“What about Angels?”
Mahlon LeCroix
Sermon Manuscript:
It is easy to see how the Jewish people loved and cherished the fathers of their faith and the prophets. While we know Abraham sinned, he still had incredible faith and overcame so much through faith in God. Moses only had two sins recorded in Scripture, and Scripture typically isn’t shy about naming the sins of even the greatest people of faith. We know he killed an Egyptian guard, but we can chomp that up to defending a Hebrew slave. He got mad and hot the rock that poured forth water when he was just supposed to speak, but who doesn’t lose their cool especially when dealing with hardheaded grumbling folks? Even the Bible makes it clear that no man ever spoke to God like Moses did. He was truly an amazing man that all Jewish people viewed almost godlike. You got Elijah, who did some of thew greatest miracles the world has ever seen. He is arguably one of the greatest prophets to ever live. He struggled with depression and fear, but that was only a brief moment in an otherwise stellar life. He never experienced death! It is easy to see why the author of Hebrews begins by declaring Jesus is greater than all those men who have come before us. This is also why Moses and Elijah were both present and worshiped Jesus at the mount of transfiguration. The Law and the Prophets all point to Christ Jesus.
But as incredible as those men were, they were still men. The author now moves onto another issue that is even more difficult to address. While Jesus being greater than the fathers and the prophets is understandable, He couldn’t possibly be better than Angels. I mean, Angels are holy and righteous beings who live in Heaven. They are Spiritual beings that can take the form of man. They were created to live forever and have been around since the beginning. They can do unbelievable things. Surely, Jesus isn’t better than Angels. The author immediately jumps into this issue. He contrasted Jesus and the fathers and prophets in one sentence. And not even a whole sentence at that, because he closes that sentence with the inclusion of Angels. He will spend the next two chapters addressing Jesus being better than Angels. This is the largest section of Scripture dedicated to Angels in all of the Bible. So, if Angels interest you, you are in luck this morning, because that is whom Jesus is contrasted with in our passage today.
Please read Hebrews 1:4-14 (Available in YouTube Notes)
Y’all who have been here with me for a while now know I enjoy a good movie and TV Series. While getting this message put together in my head, I was constantly reminded of several movies and books that if you do not know the time period of the movie, it won’t make much sense to you. For example, the classic “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves” that came out in 1991 that starred countless actors and actresses that would go on to have stellar careers like Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, and Alan Rickman, and a brief cameo with Sean Connery as King Richard. Talk about an all-star cast! No wonder it is still considered to be the best Robin Hood movie, other than the old Disney animated version with the fox of course. I mention this movie, because if the viewer is not aware of the context of the movie they may be lost.
During the time of Robin Hood England was involved with the Crusades. King Richard was fighting Muslims for control of Jerusalem. Robin of Loxley was fighting with him and was eventually captured, escaped, and returned home to find his home country of England in ruin. If you did not know why Robin was gone and why there was no King, the movie would not make as much sense.
The same holds true to the Book of Hebrews. Context is critical here. I’ll give you a better example, you may have heard a preacher address the issue of smoking, but no preacher really talked about smoking 50 years ago. Most of them were smoking along with everyone else. You don’t hear sermons on dancing today, but 80 years ago, people would be kicked out of church for dancing. You don’t hear a lot of sermons on Jesus being better than Angels today, but during the time this letter was written, it was a major issue. The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:18, “Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud,” Notice Paul said people were worshipping Angels. This was a major issue before the Church and persisted into the early church. Most of you are aware of the Dead Sea Scrolls and how most of the Old Testament books were found that predates Jesus confirming that our copies today have not changed over time which has been the argument critics of Christianity have always thrown out there. The Bible hasn’t changed, and that argument was made all but null and void after the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls. But the Old Testament wasn’t the only books found. It was an entire library of ancient manuscripts. Several books found in the same cave are books that talk about Angels and clearly show how Angels were often revered and worshipped.
Even after the Church was established, some of the Gnostics worshipped Angels, and Gnosticism was a major issue and corruption in the early church that the Apostles were constantly fighting against. But the reality is there is still some today who worship Angels and lift them out of their proper place and elevate them to unhealthy fascinations. For example, Jehovah Witnesses believe Jesus is the Arch Angel Michael. LOL, they clearly do not have the book of Hebrews and countless other verses in Scripture that says otherwise. I guess that is why they had to make their own translation of the Bible in order to believe something the Bible goes to great lengths to prove otherwise. But besides cults like them, even Bible believing Christian’s struggle with Angels and Demons in particular. Before most Christian bookstores closed because of the internet and online sales, they all had a section on Angels. People are fascinated by them. This fascination is almost unhealthy for some. One clear example of this is that there is more books on Demonology than Angelology. It can become an unhealthy fascination.
