Are they, angels, not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord (Heb. 1:14-2:3).
The writer of Hebrews is giving us a stern warning telling us that angels are being sent to us as ministering servants. Therefore, we need to pay much closer attention to what the Word of God says about their ministry, lest at any time we should fail to take proper advantage of their services to us.
Another thing this particular passage teaches us about angels is that their word is stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience receives a just recompence of reward (v. 2). That simply means that angels are sent forth by God, and they can't change the orders or words they have been given. When an angel speaks, it is stedfast. He can't alter what he says. He doesn't have the ability to forgive or extend mercy if you ignore his message. That isn't his job. Only God can do that.
Their Word Is Steadfast
Throughout the Bible, angels are seen doing two things: either ministering the blessing of God or administering the judgment of God. Sometimes they do both on the same trip. For example, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias to bring a blessing and announce the glorious news that Zacharias' wife, who had been barren, was going to have a baby and that the baby's name was to be John. (Luke 1:5-25)
But the Word makes it clear that Zacharias was in unbelief. Essentially, he responded to the angel by saying, "Give me a sign that I may know what you say is true" (Luke 1:18). Sure enough, Gabriel gave him a sign. He told Zacharias that because of his unbelief, he would remain dumb until the baby was born. The word of Gabriel was steadfast, and Zacharias didn't speak until John was born. Gabriel made sure that Zacharias' tendency to speak words of doubt didn't thwart the plan of God.
You see, angels are sent to minister to us, the heirs of salvation, but they can't extend mercy or grace. They are on assignment to minister blessing. They are sent to deliver us from the judgment that is already on the earth because of sin. And if we don't properly respond to them, we will miss the blessing and experience judgment instead. Don't neglect such a great salvation.
Jesus spoke about angels at the beginning of His ministry. Look at John 1:51, and you can see that for yourself. Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." What picture does that paint for you? It depicts angels going up and coming down - heavenly beings going back and forth ministering to the heirs of salvation!
Later in His ministry, Jesus referred again to the service of angels. He was in the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. A great multitude of people, led by the chief priests and elders, had entered the garden in order to seize Jesus and take Him to Caiaphas to stand trial. As the mob surrounded Jesus, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the servants of the chief priests. Jesus stopped Peter and proceeded to heal the man's ear.
Then Jesus said, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than 12 legions of angels?" (Matt. 26:53). There were 6,000 men in a Roman legion, and Jesus said He could call up 12 legions of angels if He needed them. That is 72,000 angels! One angel is capable of more than we can imagine, so just think what 72,000 angels are capable of doing! And Jesus said He could call them up instantly if He so needed.
In light of that, think again about what I've been saying. Jesus is the firstborn of many brethren, and we are His heirs (Rom. 8:29). If He can summon 12 legions of angels to come to His aid, guess who else can call upon 12 legions of angels? We can!
This is the great salvation the writer of Hebrews is talking about. This is the great source of deliverance spoken about by Jesus throughout His ministry. It is confirmed later by the apostles and other New Testament writers. The ministry of angels is real, and it is vital to our lives here on this earth. It is part of God's supernatural provision for you as a Christian. But remember, if you neglect this great source of deliverance, you won't escape the difficult places you will encounter in this life.
So pay close attention and give earnest heed to this ministry and to what the Word says about it. You certainly don't want to miss out on this great salvation!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers