156. CONCERNING THE THREE CLASSES OF ANGELS Angels of the first class are to be called celestial; they are ruled immediately by God Messiah through love; they have a sublime understanding of good and thence of truth. Angels of the second class below are called the truly spiritual; they are ruled by God Messiah mediately through the celestial angels. Angels of the third class are to be called affections, or goodnesses; they are ruled by God Messiah through the celestial and also the spiritual angels, thus mediately, for they are not of such intelligence and wisdom that they can be actuated immediately by him. The rest, who are of an indefinite variety, are called spirits. Angels ascend according to their perfection, whence they are to be called higher and lower; or if they are being introduced (into heaven), they are then to be called interior, more interior, and inmost. They are accordingly signified by Jacob, Isaac and Abraham; also by Egypt, Assyria, and Israel. (Isaiah xix 25.)