The Anchor of my soul – Hebrews 1:4-14

Jesus is superior to the angels

The following comes through the notes of Mark Ramsey and as many of the rapid-fire responses the class provided.

1. Angels

   How do you view angels?

   One class member noted that angels are commissioned with protecting believers.

   For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; (Psalms 91:11 NIV)

   For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; (Luke 4:10 NIV)

   Among a flurry of other responses, another class member noted that Jesus has control over the angels, because angels came to minister to Him after his wilderness temptation.

   Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (Matthew 4:11 NIV)

   Why do you think the writer had to persuade his audience that Jesus is superior to angels? Do we have such temptations today in proclaiming the superiority of Jesus? What about “Jesus is the only way?” The temptation is not to deny Him outright to get along – a simple change of emphasis on the person of Christ. Here, Christ must be shown to be better than the bearers and mediators of the Old Testament – namely, the angels.

   To establish the superiority of Jesus to the angels, the author of Hebrews skillfully builds his case from a string of Old Testament passages.

   Does this tell us anything about being knowledgeable about God’s word?

2. Jesus is superior to the angels
   • Christ is the Son — Hebrews 1:4-5
     

     So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? (Hebrews 1:4‭-‬5 NIV)

     The writer establishes superiority of the name of Jesus, first, from Psalm 2:7 – Hebrews 1:5a.

     I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. (Psalms 2:7 NIV)

     Psalm 2 was already a famous messianic psalm, understood to be fulfilled in the future by a descendant of David. The words were recalled at the baptism of Jesus – Mark 1:11.

     And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11 NIV)

     Jesus was always God’s Son but the phrase, “today, I have begotten you” or “today, I have become your Father” refers to Christ’s exaltation and enthronement as Son subsequent to the resurrection.

     and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:4 NIV)

     “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “ ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’ (Acts 13:32‭-‬33 NIV)

     “Son” is Jesus’ name that was given exalted declaration in His resurrection and exaltation. No angel ever had that and no angel was ever promised kingship or rule over the heaven and earth. The author also grounds his argument from 2 Samuel 7:14 – “Or again (implying, to which of the angels did God ever say), “I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to Me a Son.” This is also a quotation from a well-known messianic passage, commonly called the Davidic Covenant. The fulfillment of this ancient promise was celebrated in the angel Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary.

     He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:32‭-‬33 NIV)

     How dare anyone ever think of demoting Him to the position of an archangel, much less to a good man or good teacher. What is your response when you are faced with this comment?

   • Christ is the firstborn who receives worship — Hebrews 1:6
     

     And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” (Hebrews 1:6 NIV)

     If the angels worship Him, He must be superior to the angels.

     Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people. (Deuteronomy 32:43 NIV)

     “Heavens, rejoice with Him, let all the angels worship Him.” These words are the final lines of verse 43 in the song of Moses and the Jews considered these final lines to be messianic. Amazingly, this key phrase, “let all the angels worship Him”, is left out of most modern texts as they follow the Masoretic text. The explanation for why this phrase was omitted is that the Jews removed the annoying reference to worshipping Christ from their Torah. All the literary and archeological sources contained the key phrase up to 150 A.D.

     Dead Sea scroll 4Q44 includes the key phrase.

     This is probably also a reference to LXX (Septuagint) of Psalm 97:7-“All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols – worship Him all you angels!” The psalmist proclaimed that all the angels were to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. By citing the Greek text, the author of Hebrews makes a sweeping claim: all supernatural beings — angelic or demonic — are inferior to the Son. He also asserts something profound about the person of the Son: He is identified as Yahweh of the Old Testament. Finally, against the unbelieving Jews who may have claimed that worshipping the Messiah as God was tantamount to idolatry, the citation of Psalm 97:7 turns the tables: to not worship the Son, who is both God and man, is blasphemy.

     The title, “firstborn”, is one of rank and honor, not chronology. It has nothing to do with time and everything to do with position. The firstborn receives the inheritance and special blessing. Christ is the firstborn of all creation because He created all things.

     The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15 NIV)

     “Again” – this is probably a reference to the second coming.

