Some branches of Christian theology have proposed a 9 level hierarchy of angels as follows:
• Highest/first order:
Seraphim
cherubim
thrones
• Middle order/second:
domains
Virtues
powers
• Lowest/third order:
Principalities
archangels
angels
The difficulty is that the Bible does not identify such a hierarchy of angels. In the Bible we see that there can be different classes of angels, and if there are different classes, there can be a kind of hierarchy. If there is a hierarchy, the Bible does not tell us about it explicitly. If it was important for us to know, the Bible would have told us. The term angel simply means “messenger” and emphasizes the work angels do.
Seraphim (singular seraphim) is simply a word meaning “fiery” or “bright.” Seraphim are mentioned as angelic beings only in Isaiah 6:1–4: “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, sitting on a throne; and the tail of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And they called to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ At the sound of their voices, the posts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. Since the word seraphim is simply a description, it may be that the seraphim are simply “fiery beings” who may or may not be a distinct “type” of angel.
Cherubim (singular cherub) are mentioned numerous times in the Scriptures. After Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, cherubim were placed to guard the entrance (Genesis 3:24). The vast majority of instances where cherubim are mentioned are related to the ark of the covenant, as the likeness of two cherubim adorned the ark’s cover (Exodus 25:18-20; 37:7-9; 1 Samuel 4 : 4 ). David sings a song of praise to God in which he says that God “mounted on the cherubim and flew; he flew on the wings of the wind” (2 Samuel 22:11). When Ezekiel sees the glory of God coming out of the temple, he also sees the cherubim carrying the throne of God (Ezekiel 10). In verse 14, the cherubim are described as having four faces, those of a cherub, a human being, a lion, and an eagle. However, since angels are essentially spiritual beings, it may be that they simply appeared to Ezekiel in this form for that particular revelatory vision.
There is only one archangel named in scripture: Michael. He is mentioned in Jude 1:9. The archangel’s voice is heard in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, without his name being mentioned. Revelation 12:7 describes the war between Michael and his angels and the devil and the angels. In Daniel 10:13, 21 and 12:1, Michael is described as an angelic prince. The fact that Michael is the leader of the angels would fit both the title of archangel and the role he plays. Archangel may be a role rather than a distinct type of angel.
Another individual angel, Gabriel, is also mentioned in the scriptures. Gabriel delivered messages about the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:19) and Jesus (Luke 1:26). When talking to John’s father, he describes himself as someone who is in the presence of God. It is not mentioned what “type” of angel Gabriel may be. He also delivered messages to Daniel in answer to his prayer (Daniel 8:16; 9:21). Daniel describes him as a man, which means that Gabriel appeared in human form. Again, as angels are essentially spiritual beings, they don’t have physical bodies, but it seems they can appear in various forms.
Michael and Gabriel are the only angels mentioned by name, but we know that there are countless myriads of angels who serve God. It should be noted that although angels have greater power and glory than human beings, it is human beings who are created in the image of God, and it is human beings, not angels, who will reign with Christ (Hebrews 2:5 ). It is human beings, not angels, who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ ( Hebrews 2:16 ). Angels are servants of God who minister to believers (Hebrews 1:4). From one perspective, angels are certainly greater than people, however, from another perspective, human beings occupy the main place in God’s created order, and angels are to some extent excluded. They do not understand redemption the way God’s children do ( 1 Peter 1:2 ).
The term guardian angel is never mentioned in scripture, although this concept is commonly assumed. Perhaps it is based on Matthew 18:10, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that his angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
Finally, there are the fallen angels. Jude 1:6 mentions them clearly: “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority, but abandoned their own dwelling, these he has kept in darkness, bound with eternal chains for judgment on the great Day”; as well as Revelation 12:7–9: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels defended themselves. But it was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was cast down, that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who deceives the whole world. he was cast down to earth, and his angels with him.”
In short, speculation abounds, but there is no elaborate hierarchy of angels revealed in the Scriptures. Seraphim and cherubim are mentioned in close connection with the throne and glory of God. Since seraphim simply means “fiery”, it may be a description of an angel rather than a separate type. Cherubim and seraphim are usually described as otherworldly creatures. Michael is the archangel, which would indicate that he has a different role, but not necessarily that he is a different type of angel. Gabriel is an important messenger for God. When Gabriel appears, he is normally identified as a “man”, as are other angels when they appear to humans. Angels do important work, but we are never encouraged to obsess over them, and of course we are forbidden to worship them (Colossians 2:18). Overcome with the glory of visions of him, John records: “At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me: ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who maintain the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!’” ( Revelation 19:10 ). The angels simply serve in the background and give glory to God.