Revelation 12:7-12; John 1:47-51
The Reverend Paul DeLain Allick, St. George’s Episcopal Church, September 29, 2009

As I walked into Macy’s last weekend, I was bombarded with angels. There were rows and stacks of them with the Christmas Trees. I thought, “Man, angels are popular.” Yet, I always wonder if people really believe in angels. And I wonder if folks know the actual traditional teachings about angels. If we did, I’m not sure that they would always be portrayed as so sweet, soft and warm.

The idea of angels is found in all of the three religions founded upon Father Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Tonight, of course, I will speak to the Christian tradition.

First, angels are not humans. We often hear of someone who has died, “She’s a little angel now.” No, angels are separate created beings. They were created before humanity. In Psalm 8 we pray, referring to humans, “You have made them a little lower than angels.” Angels can take human form but are not necessarily humanlike.

Tradition teaches us from Holy Scripture that there are nine choirs of angels. We sang about them in our hymn “Ye watchers and ye holy ones.” They are: seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, virtues, archangels and angels. Seraphim are the fiery serpent like angels. Cherubim are the ones that transport the Lord; He rides and rests upon them. The Ark of the Covenant and the  gate of the Garden of Eden are guarded by them.

Angels are warriors and messengers. St. Michael leads the War in Heaven casting down satan and his minions who are also angels who like us have free will. They decided to try to take God’s place. They are cast down among us. As we read at Compline (Night Prayer) from the 1st Epistle of St. Peter, “Be sober, we watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.” (5:8-9)

The angels lead the liturgy in heaven; always worshipping God  serving at His true altar. They will appear with Christ as he

returns. We will see the heavens opened and the angels ascending and descending all around the Son of Man.

What does all of this tradition matter? Isn’t it a bit primitive or medieval? Do we really believe in angels, saints, satin, and demons?

What is easier to say, “St. Michael and an army of angels threw the angel Lucifer and his co-conspirators out of heaven and down among us. They roam around waiting to devour us but if we call on the protection of the angels we will receive the wisdom and strength to defy them.” or to say “There is and was a War in Heaven between good and bad just like there is a war inside of me, and around me. Its as if a power roams around us and within us tempting us to live a life of retaliation and reactivity instead of peace and wisdom. But when I call upon God for help some power of peace and wisdom seems to help me keep sane.” Which is easier to say and believe?

We live as in a battle. We struggle with physical problems. We struggle to be good to each other. We struggle with that accuser in our minds telling us that we aren’t whole and good. We’ve done wrong and can never find forgiveness. When we find ourselves losing the battle it turns into emotional violence wherein we try to control and dominate one another. Wherein we stop trusting God and trust only ourselves. Doing exactly what Lucifer did in putting himself above God.

Tonight we gather to remember two important things for our spiritual lives. First to be clear-headed and attentive because the powers of destruction and selfishness prowl around us like a lion waiting to devour us with negativity and the need to have things our way. We resist this beast by staying firm in our faith in constructive behavior and selflessness. Second we remember that we are not alone in our battles. God sends us help from heaven and from earth. There are myriads of Watcher and Holy Ones praying with us and for us. They are next to us in the pew on earth and all around us in the spirit world. They defend us and helps us to understand the mystery of God in Christ.