Hebrews 1:14

Are not all ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who are inheriting salvation?

The summary of the chapter so far is that Jesus is greater than any other spiritual being (angels). We do not think of angels too often in our culture, but in many cultures, a certain fear and respect is given to them because they are intimidating to humans (read Luke 2). However, Jesus is greater than them.

Jesus is the one who rules as a king. Paul here contrasts the job of angels with the job of Jesus (king) in a way we do not often consider. Part of the angels job description is to help and serve those inheriting salvation.

Ok let's ask some questions of the text so we can figure out what it is saying.

• First, who are those who are inheriting salvation?

Christians. We are forgiven of our sins so in that sense we have salvation. However, the NT and Hebrews specifically points out how Christians have yet to "inherit" salvation. Someone inherits something typically when someone else's life ends (or in anticipation of it). As one life so, so another inherits what someone decides to give them. We are still living in an imperfect and we ourselves are still imperfect people. But the process of salvation has begun in those who believe. One day we will live in a perfected state of existence, also knows as heaven, (the way God intended it to be) and that is when we will receive our full inheritance.

• What is the service the angels render?

I don't know, no one has told me. As Christians we must accept that there are things that we do not see and do not know (especially in the spiritual world). But I am sure angels do all sorts of things to help us out. If you cannot think of one strange thing that happened in your life that you could only attribute to God, go ask some people in some churches and see if they have any experiences. I can remember a friend told me how he should have been hurt pretty bad in a car crash, but his car was closely missed by a big truck. Now did God send an angel to protect him, or did he just get lucky. I don't know, neither does he. But we shouldn't pretend like we know everything and discount all the possibilities so quickly.

• Who controls the angels?

• Should I pray to/worship angels since they protect me?

I thought these two questions went together because depending on who controls the angels, that is who you should talk to and honor if they protect or help you. Well as stated earlier in the chapter, angels are servants of God/Jesus. We cannot control them and they do not even seem to control themselves (if you read the OT and NT angels are mostly following God's orders unless they are in rebellion). So if God controls them, as a king controls his servants, then believing we control them is misguided and thinking that we should pray to them is stupid. We still worship and pray to God alone.

Anyways, I think this is a really cool and interesting verse because this is not typically what we think or are taught in our Western American churches. But the Bible teaches that God uses his angels and still does to help us as we go throughout life. It is amazing how much he cares for us and provides for us in ways we can never know in this life.