Angels: Top Flight Disciples Luke 2:8-20. Harris Poll Most Americans still do not believe in UFOs Most Americans still do not believe in UFOs Only

Angels: Top FlightAngels: Top FlightDisciplesDisciples

Luke 2:8-20Luke 2:8-20

Harris PollHarris Poll

Most Americans still do not believe in Most Americans still do not believe in UFOsUFOs

Only 36% believe UFOs are for realOnly 36% believe UFOs are for real

71% believe in angelic beings71% believe in angelic beings

Live to ServeLive to Serve

People often get it wrong about angelsPeople often get it wrong about angels

Angels are viewed as somewhat inactive Angels are viewed as somewhat inactive beings who sit on clouds and strum harps beings who sit on clouds and strum harps of goldof gold

Multiple songs refer to angels singingMultiple songs refer to angels singing

Angels Singing SongsAngels Singing Songs

- The First Noel - The First Noel - Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Come All Ye Faithful - Come All Ye Faithful - Silent Night, Holy Night - Silent Night, Holy Night - It Came upon a Midnight Clear - It Came upon a Midnight Clear - Sing Hosannas - Sing Hosannas - Angels We Have Heard on High - Angels We Have Heard on High - Gentle Mary Laid Her Child - Gentle Mary Laid Her Child


Based on Luke 2:13-14Based on Luke 2:13-14

The text does not say they sang; it says The text does not say they sang; it says they spokethey spoke

Only twice in the Bible do we find angels Only twice in the Bible do we find angels singingsinging


1.1. Job 38:7Job 38:7

They sang at creationThey sang at creation

Some scholars believe satan was one of the Some scholars believe satan was one of the leaders of the singing before his rebellion leaders of the singing before his rebellion and falland fall

Isaiah 14:12Isaiah 14:12


2.2. Revelation 5:8-12Revelation 5:8-12

Angels are here found singing at the Angels are here found singing at the removal of the curse and the victory of removal of the curse and the victory of ChristChrist

Some have argued that angels cannot and Some have argued that angels cannot and do not sing right now while we are under the do not sing right now while we are under the cursecurse


The references to singing are rareThe references to singing are rare

It is not wrong to think of them singingIt is not wrong to think of them singing

It is wrong to see this as their central It is wrong to see this as their central activityactivity


Angels are created spiritual beingsAngels are created spiritual beings

They are known by various names:They are known by various names:Holy ones, spirits, watchers, thrones, Holy ones, spirits, watchers, thrones,

dominions, principalities, powers and dominions, principalities, powers and authorities authorities


They do not ordinarily have bodiesThey do not ordinarily have bodies

They cannot usually be seen by us unless They cannot usually be seen by us unless we are enabled by God (Numb. 22:31)we are enabled by God (Numb. 22:31)

They are never said to be made in God’s They are never said to be made in God’s imageimage


Humans are not like the angels, nor will Humans are not like the angels, nor will they ever become angelsthey ever become angels

What is clear about them is that they What is clear about them is that they LIVE LIVE TO SERVE GODTO SERVE GOD

They are engaged in helping God advance They are engaged in helping God advance His causeHis cause


Angels perfectly and immediately give Angels perfectly and immediately give themselves in service to Godthemselves in service to God

In that sense we are called to emulate In that sense we are called to emulate themthem

Matthew 6:10Matthew 6:10


God’s goal is for us to grow to the point God’s goal is for us to grow to the point where we live to servewhere we live to serve

In one sense we will never do this as well In one sense we will never do this as well as the angels this side of heavenas the angels this side of heaven

1 Cor. 7:32-331 Cor. 7:32-33

Live for WorshipLive for Worship

Angels are consumed with worshipAngels are consumed with worship

They know how unexplainably awesome They know how unexplainably awesome God isGod is

Their lives are continually focused Their lives are continually focused upon proclaiming His majesty, upon proclaiming His majesty, honoring His greatness, and calling honoring His greatness, and calling creation to order itself around Himcreation to order itself around Him


Isaiah 6Isaiah 6

Seraphim reminding one another of His Seraphim reminding one another of His greatness in continual praisegreatness in continual praise

They are calling Isaiah to join them in a They are calling Isaiah to join them in a captivating life of worshipcaptivating life of worship


The angels eyes are not clouded with the The angels eyes are not clouded with the enticements of this worldenticements of this world

They are engaged in worship and praise in They are engaged in worship and praise in the midst of their service (Luke 2:14)the midst of their service (Luke 2:14)

I Am ResolvedI Am Resolved

Live in ContentmentLive in Contentment

We know there are ranks of angelsWe know there are ranks of angels

A large group of angels rebelled; we call A large group of angels rebelled; we call them demons. God chose to not provide them demons. God chose to not provide salvation for themsalvation for them

These angels we see in Luke are among These angels we see in Luke are among the elect angelsthe elect angels


They have never been unfaithfulThey have never been unfaithful

They have never known sinThey have never known sin

They live in contentment in the rank of They live in contentment in the rank of service God assignsservice God assigns


They are for the moment above us (Heb. They are for the moment above us (Heb. 2:72:7

In this announcement of a Savior they are In this announcement of a Savior they are announcing a process by which we will announcing a process by which we will eclipse them (1 Cor. 6:3) eclipse them (1 Cor. 6:3)

They are content to obey God in what He They are content to obey God in what He says is bestsays is best

Documents

Angels: Top Flight Disciples Luke 2:8-20. Harris Poll Most Americans still do not believe in UFOs Most Americans still do not believe in UFOs Only