Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Heb 1:14). Who are these “ministering spirits” and what does “ministering” mean in this context?
First of all the Bible is speaking about spirit beings -- angels. These creatures are far greater in strength than human beings, and they are also free from all human limitations. They travel from Heaven to earth and back again without any difficulty. They communicate in human languages. and appear and disappear at will. They even appear as “strangers” to human beings, who may not be aware that they entertained angels.
The word ministering is a translation of λειτουργικός (leitourgikos), which means “given to serving” or “ministration” hence ministering spirits. So what we learn from this is that God created angels (a) firstly to serve Him, then (b)to serve Christ, and then (c) to serve the children of God (“heirs of salvation”). This is a mind-boggling truth, since mortal man cannot be compared to angelic beings.
The word “angel” (ἄγγελος, aggelos, pronounced ang'-el-os) primarily means “messenger”, and we see throughout the Bible that these supernatural messengers are sent by God to men to bring various messages. And when they appear to men, they take the form of men (since all angels are masculine) and speak human languages.
God created myriads (countless) of angels to serve Him, but a large number rebelled and were cast out of Heaven (along with the chief angel Lucifer). But God also placed all angels in a number of ranks or hierarchies, which means that the lower ranks are accountable to the higher ranks, and above all of them are either Michael with his holy angels or Satan, with his evil angels.
Even though God made human beings ”a little lower than the angels” He reserved humans to be redeemed and become “heirs of salvation”. But there is no salvation for the evil angels. At the same time the holy angels are curious about the salvation which God offers to sinners. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12)
The Bible also says that Christians shall judge angels (1 Cor 6:3). Evidently this would in connection with the judgment of evil angels before they are all cast into the Lake of Fire (which was prepared for the devil and his angels). This in itself is an awesome thought. After all why would Christ want to involve the saints in the judgement of angels?
In any event at the present time and also in the future, it is angels which will be serving the children of God, and ministering to them. We do not really know how or when, but all things will be revealed in due time.
First of all the Bible is speaking about spirit beings -- angels. These creatures are far greater in strength than human beings, and they are also free from all human limitations. They travel from Heaven to earth and back again without any difficulty. They communicate in human languages. and appear and disappear at will. They even appear as “strangers” to human beings, who may not be aware that they entertained angels.
The word ministering is a translation of λειτουργικός (leitourgikos), which means “given to serving” or “ministration” hence ministering spirits. So what we learn from this is that God created angels (a) firstly to serve Him, then (b)to serve Christ, and then (c) to serve the children of God (“heirs of salvation”). This is a mind-boggling truth, since mortal man cannot be compared to angelic beings.
The word “angel” (ἄγγελος, aggelos, pronounced ang'-el-os) primarily means “messenger”, and we see throughout the Bible that these supernatural messengers are sent by God to men to bring various messages. And when they appear to men, they take the form of men (since all angels are masculine) and speak human languages.
God created myriads (countless) of angels to serve Him, but a large number rebelled and were cast out of Heaven (along with the chief angel Lucifer). But God also placed all angels in a number of ranks or hierarchies, which means that the lower ranks are accountable to the higher ranks, and above all of them are either Michael with his holy angels or Satan, with his evil angels.
Even though God made human beings ”a little lower than the angels” He reserved humans to be redeemed and become “heirs of salvation”. But there is no salvation for the evil angels. At the same time the holy angels are curious about the salvation which God offers to sinners. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12)
The Bible also says that Christians shall judge angels (1 Cor 6:3). Evidently this would in connection with the judgment of evil angels before they are all cast into the Lake of Fire (which was prepared for the devil and his angels). This in itself is an awesome thought. After all why would Christ want to involve the saints in the judgement of angels?
In any event at the present time and also in the future, it is angels which will be serving the children of God, and ministering to them. We do not really know how or when, but all things will be revealed in due time.
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