Hebrews 1:13-14
4 August 2024
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”?
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
So we come now to the end, the end of the first chapter of 13 chapters in the book of Hebrews that we are working our way through, and it has taken us quite a bit of time to work through what has been a comprehensive but pretty clear-to-follow argument which has been established in chapter 1. The clear-to-follow argument is simply that Christ is greater, Christ is superior, Christ is better, and brothers and sisters, this is not simply exclusive to the opening chapter of the book of Hebrews. This is the recurring theme and focus of the book of Hebrews.
Written to a Jewish audience with many different traditions and some even legalistic hang-ups and trying to figure out the outworkings of Christianity, the focus is on Christ. Now with that, there has been a recurring contrast between Christ who is greater and these celestial beings, the angels of God. What we've seen as we've worked our way through the argument which has been established is just how mighty, just how prominent, how significant the angels are throughout the word of God and in our human existence.
So in no way is chapter 1 of Hebrews saying, oh well these angels are pretty insignificant, but Christ, he's important. No, we're seeing and we've worked through already on many occasions just how significant, how important the angels are, and yet Christ is greater. And this is something that is so very clear and vivid as we come to verses 13 and 14 here at the end of the chapter. We have two verses which at first glance seem to be quite disconnected from one another, but again they serve to establish the argument because in verse 13 we have yet another picture of Christ's authority, His rule, and dominion.
Contrast that with verse 14 which is that the angels are commissioned by the Lord as His ministers, as His servants. Here we have the phrase ministering spirits sent out to serve. This is what we have in verse 14. So we have Christ on the throne who is greater (verse 13), and we have the angels ministering spirits who are sent out (verse 14). And this again is that contrast.
Now in addition to this, now we finally come in the context of the argument about Christ and the angels to where this relates to us, where this relates to us. First of all, in verse 13 there is mention of enemies, and what we have in verse 13 is the authority, the dominion, the rule, the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Lord Jesus Christ over His enemies. But brothers and sisters, the spiritual reality is that there are enemies. Ephesians 6:12, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
There are enemies here in this world and of a spiritual and demonic force. So that's a danger. That's a danger that we face, brothers and sisters, at all angles. And to be reminded, verse 13, of the Lord Jesus Christ's authority over the enemies is something significant to behold. And further still, when we then come to verse 14, what do we then find? That not only is Christ victorious over the enemy, but He has sent and commissioned His ministering spirits for His people, the Church of Jesus Christ.
Quite literally, what we have presented at the end of Hebrews chapter 1 is that God has commissioned the angels to watch over and protect you. Born again Christian, belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ, this is what we behold, brothers and sisters, that these ministering spirits, these ministering angels have been sent for us. Now this is such a comfort. It's a joy and it is a source of great peace. Because when we consider, even just maybe today, even in the past week, the amount of times, the amount of things, the amount of situations that you have likely been considering, worrying about, fretting over, fretting over, panicking about, to know these two truths, that Christ is victorious over your enemies and that He has sent His angels to protect and watch over you.
Brothers and sisters, this is a peace and joy to behold. And this is what we have here at the end of Hebrews chapter 1. And this is going to be the launch pad into the first application and exhortation that we'll pick up in Hebrews chapter 2 next week. So we're coming to the text then. And we're only going to spend a short while in verse 13. Now the reason we're going to spend a short while in verse 13 and not a long while is because we come to the most quoted verse, the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament, which is Psalm 110 verse 1.
You might be thinking, well if it's the most quoted, surely we need to spend more time in it. Well the reason that we're going to spend only a short time is because this verse is quoted later in the book of Hebrews in chapters 5 and 7. So if you think, I think we could get more out of that verse, you will be correct and we will be drawing out more from that verse in the context especially of what is found later in the book of Hebrews. But there's significance in terms of how it is quoted here in Hebrews chapter 1. And that's what we're going to be dealing with.
But just to briefly mention to give a little bit of a background and foundation to it, going beyond just that it's quoted from Psalm 110 verse 1. This is one of the Messianic Psalms. It is also something that is quoted by the Lord Jesus Himself in John 5:39 where He bears witness about Himself using the Son. We also see that Peter quotes it at Pentecost in fulfilment of what the Lord Jesus Christ has now secured. And we also find that the Apostle Paul quotes it and we're going to be seeing this in a few minutes this afternoon in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Jesus, Peter, Paul, they all quote it. It's significant. And also as we're noting, it's found here in the book of Hebrews and in chapter 1.
