Christ Superior to the Angels

Hebrews 1:3–14 ESV

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 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?

God’s Son

Hebrews 1:4–5 ESV

having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 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”?

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

The angels have intimate access to God

Yet they are not the Son

Angels are Created beings

The Son is one with God

The Angels worship Him

Hebrews 1:6–9 ESV

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.”

Notice he says the Angels are winds and flames of fire

The Scriptures are full of images of the power of the angels

angel of death on the passover

fear of people when visited by angels

angels destroying Sodom and Gomorrah

The son has the scepter the symbol of power of a kingdom he has the annointing of God the symbol of God’s authority

These two together show Jesus power as above that of the angels. He controls life and death.

The Gospels clearly show his power over all creation far exceeding that of the angels.

Then in his final night before the Crucifixion he claims authority to call upon legions of angels to come to his aid.

You see as mighty as the angels are they worship Jesus.

Yet listen to these verses

Revelation 22:8–9 ESV

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Here it says you should not worship angels but God

Even Jesus when confronted by Satan says

Luke 4:7–8 ESV

If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ”

Thus if only God is to be worshipped then Jesus is not merely a supreme man or the head of the angels but rather He must be God Himself

The Everlasting one

Then God says of the Lord Jesus

Hebrews 1:10–12 ESV

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.”

Jesus was in the Beginning when als was created and he will outlast all that has been made. he is timeless the Everlasting one. The angels were created beings they had a beginning and if God so decides they will have an end.

The Almighty

Hebrews 1:13–14 ESV

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?

Angles are ministering servants

Over and over again the angels are sent to uplift to encourage to protect to inform and to discipline the people of God.

They are called ministers messengers and servants

They are sent for the benefit of those who would inherit salvation for the elect for Christians and those before Christ who looked forward to Him.

Yet Jesus is the Christ himself the Messiah the Savior sent by God to redeem the lost sinners of this world. God due to the supreme devotion and obedient sacrifice of Jesus gives him all authority and says to him Sit at my right hand until I make all your enemies a footstool for your feet. Jesus is the right hand of God and ruler of everything. The Angels are but servants.

Therefore let us not worship angels as some are doing let us not lift up the cherubim seraphim or even the Archangels but rather let us lift up Jesus Christ as God Almighty. God alone deserves our worship and our praise. He alone is Great and worthy of Honor. In Him alone is salvation found. Great is the Lord Jesus.