Christ and the Angels: Lower than the Angels

Christ and the Angels: Lower than the Angels

by | Jun 14, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details

David asks: What is man that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. (Psalm 8:4-5, KJV).

It’s a question I’ve often asked, and I’m sure it must’ve crossed your mind in the past as well – who am I that God is mindful of me? Who am I that He cares for me? Who am I that He sees me, and hears me, and loves me unconditionally?

Now – it is important for us to acknowledge that man is made up of various components – that the flesh can be separated from the spirit and from the soul. They are three distinct parts.

In the beginning God created the universe – He created man – and told man to reign over all the Earth, to have authority!

God made us, a little lower than the angels, but crowned us with glory and honor.

When we talk about Jesus being lower than the angels it is of utmost importance that we separate the various components which makes us human. Jesus isn’t lower than the angels in spirit and soul – but only in body! He is lower than the angels because of the perishable flesh He took on. We must remember that Christ is still God!

The Bible teaches that sin came into the world through one man – Adam, but also that our redemption comes from one man – as promised in Genesis 3:15 and fulfilled in Christ – the anointed Messiah in whom we have redemption, the remission of our sins and eternal life.

Hebrews 2:14: (KJV) reads as follows:

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”

Tying in with the previous passage, as found in Hebrews 2:9-10:

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

God stepped down from His throne into the darkness of the world, into our midst, so that He could restore us, rescue us and take us home – return us, in right standing, to His Kingdom.

God stepped down from His throne, inclined to man, and it became Him to become a little lower than the angels so that He could suffer for our infirmities, be broken for our transgressions, and pierced for our iniquity. It became Him to step down from Glory, so that He could be glorified by His love for us – so that we could glory in His embrace.

He came to Earth a little lower than the angels to restore us, to take all our burdens upon Him, to taste death for man, so that we could eat the bread of life eternal.

In this we see this Christological concept – that Jesus is the Word that took on flesh to become the Spotless Lamb of God, the Sacrifice for the remission of our sins and our reconciliation with Himself. The perishable flesh that would serve as the metaphorical ‘veil’ behind which the fullness of God lives – torn so that we may realize that God is not in that box, but among us, dwelling, moving, and working in our midst.

The Word, infinite and eternal, taking on corruptible, frail and fragile flesh is the epitome of God bowing the heavens to tabernacle in our midst. The immortal becoming perishable the ultimate sacrifice.

Reflect:

1. In the second chapter of Hebrews the author draws a comparison between Jesus and the angels to explain the significance of His incarnation. What are some ways that you can describe the incarnation of Jesus in your personal mission field?

2. In the first two chapters of Hebrews the author draws comparisons between Christ and the angels to explore His majesty, power and glory – but also the frailty of the flesh He came to inhabit. Why is it important to understand both sides of the Incarnation to have a full view of His finished work on the Cross?

3. Considering the above, what can we as believers take out of the text to influence the way we live our lives and our outreach to our neighbours?

Prayer:

Lord, in all things – persecution, famine, nakedness and sword – help me be a faithful witness of Your Kingdom. You endured great discomfort, pain and even death to prove Your love for us. My flesh might fail, but Your Spirit does not. Empower me through the indwelling of Your presence to see Your Kingdom come in our midst as I pray for, work for and strive for revival in my life and the lives of those around me. Give me a renewed understanding of the frailty You chose on my behalf and the sacrifice – Your Body and Your Blood – for me. Let me live a life worthy of the One You gave – with gratitude and thanksgiving. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Christ and the Angels: The Sceptre of His Kingdom

Christ and the Angels: The Sceptre of His Kingdom

by | Jun 14, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details

In Hebrews 1:8 we find that Christ is God – and God Himself confirms it – we read:

“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

God Himself says unto the Son – Thy throne, O God, is for ever!

Deuteronomy 6:4: and John 1:1: it is confirmed – God is one and we know that He would never do or say anything contradictory His word – therefore Christ is God!

In the same verse also we read that ‘a Sceptre of righteousness is the Sceptre of thy kingdom.’ Christ lived a spotless life on Earth – unblemished and pure – He lived a righteous life. In Psalm 1 we read that it is the righteous man who is like a tree planted by mighty rivers – but that the wicked is like chaff blown in the wind. This translates into life as follows – He who is firmly rooted in Christ (The source of Living Water) shall live a righteous life (Being as a tree planted by the Living Waters). Righteousness is the core of His teaching, His life and His ministry and is therefore also the centre of His kingdom – the Sceptre of His Kingdom!

