Fellow Citizens

Read: Revelation 5

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. Revelation 5:11

IN WORD

We are not alone in this Kingdom. We see a range of living creatures on earth, none with the capabilities of human beings. But realms unseen to us are full of ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14), living creatures around the throne (Ezekiel 1:5-14; Revelation 4:6) and likely many other places, and worshiping angels who constantly shout God’s praises (Isaiah 6:3). There are also fallen spirits that torment human beings and are tormented themselves (Mark 1:23-27). There are realms we don’t see, and the universe is filled with beings we don’t see. According to Scripture, we are clearly not alone.

Though we typically can’t see into angelic realms—although many have gotten glimpses at times—the spirits who serve God are extremely relevant to us. We benefit from their work; they express the hand of God and carry out His will in our lives (Psalm 103:20-21). In some yet-unknown way, we will have a role in judging spirits (1 Corinthians 6:3). And we will join the multitudes around the throne to worship with them. There are many fellow citizens of the Kingdom who play a vital role in our journey.

IN DEED

Though the angelic realm is largely a mystery to us, it is more relevant than most Christians think. We don’t pray to angels or worship them, of course, but they implement answers to our prayers and worship with us. That means that if you feel lonely or isolated in your prayers, worship, or work, the feeling is an illusion. If you think you are powerless in your words or actions, your thoughts are deceiving you. You are not a one-dimensional creature, and you were never intended to live that way. Your feet are planted both in heaven and on earth, in this realm and the spiritual realm, and you are much more effective when you live with that perspective. You are accompanied by a multitude of fellow worshipers.

ADDITIONAL READING: Hebrews 1:14

Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth unseen, both when we wake and when we sleep.

JOHN MILTON