imagine for a moment witnessing the most dramatic moment in all of universe history i'm not talking about a Hollywood movie or an epic novel i'm talking about the day when the very son of God died hanging on a Roman cross but here comes the question that keeps me awake at night what were the angels doing while all this was happening did they just stand there watching did they cry did they want to intervene this story will impact you look before getting into the drama of the crucifixion we need to understand who these beings we're talking about are angels aren't those little babies with wings we see on Christmas cards not at all the Bible presents angels as powerful intelligent beings completely loyal to God in Hebrews 1:14 it tells us they are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation they're like the most faithful employees you can imagine but with supernatural power when the prophet Isaiah had his vision in the temple he describes the seraraphim with six wings each shouting "Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts so loud that the temple columns shook." Isaiah 6:es 2 and 3 give us this impressive image these beings have been worshiping God since before the creation of the world the book of Job tells us that when God created the earth all the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy job 38:7 the angels were the VIP spectators of creation but here comes something important that many don't understand angels although powerful don't know everything 1 Peter 1:12 tells us there are things which angels desire to look into they also have curiosity they also learn new things throughout human history angels have witnessed incredible moments they saw when Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden they were present when Noah built the ark they accompanied Abraham on his journeys they protected Daniel in the lion's den but nothing absolutely nothing had prepared them for what they were about to witness for thousands of years they had worshiped the son of God in heaven they knew him as the eternal word as the creator of all things john 1:3 confirms that all things were made through him imagine the shock they must have felt when they saw this same divine being become a baby in Bethlehem the angels who announced his birth couldn't contain their excitement luke 2 tells us that there appeared a multitude of the heavenly host singing glory to God for 33 years they observed how the son of God lived as a human they saw him grow learn to walk work as a carpenter they accompanied him during his ministry witnessed the miracles heard the parables but now something was approaching that no angel had ever experienced the son of God was going to die and not just any death but the most humiliating and painful one that existed at that time roman crucifixion the angels knew something great was about to happen daniel 9:26 had prophesied about the Messiah who would be cut off isaiah 53 had painted the picture of the suffering servant but one thing is reading about something and quite another is seeing it happen live the tension in heaven must have been palpable the beings who had worshiped the son for eternity were about to see him suffer in a way that defied all divine logic gethsemane the first crack in heaven gethsemane that name in Aramaic means oil press how appropriate because it was there where Jesus was literally pressed by the weight of all humanity's sin luke 22:44 gives us an image that breaks my heart and being in agony he prayed more earnestly then his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground medically this is called hematadrosis and it occurs when someone is under such extreme stress that the capillaries break and blood mixes with sweat but here's the detail that fascinates me luke verse 43 says "Then an angel appeared to him from heaven strengthening him one angel singular." Can you imagine the scene thousands perhaps millions of angels wanted to come down to comfort their Lord but only one received the order it must have been the most difficult moment in angelic history seeing the being they had worshiped for eternity suffering in a way they couldn't completely understand imagine you're the father of a child and you see him suffering your natural instinct is to run to help him hug him take away the pain now multiply that feeling by eternity and you'll have an idea of what the angels felt but something deeper was happening the angel who was sent didn't come to take Jesus out of the situation he came to strengthen him so he could continue what a contradictory moment celestial beings strengthening the Almighty so he could continue suffering throughout their existence angels had known God as the omnipotent the one who can do everything revelation 4:8 shows us the living beings crying day and night "Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty." But now they saw this same God sweating blood from agony what did they think when they heard Jesus pray "My father if it is possible let this cup pass from me." Matthew 26:39 surely some angels thought "Yes let the cup pass we can destroy all who want to harm him." But then they heard the following words nevertheless not as I will but as you will and there they understood they were witnessing something that transcended their understanding it wasn't just a demonstration of power but of love in its purest form angels had seen God's power in creation they had witnessed his justice in the flood they had observed his mercy with Israel again and again but this was different this was sacrificial love taken to the maximum extreme the angel who was with Jesus in Gethsemane surely returned to heaven with a report that left all his companions in silence the son is willing to continue he knows what's coming and yet he's going to proceed i think about