We also find that He has authority over all things – if righteousness is the Sceptre of His Kingdom – than He must be the King. In verse 13 we read:

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?”

And Peter on the day of Pentecost shared the following with the crowd:

“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.” (Acts 2:32-35) (KJV)

It is Christ who is the exalted right hand of God – the Holy One who saw no corruption – who loosened the pains of death. Jesus – being raised up in glory and seated on the Throne of God.

In verse 9 we read that Christ has been anointed with the oil of gladness by God – because He has loved righteousness. Christ is the Holy and Anointed One. He is the Priest, Prophet and King of the world!

He is the eternal and unchanging one.

Hebrews 1:10-12:

“And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”

Daniel has this vision in Daniel 7:13-14:

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

We see once more His authority in the Daniel passage, but we also read in the fourteenth verse that His kingdom is everlasting – that His kingdom, His dominion, shall not be destroyed, nor shall it ever pass away.

The author of the book of Hebrews states that all things may perish, but Christ shall never perish – that His dominion is forever. He states that all things will grow old and fade, and may be folded by Him and changed – but He is the same forever!

Eternal and unchanging.

In verse thirteen the question is asked – to which of His angels has He said, at any time – sit at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

In verse 9 we read that God has anointed Him, has chosen Him above His fellows, but in the thirteenth verse we find that He is exalted above His enemies as well, that they are His footstool. Glorious!

Christ has been chosen, anointed, above all things – every living creature, and principality – He has been exalted above all things on Heaven and in Earth.

Ephesians 1:21-22: testifies of this fact when Paul states that Christ is:

“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,”

Although angels are holy and immortal (Luke 9:26, Luke 20:36) – and possessed of certain supernatural qualities, they can not even begin to compare to the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of the Lord, neither are they necessarily eternal. They have their imperfections (Job 4:18, 1 Pet 1:12) and, as the Bible implies, are also vulnerable to temptation (Matt. 25:41, Revelation 12:7,9). Finally, and this should go without saying, they are definitely NOT to be worshipped (Col 2:18, Rev 19:10). Instead, their function is to worship God and reveal God so that others might worship Him.

Angels were feared and respected in ancient times as the executors of God’s estate – carrying out the will of God. But Jesus…

Jesus is higher than the angels – righteousness is the Sceptre of His Kingdom. He is the Eternal and Unchanging One, anointed with the oil of gladness. The Earth is His footstool. He is the Exalted Right Hand of God, seated on the Throne forever and ever.

Jesus is the Hand of God reaching down Himself to establish His Kingdom here on Earth.

Reflect:

1. What kind of feelings do the phrases “a Sceptre of righteousness is the Sceptre of Thy Kingdom” and “the Earth is Thy footstool” elicit in you? What kind of images do these phrases bring to mind? How does this affect the way you live your day to day life?

2. The Book of Hebrews does a good job of employing the cultural, religious and spiritual emblems and symbols of the day to describe the Godhood of Jesus Christ. What are some ways we can engage with and employ the culture of our day to share the Majesty and Power of Christ and His Kingdom?

3. Looking at Hebrews chapter 1 we see a collage of quotes. The author uses it convincingly to make the case for Christ and His Cross. How can we better make use of the spiritual discipline of Bible study to connect the dots between the Old and New Testaments to create a fuller and more compelling vision of Christ and His Kingdom?

Prayer:

Lord, as I take the time to think about the deeper things of Your Word, open up a deeper understanding. Help me gain insight, let me wisely discern the connections between the Old Testament and the New. Help me see and experience the fullness of Your Kingship in my life – Jesus, help me see the fullness of Your Godhood – and give me the right words to bring this across in my personal mission field. Come and reign in every facet of my life. Come and be glorified in the comings and goings of my day to day life. Yours is the Kingdom, the Glory and the Power. Forever and ever. Amen.

Christ and the Angels: Higher than the Angels

Christ and the Angels: Higher than the Angels

by | Jun 14, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details

In Hebrews 1:4-14: we see how Christ is higher than the angels:

In verse 4 we read that Christ has, by inheritance, obtained a much greater name, a more excellent name.

