What DO Angels Do?

Sunday’s sermon had me asking that question.  We were reading in 1 Peter and after the salutation, I thought about the ending of this verse:

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12 KJV)

The angels desired to look into the gospel? Apparently they had no prior information about this mystery:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8 KJV)

“Had they known,” they would not have crucified Christ. God did not share His plan, though some portions of it were given to His prophets.

Instead, the ‘princes of this world’ stirred up the people, excited to stop God’s plan. They did not want His preaching to continue, telling people that God loved them, that He was reaching out to each and every one, “whosoever.” Once the man was dead, the message was dead, too. That’s the way it would work, right?

This is different. The man died, and the message multiplied exponentially. Can you then imagine the angels desiring to look into this mystery? And, we ignore it.

Although bits and pieces were written, glimpses given to God’s prophets, until the Resurrection, they were all incomplete.  Even with Christ’s discussions with his disciples, they were almost destroyed when the princes of this world accomplished their purpose. The son of God was dead. Then, He wasn’t. The Comforter was given. What was written was revealed:

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 KJV)

The ‘deep things of God’ have been revealed to us. And, we ignore it. We have been given what angels cannot have. And, we ignore it.

Oh, some might attend a church service or two, every once in a while. Maybe attend most Sunday mornings.  Some might even add a lesson or two during Sunday school. Few return on Wednesday night.

Perhaps, eventually, they will give thanks for His unspeakable gift every single day.  They’ll seek opportunities to be with Him, learning at His feet.

Then they’ll do what the angels do, worship and praise Him:

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:2-3 KJV)