So before and after the life of Jesus we see people who wrestle with the idea and place Angels have in our faith. This is why this morning is a good time for us to set the record straight. So, what I am going to do this morning is first explain Angels and then get to how the author of Hebrews makes a clear and undeniable argument that Jesus is greater.
1) AngelsAngels are incredible beings that the Bible is not silent about. They are mentioned hundreds of times throughout both the Old and New Testament. There is no denying their existence and critical role they play in the life of believers. Genesis 2 begins by declaring everything on earth in heaven had been created, but we are not told specifically when the Angels were created. In Job, the oldest book of the Bible, we learn they were created before the earth, for they were present at the creation. Angels protected the entry of the Garden when Adma and Eve were cast out. Angels accompanied God when he spoke with Abraham. Angels sparred Lot at the destruction of Sodom. Angel guided and counseled Hagar twice. Angel stopped Abraham from killing Isaac. Angel spoke from the Burning Bush, Angel killed the first born of Egypt, Angel guided the Israelites by cloud and pillar of fire. Angels protected Isreal multiple times. Angel was in the fire with Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego. Angel spared Daniel in the lion’s den. Angel spoke through a donkey. Angel called Gideon to fight. Angel told the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. Ministered to Jesus multiple times. Angel set Peter free in prison. I can go on and on, but you get the point. Angels are everywhere and play a critical role. There is no wonder why many revered and worshipped them. They were at almost every great event throughout the Bible. They even wared in Heaven and caused the great flood that destroyed almost every living creature. Yes, the fathers and prophets were awesome, but Angels are on a whole different level. They are far closer to God like than we are in our current state.
But, again, you need to remember the context of Hebrews. This letter was written to show Jesus and the New Covenant in Him is far greater than the Old Covenant through the Law. Who gave the Law? For most of my life I was shaped by the movie “The 10 Commandments” with Charleston Heston. In that movie God spoke and wrote the Law. While God was clearly there and present at the giving of the Law, as the Bible says, Angels were there also and actually gave the Law to Moses. Angels are God’s messengers and servants. He had them assist in the delivery of the Law to Moses. The Bible makes this clear. Deuteronomy 33:2, “Moses said, ‘The LORD came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.’” Angels covered the mountain when the Law was given to Moses. The Psalmist confirms this in Psalm 68:17, “The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.” The New Testament, in which we find the Book of Hebrews, makes it clear the Angels were the ones who actually delivered the Law. Stephen before his death said in Acts 7:53, “you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” Did Stephen misspeak? Of course not! The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:19, “Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.” The mediator is Moses who received the Law from Angels that were directed and controlled by God. So, when you put all the verses concerning the giving of the Law together you get a better understanding of how it all went down. Moses went up the mountain. It was covered with Angels and God was in the midst. God spoke and delivered the Law through Angels to Moses, who gave it to the people.Why am I taking the time to show you all this this morning? Because, in order to prove the New Covenant in Jesus is greater than the Old Covenant through the Law, Jesus has to be greater than Angels who not only played a part in giving the Law but played a role at almost every major event recorded throughout the Old Testament. Hopefully you see why now there is almost two chapters worth of verses dedicated to proving Jesus is greater than Angels.
2) How is Jesus greater than Angels?So now that we sort of understand why the author of Hebrews had to address this issue first and spend so much time on it, let’s see how the author does it. One thing I love about Hebrews is that is chopped full of Old Testament scriptures that the author quotes in order to support his point. This is the only way to do it! I don’t care what your opinion is, I want to know what the Bible says on it. Back in Acts we talked about the time Paul went to share the Gospel with those in the city of Berea, and the Bereans thanked him for the message but wanted to go and study what he had declared for themselves. They did and realized Paul was right. That is exactly what we should still do today. We should preach and teach what the Bible actually says and if it isn’t found and supported throughout the Bible, then it doesn’t need to be preached.