Now the first thing to notice about the quote here in verse 13 is not what is included but what is missing. Verse 13, "Unto which of the angels has He ever said?"
Well here again is a rhetorical question because this is not something that is ever said of the angels. It is only something said of the Son. That is the argument. And then it says sit at my right hand. Now let's stop. There's a bit missing. The beginning of Psalm 110 verse 1 has not been included in this quote. And the beginning of Psalm 110 verse 1 is incredibly significant because it says the Lord says to my Lord, and then it goes on, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. Now one of the reasons why this is not included is because we're now getting to a slightly different focus because the first part of Psalm 110 verse 1 has already been established here in chapter 1 of Hebrews.
Namely, the Lordship, the authority of who the Son is. Because when it says in Psalm 110 verse 1, the Lord says to my Lord, we might be wondering why is David writing in this way? Who would God be calling Lord? Surely it can't be David. David can't be the Lord and that's right. David isn't the one that is being spoken of here. It is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a messianic Psalm because it is pointed forward to a fulfilment that will be found in Christ. Christ who, as we've seen earlier in verse 5, is the Son who is eternally begotten of the Father. The Son who, in verse 8, is spoken of as God who reigns on the throne forever and ever.
This is who the Lord is who is spoken of. The Lord who, verse 3, is the one who makes purification for sins and then sits down at the right hand of the majesty on high. This is who the Lord is and His authority is absolute. That's already been established. Christ's authority, His rule, His dominion and now we come to see how this impacts His enemies. If brothers and sisters, it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is seated on the throne, what does that mean for the enemies of God and what does that mean for the enemies of God's people?
This is an important question because as we've already noted here this afternoon, we are faced with, we are grappling against such enemies. Well note, it says of the Lord Jesus, it says of the Lord Jesus, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. Sit at my right hand, again this language from verse 3 is a picture of God's power. Jesus is seated at the right hand, namely He is seated in the position of power. It is a position of power and authority where the risen saviour is seated because the Lord Jesus Christ has made purification for sins. He has dealt with the sins of His chosen people as we considered this morning beginning in 1 Peter. It is dealt with, it is a completed work and it is why when Christ went all the way to Calvary, laid down His life with His blood being shed, He was buried but He did not remain in the tomb because He had conquered sin and death and He rose victorious. He is exalted, seated in this most prominent, glorious place at the right hand, seated at the right hand and where the enemies are going to be a footstool for His feet.
Now, one thing that maybe you haven't paid attention to regarding the language of this but we are going to draw it out now. It says, let's focus on the words clearly, to the Lord Jesus, sit at my right hand, so He is sitting there and then it says until, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. So He is seated in this place until something happens. Now, you might be wondering, well, what exactly does that mean? Where are the enemies right now? Are they still running riot? Do they still have authority? Do they have an authority over us? Do they have an authority over the church? Who's in charge here? Well, let's turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. This is another place in the New Testament where this psalm is quoted.
1 Corinthians chapter 15 and we are going to read verses 25 and 26. 1 Corinthians 15 verse 25. It says, the Lord Jesus is seated at my right hand and He says, for He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Now, brothers and sisters, this small portion of scripture is an immense encouragement to the body of Christ because notice what the apostle Paul is stating at the beginning of verse 25. He is telling us who reigns today. There are enemies. They are dangerous. They are lurking, ready to strike you down.
And verse 25 says, for He, the Lord Jesus Christ, it is Christ who must reign. He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. So something is going to happen, namely at the point when the Lord Jesus Christ returns where all the enemies will be completely consumed, subdued, defeated, destroyed. A footstool under the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ who is Lord and Master and King over all. But until this happens, Christ is the one who reigns. Jesus Christ today is the one who reigns victorious over all. And this is the triumph of the church today.
Now, when we go on to read in verse 26, the last enemy to be destroyed is death. Depending on your eschatological position, what this looks like from this point until Christ returns may differ in your estimation. Some may believe that Christ's reigning will mean that time will get better and there will eventually be a golden era where Christ is the one who reigns and God's people take dominion and then He returns and defeats death. Others may believe that things are not going to get better in this earth because of the existence of sin and the fall of man, but Christ yet still reigns and He will return to defeat death and consume, subdue, and defeat the enemies. Either way, brothers and sisters, we know these truths from the Word of God. Number one, Christ reigns today.
