Hebrews 1

Hebrews 1:1-4

The Unrivaled Excellence of Christ If you are ever tempted to imagine that there might be some similarity between the weak, frustrated, helpless Jesus of this idolatrous generation and the exalted Lord of glory, just re-read the opening verses of the Book of Hebrews. Here we have the Christ of God revealed to us, the real Christ, our all-glorious Savior. If the Christ you worship is not this Christ, the Christ you worship is antichrist, a false Christ. In the first two verses, the Holy Spirit shows us the unrivalled excellence of our Lord Jesus Christ in three glorious facts. The Word of God The Lord Jesus Christ is unrivalled in his excellence as the Word of God, the revelation of the invisible God. – “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). Though God spoke to men in the Old Testament in the types, shadows, ceremonies and pictures of the law, and by the visions of faithful prophets, all the law and the prophets spoke of and pointed to Christ. And, now, in these last days, God has spoken to us one more time, this time with finality and in one way – “by his Son”. The Lord Jesus Christ is not one of many revelations. He is the revelation of the invisible God. Christ is not one of many words. He is the Word of God (John 1:1-3; John 18). You and I cannot see God, know God, speak to God, be spoken to by God, or come to God except by Christ (John 14:6 : Matthew 11:25-27). Christ is the Way. – Without him, there is no going to God. Christ is the Truth. – Without him, there is no knowing God. Christ is the Life. – Without him, there is no living before God. There is no prophet like Christ our Prophet. He is unrivalled in his excellence as the Revelation of the invisible God. The Heir of God The Lord Jesus Christ is unrivalled in his excellence as the Heir of God, the appointed heir of all things. – “Whom he hath appointed heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2; John 3:35). All things belong to Christ, our great Mediator and Substitute. He who is our Savior holds all things in his hands by rightful and lawful possession. Being heir of all things, he has the absolute right to do exactly what he will with all things. “None can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” No one is about to slap him on the wrist and say, “Oh, no, don’t do that.” No one in heaven, earth, or hell, is going to call him into account! Jesus Christ our Lord is the unrivalled Sovereign of the universe (Matthew 28:18; John 17:2). He who is God our Savior does as he will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. He makes one a vessel of honor and another a vessel of dishonor, one a vessel of mercy and another a vessel of wrath, one to show forth the riches of his grace and another to show forth the severity of his justice, exactly as it pleased him from all eternity. Christ is the appointed heir of all things personally (Psalms 2:8). He is the appointed heir of all things representatively (Hebrews 6:20). And he who is the heir of all things is the dispenser of all things. “Behold your God!” – Jesus Christ is unrivalled in his excellence as the appointed heir of all things. Creator of All Things The Lord Jesus Christ is unrivalled in his excellence as the Creator of the Worlds. – “By whom also he made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2). There is an obvious reference here to the distinct divinity and personality of our Lord Jesus Christ as God the Son. John tells us that “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3; Colossians 1:14-17). Everything the triune God does he does through the mediation of Christ. The measurements of the universe were laid down by Christ. The power of the sun and the brilliance of every star is energized by his sovereign, almighty, irresistible will! It was Christ, our Savior, the great Mediator and Surety of his people, who laid the foundations of the earth! Christ is the Creator of all things! He is not the great Spectator of all things, or great Evolver of all things, but the great Creator of all things! When the Holy Spirit tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator of the worlds, he is not suggesting that there might be more than one inhabited planet. Rather, he is telling us that every realm of existence in the universe was created by Christ and is ruled by Christ: The Heavenly World, The Habitation of God and the Holy Angels, – The Upper World, The Vast Expanse of Space, – The Lower World, The Habitation of Man, – The World Beneath, The Prison of the Damned. Christ is Lord of all! Behold God’s vast creation, in all its orderly splendor, beauty, and majesty, and know that Christ is unrivalled in his excellence as our great Creator. Perhaps you think, “Why is this so important? Why are you so vehemently insistent upon declaring that Christ made all things and rules all things in absolute sovereignty?” Let me show you. To deny that Christ created all things and rules all things is to deny that he is God. To deny that he is God is to mock him, blaspheme him, and attempt to deny him his glory. To deny that Christ is God, sovereign upon his throne is to deny hope to needy sinners who look to him alone for grace, salvation, and eternal life (John 17:2; Romans 14:9). None but an absolute, sovereign Lord can save. None but an absolute sovereign can be trusted implicitly. None but an absolute, sovereign Lord can save. None but an absolute sovereign will be worshipped. A long, long time ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote of the greatness, superiority, and excellence of our Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7). Then hundreds of years later, when the angel appeared to Mary and announced that, though she was a virgin, having never known a man, she would conceive and bring forth a Son by the power of the Holy Ghost, and that her child would be the Son of God, the Savior of his people, Jesus – He said, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31-33). We read in Colossians 1:18-19 that it is the will and purpose of the triune God “that in all things he (the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-man, our Mediator) might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” Now, that which God spoke by the prophet, announced by his angel, and proclaimed by his apostles has come to pass. In Hebrews 1:1-4 the Spirit of God informs us that the Lord Jesus Christ is superior to, greater than, and exalted above all things. In fact, this is really the message of the entire Book of Hebrews. A key word in the book is the word “better.” The primary purpose of this book is to show us that Christ is “better” than all who came before him. He is better than the prophets, better than the angels, better than Moses, better than Joshua, and better than Aaron. He is Surety of a better covenant, established upon better promises, giving a better hope. Christ our Savior is better than the tabernacle, the altar, and the mercy-seat.

