Man,
  3. and the certain man clothed in linen
  4. and the one who listened to what: The LORD said unto my Lord,
  5. I am the first and the last:
  6. The Alpha and Omega,
  7. The Beginning and the End.
  8. I am he that liveth, and was dead;
  9. behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;
  10. [I] have the keys of hell and of death.

Coud Be the Same Person? Crazy Right?

 

But what about the Angels, and other Heavenly Beings, where do they fit in:

  • Thousands upon thousands attended him;
    ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
  •  

 

Ezekiels Vision #1:

 

Ezekiel 1:13-20 (KJV)

13 As for the likeness of the living creatures,

  • their appearance was like burning coals of fire,
  • and like the appearance of lamps:
  • it went up and down among the living creatures;
  • and the fire was bright,
  • and out of the fire went forth lightning.
  • And the living creatures ran
  • and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

15 Now as I beheld the living creatures,

  • behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures,
  • with his four faces.

 

The appearance of the wheels and their work was

  • like unto the colour of a beryl:
  • and they four had one likeness:

And their appearance and their work was

  • as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
  • When they went, they went upon their four sides:
  • and they turned not when they went.
  • As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful;
  • and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
  • And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them:
  • and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth,
  • the wheels were lifted up.
  • Whithersoever the spirit was to go,
  • they went, thither was their spirit to go;
  • and the wheels were lifted up over against them:
  • for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

 

Disclaimer: This is still a working progress.

 

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