Better than the Angels Heb. 1:4-14

Introduction

It has been awhile since we started the book of Hebrews so by way of introduction I want to do a recap on verses 1-3 where we learned that Christ is better than the prophets.

The son is the creator of all things

He is the brightness of His glory

He is the express image of his person

He upholds all things by the word of his power

He purged our sins

He is seated on the right hand of the father

Christ not only is better than the prophets, this week we will see that he is so much better than the Angels and the writer is going to use seven old testament quotations to show that Christ is better than the Angels.

Christ is better even in His humanity Vs 4

Christ is the creator of the angels

When Christ became a man he was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death

Heb. 2:9 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

Now Jesus is appointed heir of all things, therefore even in his humanity is is forever better than the angels.

Christ is better in His Sonship vs. 5-8

The writer starts vs. 5 with a question from an old testament verse.

he asks which angel has he ever called son?

This is a quotation from Psalm 2:7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee.”

This quotation is referring to God’s Son, Jesus, and also his coming resurrection as the first begotten from the dead.

Acts 13:33 “God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.”

Col 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

In vs 5 he quotes another Old testament verse.

2 Sam 7:14 “I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:”

This verse had its initial fulfillment in Solomon, but its eternal fulfillment is in Jesus Christ.

Notice in verse 6 that even at Christs birth the Angels worshiped him

The last part of verse 7 is from Ps 97:7 “Confounded be all they that serve graven images, That boast themselves of idols: Worship him, all ye gods.”

In Psalm 97:7 the angels are called gods. It is referring to fallen angels who were promoting Pagan worship of themselves.

In Hebrews though it indicates that all Angels faithful and fallen are commanded to worship the true God of creation, which essentially means to bow down to the will of God.

Vs. 7 is a quote from Ps 104:4 “Who maketh his angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire:” It shows us that evidently the Angels created immediately following the creation of the world

Vs. 7 and vs. 8 are a contrast in the fact that this is what he said about the angels and this is what he says about the son.

In Henry Morris’ commentary he says this:

Christ is the Son of God by:

Ressurection- Rom 1:4 “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”

Human Generation - Luke 1:33 “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Proclamation - Matt 3:17 “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Nature - John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”

Eternal Generation - Col 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”

And inheritance - Hebrews 1:2 “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”

Angels are the sons of God by special creation Ps. 104:4-5 “Who maketh his angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire: Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be removed for ever.”

Job 38:7 “When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

Verse 8-9 is a quote from Ps 45:6-7 “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: The sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

Christ is better in creation vs 10-14

vs. 10-12 is a quotation of Psalm 102.

Psalm 102:25-27 “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.”

God created everything including the Angels and Jesus was there as creator as well showing that Christ is better than the Angels through creation.

Vs. 11 proves that the world isn’t evolving it is running down. It is eventually going to burn up, not because of our carbon footprint but because of sin.

Vs. 12 talks about an ever changing world and an unchanging God

The world is decaying but the creator and His word stay the same.

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

1 Pet 1:24-25 “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

Matt. 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

Verse 13 asks another question about which angel God said this too

Ps 110:1 “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

Vs. 14 gives us the purpose of the Angels

they were sent to minister to those who would become the heirs of salvation.

Ps 103:20 “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, That excel in strength, that do his commandments, Hearkening unto the voice of his word.”

Conclusion

While the Jews held Angels in high regard, Christ is so much better than the angels.

He is better in his humanity, his sonship and creation. He deserves first place in your life.