Three days after Jesus’ death, angels were at the tomb where he lay. See Matthew 28. V 5 and that fantastic day when Jesus ascended from earth to heaven and the angels gave us that great message of love which has heartened all Christians ever since; Acts 1.11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Angels were there as were many witnesses to pass on the message that as Jesus left, so he would return in like manner, something that has heartened all true believers to this very day. During the following years angels continued to administer their compassion towards the disciples who were trying to preach the good news of God and the name of Jesus Christ Acts 12. V 7 and Acts 5. V 18-20 CARROT AND STICK However, don’t imagine God only ever hands out ‘sweeties’. In Romans 11. V 22 we read; “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God, sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” In Genesis 19 we are reminded that God can be greatly angered at some of the rebellious things we do. Consider the outrageous behaviour of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, behaviour that had to be dealt with. Here is but one example of his angels (messengers) carrying messages of divine anger toward those inhabitants but love toward faithful Lot and his family. At the time of the exodus God’s angels brought terrible messages to the Israelis of impending death of all the first born of the Egyptians but instructions (to the Israelis) on what to do in order that those destroying angels passed over the houses of the Israelis. These angels were in no way ‘evil’ angels, they were simply obeying God’s instructions to punish Egypt. Jesus refers to a similar role for the future in Matthew 13:47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Jesus also reminds us that at that time that on His return He will not be alone…Matthew 25: 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.” So, we see that God’s messengers of anger and power to punish the wicked are not a threat to those who love and respect their Creator.
