TWIN CITIES GRACE FELLOWSHIP

Lesson 4 · Hebrews: Made Better

Christ Better Than the Angels

Angelology: what angels are, how they fell, and what we make known to them

Base text: Hebrews 1:1–4

How and when they were created

Created by Christ, visible and invisible

Colossians 1:16 — all things created by Him, including thrones, dominions, principalities and powers

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

Created before the earth and the first to watch it made

Job 38:4–7 — the morning stars and all the sons of God shouted for joy when the earth's foundations were laid

“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

Each one a direct creation, all made together

Colossians 1:16–17 — the basis for inferring one creation event

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

They do not procreate, so the number is fixed

Matthew 22:30 — in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven

“For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”

Collectively “sons of God,” never one individual called “Son”

Job 1:6 — the sons of God present themselves before the LORD

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.”

Job 2:1 — the sons of God present themselves again

“Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.”

Hebrews 1:5 — God never called an angel “Son”

“For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?”

What they are

Spirit beings who have a form and can appear as men

Luke 24:39 — a spirit has not flesh and bones

“Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

1 Corinthians 15:40 — celestial and terrestrial bodies

“There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.”

Hebrews 13:2 — some have entertained angels unawares

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Genesis 18:8 — the visitors ate with Abraham

“And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.”

Genesis 19:1 — the two angels come to Lot at Sodom

“And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;”

Matthew 28:3–4 — the angel at the tomb

“His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.”

Isaiah 6:2* — seraphim with six wings

“Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.”

Greater in power and might than men

2 Peter 2:11 — angels are greater in power and might

“Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.”

Psalm 103:20 — they excel in strength

“Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”

Genesis 19:11 — two angels blind the Sodom mob

“And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.”

Matthew 28:2 — the earthquake and the stone rolled back

“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.”

2 Kings 19:35* — 185,000 Assyrians struck down

“And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.”

Swift, and able to speak

Daniel 9:21 — Gabriel flew swiftly to Daniel

“Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.”

Galatians 1:8 — “though we, or an angel from heaven…”

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Intelligent and emotional, but not omniscient

Job 38:7 — they shouted for joy

“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

Luke 15:10* — joy among the angels over one sinner who repents

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

1 Peter 1:12 — angels desire to look into these things

“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”

They cannot read minds

Amos 4:13 — God declares to man his thought

“For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.”

Psalm 139:1–2 — God understands my thought afar off

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”

Job 1:8, 11 — Satan predicted Job would curse God and was wrong

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?… But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

Not made as God's confidants

Genesis 1:26–27 — man alone is made in God's image, after His likeness

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Hebrews 1:5 — God never called an angel “Son”

“For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?”

Their number, ranks and names

Innumerable

Daniel 7:10 — thousand thousands ministered to Him

“A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

Revelation 5:11 — ten thousand times ten thousand

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;”

Hebrews 12:22 — an innumerable company of angels

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,”

Psalm 68:17 — thousands of angels

“The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.”

Governmental ranks in the heavenly places

Colossians 1:16 — thrones, dominions, principalities, powers

“…whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:”

Ephesians 3:10 — principalities and powers in heavenly places

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”

1 Corinthians 2:6–8 — the “princes of this world”

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Orders: cherubim, seraphim, living creatures

Isaiah 6:3* — seraphim cry “Holy, holy, holy”

“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Ezekiel 10:1* — the cherubim beneath the throne

“Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.”

Genesis 3:24* — cherubim guard the way to the tree of life

“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”

Revelation 5:14 — the four living creatures say “Amen”

“And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

Named angels

Daniel 12:1 — Michael, the great prince who stands for Daniel's people

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Daniel 9:21 — Gabriel

“Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.”

Luke 1:19* — Gabriel stands in the presence of God

“And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”

Revelation 1:4 — the seven Spirits before the throne

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;”

Revelation 5:6 — the seven Spirits sent forth into all the earth

“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”

Revelation 1:20 — the angels of the seven churches

“The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

Their purpose as created

Servants and ministers who obey God's word

Psalm 103:20–21 — they do His commandments and His pleasure

“Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.”

Psalm 104:4 — He makes His angels spirits

“Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:”

Hebrews 1:7 — quoting Psalm 104:4

“And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

To worship and to observe God's work

Job 38:7 — they shouted at creation

“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

Revelation 5:12–13 — angelic worship around the throne

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

Man made lower than the angels

Man created on day six, a little lower than the angels, with dominion over the earth

Genesis 1:26 — made in God's image with dominion

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

Psalm 8:4–9 — a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

Hebrews 2:6–8 — quoting Psalm 8

“But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.”

The fall of angels

Lucifer, the anointed cherub, created perfect and full of wisdom, then iniquity found in him

Ezekiel 28:12, 14–15, 17 — the anointed cherub; heart lifted up, wisdom corrupted

“Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty… Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee… Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:”

Isaiah 14:12–14 — the five “I wills,” ending with “I will be like the most High”

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

Some angels followed him, leaving their first estate

Matthew 25:41 — “the devil and his angels”

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Jude 6* — angels who kept not their first estate

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

2 Peter 2:4* — God did not spare the angels that sinned

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”

Revelation 12:7–9* — the dragon and his angels cast out

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Two camps: holy/elect angels and the devil's angels

Matthew 25:31 — the Son of man comes with all the holy angels

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:”

1 Timothy 5:21 — the elect angels

“I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”

The fallen angels are called different names

Matthew 4:24 — devils

“…and those which were possessed with devils…”

Matthew 10:1 — unclean spirits

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

Luke 7:21 — evil spirits

“And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.”

