Angelic Studies
Charles H. Spurgeon
Ephesians 3:10
The "principalities and powers in heavenly places" to whom the apostle here refers, are, no doubt, the angels. These bright and glorious spirits, never having fallen into sin, did not need to be redeemed, and therefore, in the sense of being cleansed from guilt, they have no share in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Yet it is interesting to notice how our Lord did as it were pass and repass their shining ranks when He sped His way down to the regions of death and when He came back triumphant to the realms of glory. Thus in one place "we see Jesus made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death," and in another place we learn, "that the Father raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power, and might and dominion." It is possible that the mediation of Christ has a bearing upon them and has henceforth confirmed them in their holiness, so that by no means shall they ever be tempted or led into sin in the future. It may be so, but this much seems to be evident, that though they had no direct share in redemption, they feel nevertheless an interest in it and are to be instructed by its results. The sublime plan of the Gospel of the grace of God, which is so entirely beyond the compass of our natural faculties that we could never by searching have found it out, appears to have been equally beyond the grasp of angelic intelligence-a mystery that excited their wistful inquiry-until by the church (that is to say, by the divine counsel and conduct in forming and perfecting the church) there is made known to them the manifold wisdom of God as they have never learned it before. They have kept their first estate and have been obedient to God's behests. They delight to be known as the servants of God, doing His commandments and hearkening to the voice of His word.
They are appointed to exercise some sort of power over various parts of ...
Charles H. Spurgeon
Ephesians 3:10
The "principalities and powers in heavenly places" to whom the apostle here refers, are, no doubt, the angels. These bright and glorious spirits, never having fallen into sin, did not need to be redeemed, and therefore, in the sense of being cleansed from guilt, they have no share in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Yet it is interesting to notice how our Lord did as it were pass and repass their shining ranks when He sped His way down to the regions of death and when He came back triumphant to the realms of glory. Thus in one place "we see Jesus made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death," and in another place we learn, "that the Father raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power, and might and dominion." It is possible that the mediation of Christ has a bearing upon them and has henceforth confirmed them in their holiness, so that by no means shall they ever be tempted or led into sin in the future. It may be so, but this much seems to be evident, that though they had no direct share in redemption, they feel nevertheless an interest in it and are to be instructed by its results. The sublime plan of the Gospel of the grace of God, which is so entirely beyond the compass of our natural faculties that we could never by searching have found it out, appears to have been equally beyond the grasp of angelic intelligence-a mystery that excited their wistful inquiry-until by the church (that is to say, by the divine counsel and conduct in forming and perfecting the church) there is made known to them the manifold wisdom of God as they have never learned it before. They have kept their first estate and have been obedient to God's behests. They delight to be known as the servants of God, doing His commandments and hearkening to the voice of His word.
They are appointed to exercise some sort of power over various parts of ...
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