Read Hebrews 1-2:4
Title in NIV: God's Son is superior to the angels.
The first three words of Hebrews, 'In the Past', lends itself nicely to my focus: compare the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT) and how the OT points to Jesus.
In the OT, God spoke through prophets at many times and in various ways but now he has spoken to us by his Son (vs.1-2). God spoke in various ways including visions, dreams, clouds, through bushes (Ex 3), and angels (Gen 18, Num 22, Ex 23 just to name a few).
So what do angels do? Assist people (Gen 24), protect people (Ps 91), deliver messages (Luke 1), execute judgment (Mt 13, Rev 14), serve in heaven (Rev 8-9), the are spiritual warriors (Rev12).
As Hebrews points out: Jesus is superior to angels.
1)Jesus provided purification for sin (vs 3)...angels cannot
2) Son is radiance of God's glory (vs 3)...angels are not
3) Jesus is the exact representation of his [Gods] being (vs 3)...angels are not
4) Jesus sits at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (vs 3)...angels do not
5) The name Jesus inherited is superior to angels (vs 4)... Eph 1:21 says, his name is "far above...every title that can be given..." See also Phil 2: 9-10.
6) Angels worship Jesus
7) God made his angels winds but Jesus's throne will last forever
Jesus provided salvation; angels were only ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (vs 14). Have you ever been ministered to? Did someone ever speak to you in an elevator or at a grocery store and their words helped you in a tough situation? Maybe that was an angel ministering to you. Have you ministered to someone by speaking a positive message to their heart? You could be an angel in disguise and not realize it.
The message spoken by angels was binding (vs 2:2) Acts 7: 38& 53 angels delivered the law to Moses. In Galatians 3:19, the law was put into effect through angels. "Therefore we must pay careful attention that we do not drift away." What was the message angels spoke of? Jesus's salvation given to us. We need not ignore salvation being held out to us. That would be like a person drowning that ignores a life raft thrown to him. Our sin will receive punishment unless we receive salvation which is: deliverance from danger or evil and from that which separates us from God. God testifies to this salvation by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. This salvation is available to all (Romans 10:1-13), salvation is through faith (Acts 16:16-34).
In various places, the Bible warns against worshiping angels. I read some articles about people worshipping all kinds of angels. It is called a cult in those articles I read. Our worship must focus on the One who gave us salvation, not on the angels who delivered the message about Him.
In conclusion: angels could only speak a message of salvation but Jesus provided the salvation when he died on the cross for our sins.
You have a unique story that can heal and change lives. You have been steeped in it since before birth. I want to give you the tools using Biblical principles to understand, accept and share your story.
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2 comments:
Good point. A reminder that angles exist, but not to worship, only to administer what God decrees for them to do.
Not about Hebrews. But it was wonderful to see my grandchildren acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and be baptized. A giant leap in faith. A great day.
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