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Angels, Who Are They? – Hebrews 01:13-14
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Text: Hebrews 1:13-14
Introduction
1. The subject of angels has certainly become a popular one
a. Bookstores are filled with books dealing with angels
b. Popular TV shows and movies depict angels working in our lives
2. Angels were an important part of the Jewish religion
a. Angels assisted with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai – Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19
b. They appear throughout the history of Israel, coming to Abraham, Daniel, and others
3. Angels also serve an important role in the Christian faith
a. They are described as “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” – Hebrews 1:13-14
b. They have certainly ministered in the past – cf. Luke 1:11-38
c. They will certainly minister at the time of Christ’s return – cf. Matthew 13:36-43
4. But to what extent do they minister in the present?
a. This is a subject that is prone to much speculation
b. It is easy to get caught up in idle myths and fables
c. About which we are warned to avoid – cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-4; 4:7; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16; 4:3-4
5. Yet angels are a Biblical subject, therefore worthy of careful consideration
[With a desire to be content with what the Bible reveals on the subject of angels, we begin this study with a look at some terms and descriptions regarding angels…]
Body
I. TERMS USED IN CONNECTION WITH ANGELS
A. THE WORD ‘ANGEL’
1. The Hebrew word malak (found 103 times in the OT) simply means “messenger”
a. It can refer to a human messenger – 1 Kings 19:2
1) It is applied to the prophet Haggai – Hag 1:13
2) It is applied to a priest – Mal 2:7
3) It is applied to both John the Baptist and Jesus in prophecy – Malachi 3:1
4) The name of the prophet Malachi comes from the same word
b. It can refer to a divine messenger – Genesis 28:12
1) Supernatural or heavenly beings sent as messengers to men
2) Agents who carry out the will of God – ISBE
2. The Greek word angelos likewise means “messenger”
a. The word occurs 175 times in the NT
b. Of men, it is used only 6 times in the NT
B. OTHER TERMS APPLIED TO ‘ANGELS’…
1. Sons of God – God’s sons by virtue of His creation – cf. Job 1:6; 38:7
2. Holy ones – suggesting they belong to God, ‘set apart’ for His purposes – Psalm 89:5,7
3. Watcher, watchers – likely referring to angels – cf. Daniel 4:13,17,23
4. Host – denoting the armies of heaven, which likely included angels -1 Sam 17:45
5. Archangel – used twice, once in connection with Michael – 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9
6. Prince, chief princes, great prince – used in the book of Daniel – Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1
7. Paul used terms that may refer to angels – cf. Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 1:21; 3:10
a. Principalities (archai)
b. Powers (exousiai)
c. Thrones (thronoi)
d. Dominions (kyriotetes)
e. Powers (dynamesis)
8. Yet these are sometimes distinguished from angels (Romans 8:38; 1 Peter 3:22), and at times described as negative forces (Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 6:12)
[It quickly becomes apparent that the Bible has a lot to say about angels. More about angels can be gleaned from the Bible as we consider…]
II. DESCRIPTIONS OF ANGELS
A. THEIR NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES
1. They are spirit beings
a. Called “spirits”, suggesting they do not have corporeal bodies – Hebrews 1:14
b. Though they did reveal themselves at times in the form of human bodies – Genesis 18:3
c. They do not function as human beings in such things as marriage – Mark 12:25
d. They are not subject to death – Luke 20:36
2. They are created beings
a. They are part of the creation that is to praise Jehovah – Psalm 148:1-5
b. They were created by Christ, among all other things – Colossians 1:16
3. They are innumerable
a. An innumerable company – Hebrews 12:22
b. John’s descriptions suggests their number is countless – Revelation 5:11
4. They are a higher order than man
a. Man was created lower than the angels – Hebrews 2:6-7
b. Angels are not capable of death – Luke 20:36
c. They have greater wisdom, though limited – 2 Samuel 14:20; Matthew 24:36
d. They have greater power, though it too is limited – Matthew 28:2; Daniel 10:13
5. They always appeared as men
a. Never as women or children, always clothed
b. Other than Cherubim and Seraphim (whose classification as angels is suspect), they never have wings – though cf. Revelation 8:13; 14:6
c. Many times they were so disguised as men they were not first identified as angels – Gen18:1-2; 19:1; Hebrews 13:2
B. THEIR CLASSIFICATIONS
