Hebrews 1:13-14

Superior to angels in universal rule because He is served by angels Hebrews 1:13-14

Text

Hebrews 1:13-14

Hebrews 1:13 But of which of the angels hath He said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool on thy feet?

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?

5.

Some are sent to take care of the living saints.

Matthew 18:10: In heaven their angels do always behold the face of My father who is in heaven, Acts 5:19; Acts 12:7.

6.

They are all sent forth to minister in some way directly or indirectly, for the benefit of those who are the heirs of salvation. Milligan. (pp. 73-74)

Paraphrase

Hebrews 1:13 Moreover, none of the angels have any proper dominion over the world. For, to which of the angels did God at any time say, as He said to His Son in the human nature, Psalms 110:1. Sit thou at my right hand; reign thou over the universe, till I utterly subject all thine enemies to thee?

Hebrews 1:14 Instead of exercising sovereign dominion, are not all the angels called, Psalms 104:4., ministering spirits, subject to the Son, (Hebrews 1:6.), and by Him, sitting at God's right hand, (Hebrews 1:13.), sent forth to minister for them who shall inherit immortality as the sons of God?

Comment

any time

1.

This is a question with an implied answer. The answer is none. Jesus was spoken to in words that were never spoken to any angels.

sit thou on my right hand

This is a quotation from Psalms 110:1.

It is not unusual to have God spoken of as having bodily organs:

a.

Face: cf. Genesis 32:30God face to face. Exodus 33:11spoke to Moses face to face.

b.

Hand: cf. Ezra 7:9according to the hand of God. Job 2:10receive good at the hand of God.

till I make thine enemies the footstool

God and Christ have their enemies:

a.

In Acts 4:24-28, Psalms 2 is shown to be fulfilled in Jerusalem by Pilate; the Jews and the Gentiles in the crucifixion of Christ.

Enemies seem to combine forces when they have a common enemy or objective. The Sadducees and Pharisees joined forces against Jesus.

b.

James 4:4: Friendship of the world is enmity with God.

c.

Romans 8:7: A carnal mind is at enmity with God.

the footstool of Thy feet

This is a familiar expression:

a.

Christ is waiting to do this. Hebrews 10:13.

b.

Christ will reign until this is a reality. 1 Corinthians 15:24-25.

c.

Christ's victory will come. Revelation 19:11-21.

Enemies of Christ will be punished. Hebrews 10:27a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.

Footstool of thy feet alludes to an ancient custom of princes and kings to tread on the necks of their vanquished enemies, in token of their complete victory over them.

are they not all ministering spirits

This is an interrogative type of expression:

a.

The question form is just as strong as a positive statement.

b.

Angels are ministering spirits, for Hebrews 1:13 verifies that they refers to angels.

This establishes the superiority of Christ over angels.

a.

Angels may minister, but Christ is Saviour.

b.

Angels only serve those who have salvation made possible by Christ.

We have examples of different classes of angels that serve man and God;

a.

The Cherubim and Seraphim:

1.

Cherubim

a)

Cherubim guarded Eden. Genesis 3:24.

b)

Figures of them were placed on the mercy seat, Exodus 25:18.

c)

Figures of colossal size, with extended wings, were in Solomon's temple.

2.

Seraphim

a)

The name means, burning, glowing.

b)

Isaiah saw them in his vision. Isaiah 6:2.

c)

They had three sets of wings; one set covered the face in humility; the second covered the feet, showing respect; the third was used to fly.

d)

They resembled men. Isaiah 6:3.

e)

They had a twofold purpose; Isaiah 6:3, to praise God; Isaiah 6:6, to communicate.

b.

Michael and Gabriel

1.

Michael:

a)

His name means, who is like God.

b)

He is one of the chief princes or archangels, Daniel 10:13; Jude 1:9.

c)

He was the Prince of Israel. Daniel 10:21.

d)

He is spoken of as Great Prince. Daniel 12:1.

e)

He is the leader of the hosts of God in war. Revelation 12:7.

2.

Gabriel:

a)

His name means man of God.

b)

He is an angel of high rank.

c)

He made two great announcements: the birth of John, Luke 1:11-22, to Zacharias; the birth of Jesus, Luke 1:26-31, to Mary.

d)

He was sent to Daniel to explain his visions. Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:21.

c.

Elect angels

1.

Paul speaks of them, 1 Timothy 5:21: and elect angels.

2.

These are in opposition to the evil angels spoken of in Ephesians 6:12: spiritual hosts of wickedness

d.

Let us see their work in the past:

1.

Old Testament ministry:

a)

Appeared to warn Abraham and Lot. Genesis 18:1-2; Genesis 19:1.

b)

Protected the men in the fiery furnace. Daniel 3:19-28.

c)

Stopped the mouths of lions for Daniel 6:22.

d)

Helped God's people in war. Psalms 34:7: angel of Jehovah encampethExodus 23:20-21: angel before theeJoshua 5:13-14before Jericho's battle: prince of host of Jehovah. Judges 2:1-5angel from Gilgal, telling them to destroy all paganism.

2.

New Testament ministry:

a)

Gabriel announced the birth of both John and Jesus in Luke 1.

b)

Angels ministered unto Jesus after His temptation, Matthew 4:11 and in Gethsemane, Luke 22:43.

c)

Angels carried Lazarus to Abraham's bosom, Luke 16:22.

d)

An angel directed Philip to the Ethiopian, Acts 8:26.

e)

An angel appeared to Cornelius, Acts 10:7.

f)

An angel comforted Paul, Acts 27:23.

g)

An angel released Peter and John from prison, Acts 5:19.

h)

An angel saved Peter from Herod, Acts 12:7-11.

i)

Churches in Revelation had angels, Revelation 2:1; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 2:12; Revelation 2:18.

j)

They will be present when Christ comes. Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:31.

e.

Do they minister to us today?

1.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says, The modern conception of the possession by each man of special guardian angels is not found in the Old Testament. (p. 132)

2.

Milligan believes they serve us:

a)

He believes that they aid in the work of redeeming man; and in carrying out this work of its final consummation.

3.

Some may be sent to frustrate the wiles and devices of Satan and his fallen angels. Jude 1:6.

4.

Some are sent to punish wicked men. Acts 12:23.

Study Questions

140.

Did God ever speak to Christ something not said to angels, according to this verse?

141.

Is it common for God to be spoken of as possessing organs, such as hands? cf. Genesis 32:30; Exodus 33:11; Ezra 7:9; Job 2:10.

142.

What enemies does God have?

143.

What makes us enemies of God? cf. James 4:4; Romans 8:7.

144.

What is the significance of footstool?

145.

Describe this time of waiting. cf. Hebrews 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:24-25.

146.

Will God see to it that Christ will be victorious? cf. Revelation 19:11-21.

147.

If angels minister, how is Christ greater?

148.

What are the different classes of angels?

149.

Where do the Cherubim and Seraphim appear?

150.

What does Seraphim mean?

151.

What can be said of Michael and Gabriel?

152.

What does the name Michael mean?

153.

What is the nature of his work?

154.

What is the meaning of the name Gabriel?

155.

Tell of some of his work.

156.

What are elect angels?

157.

What would be their opposites?

158.

Tell of some of the work of angels in the past in the Old Testament.

159.

What classes of work did they participate in?

160.

Tell of the work of angels in the life of Christ.

161.

What was their work in Acts?

162.

What is their work described in the book of Revelation?

163.

What passages teach that angels may minister to us today?