Angels Show Us Who To Worship

Angels Show Us Who To Worship

God’s Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is far greater than their names. When he presented his honored Son to the world, God said, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” –Hebrews 1:4, 6

I can’t claim to have ever seen an angel, but from reading Scripture, I know angels must be awesome. They are described as gleaming and bright—perhaps reflecting some of the brilliance of God’s glory. Often their first words to those they visit are “Don’t be afraid,” so there must be something about them that is startling and intimidating. Holy angels in Scripture are so bright and beautiful that humans are tempted to worship them. At least the apostle John was. Late in his life, while in exile on the island of Patmos, he was given the vision recorded in the book of Revelation, a vision filled with angels. At one point, John bowed down to worship an angel, but the angel promptly rebuked him, saying, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this scroll. Worship God!” (Revelation 22:9).

Perhaps that is one reason we can’t see angels—so we are not so tempted to worship them. It is God who is worthy of our worship, and that is why angels always point us toward him. Psalm 89:7 says, “The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than those who surround his throne.” The angels look around the landscape of heaven and see nothing and no one that remotely approaches the awesomeness and beauty of God. Angels help us to lift our eyes from this troubled and temporal earth, always drawing our gaze to the Lord, not to themselves. They help us say with the psalmist, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25, NIV).

In a culture that considers talking about Jesus a bit pushy and worshiping him a bit extreme, an interest in angels is acceptable and even fashionable. Angels seem like a safe form of spirituality. People who want a spiritual placebo are quick to bring their search for God to a dead end and search instead for angels. But what a tragedy if we worship the created instead of worshiping the Creator. Don’t settle for the sentimental and shallow spirituality of angel worship and miss the glory of God.

Jesus, King of angels, you are the light and joy of heaven, and I have no desire to worship any other. With the angels, I will worship you forever!

DIGGING DEEPER