Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains.

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see, Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

1 Timothy 3:16

All scriptures quoted are from the King James Version or The Message.

1

One fine day, sometime after the creative days had ended, Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Chamuel, Jophiel and Raguel, the Archangels of heaven, gathered around the pinnacle of a high mountain and became deeply engaged in conversation.

“So, what did you think of the news?”

“Incredible!”

“I am astonished! What greater display of power and genius could possibly surpass the creation of the universe?”

“True. We were like the morning stars singing and shouting together!”

“And why not? The sun, moon and stars! Just like that, he spoke them into existence!”

“Majestic mountains like this!”

“I love the crashing waves of the oceans best.”

“But the magnificent canyons! Breathtaking!”

“You are forgetting about the mighty waterfalls! Why, their noise equals the sounds of thunder—which is amazing too. And the mist settles down so peacefully.”

“My brothers. Don’t you find the long grass of the plains stretching for miles and waving in the wind the most peaceful? I could spend millenniums there, just drinking it all in.”

“I am sorry, but the life forms fascinate me the most. The gazelle, the cheetah, the horses!”

“The peacock! The eagle!”

“Not to mention the mosquito and the fly!”

Laughter.

“Surely, all of you jest. Nothing you have cited in all of our Lord’s creation exceeds humankind. How deeply he condescended. How tenderly he sculpted out the features. And I held my breath when he breathed into him the breath of life.”

“The very first living soul!”

“Yes, Michael, that was the crowning achievement. But, we can be grateful for at least one thing.”

“What is that, Raphael?”

“He created man a little lower than the angels!”

Again, they all broke out into laughter.

“But we digress. What about the news? What did you think…?”

Just then a voice rang out, breaking in on their meeting. “Michael! Gabriel!”

“We will finish this conversation later.”

2

The Lord Most High inhabited an enormous throne, high and lifted up. Some might say he hovered over it and indeed, it was difficult to describe how he existed. All the angels knew that he had no certain dwelling place, that he was omnipresent. But, for their benefit, he assumed a localized presence, like a theophany, a form that took on many different appearances—indefinable, yet unmistakably God. His shekinah glory was a mesmerizing mixture of brilliant rays of light, swirling mists and shimmering clouds.

The exquisite aroma of incense hung heavy in the atmosphere. In the background, a heavenly host gifted with beautiful voices sang anthems of adoration. Another corps of angels called the seraphs flew around the throne, engaged in their ceaseless work of praising and worshipping the Lord Most High.

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts!” one cried to the other. “The whole earth is full of his glory!”

Thousands of parading angels crowded the vast throne room. Coming and going; listening and responding; singing and worshipping; dispatched and debriefed, it was a beehive of activity. They were kept continuously occupied by the wishes and instructions of the occupant of the throne, watching over children, comforting widows, delivering messages, interpreting dreams, entering into the mysterious realms of dreams and visions to give guidance and encouragement to humans, and executing judgment.

With the greatest of reverence, the summoned angels entered into the courtroom and bowed down.

“Michael, Gabriel!”

“Yes, Most High God?”

“I’ve been in an extended meeting with Abraham, my servant whom I called out of Ur of the Chaldees. I am sending you on a very special mission into the wicked cities of the plains, Sodom and Gomorrah.”

“But, Lord, have you not determined to rain down fire and brimstone on these cities. Their sin has long come up before you as a stench in your nostrils.”

A hint of sadness fell across the face of God. “I know.” The Lord then raised his hand. “Abraham’s nephew Lot sits in the city gate. For Abraham’s sake, I want Lot saved from the judgment—and, his wife and daughters. You will go and lead Lot and his family out and spare them from the fire. You will be attacked. Use whatever power you must to handle the situation, but save Lot alive.”

The angels glanced at each other with puzzlement in their eyes.

“I know what you’re thinking. Lot deserves the punishment because he rebelled against Abraham, his uncle, and chose to live in Sodom and Gomorrah.”

The Lord then leaned toward them and spoke firmly, yet softly. “Lot found grace in my eyes.”

“Like Noah?”

“Yes, like Noah.”

“We’re on our way.”

