Angels Are Not Gods

Bible Reading: (Hebrews 1:14) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Angels have gotten a lot of attention in recent years. Cute little cherubs sitting on nick-nack shelves reveal chubby boys or girls with rosy cheeks and dimpled smiles sporting golden wings and harps. These are the angels spoken of by bumper stickers that tell us we are protected by them. Maybe its for this reason that so few actually believe. Yet, those who do have elevated angels to the role of god - and look to the angels, not the Savior, for salvation from any and all circumstances.

The biblical picture of angels is quite different - and wonderful. Angels aren't wimps. Their power is real and it is great, but it is limited. Their appearance is stunning and glorious, but it is overshadowed by the glory of God. They are not the creator, but the creature. When seen by any biblical person, that person was tempted to bow to the angel; and then instructed to rise and bow only to God. What a thought! What a lesson!

Angels are ministering spirits - at the command of the Almighty. They definitely serve the saints - Believers. They are interested in what we have (salvation, redemption, forgiveness of sin) because they will never have it. They will one day be the subjects of our judgment (we will one day judge the angels). Angels are not the focus of God's creation - man is. Christ did not die to save angels, but lost men. God is still over the angels.

Angels serve in many ways, not just protection. They anointed Isaiah's lips with hot coals. They usher the saints into the throne room, and escort them about heaven as they did John in Revelation. They rejoice when a single sinner repents. They all bow before the Father and the Son, and they unite to speak His praises around His throne. Many times we serve angels who appear to be people; and we are unaware of them when we do it.

Angels are dignitaries, yes. But angels are emissaries from a greater nation - the nation of Heaven. We should thank the Lord for making and sending such a mighty army of servant-warriors who operate in realms unseen on our behalf that we might be free to do the will of Him who sent them in the first place. Let us take our eyes off of the angels and place them with rejoicing in our hearts upon the One to whom we all answer - angel and man alike: Our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord!

Bro. Greg