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“The Manifold Wisdom of God”

Redemption — The Study of Angels

1 Peter 1:12

God the Holy Spirit tells us that one purpose of our God in the accomplishment of our redemption by Christ, and in the preaching of the gospel of his free grace in Christ is “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” “The principalities and powers in heavenly places” are the angels of God. In 1st Peter 1:12 he tells us that our redemption and salvation in and by the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of God, are “things the angels desire to look into.”

From those two passages, we learn that God’s purpose of grace toward fallen man is so infinitely wise and comprehensive that the benefits of redemption by Christ extend even to the elect angels.

Elect angels do not need to be redeemed, because they never knew sin. When Satan led his revolt in heaven against the throne of God and drug one third of the angels away into hell, these elect angels were preserved and kept in holiness by the goodness and mercy of God. So they do not need to be redeemed. Redemption was accomplished for fallen men. Yet, the angels of God are greatly benefited by our redemption.

Angels’ Interest in Us

The angels of God are far more interested in us than we might imagine. Because we cannot see, speak to, or hear the heavenly angels, we tend to ignore them. But they do not ignore us. They are not indifferent spectators of our race. Those pure, holy, heavenly creatures have a keen interest in God’s saints upon the earth.

Roman and pagan superstitions talk about guardian angels, tell us to pray to angels, and teach us that when babies die, they become angels. And foolish men and women receive the nonsense of ignorant idolaters. Of course, we flatly reject the traditions of men regarding the angels. But we must not neglect the teachings of God about these heavenly creatures. — What does God tell us in his Word about the heavenly angels?

Three Things

The Scriptures reveal three distinct things about the angels of God. First, they were created by God to minister to His elect (Hebrews 1:14). — Though in times past God spoke to men by angels, He does not do so in this gospel age (Hebrews 1:1-3). We have the full revelation of God in the Scriptures.

Yet, the angels of God do minister to, they do serve God’s elect. They secretly protect elect sinners in life until God saves them, and rejoice over repenting sinners when the Lord saves them (Luke 15:3-7).

Second, the angels of God encamp around God’s saints in this world and keep us in all our ways (Psalm 91:11-12; 2 Kings 6:16-18).

Third, the heavenly angels come with the Lord Jesus to carry our souls home to heaven when we die (Luke 16:22). The angels of God are heavenly beings, specifically created by God to serve his elect; and they gladly do so. Their hearts are in their work.

Beholding Wisdom

These heavenly angels behold the manifold wisdom of God in the redemption of sinners by Christ Jesus. Without question, the angels of God saw his wisdom and power in the creation of the world. They shouted for joy when God spoke the world into existence. But when they look into the matter of redemption, they behold the many facets of divine wisdom, which can be seen nowhere else.

In ages past the angels desired to see the mysteries of redemption, but were not able to do so. That is, at least in part, the meaning of Peter’s words. The angels of God, from the beginning of time, have desired to look into the wonders of redemption. But “now” since the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, the angels see the glory of Christ as the Redeemer of sinners (Ephesians 3:10; Revelation 5:11-12).

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s