God’s Final Word: His Son
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 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. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
The Son Superior to Angels
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father”[a]?
today I have become your Father”[a]?
Or again,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”[b]?
and he will be my Son”[b]?
6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c]
7 In speaking of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels spirits,
and his servants flames of fire.”[d]
and his servants flames of fire.”[d]
8 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.
9 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.”[e]
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9 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.”[e]
10 He also says,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.”[f]
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.”[f]
13 To which of the angels did God ever say,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet”[g]?
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet”[g]?
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
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ANGELS
These special beings
have two specific functions. 1) to serve God and carry out His commmands, and
2) to serve humankind as God's arm of protection and assistance.
Humans do not
become angels when they die. But angels,
it seems, can sometimes take on human form if they are called upon to do so by
God's design.
The writer of
Hebrews, though, wants to make it perfectly clear that Jesus is superior to the
angels,, and that He alone is the ultimate source of our strength. It would be a mistake to glorify angels
beyond the scope of their work or to seek them above or instead of our Lord
Jesus.
Many of us have had
our memorable experiences where there is little explanation for our health or
safety beyond God's ministering spirits being dispatched to assist us. And while we cannot often quantify this
truth, we relay these stories because they have strengthened our faith.
I, for one, believe
that God's angels, at least twice in my life, have rescued me from death by
automobile. Many of you have heard the
story of my family's drive to PA back in 1996 and our head-on collision. I truly believe God's angels cushioned our
blow so that everyone in both cars was kept safe from harm.
What's your
story? Share it with me, if you wish --
or share it with the other blog readers in the comments section!
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