Lord’s Day, Vol. 13 No. 29
The Witness of Angels and Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
Angels are powerful spirit beings created by the LORD attested in Scripture as a fact – Psalm 148:2 (KJV) Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. … 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. Also, in Colossians 1:16 (KJV) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
When were the angels created? When God created the heaven, He created the angelic beings! Genesis 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Exodus 20:11 (KJV) For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is [including angels], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
When the earth was shaped and formed and inhabited, the angels in heaven rejoiced – Job 38:6-7 (KJV) Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Angels worshipped the LORD God in heaven – Nehemiah 9:6 (KJV) Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that istherein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
Their number, Scripture reveals are innumerable and inconceivable. The greatest number was described to be 10,000 x 10,000 = 100,000,000 in Daniel 7:10 (KJV) A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Luke 2:10-13 recorded that an angel sent by the Lord appeared to the shepherds in the field by night announcing the birth of the Saviour with a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.
Angels are intelligent, personal beings with perception (Matt. 18:10 – …That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven), speech (John 20:13 – appearing to Mary Magdelene after Christ’s resurrection) and curiosity (the gospel … things the angels desire to look into), worshipping and praising God (Psalm 148:2).
It was an angel sent by God to first preached the gospel – Luke 2:10-12 (KJV) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
It will also be angel sent by God to declare the gospel for the last time during the Great Tribulation – Revelation 14:6-7 (KJV) And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
The call of the angel to the world was to fear God and give glory to Him, humble themselves, come to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ and worship their Creator God!
It was the angel Gabriel, the name means “Strong man of God”, who announced to Mary in 4 B.C. that the Holy Child Jesus who is the Christ is conceived in her womb of the Holy Spirit – Luke 1:26-27 (KJV) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And earlier to Zecharias in Luke 1:19 (KJV) And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Indeed, elect angels (1 Tim. 5:21) are ministering spirits sent to aid man to do the will of God at the command of God – Hebrews 1:14 (KJV) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? This is well attested in Psalm 103:20-21 (KJV) Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. These elect angels are contrasted with fallen angels called “the devil and his angels” in Matt. 25:41 that God will judge.
The first recipients of the gospel within Israel were shepherds keeping watch of their sheep by night. They heartily received the Lord Jesus with joy and transmitted the message with zeal and great joy, glorifying and praising God – Luke 2:16 – 17, 20 (KJV) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. … 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
These first preachers of the gospel who pointed men to Jesus Christ for salvation were Jewish shepherds, chosen of God to carry the gospel faithfully. The shepherds, being shepherds, understood best the role of Christ, the Great Shepherd of the sheep (Heb. 3:20), the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep – John 10:11 (KJV) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
The shepherd’s care for the sheep mirrors Christ’s complete and comprehensive care for His people, coming personally on earth, entering human history, to save lost sinners – Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
These shepherds became the Lord’s appointed shepherds to gather the lost sheep of Israel setting the example for Gentile evangelism in the church age in obedience to Christ’s Commission. Amen.
The 7am Service
Thank God for His grace in assembling His people both physically and on-line for this early morning hour of worship every Tuesday and Friday from July – October 2025. On Friday, 18 July 2025, was the 138th meeting and the 6th meeting since 1 July 2025 and 30thmeeting for this year.
Recorded services and messages are available on the church’s page on Sermon Audio, YouTube and Facebook.
Praise God! Pray for His church to persevere as we see the day of Christ’s fast approaching. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee