ANGELS: PART ONE

Introduction

Quiz

1. True / False. When you die you become an angel.

2. True / False. Angels have to earn their wings.

3. True / False. You have a guardian angel(s).

4. True / False. John Travolta is Michael the Archangel.

5. True / False. Angels have wings.

6. True / False. Angels play harps.

7. True / False. In the divine service millions upon millions of angels are present.

Very Popular

Time magazine (Sept. 18, 2008)

Most Americans believe in angels.

55% believe they have personally been helped or saved by a guardian angel.

1994 Angels In the Outfield / “We always watching!”

1994-2003 Touched By An Angel / Miraculous Advice & Support

1996 Michael / “He’s an angel not a saint”

1996 The Preacher’s Wife / "You have no idea what the competition is like just to be sent down here."

1998 City of Angels / "I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it."

1999 Dogma / This anti-Touched by an Angel satirizes religious folks, not the troubled, as the ones who need to earn their wings.

2003 Angels In America / Humans experience orgasmic bliss on seeing the Angel. the Angel must alert an AIDS patient named Prior that he is a prophet who can save himself and the rest of the world by stopping humanity's progress.

2005 Constantine / Mission: To make sure humans earn the Lord's love through hellish tribulations.

2006 Fallen / Mission: To redeem fallen angels and return them to heaven.

2007 Saving Grace / Mission: To lead hard-living, hard-talking Oklahoma city cop Grace Hanadarko (Holly Hunter) to faith and redemption.

ST. MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS (29 SEPTEMBER) / MICHAELMAS

“They would not be married until Michaelmas,” (Jane Austen, 1811, Sense and Sensibility).

Huh? Was ist das?

Martin Chemnitz (1522-1586):

“From antiquity the church year, for very good reasons, has been divided into certain festivals, in order that the chief articles of the Christian doctrine can be taught to people in a definite order and inculcated by annual repetition. Thus the festival of the holy angels has also been established.”

Why 29 September / St. Michael & All Angels?

First: so that the doctrine of the angels might be publicly taught and repeated each year in the church.

Second, so that we learn God’s good use of angels for us (e.g. Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them,”).

Third, so that we give thanks to God for the ministry and care of His holy angels for us.

Fourth, so that God would strengthen and preserve us in the care and protection of His holy angels.

The Bible speaks of certain angels by name: Michael and Gabriel.

Chemnitz: “We have a feast called the feast of the angel Michael in order that by this very name itself we should be instructed in the most important things to be learned in this life about angels and what we ought to believe and know about them.”

Propers for St. Michael & All Angels

Collect: Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Readings:

Old Testament: Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3

Psalmody: Psalm 91

Second Reading: Revelation 12:7-12

Holy Gospel: St. Matthew 18:1-11 (or St. Luke 10:17-20)

Hymn of the Day: LSB #522 “Lord God, to Thee We Give All Praise”

About Angels Part One

Angels are part of God’s invisible creation (“I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible,” Nicene Creed). Genesis 1:1; Psalm 148:2-5; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16.

When? Job 38:4-7 may give us a hint.

They were created in “truth.” See John 8:44. There were created in holiness because they are called “holy ones” in the Bible: Matthew 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26.

Since there are creatures they are not to be worshipped. See Revelation 19:9-10; 22:8-9.

They see the face of God the Father and enjoy the eternal bliss of heaven. See Matthew 18:10; Matthew 24:36 “angels of heaven,” Galatians 1:8 “angel from heaven,” Matthew 22:30 “angels of God,” Matthew 1:20 “angels of the Lord,” 2 Thessalonians 1:7 “angels of power.”

They “longed to look into” the way God predicted the salvation of the world through the prophets, how God did it through the suffering of Jesus, and how this salvation is preached through the gospel. See 1 Peter 1:10-12.

Through the preaching of the gospel in the church they know the wisdom of God’s will. See Ephesians 3:10.

