The Weekly Perspective
by Burke Shade, Associate Pastor
In chapter 7 of Revelation we see the saints crying out “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And then we see the angels who surround the throne respond with a seven-fold blessing. With the full coming of the new covenant, the angels begin to respond to our liturgical leadership!
For a little while, we were lower than the angels, Psalm 8:5
Until Christ, until Faith came, the angels administered the “guardian” law as tutors for mankind, Galatians 3.23-26.
But now that Christ has come, they take their cues from us! They are ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those inheriting salvation, Hebrews 1:14. The Apostle says we are to judge angels, 1 Corinthians 6. “For two thousand years, … the church conducts the heavenly worship, united to the chief liturgist, the Lamb of God … The angels praise in response to our praise, sing in response to our song, pray as we pray, trumpet when we trumpet, and pour out plagues on God’s enemies as we commune at the Lord’s table” (PJL).
In Christ, you have been exalted to rule with him, to lead in worship even the angels! You have been exalted with Christ in his own exaltation, even as he promised the churches of Thyatira and Laodicea.
So rejoice and revel in what you have been given by your union to Jesus your Savior, and then, grasp that exaltation by faith so that you can “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). What a wonderful position to be in! What a task you have!