Angels: The Good Guys

“But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.”
Hebrews 12:22-23 (NIV)

Have you ever wondered about angels?

When I was in the first grade, our class was chosen to put on a Christmas play for the school. I was hoping to be an angel. I’ve always wanted to fly and was hoping to wear the costume wings. Though I didn’t get the part, I’ve always respected angels as important beings in God’s created order. 

Max Lucado describes the study of angels as biblical whale watching. “Angels surface just long enough to grant a glimpse and raise a question, but then disappear before we have a full view.” Although Angels may seem mysterious, God’s Word explains who they are and what they do.

Angels are messengers. The most common term for angel in the Bible means “messenger.” When God’s son was born in a manger in Luke 2, it was angels who heralded the news to the nearby shepherds. Angels send messages at God’s command.

Angels stand in God’s presence. When God had a conversation with a man in the Bible named Job, God said that when He created the heavens and the earth, the angels were singing and shouting for joy (Job 38:4-7). And in Revelation 7:11-12, it says that angels are around the throne, ever praising God for His wisdom. 

Angels worship with us. In today’s verse, we are told that as we worship God in joyful assembly, angels join us. “You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.” In other words, when you worship, you join the chorus of heaven and heaven joins you. 

Angels war for victory. When Roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus’ before He was crucified, some of His disciples wanted to use swords to fight back. But Jesus corrected them and said, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). A legion is equal to six thousand soldiers. When you are in God’s will, His protection is available to you. 

Angels battle on your behalf. And Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” Not even the most powerful and wealthy people in this world enjoy the protection that you have as God’s servant. 

Angels serve for the sake of salvation. Hebrews 1:14 says angels are “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation.” You can pray that God would send angels to bless and minister to those who are yet to follow Jesus. 

The Word of God promises an angelic army available to support God’s purposes and God’s people. As Billy Graham said, “I am convinced that these heavenly beings exist and they provide unseen aid on our behalf. I do not believe in angels because someone has told me about a dramatic visitation…I believe in angels because the Bible says there are angels and I believe the Bible to be the true Word of God.” 

Prayer: Holy God, Thank You for your salvation and the loving care You offer me through Your angels. May I join them in worship, work, and battle for Your Name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.