He is a better Sacrifice, offering better blood, giving us a better access to and better standing before the holy Lord God. In all things Christ is better than all others. He is infinitely better. He is the best! He is, to put it in a word, unrivalled. That is clearly the message of the book. “The Brightness of His Glory” The Lord Jesus Christ is unrivalled in his excellence as the brightness of the glory of God. – “Who being the brightness of his glory” (Hebrews 1:3). Christ is the glory of his glory who is Glory! He is God, having the same glorious name, nature, attributes, and being as the Father. Therefore, he rightfully claims worship, homage, and glory from men and angels. He is God, in all the fulness of Godhood; and he is the glory of God, the brightness of the glory of God. That is a statement which simply exceeds the limits of my puny brain! Christ shows us the nature of God, the purity, brilliance, and splendor of his perfections as God. Yet, there is more. Jesus Christ, the Man who is God, is the glory of the triune God. “In him dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). “The Express Image of His Person” The Lord Jesus Christ is unrivalled in his excellence as the express Image of God’s person. – “The express image of his person” (Hebrews 1:3). Without question, this description of our Savior implies the equality of the Father and the Son, the sameness of essence within the godhead, and a distinction of persons in the trinity (John 5:7). Certainly, that is more than we can begin to comprehend. Yet, there is something here which is commonly over looked. The Lord Jesus Christ, our Mediator, is that man who is the image of God in whose image the first man, Adam, was made (Genesis 1:26-27). The Upholder of the Universe Christ’s unrivalled excellence is also seen in the fact that He upholds all things by the word of his power. Again and again, throughout the Inspired Volume, the Holy Spirit tells us, and emphasizes the fact, that our Lord Jesus Christ governs the universe and all things in it absolutely. He controls what men call “the balance of nature.” He is the Balancer! He is the One, who as the Lawgiver of the universe, established and controls what scientists call the “laws of nature.” It is Christ, our God and Savior, who determines all the affairs of providence. He preserves; and he destroys. He kills; and he makes alive.

