Angels and Man

Milton, SS Class, etc.

Angels are messengers, guardians, worship leaders, and judgment callers. They are sent from God to announce the births of Isaac, Samson, John the Baptist, and Jesus. They are the protectors of God’s holiness from the arc of the covenant to His mercy seat enthroned in heaven. They are the heavenly host—the worship leaders proclaiming the glory and mercy of God within the inner sanctuary of heaven. They pronounce God’s judgment upon the proud, rebellious kings of the earth. But the Bible speaks of another group of angels—mankind—given a specific role to play that even the heavenly hosts have no mandate to fulfill—the proclamation of the gospel.

1 Peter 1:10-12 gives explanation for these equally heaven-sent messengers:

"Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look."

If that’s not purpose, I don’t know what is. The grace that has been extended to believers transforms the Christian into a vessel of grace—a messenger in word and deed through which the world may come to that same redemptive grace of the gospel.