BEYOND THE ANGELS
Chapter 9
Whispers
of His Call (1)
by
Ray and Doris Prinzing
"When He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him. And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy kingdom. -- But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" [Hebrews 1:6-8, 13-14].
The tremendous call which God has placed upon His people is often so
awesome, so overwhelming in its scope, that at best we can only take brief
glimpses into it -- viewing it by degrees -- only to discover that each
new approach soon becomes so glorious, our limited minds cannot take it
in. We can only pray, "Whatever our Father means by all this, that is what
we desire He shall fulfill in us. Not according to our limited understanding,
but according to His own magnificent purpose and plan for us." Such
is our own response again as we ponder this call to go "Beyond the Angels."
The word "angel," malak in the Hebrew, aggelos in the Greek, simply means:
a messenger, an agent.
Three times the word is used concerning John the Baptist, as in Matthew
11:10, "For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger
before Thy face, which shall prepare the way before Thee."
It is also used concerning John's disciples. Luke 7:19, 24, "And John calling
two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art Thou He that should
come? or look we for another?" They went, they conversed with Jesus, and
returned to John with His answer. "And when the messengers (angels) of
John were departed, He began to speak to the people concerning John."
John
was referred to as an "aggelos-MESSENGER" going before the Lord. His own
follower-disciples were referred to also as "aggelos-messengers," as they
carried the question to Jesus, and took His answer back to John. So it
requires the context to tell whether it is an earthly man, or a heavenly
agent, which is that messenger -- that angel.
It has been written concerning man, "Thou madest him a little lower than
the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honour; and didst set him
over the works of Thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under
his feet." [Hebrews 2:7-8].
For a specific time, and the outworking of His purpose, God has lowered
humanity BELOW the realm of the angels. We actually find there are three
dimensions spoken of in the Word of God. Man below the angels, man equal
to the angels, and then man going BEYOND the angels.
There are three definite statements which are made in this passage in Hebrews,
and there is a specific TIME PERIOD for the outworking of God's purpose
in man in each of these dimensions.
First, we read, "Thou madest him a little lower than the angels." The margin
reads, "a little while inferior to..." That is one time period.
Then, "Thou crownedst him with glory and honour; and didst set him over
the works of Thy hands." That's another time period.
Thirdly, "Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet." That
is yet another time period. The writer made it very clear that this is
still future, saying, "But now we see NOT YET all things put under him."
Except when we look unto Jesus -- and we see IN HIM the totality of the
victory that shall be ours to share, as we receive the "prize" of our high
calling in Him.
During our LOWERED STATE, subjected to vanity, man has often been
in awe of the angels, needed their assistance, often misunderstood them,
and even, betimes, wrongfully worshiped them.
In Hebrews 13:2, we are admonished to "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Abraham "sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; and he lift up his
eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him." [Genesis 18:1-2].
Being a gracious man, he ran to meet them, welcomed them, and invited them
to share his hospitality. He had servants wash their feet, prepare them
something to eat, and had them rest under the shade of a tree. By the time
they finished their conversation and departed, Abraham realized that
these were MESSENGERS sent from a higher realm. So when the men had left,
we read that "Abraham stood yet before the Lord," [Gen. 18:22], and communed
more directly with God concerning the events that were about to take place.
These angels had alerted him to what was happening, and then Abraham addressed
his own prayer beyond the angels, to converse directly with the Lord.
So also betimes, we discover that when God has brought to us some man or
woman, and we graciously entertain them, after they have left we find that
they also have been a MESSENGER OF GOD, having ministered to us in a special
way, beyond the humanity realm of natural things. And we praise God for
any ministry that comes to us through any of HIS messengers, whether it
be of earthly men and women, or of a higher origin.
We need not, in this message, give examples and illustrations of unique
visitations also -- where someone has appeared, helped an individual
through an extreme time of stress, and then just as suddenly disappeared
again. We praise God for such happenings, but the emphasis ought not
to be on the angelic appearance, but on the MESSAGE BROUGHT, the help given,
and then we give all glory and praise to our Lord for His victory.
There is a safe-guard which is essential concerning angels, when Paul writes,
"Stop letting anyone, in gratuitous humility and worship of angels, defraud
you as an umpire, for such a one is taking his stand on the mere visions
he has seen, and is groundlessly conceited over his sensuous mind." [Colossians
2:18, Williams].
