Jesus’ Superiority to Angels (1:4-14)
Heb. 1:4-14
Introduction
One of the most popular, entertaining, encouraging, even awe-inspiring Biblical topic is about angels. Movies, television shows, books, magazines, cartoon stories, show angels being with us, helping us, and is used by the Lord to change our lives indeed is very encouraging. Angels play important roles in the Old as well as in the New Testament.
Some Basic information about angels
A. Angel means “messenger.” A supernatural being created to serve God. The Bible speaks of two major groups of angels-good and evil. One group of angels rebelled against God and followed Satan (Mt. 25:41). These fallen angels are also called demons or evil spirits. Those angels which did not join the rebellion are called the elect angels and continue to serve and worship God (1Ti 5:21).
B. They were created by Jesus Christ (Col. 1:16). They were created before the world was made (Job 38:7).
C. What Are Angels Like?
1. They are spirits (Heb. 1:7).
2. Though they can fly and move quickly, the Bible never says angels have wings (Dan. 9:21).
3. They are always referred to as masculine (Gen. 18:1-2; Jg. 13:3,6; Lk. 24:3-4).
4. They do not marry or bear children (Mt. 22:30).
5. They are very powerful (Ps 103:20).
6. They are very wise (2 Sam. 14:20), but they are not all-wise. 1 Pet. 1:12 speaks of things the angels desire to know, and in Eph. 3:10 we learn that angels are learning from God’s revelations to and workings in the church.
7. They cannot die (Lk. 20:36). (WOL by David Cloud)
I. Jesus is called “Son” (Heb. 1:5)
A. Psa. 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (See also 2 Sam. 7:14). The term “MY SON” here is very exclusive. Only Jesus is called “MY SON” by God the Father. Jesus is the only son of God. He is also literally the only begotten son of God.
B. The phrase “only begotten son” does not mean Christ had a beginning. The Bible plainly says Christ had no beginning, but He Himself was in the beginning (Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:2; Jn. 1:1-3; 1 Jn. 1:2).
1. We know very well that Jesus is called “Son of God”. But what does Son of God mean?
a. This name of Jesus refers to His deity and equality with the Father (Jn. 5:18; 10:31-33; Ph. 2:5-6). “Son of God” is a reference to the Trinity-God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14). The Lord Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God, meaning He is alone in His special relationship to the Father. He is not like those who become children of God through
adoption. He is eternal, without beginning (Mic. 5:2; Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:1). He created all things, and without Him was not anything made that was made, meaning He Himself was not created (Jn. 1:3; Col 1:16). He reveals God to men (Jn. 1:18). Christians become sons of God through faith in Christ, but Jesus is forever higher and distinct from the Christian (1 Tim. 6:14-16; Heb. 7:25-26). Even in eternity, He is on the throne, and His people serve Him (Rev. 22:3).
2. No angel is ever called “MY SON”
a. True, angels are called “sons of God” (Gen. 6:2, 4, Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7) collectively but never individually
b. Christians are also called sons of God (Jn. 1:12, Rom. 8:14,19, Gal. 4:6, Ph. 2:15, 1 Jn. 3:2). Again collectively, and we become sons of God by adoption and regeneration which describes our salvation in Christ.
3. Angels are messengers, and created beings. Our Lord Jesus Christ created them. This proves Jesus’ superiority to the angels.
II. The Angels worship Him (Heb. 1:6)
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ is described as “the firstbegotten into the world”
1. The meaning of the word firstbegotten:
a. The superior status of the firstborn son (Ex. 12:29; Deut. 21:16-17).
b. It also describes Israel’s pre-eminence before God (Ex. 4:22).
c. Christ’s resurrection as the first-born from the dead and the beginning and head of the new creation (Ps. 2:7; 89:27; Acts 13:33; 26:23; Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 15:20,23; Col. 1:15,18; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 1:5,18). “The Greek word for firstborn (prototokos) means first in priority and superiority. It refers to Jesus being first and foremost.
d. The term “firstborn” does not always mean “born first”. It’s a figure of speech to describe one who occupies the rank and privileges of being first born without being literally “firstborn”.
e. It is used of Jesus in this way to stress Christ’s pre-eminence over creation (Col. 1:15-18). By being the Creator, He maintains the rank and privilege of “firstborn”!
