Angels: How many are watching over Humanity?

Yes, there is a hierarchy among God's beloved angels. The highest are assembled of the seraphim, cherubim and the thrones, which are the closest to the Holy Trinity. The very closest to God are the six-winged, seraphim, who are aflame with God's love and incite that same fire in others - angels and people alike. In Genesis 1 after Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden, we find the, many-eyed cherubim guarding the gates to Eden. The cherubim shine with the knowledge of God's mysteries and the great depth of His wisdom. They enlighten others, hence their many eyes. The Lord himself sits on the thrones from where he passes his judgement upon the heavenly bodies, hosts and on mankind. Of the middle hierarchy are the dominions, forces, and powers. The dominions rule over thier earthly domains wisely and practically. Meanwhile, the forces are filled with God's strength and they carry out HIs will on earth and in Heaven. The forces help mankind bear his/her trials, burdens and difficulties associated with the earthly plane by giving people the strength to carry those burdens, sorrows and misfortunes. The powers have the ability to curtail the devil's actions upon humankind. These forces are ever vigilant in their task and have been granted all power over Lucifer, the light bearer in Hebrew.

Which brings us to the final category of angels where the archangel Michael made his princely, high place by battling with Lucifer. Satan had destroyed himself with pride, selfishness and, subsequently, fell from heaven into the fiery pits. Our beloved archangel Michael always defends us in battle, as he so powerfully demonstrated when he kicked Lucifer's behind out of heaven. Lucifer enticed other wicked angels to follow him; hence, the den of demons whose place is in hell and who lurk among the human race. What Satan does to Job is a well known biblical story, as is the story of Jacob's ladder where he climbs in and out of heaven as do the angels, each illustrating the positions the angels have among our kind: humans.

Of this so called, lower division of angels you find the principalities, archangels and angels. Since this hierarchy is termed such by theologians, does not mean that their place among God's loving, powerful cohorts, messengers and guides is any less important. These are just theological classifications which help the faithful understand those which appear to be closest to God upon inspecting scripture.

Which brings us to the final hierarchy of angels where the archangel Michael made his princely, high place among the six other archangels, by battling with Lucifer, the bringer of light to men, and casting him into hell with God's desire fulfilled. Lucifer destroyed himself with pride, selfishness and, subsequently, fell from heaven into the fiery pits. If you have ever heard of Luciferic principal, it refers to this fallen angel who became a demon of the dark. This is ironic, because of Lucifer's original station as the bringer of light to men.

Of this so called, lower division of angels, who are the closest to mankind, you find the principalities, archangels and angels. Since this hierarchy is termed "lower"  by theologians, does not mean that their place among God's loving, powerful cohorts, messengers and guides are any less important. These are just theological classifications which help the faithful understand those which appear to be closest to God when studying both Christian and Judaic scripture.

Have you ever been curious about the immense number of angels above and below: that is in heaven and on earth? Well, most people are familiar with the archangel Michael, who is often pictured defending us in battle, according to the Judeo-Christian books of Daniel, Isaiah, St. John, and Revelation to name a few. Personally, Mystic Amy has, like you, often wondered what the other six archangels names were and what they do for us as our agents, messengers and comforters, among other Godly duties.

Here are the names of our archangels, divinely charged with humanity. These same angels appear in the Christian Bible, the Jewish Talmud, as well as in, the Islamic Koran. Another source of Judeo-Christian and Islamic Angel lore can be found in the non-canonical book: "The Lost Book of Enoch".

The first, as I mentioned, is the Archangel Michael whose main duty is to defend us in battle against all evil. The second best known archangel is the Archangel Gabriel, who is our messenger, who announced the birth of Christ to the Virgin Mary and who delivered the message to Zacharias about the coming birth of St. John the Baptiste. We know the Archangel Raphael's name means "God's Healer" who aids men in their illnesses and who is mentioned in the Book of Tobias.

Mentioned in the book of Ezra as the one who prays to God and urges man to pray fervently is the archangel Salaphiel. Now, the archangel Jegudiel glorifies God singing, "Holy, holy, holy is God on High..." In fact, all of the angels sing. It is also his place to strengthen those who work, to keep on truckin". Last, but not least, is the Archangel Barachiel, who intercedes before our Lord, God on our behalf when we are not able to utter our own prayers. Barachiel's name means, the blessing of God. Besides these seven archangels who are mentioned in the Book of Tobias, Ezra, the book of Enoch, Tobit and elsewhere throughout scripture, we find that the Archangel Jeremiel, whose name means exhaultation, lifts up our prayers to the holy ones, the Holy One, God. These are the seven holy archangels who are among the very closest to you and me. We can call on them in our need, in our trials, and our praise of God according to their specialities. Archangels, principalities and angels are so very close to us they can hear our thoughts, intervene on ou good behalf. They can appear as glorious heavenly angels or as human beings who pop into your life exactly when you require their help.

I have known the name of my guardian Angel since I was five or six years old; her name is Grace. She, among the other heavenly hosts mentioned throughout this article, have saved my life, sent me important messages, helped me to pray when I was unable to form the words. But who needs words which so inadequately describe and comprehend the universe and supreme intelligence: God. When our hearts and minds are already known to Him, we still require angelic and heavenly intervention. We utter our prayers, think in archetypal imagery and generally get an answer soon enough. All of the angels mentioned above have their stations in heaven and on earth; they are without a doubt, fully believed in by not just the Faithful but, by the general public as well. Angels have been part of humanity's lore prior to literacy. This is why you see so many angel images carved in cathedrals, divinely wrought in paintings and sculpted to guard pre-medieval castles.

Take A Look at What Amazon.com Has to Offer About Angels Below:

Then Carry on to the conclusion of this interesting article, please.

They Lovingly Attend Us

So, these are the names of all of the angels, hosts and attendants to the Father/Mother Principle, better known as God. In researching this article, I found that the angels did guide me, for it is a heavy task to undertake. A task I was glad to learn for myself and also to share with you, my readers. May God hold you in the palm of his Hand. His spirit is all over and about us, so naturally He does not have hands, but many people think of God as a man with a long-flowing white beard and a loving nature, at least as He is shown in the New Testament. The Old Testament depicts a God who is often cruel, frightening, capricious and whimsical. But the God of the New Testament, perhaps because he sent His son in the flesh to experience the human condition as it is, really understands his humans all the better on that account. Now, I have a challenge for you: Can you name all the archangels after reading this piece. Or all of the heavenly hosts? Please ask me anything about the entire Heavenly Host and I'll be glad to research the answer for you, if I don't already know it. Today, November 21st, is the Orthodox Feast Day of St. Michael, the Archangel in whose honor I wrote this article today. Feel free to give this winged prince thanks.

Thank You. From The Grotto of Mystic Amy AKA: Amy Frerichs, M.A.

Copyrighted material 2009