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Hebrews (Part Eight): Greater Than Angels (cont.)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Angels, as part of God's creation, play a significant role in His administration of the world. They were actively involved in the giving of the law at Mount Sinai and the establishment of the New Covenant with Israel as they departed Egypt, as noted by Stephen in Acts 7:53 and by Paul in Galatians, though their specific actions remain a mystery since they are not detailed in Exodus. Far from being mere decorative message bearers, angels are practical components of God's governance of Planet Earth, created with purpose and utilized by Him in meaningful ways. The Jews held angels in high regard, a perspective rooted in Old Testament revelations, which was reasonable given the absence of New Testament clarifications at that time. Meetings recorded in Acts 15 with church leadership and Jewish converts aimed to address this issue. The Old Testament, particularly in Ezekiel 28, reveals the defection of the angelic satan and other beings, showing that angels are choice-making creations, akin to mankind, possessing a measure of liberty in their service to God. God refers to them as saints and holy ones, indicating a high standing of godly righteousness, intelligence, and tested character in obedience to His laws. They are trusted, nearly eternal beings, consistently close to God, and regarded highly by Him, as Jesus Himself acknowledged. Angels and archangels are among the highest of God's creatures, with heaven as their home, placing them above mankind in the order of creation. Unlike humans, they are not bound to Earth and can travel between heaven and earth in service to God, as supported by John 3:13, which states no human has ascended to heaven except Christ. Psalm 103 describes them as obedient and excelling in strength, which extends beyond physical might to intellectual capacity, enabling them to control natural forces like weather, often astonishing human witnesses with their power. In Genesis 19, angels demonstrate their command over natural forces to destroy a city, suggesting a cooperative effort with God, using awesome powers as He permits, while maintaining control for constructive purposes. Psalm 104 portrays them as God's ministers, employed to execute His will in governing creation, synonymous with servants. Daniel 7 depicts a vision of numerous angels ministering around God's throne, indicating a busy and active role in His administration. Their strength is evident in actions like rolling away the stone at Jesus' tomb, and their radiant brilliance often overwhelms humans in biblical accounts, causing fear and awe, as seen with Mary when Gabriel appeared. Revelation 5 mentions a vast number of angels, possibly 100 million, actively engaged around God's throne, far from idle, as God employs them purposefully. Despite their elevated status, glorious powers, and significant role in God's governance, angels remain in subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ, even during His time as a man, because He is their Creator. Now ascended to the right hand of God, His authority over them is even more pronounced, immeasurably higher as their Creator compared to their status as mere creatures. The author of Hebrews begins by addressing the Jews' high regard for angels, persuading them to accept Jesus Christ as their High Priest under the New Covenant. Comparing Jesus with angels, the author establishes Christ's superiority, showing that while angels participated in the making of the Old Covenant at Mount Sinai, the New Covenant was made directly by God through Jesus Christ, implying a far greater authority. Hebrews 1:4 states that the Son became so much better than angels, highlighting a transition and appointment to High Priest, a role no angel could match, as Jesus is God and the sacrifice for mankind's sins. Angels are commanded to worship Jesus Christ, the Creator and Redeemer, a directive that underscores His divine status, as worship of any other would be idolatry.

God's Ministering Angels

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Angels, those remarkable beings created to be ministering spirits to those seeking salvation, reflect and express God's love as His peerless agents. They provide protection, assistance, guidance, and comfort to His creation and to Jesus Christ, exemplifying lives of service to God and man. God has charged His angels with our protection and well-being, as seen when His angel shut the lions' mouths to safeguard Daniel, and when angels rescued Lot and his family from a violent mob in Sodom. God commissions His angels to facilitate His will, guiding events for the benefit of the elect, as when an angel was sent before Abraham's servant to prosper the search for Isaac's wife. Angels also provide for physical needs, as shown when an angel brought food and water to a despondent Elijah in the wilderness, urging him to eat for the journey ahead. Furthermore, angels administer comfort and strength, appearing to Paul during a tempestuous storm to assure him of safety, comforting Jesus before His trial and crucifixion, and strengthening Daniel with reassuring words. God's promise to send an Angel before the Israelites to keep them in the way and bring them to the prepared place reveals both His love and the role He designed for angels to help express that love. Combined with the superior life of Jesus Christ, the tireless efforts of these ministering angels bolster our confidence that God provides all we need to attain eternal life in His Kingdom.

The Angel and the Apostle

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Hebrews 1-2 establish Christ's superiority over angels, but notably do not mention the Angel of the Lord. Instead, the author handles the Angel differently.

