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 5 of 11

THE SERAPHIM

The death of innovative king Uzziah occasioned the opening of the heavens for Isaiah. Earth's calamity became a time of unparalleled blessing. Isaiah saw the Lord "high and lifted up," exalted above time and circumstance. But this was not all Isaiah saw; he also saw some
heavenly creatures, not often seen by mortals. They dwelt close to the throne, and articulated the praise of God. Unlike the Cherubim that were above the ark of the covenant, these seraphim were stationed above the Lord Himself. They did not dominate the Lord, but adorned Him as a crown of glory. "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly . . . Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged" (Isa 6:2,6).

It is interesting that the word "seraphim" means "burning, i.e. (fig.) poisonous (serpent); spec. a seraph or symbol; creature (from their copper color):--fiery (serpent), seraph" (Strongs). The word is generally translated "burning," being used for everything from passion to burning the sin offering. But that is not its use here. Here, where God is a "consuming fire," some heavenly personages dwelt. They had "six wings," and were diverse in their employment of the same. First, they covered their faces with two of them, giving glory to God through their own humility. With two, they covered their feet, choosing to be modest before the Lord of all the earth Who directed their steps. They used two of their wings to fly, submitting to divine employment and praise. They were not only aware of the majestic God, but of one another. With focused speech, they called out to one another; "And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isa 6:3). Notice their interest on the affairs of earth. They saw the earth as an arena for divine accomplishment. Everywhere they looked, God was at work. The "whole earth" was filled with evidences of its Creator. O, that the impact of this magnificent vision could be experienced by, multitudes of believers.

One of these Seraphims came to Isaiah on the behalf of God. He acted and spoke with
authority for the Almighty. "Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged" (Isa 6:7-8). What a remarkable circumstance! This high and heavenly personality ministered to one of the sons of men! How wonderfully this illustrates the role of the angels of God, "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

The term, "the angel of the Lord," is used 59 times in the KJV, 55 times in the NIV, and 57 times in the RSV and NASB. The similar expression, "the angel of God," is used 6 times in the KJV, 5 times in the NIV, and 9 times in the RSV and NASB. There is a single reference to "the angel of His presence" (Isa 63:9). There are those WHO suppose this is a reference the Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose of this brief diversion is to refute this consideration.

Every reference to "the angel of the Lord" and "the angel of God" relates to involvement with humanity. There are no occasions in Scripture where this "angel" is mentioned without regard to an earthly circumstance. This is in keeping with the representation of angels provided by the Spirit. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?" (Heb 1:13, NASB). If "the angel of the Lord," "the angel of God," or "the angel of His presence" is a pre-incarnate representation of Jesus, we have Him being sent to serve
humanity prior to His birth as a man.

The Messenger of the covenant

An angel is "a messenger;" that is the meaning of the Greek word "anggelon." It was not until
the "Word became flesh," however, that He was identified as a "Messenger." Malachi prophesied of this Messenger. "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts" (Mal 3:1). Jesus' entrance into the word is equated to Him being "sent" (John 10:36; 1 John 4:14; Matt 15:24; Mark 9:37; Luke 4:18ff; Luke 4:43). His entrance into the world as a man was the FIRST time He humbled Himself
. it was the FIRST time He divested Himself of Divine prerogatives. Never before was He a messenger! As we will see tomorrow, He has NEVER been an angel, is not one now, nor shall he ever be one.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the holy angels . I also thank You Jesus is not an angel, nor was He sent to save angels. In His precious Name I ask for grace to conduct my life in a manner than will bring glory to Him, and make the ministry of the angels toward me joyful for them.

-- TOMORROW: JESUS DID NOT TAKE THE NATURE OF ANGELS --