"Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" - Hebrews 1:14
Stories about angels are always popular. There are all kinds of TV shows, movies, books and articles about them. Most of these are fanciful inventions of human imagination, not based on any actual knowledge about angels, and they actually end up creating a lot of confusion.
In the popular stories, angels are often presented as people who became angels after they died. That’s a popular idea but it’s not true; it actually comes from pagan spiritism. The Bible teaches clearly that angels are a separate creation and were never human. We don’t become angels when we die, and neither do little children.
Angels are spirits, created by God to do His bidding. “Ministering spirits” in this verse simply means spirits who serve. They occasionally appear to us in human form to deliver a message from God or for some other purpose by God’s direction, but He might also have them take the form of a wind or a flame of fire (Hebrews 1:7). We aren’t supposed to worship them (Revelation 22:8-9). They serve God as we do, but in a different way, according to their nature.
The Bible doesn’t tell us much more about them than what we need to know, but this verse in Hebrews tells us one very important and wonderful thing: God’s angels are especially tasked with serving for our benefit, for us who are to inherit salvation. They serve God especially to help us who are Christians.
If you belong to Jesus, God’s angels are sent to protect you, to set things up for you before you get there, to deliver instructions from God and sometimes, when you or I or someone else needs to see them, they appear to us, whether we realize it or not.
He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11)
Angels are just one of the ways that God takes special care of His own beloved children.
Lord, thank You for sending Your holy angels to watch over me, to protect and keep me in this life as I follow You. Thank You for Your wonderful provision and tender care. Keep me close, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles