| B&A: How many subtypes of angels to use?My question may be a little odd, but in the novel I am currently planning, there is an inclusion of angels. I'm going roughly for the Judo-Christian kinds, but having my own spin on things.
I have three subtypes of angels which are the LEADERS, the WARRIORS and the MESSENGERS. If I were to roughly compare them to the Judo-Christian angels, the leaders would be the Serephim, the warriors the Archangels and the messengers, well, the Messengers.
I'm not trying to fit all the roles of the biblical angels, so there is no need to say there are 'such and such' angels in the bible. My novel is NOT religious as such, it fits more into fantasy and supernatural, it dosen't have to have the same roles as the angels in the bible do.
Do you think that those three types would be enough to control all of Heaven? There will be lots of angels in each subtype, but I'm wondering if there should be another 'job title' as sorts in there, and if so do you have any suggestions as to what it would need to be?
Kitty (K.M.L): Oh, I forget all about guardian angels! Thanks, I might include those now...
Asked By: wayward daughter. - 12/31/2010 |
Here is the info I gathered about angels from when I was trying to write a story about angels. Maybe it can be of help? I don't remember where I got the info from.
1. Seraphim - These are the angels who are closest to God. They encircle his throne and emit an intense fiery light representing his love. Seraphim are considered "fiery serpents" and not even the other divine beings may look at them. There are only four of them and each has four faces and six wings. When they come to Earth, they leave their serpent appearance behind, preferring tall, thin, clean-cut human embodiments.
2. Cherubim (Plural of Cherub) - These angels are the keepers of celestial records and hold the knowledge of God. They are sent to Earth with great tasks, such as expelling humankind from the Garden of Eden. Ancient art depicts cherubim as sphinx-like, winged creatures with human faces, not the fat babies with wings that now grace greeting cards and book covers. Ophaniel, Rikbiel, and Zophiel are cherubim, as was Satan before his fall to evil.
3. Thrones - Thrones' appearance is perhaps the most bizarre of the angels. They are said to look like great glowing wheels covered with many eyes. They serve as God's chariot and dispense his judgment in order to carry out his desires for us. The angels in the second choir can exist in a state of transition between the celestial and human worlds. They are considered heavenly governors, attempting to strike a balance between matter and spirit, good and bad.
4. Dominions or Dominations - Think of dominions as middle management. They receive orders from seraphim and cherubim, then dish out duties to the "worker bee" angels of the lower orders. Their main purpose is to make sure that the cosmos remains in order by sending down power to heads of government and other authority figures. Zadkiel (sometimes called Hashmal) is the chief of this order.
5. Virtues - Shaped like sparks of light, virtues are in charge of maintaining the natural world, and they inspire living things in areas such as science. They also take orders from the angels above and convert them into miracles for the deserving. When they make themselves known to us in their earthly form, they are musicians, artists, healers, and scientists who work with the power of love, as well as physics. The two angels at the ascension of Jesus are believed to have been virtues.
6. Powers - In their celestial form, powers appear like brightly colored, hazy fumes. Powers are border patrol agents between heaven and Earth. They are the angels of birth and death. Some believe that they also preside over demons who wish to overthrow the world, while others, namely St. Paul, thought the powers themselves were the evil ones. In any case, powers are a group of experts who serve as advisers in terms of religion, theology, and ideology.
The third choir is best known to us because they are most like us with their vulnerability to the act of sinning.
7. Principalities - These angelic beings are shaped like rays of light. Just like a principal in school, it's the principalities who oversee everything. They guide our entire world -- nations, cities, and towns. What's more, they are in charge of religion and politics. As if their plate isn't full enough, they are also in charge of managing the earthly duties of the angels below them.
8. Archangels - They, along with the angels, are guardians of people and all things physical. But don't call on them to help you personally; archangels respond best when dealing with matters involving all humankind. They are the first order of angels that appear only in human form. As such, they function among us as pioneers for change in the form of explorers, philosophers, and human rights leaders. This order is most commonly known because they are mentioned by name in the Bible -- Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
9. Angels - Angels are the true intermediaries between God and individual people. Angels don't watch over nations; they safeguard households and individuals who believe in God and keep them safe from demons. They nurture, counsel, and heal. We all have a "personal angel," better known as our guardian angel, with us daily.
Answered By: timebomb - 12/31/2010 |