Most professing Christians have been told from early on how magnificent God’s angels are. Bible stories regale us with their exploits. For example, the Prophet Ezekiel wrote concerning the angels that accompanied the Lord God Almighty: “As for the likeness of the living creatures (angels), their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps that went up and down among the living creatures. The fire was bright and out of the fire went forth lightning” (1:13). The angels shined brightly and darted from place to place like lightning while radiating overwhelming fire.

In Revelation 10:1-3 the Apostle John wrote concerning an angel that appeared during Christ’s visit with him: “And I saw another angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow was upon his head. His face was as the sun, and his feet were as pillars of fire. And he had in his hand a little book that was open. He set his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the earth. And he cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars, and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.”

Bible writers, some of whom actually either saw angels or visions of angels given to them by the Lord. Those fortunate enough to see the angels described them in brilliant detail as they appeared to them. The stunned humans noted that the angels resembled burning coals accompanied by brilliant lightning and fire. Their faces were as bright as the sun in its zenith. Their feet were described as columns of fire. They were sometimes described as a righteous, holy army under the command of the Lord Himself riding in a chariot of fire. The angels themselves were depicted as being composed of fiery might and glory.

And what is almost beyond comprehension is the Biblical fact that those who believe and obey the Lord will, in their born again bodies, will be even more glorious and mighty than the angels. The Apostle Peter tells us that the angels are in awe of the POTENTIAL of God’s holy saints. In First Peter 1:12 the apostle writes concerning the angels’ attitude toward God’s Very Elect human brethren: “Unto whom (the angels) it was revealed that, not unto themselves (the angels), but unto US (God’s holy ministers) they (angels) minister the things (of the Gospel) which are being preached by them (ministers) through the power of the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. These are THINGS THE ANGELS DESIRE TO SEE.” Let that sink in–GOD WILL NOT ALLOW THE ANGELS TO KNOW ALL OF WHAT HE WILL DO FOR THOSE WHO RISE TO MEET HIS SON IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION. These will be His “firstfruits of the Spirit.” What angels are not allowed to see is part of their (the firstfruits’) future, their eternity. Now you know why I continually compel you to study God’s Word, believe and obey it. It is also why I repeatedly supply additional passages of Scripture. I want you to receive everything God has to offer which His messengers receive by way of the Holy Spirit.

In his writings to the churches the Apostle Paul made it a point to highlight the POTENTIAL of God’s true saints by comparing their future power and glory to that of His angels. In Hebrews 1:5 he writes about that potential: “For to what angel did God ever say, ‘You (the saint) are my son, today I have become your father’? Or again: I will be a Father to him (the saint) and he will be a son to Me.” God is recreating Himself in those who truly want Him to do so. He is making His human disciples to be to Him as another human–Jesus of Nazareth–was to Him. These are they who are becoming “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph.; 4:13), who “walk as He (Jesus) walked” while on earth (1 Jn. 2:6), who prove their love for Him by obeying His Ten Commandment Law (Jn. 14:15). These are they who want to remain in Jesus’ love by obeying the Law in the same way He remained in the Father’s love by obeying that same Law while walking the earth as a man (Jn. 2:3-5; 15:10).

As human beings, God’s Very Elect are now lower than God’s angels. However, their destiny is to greatly surpass the angels’ status, power, knowledge, glory, etc. “For unto the angels has He (God) NOT put in subjection the world to come, whereof we (apostles) speak” (Heb. 2:5). Angels are not destined to rule the world that is to come. Understand this: RIGHTEOUS man will judge angels (1 Cor. 6:2), religious man will not. Only those who believe and obey God’s Word/Law (Jn. 14:15,23) will occupy that very limited, very exalted status. Note in John 14:15,23 that identifies His LAW (vs 15) as His WORD (vs 23). EVERY WORD GOD SPOKE (THE HOLY BIBLE GENESIS TO REVELATION) IS LAW. Man will be “… judged by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of Christ which He heard from the Father and spoke to His prophets and apostles through the Holy Spirit (Jn. 12:44-50)–note especially verse 48.

In Hebrews 2:6-8 we find what I believe is the crowning statement relative to the potential God is offering those who honor Him by obeying Him: ‘What is man, that you are mindful of him? or the son of man, that you visited him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.’ For in that He (God) put all in subjection under him (man), He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.” But one day all things will be put under the feet of God’s saints (holy ones). Read God’s Very Elect: Future Caretakers of the Universe. Key word–Caretakers. Those who will rise in the first resurrection are “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). Together they will rule the universe in the timeless future. L.J.