The Angel of The Lord (Under the Fig Tree Part 53)

Authentic Christians are called to do mission in the world. In doing so, they engage in spiritual warfare, since they proclaim Christ and his salvation, and the evil one opposes this. As such they are called to become warriors of the Kingdom. More specifically, as they are called to be holy as Christ is holy, and they carry out a holy crusade, they become holy warriors.      Given that the forces of evil are entrenched in the world, and that the evil one is powerful, with only God more powerful than he is, God’s holy warriors, if left on their own, would be easy prey for him. As such, they are to rely not on their own strength and resources, but on God Himself, who sends forth His Holy Spirit into their lives.     But not only that, those in God’s Army have a host of angels to assist and fight for them. Angels are God’s powerful creation, and the demons of the evil one are themselves fallen angels. We do not see angels, as they are pure spirit (though at times taking physical form). But they are there. Persons themselves have their guardian angels, assigned to each one by God to protect and guide them. In the Bible where God assures His people of His security and protection, we read: “For he commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go.” (Ps 91:11). This is important for holy warriors, as they can then “tread upon the asp and the viper, trample to lion and the dragon.” (Ps 91:13).     We see in the Bible how powerful these angels work. Here are some examples.

     The first is about what happened even before the creation of the world and of mankind. It was when some of the angels created by God rebelled. They were led by Lucifer, who was one of the greatest angels, but who then wanted to become god himself. Another angel, Michael, stood in God’s defense. “Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back” (Rev 12:7). It was an epic monumental battle, angels against angels. Lucifer lost, and was thrown out of heaven. He became “the Devil and Satan” (Rev 12:9b).     But that was not the end for Satan, who continues with his nefarious work, this time against the people of God on earth. He has gone off “to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus.” (Rev.12:17b). The “her” is Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The “rest of her offspring” are God’s people. Those who “keep God’s commandments” are those who are holy. Those who “bear witness to Jesus” are those who proclaim Christ and are God’s holy warriors.     As such, God’s holy warriors, as they heed and live out their calling, get embroiled in intense spiritual war. They face a powerful enemy, who has recruited most earthly powers. Thus it is so comforting that we have a host of angels with us in this fight. And we have a vision of victory at the end of time, with the return of Jesus. “The armies of heaven followed him, mounted on white horses and wearing clean white linen.” (Rev 19:14). “Him” is Jesus, who is the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Rev 19:16b). The angels form the armies of heaven, and clean white linen manifests their holiness.

     In the Old Testament, we have a second astonishing incident. The Assyrian king Sennacherib had attacked “all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.” (Is 36:1). Then he sent a great army to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem to demand his surrender. God’s people were terrified as they faced defeat by a powerful invading army. Hezekiah implored God for help. The prophet Isaiah assured him that God had listened, and would shield and save the city. But how?      This is when the miracle happened. “Then the angel of the Lord went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp.” (Is 37:36a). Just like that. 185,000 enemy soldiers struck dead in just one night! “Early the next morning, there they were, all those corpses, dead!” (Is 37:36b). Sennacherib broke camp and returned home.

       From certain defeat to victory! From fear and terror to rejoicing! And that was the act of just one angel!

     In the New Testament, we have the story of the apostles being jailed by the religious authorities. They were placed in the inner dungeon, the jail securely locked, with guards stationed outside the doors. “But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out” (Acts 5:19). When the Sanhedrin the next day sent for them to be brought before it, they were gone! The jail was still locked and the guards at their stations, but the apostles were not there!     The same thing happened with Peter. King Herod put him in prison, with a guard of four squads of four soldiers each (Acts 12:4). One night, as he was secured by double chains and sleeping between two soldiers, with door guards keeping watch, “suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him” (Acts 12:7a). Told to get up, the chains fell from his wrists, and he followed the angel pass the first guard, then the second, and through the iron gate that opened by itself. When all woke the next day, Peter was gone.     Herod had learned the lesson of the apostles who mysteriously disappeared from jail. So with Peter, the guards were not just outside the doors, but sleeping with him one on each side! And he was chained to the floor. There were 14 guards in all, just to secure one man, at close quarters. Yet an angel of the Lord did it again!     The apostles were all holy warriors. They were witnesses of Christ (Acts 5:32a). Despite persecution, they obeyed God rather than men (Acts 5:29). When flogged, they rejoiced in being found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name (Acts 5:41). And “they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.” (Acts 5:42).     

     There are other Biblical citations about the angel of the Lord. In relation specifically to spiritual war, here are some:

• An angel of the Lord with drawn sword in hand appeared to Joshua, telling him, “I am the commander of the army of the Lord” (Jos 5:14a), prior to the fall of Jericho.

• An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, assuring him of victory over the Midianites, saying to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior!” (Jgs 6:12).

• An angel of the Lord struck down Herod (Acts 12:23), who had beenpersecuting the Christians.

     So we are called to be God’s holy warriors, in the Army of Jesus and Mary. We know that God is with us, and that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. But know further that legions of angels are at work. They themselves are directly engaged in the spiritual war. They defend, guard, support and empower us. They fight our battles.       Onward, Christian soldiers. Forward, holy warriors. Ho-wa!!

SALVE REGINA.