Better Than Angels

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Better Than Angels HEBREWS 1:1–14

description

Study of Hebrews 1:1-14 on the supremacy of Christ.

Transcript of Better Than Angels

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Better Than Angels

HEBREWS 1:1–14

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Background

The book of Hebrews is shrouded in mystery, and scholars have debated its authorship, date, and

audience. Was it written by Paul? Luke? Apollos? Barnabas? Timothy? Or even by Priscilla?

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Background

Was it written before or after the destruction of the temple in AD 70? Does the traditional title “Hebrews”

suggest the first readers to have been Jewish Christians primarily or even exclusively?

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Background

Not in doubt, however, is the fact that the author of Hebrews wishes to show Christ’s superiority.

Who the prophets, the angels, etc., were and what they revealed about God pale in comparison with who

Christ is and what he in himself has disclosed about God.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

1. In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

God has spoken with words in the Bible in a variety of ways through a variety of people over hundreds of years without any of the writers contradicting one

another.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

The author begins the discussion of Christ’s superiority by sketching a background of divine

communication to theses ancestors.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

These were the ancients who lived in the time of great prophets such as Moses, Isaiah, Elijah, and Jeremiah.

God’s communication through such prophets took various forms as he spoke in multiple circumstances.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

All of the writings in the Bible “are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy

3:15-17).

The prophets pointed to the coming of the Messiah and what He would achieve for the benefit of all God’s

people.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

By the time of Jesus’ birth, Jews widely acknowledged that no new prophet had arisen for almost four

centuries, since the time of Malachi.

No prophet had brought God’s complete message, and the death of a prophet would require God to find new spokespersons periodically. This state of affairs took a

dramatic turn with the arrival of Christ.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

All of the writings in the Bible “are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy

3:15-17).

The prophets pointed to the coming of the Messiah and what He would achieve for the benefit of all God’s

people.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

2. … but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and

through whom also he made the universe.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

The “last days” began with the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. God speaks to us in the Bible, which is translated into many languages from the original

Hebrew and Greek languages

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

The “Son” is the Word that God spoke when Jesus Christ came to earth and ministered to us. God created

all things through the Son (John 1:3).

All things, all of created existence, belong to the Son. As the Son of God the Father, all that the Father has and will ever have belongs to Jesus Christ as an heir.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

The author proceeds to highlight the difference between the prophets and Jesus by noting two unique

aspects of Christ’s identity.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

First, Jesus is naturally the heavenly Father’s heir because Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus doesn’t have to

divide the inheritance with anyone.

No prophet could make such a claim, and certainly no prophet knew the heavenly Father in the way that his

own Son does.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

Second, God created the physical realm through Christ (Colossians 1:16). Many readers of the New Testament are familiar with John 1:1–5, which speaks of Christ as

“the Word” regarding his role in creation.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

First-century Jews believe that God engages and influences the world through his divine Word, which

essentially signifies his personal will and creative power.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

As the eternal Word who “was with God,” and “was God” (John 1:1), Christ is the one through whom the

Father made everything; thus Jesus was actively involved in our world from the very beginning, not just

when he came to earth.

Obviously, no prophet could have made such a claim.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

Pause2Talk

With Christ coming through Jewish lines, why do you think so many Christians forgo studying the Old

Testament which Jesus studied?

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty

on high,

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

This verse makes statements that affirm Jesus is set apart from every other figure in religious history. God’s glorious nature is made known to us through Christ as

the exact representation of God’s invisible being.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

When anyone looks at and listens to Jesus Christ, they see God in His glory exactly as our loving God acts and

speaks to us.

They see a perfect reflection of God’s holy character in everything Jesus said and did.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

Moreover, Jesus is the perfect God and the perfect representation of God as the Son of God. Jesus

proclaimed, “If you know me, you will know my Father also” and “whoever has seen me has seen the Father”

(John 14:7, 9).

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

Everything we are, have, ever will have, and ever will be depends completely on Jesus forever.

After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

The Greek word translated representation gives us the English word character; the very essence of His being.

We can know about the unseen God by knowing Christ.

