When our Lord returns, he will not come alone. “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels” (II Thess. 1:7).
The angels do not accompany Christ in an incidental capacity. Among other things, they will participate in the judgment process: “At the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just” (Matt. 13:49).
The authority for the final decision on our fate has been delegated to the Son (John 5:22,27). But the angels evidently have input into that decision. Will they want us? Will they think us fit to take over their duties?
The work of angels
“For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come” (Heb. 2:5). The king of the age to come is the Lord Jesus, but along with him, “dominion.. .shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High” (Dan. 7:27). We are called to do what angels do now.
At present, they are the divine instruments in implementing the rule of heaven upon the earth. The world is “in subjection” to them.
The supremacy of Yahweh and later of the Son of God has not relegated the role of angels to being immortal automatons. The three angels who were sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah had the flexibility to tell Abraham what was to happen and to modify plans according to the pleading of Abraham and Lot (Gen. 18:32; 19:20-22). A host of angels was assigned to Israel with their head having much latitude in keeping them in the way and pardoning or retaining their transgressions (Ex. 23:20-23).
That this divine procedure is still in effect is evident by the angel who released Peter from prison and by the continual reference to angels in the Apocalypse (Acts 12:7-11; Rev. 7:2; 8:5, etc.).
God and the Lord Jesus can safely delegate responsibility to the angels because they “do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word” (Psa. 103:20). Furthermore, they are always seen to work in perfect harmony with one another. There is no hint of schism or division among them. This is an outstanding characteristic depicted by the cherubim in Ezekiel 1 and 10: “they went every one straight forward …when those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood…” (1:9,21).
Will angels trust us?
On that great day of judgment, will the angels feel we are qualified to take over their job? Will they have seen demonstrated in our lives those attributes which will make us fit rulers?
We may be disappointed in our performance now and look forward to a dramatic change occurring if we are found faithful. A great change will occur but the essential spiritual qualities must already exist in our characters. That is why the troublemakers, the schismatics, those who cause strife and sedition “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:20-21). Who would trust us to work in perfect harmony with others if we have not demonstrated some ability in this regard now?
In our families, do we occasionally cause trouble just because we feel cranky? We are hurting and we want others to hurt too. Sometimes we may catch ourselves agitating another person just to see them get stirred up. Or we deliberately set one person against another. That’s causing strife.
In our ecclesial life, we can be troublemakers or peacemakers. We can look for problems and continually register complaints. We can magnify the weaknesses of others and stir up brother against brother. On the other hand, we can seek solutions, look for common ground and help one person see the good that another is doing.
And who would trust us to do our Lord’s pleasure, always implementing divine principles, if now we show virtually no disposition in that direction? That is why the adulterers, fornicators, the unclean and the lascivious will find no place in the kingdom (Gal. 5:19). They will have demonstrated a persistent disregard for God’s will. How would any angel feel about turning over his responsibilities to such a person?
Another angelic work
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Heb. 1:14).
In addition to a rulership function, angels presently help believers to be saved. They encamp “round about them that fear him” to deliver them. They are active to see the believer is not tried beyond what he is able to bear (Psa. 34:7; I Cor. 10:13). In other words, they help mortals develop into godly people.
This will be the goal of the work of the saints in the kingdom. Those who are saved now represent but a firstfruits of the far greater harvest that will be gathered in at the end of the millennium (James 1:18). If accepted, we will be expected to work for 1,000 years to help mortals become godly people. Do we show much disposition in this direction now? Will the angels feel comfortable in entrusting this work to us?
The eternal welfare of others
Sometimes we find ourselves acting as if the other person’s eternal welfare had never entered our minds. Somebody will make a questionable statement, and we will drive them into a corner on matters of doctrine or ecclesial procedure, giving them no opportunity to rethink or restate a position.
Brethren have used defense of the Truth as an excuse for making slanderous accusations against another. Have we no idea how this will discourage some people, driving them from the ecclesia and will make others so angry that they will react with resentment and bitterness? Have we no ability to evaluate the consequences of our actions?
We may sometimes refuse to support an activity because the schedule is not to our convenience or the topic is not to our liking. As a result, others are discouraged in their efforts and vigorous attendance is eroded away.
We may bring into our homes videos that have little adverse affect upon us but fill the minds of our children with covetousness, violence and sensuality. Don’t we care about their salvation?
We can encourage our partner or our children to pursue a career or popularity at the expense of ecclesial activity or Bible reading. Where is our concern for their salvation?
In dealing with those who are younger, we may neglect regular instruction in God’s way or may set them an example of constant anxiety.
If we find some of these pitfalls in our own lives, we need to ask if we are concerned about the spiritual welfare of others. If we are not, would an angel want us entrusted with his job of guiding mortals into godliness?
“If ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12). Now we are the Lord’s servants, working with limited resources in his house. We look forward to being given divine power and divine responsibility over various assignments in the kingdom. We look forward to doing the work of angels. How will they feel about us doing their work?
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One