God has never told the angels to sit at His right hand or told them He will make their enemies a footstool. Angels are made to do what God commands to help believers.
These verses focus on the final and complete victory of Jesus, which belongs to Him and not the angels. Jesus is currently sitting at the right hand of the Father, but one day all of Jesus’ enemies will be destroyed. God promises to His son that He will make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet. This will be His final victory. Jesus will take sole possession as ruler of the earth.
The angels, in comparison, exist as ministering spirits to serve those believers who will inherit salvation. Note that the inheritance is in the future; believers have not yet inherited this salvation. Salvation just refers to something being delivered, and in context we must determine what is being delivered from what. Those believers who live faithful lives of obedience to God get to share in the inheritance that Christ has been given – they will be delivered from trials of this life and inherit these great rewards. Part of the inheritance that Jesus received is the final victory over His enemies. The angels are currently serving those faithful believers who will one day share in God’s final victory over His enemies.
Paul continually emphasizes in Hebrews the surpassing glory and reward available to believers if they walk in the obedience of faith. It takes the eyes of faith to look to the rewards of a future life while enduring difficulty in this life. It might be that Paul’s Jewish friends were being tempted by persecution for following Jesus as God’s true Messiah, much as Paul endured persecution. And Paul seeks to remind them to persevere because a great reward is available for those who hold fast.
Biblical Text:
13 But 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 render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
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