1. The archangel, the “great prince”
a. Michael is called the archangel – Jude 1:9; cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16
b. Michael is called the “great prince”, who watched over Israel – Daniel 12:1; cf. 10:21
c. Michael is mentioned in Revelation 12:7
d. Some (JWs and others) believe Michael was the pre-incarnate Christ
2. The chief princes
a. Of whom Michael was one – Daniel 10:13
b. Some would include Gabriel in this classification
1) The angel sent to explain visions to Daniel – Daniel 8:16; 9:21
2) Who also made announcements to Zacharias and Mary – Luke 1:19, 26
3. The princes
a. The term applied to angels in the book of Daniel – e.g., Daniel 10:13, 21
b. Also to what appear to be evil angelic forces – cf. Daniel 10:13, 20-21
4. The Angel of the Lord
a. An angel who seems to speak as the Lord Himself – e.g., Judges 2:1; Genesis 16:10-13
b. Leading some to wonder if this was the pre-incarnate Christ
5. Cherubim?
a. Thought by some to be an order or class of angels, though others hold them to be a higher class of heavenly beings than angels
b. Whose purpose was to be “proclaimers and protectors of God’s glorious presence, His sovereignty, and His Holiness” -C. Fred Dickason
c. In the Bible
1) They stood guard at the Garden of Eden – Genesis 3:24
2) Their golden figures covered the mercy seat above the ark in the tabernacle – Exodus 25:17-22
3) Their designs graced the walls and veils of the tabernacle, and later in the temple – Exodus 26:1,31; 1 Kings 6:23-35; 7:29, 36
4) They attended the glory of God in Ezekiel’s vision – Ezekiel 1:1- 28; cf. 10:1-20
d. Their description fits those of the four living creatures in Revelation rather than angels – cf. Revelation 4:4-6
6. Seraphim?
a. Six winged creatures attending the Lord in Isaiah’s vision – Isaiah 6:1-13
b. Whose name literally means “burning one”, also considered by many as a higher class than angels
c. Their work was to “praise and proclaim the perfect holiness of God”
d. Their description is also akin to those of the four living creatures in Revelation rather than angels – cf. Revelation 4:8-9
7. Satan and his angels
a. Many believe that Satan is a fallen angel
1) That he is “Lucifer”, a name applied to the king of Babylon – Isaiah 14:1-12
2) That he was among the highest of God’s creation, a cherub whose fall and judgment is applied figuratively to the king of Tyre – cf. Ezekiel 28:11-19
b. Satan does has his angels, for whom condemnation awaits – cf. Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10
c. The doctrine of Satan and his angels (along with demons) will hopefully be examined in another study
Conclusion
1. With this brief introduction it should be apparent that
a. The Bible has much to say about angels
b. It is easy to speculate about angels
2. My hope and prayer is that our future studies will
a. Focus on what the Bible actually reveals
b. Avoid the vain speculation that is condemned
3. In the course of our study, we should never forget the One who deserves our greatest attention:
“For to which of the angels did He ever say: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You’? And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son’? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.'” (Hebrews 1:5-6)
4. Have we joined the angels in worshipping the Son, through our own faith and obedience…?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Hebrews 01:04-14 Jesus’ Superiority to Angels
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Text: Hebrews 1:4-14
Introduction
1. The subject of angels has certainly become a popular one lately
a. Bookstores are filled with books dealing with angels
b. Popular TV shows and movies depict angels working in our lives (Highway To Heaven, Touched By An Angel, The Preacher’s Wife, It’s A Wonderful Life)
2. Angels were also an important part of the Jewish religion
a. Angels assisted with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai – Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19
b. They appear throughout the history of Israel, coming to Abraham, Daniel, and many others
3. Since the purpose of The Epistle To The Hebrews is to show the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant to the Law of Moses…
a. It is necessary that the writer has something to say about angels
b. So it is that we find the comparison of the Son to prophets followed now by a comparison to angels – Hebrews 1:4-14
4. The premise is clearly stated that the Son (Jesus) is much better than the angels – Hebrews 1:4
a. The reason in a nutshell is that He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they
b. That name is Son, a title that only Jesus can properly wear
1) Angels may be called sons of God collectively – Job 1:6
2) But no angel can be called this name individually!
Body
I. JESUS IS THE SON
A. TWO PROPHECIES REFER TO THE MESSIAH AS SON
1. The first is Psalm 2:7
a. A psalm depicting the enthronement of the Messiah (the Lord’s Anointed)
b. In which Jehovah calls the Messiah My Son
c. The begetting has reference to the resurrection of Jesus – Acts 13:33; Romans 1:4
2. The second is 2 Samuel 7:14
a. This passage had immediate application to Solomon, David’s son
b. But as the Messiah he would receive the throne of David
1) It’s ultimate application would be to the Messiah
2) Jesus, the son of David – Matthew 1:1; Mark 10:47; John 7:42
B. BUT NO ANGEL IS EVER CALLED MY SON
1. Collectively they were called sons of God, but never individually!
2. This not only demonstrates Jesus’ superiority to angels
a. It proves that Jesus Himself was NOT an angel!
b. Contrary to what some (such as JW’s) believe
II. JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN WHO RECEIVES WORSHIP
A. JESUS IS DESCRIBED AS THE FIRSTBORN
1. The term firstborn does not always mean born first
a. It is also used in the Scriptures as a metaphor to describe one who occupies the rank and privilege of being firstborn (without literally being firstborn)
b. Used by God in this way to refer to the nation of Israel – Exodus 4:22
c. Used by God in this way to refer to David, youngest of eight – Psalm 89:20-27
2. It is used of Jesus in this way to stress His preeminence over creation
a. As Paul explains in Colossians 1:15-18
b. By virtue of being the Creator, He maintains the rank and privilege of firstborn!
B. WHEN THE FIRSTBORN CAME INTO THE WORLD, THE ANGELS WERE TO WORSHIP HIM
1. The angels of God were to worship Him. Note well: No created being is or was ever worthy of worship!
a. The angels themselves refused to be worshipped – Revelation 22:8-9
b. The apostle Peter refused to accept worship – Acts 10:25-26
2. Yet Jesus received worship!
a. From the wise men – Matthew 2:11
b. From the leper – Matthew 8:2
c. From the ruler – Matthew 9:18
d. From His disciples in the boat – Matthew 14:33
e. From the Canaanite woman – Matthew 15:25
f. From the man born blind – John 9:38
g. From the women and other disciples following His resurrection – Matthew 28:9,17
h. From the disciples following His ascension – Luke 24:52
III. JESUS IS GOD ENTHRONED AND ANOINTED
A. ANGELS ARE SIMPLY FOR THE SERVICE OF GOD
1. They are created spirits to serve God (called ministering spirits in He 1:14)
2. Their service can be as powerful yet transient as wind or flames of fire, if need be
B. BUT THE SON IS GOD HIMSELF, ENTHRONED AND ANOINTED!
1. The author is quoting from another Messianic psalm – Psalm 45:6-7
2. Notice that the Son is called God! – Hebrews 1:8
a. The Hebrew writer clearly proclaims the deity of Jesus! – Hebrews 1:3a
b. Yet in the next verse we read where it says God, Your God has
1) Here we find a distinction of personalities within the Godhead
2) Which we learn through later revelation involves the Father and the Son (and the Holy Spirit)
3. The Son, Who is God, has been enthroned, and reigns over an everlasting kingdom with righteousness
a. A kingdom of which Daniel said shall never be destroyed – Daniel 2:44
b. A kingdom of which Gabriel (an angel) told Mary: there will be no end – Luke 1:33
c. Both Paul and John wrote of this kingdom – Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9
4. This Son, Who is God and King, has been anointed – Hebrews 1:9
a. Of course, the word Messiah means anointed one
b. In this passage, the emphasis is on how Jesus has been anointed with gladness more than Your companions
1) Who are these companions?