He enables; and he disenables, not by force of arms, but by the mere word of his power! Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, rules all things absolutely (Psalms 76:10; Psalms 115:3; Psalms 135:6; Proverbs 16:1; Proverbs 16:33; Proverbs 21:1). No event takes God by surprise. Nothing happens without his direction. From the election of his people, to salvation and everlasting glory, to the election of civil magistrates, to the consummation of the universe, everything in the universe happens, or not, at the will, decree, and order of Christ our God! Even the cursing of Shemei and the kiss of Judas were as much under his rule as the worship of the holy angels around his throne. When the Jews cried, “crucify him,” and Pilate delivered him to their will, when the soldiers nailed him to the tree and the mobs spit in his face, he who was crucified was in absolute control of his crucifiers. I hear him as he hangs upon the cursed tree, covered in his own blood and the excrement of their vile throats, declare, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life for the sheep…No man taketh my life from me, I have power to lay it down, and power to take it again!” Jesus Christ is the absolute Monarch of the universe. Our Savior is the great King! Nothing more fully shows forth the unrivalled excellence of Christ than his total sovereignty, “upholding all things by the word of his power.” Our Redeemer Our Lord Jesus Christ is unrivalled in his excellence as the Redeemer of his people. – “He has by himself purged our sins.” Glorious word of grace! The Lord Jesus Christ took our sins upon himself, bare our sins in his own body on the tree, was made to be sin for us, suffered all the horror of the ignominious wrath of almighty God for our sins to the full satisfaction of his infinite justice, and bore them away forever! It is Christ who purged our sins (Hebrews 9:24-26).; and he did it by himself (Isaiah 63:1-5). All the sins of all God’s elect were washed away at one time in the blood of the Lamb, washed away forever! The Lord Jesus needed no help in doing the work. He did it by himself, without our involvement, without us putting forth our hand, or lifting up our tools. “He has purged our sins!” This is atonement, blood atonement, a just atonement, definite (limited - our sins”) atonement; and effectual atonement.

Here is a Priest like no other priest. “He purged our sins!” Here is a sacrifice like no other sacrifice. All other sacrifices were consumed by the fire of God’s altar. Here is the Sacrifice that consumed the fire of God’s wrath. Truly, Christ is unrivalled in his excellence as our Redeemer. Glorious Exaltation Our Savior’s unrivalled excellence is to be seen in his glorious exaltation. – “When he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Behold the Lamb upon his throne, seated yonder in glory, at the right hand of the Majesty on High! What could be more appropriate? Christ achieved all that he came here to do. He has redeemed his people from their sins. He purged our sins. Now, he sits in glory, the Object of all worship, honor, and praise. This is our God. This is our Savior. He is seated on the right hand of the Majesty on High. What does that imply? His work is finished. His sacrifice is accepted. “His rest is glorious!” His people are secure. He is preeminent! His Excellent Name The Lord Jesus Christ is unrivalled in his excellence by reason of the excellent name he has obtained. – “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath obtained a more excellent name than they.” Christ is better! – Better than all the prophets! – Better than all the priests! – Better than all the kings! – Better than all the sacrifices! – Better than all the angels! – Christ is better than all. “He hath obtained a more excellent name than they.” His name is who he his. His name is the name of salvation (Acts 4:12; John 1:12; John 20:31). His name prevails in heaven (John 15:16). His name is the name that must be known and acknowledged. We preach that men everywhere may know his name (Acts 9:15). All will one day acknowledge and reverence his name (Philippians 2:9-11). This great, unrivalled, gloriously excellent Christ is the Savior of all who trust in his name!

Hebrews 1:3

“When he had by himself purged our sins” The Lord God our Savior promised that he would remove the iniquity of his people in one day, by one tremendous act of grace (Zechariah 3:9); and he has done it. The Lord Jesus Christ has, by himself, completely purged away and removed forever all the sins of all his people. His blood has not merely covered our sins, but purged them. His blood has not only remitted the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of his people, but removed them. This is forgiveness, pardon, absolution. Sometimes God promises to “cover” our sins - “Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Truly, that man is blessed whose sin has been covered by God. Sometimes the Lord speaks of “blotting out,” or “erasing” our sins. “I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” The Lord God has blotted out our sins from the ledgers of justice. Here, and in Zechariah’s prophecy, the Lord describes this great work of redemption and grace as the purging and removal of our sins. How I delight in this! The Lord Jesus Christ has, by his precious blood, purged and graciously removed our sins. Our sins, like a great, high mountain, stood between us and God. We could not climb over it; and God could not cross it. So he said, “I will remove it!” Sin laid upon us like a heavy, heavy burden on a man’s shoulders; and God said, “I will remove the burden.” He took the burden off our shoulders, put it upon himself, carried it up to Calvary’s hill and flung it into his tomb, where he left the dead thing.