They adore, praise, and glorify God:

At creation (Job 38:4-7)

Between heaven and earth (Genesis 28:12; cf. John 1:51)

In the temple (Isaiah 6:1-4)

In the heavenly throne room (Ezekiel 1)

When one sinner repents (Luke 15:10)

Adoring Jesus as their Superior (Hebrews 1:6)

In the presence of God and Jesus (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 4-6)

They attend and serve God. See Daniel 7:10.

They are God’s agents of protection for:

Jacob (Genesis 32:1-2)

Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-8)

Elisha (2 Kings 19:4-8)

Israel (Psalm 34:7; Isaiah 63:9)

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego (Daniel 3:24-28)

Daniel (Daniel 6:20-23)

All of God’s people (Psalm 34:7; 35:5-6; 91:11-12; 103:20)

Moses in death (Jude 9)

Christ after the temptations (Matthew 4:11)

Christ in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43)

Children (Matthew 18:10)

Christ at His arrest (Matthew 26:53)

Apostles in prison (Acts 5:17-20)

Peter in prison (Acts 12:5-10)

Lazarus in his death (Luke 16:22)

Nature (Revelation 7:1; 16:3, 8-9)

They pray for the church:

Zechariah 1:12

“We also grant that angels pray for us. For there is a passage in Zechariah 1[:12], where the angel prays, ‘O Lord of hosts, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem …?’” (Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 9).

They join their prayers to ours

Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4

Matthew 4:11; Mark 1:13 (The Lord is alone and yet angels are there.)

Luke 22:43 The angel is there with Jesus while He prays!

They serve as God’s destroying instruments against:

Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1, 12-13)

The Egyptians (Exodus 12:21-29; Psalm 78:43, 49)

Israel (1 Corinthians 10:1-10; 2 Samuel 24:15-17; also 1 Chronicles

21:15-16; Psalm 35:5-6)

The Assyrians (2 Kings 19:35)

The Unfaithful of Judah (Ezekiel 9:1-11)

Satan and his angels (Revelation 12:1-9)

Evil nations and people (Revelation 6:1; 8:1-6; 14:17-18; 15:1; 16:1-21)

People who reject Jesus (Matthew 13:39-43; 24:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-

10)

People who face damnation (Matthew 25:31)

Herod (Acts 12:23)

How many? Myriads of myriads (myriad = 10,000 / the largest number most people in the ancient Greek world comprehend)! See Revelation 5:11; 7:11-12. See also Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17.

They are spirits (invisible creatures) who serve the faithful. See Hebrews 1:14.

They do not marry and therefore do not have children. See Matthew 22:28-30; Mark 12:25.

They are not subject to physical death. See Luke 20:36.

Sometimes they appear in visible form like a man (Genesis 18:2; 19:1; Mark 16:4; Acts 12:15; Hebrews 13:2) or wind and fire (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7) but they are spirits that do not have flesh and bones (compare Luke 24:39; Ephesians 6:12).

Not all people can see them when they appear. See Daniel 10:7-8; 2 Kings 6:17.

In 1 Timothy 5:21, Paul speaks of the “elect angels.” These are the angels that cannot fall into sin or death because they did not follow Satan and his rebellion.

Some angels in Scripture are called “cherubim.” See Genesis 3:24. These angels appear in different forms: a creature with wings, the form of a man, an ox, a lion, or an eagle. See Exodus 37:6-9; 1 Kings 6:23-35; 2 Chronicles 3:10-13; Ezekiel 1:4-10; 10:1-22 (Revelation 4:6-11); Exodus 25:17-22 in connection with Ezekiel 41:18-20; (compare again Mark 16:5).

The cherubim were the Lord’s attendants as He is enthroned on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant as King for His people and the world. See Numbers 7:89; 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; 22:11; 2 Kings 19:15; 1 Chronicles 13:6; 28:18; 2 Chronicles 28:2; Psalm 18:10; 80:1; 99:1; Isaiah 37:16.

