The Role of Angels: Psalm 91:11-12; Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 22:8-9
Angels are mysterious and fascinating creatures that often appear in the Bible as messengers, protectors, and servants of God. But what is their role in God’s plan and how do they relate to us as believers? In this blog post, we will explore three key passages that reveal some aspects of the role of angels in relation to God and his people.
Psalm 91:11-12
This psalm is a beautiful expression of trust and confidence in God’s protection and care. The psalmist declares that God is his refuge and fortress, and that he will deliver him from all kinds of dangers and troubles. In verse 11, he says that God will command his angels concerning him to guard him in all his ways. This implies that God has assigned specific angels to watch over and protect his faithful servants from harm. The angels will lift him up in their hands, so that he will not strike his foot against a stone (verse 12). This means that the angels will prevent him from stumbling or falling into any traps or snares that the enemy may set for him.
This passage shows us that God loves us and cares for us so much that he has appointed his heavenly agents to keep us safe and secure. We can trust that God has our best interests at heart and that he will not let anything happen to us without his permission or purpose. We can also be assured that God’s angels are powerful and obedient, and that they will faithfully carry out his commands concerning us.
Hebrews 1:14
This verse comes at the end of a chapter that contrasts the superiority of Jesus Christ over the angels. The author of Hebrews argues that Jesus is the Son of God, the heir of all things, the creator of the world, the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of his being, the one who purifies our sins, and the one who sits at the right hand of God. The angels, on the other hand, are merely created beings who worship and serve God. They are not to be worshiped or revered by humans, as some false teachers were promoting.
In verse 14, the author asks a rhetorical question: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” The answer is yes, they are. The word “ministering” means serving or attending to someone’s needs. The word “spirits” means immaterial or invisible beings. The word “sent out” means dispatched or commissioned by someone with authority. The word “serve” means to assist or help someone in some way. The word “sake” means benefit or advantage. The word “inherit” means to receive or obtain something as a gift or a right. The word “salvation” means deliverance or rescue from sin and its consequences.
This verse tells us that angels are sent by God to serve us and help us inherit his full kingdom. They are his servants, carrying out his will and work for our good. They are not our equals or rivals, but our allies and friends. They are not our objects of worship or devotion, but our fellow worshipers and servants of God. They are not our sources of revelation or guidance, but our messengers and agents of God.
Revelation 22:8-9
This passage records the final vision of John, the apostle who wrote the book of Revelation. He saw a new heaven and a new earth, where God dwells with his people and wipes away every tear from their eyes. He saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven as a bride adorned for her husband. He saw the river of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, and the tree of life bearing fruit for the healing of the nations. He heard a voice saying that these words are trustworthy and true, and that Jesus is coming soon.
In verse 8, John says that he fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed him these things. This was not the first time that John did this. In Revelation 19:10, he also fell down to worship an angel who showed him a vision of the marriage supper of the Lamb. In both cases, the angel rebuked him and told him not to do it. The angel said that he is a fellow servant of John and of his brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. He said that John should worship God instead, for it is the spirit of prophecy who bears testimony of Yeshua.
