Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• A lot of reference to Angels
• We live in a secular society in which many people don't believe in the spiritual world
• Some people are open to spiritual things
• In the West there has been a great interest in Eastern religion, mysticism and spirituality
• Many people are conned
• Some follow the New Age movement
• Some people have a fascination with angels
• First century Judaism
• A belief in angels
• The law of God was given through the mediation of angels
• The intervention of angels to rescue Lot from Sodom
• During the inter-testimental period (between the Old and New Testament) there was a real fascination with angels
• Essene Movement
• Gnostic religion
• There were many hearing that Jesus had been made a man
• Men were considered lower than the angels
• Jesus was created a little lower than the angels - Heb 2:9
• They thought that Jesus was just a man
• The writer to the Hebrews addresses this misconception/error (and teaches He is the Son of God)
• In chapter 2 this teaching is applied
• How does this apply to us?
• We might not be tempted to worship angels
• If we get discouraged we might look for quick fixes
• Maybe angels?
• We must look only to Jesus

The Premise (v4)

• Christ is Better
• There was not a stage when Jesus was not better than the angels
• There was not a time when Jesus did not have a more excellent name than the angels
• Jesus was not made or created
• To understand v4 we must go back to v3
• Our sins have been purged
• Jesus has sat down at the right hand of the Father
• He has gained a more excellent name
• Jesus has gained a more excellent name in terms of His work
• None of the angels have taken on human flesh
• None of the angels have been sacrificed for sin
• In His victory He has gained a more excellent name than the angels
• Isa 9:6 - could the angels ever have such names and titles?

The Proof (v5-14)

• 7 quotes from the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint)
• 6 quotes from the Psalms
• 2 Sam 7:14
• Allusions to Deuteronomy and Isaiah
• There are contrasts
• A Son (v5), the angels worshiping the Son (v6-7), The Son (v8-9, 10-12), the angels (v13)

Better in Status than the Angels (v5)

• Psalm 2:7
• Today I have begotten You
• This is a difficult phrase
• Some say it was at His birth, some say it was His resurrection
• As Christians we believe the Son is the eternally begotten of the Father
• Everything proceeds from the Father
• Christ ever was and ever will be the Son of God
• Would God ever say that to an angel?
• It is a statement of His oneness with the Father
• 2 Samuel 7:14
• This is a prophecy about the setting up of an everlasting Kingdom
• A lovely relationship between Son and Father
• Would such intimate language be ever be used about an angel?

Better in Worth than the Angels (v6)

• First born, preeminent one, higher than all
• The angels said "Glory to God in the Highest"
• The angels were present at creation, they were present in the garden of Eden, they had seen the flood, they had been sent on critical missions
• Yet when they saw Jesus they wondered and marvelled
• The angels cover their faces to the glory of Christ
• The angels worship Christ in eternity, in heaven and on earth
• God would not permit an angel to be worshiped
• This would be blasphemy
• God alone reserves the right of worship
• We have greater reason to worship Christ than angels
• Angels have not known sin
• Angels do not understand the cross and mercy - they have no need of this
• We have every reason to worship Jesus
• 'King of Kings, Majesty, God of heaven living in me ...'

Better in Reign and Dignity than the Angels (v7-9)

• The word angel means messenger
• They are servants, certainly not masters
• The wind and the flame are God's servants
• Angels brought the 10 commandments but they could never mediate the final covenant
• The angels brought terror at times
• Many were afraid - the word was 'do not fear'
• Jesus' throne is identified with God's - an eternal throne (v8)
• Jesus has a scepter of righteousness
• Angels do not sit on thrones
• The Father anointed the Son
• Holiness precedes happiness
• Jesus loved righteousness

Better in Purpose and Destiny (v10-14)

• This world will not continue as it is
• There will be a day when Jesus will wrap up the world
• The only thing that is permanent is God
• Jesus will reign in triumph and all His enemies will be His footstool (v13)
• Has an angel ever had such a purpose as this?
• No, the angels are sent to minister to us
• The Bible teaches that we will judge angels, but for now they minister to us
• Heb 13:4 - entertaining angels unwittingly

Closing Remarks

• Our response is to worship Jesus
• Do we really understand how bad sin is?
• But Christ has paid for it
• We are being conformed to the image of the Son of God