Every so often one comes along telling about their visions of angels, or
of how they had some special experience where an angel appeared to them,
and they received some special revelation from this angel, so they try
and persuade you to join in with them and worship the realm of angels.
But it will also be found that these men are out to build their own kingdoms,
or exalt their own spiritual reputation by these angelic visitations which
they claim, and actually end up turning your eyes away from the Lord Himself.
In fact, Paul gets so bold as to declare, they will defraud you, rob you,
take away from you a single eye unto the Lord, as they seek to bend your
will to the support of their own plans. And may God truly give us discernment,
whether it is a true messenger of God, drawing us closer to Him, or if
is of man, for the furtherance of his own schemes. (Editor's note: It is
our opinion this awareness of the schemes of man, or organized religion
and their rules, dogma and doctrine, the gifts of the Spirit are like wise
perverted. Yes, the Spirit does bring gifts to the children of God and
they are to be manifested for His glory; however, as the gifts of the
Spirit gratify the flesh the messenger can be led astray and embrace
his or her gift -- NOT THE GIVER. The gift becomes "the ministry"
and the glory falls upon the messenger. The single eye must be to Christ,
for He is LIFE and it is through Him that the gifts are manifested. End
of note).
It is also to be observed that the ministry of angels, marvelous as it
is, is a vital part of the OLD ECONOMY -- of the first covenant realm.
"For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world (Greek, habitable
earth) to come, whereof we speak." [Hebrews 2:5].
Peter writes that "we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and
a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." [2 Peter 3:13]. Of that realm,
we say, God has NOT put it in subjection to the angels. They are a SERVANT
MINISTRY, and they belong to this present realm, they are NOT destined
to rule. Angelic level is not a rulership level. But they are a precious
MINISTRY realm, to help man in his progressive journey to come into the
fullness of that which God has appointed for him.
In no way would we belittle, or think down, this realm of angels. Indeed,
we praise God for every MESSAGE, and MESSENGER which He sends to us for
our growth and development. And while we would keep our eyes only upon
Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith, we praise God for ALL
His servants, and the blessings which we receive through them. We dare
not despise their time and order. But we now see that when God has brought
forth His first fruit company of overcomers, which shall sit down with
Him in His throne, they will have attained a realm BEYOND the angels.
"For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression
and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;" [Hebrews 2:2],
then we do well to be careful how we respond to these messengers of God.
Discern whether it be "of God" or "of men," and when you know it is OF
GOD, be swift to obey. Certainly "obedience is better than sacrifice."
And we would not miss out on the workings of God, by ignoring those messengers
which HE sends.
But herein came our surprise as the Spirit begin to open our understanding
to these things. Acts 7:53, "Who have received the law by the disposition
( Of; arrangement) of angels."
The whole first order of the LAW was given by, ushered in by the angels.
Set in order and carried out by angelic visitation. No wonder He speaks
of a realm beyond the angels. And those who insist on staying under the
regime of the old order of the law, will be staying UNDER the realm of
angels, while God leads a remnant of His people into the new covenant which
is established by a higher order, namely, BY HIS SON, and to be executed
through His sons. Angels ushered in the first order, the SONS will be apart
of bringing in the glory of the second order.
"The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; He shined forth
from mount Paran, and He came with ten thousands of saints: from His right
hand went a fiery law for them." [Deuteronomy 32:2].
It was time for the giving of the law, "And mount Sinai was altogether
on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire... And all the people
saw the thunderings, and the lightnings..." [Exodus 19:18, 20:18]. As He
DESCENDED He brought with Him ten thousands of (saints) MESSENGERS, both
to set forth the law, and to carry it out. From Sinai until now, we have
had those messengers which layout the law, tell you how to live it, and
continue to impart those words which would gird us up to the law
of God. Don't despise this realm, it was GOD'S PROVISION for a time. And
as long as He has placed us UNDER the angels, we need that ministry which
will gird us up to the law of the Lord. Truly, "The law of the Lord is
perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making
wise the simple." [Psalm 19:17). Yet, perfect as the law was, it could
not make man perfect, because of the arrangement, of the service, of the
ministration. It "could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining
to the conscience." [Hebrews 9:9], for it was ministered FROM WITHOUT,
not from within. Angels come to us from without. But THE SON comes to DWELL
WITHIN, and shall fulfill the new covenant by His INDWELLING LIFE.
