Angels, both good ones and the evil ones are part of reality and this makes them a part of every persons life!
At the Holy Eucharist we sing to “angels and archangels and all the company of Heaven” joining with them in giving glory to almighty God. God is the focus of our worship and the purpose of our worship as Christians. So many people today want to de-emphasize the supernatural realm. Many believe angels as simply products of our psyche or imagination and not as real uncreated beings made by God before He formed the earth or created man. But in spite of this lack of belief in the supernatural world most every major religion accepts the existences of angels. Angels are divine beings, or “agents” of God that are powerful, wise, loving and truly devoted to God and to His redeeming service to the world.
Christians count on their presence daily. Anglicans pray for angelic protection every night:
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let Your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let Your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (BCP 133)
Satan (Lucifer) is a fallen angel. He too was created by God as a mighty cherub (Ezekiel 28:14) along with the entire heavenly hosts and angels are to worship, love and adore almighty God “day and night and never cease” (Rev 4). God gave angels free will. The same gift He gave to man. At some point Satan and the angels following him chose to rebel against God. These angels that followed Satan into rebellion are now known as “demons.” Created naturally good Satan and his demons became evil by their own doing. Still to this hour they work fiendishly against God and His Church. St. Paul warns the Church in Galatia that they need to critically discern what is being taught among them as the Gospel of Christ.
Paul writes,
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. (Gal 1:8 RSV)
Satan and demons do speak of Christ. They know our Lord very well and they know who He is as the divine Son of God! (Matthew 8:28-34) Not everyone who teaches about Jesus Christ will enter into Heaven. (Matthew 7:22, Matthew 25:41, Luke 13:27). Only those who teach the truth that is Christ.
But for the good angels and our Guardian angel…. well they are awesome!
In her book “Angels are for Real: Inspiring, True stories and Biblical Answers” Judith MacNutt writes,
Angels are not meant to replace an intimate relationship with God; they are messengers who convey God’s love in real and tangible ways. Their presence brings comfort and strength. An angel is a stepping-stone to the larger reality, God’s Kingdom, and ultimately points us to God Himself. (pg 27)
In the Bible the word “angel” appears in 231 verses in the RSV translation. In both Hebrew and Greek the root meaning of “angel” is to be a messenger and representative of almighty God. They are our spiritual companion on our earthly journey. We are never alone in this world of God’s making. We are reminded of this,
For He will give His angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they shall lift you up in their hands. (Psalm 91:11-12)
God assured Moses during the exodus to the Promised Land that he would have help sent from Heaven.
Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. (Exo 23:20 RSV)
On God sent Moses his own guardian angel. The angel communicated directly to Moses. This is very true for us as well. Our heavenly Father has personally selected a guardian angel for each of us. Our guardian angel is under strict orders to always be at our side to shield us from all danger, to guide us into all truth, help us in our moral thinking and comfort us with a blessed hope that produces love. He bring us second-by-second all the healing graces God has prepared for us. They watch over and guard us physically, mentally, and spiritually. They are assigned by God to be the guardian of our body and soul. No matter how difficult our situation may be, how desperate… or how difficult we may be, our guardian angel remains loyal to us and never leaves our side. They encourage us through our conscience and the many events of life to help us discover God’s will and to know how His will plays out in our lives.
Jesus speaks of angels assisting those who come to Him in faith and love.
See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. (Mat 18:10 RSV)
Our Guardian angel will:
- Speak to our intellect by speaking to our mind;
- Bring the Presence of God close to us in worship so we can receive the divinity of God in holy communion;
- Point us towards God’s will and encourage us to exercise our free judgment to accept and embrace God’s will;
- Encourage our souls to rest in the strength and love of God;
- Assist our journey into holiness, touching our mind, body and soul;
- Lift our sights above the mundane to strive towards the standards of God;
- Lead us into Heaven at our death.
A person of deep faith and prayer knows all of this. Our guardian angel is assigned the task of helping us to know God, to love Him and serve Him now in this life and to be able to enjoy eternal happiness with God in Heaven. Let us close with the Prayer of the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, September 29, BCP 193:
O everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that, as Thy holy angels always serve and worship Thee in Heaven, so by Thy appointment they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