Jesus is not simply another great religious teacher or prophet. Those prophets spoke for God; Christ was

God speaking.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

That power was seen in His ability to create and sustain the universe also has the power to purge sin.

This refers to Jesus’ death, to his self-sacrifice.

This theme is developed in greater detail later in this book (Hebrews 9:11–10:18); what we have here is only

an introduction to this topic.

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

Jesus’ subsequent ascension to the highest position of honor in Heaven is noted frequently in the New

Testament (Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33–36; Ephesians 1:20; etc.).

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HEBREWS 1:1–3

This happened after Christ had voluntarily suspended his divine power and privileges to die for our

redemption (Philippians 2:6–9) and rise again.

The same cannot be said of any other being, prophet or otherwise.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

4. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

Jesus is not only superior to those in the Bible who wrote about Him; Jesus is also superior to angels.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The word angel means “messenger” in everyday usage of ancient Greek.

Throughout the Old Testament, angels are portrayed as messengers of God who enjoy direct access to his divine presence and have special knowledge of his hidden affairs (Genesis 19:1–21; 2 Samuel 14:20;

Judges 13; Zechariah 1:14–17).

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The Law of Moses was itself delivered by angels (Acts 7:38; Galatians 3:19). Since no sinful human can stand in God’s holy presence, the angels communicated the terms of God’s covenant to Moses, who in turn passed

that law on to the Israelites.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

Despite their exalted position, angels still cannot tell us as much about God as Christ has. While angels have direct access to God (Luke 1:19), they are not one with

God as Christ is.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

God said or revealed many truths about Jesus that He never said about any angel or any other person.

God declared these truths about the Son of God as the prophets, the psalmists, and others spoke about Jesus

and His coming in the Old Testament Scriptures.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

After He completed His saving work, He ascended into heaven where He officially inherited the name

“Savior.”

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

Regarding Christ’s nature, it is important to stress that his authority is not simply a result of his good works—

he did not earn a high place with God by dying on a cross.

That honor was already Christ’s by his very nature, as the author of Hebrews proceeds to stress.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

Christ’s authority is a function of his eternal birthright—he is greater than the angels not only

because he did a greater work than they could do but also because he has inherited a superior name from

his Father

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

Pause2Talk

Which description or title of Jesus found in scripture is your favorite?

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

5. For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;

today I have become your Father”?

. Or again,

“I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son”?

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The quotation we see here is from Psalm 2:7. This verse appears in a coronation psalm—a song to be

sung during worship ceremonies at the crowning of a new king in Israel.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The psalmist stresses that God will prosper the new king in his reign, despite attacks from enemies (Psalm

2:2–4).

Israel’s king will be like a son to God, enjoying God’s full protection and guidance while being exalted over

other earthly rulers; this happens because of the heavenly Father’s divine blessing.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The second quotation is from 2 Samuel 7:14 (1 Chronicles 17:13). This originally referred to God’s

promise to David that his throne would be secure after that man’s death.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The author of Hebrews applies this concept to sketch Christ’s relationship with God as the Father’s true Son.

As such, Christ’s “name” (Hebrews 1:4, above) and status in Heaven are far superior to that of angels.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

Pause2Talk

Why is it that while Jesus is God in the flesh, many Christians seldom pray directly to Him?

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

6. And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

In the Old Testament, God commanded the worship of God only and forbade the worship of idols (Exodus

20:1-5).

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

However, God the Father commanded all of His angels to worship Jesus, His Son. When Jesus was born the angels announced His coming and worshiped Him

(Luke 2:9-14).

In heaven, the angels are subject to Jesus (1 Peter 3:22). And in heaven the angels worship Jesus and declare He is a worthy of their worship (Revelation

5:9-12).

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

Since Christ is of one nature and glory with God and shares in his Father’s eternal reign, then Christ should be worshipped not only by angels but also by humans.

This especially applies to those who have been purified of sins by his death (Hebrews 1:3).

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

Pause2Talk

Since Christ is God, why would the writer think it necessary to state that Christ is superior to angels?

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

7. In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,

and his servants flames of fire.”

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The author now cites Psalm 104:4 to stress further Christ’s superiority to angels.

