Throne. (Art by Aw Anqi)
Thrones are the third of nine classes of angels, and are also the angels of knowledge. The Thrones or Elders, also known as the Erelim or Ophanim, are a class of celestial beings mentioned in Colossians and related to the throne of God.
Description[]
Because they are living symbols of God's justice and authority, they are called Thrones and have as one of their symbols the throne. In contrast to their appearance, Ezekiel describes Thrones as eye covered wheels, rather than humanoids. The Thrones are creatures that function as the actual chariots of God driven by the Cherubim.
They are characterized by peace and submission; God rests upon them. Thrones are depicted residing in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. They chant glorias to God and remain forever in his presence. They mete out divine justice and maintain the cosmic harmony of all universal laws.
Overview[]
According to the New Testament, these high celestial beings are among those Orders at the Christ's service. They are the carriers of the Throne of God, in this case the Merkabah, hence the name.
They are living symbols of God's justice and authority. They come the closest of all Angels to spiritual perfection and emanate the light of God with mirror-like goodness nearing the perfection and light of even the Seraphim. 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.
Several Thrones sided with Lucifer during the war in Heaven, and were cast down to Hell to become archdemons.