It is to be noted that the realm of REST is not associated with the angels.
"But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand until
I make thine enemies thy footstool? are they not all MINISTERING SPIRITS,
sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" [Hebrews
1:13-14].
Furthermore, we also read "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from
henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours;
and their works (MINISTRIES) do follow them." [Revelation 14:13].
"Who maketh His angels (messengers) spirits." [Psalm 104:4].
Now we see a progression. Man, who has been UNDER the angels, receiving
of their ministry while he walks through this realm of toil, if he "dies
in the Lord," that is, has grown in his spiritual stature to where the
LORDSHIP of Christ is a reality in his life, he is then promoted -- to
rest from his labours, earth toil, wearying works of the natural, and now
become a part of that SPIRIT COMPANY of messengers. Their works, ministry-service,
follows them, and they join the ranks of angels who continue to minister
to those who shall be heirs of salvation.
I do believe that those who love God, who have fully surrendered to DO
and BECOME the will of God, while they were UNDER the angels, that upon
death to the natural body, they are released from this lower realm, and
now become a part of the angelic realm, as their ministry is more freely
expressed in the realm of the Spirit. Whatever ministry we have as "earthen
vessels," I am sure it is much greater once we are released from this body,
and able to move more freely through the spirit realms.
"We also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses," as we
read in Hebrews 12:1, of those who have been tested and tried and purified
during their earthly sojourn. Having overcome those situations which God
had appointed them, now as we are faced with similar testings, and cry
out to the Lord for His help, does He not send to us these "ministering
spirits" to aid us along our journey? I do believe so! We will not look
for these saints. We will not pray to these saints. We will look only
unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith. But we realize
HE can send whomever He pleases to be our help, and certainly can use those
who have been through the trial, to "comfort us in all our tribulation,"
with the comfort wherewith they also were once "comforted of God." [2 Corinthians
1:4]. We will not worship and glorify these ministering spirits, but we
will worship and praise GOD for giving us help, regardless of the instruments
which He uses, be they seen, or unseen.
So we see that there is a progression, from being "under the angels," to
becoming a part of that realm of ministry, to be "with the angels."
To refresh our memory, we will briefly touch upon some of the ministry
of angels as given in the Scripture. Numbers 22:22-35 gives the record
of Balaam being asked by Balak to come and curse Israel, for Balak was
afraid of this people passing through his area. Balaam asked the Lord if
he should go and do this cursing, and God said, "No." But as Balak kept
sending more of his servants to urge Balaam to come, finally God said to
Balaam, "If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet
the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou speak." Not because
God changed His mind about Balaam's going, God knew all along that he would
be going, for God purposed to turn this into an opportunity to FURTHER
BLESS HIS PEOPLE, and all of this was an extreme dealing in Balaam to bring
him to that point where he would only bless them.
So Balaam saddled up his ass and they start the journey, and going around
the bend of the road the ass beholds an angel in the road, and so turns
aside into the field. And Balaam smites her a blow and turns her back into
the way. But next the angel, with drawn sword, is standing in a narrow
place between two walls, so the ass thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed
Balaam's foot against the wall, and he smote her again. Once more the angel
moved farther down the road, to a narrow place with no place to turn, and
this time the ass, seeing the angel, falls right down in the way. Eventually
the Lord opens Balaam's eyes to see the angel himself, and the angel says
to him, 'Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? Behold,
I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me." Now,
"Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that
thou shalt speak."
Methinks if we only realized it, a lot of times God has used a wife, or
a husband, the children, your boss at work, your neighbours, etc. to protect
us from the heavy sword of the Lord in the hand of an angel, and all we
did was re-act like Balaam, and become angry with them for their actions
toward us, because they were frustrating us in our own plans. But perhaps
we had best leave that thought for the Lord to apply, and go on with our
message.
