All the Company of Heaven

by Mathew Block

The king of Syria wanted Elisha dead. The prophet had foiled his plans against the king of Israel several times, so the Syrian king instead set his sights on Elisha. Learning the prophet was in Dothan, the Syrians sent “horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city” (2 Kings 6:14).

When Elisha’s servant awoke the next morning and saw the army, he was afraid. But Elisha comforted him: “Do not be afraid,” he said, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (6:16). Then Elisha prayed that the servant might see—and suddenly “the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (6:17). These heavenly forces—invisible but nevertheless very real—were there at God’s command to defend and protect the prophet. It comes as no surprise to learn, therefore, that Elisha escaped the Syrians unharmed.

In our world today, it is easy to become discouraged. Like the servant of Elisha, we look around and see danger all around—militant secularism and shrinking churches,  for example, to say nothing of our own sinful flesh and the devil. And though these trials indeed surround us, we forget that those with us are greater than those against us. Just as God did for Elijah, so too He “command[s] His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).

Every Sunday, we are reminded that—however small the Church may look on earth—we are united in faith and worship “with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven.” The angelic host in all their might, the heroes of the faith, even our own dear departed loved ones join with us in worshipping Jesus as Lord.

These heavenly forces—invisible but nevertheless very real—were there at God’s command to defend and protect the prophet.

That knowledge gives us confidence to carry on in faith, despite the many enemies which stand against us. “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” the book of Hebrews instructs, “let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). For ultimately, it is not the heavenly host or the Church Triumphant in which we place our trust; it is in Christ our Lord. For it is in Him alone—through His sacrifice at the cross, His resurrection from the dead, and His ascension to glory in heaven—that we find the victory for which we so desperately long.

The infant Jesus was born for this very reason: to save us from death and the devil and from our own sinful selves. So it is that the angel proclaimed: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

That Saviour, born in Bethlehem so many years ago, was born for you. He died for you. He rose again for you. Jesus has rescued you from sin, death, and every other danger. And He promises you the joy of life with Him, both here on earth now and into endless eternity in heaven. What enemy can stand against Him?

With such good news, how can we refrain from joining the heavenly multitudes in their song of praise? “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). It is a song all believers down through the centuries sing as one.

In this issue, we reflect on the comfort that “the company of heaven” gives us, despite the challenges we face on earth. Rev. Kurt Lantz discusses the sorrows of widows and widowers, highlighting the unique place they hold in our wider Christian community. Rev. Christopher McLean reflects on the challenges of small congregations, explaining how God continues to care for His people even when they are few. Finally, Rev. Dr. William Mundt reminds us that Jesus has gone on ahead to prepare a place for us—a place where all sorrows will pass away as we dwell with Him forever.

It is true that we “walk in danger all the way” (LSB 716:1). But it is also true that we “walk with angels all the way” (v. 4)—and, what is more, that we walk with Christ Himself all the way. “I walk with Jesus all the way,” the hymnist writes, “His guidance never fails me; Within His wounds I find a stay When Satan’s pow’r assails me; And by His footsteps led, My path I safely tread. No evil leads my soul astray; I walk with Jesus all the way” (v. 5).

Heavenly Father, comfort us with the knowledge we do not walk alone. When the Church feels threatened, remind us that Your angels are with us to defend us. When the Church feels small, remind us that we are surrounded by an uncountable cloud of witnesses. And remind us too, dear God, that You are among us with Your Spirit, pointing us ever back to Jesus Christ, in whom we live and move and have our being even now. Amen.

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Mathew Block is editor of The Canadian Lutheran and the Communications Manager of the International Lutheran Council.

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