Christ has finished the transgression, made an end of sin and brought in an everlasting righteousness for his people (Psalms 103:12; Jeremiah 50:20; Numbers 23:21). What is this removal of iniquity? It is… The Removal Of Sin’s Punishment (Galatians 3:13) – That person whom God pardons cannot be punished for sin again. Christ was punished in our stead. “Payment God cannot twice demand, First at my bleeding Surety’s hand, And then again at mine!” The Removal Of Sin’s Guilt – To be justified is to be declared, “Not guilty!” In the court of heaven, we were declared not guilty when Christ died (Romans 4:25). And in the court of conscience, as soon as a sinner trusts Christ, he is declared, “Not guilty!” (Hebrews 9:14; John 16:8-11). Miracle of miracles, Almighty God has removed from us the guilt of sin. He sees no sin in us, upon us, or about us! The Removal Of Sin’s Defilement – Though in ourselves we are yet aware, increasingly aware, of sin’s defilement, before God through the blood of Christ, we are pure and holy. Our Savior says, “Ye are clean!” (John 13:10). The Removal Of Sin’s Dominion – “The position of sin in a natural man is that of a king on his throne, the position of sin in a Christian is that of a bandit hiding in secret places trying to get back its old usurped dominion, but failing in the attempt, for ‘sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace’” (C. H. Spurgeon). The Removal Of Sin’s Being – Soon we shall be delivered from this body of sin (Romans 7:25). When we have left this body of sin, we shall have left sin! The Removal Of Sin’s Sorrow – It is written, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” - In heaven’s glory there shall be “no more sorrow,” not even for sin! The Removal Of Sin’s Consequences – God has removed from his people all the consequences of sin. And soon, he shall remove the very slime of the serpent’s trail from his creation. Sin is the attempt of men and devils to rob God of his glory. But he has foiled his enemies. He will get glory to himself even by the wrath of man (Psalms 76:10), “The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” But the righteous God makes even the wrath of man to praise him.

Hebrews 1:4-6

“Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him” The angels are venerated, and even worshipped by many, as the highest creatures of God. Therefore, the Holy Spirit shows us here the infinite superiority of Christ over those heavenly creatures. In Hebrews 1:1-3, we are told who Christ is and what he has done. Beginning with verse four, we see numerous displays of Christ’s superiority over the angels of God. This is in keeping with the whole theme of the book of Hebrews which was written to show us the excellence, superiority and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ over all creatures, all covenants, all priests and all sacrifices. Christ Better Than Angels Our Lord Jesus Christ is better than the angels by virtue of his eternal divinity; but he was made better than the angels as a man, as the God-man, by virtue of his success as our Mediator and Surety (Hebrews 1:1-3; Philippians 2:9-11). While we thank God for the angels and their work, we must never pray to or worship them (Revelation 22:8-9). Neither angels nor men are to be worshipped, but God alone (Acts 10:25-26; Matthew 23:8-11). Christ is, in all things, better than, superior to, and more excellent than the angels by an infinite degree. He is the Creator. They are his creatures. He is the King. They are his subjects. He is independent. They are dependent upon him for all things. He is the One worshipped. They are his worshipers. He is the Master. They are his servants. He is the One who sends. They are sent by him. He is the One who blesses. They are blessed by him. God the Son God never said to any angel, “Thou art my Son.” That title is given to the Lord Jesus Christ alone (Hebrews 1:5). When did the Lord God say to Christ, “Thou art my Son”? – At his baptism (Matthew 3:16-17). – At his transfiguration (Matthew 17:5). – At his resurrection ((Psalms 2:7; Romans 1:4; Hebrews 5:5). Christ is the Son of God by nature. He is God the Son. Angels are the sons of God by creation. God’s elect are the sons of God by adoption. Our Lord’s office as the Messiah and our Mediator is not the foundation of his sonship. His sonship is the foundation of his office. He was the Son before he was the Prophet, Priest and King (John 1:1-2; John 17:1-5). Angelic Worship When our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, the angels of God were called to worship the incarnate God, and they gladly did so. We see the angels worshipping him as God, and serving him as their Master with willing hearts in many places: at his birth, after his temptation in the wilderness, in Gethsemane, at his resurrection, at his ascension, and in heaven (Luke 2:9-14; Mark 1:13; Luke 24:2-5; Acts 1:10-11; Revelation 5:11).