B. The angels of God were to worship Him.
1. To worship means to bow down; to honor; to exalt; to pay homage; to reverence (Ge 24:52; Ex 4:31; 12:27; 24:1; 33:10; 34:8; Mt 2:11). Bible truths about worship:
a. Only the Lord God of the Bible is to be worshipped (Ex. 20:1-6; 34:14; 2 Kings 17:36; Mt. 4:10; Acts 10:25-26).
b. Not even angels are to be worshipped (Rev. 22:8-9).
c. Jesus Christ is to be worshipped (Mt. 2:11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 18:26; 20:20; 28:9,17; Ph. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:6).
d. Worship is in vain if based on the traditions of man instead of the Word of God (Mt. 15:9; Mr. 7:7).
e. Worship must be in Spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24; Ph. 3:3).
2. From the above truths, we can clearly see the superiority of Christ over the angels. Christ when he was here also received worship (Mt. 9:18, 14:33, 15:25, Jn. 9:38)
3. Our Lord Jesus Christ deserves our worship because He is the true God who worthy to be praised, honored, adored, etc.
III. Angels are servants, Jesus Christ is King (Heb. 1:7-9)
A. Angels are God’s ministers or servants. They have a name which implies a more humble rank and office. They obey his will as the winds and the lightnings do.
B. Christ however is called “Son” (literally Son of God, which ascribes equality to God the Father). Notice also that the Son is called “God” in verse 8
C. Not only that, Heb. 1:8 is showing that God the Father is also calling Christ “God”. The deity of Christ is very clear in this verse. Also, we can see here the distinction of personality between the Father and the Son (Godhead). We will see also as we go on that the Godhead is composed of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
D. The Son, who is God, has been enthroned, and reigns over an everlasting kingdom in righteousness. His dominion is forever and ever. It has no end.
1. One of the main teachings of Ps 110 is that Jesus Christ, God’s Anointed (Messiah, Christ), is now enthroned in glory. Jesus Himself referred to this important psalm (Mark 12:35-37; 14:62), and Peter used it on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:34-36). Our Lord has not yet entered into His earthly kingdom, but He has been enthroned in glory (Eph 1:20). Angels minister before the throne, they do not sit on the throne.
2. Christ wields a righteous sceptre. “A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”
a. A sceptre is a staff or wand usually made of wood, commonly overlaid with gold, or of ivory. It was borne in the hands of kings as an emblem of authority and power. (Esther 4:11).
b. Christ came to fulfil all righteousness, to bring in an everlasting righteousness; and he was righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works.
3. When Christ ascended and entered the heavenly glory, He was anointed for His heavenly ministry with “the oil of gladness” (Heb. 1:9). This probably refers to Psalm 16:11, which Peter referred to at Pentecost: “Thou shalt make Me full of joy with Thy countenance” (Acts 2:28)
4. Above thy fellows; in power and office; for God has made him “King of kings, and Lord of lords,” Re. v 17:14; 19:16; exalting him not only above all human kings, but above all heavenly principalities and powers. Eph. 1:21; Ph. 2:9-10; Col. 1:18.
5. As God, King, and Messiah, Jesus is surely greater than the angels.
Illustration/Application: The Chariots of God
Angels are called the chariots of God. “The chariots of God are thousands of angels” (Ps. 68:17). That is, they are the chariots of His will, they bear His will about to every part of the universe. This is their delight. They bless God, who rewards them with service. But when they have fulfilled God’s message, then they return back to Him by whom they were sent forth. They return back to Him, and stand before Him, drinking in fresh streams of life, and strength, and purity, and joy from His presence.
Practical Bible Illustrations from Yesterday and Today.
IV. Jesus is the creator of all things (Heb. 1:10-12)
A. We see here that Jesus is the Creator of all things. As the one who laid the foundation of the earth and created the heavens, Jesus is the One who is spoken of in Genesis 1.
B. Angels are just the creation of Christ.
C. Jesus Christ is the Creator, and one day He will do away with the old creation and bring in a new creation. Everything around us changes, but He will never change. He is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Creation is like an old garment which will one day be discarded in favor of a new one.
V. Christ is the LORD; angels are the servants (vv. 13-14).
A. Again, the writer quotes Psalm 110:1. The fact that Jesus Christ is now at the Father’s right hand (the place of honor) is mentioned many times in the New Testament (Matt. 22:43-44; 26:64; Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33-34; Rom. 8:34; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3,13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22). Angels are the ministering spirits who serve the Lord seated on the throne. But they also minister to us who are the “heirs of salvation” through faith in Christ. The angels today are serving us!
B. It would be impossible to do away with the evidence presented in these quotations. Jesus Christ is greater than the angels, and this means He is also greater than the Law which they helped deliver to the people of Israel.
VI. Conclusion:
Beyond reasonable doubt, the Apostle Paul, the author of this very important Epistle had shown that Jesus Christ is far superior than the angels who are just ministering spirits. Repent from your sins and receive Him as your personal saviour before its too late
