Seen Of Angels / Part Five

Series – October 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Seen Of Angels / Part Five

Angels In The Future
Beginning in Revelation 4 we find angels mentioned over and over again. Angels are mentioned in the first three chapters as well, but there the term is used as a symbol for the responsible element in the assemblies addressed by the Lord. The outline of this book that John was told to write is given in chapter 1:19: “things which you have seen [chapter 1], and the things which are [chapters 2-3], and the things which will take place after this [chapters 4-22]” ( NKJV ). Chapters 2-3, being letters addressed to the angel (responsible element) of each of the seven actual churches in the Roman province of Asia at that time, are prophetic pictures of what would develop throughout Church history from Pentecost to the Rapture. The Revelation, in fact, contains many sevens, for seven in Scripture is a perfect number denoting fullness or completeness.

Chapter 4 commences with the words “After these things” and presents a door open in heaven into which John was invited to come. We read that he saw a throne and One seated on it; and around the throne were twenty-four thrones on which were seated twenty-four elders – representing the believers as they will have already been taken to heaven by the Rapture. The Spirit of God is pictured in sevenfold manner by seven burning lamps and the four living creatures are described in their individual detail with features of both cherubim and seraphim. Angels as such are not mentioned until chapter 5:11 where we find “ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands.” Ten thousand was the largest number in the Greek alphabet, which like the Roman alphabet used letters to symbolize numbers. The elders have begun to proclaim the worthiness of the Lamb who was slain. He is worthy to open the scroll that had been presented and to break its seals (Rev. 5:9-11). As each seal is broken a providential judgment will break forth. With a loud voice the angels join together to exalt the Lamb (Rev. 5:11-12). Finally every creature in the universe ascribes blessing and honor and glory and power to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever. The four living creatures add their “Amen,” and the elders bow down in worship.

We see the vast number of angels in heaven, yet we notice that it is the four living creatures and the elders who are indicated as closest to the throne. The elders are depicted as worshiping with harps and golden bowls of incense which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song of worship to the Lamb. This is a song of redemption. Holy angels do not need redemption and for demons there is no redemption, so contrary to what many songs say we never find angelic beings in all their praise to God portrayed as singing songs that celebrate redemption.

As we proceed through the Revelation we find God’s angels, mighty in strength, active in the execution of judgments brought about by the Lamb opening the seals (Rev. 6:1-8:1). The seven trumpet judgments follow (Rev. 8:2—11:15) in which angels take part even more directly. We note that the trumpets are given to the angels, but they do nothing on their own. The voice from heaven directs all that is happening. The seven bowl judgments in chapters 15-16 also are seen taking place as seven angels are given the final plagues of the wrath of God and pour them out on the earth.

In the wisdom of God the Revelation of Jesus Christ is written in symbolic language, “signified by His angel to His servant John.” It is specifically for His servants (Rev. 1:1) who should be well acquainted with the symbolism of the Old Testament. New symbols are explained when they occur. It may have been dangerous for believers in the first century to have a book plainly prophesying the judgment and fall of the Romans, who were military occupiers of that day, and the establishment of the Lord’s kingdom in place of the Roman Empire.

Chapter 12 summarizes the history of Israel, depicted by a woman. Her Son, the Male Child, Christ, is the real object of the hatred and enmity of the red dragon, Satan. But He is caught up to God and His throne and the woman is providentially sustained through tremendous tribulation. Satan’s access to God as the accuser of the brethren is ended in the middle of the period of Tribulation on earth, the second half of this period being even more severe than the first. This is brought about as the result of war in heaven between the archangel Michael and his angels and the dragon and his angels. In chapter 19 the Lord comes back to earth with His redeemed ones following Him. When He is revealed it will also be with His mighty angels (2 Th.1:7). Ultimately, in Revelation 20:1-3, the power of Satan is broken so thoroughly that a single angel is seen coming down from heaven, taking and binding him for a thousand years and confining him in the bottomless pit so that he should deceive the nations no more during the Lord’s millennial reign. When Satan is released from his prison he goes right back to his wicked ways of deceiving the nations and gathers a vast army from the four corners of the earth in rebellion against the Lord’s rule (Rev. 20:7-8). There is no change in him or in the hearts of fallen men who have benefited from the Lord’s righteous, 1,000-year rule. Fire comes down from heaven and consumes this evil host. Satan, their leader, is cast into hell (Rev. 20:9-10) and doubtless his demonic host is cast there too at this time.

We will not consider in detail the many judgments in which angels are involved that fall upon this earth and its leaders during the Tribulation. It is sufficient to see that here, just as in various passages of the Old Testament, God uses His angels to carry out His purposes in judgment. Interestingly, angels are not said to be associated with the Lord Jesus in His millennial reign. We shall reign with Him! Scripture tells us, without specifying why or when, that we will judge angels (1 Cor. 6:3).

An angel is presented as functioning as guide to John, the writer, who is shown all these things that set before us events still to come. He explains the significance of some of these and in chapter 19:10 John falls at his feet to worship him. The angel tells him, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” In chapter 22:8-9 John again falls before his feet to worship him and is again told not to do so. Earlier in this series we noted that God’s angels do not accept worship. In great contrast Satan seeks worship!

The angel has shown the Bride, the Lamb’s wife, to John. He points out that he was sent to show God’s servants the things which must shortly take place. But his words are not the final words in this wonderful Book. The Lord Himself says (Rev. 22:20), “Surely I am coming quickly.” May our response be, “Amen, Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

By Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.

This concludes our Series on angels in Scripture.