The angels, like humans and the elements of nature, have been created by God, who makes everything to serve his purposes. Christ, by contrast, is uncreated

and eternal.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

God prefers that the vast majority of angelic activity remain hidden.

Later in Hebrews, the writer reminds his readers, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels

without knowing it” (13:2).

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

As we praise God for the work of his angels on our behalf, we also remember Paul’s caution: “Do not let

anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you” (Colossians 2:18).

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

8, 9. But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The Holy Spirit inspired Psalms 45:6-7 and inspired the writer of the Book of Hebrews to apply these words to

Jesus the Messiah and Son of God. God the Father declared of God the Son “Your throne, O God, is

forever.”

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The author cites Psalm 45:6, 7 to contrast the angels with Christ even further. While the angels are created beings who act only on God’s instructions, Christ, as

God’s Son and heir, has been granted an eternal throne and reign.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

In its original context, Psalm 45 was a royal wedding song, performed at wedding ceremonies for Israel’s

kings.

Following the theme that the king enjoys special protection as God’s “son,” the psalmist compares him with God himself: Israel’s kings were to reign forever under God’s protection, enforcing justice and calling

people to obey God’s law.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

When Jesus came to earth, He did so because He loved the world, wanted to make purification for sins, and wanted to establish the righteous rule of God in the hearts of all who would follow Him as Lord and

Savior.

Jesus perfectly achieved all that God the Father intended; therefore, Jesus rejoiced in the Lord beyond

His disciples and other followers.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

One final detail in this quotation is not to be missed: when God the Father anoints God the Son, the Father

literally makes the Son to be Christ since the Greek word Christ means “anointed one,” as does its Hebrew

equivalent Messiah.

Jesus was not self-anointed for his mission. Rather, he was anointed by the Father for that mission—the most

important mission in history! (Luke 4:18.)

.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your

hands;.

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The Holy Spirit through the writer emphasized once again that Jesus as Lord founded the heavens and the earth. They are His handiwork (Psalm 19:1 and Psalm

102:25).

The Gospel of John stressed the same truth (John 1:1-4).

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,

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Created things will change and many things will perish according to the will of their Creator, Jesus the Son of

God who rules from God’s throne.

God the Creator designed created things to wear out, especially after mankind fell into sin.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

As Redeemer and Savior, Jesus gives new and eternal life to all who trust in Him as Lord and Savior ( John

3:16).

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

12 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.”

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Jesus Christ will never change. He will never decay or wear out. He can be totally trusted because He will

always love righteousness and hate wickedness.

He will always reign in righteousness, and He has promised a new and better world is coming for those

who love and follow Him.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

The writer of the Book of Hebrews will show throughout his book (or Letter) why everyone should

place their faith firmly in Jesus Christ.

Created beings and things cannot be relied upon for they will not remain unchanging; only God the Father, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit are worthy of our

total trust.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

13 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”?

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He ascended bodily into heaven and sits bodily at the right hand of God the Father on His throne. By His Spirit, He lives in the hearts of all of His followers.

Christ will completely defeat wicked spirits and evil people someday; currently, believers still battle with

His help their enemies and His.

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

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HEBREWS 1:4–9

Jesus Christ has commanded the angels to serve His followers. When we “inherit salvation,” because we

are adopted children of God, justified, and sanctified through faith in Jesus Christ, we will be glorified by

Him.

We will be raised from the dead and receive glorified human bodies similar to His resurrected body. We will

reign with Him in His kingdom forever.

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Conclusion

Western culture shows a curious fascination with angels. Charms, pendants, bumper stickers, decorative figurines, and Christmas ornaments bearing images of

angels are readily available.

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Conclusion

While the Bible does teach that angels are real and active, it is important to stress that they should not be

viewed as objects of devotion or attraction. (Revelation 19:10; 22:9).

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Conclusion

The fact that Christ receives their worship in Heaven underlines his unique status: he relates to God and

reveals God in ways like no other. As the very image of God himself, and as the one who is exalted in Heaven

because he died for our sins, Christ and no angel deserves our worshipful praise