The Ministry of Angels

Article by Martin G. Collins

Angels, as personal spirit beings, possess minds of greater capacity and ability than humans, capable of attitudes, purposes, and intentions. Yet, they hold no authority apart from God, for all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ, as stated in Matthew 28:18. As chief servants of God Almighty, angels execute His will, whether toward His future sons or against the wicked. The Bible illustrates their actions, such as destroying Sodom for its perversions, cursing Meroz for refusing to aid Israel, bringing pestilence upon Israel, killing Herod for not glorifying God, and avenging those who persecute the saints. In contrast, the ministry of holy angels to God's elect encompasses guiding, providing for, protecting, delivering, comforting, and gathering. Described as ministering spirits in Hebrews 1:14, they are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation, saving them from accidents or premature death and aiding in attaining eternal life. This ministry is a testament to God's care and concern for His people. God commissions His angels to guide events for the benefit of the elect, as seen when Abraham trusted that God would send an angel to ensure success in finding a wife for Isaac. Angels also provide for the elect in times of need, such as when an angel sustained Elijah in the wilderness with food and water for a long journey. They comfort God's people, as when an angel reassured Paul during a tempest at sea, affirming that God had granted safety to all aboard. In the future, Jesus will send His angels to gather the elect from the four winds at His return, as described in Matthew 24:31. God often sends His angels to protect and deliver His elect, encamping around those who fear Him, as noted in Psalm 34:7. In the case of Daniel in the lions' den, God's angel ensured his safety due to his innocence and respect for authority. Similarly, in New Covenant times, an angel delivered Peter from prison under Herod's threat, demonstrating ongoing divine protection. These holy angels, though greater beings than humans currently, serve with loyalty and dedication, helping the elect attain levels in the God Family far beyond their own stature, remaining servants while humans become born sons of God.

Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Twelve): The Son's Superiority Over Angels

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

In the epistle to the Hebrews, a significant discussion arises concerning the role of angels in comparison to Jesus Christ as High Priest under the New Covenant. Some Jewish converts struggled to accept Jesus in this role, reasoning that angels, as mighty and seemingly eternal spirit beings who dwell in heaven and move easily between heaven and earth, were better qualified. They argued that Jesus, whom they had seen as a mortal man in Judea and who died on a Roman stake, could not match the stature of angels. However, this perspective was flawed due to their lack of understanding of His true nature. The author of Hebrews counters this view by emphasizing that Jesus, even as a human, bore the title Son of God, a designation never given to any angel in Scripture. This title conveys a unique and continuous relationship with God, setting Him above angels. Furthermore, God commanded the angels to worship the Son as God, an act that would be idolatry if He were not divine. Jesus, the Creator, made the angels and all living things, establishing His superiority over them. Hebrews 1:13-14 reinforces this hierarchy, noting that no angel was ever invited to sit at God's right hand, a position reserved for Jesus. Angels are described as ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation, indicating their role as valuable servants under God's purpose. While they are intelligent, powerful, and morally pure, they are not created for the exalted offices for which God is preparing His church. Instead, they serve under those whom God is shaping for higher roles in His Kingdom.

Angelic Responsibilities

Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Angels 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.

Hebrews (Part Seven): Greater than Angels

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The book of Hebrews systematically proves Christ's superiority to patriarchs, prophets, the Levitical Priesthood, and angels, establishing His credentials.

Do Angels Live Forever?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

How will God deal with the demons? Here are four common assumptions made regarding Satan's and the demons' fate, along with a cohesive explanation.

The Angel of God

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Christ, who appears at critical moments in history to deliberately move events toward their fulfillment.

Do Angels Live Forever? (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Ezekiel 28 reveals that Satan's fate will be ashes in the Lake of Fire; it would be inconsistent with God's character for Him to inflict pain eternally.

Do Angels Live Forever? (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We cannot assume that angels are immortal and share the same kind of spirit God Almighty has; we cannot assume they are indestructible.

Did Angels Marry Human Women?

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Genesis 6:2 does not suggest some angel/human hybrid, but intermarriage in defiance of God's law, as is seen from the Bible's internal evidence.

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.

Heirs of Salvation

'Prophecy Watch' by Ronny H. Graham

As God's children, we have not received the fullness of the inheritance. We will not possess the entire inheritance until the first resurrection.

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.

The Book of Daniel (Part Seven)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Daniel's efficacy in prayer resulted in his view of God's omnipotence and absolute sovereignty. God has a timetable in world history.

The Spirit World

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Though many popular notions of angels come from non-biblical sources, the Bible offers the most accurate insights into their role, nature, and function.

Who Do You Trust? (Part Three)

Sermon by Mark Schindler

The corruption of sin was brought on the world through the rebellion of Satan and his fallen angels, an event which took place between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.

Saved By His Life

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

Contrary to the belief that most of the Christian professing world hold that we are saved by the death of Jesus Christ, in reality we are saved by His life.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The numerous scriptural references to angelic beings indicate that the spiritual entities have tangible substance. God is not a universal nothingness.

Hebrews (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews is addressed to a people living at the end of an era, who were drifting away, had lost their devotion, and were no longer motivated by zeal.

Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God created angels as ministering spirits to take care of the heirs of salvation. The Bible is filled with examples of angels rescuing God's people from harm.

Hebrews (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus blazed a trail, giving a pattern for qualifying (through suffering and resisting sin) for our responsibility as priests, reconnecting man and God.

The Cunning of Satan

Sermon by Kim Myers

The process of being taken over by sin usually takes place over a lengthy period of time as we allow Satan's deceptive words to corrode our attitudes.

Islam: Dark Beginnings

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Relatively few in the Western world know the origin of Islam and the Koran, and fewer still understand the implications. What is the source of this spring?

The Sovereignty of God (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A converted person, accepting God's specific care with His children, realizes that both prosperity and deprivation are tools in the Creator's workshop.

Hebrews (Part Nine): Chapter 1: Jesus' Exultation and Christianity's Claims

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Hebrews 1:3 and Psalm 2 explain how Jesus becomes something He previously was not. Because of Christ's qualifications, Christianity has a claim on all mankind.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The true nature of God differs greatly from the trinitarian concept. Having created us in His form and shape, God is developing us into His character image.