Date: December 25, 2011 11:21 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Heavenly Host: Army
The Heavenly Host: Army
"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests'" (Luke 2:13-14).
Scripture Focus: Hebrews 1:4-9
God sent out the entire angelic army of heaven - not one left behind - for the most gladsome event ever: the birth of the Savior! How many shepherds were there? I suppose it could have been as few as two. Surely, they were outnumbered. Sheer terror seized them. Every angelic visitation in the Bible struck fear in the heart of the visited. How much more so would thousands upon thousands of celestial beings who came calling in the dead of night?
Artists depicting angels have fixed our minds on soft, serene individuals, baby-like or girlish, the likes of which you may find on Christmas cards or atop a Christmas tree. These representations wilt compared to the dazzling multitude of heavenly soldiers indicated by the Greek translation of "heavenly host." Reducing God's messengers to sweet, winged creatures also reduces the impact of this world-changing point of time. We do not want to lessen the defining moment of all history...the moment that identifies us as worshippers of the Christ, proclaiming "Glory to God in the highest!"
Insight: "Let all God's angels worship him," we read in Hebrews 1:6. Let us, too, worship with elation and not miss the true celebration!
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