| Too often, we rush and we fail to slow down and consider the common sense of a Bible passage -in context. Like a learner in a reading class, let's break down a passage to see if we can comprehend it better.  | Luke 2:13f (NASB) 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying, Some Questions:
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Let's Think:
There are some things to notice in these two verses. A single angel announced the arrival of the Savior - a baby lying in a manger - but now, an "army of angels" joins in. We don't often read about a large group of angels visiting humanity on earth, so this occasion must be something different, something larger than usual.
Is this a group of militant angels? Quite possibly so, in the sense that they are warriors in battle for the salvation of souls. The large group must impress upon the shepherds that they have been drafted onto the battlefield, as well. the message being delivered is one they intend for the shepherds to join in spreading. Otherwise, they might have confined their praise to the boundaries of Heaven. Why else would they collectively appear to these men of the field?
While the angel in the first verses of the chapter addresses the shepherds, this group speaks to the Almighty. They bring a message of praise to God through their acknowledgement of His glory, and they ask Him to apply His glory to making peace on earth for a specific group. Presumably, that group includes these shepherds, but in broader terms, the specific group the angels pray for is a group that includes people with who God is pleased. It's important to note that God is not pleased with every person, and that this calling for a blessing of God's glory does not include all of humanity. That being said, the blessing is offered to all of humanity, and God's glory is attainable by every individual living. Our question then necessarily becomes: "How do I please God and receive His great blessings?"
There are some things to notice in these two verses. A single angel announced the arrival of the Savior - a baby lying in a manger - but now, an "army of angels" joins in. We don't often read about a large group of angels visiting humanity on earth, so this occasion must be something different, something larger than usual.
Is this a group of militant angels? Quite possibly so, in the sense that they are warriors in battle for the salvation of souls. The large group must impress upon the shepherds that they have been drafted onto the battlefield, as well. the message being delivered is one they intend for the shepherds to join in spreading. Otherwise, they might have confined their praise to the boundaries of Heaven. Why else would they collectively appear to these men of the field?
While the angel in the first verses of the chapter addresses the shepherds, this group speaks to the Almighty. They bring a message of praise to God through their acknowledgement of His glory, and they ask Him to apply His glory to making peace on earth for a specific group. Presumably, that group includes these shepherds, but in broader terms, the specific group the angels pray for is a group that includes people with who God is pleased. It's important to note that God is not pleased with every person, and that this calling for a blessing of God's glory does not include all of humanity. That being said, the blessing is offered to all of humanity, and God's glory is attainable by every individual living. Our question then necessarily becomes: "How do I please God and receive His great blessings?"