Note the promise: “I will meet with you …” (Exodus 25:22; 29:42-46; 30:6, 36; Leviticus 1:1; 16:2; Numbers 17:4). Compare: John 1:1, 14; Romans 3:25.

Some angels are called “seraphim” when they appear in the form of fire or brilliant light. See Isaiah 6:2; Matthew 28:3; Luke 2:9; Psalm 104:4.

Other titles/ranking(?) include:

Archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9)

Chief princes (Daniel 10:13)

Thrones, rulers, authorities, powers, dominions, principalities

(Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 1:21; 6:12)

All subject to Jesus (1 Peter 3:22; Ephesians 1:20-21)

Angel = “messenger”

Messenger from the Lord!

Can be a human preacher or an angel (the invisible creature)!

Check out how God uses angels as His messengers to:

The faithful (Job 33:23)

God’s Law to Moses (Galatians 3:19; compare Exodus 31:18;

Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:38, 52-53; Hebrews 2:2)

Daniel (Daniel 7-12)

Zechariah (Zechariah 1:9; 2:3; 4:1; 5:5; 6:5)

John the Baptist’s birth announcement (Luke 1:5-38)

Jesus’ birth announcement and birth (Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-38;

2:8-15)

Jesus’ flight to Egypt and return (Matthew 2:13-21)

Jesus resurrection (Matthew 28:1-6; Mark 16:5-8; Luke 24:5-8; John

20:12

Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:11)

Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26)

Inclusion of the Gentiles into the church (Acts 10:1-8; 11:13-14)

Directing Paul to Macedonia (Acts 16:9)

Paul’s preservation (Acts 27:23-26)

Jesus’ victory (Revelation 1:1; 22:6, 8)

Come with Jesus on the Last Day to gather the elect (Matthew 24:30-31; 13:41; Acts 1:10-11; Jude 14) and raise the dead (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 10:17; 11:15)

Check out how human preachers are “angels,” that is messengers from the Lord:

Luke 10:17-20

Acts 8:26-40

Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14.

What’s one of the primary tasks of an angel (human messenger or supernatural angel)?

Speaking / Proclaiming – God’s Word (judgment / salvation)!

John Gerhard (1582-1637) “Archdeacon of Lutheranism”

Sacred Meditations

XXVI. Concerning the protection of the holy angels.

A holy angel is with the saints.

Meditate, devout soul, how great divine grace is that the protection of angels has been arranged for you. The Heavenly Father sent his Son for our freedom. The Son of God became incarnate for our salvation. The Holy Spirit was sent for our sanctification. Angels are sent for our protection. Thus the whole curia of heaven, so to speak, attends to us and hands over its benefits to us. I no longer marvel that all the inferior creatures have been formed for man, since the angels themselves, who are by far more valuable than creatures, do not deny their service to us. What wonder is it that the heavens serve us with light in the day as we labor and darkness in the night as we sleep, when the inhabitants of the kingdom of heaven itself serve us? What wonder is it that the air yields us life-breath and all kinds of birds for service, when the heavenly spirits watch over us for our protection? What wonder is it that the water gives drink, washes filth, irrigates the arid land, and abounds with various kinds of fish, when the angels themselves are present with us to restore us when we are exhausted from the heat of calamity and temptation? What wonder is it that the earth sustains us, nourishing us with bread and wine, and fills our table with all sorts of fruits and animals, when angels have been commanded to guard us in all our ways, to bear you in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone (Psalm 91:11)?

