Hebrews 1:5-14

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?  Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?  And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,“Let all God's angels worship him.”

Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”    But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”  

And “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed.  But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”  

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?

Jesus is greater than the angels.  There are some in the Jewish tradition that exalted the angels and even went to the point of worshiping them.  The author of Hebrews wants to make sure that we all understand that Jesus is far greater than the angels.  He demonstrates this truth by quoting from the Old Testament about what God says about angels and what He says about Christ; and what He says to angels and what He says to Christ.  There are at least four main contrasts that we can see in this passage the demonstrate how much greater Jesus is than the angels.

JESUS IS GOD’S SON AND THE ANGELS WORSHIP HIM: Jesus is the Son of God in a way that no other being is a son of God.  When we place our faith in Christ, we become a son or daughter of God.  Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.  He is the second member of the Trinity and is God very God.  The angles are created beings that minister in God’s presence and serve according as they are commanded.  They are not divine.  In fact, they worship Jesus.  The worshiped is greater than the worshiper, or at least should be.  Fallen men have worshiped stones and other creatures; but that is idolatry, not true worship.  Angels worshiping Jesus is true and holy worship because He is their Creator and He is worthy of their worship.  Some of the Jewish people took pride in having had experiences or visions of angels.  Certainly, angles are glorious beings created for God’s glory, but they are not to be worshiped.

JESUS IS SOVEREIGN AND THE ANGELS SERVE HIM: The angles are servants and ministers whom God commands to accomplish His will.  Jesus is seated on the throne and given the authority to reign over the earth.  He is the Sovereign Lord who has been given the scepter of the kingdom and He is King over all.  He righteousness, holiness, love and joy are perfect.  The angels are glorious but were created to do His bidding and serve Jesus.  Angles, like us, are subject to Jesus and are required to live in obedience to Him.  They are ministers He is Master.  

JESUS IS CREATOR AND THE ANGLES WERE MADE BY HIM: Jesus laid the foundations of the earth and created all things and all beings.  This includes the angles.  Jesus made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.  The heavens and the earth will pass away and are changing constantly.  Jesus is eternal and never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Worshiping creation or created beings like angels is an idolatrous act.  Only the Creator is worthy of our worship.

JESUS IS HEIR AND THE ANGELS MINISTER TO US FOR HIM: The Father has placed Jesus at His right hand and promised to vanquish all His enemies.  When Satan, the fallen angels, and rebellious, unbelieving men are judged; Jesus will inherit the new heavens, the new earth, angels, and all believers as His eternal kingdom.  Angels are part of the inheritance just as we are.  In fact, the angels have been given the task of ministering on His behalf to us.  The suffering Savior who took on flesh to pay for our sin will return to inherit His kingdom.  On that glorious day, all believers and all angles will be part of His eternal kingdom.

APPLICATION: Do not be distracted from worshiping Jesus because of our curiosity about angels.  Our study of angels should inspire us to worship Jesus who created them but never to worship them.  We can learn from the obedience of angels and be faithful to serve as they do.  Take hope that even though we currently live in a fallen world; one day we will be the inheritance of Jesus and enjoy His glorious kingdom.

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