2) In view of He 2:11; 3:1, it is likely the followers of Jesus, His brethren!
5. As God, King, and Messiah, Jesus is certainly greater than angels!
IV. JESUS IS THE LORD WHO IS THE ETERNAL CREATOR
A. JESUS IS YAHWEH (JEHOVAH)!
1. Now the Hebrew writer is quoting from Psalm 102:25-27
a. A psalm which addresses God using His covenant name Yahweh (or Jehovah)
b. This is the name that God used to identify Himself to Moses – Exodus 3:13-14
2. But the Hebrew writer by inspiration knew this psalm equally applied to Jesus!
a. Such would be blasphemy, unless Jesus is truly Deity!
b. So while the Son is distinct from the Father (Hebrews 1:9), He and the Father are also one
3. In this chapter, then, we find evidence relating to the nature of the Godhead
a. There is one God, but three distinct personalities within the Godhead
b. As Jehovah, Jesus is not a god, or any sort of created being (contra JWs, Mormons)
c. As the Son who is distinct from the Father, the Son is not the same in personality as the Father (contra the Oneness Pentecostals)
d. Though not a biblical term, the word trinity does help to convey the Biblical evidence as to the nature of the Godhead!
B. JESUS IS THE ETERNAL CREATOR!
1. In the beginning it was He who created the earth and the heavens – Hebrews 1:10
a. As the author had already stated in Hebrews 1:2c
b. As both John and Paul professed – John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17
2. He is also eternal, therefore unchangeable – Hebrews 1:11-12
a. The heavens and the earth will perish, grow old and be changed – 2 Peter 3:10-12
b. But Jesus will remain, be the same, and not fail – Hebrews 13:8
V. JESUS IS THE SOVEREIGN
A. NO ANGEL HAS BEEN INVITED TO SIT AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND
1. The psalm quoted now is Psalm 110:1
a. This psalm is quoted or alluded to more than any other psalm in the NT
b. It refers to the Messianic reign of Christ that began when Jesus sat down at the right hand of God – Hebrews 1:3; Acts 2:34-36; 1 Peter 3:22
2. That no angel has been asked to sit at God’s right hand
a. Once again proves that Jesus was not an angel (contra JWs)
b. Only Jesus, as the Son of God, has been so invited, and is truly the Sovereign!
B. ANGELS ARE BUT MINISTERING SPIRITS
1. While Jesus sits enthroned in heaven, angels are sent forth to minister (serve)
2. They minister for those who will inherit salvation
a. They have certainly ministered in the past – Luke 1:11-38
b. They will certainly minister at the time of Christ’s return – Matthew 13:36-43
c. But to what extent they minister in the present, the Scriptures reveal little (Matthew 18:10), and we should be careful to refrain from vain speculation
Conclusion
1. In a very forceful manner, the writer to the Hebrews has shown Jesus’ superiority to angels:
a. Jesus is the Son (not angels)
b. Jesus is the Firstborn who receives worship (not angels)
c. Jesus is God enthroned and anointed (not angels)
d. Jesus is the LORD (Yahweh) who is the eternal creator (not angels, who are only created beings)
e. Jesus is the Sovereign, reigning at God’s right hand (angels are but ministering spirits)
2. While angels certainly have a special place in God’s plan for redeeming man
a. They are not to become the object of worship or adoration – Colossians 2:18-19
b. Only Jesus is worthy of such worship and adoration! As innumerable angels proclaimed with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing! – Revelation 5:11-12
3. Let Jesus, and not angels, be the focus of your interest and adoration!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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