Outside the gates, Gabriel whispered to Michael, “I’m afraid I don’t understand that much about grace. Maybe we’ll learn more about it some day.”

The mission did not transpire without a hitch. They arrived at Sodom at sundown and met Lot in the gates. The wickedness of the city was so great that the angels smote the men with blindness. Although they tried to rescue more of Lot’s family, it was no use. The next morning, they had to physically drag Lot, his wife and his two daughters out of the city. “This is the mercy of the Lord that we’re doing this,” Gabriel explained to them.At a safe distance away, they heard the explosions. An unbelievable firestorm fell on the cities, annihilating them in complete destruction. They felt the heat on their backs. Lot and his daughters never looked back. His wife, however, her heart having become deeply rooted in Sodom, turned around to lament her loss. Instantly, she became a pillar of salt.

3

Before the throne, Gabriel and Michael gave an account of their mission. “We tried to save more, but they mocked us. And we regret what happened to Lot’s wife.”

The Lord spoke. “Those who accept my mercy will be saved. Those who reject it choose their own fate. Well done.”

Later, the two angels were joined by the other archangels and shared with them the details of their mission. Raphael spoke up. “Sodom and Gomorrah? They were blights on God’s creation. This is what I cannot understand about the news we were talking about earlier. Lucifer has so corrupted man that he is hopelessly lost in sin.”

“Lucifer!” cried Jophiel. “I shudder even at the mention of his name. I would never have imagined the depth of his rebellion against God. He has made it the whole purpose of his existence! He must be stopped.”

“In due time, Jophiel,” said Gabriel. “Our Master has a plan.”

“I have never seen the expression on the face of our Lord Most High as I did when he sent us to Sodom and Gomorrah,” said Michael. “He said, ‘Lot found grace in my eyes’ so passionately that it made my heart leap.”

“I can’t help it. I side with Jophiel on this,” said Chamuel. “This is a holy place and the Lord is holy to the utmost. I know he created man, but man fell from grace. How can our Lord Most High permit damaged goods to enter here?”

Gabriel smiled. “That’s the purpose of the news.”

“What? To bring man to heaven? No way!”

“Eventually. But, first, my brother archangel,” Gabriel’s eyes sparkled and he spoke dramatically, “heaven is going down to man!”

An inquisitive look came over Raguel. “Well, we know that there is going to be a baby born in Bethlehem. The way I understand it, somehow the Lord Most High is going to manifest himself…in…human flesh…and…I still cannot bring myself to imagine it.”

“Imagine what?” asked Michael. “That God would become man?”

“Yes! That’s precisely it! How could God who is infinitely greater than us so abase himself to become lower than us? How can God become man and still be God? It is totally unthinkable!”

Uriel broke his silence. “But even before we consider that, how is it even possible? God and man? Why, they are total opposites. They can never go together. It’s like fire and water, or darkness and light!”

“Uriel! I am surprised at you. Surely you remember that God plans to reverse the biological clock on Abraham and Sarah and give them their infant son, Isaac? Will that not be a miracle?”

Uriel rubbed his chin. “Well, I suppose so. Plus, I’m the one scheduled to grab Abraham’s hand before he plunges the knife into Isaac’s heart. Still…”

“Uriel, what do you believe about God? Do you believe that he is omnipotent? Omniscient? Infinite? Perfect? Absolute in all his attributes?”

“Of course, I believe that. And much more besides.”

“Well, what about his grace and mercy?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you believe they are infinite as well?”

“Absolutely! But so is his righteousness!”

“So, then. Do we have a problem?”

Uriel thought about his next statement. “We have a problem, but our Lord Most High is also the greatest problem-solver of all time and eternity. He will find a way.”

“Right,” said Gabriel. “He will find a way. Do not doubt. After all, if he did not possess some mysterious qualities about him, he wouldn’t be God, would he?”

“In the meantime,” said Michael, “we have work to do!”

Some worker angels had to build a ladder that reached from earth to heaven so that a few thousand more angels could be orchestrated to ascend and descend on it. There was a burning bush to prepare, a pillar of fire to ignite, a pillar of cloud to put together, guidance angels to lead Israel, and then an angel to deal with that crazy prophet named Balaam. On and on the assignments went. Gideon’s call, Samson’s mother, Elijah’s meal, thousands of angels had to be outfitted with chariots in array against the enemies of Israel, plus so many more things on God’s agenda.