that moment when Jesus got up from prayer and walked toward where his disciples were sleeping the angels knew that every step he took was one step closer to the cross every breath was one more closer to the moment when he would stop breathing and then the soldiers came with Judas the kiss of betrayal peter drawing his sword and cutting off Malchus's ear and Jesus's words that must have resonated throughout all heaven do you think that I cannot now pray to my father and he will provide me with more than 12 legions of angels matthew 26:53 12 legions a Roman legion had between 5,000 and 6,000 soldiers jesus was talking about more than 70,000 angels ready to fight michael the Archangel probably had everyone in combat position waiting for the order but the order never came the silence of heaven how then could the scriptures be fulfilled that it must happen thus matthew 26 54 with these words Jesus sealed the destiny of the angels who wanted to rescue him it wasn't that they couldn't act it was that they shouldn't act imagine the celestial frustration they had the power to stop all this in a second but they had strict orders not to intervene it's like watching your child being mistreated and having your hands tied because you know that if you intervene you'd ruin a bigger plan angels understood obedience their entire existence had been one of perfect submission to God's will but this defied everything they knew about protecting God's children for centuries they had protected prophets fought spiritual battles shut lion's mouths in Daniel chapter 6 when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den an angel shut the mouths of the beasts all night in Acts 5 an angel opened the prison doors to free the apostles in Acts 12 an angel woke Peter and got him out of prison past all the guards but now when the very son of God was being arrested unjustly tried and led to the cross they had orders to do nothing heaven's silence must have been deafening i think about the angels observing the trial before Pilate seeing how the religious leaders shouted "Crucify him crucify him!" When Pilate asked what to do with Jesus Luke 23 21 the same leaders who were supposed to recognize the Messiah were demanding his death what did they feel when they saw Jesus being scourged roman soldiers were experts in torture the flagrum they used had pieces of bone and metal that tore flesh with each blow isaiah 53:5 had prophesied "Crushed for our iniquities the chastisement for our peace was upon him and by his stripes we are healed." Angels knew that prophecy but seeing it fulfilled must have been heartbreaking every lash was for humanity's sins every drop of blood was the price of redemption and they could do nothing but watch when they put the crown of thorns on him when they mocked him saying "Hail King of the Jews." When they spat on him and beat him the angels knew they were seeing the true king of the universe being humiliated by his own creatures matthew 27 29 tells us they put a reed in his right hand as a mock scepter the irony was crushing he who had all power in heaven and earth held a brittle reed while his creatures mocked him the most difficult moment must have been when he carried the cross through the viaarosa john 19 says that bearing his cross he went out to a place called the place of a skull every step was agony every breath a superhuman effort angels had seen that wood before they knew it had grown as an ordinary tree not knowing that one day it would carry the savior of the world what a paradox the creator of the tree being led to die on it simon ofSirene was forced to help carry the cross when Jesus could no longer do it luke 23 26 the angels who had carried God's messages throughout all history couldn't carry this cross they had to see a human do it and throughout this entire journey the father's orders were clear watch but don't intervene this must happen exactly as it is written it was the most perfect and most painful plan at the same time the crucifixion when heaven wept Mount Calvary Golgtha in Aramaic the place of the skull what a fitting name for the place where life was going to die angels had seen many crucifixions before rome used this method to execute criminals and rebels but this one was different this time the one who was going to be crucified was the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world when the soldiers stretched Jesus on the cross and took the nails all heaven must have held its breath john 20 25 mentions the marks of the nails in his hands but forensic science tells us the nails were probably placed in the wrists where there are strong bones that can support the body's weight imagine the sound of the hammer hitting the nails every blow resonating not only at Calvary but throughout the entire universe angels who had heard heavenly symphonies for eternity now heard the cries of agony from the son of God psalm 22 which is prophetic about the crucifixion says in verse 16 "They pierced my hands and my feet." David wrote this a thousand years before it happened but the angels were seeing the literal fulfillment of those words when they raised the cross and placed it in position luke 23:34 records Jesus's first words "Father forgive them for they do not know what they do." Can you imagine the impact of these words on the angels there was the son of God with nails piercing his extremities blood running down his body struggling for every breath and his first concern was to pray for forgiveness for those who were killing him angels knew God's justice but this was mercy on a level they had never witnessed the soldiers cast lots for his garments fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22:8 while they divided Jesus's few earthly possessions the angels knew he owned the entire universe the irony was devastating