This might be a fun exercise, or perhaps it could be developed into a message of some kind – If you were asked to describe Heaven in a single word, what would you use? “Glory” might be appropriate – “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” Perhaps you’d like to suggest something like “peace.” Our earthly lives are spent in a world of turmoil and trouble. But in Heaven “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” “Righteousness” and “holiness” would certainly be appropriate words. Heaven will be completely without sin and even without temptation. We might come up with a dozen different words describing our future eternal home. And one of them should be “joy.” Jude concludes his epistle to the saint with the words, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…” And Paul said, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Here in Luke 15, the Lord Jesus rebukes the Pharisees speaking about the blessings of salvation from sin. He begins with a couple of illustrations – the joyful shepherd who lost and then found one of his sheep. And then came the poor woman who lost a piece of silver – what joy she had when it was located. “Likewise” – in a fashion similar to these two, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” For the sake of our joy and instruction, let’s consider this statement in a little more detail.
First, WHO is it that is rejoicing?
Who are the denizens of the third Heaven? – who might be found in the divine throne room today? Of course there is the Triune God, although I am not capable of describing the scene. A long, long time ago, in the year that king Uzziah died, Isaiah was given a glimpse of God’s abode. In some fashion he saw the Lord sitting upon a throne with his train filling the room – the temple. I would surmise that it was it the Second Person of the God-head whom Isaiah saw. But undoubtedly the Father and the Spirit were there as well, but unseen to the human’s eye. Then above the throne, Isaiah saw God’s seraphim – one variety of angelic creatures. “One cried unto another and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” And of course, in some special fashion Isaiah was there. He indirectly reminds us that today, God’s saints are there with the Lord. For the Christian, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Twice Paul says that this is something about which we may be confident and in it be comforted. We see as Stephen crumbling to the ground under the hail storm of those rocks, and he saw the Son of God rising as though to meet him. There is no Christian purgatory; there is no Catholic purgatory; there are no long delays while the Heavenly TSA or Secret Service scans the saints to see if they are worthy to enter Heaven.
So who is in Heaven? We have God, of course, and then there are God’s angels, and today there are God’s saints. Does Satan still have access to God as we see in the Old Testament – particularly in the Book of Job? No solid evidence has convinced me, but I believe that since the death of Christ, Satan has been banned. The Devil is on God’s no fly list – at least in the restricted area around the divine throne room. And certainly, if he was still permitted into the presence God, he would not be rejoicing over repenting sinners. Who are rejoicing in Heaven at the repentance of sinners on earth?
I am not going to risk my ministry on this thought, but I am reasonably sure it is not Jehovah who is rejoicing. There are a number of reasons, but I’m not sure of their order of importance. For example, the Greek word “joy” is “chara,” and it is used about fifty times in the New Testament. Out of those forty-nine times, I did not find where it once clearly described an emotion of God. It might be argued that this is one verse where it applies to the Lord, but we can’t find any others. And it might be that this doesn’t apply to Him either. The Lord Jesus referred to “His joy” in John 15:11, but it was not so much HIS emotion, as an emotion which He was sharing or creating in us. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” I believe that Christ Jesus rejoices in things, but not in the sense of this verse. And then there is the question about whether or not God really experiences any of our human emotions? I’m sure that Christ did when He walked among us in His human form, but does the God-head, or does God the Father?
When I repented before God and first trusted Christ, it occurred on a specific day and in a moment of time. I have reason to believe that there were people praying for my salvation, and if they had been with me that night, they might have been surprised and delighted. They might have been filled with joy. As far as they were concerned it was that Saturday night when I was saved. But God wasn’t surprised at my repentance and faith. After all, both of those were gifts that He was graciously giving me. He had ordained my salvation from before creation. And He had been leading me step by step to that autumn evening in 1964. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” “The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” Faith and repentance are both gifts of God, given to those whom the Lord regenerates. Just as you wouldn’t be surprised to see friend wearing the gift you gave to her, neither would the Lord be delightfully surprised to see that you repented of sin.
