¹⁴ Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14; read vv. 5-14).

Introduction

There are questions that seek answers, and then there are questions that are posed to make an obvious point. The latter are rhetorical questions—questions that carry their own answer. The Preacher who wrote Hebrews ends this section with such a rhetorical question. His point is clear: angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.

Clearly the people to whom the Preacher made that point understood all its details. They understood something about angels. About their ministerial role. About their being sent. And, about who the inheritors of salvation are. But, do we? As we’ve considered the 1st Century, late-second temple understanding of angels, this was a clear point made to show further distinction between their mutable, contingent, inferior status to that of the immutable, essential, superior status of the Son.

To really appreciate that point, perhaps we should recognize that angels in scripture come to the aid of those who are striving to live in covenant with God—the ones who will inherit salvation. In the Bible, angels serve God’s purpose in a number of ways. They announce God’s message to his people (Luke 1:26-28). Angels guard and protect God’s people in all their ways (Psalm 91:11-12). They ministered to Jesus after His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11). Angels apparently are involved in the care of believers at the time of death (Luke 16:22). They will accompany Jesus in his ultimate judgment of the world (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

Thank God that his faithful angels are for and not against us. They engage the hostile forces and celebrate our faithfulness. But, they are not our savior, nor our Lord. They are servants; Jesus is the only Savior.

Some Background

Every contemporary author or speaker makes certain assumptions about his or her audience. The same is true with Biblical writers. As the Preacher in Hebrews makes his emphasis on the superiority of the Son vis-a-vis angels, he was working with his known assumptions of his audience. They had a well-defined angelology (the study of angels).

Influenced by 1 Enoch, a second century BCE book that, among other things, provides an extended description of Genesis 6, and indicates a well-defined hierarchy of angels, the Hebrews writer puts all angels in proper perspective. Faithful angels are not self-serving, but carry out God’s redemptive purposes. They are sent by God to minister to humans who are the recipients of salvation. But, they are not our savior. We must listen to the Son!

Discussion Questions

What did you hear in this morning’s message that stood out to you? What was interesting, important, or confusing?

How do you understand the ministry of angels as indicated by Hebrews 2:14?

Look at the scriptures mentioned in the previous section. Share any insights into angels from these passages.

Why does the Preacher in Hebrews keep emphasizing the superiority of the Son to angels?

Reflections

While we may not understand exactly how angels function in our world today, the Bible clearly acknowledges both their existence and their role in the affairs of human beings. As the Preacher in Hebrews simply rhetorically asks: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)? Though this may cause us to rethink our understanding of the way in which God governs the universe, it gives us great hope. God has not left his people to themselves, but dispatches angelic beings to our aid. This does not mean that we will never experience difficulties. But, it does mean that all of heaven is for us, assisting us and, ultimately, will receive us.