Certainly by now Balaam understood that he was only to speak what the
Lord gave him to speak, and he very carefully followed that course, even
when Balak became very angry with him. He knew that it was better to obey
God, than man. And we would do well to remember that also!
The angel of the Lord appeared unto Gideon, with the commission to lead
his people out from the bondage of the Midianites. Gideon also made a very
special offering and spread it out upon a rock, "Then the angel of the
Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the
flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock,
and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the
Lord departed out of his sight." [Judges 6:21].
Manoah, and his wife, Samson's parents, were likewise visited by an angel,
and told of this child they would have, and how to raise him. They also
laid their offering out upon a rock, and "when the flame went up toward
heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame
of the altar." [Judges 13:20].
These were indeed beautiful visitations from the Lord, as the messengers
came to them with a specific word concerning the future events, and then
having spoken that word, departed again -not to be worshiped by man, but
to return to God for their next assignment. And how often have we, perhaps,
wished for just such a visitation -- a clear word of instruction. But God
would dwell within us BY HIS SPIRIT, and direct our lives from within,
as He would lead us beyond the realm of angels, beyond dependency upon
a Word from without, to living out of HIS LIFE WITHIN .
David also had a specific experience with an angel, after having gone against
the commandment of the Lord, and numbering the children of Israel. First
God sent a visible messenger, a man, "Gad, David's seer," with a choice
of three different punishments, saying, "Choose thee either three years'
famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the
sword of thine enemies overtake thee; or else three days of the sword of
the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying
throughout all the coasts of Israel." [1 Chronicles 21:12]. It was a great
strait to be in, but David responded, "Let me fall now into the hand of
the Lord,. for very great are His mercies: but let me not fall into the
hand of man." [verse 13].
So the Lord sent the pestilence, and the angel to destroy, "And David lifted
up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and
the heaven, having a sword drawn in his hand..." [ verse 16].
Why do we find so many swords in the hand of so many angels throughout
the Scripture? Because they move under a dispensation of law, introduced
by angels, enforced by angels, and whoever did not obey received a just
recompense for their disobedience. Here is the Word of the Lord, obey it,
or else! And it is amazing how many people still desire to operate in this
low dimension. They desire to utter the Word of the Lord, and then hasten
to back it up with the wielding of a sword, calling down fire, executing
judgments (which to them are only punishments, not true correctional chastenings).
Praise God, He has a remnant who are hearing a HIGHER CALL. They see a
dimension far beyond the drawn sword. Jesus said to the man. "Put up again
thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish
with the sword." [Matthew 26:52]. There is afar higher realm of mercy and
true compassion, love and forgiveness, and it belongs to the realm of the
sons of the Most High God. Beyond the "angel with a drawn sword," shall
come a people filled with His holiness, filled with His love, and out of
their innermost being shall flow quickening streams of divine life for
all men. "Not imputing their trespasses unto them," [2 Corinthians 5:19],
and therefore not needing a sword. If you do not charge a man with guilt,
you do not have to administer the consequence of a broken law.
Praise God, we hear the CALL of a realm beyond the "broken law," and it
is when the Spirit of Christ dwells within, lives out His holiness, and
thus fulfills all the righteousness of the law. His INTERNAL-LIFE-VICTORY
is far beyond the realm of angels with swords, to enforce the law from
without.
But even during this dispensation of the law, angel's swords, etc. we find
that David could reach beyond and trust into the mercies of the Lord. And
so after three days of the action of the sword, the Lord said, "It is enough."
We are persuaded that God will never correct you with one stroke beyond
that which is needed for your purification, even under this present dispensation.
Therefore we are enthralled with the MERCIES OF THE LORD!
The circumstances were beautifully arranged by God whereby in due time
Daniel ended up in the lion's den. King Darius spent a very sleepless night
worrying about Daniel, and very early in the morning went to see how things
were going. "And the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of
the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver
thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever:
My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lion's mouths, that they
have not hurt me." [Daniel 6:20-22].
Not always are our experiences as pronounced as this, yet I am sure, if
our eyes were opened to see, we would be amazed at how many times along
the way God has sent His angels for our protection and care -- lest we
be devoured by the situations which overtake us. Yet let it remain clear
in our hearts, the emphasis is not on the fact that the angel came, but
on "MY GOD." We would keep our eyes single to Him at all times, for HE
is our Keeper. Amen.