4

The centuries slipped by.

The angels were so busy that they didn’t notice the changes that were taking place on earth. But the infinite mind of God saw every detail. He took note of the Pax Romana of the Roman Empire where, under the reign of Caesar Augustus, the world was absent of any major wars. He saw Rome’s currency, the danarius, become standard, the Greek language spread across the empire so that it was either spoken or understood by everyone. He saw the vast transportation system build by Roman engineers that enabled travel across the known world. The fullness of time was rapidly approaching.

One day, the archangels were gathered around the city gates telling of their escapades and haggling over their viewpoints when the familiar voice thundered out.

“Gabriel!”

The others gave him quizzical looks. “Do you think it’s about the news?”

“Be patient,” Gabriel cautioned them. “I’ll let you know. I always do.”

With that, he left. As he entered the throne room, Gabriel sensed something different. The choir was more beautiful. The seraphs cried with greater expression. The brilliance of the throne seemed bathed in brighter rays than ever before. Somehow, Gabriel knew that the moment of destiny had arrived, and he felt thrilled that he was going to have a part to play in it.

“Yes, Lord Most High?”

“The time has come.”

“I am here to do your bidding.”

“Listen carefully. There is a maiden, a virgin by the name of Mary, who lives in a city of Galilee called Nazareth. She is a specially prepared vessel for me, but she has no knowledge of what is about to happen to her. You are going to inform her of her role”

“If I may ask, Lord Most High, what will she do?”

“She is going to be the mother of a special baby, the Christ child. Come closer. Here is the plan.”

Barely able to contain his excitement, the Great I Am, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, The Lord of Hosts, the Almighty, shared with his archangel the drama of redemption that was about to unfold.

“And, Gabriel. Not a word to your brethren. There will be time.”

“Yes, my Lord Most High. Not a word.”

On his way out, Gabriel avoided the inquiring glances of the other angels. He would explain later.

Years later, Luke penned these words, according to the New Living text:

“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

The months passed. Heaven buzzed with excitement, now fully apprised of the plans of God. Some of the archangels wished for different circumstances of birth, like an ivory palace with marble columns, and furniture made of gold. At the very least, they thought the innkeeper could have given them a room. But, they tried to understand the purpose of Bethlehem and the incarnation. The Lord Most High always knew best.

Peering from behind clouds, the angels watched the caravan slowly make its way from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary held tightly to the beast of burden with one hand and to her swollen stomach with the other. An encourager angel ran up to Gabriel to voice his concern. “Mary is in so much pain. Can’t we go down and ease the journey for her on the back of that donkey?”

Gabriel shook his head. “This is the way it has to be. He told me it had to be an authentic experience in every possible way.”

“But he didn’t have to become human to know what it was like to be human, did he?”

Gabriel’s eyes burned holes in the angel’s heart. “This is only his birth. You have much more to see than this. It is not for the faint of heart. Now, make sure the choir is ready for the shepherds.”

“Yes, Sir.”

5

Gabriel had a greater concern. He had to grow accustomed to the fact that the headquarters of the Godhead had changed. He knew that the substance of the divine nature was eternal and that God was everywhere present at the same time, but as far back as he could remember, heaven had been his throne and earth his footstool. Now, something profoundly different had taken place and he wasn’t quite sure how to deal with it. His thoughts ran wild. “Who will be in charge of heaven? Will we be able to see him? Will we recognize him in human form?” Immediately, he felt foolish. “His manifestation may change, but he will always be the same.”

“Oh, Mary, Mary”, he breathed to himself. “Do you have any idea who is growing in your womb? The one I call the Lord Most High is about to be your infant son.”

For those used to the time table of eternity, events happened fast. Arrive in Bethlehem. Search for a room. Settle down in an animal stable.

And then, the greatest moment in both human and divine history happened in the most unlikely of places, to the most unlikely of people.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

“You deserved so much more,” Gabriel thought as he sped toward the fields where the shepherds watched their flocks by night. He saw them gathered together, warding off the evening chill. “I hope these poor shepherds will recognize the significance of what has happened tonight.”

“Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

Gabriel looked around for the angelic chorus. Right on cue. Never had he heard them sound more…well, angelic… than this holy night.

“Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.”

Then, as quickly as they came, the heavenly host vanished from the sky. The shepherds looked stunned. Out of their sight, Gabriel waited to see what would happen. He listened intently as they talked it over.

“Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.

Gabriel smiled contentedly. Mission accomplished. Oh, yes, there was more to do. They had a star to attend to, a security guard to detach to protect the Oriental magi, and the odious King Herod to deal with. Michael would take care of those details. Gabriel had one more specific thing to confirm.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

“YES!” Gabriel exclaimed as he took to the wind. “They got the name right!”

6

Thirty three and a half years passed.

It was a strange time for the angels. Not only did they take their orders from the One High and Lifted Up, they ministered to him because of his human frailty. On the pinnacle of the temple, forty days of fasting and temptations by Satan left him weakened. Besides that, the routine tasks of angels, like missions and messages and humans to care for, kept them busy. But the archangels knew that a greater mission lay ahead. They also knew that, although they could help, this mission belonged to the Lord Most High alone. Often, they remonstrated with him, telling him that they would be willing to give themselves freely for him. To no avail. He and he alone was qualified to perform the mission. Bethlehem was the beginning. Now the end was in sight. To this end was he born.

Daniel, the prophet, had warned them that the Messiah would be cut off, but not for himself. It was a mission of grace. The time was nigh at hand.

The week of destiny began in Gethsemane. “How quickly these humans age!” the ministering angels thought as they drew close to the human form of Jesus. Under the severe strain of intercessory prayer, he grew weak again, sweating what seemed like great drops of blood. The angels rushed to his side and strengthened him. Now, refreshed and fully committed to his mission, he roused his disciples from their sleep and told them that the one who would betray him was near.

The words were barely out of his mouth when Judas (the one from the Twelve) showed up, and with him a gang from the high priests and religious leaders brandishing swords and clubs. The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: “The one I kiss, that’s the one—seize him.” He went straight to Jesus, greeted him, “How are you, Rabbi?” and kissed him.

Jesus said, “Friend, why this charade?”

Then they came on him—grabbed him and roughed him up. One of those with Jesus pulled his sword and, taking a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant, cut off his ear.

Michael and Gabriel, their muscles tensed and ready, drew their own swords, awaiting only the command of the Lord Most High.

Jesus said, “Put your sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords. Don’t you realize that I am able right now to call to my Father, and twelve companies—more, if I want them—of fighting angels would be here, battle-ready?

The angels anticipated their chance to wage a long-awaited warfare. “Yes! Here we are, Master! Bid us come and fight!”

Jesus ignored them. “But if I did that, how would the Scriptures come true that say this is the way it has to be?”

The angels quietly, and with great reluctance, sheathed their swords. They fought off a sense of shame that they had failed the Lord Most High. All they could do was watch.

They watched the arrest and mock trials.

They watched the mob slap him and spit on him.

They watched the soldiers scourge him with bullwhips.

They watched him stumble and fall beneath the load of the cross.

They cringed as spikes were pounded deep into his hands and feet.

They looked on in horror as this beaten, bloodied body, chosen by the Lord Most High, drew its last breath and died.

Furious over his treatment, thousands of angels grabbed the earth and shook it. Two of them took hold of the top of the veil in the temple and tore it in two. Pandemonium reigned over the city.

And then, muted screams, mournful wails, and silence.

Afterwards, the priests and religious hierarchy gloated in their deviousness, Roman troops high-fived each other, and average citizens went about their business oblivious to the event of the ages. For the disciples, numbness and disbelief fell over them like a funeral shroud.

But the angels were just about to get busy again.

7

Early Sunday morning, before the sun chased the darkness from the sky, and before the women’s footsteps were heard on the path to the sepulcher, Gabriel and Michael sprang into action. Like lightening, they descended from heaven, causing the earth to quake once again. They proceeded to roll back the stone that secured the entrance to the tomb and weighed hundreds of pounds as though it were cheap plaster. The armed guards shook with fear and passed out at the sight. Gabriel then spoke to the women.

“Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. ⁶ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ⁷ And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”

Days later, his earthly mission in the flesh now over, the Lord Most High stood at Bethany, surrounded, not by angels but by human believers. Up until this moment, he stood as a promise. Now, he glowed with the joy of a promise fulfilled. He spoke forcefully to the audience. “As it was written, I was sent to suffer for your sakes and to die. But I was also destined to triumph over death so that you could repent and your sins could be remitted. All of you saw these things happen. Now, go back to Jerusalem and wait for my Spirit to come and dwell in you.”

When he finished with these last words, he lifted up his hands and disappeared in a cloud into the heavens. The band of disciples stayed where they were, staring in wonderment at the sight, trying to absorb what they had just seen and heard. The Lord Most High had instructed Gabriel and Michael on their response. Their white robes glistening, they spoke to the people.

“You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left.”

And so, the church age was born. The angels were busier than ever, freeing the preachers from prison, guiding evangelists like Philip to hungry hearts, appearing in dreams and visions to give instructions, sending the judgment of God upon the enemies of the church, confirming the call of God to the Apostles, and rejoicing over every sinner who repented. They became totally engrossed in ministering to the needs of believers, the people who now bore the title of The Redeemed.

Two millenniums passed by.

8

The familiar voice rang out again. “Archangels!”

The seven leaders of the angelic hosts immediately appeared before the Lord Most High. “Yes, our Lord?”

“Have all preparations been made?”

“All is ready, Lord Most High.”

“The white robes?”

“Yes.”

“The crowns?”

“Yes.”

“The banquet hall?”

“Yes.”

“The feast?”

“Yes.”

“The twenty-four seats for the Elders?”

“Yes.”

“The books?”

“Yes.”

“And…what about the trumpet? Is it ready, Gabriel?”

“Cleaned, polished and ready to go, my Lord Most High.”

“Well, put that trumpet to your lips and blow, Gabriel! It is time for the church, my Bride, to come home!”

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Heaven vibrated with joy and excitement as the marriage supper of the Lamb took place. Much more would happen before the ceaseless ages of eternity began to roll. Jacob’s trouble—or the great tribulation—was ahead, with the vials, trumpets and seals dispensing worldwide judgment and calamities upon unbelievers. The thousand years of peace with Jesus reigning as the Prince of Peace was on schedule. And then, at long last, Lucifer, the son of the morning, with all of his minions, would be cast forever into the bottomless pit. God’s loyal angels had looked forward to this day since the beginning of time.

9

When all of God’s plans had unfolded, he called his faithful angels around him.

“Have I been good to you?” he asked.

“Why, Lord Most High! Of course! There was never a question…”

“Have I revealed all my plans to you?”

“Yes, Lord Most High. You have entrusted us with all of your secrets.”

“I just wanted to be sure, because now, I must ask you to step aside.”

“Step aside?” The archangels were dumfounded.

“We don’t understand, our Lord. We continue to be loyal to you.”

“I know. I created you to be loyal. I created you to serve me, to praise me, to do my bidding. I never had to save you. I never had to die for you. I never had to cleanse you. You have always been pure and free from sin.

“But these…” He pointed to the thousands of believers who filled the streets of glory. “These are my redeemed. I loved them so much that I took upon the form of a man like them. I became a servant. I suffered and died in the most painful and dishonorable way possible. I died as the sinless for the sinful, as the innocent for the guilty, as the perfect Lamb of God to buy back what Satan stole from me.”

“You have read what John wrote in his prophecies.

“And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God.”

“The people John saw and heard were not angels. They were the redeemed. The prodigals. The ones I brought back from death and hell. You angels were never in danger of hell fire. These people, these souls, were saved out of the fire, purchased by my blood!

“So, now, the songs of the redeemed will be the choir of heaven! When they had no glorified bodies, when they suffered temptations and trials and persecutions and attacks, they loved me. They loved me out of choice, not design.

“And so, the epoch of grace, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, the very purpose for which I designed my glory from the beginning has been fulfilled!”

“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. ⁹ And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; ¹⁰ And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”