Strange Sights for Angels to See
By W. A. S.
A LITTLE verse from the German says:— “The angels from their home on high
Look down on us with wondering eye,
That where we are but passing guests
We build our strong and solid nests,
But where we seek to dwell for aye,
We scarce take heed a stone to lay.” The angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel, and explained to him the meaning of a prophetic vision, over five hundred years before Christ. Just before John the Baptist was born, he also appeared to Zacharias, saying, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God.” The angel had seen kingdoms rise and fall, and men devoting their efforts to this or that fond plan, had perished, and had been forgotten by those who followed them. And all the time God was carrying out his purposes, and seeking to save those who, here and there, were willing to make him first in their thoughts. But most of the human family have chosen the things which they could hold but for a little time. And now, to this day, the same sight must meet the angels of heaven. Not Gabriel alone, but “all” the angels are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Heb. 1:14. They see the world hastening on to the day of God, for the most part careless of eternal interests. Dreams of empire and colonial expansion, and the struggle for place and power and for necessary food and raiment take up the thoughts of men. How strange must the sight be to the angels, even after these thousands of years, to see the human family chasing after the unabiding things of earth, and giving little or no thought to eternal realities. Those realities are not vague and undefined to the angels, who see God's face in the courts of heaven. Yet they see men making choices continually — taking practical common-sense views of life, men call it — which show that the darkened minds of men weigh things of this life against all the kingdom of heaven. And now, while God’s church on earth is commissioned to carry the final message of Rev. 14:6–12 to all the world, the angels are our helpers. The whole work is represented by an angel flying in the midst of heaven; carrying the gospel to every nation and tongue. All heaven is astir now, and the angel messengers are going to and fro from God’s throne in heaven to this perishing world. Never was there such activity, we know; for the time of the final conflict has come. Even Satan engages with greater wrath than ever, knowing that he has but a short time. Now, while Christ’s ministry in the sanctuary above is drawing to its close, shall not all heaven see a people humbling their hearts before God, putting away sin, and partaking of the energy of heaven in going forth to bear this glorious message to the world? “The coming of Christ to this world will not be long delayed. Let this be the keynote of every message.”