There are only 3 ranks of angels described in the Bible: archangel, seraph and cherub, in rank of greatest to least.
Archangel: Michael is the only one ever referred to as the archangel. The term itself, from the prefix "arch" or "principal", literally means "chief angel". In the scriptures it is never used in the plural sense, denoting that it is a singular position occupied by Michael. He is the greatest of the angels, thus the term archangel. (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7)
Gabriel is the only other angel specifically mentioned by name in the Bible. The name means "able bodied one of God", which is fitting since on several occasions he materialized and appeared to servants of God such as the prophet Daniel, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist and Mary, the mother of Jesus. (Daniel 8:1, 15-26; 9:1, 20-27; Luke 1:11-20; 1:26-38.)
He is a high ranking angel, likely a Seraph, who "stands near before God", evidenced by his being entrusted to deliver special messages. (He's the one who told Mary about her pregnancy with Jesus.)
Seraph: The Hebrew word sera·phim′ is a plural noun derived from the verb sa·raph′, meaning “burn.” (Le 4:12) Thus the Hebrew term sera·phim′ literally means “burning ones.” These mighty heavenly creatures are angels, evidently of very high position in God’s arrangement, since they are shown in attendance at God’s throne. The cherubs seen in Ezekiel’s vision corresponded to runners that accompanied the celestial chariot of God. (Eze 10:9-13)
Cherub: An angelic creature having special duties. The first of the 91 times they are mentioned in the Bible is at Genesis 3:24; after God’s driving Adam and Eve out of Eden, cherubs (Heb., keru·vim′) were posted at the E entrance with a flaming blade of a sword “to guard the way to the tree of life.”
As for Lucifer, also known as Satan the Devil, he was not always known by that name. He was also a high ranking angel in God's heavenly organization, probably entrusted with watching the goings on of the Earth. (His familiarity with Adam, Eve and God's creation [the serpent] indicate this.) The Scriptures indicate that this descriptive name was given to him because of his taking a course of opposition and resistance to God. The name he had before this is not given. God is the only Creator, and ‘his activity is perfect,’ with no injustice or unrighteousness. (De 32:4) Therefore, the one becoming Satan was, when created, a perfect, righteous creature of God. He is a spirit person, for he appeared in heaven in the presence of God. (Job chaps 1, 2; Re 12:9) Jesus Christ said of him: “That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him.” (Joh 8:44; 1Jo 3:8) Jesus here shows that Satan was once in the truth, but forsook it. Beginning with his first overt act in turning Adam and Eve away from God, he was a manslayer, for he thereby brought about the death of Adam and Eve, which, in turn, brought sin and death to their offspring. (Ro 5:12) Throughout the Scriptures the qualities and actions attributed to him could be attributed only to a person, not to an abstract principle of evil. It is clear that the Jews, and Jesus and his disciples, knew that Satan existed as a person.
The dirge recorded at Ezekiel 28:12-19, though directed to the human “king of Tyre,” evidently parallels the course taken by the spirit son of God who first sinned. The pride of “the king of Tyre,” his making himself ‘a god,’ his being called a “cherub,” and the reference to “Eden, the garden of God,” certainly correspond to Biblical information concerning Satan the Devil, who became puffed up with pride, is linked to the serpent in Eden, and is called “the god of this system of things.”—1Ti 3:6; Ge 3:1-5, 14, 15; Re 12:9; 2Co 4:4.
The anonymous king of Tyre, residing in the city claiming to be “perfect in prettiness,” was himself “full of wisdom and perfect [adjective related to Heb. ka·lal′] in beauty,” and “faultless [Heb., ta·mim′]” in his ways from his creation onward until unrighteousness was found in him. (Eze 27:3; 28:12, 15) The first or direct application of the dirge in Ezekiel may be to the line of Tyrian rulers rather than to any one specific king. (Compare the prophecy directed against the anonymous “king of Babylon” at Isa 14:4-20.) In that case, the reference may be to the early course of friendship and cooperation followed by the Tyrian rulership during the reigns of Kings David and Solomon, when Tyre even contributed toward the building of Jehovah’s temple on Mount Moriah. At first, therefore, there was no fault to be found in the official Tyrian attitude toward Jehovah’s people Israel. (1Ki 5:1-18; 9:10, 11, 14; 2Ch 2:3-16) Later kings, however, departed from this “faultless” course, and Tyre came in for condemnation by God’s prophets Joel and Amos, as well as Ezekiel. (Joe 3:4-8; Am 1:9, 10) Aside from the evident similarity of the course of “the king of Tyre” with that of God’s principal Adversary, the prophecy illustrates again how “perfection” and “faultlessness” can be used in limited senses.
2007-04-02 22:27:12
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answer #1
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answered by danni_d21 4
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Hi, there are nine choirs of Angels, Seraphim are the highest in rank and power and surround the throne of God continually giving praise.
Cherubim are next then Thrones,Dominions,Virtues,Powers, Archangels,Principalities and finally Guardian Angels.
Lucifer appears to have been the very first created Angel and was the closest to God,one of the names for him was Morning Star as he was also the most glorious and light filled of Angels, he was above all of the other Angelic ranks before his fall from grace,Michael is now the chief Angel and comes from the ranks of the Archangels,he was promoted so to speak when he defended Gods honor and fought against Lucifer and his rebellious angels,Michael is the guardian of Israel and defender of Gods people and so is a warrior prince among Angels.
Gabriel too is from the ranks of the Archangels and carries the commands of God to other Angels and to Mankind, finally there is Raphael who also is an Archangel and is the Angel of healing.
2007-04-03 05:14:36
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answer #2
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answered by Sentinel 7
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