By Joseph Schlie
This Friday, September 29th, marks the feast of St. Michael and all angels. Amongst other things, it is a time when the church remembers and gives thanks to God for His ministering spirits. This is a good thing to do annually, because even though there is a great fascination with the angels, sadly there are also many misconceptions. As with all good things that God has made, the devil is constantly trying to twist and distort our understanding of the truth. So, in order to properly understand them, and therefore properly celebrate them, we must turn our attention first and foremost to what God’s word says.
The bible teaches us that the angels are spiritual beings. The book of Hebrews states, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Heb. 1:14, ESV).” Although the angels may appear in bodily form, they do not possess a body properly speaking, but are nonphysical in nature. This separates the angels from humanity, and makes them a distinct part of God’s creation. To say it plainly, people are people, and angels are angels.
One of the most common misconceptions about angels is that Christians will become one of them when they die. The sentiments here are understandable, especially for those grieving the loss of their loved ones. We want to take comfort in the fact that deceased Christians are with the Lord and at bliss like the angels in heaven. But this can be true, even if they do not become an angel. All who die in Christ abide in peace and hope (Phil. 1:23). Yet, they do not become a different being. When Jesus says that we will be “like” the angels in heaven, he means that we will not be given in marriage (Mk. 12:25). The angels are spiritual beings, but we Christians have a body, and we will have one even in eternity (Phil. 3:21).
But the bible does more than just teach us about the nature of the angels, it also tells us about what they do. To give some examples the angels bring messages to people (Lk. 2:8-10), they guard and protect us from evil (Ps. 91:11-12), they worship and serve God in heaven (Is. 6:2-3), and they assist God in performing other various functions (Mt. 13:41-42). God uses the angels for our good (Heb. 1:14). Yet, although they possess great power and prestige, and are given such noble and excellent tasks, we are not supposed to worship them or pray to them as we would God. The angels serve the Lord, and they would have us do the same. In fact, St. Paul even rebukes those who made a practice of worshiping the angels (Col. 2:18).
Really, I think that one of the best ways we can thank God for the angels is by mimicking their worship of Him, that is, by joining with them in their songs of praise to God. One of the oldest songs we sing in church is called the “Sanctus”. The words to this song are taken from Isaiah chapter 6, where the prophet hears the angels singing before God’s throne and saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy”. The angels serve the Lord, and we honor them best when we do likewise. It’s a great and comforting thing to consider that God has made the angels for our sake, and we rejoice this day as we remember them.
Perhaps, the appointed prayer for the day says it best, “Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a 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.”
Rev. Joseph Schlie is the Associate Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville.