Number two, Christ will return victorious. Number three, the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ will be defeated. Number four, they will be a footstool for His feet. And number five, death will be destroyed because Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. Now, let me ask you, brothers and sisters, as a means of challenge to the church of Jesus Christ, how then does this mean we proceed? How do we proceed, brothers and sisters? Do we sit back, biting our fingernails, worried about what's going to happen next? When will the next stabbing happen? When will the next wicked group rise up and attack the church? The church is going to disintegrate more and more. No, brothers and sisters, this is not the stance of the church of Jesus Christ because Christ reigns. Do we believe this?
Satan is on the rampage, but we have to understand that he may be all bark, but he has no bite to devour the church. We see it in the word of God. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church of Jesus Christ. This is the truth revealed in the word of God, and this is our truth. This is our victory. Today, we know who is victorious, and we know that this is our victory as the Lord's people. And this is going to be so timely when we get to Hebrews chapter two and the first chapter of the book and the first exhortation in the book because the church seems to be, by and large, in countries like ours, acting as though Christ does not reign. We have, as we'll see in much detail next week, drifted. This is why we're here.
This is what we're standing on. This is where the victory is won as a church in the realm of the family, in the realm of society, by obeying the word of God, by resting standing upon His promises, His power, His provision, His authority and rule over all. In every situation that we face, bar none, you know Christ reigns. And the enemies who come to try to strike you down, Christ will make those enemies a footstool for His feet. Praise be to God for this truth. And also we find, as we come to the end of this week, we come to verse 14. The Lord, in His love and care for His people, for His bride, has given to us His ministering spirits. Verse 14. Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? So we come to verse 14. So again we're coming to the argument about the angels. Christ is superior, he is greater. That's the argument. The angels, well they serve the Son. And this is how they serve the Son. By watching over and protecting us.
Now this assumes something brothers and sisters, just in case we've missed it, that these angels are more powerful than we are. And if you've been paying attention to what we've seen already in Hebrews chapter 1, we already can understand from the word of God why this is the case. And they have been deployed for the purpose of watching over, serving, the people who belong to them. Belong to Christ. Us. Now the power and significance of the angels is not something that is lost and their presence of protection and care we see many times in the word of God. First thing to note, in Luke 4.10, even the devil makes this point. For it is written, he will command His angels concerning you to guard you and on their hands they will bear you up lest you strike your foot against the stone.
Well here's Satan acknowledging the angels power by trying to abuse the word of God to tempt the Lord Jesus Christ in His time in the wilderness. Because the angels are such beings of power and protection. We also see the angels being present at Gethsemane in Luke 22.43. In Psalm 91.11 it says, for he will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. So they are there at significant points in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ministering spirit sent to protect and watch over our Lord. We see also examples of angels being present protecting the Lord's people. Take Lot in Genesis chapter 19. We see that they urge Lot's wife to leave Sodom and Gomorrah before it is destroyed in Genesis 19.15. We also see that an angel is sent ahead of Israel in the conquest of Canaan in Exodus 23.20.
We also have one of the most explicit examples of angels protecting the people of God in 2 Kings chapter 6. So please turn with me to 2 Kings chapter 6. This is one of the passages which may not be as familiar and so this is why we are going to go to this one. Some of the others that have been quoted will hopefully be a bit more recognized. But this is one of the most clear examples in the word of God of what Hebrews 1.14 is saying. Hebrews 1.14, are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation. 2 Kings 6, we'll read from verse 15. When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold an army with horses and chariots was all round the city. And the servant said, Alas, my master, what shall we do? He said, Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed and said, O Lord, please open His eyes that he may see. So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha. And when the Syrians came down against Him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, Please strike this people with blindness. So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. And Elisha said to them, This is not the way and this is not the city. Follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek. And he led them to Samaria.
If you remember back in Hebrews 1:7, a description of the angels. He makes His angels winds and His ministers a flame of fire. And what do we see? Behold in this mountain, we have this very language of the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha. They are there as protectors and they are celestial beings who are warriors protecting the people of God and upholding the purposes of the living God. Brothers and sisters, this isn't aimless speculation. This is biblical truth.
And if we want further examples, Daniel 6:22, my God sent His angel and shut the gates of the city and shut the lions mouths. Only three chapters earlier, what did we find in the flaming furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? There was a fourth character. Who was that? It was an angel of the Lord. What were these celestial beings doing at these crucial points in Old Testament history? They were protecting, ministering to, serving the people of God. And it's not exclusive to the Old Testament.
