Theologians of the Middle Ages; a time when the exact count of angels peaked at 301,655,722; originated a systematic ordering of God's minions into three hierarchies, each composed of three choirs. Those closest to God belonged to the first order, and encompassed the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and the Thrones. The second order was composed of the priest-princes of the court of Heaven; the Dominions, the Virtues, and the Powers. The third order was constituted by the ministering angels; the Principalities, the Archangels, and the Angels.
Today, incredible accounts by alien abductees describe visible hierarchies within the extraterrestrials' activities and duties. Like a hive network, each has a specific job to uphold for the smooth operation of the aliens' agenda, whatever that may be. And so it was for the hierarchy of angels.
The Seraphim, or the "fiery spirits", regulate Heaven under Uriel's leadership. Though Uriel; who's name means "Fire of God"; is said to be the guardian who stands at the Gate of Eden with a fiery sword, watching over thunder and terror, 'he' has also been identified as:
1) the angel who disclosed the mysteries of the heavenly arcana to Ezra,
2) the deliverer of the divine discipline of alchemy unto Earth,
3) the deliverer of the Cabala unto Man, and
4) the messenger sent by God to warn Noah of the impending Deluge.
The Cherubim are said to be "all-knowing", depicted metaphorically with multi-eyed peacock's feathers. Similarly, the Thrones, or the "many eyed ones", are represented as wheels of fire. While the Dominions carry scepter and sword to symbolize the divine power over all creation, and the Virtues, or the "brilliant, shining ones", are associated with heroic acts, it is the Powers, led by Raphael, who keep the universe in balance by preventing the fallen angels from taking over the world.
Raphael, who's name means "God Has Healed" or "the shining one who heals", is one of the few angels mentioned by name in biblical texts. 'He' is one of the Watchers of the Earth, the principal angel of healing and medicine, and an angel of science and knowledge. Guardian of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, Raphael is often associated with the image of the serpent, just as our doctors today utilize two coiled serpents upon a staff as their associative emblem.
