Topical Bible: Glorifying God: The Angels

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◄ Glorifying God: The Angels ►

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In the biblical narrative, angels are depicted as celestial beings created by God to serve Him and fulfill His divine purposes. One of their primary roles is to glorify God, a theme that is woven throughout the Scriptures. The angels' glorification of God is expressed through their worship, obedience, and proclamation of His majesty and holiness.

Worship and Praise

Angels are often portrayed as worshippers of God, continually exalting His name and declaring His glory. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet describes a vision of the seraphim, a type of angelic being, who stand above the throne of God, calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth" (Isaiah 6:3). This thrice-repeated declaration of God's holiness underscores the reverence and awe with which the angels regard their Creator.

Similarly, in the book of Revelation, John the Apostle records a vision of heavenly worship, where countless angels encircle the throne and the living creatures, proclaiming with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" (Revelation 5:12). This scene highlights the angels' role in glorifying God through their adoration of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, acknowledging His redemptive work and divine authority.

Obedience and Service

Angels glorify God not only through worship but also through their unwavering obedience to His commands. They are depicted as messengers and servants who carry out God's will with precision and dedication. In the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel is sent by God to deliver the message of the forthcoming birth of Jesus to Mary, demonstrating the angels' role in God's redemptive plan (Luke 1:26-38).

Moreover, angels are often involved in executing God's judgments and providing protection to His people, as seen in the account of the angel of the LORD striking down the Assyrian army to deliver Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35). Through their actions, angels manifest God's power and justice, thereby bringing glory to His name.

Proclamation of God's Glory

Angels also glorify God by proclaiming His glory and announcing significant events in salvation history. At the birth of Jesus, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared to the shepherds, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!" (Luke 2:14). This angelic proclamation heralds the incarnation of Christ, emphasizing the glory of God revealed in the coming of the Savior.

Furthermore, angels are involved in the eschatological events described in the book of Revelation, where they announce the final triumph of God's kingdom and the ultimate glorification of His name (Revelation 11:15). Their proclamations serve to affirm God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His divine purposes.

In summary, the angels' glorification of God is a multifaceted expression of worship, obedience, and proclamation. Through their actions and declarations, they reflect the majesty and holiness of God, serving as a testament to His eternal glory.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Primitive Church.
... of the governor did but make him glad to be so near glorifying God by his death ... Christ,
by Whom we have received the grace to know Thee; God of angels and of ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxiv the primitive church.htm

Shepherds and Angels
... And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all ... The central portion
of this passage is, of course, the angels' message and song, the former ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/shepherds and angels.htm

The Angels and the Shepherds.
... And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds
said ... And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the angels and the shepherds.htm

Man's Chief End
... singer of Israel, and his praising God was called glorifying God. ... When we praise
God, we spread his fame and ... In this manner the angels glorify him; they are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 mans chief end.htm

Whether those Miracles were Fitting which Christ Worked in ...
... of no miracles worked by Christ in the good angels. ... healed by Christ, "feared, and
glorified God that gave ... demons have no part in glorifying God; since "praise ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether those miracles were fitting.htm

The Birth of Jesus Proclaimed by Angels to the Shepherds.
... an excuse for neglecting their humble duties], glorifying [because of ... which had been
revealed] and praising God [because of ... of or described by the angels a few ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xi the birth of jesus.htm

Proofs of the Foregoing, Drawn from the Gospels of Mark and Luke.
... Wherefore he adds: "The shepherds returned, glorifying God for all ... shepherds did
not glorify another god, but Him ... of all things, whom also the angels glorified ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x proofs of the foregoing.htm

God Showed Himself, by the Fall of Man, as Patient, Benign ...
... and that he might always continue glorifying God, and giving ... by ourselves, but by
the help of God, we must ... nor [one] without flesh"for the angels are without ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xx god showed himself by.htm

Why is it that Our Lord Has Tarried Till Now? Why Has not the ...
... they been used with the purpose of glorifying God or of ... everlasting fire prepared
for the devil and his angels"? ... Because the Lord God is longsuffering to usward ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 why is it that.htm

Unto You a Saviour
... And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God.". Heaven and earth are
no wider apart today than when shepherds listened to the angels' song. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 4 unto you a.htm