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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMartin Luther Collection: Luther, Martin - Table Talks: 26. Of Angels
TOPIC: Luther, Martin - Table Talks (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 26. Of Angels
Other Subjects in this Topic:
OF ANGELS.
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DLXV.
An angel is a spiritual creature created by God without a body, for the
service of Christendom and of the church.
DLXVI.
The acknowledgment of angels is needful in the church. Therefore godly
preachers should teach them logically. First, they should show what angels
are, namely, spiritual creatures without bodies. Secondly, what manner of
spirits they are, namely, good spirits and not evil; and here evil spirits
must also be spoken of, not created evil by God, but made so by their
rebellion against God, and their consequent fall; this hatred began in
Paradise, and will continue and remain against Christ and his church to the
world's end. Thirdly, they must speak touching their function, which, as the
epistle to the Hebrews (chap. i. v. 14) shows, is to present a mirror of
humility to godly Christians, in that such pure and perfect creatures as the
angels do minister unto us, poor and wretched people, in household and
temporal policy, and in religion. They are our true and trusty servants,
performing offices and works that one poor miserable mendicant would be
ashamed to do for another. In this sort ought we to teach with care, method,
and attention, touching the sweet and loving angels. Whoso speaks of them
not in the order prescribed by logic, may speak of many irrelevant things,
but little or nothing to edification.
DLXVII.
The angels are near to us, to those creatures whom by God's command
they are to preserve, to the end we receive no hurt of the devil, though,
withal, they behold God's face, and stand before him. Therefore when the
devil intends to hurt us, then the loving holy angels resist and drive him
away; for the angels have long arms, and although they stand before the face
and in the presence of God and his son Christ, yet they are hard by and
about us in those affairs, which by God we are commanded to take in hand.
The devil is also near and about us, incessantly tracking our steps, in
order to deprive us of our lives, our saving health, and salvation. But the
holy angels defend us from him, insomuch that he is not able to work us such
mischief as willingly he would.
DLXVIII.
It were not good for us to know how earnestly the holy angels strive
for us against the devil, or how hard a combat it is. If we could see for
how many angels one devil makes work, we should be in despair. Therefore the
Holy Scriptures refers to them in few words: "He hath given his angels
charge over thee," etc. Also, "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about
those that fear him," etc. Now, whosoever thou art, that fearest the Lord,
be of good courage, take thou no care, neither be faint-hearted, nor make
any doubt of the angels watching and protection; for most certainly they are
about thee, and carry thee upon their hands. How or in what manner it is
done, take thou no heed. God says it, therefore it is most sure and certain.
DLXIX.
I believe that the angels are all up in arms, are putting on their
harness, and girding their swords about them. For the last judgment draws
nigh, and the angels prepare themselves for the combat, and to strike down
Turk and pope into the bottomless pit.