The Angels of the Churches                  Revelation 1:20

 

In Revelation 1:20, and in chapters two and three, the faithful pastors of local churches are called “angels,” because faithful men, gifted and called of God to the work of the ministry are God’s messengers to his people. Not all pastors are designated “angels;” but all who are truly God’s messengers to the souls of men are to be esteemed as such. Why? Because God has ordained the salvation of his elect by the hearing of the gospel (Rom. 1:16-17; 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21-24; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23-25).

 

Proper Esteem

Let no one despise or lightly esteem the ministry of the Word. Rather, we should highly esteem those men who faithfully preach the gospel for their work's sake as the angels of God to our souls (1 Thess. 5:12-13). As the Galatians received Paul as an angel of God to their souls (Gal. 4:14), so all faithful gospel preachers are to be received by those whose souls they serve. This esteem is due them as God's messengers, because God's servants are placed as pastors in his churches to instruct them, admonish them, and lead them in the way of faith and righteousness. Paul's admonition to the saints at Thessalonica to esteem God's servants very highly was enforced by the fact that the unity, peace, and usefulness of every local church greatly depends upon it.

 

Necessary Work

The ministry of the Word is not an optional addition to, but an essential part of the believer's life. Gospel preachers are essential to both the salvation of chosen, redeemed sinners and the edification of his church (Eph. 4:11-16). People often say, “I follow the Lord. I will not follow a man.” Certainly, there is a sense in which this is right. Every man is responsible for his own soul. Each one must search the Scriptures, and make certain that the preachers he hears are true to the Word of God. God’s servants are not inspired, infallible instructors to be blindly followed, or priests to whom we trust our souls. Yet, if anyone follows Christ, he must hear, heed, obey, and follow those men who are the angels of God to their souls (Heb. 13:7, 17).

 

Living Creatures

These faithful men are portrayed as “ beasts” (living creatures) before the throne of God (Rev. 4:6-11). By the gifts and grace of God the Holy Spirit, they are bold as lions, strong as oxen, compassionate as men, and soar to heaven like eagles, seeking a word from God for the souls of men. Like the seraphs described in Isaiah 6, the are humble, conscious of their unworthiness, but swift to do the will and work of God to which they are called. With their eyes always fixed on the blood of the Lamb, they ever set forth the glorious holiness of God. By the unction of God’s Spirit, when God speaks by his servants to the hearts of chosen sinners, they expose the sins of men and bring the gospel like live coals from off the altar, and proclaim to all who believe, “Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin is purged!” Gospel preachers, the angels of God to the souls of men, lead sinners in the worship of God, giving “glory and honor and thanks to him sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever.” Blessed are those people to whom God has sent a faithful man, as an angel of God, to minister to their souls.