Unlearn a Naturalistic Worldview, Part 4

Why Talk About Angels?

This is the fourth and final excerpt looking at the presence of angels in our lives. You might prefer to read parts 1, 2 and 3, before concluding with this one.

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Why does it matter if we hold on to a naturalistic worldview in which angels have no role? Does it make any difference?

Indeed, it does.

Angels lift our eyes from a broken, threatening, dangerous and seemingly chaotic world, to a universe in which we know we are never alone. We serve a supernatural God who offers supernatural protection. Most often when angels appear, the first thing they say is “Fear not!” They see what we don’t, like when Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened and he saw the hillside filled with “chariots of fire,” angels ready to go to war on Elisha’s behalf.

After many conferences and not a few sermons, I’ll often hear people say to me, “I’m going to pray for you because Satan hates what you’re doing.” I am grateful for these prayers and don’t want one of them to stop. But I can also find confidence in the fact that for every demon Satan sends my way, God has a dozen angels to protect me.

Fear keeps our eyes on the enemy; faith keeps our eyes on our Friend, the God of the universe and His friends, the angels.

A naturalistic worldview keeps us focused on the threat. An angelic, supernatural worldview keeps us focused on our protection. Those who think often of demons play defense. Those who think often of angels go on offense.

More than 250 times in the Bible, God is called “The Lord of Hosts.” Two-hundred fifty times! In biblical parlance, “The Lord of Hosts” could be translated as “commander of armies,” making God the God of “angel armies.” Through his revealed word, God wants us to envision, again and again and again—250 times!—that when we serve Him and when we need Him, he has the largest army ever amassed to fight on our behalf.