At the time of Jesus' birth, while the shepherds were keeping watch over
their flocks by night, out in the field, "Lo, the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.." [Luke 2:9],
for it was time for the message to be announced, that "Unto you is born
this day... A SAVIOUR, which is Christ the Lord (The anointed of God)."
And as long as there is need for us to have this message, praise God, HE
has a MESSENGER to bring us the glad tidings. Yet is it not true, that
once the FULLNESS OF THE CHRIST is within us, we have gone beyond the need
for angels to announce to us a Saviour?
At
the time of His death, when the man was ready to join the ranks of the
angels with their drawn swords, and defend Jesus, after He told him to
put up his sword, He also said, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to
My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?"
[Matthew 26:53].
When Jesus "Made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form
of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men," [Philippians 2:7] we
find that He also was made "lower than the angels." He knew what it was
to be UNDER THE ANGELS, and have the angels come and ministered unto Him.
Even as we read, after that great temptation in the wilderness, "Then the
devil leaveth Him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto Him." [Matthew
4:11]. And He knew that there was this angelic realm in readiness at all
times to come to His aid, but He did not go around asking for angels' help,
but He kept His eye upon His Father who was above the angels. And when
the purpose of the Father had been fulfilled IN and THROUGH Him, He was
exalted "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion..."
[Ephesians 1:21].
Let us not become so captivated by this intermediate realm, so that even
while we are UNDER the angels, we do not see beyond this realm. It is truly
a high, holy, heavenly calling that leads us beyond the angels, to be
heirs together with Christ Jesus of glories unspeakable.
At the time of the resurrection, we find that "the angel of the Lord descended
from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, "to reveal
the fact that the grave was now empty, He had indeed risen, [Matthew 28:2],
But again we ask, once the inworkings of God have brought us into the very
reality of His resurrection life, need we this ministry of angels?
The time came when the apostles were put in prison, "But the angel of the
Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth." [Acts 5:19].
Peter was cast into prison, between two soldiers, bound with two chains,
when "the angel of the Lord came upon him," [Acts 12:7] and brought him
forth.
Ah, this is all so tremendous! I am sure there are times when we all wished
we had more of this ministry demonstrated in our own lives -- times of
a miracle deliverance, times when a clear message of direction brought
to us, times of divine visitation which elevates our hearts to greater
things. Yet we perceive that GOD IS DISCIPLINING AND PREPARING A PEOPLE
FOR SO MUCH MORE -- a realm that goes beyond the ministry of angels unto
them. So He does not always give us angelic visitations to bring us out
of situations, but He works in us to BRING US THROUGH THEM, overcomers
by His grace!
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are
in heaven." [Mark 13:32]. God has a day planned which the angels have no
understanding concerning its time, or working. So while I would like to
have an angelic visitation, what I really want to know -- ABOUT HIS
TIMES, the angels cannot tell me.
"Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was
in them did signify, when it testified beforehand of the sufferings of
Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that
not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are
now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with
the holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to
look into." [1 Peter 1:11-12].
How soon on the horizon shall we behold that which our heart desires? THE
ANGELS CANNOT TELL US. Only the indwelling Christ can bring us to that
hour of fulfillment, therefore we must keep our eyes on Him -- the Finisher
of our faith.
God will not reveal that which belongs to the NEW COVENANT, and allow
the angels to minister those blessed realities in mixture with the law
of the old covenant. So there are SECRETS IN GOD which are beyond the angels.
Yet they are also, in fragments, being quickened in the hearts of those
who are being called to go beyond the angels, as we learn to KEEP GOD'S
SECRETS, and walk softly before Him. There is a realm which bears a sword,
but that which belongs to a higher realm will never be administered by
a sword dispensation" And that is why there are so few in this hour which
are receiving a glimpse into the age to come, because they are yet far
too heavy into the operation of the sword. But He is preparing a people
which shall be a part of that glory about to be revealed -- things which
the angels desired to look into, but were not able, for it was not a part
of their realm. There shall be a new order, the enchristed new man of His
creation.
Hebrews 2:16 tells us that Jesus "took not on Him the nature of angels;
but He took on Him the seed of Abraham." That He might take hold of him
who was lower than the angels, and lift him to a realm above the angels,
to be with Him WHERE HE IS.
