Thrones

This page concerns the class of angels in the Christian tradition; for other meanings see Throne (disambiguation).

The Thrones (lat. thronus, pl. throni) are a class of celestial beings mentioned by Paul of Tarsus in Colossians 1:16 (New Testament) and related to the throne of God. They are living symbols of God's justice and authority. According to the New Testament, these high celestial beings are among those Orders at the Christ's service.^[1][2] The Thrones are mentioned again in Revelation 11:16.

According to Matthew Bunson, the corresponding order of angels in Judaism is called the "abalim" or "arelim"/"erelim".,^[3] but this opinion is far from unrivaled. The Hebrew word Erelim is usually not translated 'Thrones', but rather 'valiant ones', 'heroes', 'warriors'. The function ascribed to Erelim in Is. 33.7 and in Jewish folklore ^[4] is not consonant with the lore surrounding the Thrones.

The Ophanim (Wheels or Galgallin) is a class of higher liberated celestial beings, under many Christian angelic hierarchies, that are also known as the "Thrones", from Daniel 7:9 (Old Testament). They are the carriers of the throne of God, hence the name. They are said to be great wheels covered in eyes.

About the Thrones

Thrones are angels of the Third Order (first sphere) and are beings of tremendous power and movement. They are the keepers of higher more expanded energies. They ensure that these energies maintain connections and flows through the realms. They act as the conduits of the physical worlds and tend to be more stationary in their existence.

According to tradition

God's Spirit is shown in a certain manner to these angels, who in turn pass on the message to men and the inferior angels.

Thrones are known in scripture as the bringers of justice, but their status in hierarchy is often confused, sometimes placing them above the Seraphim, and sometimes placing them at the same level as the Cherubim. They do however, come in the second Choir, and are assigned to planets.

This position makes them some of the most powerful angels in service to the Lord. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the Thrones have the task of pondering the disposition of divine judgments. In other words, they carry out or fulfill the divine justice of the Lord.

They create, channel and collect incoming and outgoing positive energies. Dispensation of justice is important to the Thrones and they send healing energies to victims while shining a light on injustice to bring its presence to our attention.

Like their counterparts in the second angelic triad, they come the closest of all Angels to spiritual perfection and emanate the light of God with mirror-like goodness. They, despite their greatness, are intensely humble, an attribute that allows them to dispense justice with perfect objectivity and without fear of pride or ambition. Because they are living symbols of God's justice and authority, they are called Thrones and have as one of their symbols the throne.

According to the Western Wisdom Teachings ^{[disambiguation needed ]}

Dionysius the Areopagite includes the Thrones as the third highest of 9 levels of angels. Rudolf Steiner links to this tradition and describes the Thrones as "Spirits of Will" who sacrificed their substance to create the material universe.

See also

• Ophanim (thrones/wheels)

Notes

1. ^ Colossians 1:14-20
2. ^ 1 Peter 3:21-22
3. ^ Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z. New York:Crown Trade Paperbacks, 1996. ISBN 0-517-88537-9.
4. ^ Louis Ginzberg: Legends of the Jews 5:23, n. 64; 5:417, n. 117

References

• Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z. New York:Crown Trade Paperbacks, 1996. ISBN 0-517-88537-9.
• Gulley, Rosemary Ellen (1996). Encyclopedia of Angels. ISBN 0-8160-29881

Christian angelic hierarchyv · Seraphim • Cherubim • Ophanim • Thrones
Second Sphere (active)	Dominions • Virtues  • Powers or Authorities
Third Sphere (active)	Principalities or Rulers • Archangels • Angels