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Hebrews (Part Eight): Greater Than Angels (cont.)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Angels, though highly esteemed in Jewish thought, are subject to Jesus Christ in every aspect of Their divine order. As elevated as angels are in their placement and glorious in their powers within God's governance of creation, they remain mere creatures under the authority of their Creator, Jesus Christ. Even when He was a man, He retained His divine nature as God, with hundreds of millions of angels at His command, ready to serve at His beck and call. Now, having ascended to the right hand of God, His position is immeasurably higher than any angel, for He is the first man to ascend to heaven and holds an office exceedingly above theirs. The author of Hebrews emphasizes this superiority to persuade the Jews to shift their reverence from angels to Jesus Christ as their High Priest. Despite the significant role angels played in the giving of the Old Covenant at Mount Sinai, their participation ranks far below the authority of Jesus Christ, who directly established the New Covenant as God Himself. This distinction highlights the greater importance of the New Covenant over the Old, showing that Jesus Christ's qualifications and divine nature surpass any angelic standing. Furthermore, angels are commanded to worship Jesus Christ, their Creator, High Priest, and Redeemer, the first begotten of the Father. Such worship directed to any other would be idolatry, underscoring that only He, being fully God and fully man, holds this unique Sonship and authority. His exaltation, marked by His death for mankind's sins and appointment as High Priest, confirms His unmatched position, planned from the beginning by God, far above all angels.
Angelic Responsibilities
Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsAngels were endowed with the capacity to think, reason, and form attitudes. Their function was and is to be God's messengers and ministers to His creation.
Heirs of Salvation
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAs we complete our spiritual walk, we will attain the dominion God promises in Psalm 8, a psalm that has all mankind as the subject.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Nine)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod has communicated tirelessly with humanity through men and angels. The first chapters of Hebrews displays Christ's superiority over even the angels.
1 Peter 3:19
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughThe idea of purgatory, Hades, or Hell has a long history, predating Christianity by centuries. Roman Catholicism adopted the whole framework into its theology.