July 15, 2019

Angel Armies Included

When we come to the Lord our God, we are coming to something that is far greater than we could ever imagine. We hear about God’s awesome power and glory, but today’s verse gives us some unique insight and perspective on what this is like. To follow are just a handful of the insights.

Scripture:
“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. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” – Hebrews 12:22-24

Observation/Application:
First, our God is a living God. He is a God of the living, not a God of the dead. He comes so that we can have life and have it more abundantly. It is the thief that comes to kill, steal, and destroy. – (John 10:10)

Second, we come to thousands upon thousands of angels. That’s right, angels do exist. The word angel comes from the Greek word aggelos (or angelos), which most literally means “messenger.” And while we might be most familiar with those who serve as messengers, angels appear many times throughout the Bible and serve God in many ways. To follow are some of the activities listed:

“They praise God (Psalm 148:1-2; Isaiah 6:3).
They worship God (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:8-13).
They rejoice in what God does (Job 38:6-7).
They serve God (Psalm 103:20; Revelation 22:9).
They appear before God (Job 1:6; 2:1).
They are instruments of God’s judgments (Revelation 7:1; 8:2).
They bring answers to prayer (Acts 12:5-10).
They aid in winning people to Christ (Acts 8:26; 10:3).
They observe Christian order, work, and suffering (1 Corinthians 4:9; 11:10; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12).
They encourage in times of danger (Acts 27:23-24).
They care for the righteous at the time of death (Luke 16:22).

The greatest thing we can learn from the holy angels is their instant, unquestioning obedience to God’s commands.” – (See Reference 1 below)

Image courtesy of: MarkusDooferSuffix

Third, we are coming to communion with the Spirits of all of Christ’s followers, past and present. Since the life of our Spirit has nothing to do with the life of the body, we come into communion with all those who have come before us and all those we who are alive in Christ – whether the earthly body is alive or not. (See Reference 2 below)

Fourth, we are coming to Jesus Christ who is seated at the right hand of the Father, and who intercedes for us by His sacrifice for our sins and shown us the Way. – (Hebrews 7:25)

Fifth, we come to access of the Holy Spirit, our Helper, that Jesus unlocked for us when Jesus went to be with God our Father. – (Acts 2:38)

In summary, the greatest power before us is the power in God our Father through Christ. And when we come before Him, we have access to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, God’s angel army, and communion of the Spirit of all of those who have come to Christ. We get access to the whole church, one people of the same body, past or present, whether the body is alive or not!

How humbling and how encouraging it is to know the power of our living God and his multitude of angels!

#New-Perspectives

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your awesome Word today. Thank you for giving me rest, and for my very life an breath. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, and send your angel armies to surround and protect and guide me. Open my heart, mind and Spirit to receive your every direction with clarity, and help me to be obedient to your Will. Let me be outwardly obediently as I am inwardly washed clean. Surround me with your goodness. Provide all that I ask for today for all of your children, that we may be instruments working together to advance your kingdom, and for your glory. Amen.

Today’s full reading: Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12

Scripture References From Today’s Reflection:

“For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
“so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” – Romans 12:5
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” – Hebrews 7:25
“Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

Additional References:

1. https://www.gotquestions.org/angels-Bible.html

2. http://oneinjesus.info/2014/09/the-church-of-the-firstborn/

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