Angels Amazed at God’s Plan to Save Humanity

The plan by which alone humanity’s salvation could be secured involved all heaven in its infinite sacrifice. The angels could not rejoice as Christ opened before them the plan of redemption, for they saw that salvation of the human race must cost their loved Commander unutterable woe. In grief and wonder they listened to His words as He told them how He must descend from heaven’s purity and peace, its joy and glory and immortal life, and come in contact with the degradation of earth, to endure its sorrow, shame, and death.

He was to stand between the sinner and the penalty of sin; yet few would receive Him as the Son of God. He would leave His high position as the Majesty of heaven, appear upon the earth and humble Himself as a man, and by His own experience become acquainted with the sorrows and temptations that humans would have to endure. All this would be necessary in order that He might be able to succor them that should be tempted.

When His mission as a teacher should be ended, He must be delivered into the hands of wicked men and be subjected to every insult and torture that Satan could inspire them to inflict. He must die the cruelest of deaths, lifted up between the heavens and the earth as a guilty sinner. He must pass long hours of agony so terrible that angels could not look upon it but would veil their faces from the sight. He must endure anguish of soul, the hiding of His Father’s face, while the guilt of transgression—the weight of the sins of the whole world—should be upon Him.

The angels prostrated themselves at the feet of their Commander and offered to become a sacrifice for lost humans. But an angel’s life could not pay the debt; only He who created them had power to redeem them. Yet the angels were to have a part to act in the plan of redemption. Christ was to be made “a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.” As He should take human nature upon Him, His strength would not be equal to theirs, and they were to minister to Him, to strengthen and soothe Him under His sufferings. They were also to be ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who should be heirs of salvation. They would guard the subjects of grace from the power of evil angels and from the darkness constantly thrown around them by Satan….

Christ assured the angels that by His death He would ransom many, and would destroy him who had the power of death.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 64, 65.
Christ Triumphant p. 31
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Eileen as her lip swells every time she goes out in the cold. Thankfully it doesn’t get that cold that often but is supposed to be in the twenties and thirties for the next week. Pray that the doctor will figure out what to do to help her. Rose
—-Prayers for my dear little girl. Not quite little shes 21. Tried to commit suicide today. Her name is Miranda. Heather
—-Would like prayers for husband Jerry. He just had total knee replacement. Day 2 lots of pain hard to get around. Muria
—-One friend just got results from a biopsy. Diagnosis: cancer
Her mother had a biopsy too. Not results yet for her but Dr. said doesn’t look good. Prayers appreciated. Debra
—-Please pray for my friend Isabelle who is dying of cancer. She has a great faith in Jesus.
For Matt who also dying of cancer. He has not accepted Jesus yet.
Phyllis and Sheri who are both Christians battling cancer.
Leon who is in hospital after serious car accident.
My friend’s mother Phyllis who is seriously ill with infection(s) and hospital. She is a Christian. And my friend’s father in law who I don’t believe he is a Christian who is dying of cancer.
My friend Cynthia’s puppy Pippy who has gone missing in New Mexico. It is very cold and snowy. Karen
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Dear Friends,

This winter has been a little colder than normal. We have had a little snow a few times and some very cold days. Most winters, it is in the 40’s or 50’s during the daytime.

Whenever the forecast is for ice or snow, I think of one January about twenty years ago when a terrible ice storm hit this area. Many tree branches snapped off and fell onto power lines causing them to snap. Thousands of homes were left in darkness. We were only without power for thirteen hours, but there were others who had no electricity for nearly two weeks. (During those thirteen hours I felt like I was going to freeze to death, but thankfully, we survived better than many.) Only a few homes had any heat source. Even the simplest activities became a challenge. Having the comforts of life is something everyone takes for granted, and only when we are without them do we realize how blessed we are to have them.

Because of sin, this world is spiritually dark and cold. It has no light of itself, no warmth. We cannot see our way. We grope about trying to live our life but fail miserably. We are in need of light and love and comfort and strength to endure but the things of this world cannot supply our need.

Praise God! There is Someone Who can supply all of our needs! Seeing our condition, His great heart of love broke for us. He does not leave us in the cold and darkness but laid down His Life that we might be delivered from the cold and darkness of sin. With lovingkindness He calls us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.” Matt 11:28-30; John 8:12;12:35,36 Life’s greatest blessing is to have the Light of the World dwelling within us. Only then can we see the way clearly. Only then can we find true comfort, true happiness, true peace in our heart.

We must never take His light for granted but cherish that Light lest it depart from us. We must not selfishly hoard the Light to ourselves but must reflect that light to others. Jesus tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16

Each day we meet those who feel the chill of sin and are in great darkness. Each day we come in contact with someone who needs the light that only we can impart. Yet, how often we hold it to ourselves and refuse to let it shine out from us to them, and they are left in their cold and dark condition. They are left to grope about, ever seeking for that which we could have given to them. How our Dear Saviour weeps when we are ashamed to tell others of His love. He warns us, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father” Mat. 10:32,33 Solemn words!

Just as our Great Example said, ” I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4; so we must work now while there is still time to bring others to Him. Soon our Great High Priest will stand up and make that fearful proclamation, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev 22:11 When that proclamation is made, it will be too late to come to the Light, too late to share Him with others.

May we be ready to hear our Dear Saviour proclaim those solemn words. May we, at every opportunity, spread His love and light to others that they too may be ready for that great day. May we soon worship together before the throne of our Great Redeemer is my prayer.

Rose