Jesus Authority is Established Over All Creation

Topic: Angels
Passage: Hebrews 1:8–14

October 21, 2020

Commentary

The balance of this chapter continues with an ever-mounting argument for the superiority of Christ over the angels. The people addressed in this epistle were Hebrew Christians who had the greatest and deepest respect for the angels of God. When we look at this passage we can see some of the basic Jewish beliefs about angels. Many came to think of angels as intermediaries between God and man. They believed that God spoke to man through the angels, and that they carried the prayers of man into the presence of God.

With this in mind, the writer makes a striking contrast between angels and Christ. Of the Son of God it is

  1. He is King in His Kingdom (v. 8).
  2. He is the sinless One (v. 9).
  3. He is the designer of the universe (v. 10).
  4. He is the eternal creator (v. 11).
  5. He is unchangeable (v. 12).
  6. He is the final conqueror (v. 13).
  7. He is the Lord of angels (v. 14).

Application

I am glad that the Lord is in charge of angels, and He has guardian angels to watch after me.

Hebrews 1:8– 14 (NET)

8 but of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. So God, your God, has anointed you over your companions with the oil of rejoicing.”

10 And, “You founded the earth in the beginning, Lord, and the heavens are the works of your hands.

11 They will perish, but you continue. And they will all grow old like a garment,

12 and like a robe you will fold them up and like a garment they will be changed, but you are the same and your years will never run out.”

13 But to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation?