June 22, 2008

Hebrews 1: 8-14
Jesus Christ’s Superiority over Angels Part 3

Last time we looked at Jesus Christ’s superiority over Angels in areas such as Title, HE is SON they are but servants, we saw him as superior in that Angels worship the Son .Recall, if you were here and awake, that He is seen as superior in Nature as well, His nature is the very nature of God

King, High Priest, Sustainer upholder and Shepherd. Christ is superior to Angels.

Now, picking up in verse eight, we again see the Son's superiority in two more ways. In ETERNITY, and DESTINY.

Read with me Hebrews 1:8-14

Now, in his continuing attempt to how that Jesus is Superior to Angels the writer moves to a discussion of the Eternity of God’s Son.

Who was the Son in eternity past? We saw in verse 5 that He received the title “Son” at his at some point in time “this day” remember “Son of God” is a Messianic title, that helps us understand the Word being made flesh. But Who is Christ in eternity past?

In verse 8 we see him referred to as “O God” whose throne is unto the ages to the ages. So until forever Christ will be. But what about eternity past? What Gave Jesus the right to tell the Pharisees “Before Abraham was, I am.” In John 8:58.? Simply this: IN eternity past Jesus was God. Now we saw in verse 4 that he got a better name, he already had the name “God.” and obtained a better name at his resurrection, “Son.” in the fullest sense. But Jesus has always been God.

Look at verse 10, speaking to the Son he says “Thou Lord” has laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the works of thy hand. Here he quotes Psalm 102: 25-27.

The OT context is the fall of Jerusalem and the Psalmist comforts himself with the knowledge of God’s power and eternity. The Septuagint or Greek translation of the Older Testament (LXX) adds “LORD” which our author quotes, saying that the Son is Jehovah God.

Let’s examine the evidence of Christ in eternity past with a view to his deity. Also See John 10:30-39

We need to look at the quote in verse 6 of our text, from Deut. 32:43 and here he quotes the LXX and it says “Let all the angels of God worship him.” Who is allowed to receive worship from the angels? Lucifer tried and was canned; Only ONE is allowed to receive this worship. Exodus 20 says “you shall have no other God’s before me.” and also “do not bow down to serve others for I am a jealous God.”

Yet to the Son worship is given! In essence here is another declaration that Jesus is God and has always existed as God.

Augustus Strong, in his “Theology” relates that in the Old Testament Jesus Christ can be seen in the person of The Angel of Jehovah, or the Angel of The LORD.” In Genesis 22 This “Angel of The Lord” speaking says : “by myself I have sworn says JHVH...” Linking himself with deity.

In Genesis 31 the Angel of The Lord answers Jacob and says “I am the God of Bethel.”

In Genesis 16 Hagar calls him “The God who sees" or “Thou God sees." So this particular angel appears to be an Old Testament manifestation of the Christ in flesh. Not SON here but the 3rd person of the trinity at any rate.

Charles Hodge concurs with this judgment saying: “The Angel of JHVH is Christ pre-incarnate. Recall that no man can look on God and live, yet Christ said “If ye have seen me ye have seen the Father. And in the Old Testament before Christ's incarnation we see the Angel of the Lord being the visible manifestation of God. So we may see Christ pre-incarnate in this Angel.”

But what about before time? We saw in verse two of this chapter that Christ created the very concepts of time and space, and in John 1 we see Christ referred to in his pre-incarnate state as “Logos.” or word.

This “Logos” was present and participating in creation, was the very agent of creation. He is called “The Word of God”. Hebrews 11:3 we read “by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God.” John refers to Christ as Logos, until verse 18 of chapter 1 of his gospel where he begins to call him “Son The one who declares God.”

We see in Isaiah 9:6 Christ is referred to as “Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of peace.” Christ in eternity past was God.

As the author quotes Psalm 102:25-27 He may perhaps be oppressed by a sense of his own short life and contrast it with the eternal being of God. In comparison with his own life Heaven and Earth are long lived, but they will vanish. They had their beginning in God but will grow old and fade away. But the God who created them exists before them and will survive their disappearance.

Now the Psalmist attributes all this to JHVH God. But our author, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit applies these very words to the Son. Christ is JHVH, now then and always.

Only God is eternal, infinite, free from the bonds of time and space, for he is the cause of time and space;. Infinite, changeless.

Psalm 90:2 says that GOD is the same and his years will never end.

Hebrews 13:6 says of the Son, “Jesus Christ, The same yesterday today and forever.”

So in 8 & 9 we see Christ's deity, eternity, Kingship, exalted position, excellence of his rule. It shows the perfection of His incarnate character. Indicates his submission to God in Son ship, announces his coronation and reveals That Christ is preeminent. Verse 10 shows Christ is better because he is eternal creator and will exist eternally.

In verse 11 we see that worlds stars and all will come and go. This universe will end. Angels are subject to decay in that they fell But Jesus Christ is the same, always the same. Jesus is superior to angels in Title, worship, nature, and finally in destiny. verses 13&14

Psalm 110:1 is the 7th OT quote here. The Destiny of Christ.

“To which of the angels did God ever say’ sit on my right hand til I make your enemies your footstool?” NO ANGEL! But the destiny of Jesus Christ is that everything in the universe will ultimately be subject to him. (Ph. 2 That at the name of Jesus”) Jesus Christ in God’s plan is destined to be the ruler of the universe and every thing that dwells in it.

Compare 1 Cor. 15:23-25

In relation to Son ship Christ is subordinate to God the Father, and under his authority are placed all the powers and authorities of the world. when? At his second coming. Note Rev. 19:15-16 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

The destiny of Jesus Christ is eternal reign.

Look at verse 13 “SIT” no where in scripture do we see angels seated. Why? Their work is never done. But we Christians will sit once in a while (4:9 a rest for the people of God.) Jesus sits because it is over. He reigns But contrast the angels in verse 14.( Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? ) Jesus reigns, angels serve US! They will serve us forever. Angels do a lot. They protect us from temporal danger (2 Kings 6:15 <read>)

Angels protect us from danger a lot of times. Remember Daniel in the den? Shadrach Meshach and Abednego?

Their destiny is to serve us throughout eternity, but Jesus destiny is to rule throughout eternity. SO we see again that Christ is better than angels in every way.

Every one of his superiorities is confirmed by an Old Testament passage. Jesus is Messiah, God in flesh, mediator of a new and better covenant than the Old.

Now look back. IN just 13 verses we have seen Jesus deity established by divine name . He is called the Son of God, LORD, God.

By divine work: creating, sustaining, governing and purging sin.

Divine attributes: He is omniscient, omnipotent, unchanging and eternal.

By divine worship: He is the one to be worshipped by the angels and by all creatures in the universe. An so the superiority of Jesus Christ is explained.

So what? What is the point? So Jesus is superior to angels, Big deal. Look at 2:1-3 THAT’S What’s So WHAT.( 1-3 Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him, ) If God expected a reaction to law which came through angels, what do you think he expects for a reaction to that which came through Jesus Christ?

Heb 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him,