The angels were concerned with Christ for an angel announced his conception (Luke 1:31), an angel revealed his birth (Luke 2:9-11), an angel commanded them to flee into Egypt (Matthew 2:13), angels ministered to him in the desert (Matthew 4:11), angels ministered to him in his entire preaching ministry, an angel was present with him in the agony of death (Luke 22:43), an angel appeared at his resurrection (Matthew 28:2,5), angels were present at the ascension (Acts 1:10), and angels will come with him at his return for Judgment (Matthew 25:31). Therefore as angels ministered to Christ in the days of his flesh, so also they are concerned with ministering to those who have been incorporated into Christ through faith. As they ministered to the Head, so also they minister to the members. They are glad to serve those on the earth whom they will one day have as companions in heaven. They do not refuse service to those whose sweetest company they hope for one day.

As Jacob went on his way to the fatherland a camp of angels appeared to him (Genesis 32:1); so also, the angelic guards attend to the pious in this life, which is the way to the heavenly fatherland. Angels appeared to protect Daniel in the midst of the lions (Daniel 6:22); so also, they are prepared to protect all the pious from all the traps of the infernal lion. Angels rescued Lot from the incineration of Sodom; so also, they oftentimes rescue us from the fires of hell by holy inspirations and by protections against the temptations of the devil. Angels carried Lazarus into the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:22); so also, they will carry the souls of all the elect to the palace of the heavenly King. An angel led Peter out of prison (Acts 12:7); so also, they oftentimes rescue the pious from the presence of danger. The power of our adversary the devil is certainly great, but the guardianship of angels delivers us. Do not doubt that these helpers are present with you in every trouble, for Scripture, under the figure of Cherubim and Seraphim, depicts them with wings, so they are certainly able to quickly bring aid and be near us in whatever need we may be. Do not doubt that they are with you in every place for your protection, for they are the finest spirits, which no body hinders. All visible things yield to them and, likewise, all bodies, however firm or dense, as their spirits are passable. Do not doubt that they know your troubles and afflictions, for they always see the face of the heavenly Father (Matthew 18:10), and are always are prepared for most prompt service.

Consider also, devout soul, that these angels are holy. Be zealous for holiness, then, if you want to have them as companions. Similarity of character wins over friendship. Become accustomed to holy actions if you desire the protection of angels. In every place and corner show reverence toward your angel and do not do anything in its presence that you would be ashamed to do in the sight of men. These spirits are chaste, so they are driven away by base actions. As bees are repelled by smoke and doves by an offensive smell, so also the angels guarding our life flee lamentable and grievous sin. Having lost these defenses through sin, how will you fare alone against the assaults of various dangers? If your soul lacks the wall of angelic defense, the devil will easily overcome it with his crooked persuasions. These holy angels are sent from God as ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). Therefore, you must first be reconciled to God through faith if you want to have the protection of angels. Where the grace of God is not present, there also the protection of angels is absent. Let us view angels as the helping hands of God, so to speak, which never rouse themselves to work unless God himself directs them. "There is joy among the angels in heaven over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10). The tears of the penitent are like the wine of the angels. The impenitent heart, however, flees guardian angels. Let us bring forth repentance, therefore, so that we may excite the joy of angels. Angels are heavenly and spiritual in nature. Let us contemplate heavenly and spiritual things, therefore, so that they may be pleased to abide with us. Angels are humble and arrogance is deeply disdainful to them who are not ashamed to minister to tender little children as well (Matthew 18:10). Why then is earth and ashes proud (Sirach 10:9), since heavenly spirits humble themselves to such a degree?

In death, the craftiness of the devil is to be feared the most, for it is written that the serpent will bruise the heel (Genesis 3:15). The furthest part of the body is the heel; the last part of your life is death. In that final agony of death, the protection of the angels who free us from the flaming darts of the devil and carry the soul departing from its bodily home to heavenly paradise, is most necessary. When Zechariah was performing his service in the holy temple, the angel of the Lord came to him (Luke 1:11); so also, if you rejoice in the Word and in the exercise of prayer, you too will be able to rejoice in the patronage of the angels.

O most merciful God, who has led us through the wilderness of this life by the holy angels, grant that by them we may be led into the heavenly kingdom.

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2013-04-26

Trinity Lutheran Church