Hebrews 1:6

“Sat Down” The Meaning Of It While it must be acknowledged that we really know very little about the angels of God (because little is revealed), their ministry is very important and should not be ignored. The terrible confusion and utter heresy promoted by many in religious superstition concerning the angels of God needs to be exposed and laid aside. As it is with most spiritual matters, the whole religious world is caught up in superstition, sentimentality, and idolatry about the angels of God. Some venerate, pray to, and worship angels. Many wear idolatrous little “angel” pins as good luck charms to keep them from evil. Multitudes foolishly imagine that when babies and little children die, they become angels. In light of these facts, the need for clear instruction from the Scriptures is obvious. Before the completion of Holy Scripture, before the entire canon of this Sacred Volume was written, God spoke to men in visions and by angels, as well as by prophets and apostles. He confirmed the word spoken in such a miraculous manner by miracles, signs, and wonders. But those days are over. Since that which is perfect has come, now that which was in part has been put aside (1 Corinthians 13:10). We now have the complete Revelation of God in Holy Scripture. There is no need for, nor can there be, any inspired prophets or apostles with a new word from God.

Because we have no new word from God, we do not now live in the age of miracles, signs, and wonders. Those things were needed in the church’s infancy to confirm the apostles as the messengers of the Messiah. For the same reasons, the Lord no longer sends angels, in visible or audible manifestations, to direct us in his will and ways. – We have God’s Word for that purpose. However, that does not mean that the ministry of God’s angels has ceased. Far from it. The angels of God are just as active today as ever. The word “angel” means “messenger.” An angel is essentially a messenger from God, one created and sent of God. Without question, there is a specific order of heavenly beings called “angels.” The fallen angels (Revelation 12:4), are commonly referred to as “devils” or “demons” (James 2:19). Those fallen angels are messengers of Satan, bent upon the destruction of our souls. Whereas the angels of God are described as, “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” The angels of God are God’s messengers of mercy to his elect. They are described in exactly this way in Genesis 32:1-2. Believers have far more friends than we know. As we make our pilgrimage through this world, as we seek to serve our God, as we walk through the midst of our enemies in this world of darkness, if only we could hear, we would hear the rush of angels’ wings, “God’s hosts,” at our side and round about us. If only we had eyes to see, we would see “the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about” those who dare be faithful to God. The Angels of the Churches Revelation 1:20 In Revelation 1:20, and in chapters two and three, the faithful pastors of local churches are called “angels,” because faithful men, gifted and called of God to the work of the ministry are God’s messengers to his people. Not all pastors are designated “angels;” but all who are truly God’s messengers to the souls of men are to be esteemed as such. Why? Because God has ordained the salvation of his elect by the hearing of the gospel (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:21-24; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23-25). Proper Esteem Let no one despise or lightly esteem the ministry of the Word. Rather, we should highly esteem those men who faithfully preach the gospel for their work’s sake as the angels of God to our souls (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). As the Galatians received Paul as an angel of God to their souls (Galatians 4:14), so all faithful gospel preachers are to be received by those whose souls they serve. This esteem is due them as God’s messengers, because God’s servants are placed as pastors in his churches to instruct them, admonish them, and lead them in the way of faith and righteousness. Paul’s admonition to the saints at Thessalonica to esteem God’s servants very highly was enforced by the fact that the unity, peace, and usefulness of every local church greatly depends upon it. Necessary Work The ministry of the Word is not an optional addition to, but an essential part of the believer’s life. Gospel preachers are essential to both the salvation of chosen, redeemed sinners and the edification of his church (Ephesians 4:11-16). People often say, “I follow the Lord. I will not follow a man.” Certainly, there is a sense in which this is right. Every man is responsible for his own soul. Each one must search the Scriptures, and make certain that the preachers he hears are true to the Word of God. God’s servants are not inspired, infallible instructors to be blindly followed, or priests to whom we trust our souls. Yet, if anyone follows Christ, he must hear, heed, obey, and follow those men who are the angels of God to their souls (Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17). Living Creatures These faithful men are portrayed as “ beasts” (living creatures) before the throne of God (Revelation 4:6-11). By the gifts and grace of God the Holy Spirit, they are bold as lions, strong as oxen, compassionate as men, and soar to heaven like eagles, seeking a word from God for the souls of men. Like the seraphs described in Isaiah 6, the are humble, conscious of their unworthiness, but swift to do the will and work of God to which they are called. With their eyes always fixed on the blood of the Lamb, they ever set forth the glorious holiness of God. By the unction of God’s Spirit, when God speaks by his servants to the hearts of chosen sinners, they expose the sins of men and bring the gospel like live coals from off the altar, and proclaim to all who believe, “Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin is purged!” Gospel preachers, the angels of God to the souls of men, lead sinners in the worship of God, giving “glory and honor and thanks to him sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever.” Blessed are those people to whom God has sent a faithful man, as an angel of God, to minister to their souls.

