THE ROLE OF ANGELS

But to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
(Hebrews 1:13-14, NRSV )

Devotion 4 of 11

REPRESENTED IN THE TABERNACLE AND TEMPLE

Cherubim were represented by golden figures on the cover of the ark of the covenant (Ex 25:18-22; 37:7-9). God communed with Moses from between these two Cherubims (Num 7:89). Images of these lofty creatures were also on the curtains of the tabernacle (Ex 36:8,35). Solomon had carvings and figures of the Cherubims placed throughout the temple (1 Kgs 6:23- 35). Frequent reference is made in Scripture of the God that dwelt "between the Cherubims" (1 Sam 4:4; 6:2; 2 Kgs 19:5; 1 Chron 13:6; Psa 80:1; 99:1; Isa 37:16; Ezek 10:2).

The person coming into the tabernacle or temple was made acutely aware of the heavenly host. In the holiest of all, sequestered from the rest of the world, servants of God became conscious of heavenly personalities. There were no representations of Moses in the tabernacle, or Solomon in the temple. No drawings of Mount Sinai were found on the curtains of the tabernacle, or representations of Jerusalem on the walls of the temple. High and holy heavenly personalities were the divinely appointed surrounding. That tells us of the real nature of things! Those who come into the presence of God are also in the presence of angelic hosts. They are His ministers, "sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."

The point to be seen is this: God developed His relationship with people in the
surrounding of heavenly personalities. The angels of heaven are involved in the associations of men with the living God. The tabernacle was the appointed means of introducing salvational associations to us. In that sense, it was "the example and shadow of heavenly things" (Heb 8:5). Moses was charged to precisely follow the instructions for constructing the tabernacle. This was not merely an exercise in obedience, although that was involved. The purpose for the tabernacle required precision. It was to introduce heavenly concepts to humanity. The approach to God would thus be seen in the "divine service" (Heb 9:1; Rom 9:4). Sacrifice, washing, and preparation--all required in our approach to God--were developed in the tabernacle service. A vicarious sacrifice, a pleasant aroma in the sanctuary, illumination and nourishment--they were all found in the tabernacle. The division sin had created between God and man was depicted by the thick veil that separated the Holiest from the rest of the tabernacle. This was a "pattern" of heavenly things.

All around the interior of the tabernacle were curtains, filled with images of angelic beings (Ex 26:1,31; 36:8,38). This also was a precise representation of the heavenly environment. Even in the wilderness, among a stiff necked and disobedient people, God revealed a society of exalted personalities. They were "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb 1:14).

ANGELS ARE PART OF THE FELLOWSHIP

In Christ, an alliance is formed with heaven. How glorious the contemplation! Faith uproots us from this world, constituting us "pilgrims and strangers" in the realm of the curse (1 Pet 2:11; Heb 11:13). But we are not in a state of isolation. Faith has brought us into a higher and more noble realm. In Christ we have not come to another Mount Sinai. Temporal and frightening phenomena are not found in this new environment. Hear the word of the Lord, and rejoice in it. "For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel" (Heb 12:18-24).

The lack of awareness of this realm by multitudes of religious people has nothing whatsoever to do with the facts. This IS the realm into which faith ushers us! The angels of God are included in this refreshing society, and we do well to give thanks for it. After all, they "are all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." Let those who speak to and lead the people of God speak often of this realm! Let them turn their eyes away from the lower realms of "this world," ruled by the "prince of the power of the air" (John 14:30; 2 Cor 4:4); Eph 2:2). Speak of the society that is for us!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I do not want to remain juvenile and spiritually immature. Nor, indeed, do I want to lose the spiritual ground I have gained. I know you have provided everything required for spiritual progress, and I desire to avail myself of it all. In the name of Jesus, I resolve to move on to perfection. I am trusting You will empower me to realize this objective.

-- TOMORROW: IF GOD PERMIT --