1 Timothy 4:1 — seducing spirits and doctrines of devils

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

Satan's titles

John 12:31 — prince of this world

“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”

John 14:30 — prince of this world

“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

John 16:11 — prince of this world

“Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

Ephesians 2:2 — prince of the power of the air

“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

Their work in Israel's program

They brought and administered the law

Acts 7:53 — the law received by the disposition of angels

“Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”

Galatians 3:19 — ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

They minister to God's people in Israel's program, especially the believing remnant

Psalm 34:7 — the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Psalm 35:5–6 — the angel of the LORD chases and persecutes the wicked

“Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.”

Hebrews 1:14 — ministering spirits sent to those who shall be heirs of salvation

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

Hebrews 13:2 — entertaining angels unawares

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Daniel 12:1 — Michael stands up for Israel

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Matthew 18:10 — the little ones' angels behold the Father's face

“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”

Acts 12:15 — “It is his angel”

“And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.”

Revelation 1:4 — the seven Spirits before the throne

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;”

Revelation 5:6 — the seven Spirits sent forth into all the earth

“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”

Revelation 1:20 — the angels of the seven churches

“The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

Revelation 2:1 — the letters to the seven churches are addressed to their angels

“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;”

They minister to Christ in His earthly ministry

Matthew 4:11* — angels ministered to Him after the temptation

“Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”

Matthew 28:2–4 — the angel at the resurrection

“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.”

Satan's unclean spirits occupy Israel's land

Mark 5:9, 13 — the legion, about 2,000 unclean spirits

“And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many… And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.”

Matthew 12:29 — the strong man bound

“Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.”

Luke 11:21–22 — the stronger man takes his armor

“When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.”

Matthew 12:43–45 — the unclean spirit returns with seven others more wicked

“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”

This dispensation: we educate the angels

The church makes known the manifold wisdom of God

Ephesians 3:10 — to the principalities and powers in heavenly places

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”

1 Corinthians 2:8 — the rulers would not have crucified the Lord of glory had they known

“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

We are a spectacle to them

1 Corinthians 4:9 — a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men

“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”

1 Corinthians 11:10 — “because of the angels”

“For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.”

1 Timothy 5:21 — the elect angels witness Timothy's charge

“I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”

1 Peter 1:12 — angels desire to look into these things

“…which things the angels desire to look into.”

We stand against the fallen angels' wiles

Ephesians 6:10–12 — wrestling against principalities and powers

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 — Satan transforms himself into an angel of light

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Galatians 1:8 — even an angel from heaven preaching another gospel is accursed

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Colossians 2:18–19 — don't be beguiled into worshiping angels

“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”

The end of the story

Christ returns with all the holy angels

Matthew 25:31 — the Son of man comes with all the holy angels

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:”

The fallen angels' end

Matthew 25:41 — everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Revelation 20:1–3* — the dragon bound in the bottomless pit

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled:”

The church judges angels, and heavenly things are reconciled through the cross

1 Corinthians 6:3 — we shall judge angels

“Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”

Colossians 1:20 — reconciling things in earth and things in heaven

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

Colossians 2:15 — He made a show of the principalities and powers openly

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Christ is better than the angels

A better name

Hebrews 1:4 — a more excellent name than they

“Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

Hebrews 1:5 — “Thou art my Son”

“For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?”

Colossians 1:15 — the firstborn of every creature

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”

Colossians 1:18 — firstborn from the dead, with preeminence

“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.”

Genesis 49:3 — prōtotokos as position, not time

“Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:”

Worshiped by the angels

Hebrews 1:6 — “let all the angels of God worship him”

“And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”

Psalm 97:7 — the source of the quotation

“…worship him, all ye gods.”

Revelation 5:12–13 — fulfilled when Christ takes the scroll

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

Seated at God's right hand until His enemies are made His footstool

Hebrews 1:13 — to which of the angels did He ever say this

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?”

Psalm 110:1 — the source of the quotation

“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

The world to come not put in subjection to angels

Hebrews 2:5 — the world to come was not put under angels

“For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.”

Christ made lower than the angels, then crowned with glory and honor

Hebrews 2:9 — made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death

“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.”

Hebrews 2:14, 17* — Christ destroys the devil and becomes a merciful High Priest

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;… Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

Conclusion

We began with the angels: created by Christ, innumerable, greater in power and might than we are. They watched the earth’s foundations laid and shouted for joy. They gave the law, they ministered in Israel’s program, and they still serve God’s word. Yet one of them, the anointed cherub, full of wisdom, wanted more, and he took a third of them with him.

Then we came to Hebrews 1. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “Thou art my Son”? Never. The angels worship Him. He sits at the right hand until His enemies are made His footstool. The world to come is not put in subjection to angels.

Here is where we land. Man was made a little lower than the angels. Christ Himself was made a little lower than the angels, “for the suffering of death,” and now we see Him “crowned with glory and honour” (Hebrews 2:9).

And what has that done for us? This dispensation is not about angels ministering to us. It is about us making known to them the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10). They watch the church and learn from what God has done in Christ. At the end, Christ returns with all His holy angels, and the church will judge angels.

So do not look to the angels. Look to the One who is better than the angels, the One God has crowned.