Like the fathers and prophets, the author of Hebrews addresses several reasons why Jesus is greater than Angels. He does this primarily through the Psalms. Most of these references are from the Greek translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint. Again, this is why most scholars believe this was written to Hellenistic Jews. Traditional Jews read the Hebrew and quoted from Hebrew translation, but the author of Hebrews quoted the Greek translation because he and his audience was most likely far more familiar with it. This is another reason many do not believe Paul wrote this letter, because Paul didn’t typically quote from the Septuagint.A) Jesus has the greater name
The first thing the author does is point out that Jesus has a greater name than Angels. For most of us, names don’t have much of a meaning. Your parents picked your name for various reasons. Maybe they liked it, or it was a family name. But in Scripture, names have meaning and power. My name is a Biblical name that comes from the book of Ruth. Mahlon means weak and sickly. Jacob is heel grabber and or supplanter. Simon was renamed Peter, for rock. Gabriel, “God is my strength”, Michael means “who is like God?” and Lucifer, “light bringer or morning star”. I mentioned those last three names on purpose, for they are the only three names of Angels we find in the Bible. Names have meaning, and Jesus has a far greater name than that of Angels. That is what we read in verse 4, “having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they.”
Ok, lot to unpack here, but please stay with me. Notice Jesus “inherited” His name. Jesus was not called Jesus in heaven before the incarnation. He was just called God. God does not have a name. When Moses asked God what he was to call Him, God simply said, “I am that I am.” God said that, because names are given to created beings. When God made the animals he had Adam name then, because Adam had authority over them. No one has authority over God; therefore, He has no name. He simply is who He is, God. God is revealed in three distinct but equal persons that we differentiate as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. But, prior to Jesus being born, the incarnation, Jesus was simply known as God. When He was born in flesh, the incarnation, He was given a name, Jesus. Like God the Father, Jesus actually has several names like Emmanuel, which means, “God with us”. Again, names have meaning. Jesus means, “God saves or Lord of Salvation” both names clearly pointing to who and what God did.
But God gave Jesus a special name that proved His uniqueness and position. God called Jesus “Son”. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. While Angels in the Bible are referred to as a whole as “sons of God” because, like Adam, who is also called a “son of God”, they were created by God and not procreated like all of us here today. God called Jesus his Son, singular, unique. There is none other like Him. Twice in the Bible, at His baptism and transfiguration, God spoke from Heaven and declared to all Jesus was His Son. This is the point the author of Hebrews makes first. In order to prove this, he quotes from the Old Testament, which is the only Bible many Jews considered authoritative. While we see Peter begin to refer to New Testament letters as authoritative and Holy Spirit inspired, most Jews at the time of Hebrews may have debated that. So, the author simply quotes from the Old Testament. We read this in verse 5, “For to which of the angels did He ever say, ‘You are My Son, today I have fathered You’? And again, ‘I will be a Father to Him and He will be a Son to Me’”? These are two separate quotes. The first one is Psalm 2:7, “I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’” And the second one is Psalm 89:26-27, “He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation.’ I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.” Both make the same argument. Which Angel did God ever call Son? He didn’t. While Angels were created by Jesus and dwell in Heaven with Jesus, they have never been referred to as the Son. That name is only given to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is far greater than any Angel.
B) Jesus is Firstborn & Worshipped This is the authors second point to support the fact that Jesus is greater than Angels. While it was mentioned in the above reference the author quoted in his first point, he points directly to it in his second point. Verse 6, “And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” The author quotes Psalm 97:7, “All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!” The author references Jesus as the “firstborn”. There are several other verses in the New Testament that also refer to Jesus as the firstborn. Now, cults and other world religions have a field day with this and twist it all sorts of ways. They say, “See, Jesus was born and or created, therefore he cannot be God.” That is why context matters, to keep you from saying something that stupid. In the Bible, “firstborn” does not always mean birth order.
Ishmale was Abraham’s firstborn, but Isaac received the firstborn blessing. Esau was Isaacs firstborn, but Jacob got the blessing as the firstborn. Solomon was David’s 10th son, but was called “firstborn”, because it is more of a title than a specific birth order. The firstborn was to be the primary heir and receive a double portion of the inheritance. Jesus’ title, “firstborn,” pertains to His standing in heaven, not that He was created/born. He has always existed, as we discussed in detail last week. Jesus is the creator and sustainer of all things. As Paul wrote in Colossians 1:15-17, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” We discussed most of those verses last week, but this week look at the fact Jesus is called the firstborn. It’s a title and position, not a created order.
To prove this even more, the next verse Colossians 1:18, “And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence” Was Jesus the first person ever resurrected? Of course not! Several were raised from the dead in the Old Testament and Jesus raised several from the dead in the Gospel accounts. Clearly “firstborn” is not an order, but a title. And that title give him exactly what Paul says there, “preeminence” over all things. That includes Angels. Jesus would receive a “double portion” as the firstborn, Heaven & Earth! It is all His!
