Even angels long to look into these things.
Every once in awhile a verse seems to jump out of the Bible at me. This is one of those verses.
Peter is telling us about salvation. Broadly speaking “salvation” in this case refers to several things. It begins with God’s plan for redeeming His creation. Remember the story in Genesis where God says, “… you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die”? (Genesis 2: 16-17)
Interestingly, the current version of the NIV is in the minority here. Thirty-eight of fifty-two translations available at Biblegateway.com use some version of “day,” as in “… in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (ESV) As I understand the text, when Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit in Genesis 3, God’s word holds true. They “die” from God’s point of view.
Have you ever known anyone who was in a relationship that has gone bad? Sometimes I hear tragic stories about people who are estranged from a family member because of something they have done or said. When asked if they ever talk with the estranged person, they might say, “No, that person is dead to me.” When someone closes themselves off from another person, that expression can be true. The relationship dies. I think this is the kind of death that God was talking about.
Once the relationship with God was broken, only God could restore it. It is not within mankind’s power to bridge that gap on their own. How the relationship is restored is a bit of a mystery. God provides a Redeemer, a Messiah able to buy back his creation, but the price he pays is beyond reason and beyond measure. Even the angels long to look into these things.
Application: Follow the angels. Look into these things.
Food for Thought: Why would angels be interested in God’s work of redemption?
Interesting question brother. We know that fallen angels are not redeemed. That we are created in God’s image and that Jesus was willing to go to the cross to redeem us makes us unique. And yet we probably seem pretty weak and feeble to the angelic realm. God’s love and sacrifice for sinful humanity causes me to scratch my head at times. I can only imagine what angels must think. Of course, I don’t actually know what they think as I can’t think of anything in the Bible that reveals those thoughts. But it is interesting to ponder.
Rich,
I think your comment points to the possibility that the angels marvel at God’s love for creatures who are, as you say, “weak and feeble.” The contrast between the Significant and the insignificant must be startling from their point of view.
TV portrays angels like they are godlike and can grant whatever wish they want. However the Lord God is really still the master, and even holy beings that get to in God’s presence still have be in awe and wonder before Him.
This didn’t answer the question, but it’s what I came up with in 3 minutes.
Dear Rob (not Bob)
It is fun to have you hang out here and Hob Nob.
You may not say a Gob
But every now and then you Lob
Something that makes me smile or think
and makes my brain Throb.
🙂
You forgot to mention
how much I sob
Then i read this blog
Then joing in with Rob ( not Bob)
And the rest of the mob.
Thanks Jeff for your famous Corn on the Cob,…and for discussing Angels. 👍🏻
Ron I think most Christians are anxious for Christ’s final victory over satan. There are very few days I don’t think about it or long for it. Glory! Come Quickly Lord Jesus. 🙏😀
This is a pretty big deal down here on earth. God knows every detail before our creation, but the Bible does not say the angels are all-knowing. All heaven is watching this battle against evil, anxious for Christs final victory over satan through His people.
( Kinda like having both hands tied behind His back. )
The angels are holy as we must be to dwell in the presence of God. They announced the birth of Christ, ministered to Christ after His victory over temptation, rejoiced with His victory over all sin, express joy when one sinner repents, rejoice at Gods judgements against sin, express joy at the victory of the Church.
Jesus speaks of the “holy angels” , not divine. Luke 9:26
Angels announced and praised God at the “birth of Jesus.”
Luke 2:13-14
Angels “Ministered to Christ ” His victory over temptation.
Matthew 4:11
Angels glorified Jesus at “His victory over sin” Revelation 5:12)
Angels express Joy in heaven when “one sinner repents.”Luke 15:7
Angels rejoice at Gods “Judgements against sin.” Revelation 18:20
Angels are “Joyful at the victory of the Church.” Hebrews 12:22-23
Ron,
You have provided a GREAT study outline on the topic of “angels.” Thank you!! I may have to borrow that for a future series of posts!! 🙂
For the angels that did not follow Lucifer, there isn’t and wasn’t the spiritual death that took place in the garden of Eden for mankind on the day that Adam and Eve sinned. These angels can see God’s full pardon and mercy that endures forever extended to mankind…yet they cannot experience it. I suppose that they might long to feel this unconditional love from their creator…but they can’t.
JEC,
Nice to see you here again! You have provided an interesting insight into the spiritual realm. One day we will know what angels are like and then we can ask them first hand. 🙂
Welcome to it Jeff. nothing good comes from me, all good comes to me from God, I’m sure He won’t mind. It’s amazing how you just gather all the verses you can, start cutting back what does not apply and end up with a beautiful picture. God at work.
Blessings Brother!
(Edited at Ron’s request. – JE)