Continuing the same chapter (Lk 12:8-12), Jesus goes on to tell His hearers the words in the headline but also warns them that denial of Him will lead to denial before the angels of those who dare to do so.  He goes on to say that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable but, for those who believe, that same Spirit will guide them in their defense in speech when they are called to account by hostile earthly authorities.  Again Jesus tells us of the importance of belief in Him in order for us to gain eternal life.  But this is not only to remain a private affirmation that does not impact our public witness in word and deed.  Notice that Jesus immediately follows up the necessity of acknowledging Him with the possibility that we may suffer consequences in this life for this belief.  The promise of the Holy Spirit as our advocate is comforting — “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31).  That Christ mentions the angels is also significant.  Praying to the angels, especially the heroic St. Michael (cf. Rev 12:7-9) and our guardian angels (cf. Mt 18:10), who always see the face of God, is a wonderful devotion as well as we call down these awesome servants of God who are also charged to serve us.  Then, when we meet the Son of Man at our deaths, and stand before the angels, they will not need to hear about us from Christ, but will know us personally as friends.