Jesus is Superior to Angels

Hebrews 1:5-14 give us some of the clearest references to Jesus as God. Those who argue that the Bible does not teach the Deity of Jesus have difficulty with these verses. The writer makes the case that Jesus is superior to the angels. He uses seven quotations from the Old Testament to prove his point.

This is important because he is writing to a Jewish audience. He is using the Hebrew Scriptures to prove that Jesus is indeed God in the flesh.

To the Jewish person there was no rank between angels and God.

There was man- angels are greater than man.

There are angels- God is greater than angels.

God- No one is greater than God.

The logic is if Jesus is greater than the angels then He is equal with God.

v. 5 Quotation of Psalm 2

The first and one of the clearest Messianic Psalms in your Bible.

The Messiah would not be an angel. He would be the Son.

When we read something like this our Western minds think of procreation. We think of a Son being born. That’s not what the word “begotten” means.

“Begotten” describes the relationship between the Father and the Son. In other words Christ is of the same essence as the Father. To the Jews if one claimed to be the Son of God they made themselves equal with God.

John 5:18:

This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

We know John 3:16 tells us Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. “Only Begotten” is the Greek word “monogenes”. It means unique, one of a kind. Jesus is the only true Son on God. We are sons and daughters of God by adoption, Jesus is the Son of God in His very nature.

When it says “Today” that is figurative language. As well, it’s poetic like much of the language in Psalms. It’s not saying there was a time when Christ was not and then He was. If that were the case how could He be the Creator of all things (1:2)?

But let’s not miss the forest for the trees. The point the writer is making is Jesus is the Son of God and angels are a creation of God. Therefore, Jesus is superior.

The second half of verse 5 is a quotation from 2 Samuel 7:14. The coming Messiah would be a descendant of David. When you read the context of 2 Samuel it’s clear that Solomon did not fulfill the prophecy. A greater Son of David would come and set up an eternal kingdom.

V. 6 Christ is to be worshipped.

Psalm 97:7 is quoted.

The term “firstborn” is used. Again, don’t think about that word in terms of a physical birth.

Jesus is called the firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18, yet He was not the first to rise from the dead. Lazarus, rose, OT saints at the crucifixion rose.

“Firstborn” is a tile not a description. The title communicates rank and power. Calling Jesus the “firstborn” means that He is above all of creation.

This is clear from the fact that God tells the angels to worship Jesus. Worship is reserved for God alone.

Revelation 5:11-12 says:

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!”

v.7-9 First Psalm 104:4 is quoted to describe angels.

Jesus created the angels (Col. 1:16). That is enough to show He is superior to them.

Notice also they are the possession of Jesus. They are “His angels”.

They are glorious beings. They are “winds” and “flames of fire”. This probably describes their swift movement and power. They go quickly and powerfully to do the will of God.

In contrast to the angels Psalm 45:6-7 is quoted. What do we learn about Jesus from these verses.

His throne is eternal. “forever and ever”

His rule is righteous.

There is something important I want you to see in verse 8. God is talking to the Son and look what He calls the Son. He calls the Son God. In my opinion this is the most explicit verse in the Bible proclaiming that Jesus is God. It is found in both the OT and NT.

The Father calls Jesus God. What more proof do we need?

On top of that we see the plurality of person in the Godhead. He says “God, your God has anointed you.”

God eternally exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That’s a difficult concept to comprehend but it is what the Bible teaches.

v. 10-12 Psalm 102:25-27 is quoted.

When you read these passages in the OT it’s clear they are speaking of God. These verses describe:

God creating the universe

The distinction between a universe that is slowly dying and a God who is eternal.

God will renew His creation

God is eternally the same

So, we have the contrast of a changing universe and an unchanging God. These verses are attributed to Jesus in the NT.

Jesus created the universe

Jesus will judge the universe

Jesus will renew His creation

No angel could do any of those things.

v. 13-14 Psalm 110:1 is quoted.

The first thing we see is the position of Jesus. He is at the right hand of the Father. An angel could not have this place. It symbolizes equality in power and rank.

The second thing we see is the subjugation of Jesus enemies beneath His feet. At the return of Christ all of His enemies will be defeated. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. The imagery here is one of great power. Power greater than any angel possesses.

The chapter ends with a description of angels in verse 14.

They are ministering spirits. They serve the Lord Jesus for the sake of those He is saving in this world. Angels are eternal servants. That’s what they were created to do. They have a purpose in God’s order and they gladly fulfil it.

To call Jesus an angel is a great insult. To think of Him as anything less than God is erroneous.

Thoughts to Consider

1. The mystery of the Trinity should not lead us to doubt, it should lead us to wonder at the depths of God.

2. Jesus deserves our worship.

3. All of creation owes its existence to Jesus Christ.

4. Jesus will one day show all of creation that His rightful place is the throne of God.