WHERE WE ARE COME

'For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to th esprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:18-24, NASB )

Devotion 7 of 13 AN INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS

The immensity of the fellowship to which we "ARE come" boggles the mind. A vast throng of angelic spirits is included in the congregation to which we "ARE come." The word translated "innumerable" is not mathematical; it transcends numbers. Some versions translate it "myriads of angels" (NASB), and "thousands upon thousands of angels" (NIV). The idea is that we have joined a vast company that includes heavenly personalities dominated by an awareness of the living God. John the Beloved saw angels around the throne in the revelation given to him. "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands" (Rev 5:11). The church must maintain a conscience of these exalted personalities without giving them honor belonging to Jesus Christ. Paul charged Timothy before "the elect angels" (1 Tim 5:21). Unruly and disruptive women at Corinth were admonished, "For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head" (1 Cor 11:10). Intrigued by the glorious Gospel addressed to us, angels draw close to "inquire" into these things (1 Pet 1:12). How different many assemblies would be if professed believers were more cognizant of their presence. But our text has a higher view than that of angels meeting with us; we are meeting with angels around the throne of God. This is an "innumerable company of angels." In this case, a "company" is not simply a gathering, or aggregation of angels. The NIV translates this verse, "thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly." The NRSV says we are come "to innumerable angels in festal gathering." Since Jesus ascended and returned to heaven, the angels are portrayed as being in a state of rejoicing. The adversary of humanity has been defeated, and his under-rulers plundered. Angels lift their voices in adoring praise to the triumphant King. "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing" (Rev 5:11-12). Again it is written, "And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev 7:11-12). This is a jubilant, festal, and blissful assembly; delighted over the accomplishments of their King. Joy is found among them when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7). The progress of believers, as well as their victory in death must also cause great rejoicing among this "festal gathering." One of the measures of a Christ-honoring assembly is that it joins this angelic assembly in joyful praise. Such are truly tasting of the "powers of the world to come." This is the place where we"ARE come." PRAYER POINT: Father, the assembly to which You have brought me in Christ Jesus is marvelous! For Jesus' sake, give me grace to conduct myself in an acute consciousness of Yourself and the august assembly that surrounds You.

-- TOMORROW: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY --