One Year Bible: New Testament Passage (for Tues., Oct. 30, 2012)
Hebrews 1:1-14
Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV)
Hebrews Chapter One teaches about the superiority of Jesus over the angels. A key word for this great book is BETTER (vs. 4). As Christians, we believe that there is another realm of existence and activity — the supernatural realm. We believe in God, in Heaven, in a place called hell, and we believe that there is spiritual activity that affects us in this “touch, taste, fell”, practical world.
This might seem spooky or weird to some, but the supernatural realm is REAL. We believe that spiritual being exist there: good angels which help and assist followers of Jesus, and bad angels who seek to afflict and harm everyone (we call them demons). Hebrews tells us about good angels and their assignment.
New Age teaching has brought confusion to many in our day, but we need to be clear. Angels are not neutral spiritual beings that are available to anyone to just make their life better (give you a better love life, procure your next pay raise). Angels have a clear biblical identity and function:
Angels are WORSHIPPERS. Heb. 1:6 says, “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” They surround the throne of God with worship.
Angels are WARRIORS. Rev. 12:7 says that there was war in the heavens. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (Satan) and his angels (demons).
Angels are MESSENGERS. We are all familiar with the Christmas story and how angels were continually delivering messages about the birth of Jesus. The very word angel in Greek means “messenger”.
We should not fall into the New Age trap of worshipping angels (see Col. 2:18). But, we should thank God for the ministry of angels who are sent forth help us. They go before us as we travel. They protect us in spiritual warfare. They bring strength to us in serving God and fighting the devil. They bring the comfort of Jesus in our time of need.
One last word, the Bible makes a very interesting and intriguing statement later in Hebrews. Hebrews 13:2 says that we should “not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (NIV). Today, God may be sending an angel your way. Just when you least expect it, God could send a messenger. So, stay open and aware. You might meet an angel today.