Hebrews 1:7-9

“Unto The Son He Saith…” Ministering Spirits God’s angels are created spirits, sent forth into all the world to serve him (Hebrews 1:7). God is the uncreated Spirit. They are his created spirits. They often appeared in the Old Testament and in the gospels in the form of a man; but the angels do not have material, physical bodies. These created spirits are made the “ministers (servants) of God”. They do his bidding; they attend his presence, and are ready to do as he commands. They are called “a flame of fire”, because of their power and swiftness, because of their burning love and zeal, and because they are the executioners of God’s wrath. The chariot of fire which bore Elijah away were probably angels. Certainly, those chariots of fire surrounding Elisha and his servant were the angels of God (2 Kings 6:17-18). Enthroned Son Christ is God’s risen, exalted, enthroned Son (Hebrews 1:8). Our Savior’s excellence, glory, and superiority are set before us in ever-increasing tones in Hebrews 1. If we were reading scales of music, this passage reads like a great cantata rising rapidly to the crescendo. To the Son, Jesus Christ, the Father says, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever.” Again, we are here told that the man Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior, is himself God (John 1:1; John 1:14; John 10:30; Matthew 1:23; Acts 20:28; 2 Corinthians 5:19). His throne is an everlasting throne. The sceptre of his kingdom is the sceptre of righteousness (Psalms 45:6-7). Obedience Rewarded Our Savior’s exaltation and enthronement as a man is the reward of his obedience to the Father as our Mediator (Hebrews 1:9). “Thou has loved righteousness and hated iniquity.” He showed this in casting Adam from the garden, in the flood, in Sodom, in all his dealing with Israel, and most fully and perfectly in working out a perfect righteousness for us as our Substitute. In the last day, at the bar of God, he will display to all the universe and make every creature see and acknowledge that he loves righteousness and hates iniquity. In that day, every creature shall confess that the sceptre by which he rules is a right sceptre. The words, “Thy God”, refer to both the triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and to God the Father, for the Father is the God of Christ as man (Ephesians 1:3). Because of what Christ has accomplished as the God-man, our Mediator, he has been anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows (Colossians 1:14-18).

