Harold S. Paisley
The record of God in the Scriptures of truth is the only dependable foundation for faith concerning "the angels." The subject is very interesting and instructive. The word of God reveals "angels" incidentally. Notice their number! There are innumerable hosts (Heb. 12:22, R.V.). "Is there any number of His armies? (Job 25:3). We read of ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands round about the throne in heaven, exalting the Lamb (Rev. 5:11-12). Luke writes of the multitude of the heavenly host praising God at the Saviour’s birth.
Whenever special happenings take place in God’s kingdom, the angels appear, as at the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, and the incarnation of the Son of God at Bethlehem. In Gethsemane an angel appeared to strengthen the Lord Jesus. They also appear at His resurrection and ascension. When He comes again to the Mount of Olives, myriads of angels will come with Him. Before angels the Messiah will confess His people.
Those wonderful beings were created by the Lord Himself (Col. 1:16). "Thou even thou, art Lord alone. Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heaven and all their host" (Neh. 9:6). They are of greater power and might than men. They excel in strength (2 Peter 2:11; Psa. 103:20). One angel alone has power to lay hold on Satan as prisoner (Rev. 20:2-10). One angel destroyed a hundred and fourscore and five thousand Assyrians (Isa. 37:6). There are angels delegated with God’s might, described as the angels of His might by Paul (2 Thes. 1:7). It is beyond the purpose of our present meditation to consider their relationship to the elements; to wind, storms, fire and pestilence and their special guardianship of the nation of Israel and little children.
Angelic ministry has a very important place in the lives of the believers of this age. "Are they not all ministering spirits for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Heb. 1:16). These wondrous beings have a special place and interest in the salvation of our souls and in our preservation in the pathway of testimony.
When the Saviour descended from Heaven to visit our earth, they rejoiced and announced with great joy the glad tidings to the shepherds. Later they also announced with joy that the Lord was risen and exalted from the dead. The same Jesus whom they had seen in the agony of the garden, and legions of them beheld on the shameful tree, is alive. With joy they rolled the stone from the garden tomb and expressed the delightful news to the sorrowing women, "I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen, as He said" (Matt. 28:6). We know that angels love us, for they rejoice when a lost sinner comes in true repentance and obtains the kiss of forgiveness and the best robe (Luke 15:7). They watch our path and care for us in danger and difficulties. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them" (Psa. 34:7). A man in pain and poverty was watched over by angels who lovingly waited the appointed hour when they would accompany him to paradise. Only in the Father’s house will we fully know how much we owe to these unseen friends.
Angels rejoice over sinners
saved,
Joy doth each bosom swell
As round the throne of God they fly,
The blessed news to tell.