Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
Guardian Angels
Hebrews 1:9 "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." 10 And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail." 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? (NKJV)
The writer of the book of Hebrews, according to most commentators, is unknown to us today. However, he was known to those to whom this letter was addressed (Heb 13:19-23).
The writer was writing to Jewish converts to Christianity, therefore he was very likely one of their own, a Jew, like Paul. However, he wrote in a classical style of Greek, unlike the simple style of Paul.
Old Testament quotes are mostly taken from the Greek Septuagint, from which Paul did not regularly quote. And, the writer was anonymous. Paul identified himself in his other writings.
And yet, the doctrine is Pauline. The timing of the writing was also Pauline.
The writing was likely during the sixties A.D., since there is no mention of the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.
Also, the writing was that of a second-generation Christian (Heb. 2:3, 13:7). The literal Greek here defines a second-generation Christian as one who was not present during the Lord’s earthly ministry. The Greek reads “to be spoken through the Lord by the ones having heard” (Heb. 2:3). Paul would qualify as a second-generation Christian under this definition, since he was converted after the Ascension of Jesus.
The writer was either writing from Italy or to Italy, as one who had been there (Heb. 13:24). Paul was imprisoned in Italy two different times during the sixties, and left the country in between the two imprisonments.
The classical Greek language and heavy use of the Septuagint could have been provided by Luke. Luke was with Paul during his second Roman imprisonment and was his amanuensis during Paul’s final days (2 Timothy 4:11). It is logical to assume that Luke was also Paul’s amanuensis for this letter.
Luke also translated the letter to the Hebrews into Greek, according to Clement of Alexandria in the second century. This commentator believes that the evidence points to Paul being the writer of this letter to the Hebrews in AD 67-early 68, just prior to his beheading by Nero .
In this passage Paul continues writing of the superiority of Christ. His audience is that of Jewish Christians, likely new to the faith. He is writing to encourage them to hold fast to Christianity and not to revert to Judaism, or a form of it.
This passage is a continuation of the writer claiming the superiority of Christ over angels. Angels were held in high esteem by the Jews and the goal of Paul is to ensure that these new Jewish Christians do not elevate angels over Christ.
Paul begins this passage by writing “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions" (v. 9). Since Christ loved righteousness and hated wickedness (v.9a) God the Father set Him above His “companions”, fellow believers, by anointing Him with “the oil of gladness” (v. 9b).
Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth. He hates sin, wickedness.
Since He was without sin, He was the spotless lamb, without blemish. This qualified Him as the only one who could be the Savior of all believers.
The anointing is a picture of a crowning at a royal banquet. The “oil of gladness” represents the anointing oil that was used on occasions of gladness. All of this points to a Sovereign Lord and Savior, one who is superior to angels.
Next, Paul writes ‘And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands” ‘ (v. 10). Through Jesus, all things, “earth” and “the heavens”, were created (v. 10a).
Paul continues “11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail" (vv. 11-12). Verses 10-12 are a direct quote of Psalm 102:25-27.
They speak of Jesus as the Creator and Ruler of this world. They also speak to His second coming and His destruction of this world.
This world will “perish” (v. 11a). It has a shelf life and will ultimately wear out. But Jesus is eternal and will “remain” (v. 11b).
The world will be rolled up “like a cloak”, a coat (v. 12a). The world will be like a used piece of clothing, rolled up and put away.
Christ will exchange the old earth and heavens for a new earth and a new heaven (Rev. 21:1), just as one would change coats. The world will be replaced, but Christ will always remain the same, and will live for eternity (v. 12b).
Paul writes “But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool’ " (v. 13)? Here, Paul continues his comparison of Christ to angels by referring to Psalm 110:1.
The scripture was from the Father to the Son, never to an angel. To sit at the right hand of someone meant you were sitting in a place of honor. The “footstool” was a reference to the ancient custom of the victor placing his foot on the neck of his fallen enemy.
After declaring what angels are not, Paul turns to what they are. He writes “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (v. 14)?
Angels are “ministering spirits” (v. 14a). They are servants of Christ, not equal to or greater than Christ.
They are sent by Christ to serve believers or those who will be believers, “those who will inherit salvation” (v. 14b).
Christ knew us before we were ever born (Jer. 1:5). He knitted us together in the womb (Ps. 139:13).
He knew if we would receive Him and “inherit salvation” before we were born. He knew whether we would be believers, or not.
And to those whom he knew would receive Him, he gave a special angel, a guardian angel. The Lord sends His guardian angels in fulfillment of Scripture: “He will guard the feet of his saints” (1 Sam. 2:9). Our guardian angel has been with us from the time we were in the womb.
Thereby, God preserves His own, for Himself. We need fear nothing, for He has us in His hands. Nothing will happen to us that is outside the will of God.
He has a plan for us and He will be faithful to work that plan. He loves us and He works all things together for our good (Ro. 8:28).
These promises from Scripture only apply to His saints, Christians. If you are not a Christian you can not claim these promises. You do not have a guardian angel.
Becoming a Christian requires confession of sin (agreeing with God that your sin is wrong and does not fit a child of God), repentance (turning away from sin), and acceptance (accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior). When you pray this prayer to God, you will instantly become a Christian and the Holy Spirit will indwell you, enabling you to live a godly life. The next step is baptism by immersion, the announcement to other believers that you are a Christian.
In my hospice ministry I have known many people who have seen angels. This is always a comfort to them, and to me, because we know that they WILL inherit salvation, they WILL go to Heaven. Praise be to God!