the mockery continued "he saved others himself he cannot save," shouted the chief priests according to Matthew 27:42 angels knew he could save himself one word from him and celestial legions would have descended to rescue him but there was something the mockers didn't understand and that the angels were beginning to comprehend jesus wasn't saving himself precisely because he was saving others it was a conscious choice between his life and ours between the 3rd and 6th hour 9 in the morning and noon the angels observed every moment of agony breathing became increasingly difficult in crucifixion the victim dies by asphyxiation to breathe he had to push himself up with his nailed feet causing himself more pain the two thieves crucified beside him also suffered but one of them recognized who Jesus was luke 23:42 "Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom." And Jesus's response "Assuredly I say to you today you will be with me in paradise." Angels had just witnessed the fastest salvation in history a thief in his last moments of life recognizing Jesus and receiving the promise of paradise it was a demonstration of the transforming power of the cross happening in real time mary Jesus's mother was at the foot of the cross along with John the beloved disciple john 19 26 records Jesus's words to his mother woman behold your son and to John behold your mother even in his agony he was concerned about his earthly mother's well-being the angels who had announced Jesus's birth to Mary 33 years earlier now saw her suffer as only a mother can suffer when watching her son die it was the fulfillment of Simeon's prophecy and a sword will pierce through your own soul also luke 2:35 but the most difficult part was yet to come the darkness when God turned his face away the sixth hour noon the moment when the sun should be at its highest and brightest point but something supernatural was happening matthew 27:45 now from the 6th hour until the 9th hour there was darkness over all the land for 3 hours from noon to 3:00 in the afternoon a darkness that wasn't normal covered the entire region it wasn't a solar eclipse passover always fell on a full moon when a solar eclipse is impossible this was direct divine intervention angels understood what was happening the father was turning his face away from the sun because he was bearing the sin of all humanity 2 Corinthians 5 21 explains it for he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him during those three hours of darkness something was happening between the Father and the Son that not even angels could completely understand it was as if all communication between heaven and earth had been cut off the silence must have been terrifying angels had witnessed the perfect communion between the father and the son for all eternity they had never seen a separation between them john 1 verse 1 says that in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God this perfect unity was now being broken by human sin and then near the 9th hour 3:00 in the afternoon came the cry that must have shaken the entire universe matthew 27 verse 46 and about the 9th hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying Eli Eli Lama Sabakthani that is my God my God why have you forsaken me these words were from Psalm 22:1 david had written them as prophecy but Jesus was living them in his own flesh it was the cry of someone who had never experienced separation from God and was now feeling it for the first time angels who had worshiped the son for eternity now heard him asking why the father had abandoned him it was the most confusing and heartbreaking moment in all celestial history how could God abandon God but in that cry was the answer to the most important question in human history how far will God go to save us the answer was even to experiencing the eternal separation we deserved for our sins angels understood justice they knew sin deserves death romans 6 23 for the wages of sin is death but now they were seeing mercy in action the innocent dying for the guilty near the end John 19 28 records that Jesus said "I thirst." It was real physical thirst after hours of blood loss and dehydration but it was also symbolic he who had offered living water to the Samaritan woman now thirsted they gave him vinegar in a sponge put on hissip it was an acidic drink that soldiers used to alleviate thirst jesus tasted it to fulfill scripture but also to show he was truly human the final moments were arriving john 19:30 so when Jesus had received the sour wine he said "It is finished." And bowing his head he gave up his spirit it is finished in Greek tetalisti it was a word used in commerce when a debt had been paid completely angels immediately understood humanity's sin debt had been paid in full luke 23:46 adds the final words "Father into your hands I commit my spirit." The communion between Father and Son had been restored the work of salvation was complete and then the Son of God died at the exact moment Jesus gave up his spirit all nature responded as if it had lost its creator matthew 27 51- 53 give us an impressive list of what happened then behold the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom and the earth quaked and the rocks were split and the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised angels were witnessing events that transcended the laws of physics but for them it made perfect sense the creator of the universe had just died and all creation was responding to that loss the temple veil was a massive curtain that separated the holy place from the holy of holies according to historians it measured approximately 18 m high 9 m wide and was so thick it was impossible to tear by hand but it tore by itself from top to bottom angels understood the symbolism for 1500 years that veil had symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and only once a year on the day of atonement but now with Jesus's death the way to God was open for everyone hebrews 10 19 and 20 explain it therefore brethren having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he consecrated for us through the veil that is his flesh the earthquake that followed wasn't a common natural phenomenon angels knew it was a direct response from the father to his son's death the rocks that split fulfilled ancient prophecies about the day of the Lord but the most impressive thing was the resurrection of many saints who had died imagine the scene tombs opening by themselves bodies that had been dead for years rising with new life it was like a preview of the general resurrection that would come in the future these resurrected saints later went to Jerusalem and appeared to many according to verse 53 angels must have served as guides for these newly resurrected ones helping them understand what had happened and why they had returned to life the Roman centurion who had been in charge of the crucifixion had a reaction that must have filled the angels with joy matthew 27:54 so when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that had happened they feared greatly saying "Truly this was the Son of God." A Roman soldier accustomed to crucifixions and death recognizing Jesus's divinity after seeing how he died and the signs that followed angels had seen the power of the cross to transform hearts in real time meanwhile the religious leaders who had demanded Jesus's death were in panic the supernatural signs couldn't be denied some must have remembered Jesus's words when he told them to destroy the temple and he would raise it in 3 days john 2:1 19 joseph of Arythea a secret member of the council who had followed Jesus privately finally showed courage mark 15:43 says that Joseph of Arythea a prominent council member who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God coming and taking courage went into Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus angels observed while Joseph and Nicodemus prepared Jesus's body for burial john 19:39 mentions that Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrr and alows about a 100 pounds it was an enormous amount of aromatic spices appropriate for burying a king they wrapped him in linen cloths with the spices according to the Jewish custom of burial john 19 40 it was the same process that had been used to bury the kings of Israel for centuries the tomb was new carved in rock in a garden near Calvary john 19:41 joseph had prepared it for himself but God had other plans the King of Kings would be buried in a rich man's tomb fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9 they placed a large stone at the entrance of the tomb matthew 27:60 it was a stone so heavy that normally several men were needed to move it and there lay the body of the son of God silent motionless dead but the angels knew something no one else knew this was not the end of the story the silent Saturday saturday was the strangest day in all universe history the son of God was dead his body lay in a cold tomb and heaven had kept silent since Friday afternoon angels had seen death before they had accompanied the souls of the righteous to paradise for thousands of years but they had never seen the author of life die it was like seeing the sun go out or seeing gravity stop working during this time something extraordinary was happening that not even angels could see completely 1 Peter 3:1 19 says that Jesus went and preached to the spirits in prison jesus's spirit was active even while his body rested in the tomb the religious leaders meanwhile were nervous they remembered that Jesus had said he would rise on the third day matthew 27 62-66 tell us they went to Pilate asking him to seal the tomb and put a guard sir we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said "After 3 days I will rise." They told Pilate what irony jesus's enemies remembered his promises better than his own disciples pilate granted them what they asked they put official seals on the stone and placed a Roman guard it was an elite guard trained so that nothing and no one would pass the punishment for falling asleep on guard was death angels observed these human precautions with a mixture of sadness and amusement men thought they could keep the Lord of life locked in a tomb with stones seals and soldiers the disciples for their part were devastated all their hope had died with Jesus on the cross luke 24 21 records the words of the disciples on the road to Emmas but we were hoping that it was he who was going to redeem Israel peter who had denied Jesus three times must have been consumed by guilt the other disciples had hidden in fear only John had been at the crucifixion and the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee these brave women had observed where they buried Jesus mark 15:47 and Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph observed where he was laid they were planning to return after the Sabbath to properly anoint the body throughout Saturday while humans mourned or worried angels waited they knew something was going to happen but not exactly when or how the Father had kept some details even from the angels it must have been the longest Saturday in heaven's history the beings who had worshiped the sun for eternity now waited in silence celestial music had probably stopped allelujah had ceased but they also knew the silence wouldn't last forever jesus himself had given too many promises about his resurrection for this to be the end john 2 19 destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up john 10:18 no one takes it from me but I lay it down of myself i have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again angels remembered each one of these promises and they knew the son well enough to know he had never spoken a word he wouldn't fulfill while earth slept in the early morning of Sunday heaven prepared for the most glorious event in all history death had had its moment now it was life's turn the resurrection when heaven exploded with joy very early on the first day of the week before the sun came up something began to move in heaven angels who had waited in silence for a day and a half received direct orders from the Father it was time matthew 28:2 gives us the report from the earthly perspective and behold there was a great earthquake for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it but from the celestial perspective it was much more than that it was the most glorious mobilization in all angelic history after a day and a half of orders not to intervene they could finally act the angel who descended wasn't just any angel his description in verse three is impressive his countenance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow he was a being of indescribable power and glory but there's something important many don't understand the angel didn't come to resurrect Jesus when he arrived Jesus had already risen the angel came to remove the stone and announce what had already happened jesus's resurrection was a direct act of divine power romans 1:4 says he was declared to be the son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead no angel had to help with that when the angel removed the stone that probably weighed a ton and sat on it as if it were a little stool he was making a statement the stone hadn't been there to keep Jesus in but to keep others out until it was the right time the Roman guards those elite soldiers trained to fear nothing were like dead men from terror verse four and the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men men who had faced gladiators and enemy armies couldn't bear the angelic presence while this was happening the women who had followed Jesus were on their way to the tomb mark 16:es 1 and 2 now when the Sabbath was passed Mary Magdalene Mary the mother of James and Salomi bought spices that they might come and anoint him very early in the morning on the first day of the week they came to the tomb when the sun had risen during the journey they wondered who would remove the stone for them mark 16:3 and they said among themselves "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" It was a legitimate practical concern those stones were immense but when they arrived they found something they never expected the stone had already been removed and inside the tomb there were angels waiting for them luke 24:4 And it happened as they were greatly perplexed about this that behold two men stood by them in shining garments john 20:12 adds that Mary Magdalene saw two angels in white sitting one at the head and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain the angels had a message they had been waiting to give for a day and a half he is not here for he is risen as he said come see the place where the Lord lay matthew 28 verse 6 these words must have filled all heaven with joy finally they could proclaim victory death had been conquered sin had been defeated the work of salvation was complete but the angelic message didn't end there they also had specific instructions and go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead and indeed he is going before you into Galilee there you will see him behold I have told you verse 7 angels became the first evangelists of the resurrection their job now was to make sure the news reached everyone who needed to hear it the women ran out with fear and great joy to announce the news but their first audiences didn't believe them luke 24 11 and their words seemed to them like idle tales and they did not believe them angels observed while the most important news in history was initially received with skepticism but they knew that soon we would have irrefutable proof the risen Lord was about to appear the appearances 40 days of proof for 40 days after the resurrection angels witnessed something they had never seen before the son of God walking on earth with a resurrected and glorified body jesus's appearances were strategically planned to eliminate all doubt about his resurrection first he appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden john 20 11 to18 she thought he was the gardener until he pronounced her name mary angels observed how a single word transformed the deepest pain into the greatest joy mary ran to announce "I have seen the Lord." Zenaia and the angels knew it was just the beginning of many similar testimonies then he appeared to the other women returning from the tomb matthew 28:es 9 and 10 his greeting was simple rejoice but the impact was revolutionary these women became the first official ambassadors of the resurrection that same afternoon Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmas luke 24:es 13-35 for 7 miles he walked with them explaining all the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of him angels must have enjoyed that Bible class seeing Jesus himself explaining how all scripture pointed to him ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory verse 26 when they reached Emmas and Jesus broke bread the disciples eyes were opened and they recognized him but immediately he vanished from their sight angels understood that Jesus now had a glorified body that wasn't limited by normal physical laws the two disciples immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell the 11 what they had seen but while they were talking Jesus himself appeared in the midst of the group luke 24 36 now as they said these things Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and said to them "Peace to you." The initial reaction was terror they thought it was a ghost but Jesus showed them his hands and feet with the nail marks behold my hands and my feet that it is I myself handle me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have verse 39 to convince them completely he asked for food and ate before them a ghost can't eat broiled fish and honeycomb angels observed how Jesus patiently eliminated every doubt and every fear 8 days later Thomas who hadn't been present the first time had his personal encounter with Jesus john 20 24- 29 his declaration of doubt unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and put my hand into his side I will not believe jesus appeared specifically for Thomas and offered him exactly what he had asked for reach your finger here and look at my hands and reach your hand here and put it into my side do not be unbelieving but believing." Thomas's response was the most complete confession of faith in the entire New Testament my Lord and my God angels who had worshiped Jesus as God for eternity now saw a human make the same confession the appearances continued to 500 brethren at once according to 1 Corinthians 15 6 to James his brother according to the flesh to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberius where he prepared breakfast for them each appearance had a specific purpose jesus wasn't just proving his resurrection he was preparing his disciples for the great commission that would come on the mount in Galilee he gave the final orders that would change the world go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even to the end of the age matthew 28:es 19 and 20 angels understood they were witnessing the launch of the most important mission in human history the gospel of the resurrection had to reach to the ends of the earth but there was still one more event that would crown everything they had witnessed the ascension the triumphant return 40 days after the resurrection on the Mount of Olives angels prepared for the event they had been waiting for since the incarnation the sons return home acts 1:es 9-11 give us the account now when he had spoken these things while they watched he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight and while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up behold two men stood by them in white apparel who also said "Men of Galilee why do you stand gazing up into heaven this same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven the two angels who appeared to the disciples had a final message jesus is going to return the story of salvation didn't end with the ascension it was just beginning a new phase for 33 years angels had seen the son of God live as a human now they saw him ascend with a glorified human body that he would carry forever the scars from the nails and the spear would remain as an eternal reminder of the price of our salvation when Jesus arrived in heaven it must have been the greatest celebration in all universe history the sun had completed his mission sin had been paid for death had been conquered salvation was available to all humanity angels who had kept silent during the crucifixion could now sing with complete freedom those who had watched helplessly during the agony could now worship without restrictions the waiting period was over hebrews 9:12 tells us that Jesus with his own blood he entered the most holy place once for all having obtained eternal redemption angels witnessed when the son presented his blood before the father as the perfect and final sacrifice philippians 2:es 9-11 describes what followed therefore God also has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father angels understood they had witnessed the most perfect salvation plan that could be conceived it hadn't been improvised from before the foundation of the world god had planned every detail revelation 5 gives us a vision of heavenly worship after the ascension then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne the living creatures and the elders and the number of them was 10,000 times 10,000 and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing." For the first time in history angels worshiped the Son not only as creator but also as redeemer they had seen his humiliation unto death now they witnessed his exaltation to the highest but their work wasn't finished hebrews 1:14 describes them as ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation now they had a new mission to help in the work of worldwide evangelization during the next 70 years recorded in the New Testament angels were active in the growth of the primitive church they freed the apostles from jail directed Philip to the Ethiopian guided Cornelius to Peter got Peter out of prison every time someone accepted the gospel angels celebrated luke 15:10 likewise I say to you there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents and while we wait for Jesus's promised return angels continue their service they protect guide minister and prepare for the day when they will accompany the King of Kings in his second coming the question that began this story what did the angels do when they saw the son of God die now has a complete answer they obeyed orders not to intervene during the greatest sacrifice in history they waited in silence while the price of our salvation was paid and when the time came they proclaimed the most glorious victory in the universe they learned along with us that God's love has no limits that his mercy is greater than our sins and that the salvation plan is so perfect that even angels desire to understand its mysteries the next time you see a cross remember that heaven's angels saw it too and although they couldn't intervene to stop the suffering they celebrated when they understood that suffering had purchased our eternal freedom