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 8 of 11
AT HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN

As Jesus ascended on a cloud into heaven, angels informed the gazing disciples of the significance of the event. "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:10-11). These holy angels knew where Jesus was going, and that He was coming again. The Lord Jesus Christ was the true object of their attention and affection. Because of this circumstance, everyone in Christ is now advantaged by the heavenly host!

When Jesus returned to heaven, He was attended with angelic escorts. How glorious the allusion to this event in the twenty-fourth Psalm. " Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah" (Psa 24:7-10). The Mighty Conqueror returned with the spoils of victory, setting all heaven to rejoicing!

Jesus will confess believers before angels

Jesus will confess those that acknowledge Him before "the angels of God." How blessed is the contemplation that this mighty host will hear their Head acknowledge us. Those who bear the name of Jesus do well to remember this, and give thanks for the anticipation of the same. "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God" (Luke 12:8-9).

You see in this confession the commitment of angels to Jesus. They accept His recognition of us without any reservation. They worship Him, and they acknowledge those He receives! As the appointed "reapers," I am glad for this confession of Jesus. It is the prelude to our gathering, and an introduction to the age to come. It confirms the angels are "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."

Angels will accompany His return

The holy angels will accompany Jesus at His return. They will come as ministers, "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." They will then be seen in all of their glory--no more veiled appearances and accommodations to those in the body. "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall He sit upon the throne of his glory" (Matt 25:31). "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of
my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels" (Luke 9:26). "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels" (2 Thess 1:7). When Jesus came into the world, they accompanied Him! When He returned to heaven, they accompanied Him! When He returns the second time they will accompany Him! What an advantage for the people of God, for they are "all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."

THE LAW GIVEN BY ANGELS

Angels, being "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," played a critical role in the giving of the Law. The events that took place at Sinai were epochal in nature. I fear they have not been viewed with becoming interest by many professed believers. This was a place of revelation, covenant, and Divine visitation. It involved God and man, therefore was attended by angelic hosts.

Angels administered the Law, giving it at Sinai. "Who have received the law by the disposition (through the administration) of angels, and have not kept it" (Acts 7:53). "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator" (Gal 3:19). How they must have been intrigued by this covenantal expression! They had witnessed humanity from its inception, and well knew its propensity to sin. And now, they administered the giving of the Law which was to "stop every mouth" and render the world "guilty before God" (Rom 3:19).

The multitude of angels that were present at Sinai is mind boggling. The nature of this event summoned the attention and presence of the hosts of God. "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place" (Psa 68:17).

The Spirit equates breaking the Law with transgressing the word of angels. "For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him" (Heb 2:2- 3). The activity of angels is once again seen in relation to human involvements.

The awesomeness of Sinai, together with the angelic multitude there, was the subject of several psalms. "O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: the earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel . . . The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place" (Psa 68:7,817). O, that more were duly impressed with the nature of angels and their appointment to the affairs of men.

PRAYER POINT: Father, how I praise Your name for the faithfulness of the angels--for their involvement with our race. Give me grace, in Jesus' name, to join them in adoring and obeying the Son!

-- TOMORROW: THE REAPERS --