In Ephesians we read the following:

Ephesians 1:19-22: (KJV)

“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church…”

Peter, before the council of Jewish elders and rulers, in Acts 4:12: states that there is no other name in Heaven or on Earth by which to be saved – that the name of the Lord Christ Jesus is the name of Salvation.

Reading this we realize that His name is the only name, and the most excellent name, that there is no other name worthy of exaltation and glorification – no other name than Jesus.

Christ is often called the Son of God, as He is from the Father. None of the angels have the privilege of being called the Son of God, and none of the angels share in this glory. Later on we read that Christ is like a Son in His house – meaning He has dominion and authority. The angels have no authority except where God allows it, but Christ – having the name above every name – has total dominion. (Verses 5-6)

And then we read (In verse 6) that when God brings the Firstbegotten, Jesus, into the world He says – Let all the angels of God worship Him.

In Psalm 18:3: David writes:

“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”

Earlier we read that there is only one name! One name through which we have our redemption, our salvation, our freedom – and that is the name of Christ! Jesus Christ, being God, is worthy of all the praise and honor, worthy of all exaltation and adoration, magnification and glory! Christ is worthy!

The angels bow before His throne, and worship Him.

Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire? In verse 7 and 14 we are taught that angels are ministering spirits – that they are sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation.

In Psalm 91:11-12: we read –

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

God commands His angels concerning us – to guard us in all our ways – to keep us from harm – but they are not Mighty to Save. They cannot save us from death and sin and disease. God uses them to minister to us – that is true – but Christ is salvation and healing and freedom! Christ is the one and only High Priest and King.

Finally, in verse 14 we read that the angels are but ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary (Easton, 1897) has the following to say about angels:

“a word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a “messenger,” and hence employed to denote any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes. It is used of an ordinary messenger (Job 1:14: 1 Sam. 11:3; Luke 7:24; 9:52), of prophets (Isa. 42:19; Hag. 1:13), of priests (Mal. 2:7), and ministers of the New Testament (Rev. 1:20). It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the pestilence (2 Sam. 24:16, 17; 2 Kings 19:35), the wind (Ps. 104:4). But its distinctive application is to certain heavenly intelligences whom God employs in carrying on his government of the world. The name does not denote their nature but their office as messengers.”

As an example we will read from Luke 2:8-10:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

Angels are agents of God’s providence – that is to say – His intervention. They are messengers called to carry out God’s redemptive work – not His work of total redemption, but to minister to those in need and danger – to deliver God’s children from afflictions and tribulations.

This being said – it is of utmost importance that their ministry greatly differs from the redemptive ministry of Christ. Their call is to minister to those who will inherit salvation.

Hebrews 1:14:

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Emphasis own)

And also, we read in Zephaniah 3:17:

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” (Emphasis own).

Christ is the mighty one who will save! The angels minister to those who will inherit salvation, but Christ is salvation.

Reflect:

1. Angelic encounters can take many forms. Are there any stories from your life – either lived or heard – where you have encountered anything resembling an angelic encounter? How did this affect your faith?

2. If the angels are created as ministering spirits to minister to those who will inherit salvation, what are some of the ways in which they interact with humanity? What scriptural references can we employ to lead us to a deeper understanding of how they perform their function?

3. If we think of the office of the angels in terms of the quote from Easton’s Bible Dictionary, that an ‘angel’ could refer to a person of flesh and bone (eg. a prophet, a priest, or any other agent of God’s providence – as also the intention behind John’s use of the word in his Revelation), how can we ‘assist’ the angels in their work as the hands and feet of God? What insight can we glean for use in our servanthood from the Biblical example of the angels?

Prayer:

Lord, as I think about what You did for me through Jesus Christ upon the Cross, let me employ all of my faculties, with renewed vigour, towards paying it forward. Let me learn from the example of the angels and be like a flame of fire to those around me – offering warmth, protection and light to the weary and burdened. Let me minister to those who would inherit salvation – let me be a beacon of hope, love and life everlasting – an agent of your divine providence. Let Your Name, high and lifted up, be as sweet as honey upon my lips – and may my life lead others to join the angels around your throne in worship. Give Your Heavenly Host command regarding me, oh Lord, so that I might not dash my foot against the stones, and keep me on the path of Your righteousness, for Your Name’s Sake. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Christ and the Angels: Angels as a Teaching Tool in the Book of Hebrews.