Hebrews 1:10-14

Christ And His Angels Christ our Savior Christ Jesus is the Creator of all things (Hebrews 1:10). Our Redeemer, our Mediator, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ is the sovereign Creator. These verses (10-14) are addressed to our Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout this passage great emphasis is laid upon his deity, eternality, wisdom, excellence, and glory as God the Son. Everything in this sin cursed earth is marked for destruction (Hebrews 1:11). How I wish we could learn this. It is all going to be burned soon. The heavens and the earth in their present form shall pass away (Romans 8:19-22). Soon, our Lord will come again. He will purge all creation with fire. He will remove the curse. He will create a new heaven and a new earth, purified and without sin. But Christ remains as he is, without change, the same yesterday, today, and forever (Isaiah 51:6; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). When our clothes wear out and lose their beauty and usefulness, we fold them up, lay them aside, and replace them with new garments. That is what our Lord is going to do with this world (Hebrews 1:12). When it has served its’ purpose, he will fold it up, put it away, and create something better. Yet, he is forever immutable, unchangeable in his nature, in his person, in his offices, and in the virtue of his blood and righteousness. What a consolation this is for our souls! To rest and trust in him is never to die or be ashamed (Job 19:23-27). Sent Forth to Minister “To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?” (Hebrews 1:13). God the Father never said anything like this to a mere angel. He never promised dominion to them. He did not prepare a throne for them. This high honor is reserved for Christ, alone. What, then, are the angels? How do we account for them? What is their purpose? Read Hebrews 1:14. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” The angels are servants to the Father, to the Son, and to his people (his elect “who shall be heirs of salvation”). But how do the angels of God minister to those who shall be the heirs of salvation? They serve God’s elect before conversion in prevenient grace, protecting their lives. After conversion, they secretly and constantly continue to watch over and care for believing sinners. At death, the angels of God carry God’s Lazaruses up to Glory. And at the resurrection, they will gather the dust of our flesh into our bodily forms again. Let us ever thank God for his holy angels; but we do not worship them. We worship Christ, who created, rules, and sends the angels to keep us in our ways and bring us safely into glory, where we shall be the heirs of salvation forever!

Hebrews 1:14

What Do You Know About Angels I had a visit with my family doctor this morning. Before I left, he asked me, “What do you know about angels?” I responded, “Not much.” Then, I proceeded to tell him what little I do know. The following is basically what I told him. The word “angel” means “messenger.” An angel is essentially a messenger from God, one created and sent of God. Without question, there is a specific order of heavenly beings called “angels.” The fallen angels (Revelation 12:4), are commonly referred to as “devils” or demons (James 2:19). Those fallen angels are messengers of Satan, bent upon the destruction of our souls. Whereas the angels of God are described as “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” The Angel of The Covenant The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is called “the Messenger (Angel) of the covenant” (Malachi 3:1). Commonly, in the Old Testament, when we read of “the Angel of the Lord” appearing to men, as he did to Abraham, Monoah and his wife, etc., the one appearing was the Son of God himself. Those pre-incarnate manifestations of Christ were preludes to the coming of our great Savior to accomplish the redemption of his people. To say that Christ is “the Angel of the Lord” does not, in any way, contradict the fact of his eternal Deity. He is both Jehovah and Jehovah’s Messenger. In his eternal Deity, our Savior is God himself, over all and blessed forever.

In his mediatoral capacity, as our Surety and Substitute, he is “the Angel of the Lord.” As the Angel of the Lord, “the Messenger of the covenant,” the Son of God comes to men to reveal and fulfil all the stipulations of the covenant of grace for us (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:6-13), thereby securing our “eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). Having fulfilled all the requirements of the covenant as our Substitute, our Savior now sits upon the throne of universal monarchy, ruling all things according to the purpose of God as our God-man Mediator, to give eternal life to his people (John 17:2; Revelation 10:1-6). He and he alone is able to fulfil the book of God’s decrees (Revelation 5:7). He who rules the universe is God in human flesh, our Savior and Redeemer, “the Angel of the covenant.” Rejoice! The Angels of The Churches In Revelation 1:20, and in chapters two and three, the pastors of local churches are called “angels,” because faithful men, gifted and called of God to the work of the ministry, are God’s messengers to his people. Not all pastors are designated “angels;” but all who are truly God’s messengers to the souls of men are to be esteemed as such. Why? Because God has ordained the salvation of his elect by the hearing of the gospel (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:21-24; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23-25). Let no one despise or lightly esteem the ministry of the Word. Gospel preachers are essential to both the salvation of chosen, redeemed sinners and the edification of his church (Ephesians 4:11-16). People often say, “I follow the Lord. I will not follow a man.” Certainly, there is a sense in which this is right. Every man is responsible for his own soul. Each one must search the Scriptures, and make certain that the preachers he hears are true to the Word of God. God’s servants are not inspired, infallible instructors to be blindly followed, or priests to whom you trust your soul. Yet, if anyone follows