The Greek word for the words "took on" is "epilambanetai," a verb that
means: to take hold of, lay hold of. By a metaphor drawn from the laying
hold of another to rescue him from peril, so the word comes to mean:
TO LAY HOLD OF FOR THE PURPOSE OF HELPING.
Christ came, not to provide salvation for fallen angels, but for fallen
MAN. (Editor's note: Christ first came as the Son of God to remove sin,
as we read in Romans 5:18, "We see, then, that as one act of sin exposed
the whole race of men to God's judgment and condemnation, so one act of
perfect righteousness presents all men freely acquitted in the sight of
God." Christ shall come again; however, He does not manifest Himself in
the flesh, that task was completed, He now comes the second time, or perhaps
I should say, He appears the second time as Spirit into the life of the
believer. Christ Jesus then, in the flesh, brought forth salvation, now
in the spirit He brings forth restoration. End of note.). So Wuest
translates this verse, "He does not take hold of angels for the purpose
of helping them, but of the seed of Abraham He takes hold, with a view
of succoring them." Praise His name!
Then, there shall be a RESTORATION, a reconciliation of all, including
the angels, wrought through His enchristed man, whom He raises up to share
His throne, and through whom His purposes shall be administered. Thus Paul
writes, "Know ye not that we shall judge angels." [1 Corinthians 6:3].
"God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and
delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment."
[2 Peter 2:4]. As also we read in Jude 6, "The angels which kept not their
first estate, but left their own habitation. He hath reserved in everlasting
(Greek aionian) chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."
God does purpose a time of judgment for these angels -- that corrective
in working which brings forth a restoration. And who executes that judgment?
"To execute upon them the judgments written: this honour have all His saint."
[Psalm 149:9].
And this much we are persuaded of, when it comes time to "judge the angels,"
it will not be with a sword. That dispensation will be forever ended, and
the reality of the outworking of God in the new covenant will be in effect
-- first IN man, and then THROUGH man. Surely these are realms far beyond
our present understanding -- yet they are realms to which we have been
CALLED. Wonderful as this past dispensation and ministration has been,
it has no glory, "in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth."
[2 Corinthians 3:10].
"Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance
obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels
said He at any time, THOU ART MY SON, this day have I begotten thee? And
again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son." [Hebrews
1:4-5].
Yes, this is spoken of concerning THE SON, our Lord Jesus Christ. But it
is also written, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will
be His God, and he shall be My son..." [Revelation 21:7], for He is bringing
forth a people conformed to His image, that He might be the Firstborn among
many brethren. Praise God!
Truly,
that is a realm beyond the angels. In view of such a calling, 'We ought
to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at
any time we should let them slip." [Hebrews 2:1].
Amid
the purposes of God
Through
ages wrought for man,
Is
one that challenges our thought,
So
glorious is His plan!
How
He would lower for a time
This
creature of His love,
Inferior
to the angels, and
Oft'
far from things above.
Then
institute for them a law,
By
angels ushered in,
Upheld
by justice' mighty sword,
A
recompense for sin.
Yet
praise the Lord for messengers
That
He doth send our way,
For
every help and miracle
To
bless our present day.
Till
by His process we ascend
To
join their ranks, and be
A
spirit sent to minister
By
His sov'reign decree.
But
there's a realm yet higher still,
Better
than angels, where
The
Son doth reign in victory,
His
life and love to share.
A ministration
of the new,
A
covenant whereby
He
shall indwell, and be our all,
To
fully satisfy.
Then
from this realm of His own life,
His
sons shall judge the world,
And
angels, too, of lost estate,
New
mercies are unfurled.
For
in the ages yet to come
We'll
see myst'ries unfold,
The
higher purposes of God,
So
great -so manifold.
The
lesser realms must now give way
To
better things in view.
I
But praise the Lord for every step
I
In making all things new.
Below
-equal -and then beyond
The
angels, we are called,
Who
yet can comprehend this truth?
We
stand amazed, enthralled.
But
He who gives the call is He
Who
also shall fulfill.
We
cast ourselves upon His grace,
How
marvelous
is His will!