the 7 angels and their names?
An earlier post asked:
Quote:
>Date: 8 Jun 1995 10:33:42 GMT
>Could someone please tell me the names of the 7 angels? I dont really
mean the names but I seem to remember each had some kind of title or Latin
name.
>>>>>>>>>>>
Do you mean the "kinds" or Orders of angels mentioned in the Bible and
elsewhere? These would be Rulers, Authorities, Dominions, Principalities,
Powers, Thrones, Virtues, Cherubim (or Kerubim), Seraphim, Ophanim,
Wheels, Archangels, and Angels. Some also include Heavenly or Celestial
Bodies, and at least one source refers to Majesties.
Dionysius believed there to be *nine* Orders of angels (not seven),
clustered into three groups of three. In order from top to bottom, they
are: Seraphim, Cherubim, and Ophanim (Ophanim include Wheels and/or
Thrones); Dominions, Virtues, and Powers; and Principalities,
Archangels, and Angels. The first group of three are closest to the
throne of God, either guarding it, purifying those who approach God,
worshipping, or responding to God's will and voice. The second group of
three represents Law, Wisdom, God's Will, and expressions of Order. The
third group of three represents action, and the fulfillment of God's will,
including travel between Earth and Heaven, service as messengers and
soldiers, and service as guardians of humans. There is much more than I
am covering here, and none of the groups is apparently limited to one
specific function, but these are the basics according to Judeo-Christian
tradition. (heavy on the Christian side - I welcome input from other
viewpoints.)
Of course, outside of the Judeo-Christian thought, there are the "pagan"
types of angels including Victories, Zephyrs, and Erotes, and who could
leave out the "putti" which are baby-ish, plump, so-called "cherubs" in
Renaissance paintings and Hollywood cartoons. Angelic beings also exist
in nearly every other world religion, in some form or another. They
almost always serve as an intermediary between God and Human. It should
be noted that in most Jewish and Christian thought, angels and humans are
considered vastly separate "species," and humans are not viewed as
"becoming" angels after death. This will no doubt come as good news to
those who do not relish the thought of sitting on a cloud playing a harp
for eternity.
Only three angels are mentioned by name in the Christian Bible: Michael -
the Archangel, commander-in-chief of the warrior angels, and personal
protector of Israel - see Jude 9, Rev. 12:7; Michael is mentioned in
Jewish and Apocryphal sources as one of seven archangels (see an earlier
post on sci.arch); Gabriel - his role is not given specifically, but he
seems to be a chief messenger of God, entrusted with the most important
news; he is also thought to represent Spiritual Wisdom and carry God's
Word; and Lucifer, now called Satan the Adversary, who was apparently
classified as a Cherub before the Fall - see Eze. 28:12-19. These are the
only proper names in the Bible, but there are many others listed in
Apocryphal books, in Jewish history and legends, and especially in
Kabbalist/Cabbalist writings and mysticism. (For Biblical sources, refer
also to Rom. 8:38; Eph. 1:21, 3:10, 6:12; Col. 1:16, 2:10, 2:15; Titus
3:1; Jude 8,9; Isa. 6:2,6; Eze. 1:6-14. )
Hope this helps.
Davenpart