     Why do you worship Jesus? How do you worship Him?

   • Christ is served by the angels — Hebrews 1:7
     

     In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” (Hebrews 1:7 NIV)

     This is a quotation from Psalm 104:4.

     He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. (Psalms 104:4 NIV)

     Angels sometimes served the Lord when He was on the earth and they serve Him and us now. The emphasis of the writer is that angels sometimes spectacularly inhabit wind and fire to do God’s bidding but they are still only servants. Christ, on the other hand, is eternally sovereign. It is Jesus who created the angels.

     For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16 NIV)

   • Christ is God, enthroned and anointed — Hebrews 1:8-9
     

     But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” (Hebrews 1:8‭-‬9 NIV)

     This is a quote from Psalm 45:6-7.

     Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. (Psalms 45:6‭-‬7 NIV)

     Angels minister before the throne. They do not sit on the throne. One of the main teachings of Psalm 110 is that Jesus Christ, God’s Anointed (Messiah, Christ) is now enthroned in glory. Jesus refers to this Psalm in Mark 12:35-37. When Christ ascended and entered the heavenly glory, He was anointed for His heavenly ministry with the “oil of gladness.”

     You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” (Hebrews 1:9 NIV)

     Angels praise Him but they cannot share His position or that joy and His throne is forever, which means He is eternal God.

   • Christ is the Eternal Creator — Hebrews 1:10-12
     

     He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, 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. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” (Hebrews 1:10‭-‬12 NIV)

     Psalm 102:25-27 is cited here.

     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 discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. (Psalms 102:25‭-‬27 NIV)

     The angels did not form the earth – they are part of creation. Jesus Christ is the Creator and one day, He will “uncreate” the current world/universe and bring in a new creation. Revelation and 2 Peter. Everything around us changes but He will never change. He is the “same, yesterday, today and forever.”

     Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)

     Christ is immutable and eternal. To the suffering Jewish believers who heard these words about Christ, they must have felt complete relief. The world was falling apart but their superior Christ remained the same – eternal and unchanging. Does this bring you any relief, comfort or peace? Explain.

   • Christ is sovereign and the angels are servants — Hebrews 1:13-14
     

     To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:13‭-‬14 NIV)

     The writer quotes Psalm 110:1.

     The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (Psalms 110:1 NIV)

     Jesus is at the right hand of the Father (the place of honor) which is mentioned many times in the New Testament. Angels are the ministering spirits who serve the Lord on the throne. They also minister to us who are the “heirs of salvation” through faith in Christ rules. Angels serve.

 

The Anchor of my soul – Hebrews 1:2-3

The superiority of Christ

The following comes through the notes of Mark Ramsey.

1. The fulfillment of promises

   Many times, the prophets of God wrote about the secrets of God while not fully understanding them. In Jesus, the secrets of God are fulfilled and understood.

   For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV)

   Every promise of God resolves itself in Christ. All the promises become “yes” – verified and fulfilled. Jesus Christ is the supreme and the final revelation.

   In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1‭-‬2 NIV)

   “In these last days” (as shared above) – in the Old Testament, the Jews saw the last days as the days when the promises would be fulfilled. “In these days,” the Messiah would come and the Kingdom would come and salvation would come and Israel would no longer be in bondage. The age of Kingdom fulfillment began when Jesus arrived and will end when we enter in the eternal heavens.

   “He has spoken to us by His Son” – Jesus is the final and last revelation of God, in whom all promises are fulfilled. Jesus is God manifest in the flesh.

   Do you see Jesus as the Promise Keeper? Explain.

2. Sevenfold presentation of the excellencies of Jesus Christ
   • His Heirship — Hebrews 1:2a-b
     

     but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, (Hebrews 1:2a-b NIV)

     Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. (Psalms 2:8 NIV)

     And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. (Psalms 89:27 NIV)

     “First born” does not mean that Christ did not exist before He was born in Bethlehem. This is a legal term – especially those of inheritance and authority – not a chronological term.