Christ and the Angels: Angels as a Teaching Tool in the Book of Hebrews.

by | Jun 12, 2024 | Bible Studies, Christological Reflections, God in the Details

Early Christian authors and apologists often made the case for Christianity by looking back and finding the significance of what had come before.

First Century Jewish Christians would often describe their faith as a continuation – a sort of next step – of Judaism. After all, Christ was the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets.

Therefore it is no surprise that these same authors – like the Matthew in his Gospel account, and Paul in quite a few places, would make reference to types and shadows in the Tanakh, Rabbinical Literature as well as the cultural and historical identity of the Jews to drive home the fact that the Christ and His Kingdom had come.

The Book of Hebrews is a brilliant example of this. Two of the passages that is often misunderstood and even overlooked are those concerning Christ in relation to the angels, perhaps because we do not pay much heed in general to these heavenly helpers from the throne room of God.

Nevertheless there is much to be discerned from mining the text in this regard.

The first is Hebrews 1:4-14: which describes Jesus, the exalted Messiah,as higher, or better, than the angels.

The second is Hebrews 2:5-9: which describes Jesus, the Son of Man, as lower as the angels.

Angels played a very important role in Jewish culture and religion. One Rabbi is quoted as saying that every blade of grass has its angel.

In Judaism angels were considered to be intermediaries, fearful and intimidating deputies sent to speak and act on behalf of God.

Some teachers and philosophers, such as Maimonides, would go as far as to say that they were the invisible force behind the laws of nature.

In a lot of ways angels in the Old Testament function as the hands, feet and voice of God – tangible manifestations, interpreters and testaments of God’s infinite wisdom and power.

A casual topical search of the Bible would show that angels have two primary functions. To serve God, ministering to the Creator King of Heaven and Earth much as we do through worship around His throne, but also to reveal God to His people – thereby calling man to worship.

The latter takes many forms – whether delivering dreams, visions and prophecies, or guarding and protecting, working miracles and destroying armies on God’s behalf – the end result is a revelation of the nature and the glory of God.

Therefore – because angels are so important to the Jews of his time – the author of the book of Hebrews compares Christ to the angels to shed some more light on who He is.

The idea of these passages are to show the immortal and eternal aspects of the Messiah veiled in the mortal flesh of the Son.

Christ, higher than the angels as the Right Hand of God Himself – instead of angelic intermediaries, God Himself steps down to fill the gap.

We see the fullness of God revealed in the frailty of Jesus as man – the infinite folded into the finite, the Creator in the form of His creation.

The author of Hebrews uses the angels as a sort of teaching tool by which a basic Christology can be shared to the Jewish people specifically. As gentiles, though, and modern readers (although we were not the intended target audience), we can still glean very important insight if we read these passages intentionally and in context.

It also poses a challenge for us as believers today. The book of Hebrews engages with the predominant culture of the society it is addressing.

In encouraging a reading of the passages above, but also the whole of this Epistle, I would like to encourage us to look at how we can engage with the culture of the community around us to bring the beauty, the glory and the truth of Jesus to that same community.

Reflect:

1. How can you engage with the culture of our day and age to bring across Gospel-truth to your community?

2. How can reflecting on the Old Testament enlarge your vision of what Jesus came to accomplish? Choose a reading from the Old Testament, and reflect on how it might point you towards the finished work of Christ as well as how it might encourage you to think deeper about the whole of Scripture in terms of your daily Christian walk.

3. In thinking about the content of Hebrews chapters 1 and 2 we see a lot of reference to the ‘unseen’ reality that surrounds us. How might reflecting upon this unseen reality affect our daily walk? What role does the supernatural aspect of the Kingdom take on in Your day to day life?

Prayer:

Lord, as I ponder the deeper things of Your Word, let it be as an open book before me. Give me eyes to see the things unseen. As I read the Old Testament, let me see Jesus in what was. As I engage with the culture of today, help me see Jesus in what is. I know that all wisdom and all knowledge come from You. Show me the hidden things of the Bible and let me grow in wisdom and understanding so that I may be an effective witness for You in the world. Help me see how I can engage with culture – and how I might help others understand You through this endeavour – just like the author of Hebrews. In the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen