The Ministry of Angels

Continuing my study of the book of Hebrews, I discover a greater understanding of the role that angels play in God’s plan of salvation for mankind.

Previously the writer revealed Yeshua as the one who created the world and brought all things into existence. He also is our savior, having sacrificed his very life for his creation. Phillipians 2:9 tells us “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” We are told in Hebrews 1:4-7 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

Hebrews 1:13-14 “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

Hebrews 2:5 “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.”

Through these passages, we get a glimpse of the role of angels. God has created man in His image and chosen to beget His family through us. Angels are to be the ministers or servants of those who are heirs of salvation. 1Peter 1:12 “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” 1Corinthians 6:3 “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”

Through his death, burial and resurrection, Yeshua is the firstborn of many brethren. We are the ones who are to be heirs of salvation. Although we are yet lower than the angels while in our fleshly bodies, we will one day be glorified with Messiah and will rule with him over all of his creation, including angels.

Heb 2:6-10 “But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

God has created all things according to His purpose and each creation has its own role in His ultimate plan. Angels are to be our ministers, our helpers as we become what God intends us to become. They bow to the same God we do. They are sons of God, but their function is far different from ours. They faithfully carry out their role according to the responsibilities they have been given. They are not to be worshipped.
In Matthew 4:10 , Yeshua told Satan, “ Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Paul warned believers in Colossians 2:18 “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”

Man’s preoccupation with the worship of angels has created a boon for retailers today. Images of angels abound and the sale of “all things angels” are a huge industry. We may mean well, but we need to always be willing to reconsider the beliefs we have inherited and let the word of God shine a light on them.

The first two commandments should be our guide into these matters. Exodus 20:3-4 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”