Angel Salvation?

As a reminder, the whole of Hebrews, especially chapter 1, was written to clearly define who Jesus Christ is, with 2:16, our key verse for today, being no exception.  (Hebrews had a dual purpose, the second being to encourage persecuted believers).

16For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

ESV

16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

KJV

During the first century A.D., many heresies were flying here and there, many of them centered on the Person of Jesus Christ.  Judaizing was one; Gnosticism was another one, which I blogged about below:

This tendency to heresy continues unto the present day in our Christian faith, often born from the fact that some Bible student, commentator, professor or pastor wants to "discover" some new teaching in the Bible.  Of this we all who live the Word of God should be very wary, as this love of "secret knowledge" reeks of Gnosticism!  I love what Harold Brown1 has to say about this:

It is a curious fact about Christianity that it is the only major religion many of whose paid, full-time priests, prelates, and professors spend much time and energy trying to show that it is false and should be totally changed or perhaps even abandoned. Buddhists do not do this; neither do Hindus. Muslims certainly do not, or if they do they do not live long. This shows, I believe, that the religion of Scripture, historic, biblical Christianity, is obnoxious to the Prince of Darkness, so that he makes a point of tempting the professors and priests of Christianity to undermine their own doctrines.

One heresy that originated in the first century and is seductive to this day concerns angels and their relationship to Jesus.  The book of Hebrews is clear that angels are created beings, whereas Jesus is not.  Verse 16 is yet another verse to distinguish the second Person of the Trinity from angels.  Jesus Christ is no angel.  He is God, who took on Himself the nature of man, thereby making Himself "a little lower than the angels" (2:9-10).

But, verse 16 is a puzzlement in the sense that it appears to condemn fallen angels who are currently under judgment from God.  Is there no hope from them?  Does Hebrews 2:16 say that?

First, we have to recall that angels, though created, were not created with a "sin nature", the same one we inherited from our forefather, Adam.  There is a reason that Christ is referred to in Scripture as "the last Adam", as this refers to His taking on the human nature and becoming born as a baby, male human.  The "nature" of angels is quite different.

So, is the fate of fallen angels sealed?  It appears to be.  It is certain that the salvation available to humans through Jesus Christ is not available to fallen angels.  And, based on the following scriptures, no other salvation seems extended to them either.

5Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved^ca people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire,^d serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Jude 1:5-7

3Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 

1 Corinthians 6:3

We must understand that God can do anything He wants, except violate His own Word.  He will not be untrue to Himself.  We must also accept that we do not understand all things and that, with humility, we need to leave the angels to God.  Certainly, we have our hands full dealing with our own mess on a day-to-day basis!  Fortunately, our precious Lord Jesus, because He became a man, understands our "mess", is able to sympathize with our trials and temptations, and is therefore able to strengthen and help us to overcome them, in His all-powerful name.  Let's praise Him for His amazing grace!

Sources:

1  Jackson, Wayne. "Is There No Plan of Salvation for Angels?" ChristianCourier.com. Access date: October 19, 2016. https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1021-is-there-no-plan-of-salvation-for-angels

2  http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/heresy-in-the-early-church/