This week, Pastor Chris continued our Hebrews series with a powerful message on angels. In His infinite wisdom, God created these heavenly beings to worship Him, protect us, and engage in spiritual warfare against the Enemy. By understanding the authority of angels, believers can gain a deeper understanding of their own authority in the Kingdom of God. Above all, we are reminded that in every aspect of creation, Jesus reigns supreme.

Angels are Important in God’s Plan

Hebrews 1:4 (ESV)

having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

  • Definition: Angels are powerful Spirit beings with moral judgment and high intelligence that were created by God to minister to Him and do His bidding.

Angelology 101

  1. Angels are created by God which means they are creatures. 
  2. There are good angels and evil angels (Acts 12:1-11).
  3. Angels are essentially invisible because they are spirits (Gen. 19:1-5).

Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)

2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

  • Angels are limited to being in only one place at one time (Dan. 9:20-23).
  • Angels are personal beings (1 Peter 1:10-12).
  • Just like God and humans, they have a mind, emotions, and a will.  They think, feel, and choose. 
  • Angels will exist eternally (Matt. 25:31-33).
  • Angels do notmarry or multiply (Luke 20:34-26).
  • Angels’ original purpose is to serve the purposes of God (Acts 2:23).
  • Angels do much more than simply guard and protect Christians.
  • Angels are rightly called the “Mighty Ones” because they have great power (2 Thess. 1:6-7).
  • Angels share in God’s work.

Angels Are Part of the Authority Equation

Hebrews 1:5–7 (ESV)

 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

The Three Levels of Authority Mentioned

  1. Humans are much weaker than good or evil angels (Ac. 12:6-10; 19:13-16; 2 Co. 4:4; 1 Pe. 5:8).
  2. Good angels are stronger than evil angels (including Satan) ~ (Dan. 10:4-21; 12:1-4; Rev. 12:1-9).
  3. Christians are stronger than evil angels (including Satan) ~ (Luke 10:17-20).
  4. Christians will rule over good angels in the future (Rev. 22:1-5).

Hebrews 1:8 (ESV)

8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

1 John 5:20 (ESV)

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Angels Serve God’s People

Hebrews 1:9–12 (ESV)

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

Hebrews 1:13–14 (ESV)

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

What do angels do for Christians?

  • They serve believers (:14).
  • They watch us (Daniel 4:13-17).
  • They protect us (Psalm 34:7).
  • They join us in worship (Hebrews 12:22).
  • They usher us into the afterlife (Luke 16:22).
  • As angels watch us, they marvel at God’s grace to us (1 Peter 1:12).

Discussion Questions:

  1. Hebrews 13:2 speaks about entertaining angels unawares. Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt the presence of an angel, or could you share an instance where you felt God was sending help through unexpected means?
  2. Why do you think God created angels with such high intelligence and moral judgment? How does this impact our understanding of their role in His plan?
  3. How does knowing that angels are actively serving believers change the way we approach challenges or feel God’s protection in our daily lives?

Application Questions:

  1. How can we practically show more hospitality or kindness to strangers, perhaps with the understanding that we could be entertaining angels (Hebrews 13:2)?