If I may give the more esoteric and kabbalistic explanation of the angels and their ranks:
The angels are the thoughts and messages of God. It is written in the Sepher Yetzira that every angel is a thought of God and every thought we have spawnes yet another angel.
The Archangels are the rulers of certain areas of being and of certain concepts. As such, we have archangels of days, times, planets, etc.
The Rulers symbolize the order in nature, the natural laws and whatnot, decreed by God.
The Powers are the judgement of God. They are his fierceness and his reproachment of Man and his universe.
The virtues are the mercy of God. They are his fatherly love and his forgiveness.
The Dominions are the different planes of existence, heaven, hell, earth, limbo, non-existence, the chasm, the abyss, the veil.
The Cherubim and the Ophanim definitely deserve their own, separate explanations. The Cherubim have been described as "beings with eyes all over", they symbolize the omniscience of God. Seeing all in all directions, even infinitely inward.
The Ophanim are "wheels inscribed with eyes" and are the chariot of God. They symbolize his omnipresence. They are first described in the vision of god that Enoch had before he ascended to become the highest of angels, Metatron.
The Seraphim burn with the love of God and constantly sing his praise and contemplation. They are so close to God they are only barely separate from him. They are described as being fully enveloped in wings of light, covering them completely, giving us an inkling on the location of God. The Seraphim don't need to look outwardly to see God. They find him within.
Say what you will about the religion's morals and ethics, their mythology is awesome.
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If I may give the more esoteric and kabbalistic explanation of the angels and their ranks:
The angels are the thoughts and messages of God. It is written in the Sepher Yetzira that every angel is a thought of God and every thought we have spawnes yet another angel.
The Archangels are the rulers of certain areas of being and of certain concepts. As such, we have archangels of days, times, planets, etc.
The Rulers symbolize the order in nature, the natural laws and whatnot, decreed by God.
The Powers are the judgement of God. They are his fierceness and his reproachment of Man and his universe.
The virtues are the mercy of God. They are his fatherly love and his forgiveness.
The Dominions are the different planes of existence, heaven, hell, earth, limbo, non-existence, the chasm, the abyss, the veil.
The Cherubim and the Ophanim definitely deserve their own, separate explanations. The Cherubim have been described as "beings with eyes all over", they symbolize the omniscience of God. Seeing all in all directions, even infinitely inward.
The Ophanim are "wheels inscribed with eyes" and are the chariot of God. They symbolize his omnipresence. They are first described in the vision of god that Enoch had before he ascended to become the highest of angels, Metatron.
The Seraphim burn with the love of God and constantly sing his praise and contemplation. They are so close to God they are only barely separate from him. They are described as being fully enveloped in wings of light, covering them completely, giving us an inkling on the location of God. The Seraphim don't need to look outwardly to see God. They find him within.
Say what you will about the religion's morals and ethics, their mythology is awesome.