The Hierarchy of Angels

The religion of Christianity harbors many beliefs, of which one of the most important is that of the hierarchy of angels. This belief holds that angels who rank higher in the hierarchy are less likely to sin. This hierarchy system involves three levels of angels.

The hierarchy system was created in the fourth century by Pseduo-Dionysius the Areopagite in a text entitled "The Celestial Hierarchy". His work was greatly influenced by his readings of the New Testament. The passage in Colossians 1:16 was one of the passages that held greatest influence over the thinking of Pseduo-Dionysius. This passage is considered to be the evidence of the wish to create a hierarchy of angels.

The highest level of the hierarchy is known as the First Sphere. The angels that fall into this category are commonly known as the Seraphim, Ophanim, and Cherubim. These types of angel are not concerned with the physical world, and are thus much better able to remain above sin. They are not as likely as normal angels and archangels to fall into sin. The Seraphim are charged with caring for the throne of God, the Cherubim are the guardians of the light of the world, and the Ophanim protect the rest of the world from the flames of Hell.

The Second Sphere comprises three types of angel that function as the governors of heaven. These angels are known as Thrones, Principalities, and Dominions. Thrones are angels that enforce and enact the authority and will of God. Dominions govern nations and are served by the Principalities. The Principalities carry the orders of the Dominions to the physical world in the form of blessings. The Principalities are generally charged with overseeing the physical world.

The three classes of angel that comprise the Third Sphere are the most likely to fall prey to sin. These angels are the Powers, Angels, and Archangels. The Powers are historians and act in the capacity of advisors of ideology and theology. They are also loyal warriors of God. However, the passage in Ephesians 6:12 gives hints that some Powers have since succumbed to sin.

Archangels are also counted part of the Third Sphere. Christians believe that the Archangels Michael and Gabriel number among the highest ranked of all angels, as they are the messengers of God. General Angels are the lowest ranked angels, and are more involved with the various aspects of the physical world and the individuals within it, and are therefore the likeliest to fall prey to sin.

The hierarchy of angels forms a cornerstone of the Christian belief, and all the angels within the three spheres function to achieve the single goal of protecting the physical world as well as heaven itself. This complex hierarchy of angels is unique to the Christian beliefs.