To prove the fact Jesus has preeminence and consider the heir of all things as “firstborn”, the author says Angels worship Him. That’s why the author quoted that Psalm to show the gods, little g, AKA: Angels, worship the Christ, Messiah, Jesus. They worship Him, because He is God. They worshiped Jesus at His birth as we read every Christmas. But even in Deuteronomy 32:43, “Rejoice, O heavens, with Him, and let all God’s angels worship Him.” Nehemiah 9:6, “You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” The point that author is making here is that Jesus has a greater name, title, and is worshipped by Angels.
C) Jesus is served by AngelsThis one may not be as clear, but the author is saying the Angels serve Jesus, therefore Jesus is greater than Angels. We see this in verse 7, “And regarding the angels He says, ‘He makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire.” Which the author took from Psalm 104:4, “he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.” Both fire and wind is often used throughout the Bible in reference to Angels. Remember that it was fire and cloud of smoke that and Angel lead Israel through the wilderness. Both fire and wind can be useful and destructive if not controlled. Jesus is in control of the Angels, and they do His bidding. Both fire and wind ae also not permanent, and Jesus has always been and will forever be. As He is declared to be the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end in Revelation.
There are several times we see Angels serve Jesus. During His temptation by Satan, we read in Matthew 4:11, “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” Also, in the Garden before His betrayal in Luke 22:42-43, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.” Angels serve Him because He is greater. Jesus even said in Matthew 26:53, “Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” He controls them and they serve Him. Jesus is greater than Angels!
D) Jesus is enthroned & Anointed We addressed this last Sunday while talking about Jesus being greater than the fathers and prophets, so we won’t spend much time on this point. We see the author making this point in regard to Jesus being greater than Angels in verses 8-9, “But regarding the Son He says, ‘Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of His kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your companions.” That quote comes from Psalm 45:6-7, “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your companions.” To sit at the “right hand of God” meant Jesus is equal to God. To be seated means His work is complete. This statement is what got Jesus killed as we discussed last week. Everyone present knew Jesus was claiming equality with God. That position gives Jesus’ authority over all things, which includes Angel. One verse I didn’t share with you all last week is where Paul makes this point in Ephesians 1:20-22, “which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,”
One thing unique about this point that wasn’t made last week is the fact Jesus loved righteousness and hated sin. This is so opposite of us. I would love to say that is true about me, but I know sometimes my flesh loves and longs for the pleasure of sin. Sometimes I reluctantly seek righteousness in my life and would not say I do it with a joyful heart. That was not true of Jesus. He loved righteousness and hated sin. He truly was God in the flesh!
E) Jesus is eternal.This point is also one the author made last week in the beginning of this letter. But it is worth noting, because it goes back to the argument that Jesus is not like Angels in that He has no beginning, to where Angels are created beings. While Angels were created to live eternally, they were created. And, as we have seen multiple times last week and this morning, they were created by Jesus, therefore, Jesus is greater. We see the author make this point in verses 10-12, “And, ‘You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands; They will perish, but You remain; And they all will wear out like a garment, And like a robe You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.” He got that from Psalm 102:25-27, “In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.” This is also why I am so adamite that this is not the end. The Bible says multiple times that all this, earth and heavens, will pass away. From Genesis to Revelation, we see there will be a complete renewal and the curse broken. At Jesus’ second coming the all things will pass away and everything will become new.
F) Jesus’ sovereignty.The author of Hebrews’ final point in this chapter to prove Jesus is superior to Angels points to Jesus’ sovereignty. He does this in verses 13-14, “But to which of the angels has He ever said, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet’? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to provide service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” That quote comes from Psalm 110:1, “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’” Jesus and multiple others throughout the New Testament refers to this Psalm to prove Jesus was not only God in the flesh, but He is enthroned next to the Father, which no Angel could dare do. Remember that in Isaiah’s vision they had to cover their faces just being near God’s throne.
In closing, While Angels are really amazing they are not worshipped. Multiple times in Scripture we see people fall down before Angels in order to worship them, and the Angels always stop them. Revelation 22:8-9, “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” The Angel was probably like, “Bro, stop before someone sees you. The last time an Angel was worshipped bad things happened. Only Jesus is worthy of our worship. He is truly greater than any Angel. So, are you worshipping Jesus? He is worthy!