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Gregory the Great, in the 6th Century CE, laid out the hierarchy for angels. A few things strike me about the list and their responsibilities.
Seraphim are the highest rank of angels, responsible for Love, Light and Fire. Love and Fire being an interesting pairing...could make Valentine's day look like the 4th.
Cherubim are second, responsible for interceding, for prayers, and for showing a lot of harmless looking naked butts in Romantic murals and Disney movies.
Thrones are in charge of Justice. What i can't find it where this Justice needs oversight. Is there a risk of INjustice in Heaven, that we need the 7th highest rank of angels to run around fighting it?
Dominations are in charge of Angel management. Would love to see the time cards they sign off on. 6000 BC to 4001 BC, waved flaming sword at the gate of Paradise (1000 years time, 500 years time and a half, 500 years double time) 4001 BC to 4000 BC, packed Paradise in preparation for Flood. 4000 BC to 3999 BC, moved animals from lost continent to ark drydock, (travel expense claim attached) watched over ark on the waves 3999 BC landed ark on Ararat. Damaged wing propping ark against rolling down the side of the mountain when the waters receeded (feather allotment claim attached) 3999BC to 3998 BC, took animals back to lost continent....
The Principalities are charged with protecting Religion. For all that Phelps and parties are claiming christain persecution, they can't be very good at their job....
The Powers Impose Order on Heavenly Pathways...which answer the question asked by many. Do we have free will in Heaven? We must. They've got Traffic cops.
Virtues work miracles.
Archangels minister, propitiate for people's sins
Angels are the bottom feeders. They guard men and nations, and run messages for God. They're the ones we see, like a castle scullion who has never seen the king, saw the seneschal once, and was mightily impressed, and for the most part lives his life as if the Chief Cook was God almighty.
I kinda like Gregory's view. There's a whole lot going on in the universe besides our pitiful little planet, and our miserable sins. We are the area of interest for the Midshipmen and Ensigns.
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