Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Angels and demons (part 2)

Unlike humans we never read that angels are made in the image of God. It would seem that in this way we are more like God than angels are. One day we will judge angels (1 Cor. 6:3) though in this life we are lower than angels (Hebrews 2:7). When our salvation is completed we will be exalted above angels and rule over them. Indeed, even now, angels serve us (Hebrews 1:14).
While some angels sinned none of these are offered a salvation (all humans sinned but God has provided a way for us to be rescued). Christians have experienced a redemption angels have not experienced and fallen angels cannot experience.
The author of Hebrews says that when we come to worship we come into the heavenly Jerusalem to gather with thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly (Heb. 12:22). Angels set us an example in the delight they take from being God's humble servants. In the Bible we see angels carrying out some of God's plans on earth. They bring messages to people (think of Gabriel appearing to Mary). They carry out some of his judgements, including bringing a plague upon Israel (2 Sam. 24), striking Herod dead because he did not give God glory (Acts 12:23), or pouring out bowls of God's wrath on the earth (Rev. 16:1). When Christ returns, angels will come with him as a great army accompanying their Lord and King. Angels also patrol the earth as God's representatives (Zech. 1:10-11) and carry out war against demonic forces (Dan. 10:13; Rev. 12:7-8). When Christ returns an archangel will proclaim his coming.
Angels glorify God for his excellence (Ps. 103:20). They also glorify God for his great plan of salvation as they see it unfold. Angels praised God when Christ was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:14). In his story of the lost coin Jesus speaks of the rejoicing of angels when a lost person repents (Luke 15:10). Angels witness the lives of Christians and glorify God for our worship and obedience (see 1 Cor. 11:10).

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