Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14 NIV
The first chapter of Hebrews is an exaltation of Jesus, the Son of God. The Son was the agent of creation, the radiance of God’s glory, and the exact representation of his being. He provided purification for sins and is now sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
It appears like there was a temptation among early believers to exalt and worship angels. Colossians 2:18 alludes to this, with Paul warning the Colossian church about those who delight in the worship of angels. The author of Hebrews makes clear in this first chapter that the Son is superior to the angels. That he is the one we should worship. He is far above the angels and everything else in the created order.
About Angels
But what about angels? This chapter closes with the author telling us that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve us who are inheriting salvation. The Scripture does not tell us a lot about angels, leading to endless speculation. But they are sent to help us in some way. It is hard to know what that might be since we have the indwelling Spirit of God. But I think the author’s primary intent here was not to tell us what angels did, as much as to clearly distinguish them from the Son. The Son is worthy of our worship. The angels are sent to serve. Keep your focus on the Son, not on the angels. Or anything else in the creation.
