Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
Seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels and angels surround the throne of the Ancient One in heaven.
The Ancient One is the one enthroned upon the cherubim (see Ezekiel 10:1), with seraphim standing above him calling to one another saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts" (see Isaiah 6:3).
These divine beings are the ones through him God exercises his power. The Devil is defeated by the Blood of the Lamb. It is that same divine power by which Michael himself casts the dragon from heaven. The protection of Michael continues to make God's people victorious when they avail themselves of the Blood of the Lamb through their testimony. This was foreshadowed in Egypt when the blood of the lamb turned away the angel of death from the homes of the Israelites.
God makes use of angel armies, not because he needs them, but because through them he makes his glory manifest. The angels and their power reveal something of the one from whom they have that power. This is why we should not simply ignore them and focus on God alone.
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
Jesus himself is central. He is the bridge between heaven and earth. But he still tells Nathanael that angels have a continuing role to play, though he himself is now the focal point of that ministry.
"It was, as it were, saying, that He was Lord of the Angels; for He must be the King’s own Son, on whom the servants of the King descended and ascended; descended at His crucifixion, ascended at His resurrection and ascension. Angels too before this came and ministered unto Him, and angels brought the glad tidings of His birth."
- Saint Augustine
God wants to manifest his victory over the devil not only in the angels and archangels but also in our own lives. He even gives the angels, though they are by nature higher than ourselves, to defend and aid us. He wants us to join them around his throne in singing his holiness. They can help us to do this by raising us up to God in exaltation and contemplation. They can help us return with gifts to share for others.
"They ascend through contemplation, just as Paul had ascended even to the third heaven (2 Cor 12:2); and they descend by instructing their neighbor."
- St. Thomas Aquinas
The archangels whom we celebrate today were not just interesting characters in salvation history who are no longer relevant to us. They can still convey messages, healing, and indeed victory, if we turn to them.
In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Saint Raphael, Saint Michael, and Saint Gabriel, pray for us!
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