Breathingbook

Greetings! This is the beginning of a section (Heb 1:4-14) which lays out key prophecies from the OT about the Messiah and compares Him to the ways and functions of angels. This information is foundational, because it not only substantiates Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, but informs us of many of the characteristics and functions of angels.

Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

1:4 so much better than the angels Now, angels had always been the topic of much curiosity and speculation among the Jews. They are beings of power who sometimes carry the characteristic appearance of humans when they are not showing their wings or disguised in some other form or fashion. The author of Hebrew understood how believers would need a clear understanding about  angels so they could answer not only the questions they had within themselves, but also the questions of their main retractors. Therefore, beginning here, the author of Hebrews continues bringing up the charactistics, forms and functions of angels on through to Heb 2:16.

First off, Jesus is perfect and is God. Angels are neither of those things. That Jesus is perfect and is also God evidently makes Him “better than the angels,” because they were created to be imperfect by Jesus for the “obvious” purpose that they would remain under His authority in all ways (please see Heb 1:7 God, Perfect in All His Way for more). That being said, let’s lay down further understanding based on what scripture has to say about angels.

Good angels are ministering beings (Heb 1:14) who are sent in the service of God to whoseover He so desires and in whatever capacity He desires. God uses them to minister to the good and the evil; to His chosen and those not so chosen. Some examples where scripture shows us angels being sent to God’s chosen, such as Daniel (Dan 10:5-21), Zacharias, Joseph, and Mary (Lk 1:5-22,26-38; Mat 1:19-25; 2:13,19-21 ), and to the not so chosen such as Hagar when Sarai beat her and sent her away (Gen 16:6-14; 21:14-20) and to Ballam when he was going to curse Israel for the King of Moab (Num 22:22-35).

Since angels themselves had been called “sons of God” in the Old Testament (Gen 6:1-8; Job 1:6-7; 2:1; 38:4-7) and various angelic encounters had taken place throughout the OT, many Jews - who did not understand the Messiah would be the Son of God - believed the authority of the archangel Michael (Dan 10:13-21; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev 12:7-9) would be greater than that of the coming Messiah! Such belief had been circulating in Jewry for decades.

Here is some information about good angels:

• The world to come is not subject to angels (Heb 2:5)
• Angels are not like the Son of God (Heb 1:5)
• Angels are under the authority of Jesus (1 Pet 3:22)
• Angels minister to Jesus and those who inherit salvation (Heb 1:14)
• Angels desire to look into the hidden things of scripture (1 Pet 1:11,12)
• Angels sometimes teach doctrine (Gal 3:19 ; Heb 2:2)
• Angels have their own language (1 Cor 13:1)
• Angels are sent on special missions by the Lord (Acts 5:19,20; 10:3-7; 12:7-11)
• Angels deliver heavenly messages (Dan 8:16-19, 9:21-27; Lk 1:11-20; Acts 8:26)
• Angels can appear to be like normal human beings (Heb 13:2)
• Angels are not to be treated spuriously (Lk 1:11-20)
• Angels know not to bring blasphemous accusations about anyone before the Lord (2 Pet 2:11; Jude 1:9)
• Good Angels know they must NEVER receive ANY form of bowing down to or worship (Rev 22:8)
• Angels sing praises and worship the Lamb (Rev 5:11,12)
• Angels are a part of God’s heavenly army (Rev 12:7)
• Angels can be in more than one place at a time (2 Kgs 19:35)
• God will send an angel to make sure the gospel is preached to every nation, kindred, tongue and people (Rev 14:6,7)
• Angels are created beings and can fall into sin (2 Pet 2:4).
  
   

Heb 1:4-14 Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Yes, angels are powerful beings, but Jesus Christ is God Almighty. He alone is sinless (Heb 4:15). Jesus, alone, is without spot or blemish (Heb 9:14).

Here’s some things not often written about angels who are evil:

• Angels can try to improve their own situation for their own benefit (Jude 1:6)
• Angels can be tempted into sinning against the Lord (Isa 14:12-15)
• Evil angels may try to pervert the true doctrine of the Bible (Gal 1:8)
• Evil angels desire and are willing to receive worship (Mat 4:8,9; Lk 4:5-7)
• Evil angels can transform their appearance into that which seems good in order to deceive (2 Cor 11:14-15)
• Evil angels will twist the meaning of God’s Word to manipulate mankind (Lk 4:2-12)
• Evil angels have the ability to give special powers and authority to mankind (Lk 4:5-7)
• Evil angels can have intercourse with humans and bare children (Gen 6:2-4)
• Some evil angels have already been cast in prison (2 Pet 2:4)

There is also an evil angelic army (Rev 12:8) which will be cast out of heaven by good angels (Rev 12:7-9)

Heb 1:4-14 Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

by inheritance Being the only begotten Son of God, Jesus is heir of all things (Heb 1:2)

more excellent name than they This statement points to Jesus’ Name being more excellent than the names of the angels.

In other words, in the Name of Jesus, the lame are raised up (Acts 3:6). In the Name of Jesus, the unsaved are saved (Acts 4:12). A mere human being can preach very boldly by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Name of Jesus (Acts 9:26-27; 14:3). Evil spirits are commanded to leave humans in the Name of Jesus (Acts 16:16-18).

Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Jesus Christ did what no angel ever can. They are God’s creation for good works and missions, and are not to be considered perfect, wise in or of themselves, or worshipped in any way, shape, form, or fashion.

The angels of God are holy (Mat 25:21). Jesus Christ is Lord!

Peace Out!

Loris Anne James

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