Hebrews 1:13-14 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
The author now asks two rhetorical questions that have obvious answers. The first question from Psalm 110:1 refers to Jesus’ exaltation to the right hand of the Father. This is a theme found in different places in the New Testament. After Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended to heaven where he sits at the highest place of honor. God has not done that to any angel. This shows that Jesus is higher than the angels. Any of the readers tempted to worship angels or who did not understand the significance of Jesus as the Son of God would now know and have a basis for their faith. This whole book will focus on who Jesus is and what he has done for us. The first chapter is about the exalted Son. The angels were the highest creatures next to God in people’s minds. To put Jesus higher would be significant in their thinking. At some point in the future, when Jesus comes again and the dead in Christ are raised, Jesus will judge wickedness and put all things at the feet of God the Father. Paul quotes this same psalm in 1 Corinthians 15:24-28: “24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[c] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” As we await this time, the angels assist us in unknown ways. The author calls them “ministering spirits.” They do not replace the Holy Spirit but help in other ways. We have enough enemies around us, including the forces of evil. The angels are God’s messengers and agents to help us in ways we most likely do not see. These are a gift of God’s grace. Even these ministering angels acknowledge the sovereignty of the Son and follow his directions.
For older posts, click here.