And then there is the fact that time is something foreign to the Lord. God is above and beyond time. He saw me receiving and employing His faith and repentance before I was born. He sees the beginning and the end of the parade at the same time. No, I don’t believe that the rejoicing mentioned in our text is the rejoicing of God.
Most scholars say that this is referring to angels, DESPITE the words “in presence of.” Some translate the word “enopion” as “among” or in “the face of” the angels. It may be the angels who are rejoicing in the repentance of the sinner. They certainly live within time, just as we do. But why would they rejoice? There is no benefit to any of them that there is another child of God. But consider that term “child of God.” What took place when Ruth gave birth and presented to Boaz a son? The city of Bethlehem was filled with vicarious joy – joy for Mr. and Mrs. Boaz and even for Granny Naomi. No, there may be no direct benefit to the angels of God when a sinner repents. But understanding that their Master is glorified when someone is saved, gives them joy.
Then there is a third possibility of who may be rejoicing at the salvation of sinner – although I don’t feel too strongly about this point. These rejoicers might include the saints of God who are already in Heaven. Men like David and Samuel, Paul and Barnabas, and what about Stephen? It could include ladies like Lydia, Mary, Martha and Priscilla. Paul and Stephen suffered a great deal in order to bring the gospel to others. Wouldn’t they naturally rejoice to learn that someone was saved because of their suffering? Some of those rejoicing could be loved ones and former servants of God who labored to be a blessing. The verse in Hebrews 12 which speaks of us as being compassed about with a great a cloud of witnesses is not talking about “spectators” but “testifiers” (witnesses) of the Christian life. It is referring to the heros of the faith such as those we find in Hebrews 11. I rather doubt that our heavenly loved ones are watching over us right now, or ever. I have no scriptures to prove this, but then the man who disagrees doesn’t have any scripture either. I have reason to think that those who precede us into glory have more interest in the Lord Jesus than they do for anything or anyone whom they have left behind. And would it really be Heavenly, to know into what sins or problems our grandchildren are getting? Wouldn’t it dampen your Heavenly joy, to know that your son, still on earth, is suffering from ALS? If you saw your grandchild choosing sin over righteousness, would you be happy, knowing the consequences? No, I doubt that the saints who have gone on before us are peering down on us today. But while saying that – it doesn’t mean they can’t be told of the momentous day of your conversion. It may be that some of God’s angels have the Heavenly job of passing along the good news to fathers and mothers, sisters and others. These two verses probably refer to the angels of God, but then possibly to saints as well.
But why are they rejoicing? What is the cause?
Because whether angel or saints, they have a much greater understanding of things than do living people. I’m not going to imply that they are omniscient or that they can see into the future, but I am reasonably sure that glorified saints are more wise than you and me – the unglorified varieties. Who do you think better understands what Jesus endured for our salvation – the Altzheimer patient or the little girl who has just trusted Christ? Who better understands the depths of God’s love, David Oldfield or King David now that he has been glorified? I doubt that any angel can fully understand repentance because they can’t fully understand sin. But I’m reasonably sure that at this moment the Apostle Peter understands it better than I do. Our imperfect understanding and knowledge makes us rejoice in things that are not good and sometimes to overlook other things of truly momentous import. Ah, but in heaven our knowledge will be incredibly improved.
What Christ said was – “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Repentance is first of all a response to the command of God. That is reason enough for us to seek to understand and employ repentance. And it is reason to rejoice when we hear of it in someone else. “God hath commandeth all men every where to repent” – Acts 17:30. God commands the people of the world to humble themselves before Him and to fully and honestly agree with what He says about them and their wicked sinfulness.
What comes first repentance or faith? What is more important? Isn’t repentance the initial step in obedience in stepping towards a wrath-filled, holy God? Isn’t repentance, in a sense, the emptying of the heart so that faith in Christ can fill it? Whether it is or isn’t, this repentance is far more than just a step toward pleasing Almighty God. “Without repentance, we shall all likewise perish.” “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” “Repent ye, therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.” Following repentance comes the gift of the indwelling comforter – the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of broken heart and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Someone there in Heaven rejoices in our misery, if it’s the misery of repentance. Blessed are they that mourn over sin, for they shall be comforted.
Repentance is a nasty, dirty, unpleasant subject, because it is contrary to man’s natural heart. Most people would not mind Heaven and salvation, if they were permitted to cling to their sins. But God’s demand for repentance says that this is an impossibility. There isn’t much preaching on repentance, because it is unfashionable, old-fashioned; out-of- date. But then sin is considered old-fashioned too; in fact so is the Bible kind of Heaven. “Rejoicing in Heaven” is a laughing matter among the wicked and ignorant. But nothing so glorifies God as does repentance for sin and faith in Jesus Christ. These two acts declare God righteous and holy, and that we are sinners in desperate need of the Lord.
And of course, the angels of the Lord bask in the holiness of Jehovah. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts….” Anything which magnifies God’s holiness is a joy to any holy angel. Repentance and faith are means by which God may display His grace in rescuing the sin-dying soul. There will never be a soul saved from sin who does not display those twin traits. No wonder there is rejoicing in Heaven when these are found on earth. Repentance is the bleating of God’s lost sheep; calling for the Shepherd of souls – “Lord save me!” Repentance is a tear from the eye of faith. “Lord I deserve to perish eternally, but I believe your promise. I turn from my sin and put my faith on Jesus Christ, to cleanse me and set my foot upon the rock.” It must be understood that repentance hates sin and not just the penalty for sin. It is a broken heart FOR sin and FROM sin. It hates sin, because it has discovered and felt God’s love.
And through repentance, and its counter-part faith, the Kingdom of God is advanced. By this means men and women move from realm and government of Satan into the kingdom of Heaven. Once again the Devil is defeated; and this bring rejoicing before the throne of God. And of course the saved are rescued for all eternity – ALL eternity. Can you see how this verse kicks in the teeth of those who deny the eternal keeping of believer? If the repentant sinner was not eternally saved the moment that repentance was exhibited, then rather than rejoicing now, you’d think that the saints and angels would start worrying. The rejoicing would begin only when final pains of their mortal wounds begin. When a sinner repents and puts his trust in Jesus Christ, Heaven is guaranteed. That person is at that instant indwelt by the Holy Spirit as the seal of God’s salvation. The Spirit has become his earnest and certification of Heaven. That person has become eternally enrobed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He becomes a lamb of God, and Jesus said: “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish.” This repentant one is as good as in heaven the moment he truly repents and trusts Christ. No wonder there is rejoicing in Glory.
Why has God revealed these things to us here?
One purpose is a message directed towards those who are still in their sins. If there has never been real repentance in regard to your sin, there will never be even a smile in heaven in regards to your soul. You may be the nicest, most generous person on earth and bringing laughter to thousands. But if you are still in your sins, you are an enemy of Heaven and you are reserved for Hell. There is nothing that you can do to please God, angels or least of God’s saints, until you forsake your sins with a broken heart. You are condemned, and the only way out is repentance and faith in Christ. The message of John the Baptist was – “repent, repent, repent, repent.” As one old preacher put it, “Turn or burn, Turn or burn” in Hell for eternity. The message of Jesus, was exactly same: “Repent, repent, repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” “Behold, now is the accept time; behold now is the day of salvation.” “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” “The times of our ignorance, God has winked at but now commandeth all men every where to repent.”
Another application: which we cannot ignore is directed toward the Christian. Can anyone be a true Christian who does not rejoice in the repentance of others? Are there Christians who care so little for others that they don’t encourage people to repent and trust Christ? If seeking and rejoicing in the repentance of others is one of the criteria for joy, will you be a joyful person in Heaven? Think about it.
What are the implications of this verse towards you?