     For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16 NIV)

     For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36 NIV)

     Remember in Revelation 5:7-14, Jesus, the Lamb, took the scroll out of the right hand of God? Why? Because He, and He alone, had a right to take it – He is the Heir of the earth. In Revelation 11:15, the earth is His.

     As Redeemer, He has also earned a vast inheritance of souls renewed through His atoning work of reconciliation on the cross. We are His inheritance! We are His treasure.

     I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, (Ephesians 1:18 NIV)

     How does this truth impact you?

   • His Creatorship — Hebrews 1:2c
     

     and through whom also he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:‬2c NIV)

     “Through whom He made the universe” – Christ is the agent through whom God created the universe.

     In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1‭-‬3 NIV)

     He created everything material and spiritual. He created time, space, energy and matter.

   • His Radiance — Hebrews 1:3a
     

     The Son is the radiance of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:3a NIV)

     While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5 NIV)

     In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4‭-‬5 NIV)

     Without the Son of God, there is only darkness. The great tragedy is that most people do not want to see, much less live in God’s light.

     The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV)

     His light gives us purpose, meaning, joy, peace and fellowship for all eternity.

     Have you experienced darkness and yet have been rescued by the light of Christ? Explain.

   • His Being — Hebrews 1:3b
     

     and the exact representation of his being, (Hebrews 1:3b NIV)

     “The exact representation of God’s being” – He is the express image of God.

     The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15 NIV)

     He is the exact reproduction of God.

     For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, (Colossians 2:9 NIV)

     He is the exact imprint of His nature. When we see Jesus, we see the Father. We know how he thinks; we know how He talks; we know how He relates to people. God, the Father has spoken in His Son.

   • His Administration — Hebrews 1:3c
     

     sustaining all things by his powerful word. (Hebrews 1:3c NIV)

     He is sustaining all things by His powerful word – the Greek word for “sustaining” (φέρων) is in the present tense, implying continuous action. How does the universe stay in the kind of fantastically delicate balance? (Example: the distance from the sun to the earth – if it was any closer, the earth would be incinerated; farther away, we would freeze; the tilt of the earth at 23 degrees; the distance of the moon in relation to the ocean tides; the carbon dioxide and oxygen balance, etc.) The answer: Jesus Christ maintains it all. The universe is a cosmos instead of chaos, an ordered and reliable system because Jesus upholds it and sustains it.

     A life, just as the universe, that is not sustained by Jesus Christ is chaos. Remember this wonderful promise:

     being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

     We, as believers, join Jude in his excitement when he proclaimed:

     To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1:24‭-‬25 NIV)

     Do you believe Jesus sustains you? Explain.

   • His Sacrifice — Hebrews 1:3d
     

     After he had provided purification for sins, (Hebrews 1:3d NIV)

     He provided purification for sins –

     He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:12‭-‬14 NIV)

     But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26b NIV)

     But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7 NIV)

     For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18‭-‬19 NIV)

     Neither earthly humans nor heavenly angels could have accomplished this. A greater work than making and upholding the universe is that of purging mankind of sin.

     We are all sinners. We either pay the penalty for our own sins, which is eternal death, or we accept Jesus Christ’s payment for them in sacrificing Himself, for which we have eternal life.

     Jesus dealt with the sin problem once and for all. It had to be done. We could never fellowship with God unless sin was dealt with. So, Christ went to the cross and bore the penalty of sin for all who would accept His sacrifice, believe in Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior. Sin was purged, wiped out.

     What is your response to this?

   • His Exaltation — Hebrews 1:3e
     

     he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:3e NIV)

     He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. The Majesty in heaven is God, the Father. Right hand is the power side.

     He “sat down.” He is the perfect High Priest. In the priestly procedure under the Old Covenant, there were no seats in the Tabernacle or the Temple sanctuaries because it was never appropriate for the priest to sit. His responsibility was to sacrifice and sacrifice over and over again. But Jesus offered one sacrifice and said, “It is finished.” It was done.

     Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13 NIV)

3. What does this mean to us?

   God says that His Son is preeminent in all things. So, what does that mean to us? It means everything. To receive Him is to enter into all that He is and has. To reject Him is to be shut out from His presence into an eternal hell. There are no other choices.