Greater Than The Angels!!!

Hebrews 1:1-14

Angels are a popular topic, even amongst non-Christians. Angels are portrayed in a number of ways, most of which are so vastly incorrect that they mask the horrendously magnificent reality of their existence and nature. God created the angelic hosts for particular reasons, but their foundational role is to serve Yahweh and HIS heavenly kingdom.

Yet many, in ancient times and modern alike - worship or venerate angels.

Colossians 2:18 even mentions this where it says… “Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud…”

The Bible is very clear on how that is an ungodly act. There are many scriptures that talk about angelic beings visiting a person in the Bible, and that person bowing down to the angel - the angel then quickly tells them not to worship them. If the angels are telling us not to…then maybe we shouldn’t.

Revelation 22:9 is a great example of this - “But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!”

Jesus is the one we should be worshipping. And the author of the book of Hebrews addresses Jesus’ supremacy - even over the angels - in Hebrews 1:1-14.

Hebrews 1:1-14 discusses the authority, power, divinity and supremacy of Jesus Christ, when it says…

Verses 1-4: “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.”

• God speaks to HIS people. At times he met with individuals one-on-one, and other times he used prophets. In the Old Testament times, God used prophets to bring words of warning, of blessing and of guidance.

• Then God sent HIS sone Jesus to be the ultimate prophet - to tell us about the things to come, and to call the world back into a right relationship with God.

• Jesus, as the Son of God, is more than just a prophet. He is the very character and expression of Yahweh - this is supremely powerful in our understanding of who Jesus should be to us, and HIS supremacy over everything in creation.

• And because of this, Jesus sits at the right hand of God. The right hand signifies a position of influence, of authority, or power. And Jesus is the embodiment of that.

• And in addition to all those amazing things, which prove Jesus is above the angels….God has called Jesus by another name, one that reflects HIS authority and HIS divinity.

Verses 5-7: “For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.” Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”

• God refers to Jesus as HIS ‘SON’ - which is not something HE ever said to an angel. Which makes Romans 8:17 all the more special, where we are called “co-heirs with Christ”. This places us above the angels in the eternity that comes after the 1000 year reign of Jesus on Earth.

• Jesus is the focus of warship in the heavenly realm, where the angel sing and worship HIM. This is another reason why we should do the same.

• Then the role and function of angels is put in contrast with that of the previous verses describing Jesus. Here it talk about them being servants (not sitting at the right hand of the KING of KINGS), that they move like winds over the Earth and that they bring wrath and judgement (through the imagery of fire).

Verses 8-13: “But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.” And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honour at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

• Here the writer of Hebrews makes note that God places Jesus on the throne. That HIS rule will be forever, and HIS rule will be one that is just and full of authority.

• It is also noted that God recognises that Jesus is the creator - which echoes what is said in John 1. Just the fact that Jesus is the creator places HIM above the very things HE created - including the angels…and including humanity.

• This is also the second place where a reference to Jesus being seated at the right hand of God is mentioned. It again brings to the fore the fact that Jesus is more than just a prophet, more than just creator, more than just Son of God, but that HE holds the place of influence and authority in the Heavenly Courts. It is a place of honour that both the angels and us should respect.

Verses 14: “Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.”

• Angels have a special place and role in heaven and on Earth. They are messengers and ministering spirits that are meant to help us, and to carry out the instructions of God.

• They therefore should be held in high respect - but not worthy of worship or veneration.

• They are servants, just as we are servants of God Almighty, and the Kingdom of God.

The writer of the book of Hebrews (be it Paul, Timothy or whomever) obviously knew the Old Testament scriptures very well. In these few verses several Old Testament scriptures are used to point to the prophetic fulfilment of the coming of Jesus Christ, and to define the supreme level of HIS authority and power HE has as both God and Messiah. These scriptures include:

• Psalm 2:7

• 2 Samuel 7:14

• Deuteronomy 32:43

• Psalm 104:4

• Psalm 45:6-7

• Psalm 102:25-27

• Psalm 101:1

The creator is always greater than the creation. Picasso was greater than a single of his paintings, a top notch chef is greater than a single meal they prepare…so too is it with Jesus, who is the creator of the entire universe, the creator of time and space itself. We need to remember with reverent, holy fear what, and who Jesus actually is and stop playing around with things that are lesser than HIM.

I pray that you begin to see Jesus in the fullness of who HE is, what HE is, and how that impacts on our lives in this life and in our eternity. I pray and hope that you begin to seek HIM with desperation and reverent fear. May HE bless you abundantly and give you guidance and direction in your life, as you live out your faith in HIM.