Angels are present with us at Shabbat services. These are the special angels that come or fly down especially on Shabbat to perform God’s will. They always come for a reason. They have a definite plan and purpose. That’s why the word “Malach” means both “angel” and “messenger” in Hebrew.  

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These angels help us to open up to the Ruach HaKodesh, the work of God, to separate ourselves from daily life, and delve into the worship. Both the Spirit of God and His angels do it in order for us to not forget that we have been already placed in Heaven and so that we would ascend to this height. Remember Jacob’s ladder that angels used to ascend and descend. Believe me, it was done not only for Jacob. I think that in the new covenant it is given to all believers, but only some of us realize it. I would like to remind you what’s written in the beginning of the Gospel of John:

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“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).” (John 1:35:39)

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The same way Yeshua addresses us and says: “If you want, you can come with Me and stay for the whole Shabbat where I live.” And He lives on the right hand of the Father in the place of God’s glory. Before He performed everything He was supposed to, nobody could ascend there and be with Him. 

And now it is possible to all children of God because it says in Ephesians that He did not only die for us but also arouse from the dead, ascended, and placed us in Heaven on the right hand of God next to Himself. So, it’s like He’d tell us: “If you want, ascend with Me to where I live, be with Me at least all Shabbat, and you will see what I want to show you.” And in the end of this conversation Yeshua addresses Nathaniel:   

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“And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (John 1:51) 

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Yeshua used “you” in plural, not singular. He addresses all children of God. If we look at it only as His immediate disciples and His time on the earth, He should have said it this way: “the angels of God descending upon the Son of Man and then ascending”, but He says the opposite. 

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Personally to me it testifies that Yeshua said it to all of us at all times. He shows that when God’s angels perform everything they are sent to do, then they ascend back to the Son of Man. Again, He sends them, and they come to sons and daughters of man, every child of God, where the Son of Man dwells. 

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Today, it is very important for the people of Ukraine to cooperate with the angels of God. And it is crucial to understand that the Lord sees us in all circumstances and sends His angels exactly where we need them the most. He sends them with the very purpose of helping us in the situation we are in. I believe that He wants us to rely on it very much. And when we rely on it, it means that we believe in it. 

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Sometimes, it is easier for our people to believe that a specific angel of God guards and protects them, sent to their house to protect their families, to strengthen them, and to shield them not only from physical attacks of the enemy but also from the powers that stand behind them.  Other times, it is easier for them to believe that an angel is right here, and he is working effectively instead of believing that the Almighty God has stretched His arm, and we are completely safe there.

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During Shabbat God’s angels help us to ascend with them into God’s place of glory that He has opened for our innermost man to spend Shabbat with Him. The prophet Isaiah was saying exactly that: 

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“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:13-14)

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The expression “delight yourself in the Lord” means “to take pleasure in the Lord”. This is a promise of God. We have the right to count on it. “Oneg Shabbat” (taking pleasure in Shabbat) is taking pleasure in the Lord. Shabbat is not an animate object. Shabbat should not become an idol or a god, because it has become so in certain Orthodox movements.  Shabbat is a special dwelling of God in time. It is a special place in time allocated for us in order for Him to rejoice with us. 

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Lord, thank You that Your angels descend from the throne of Your grace, and they don’t go back until they fulfill Your assignment, until they perform everything You sent them for. And thank You, Lord, that together with the Shabbat angels we can celebrate the fulfilment of Your promises, and the place of Shabbat is not accessible to any demons or evil. Vanity and rush are pushed away when we delve into the Shabbat grace, and You become the center of everything. 

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Boris Grisenko, the rabbi of KJMC 

Shabbat message at KJMC June 17, 2023