We've seen it with the life of the Lord Jesus. We see it too in the Acts of the Apostles. In verses 19 to 20 of Acts 5, it says, but during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life. The same thing happens in Acts chapter 12. Again, an angel, a ministering spirit protecting Peter at a time when he's faced with near certain death. The chains fell off. The guide and guarding, the protecting of the angel is what these apostles face. Brothers and sisters, there are cosmic powers, spiritual forces at work in this world.
And we've seen in Ephesians 6:12, we're caught up in this. And in our weakness, because let's be clear, we are weak in the face of such evil. We have these mighty warrior-like figures, angels, who are there when cities are destroyed, when empires come in to strike, when the furnace burns and the lions roar, when the devils attack. We see that in the face of the schemes of the devil, the strength, the provision, the protection of those who have come to serve, the ones who will inherit salvation. This is a blessing to us, brothers and sisters.
These angels have been given to us because the us are, end of verse 14, those who are to inherit salvation. This morning we were considering the subject of election, what it means to be chosen by God before the foundation of the world. This is God's sovereign decree and purpose for us, those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. A work that was secured by the Lord Jesus Christ, who became a sacrifice for sinners, purging our sins, being that atoning sacrifice that we could stand in the presence of God, freely forgiven, justified by His completed work. What does that mean for the bride of Christ?
It means that we belong to the Lord. It means that we are adopted into the family of the living God. You are a child of God. This is what you are. You are a child of God and He cares for you and He loves you and this is why He has sent these angels, these ministering spirits, to watch over and protect you. And you might think, as we likely so often do, what have I done to deserve this all this? Well, you haven't done anything to deserve it. You are undeserving of it. You are a vile wretch. You are living in rebellion against God. This is who every single one of us is. And for any who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior tonight, this is our standing before God as sinners deserving of hell. And this is why we marvel at the grace of God, that He has sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to this earth to be the sacrifice for sinners. This is the Gospel and it is what it means to inherit salvation.
It is a free gift that we do not deserve. If anyone thinks, well, what do I need to do to get this salvation? There is nothing you can do, but there is everything that Christ has done for His chosen people, for those who repent and believe and for those who repent and believe. We become co-heirs with Christ, more than conquerors in Christ Jesus our Lord, because we know that He is seated on the throne and He reigns and He rules over all.
And we know that He has given to us these angels to watch over and protect us. As we are working out our salvation in fear and trembling, the Spirit of God is at work holding us, keeping us by His grace day by day. And in this lifelong journey of sanctification every step of the way, we also have the angels of the Lord who have been sent to watch over and protect us. Have you been in this position? Maybe there has been a situation in your life where you thought, well, I really got away with one there. Oh, somebody was really looking out for watching over me or my husband, my wife, my child at this point in my life. This is not an accident. It's not a coincidence that the Lord has protected you at certain points in your life. This is in the Lord's providence by His grace, in His love and mercy to you, how He protects and watches over you.
And we have these ministering spirits who have been sent to do this. What a comfort to know who is watching over and protecting us as we wake up tomorrow morning with all of the enemies ready to seek to strike down and devour. We have these angels, ministers, a flame of fire fighting for you against the enemies of God. This is what we have on our side. And foundationally to it all, that Christ is victorious and triumphant over all. This is the comfort and joy that we behold as we begin to wrap up the first of these 13 chapters in the book of Hebrews.
Because with all of this to say regarding what angels are doing for you in protecting, serving you, undeserving sinner, forgiven by the grace of God, they are ultimately servants of the Lord. Jesus Christ who is on the throne for He is superior. Christ is superior to the angels because He is the Son eternally begotten. Verse 5. He is the one who is on the throne for you and which is forever and ever with the scepter of uprightness. He is the one who has created you and all things. He is the one who sustains you. He is the one who is victorious, who is Lord over all things, who has dominion and rule over all things, the one who will return victorious, triumphant over sin, triumphant over death, triumphant over all of your enemies the enemies of the living God. How does this impact us? We stand on the right side of the victory in our belonging to Jesus Christ. We know that Christ is superior. He is greater and He is our Lord and Savior. And with that said, we will come to the next chapter. To Hebrews 2 verse 1 next week and deal with the opening exhortation. Therefore, we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. Lest we drift away from it. Amen.