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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. Collins

God the Father created the angels through Jesus Christ, establishing their existence from the very beginning. Angels, as seen in Job 38:6-7, were present at the original creation of the earth, rejoicing as the sons of God. Their role and subjection to Jesus Christ are clearly defined in Scripture. Hebrews 1:4-14 highlights the superiority of Christ over the angels, noting that He has obtained a more excellent name by inheritance and that God has never said to any angel, "You are My Son, today I have begotten You." Instead, God commands all angels to worship Christ, affirming His divine authority with the words, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever." Angels are described as ministering spirits, sent forth to serve those who will inherit salvation, under the direction and rule of God and Christ. Hebrews 2:5-9 further clarifies that the world to come is not subjected to angels but to man, under Christ's ultimate authority. While man is currently a little lower than the angels, Christ, having suffered death and been crowned with glory and honor, holds dominion over all things, including the entire universe. Matthew 28:18 reinforces this by stating that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus Christ, encompassing complete control over all spirit beings, including angels. Thus, angels operate as servants of God, guided by His will and the supreme authority of Christ, to minister to the elect and carry out divine purposes.

Heirs of Salvation

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

As 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. Ritenbaugh

God 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. Ritenbaugh

The idea of purgatory, Hades, or Hell has a long history, predating Christianity by centuries. Roman Catholicism adopted the whole framework into its theology.