May 19: Recording Angels
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
“…do not rejoice…that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
Luke 10:20, along with other verses*, indicates that there are recording angels. This record-keeping is one of precision and completeness. When the accuser stands before God with his accusations against God’s elect, God will say, “Oh, yes! Here it is. Confessed and forgiven!” Not a single detail will be in error, and this will mean total security, regardless of all accusations, for every one whose name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
The angels are witnesses to all that we say and do. But what about the dying man who cannot speak? Perhaps he has lived a rebellious and unrepentant life, but now—in his heart—he confesses to the Lord his great need, along with his desire to be transformed into the character of a heavenly citizen. In such a case, the Lord who is perfectly able to see the motive of the heart (1 Samuel 16:7, Hebrews 4:13-14), will instruct a recording angel to write his name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. It is interesting to ponder the expression on the angel’s face who witnessed the man’s life. Nevertheless, he responds, “OK… I will write it.”
The omniscience of Almighty God assures that when Jesus returns to gather His elect, it will be clear to the angels who’s who. Jesus said, “the reapers are the angels” (Matthew 13:39) and they will gather His elect from all over the world (Matthew 24:31, Mark 13:27). He said of His return: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12) All cases will have been decided before Jesus comes.
Like the repentant thief next to Him on the cross, He knows when someone’s heart is in full agreement with His. His people will be law-abiding citizens of heaven. He who is able to cleanse from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) will separate our sins from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).
For I will be merciful…and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Hebrews 8:12
*Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:16-17