One of the things that happens when you study a bit of the bible is modern ideas clash with the ancient culture that the bible was written to.
As I mentioned last week, this series will not only look at Hebrews but also at different ways of studying God’s word.
Angels is a great example of this cultural tension. In Hebrews 1 we see the author saying Jesus is better than angels.
Here we have a tension.
We have a number of view points about angels in contemporary thinking.
- Angels are mythical creatures- his is a modern view point, but has drifted into many aspects of christanity to a point where many Christians are skeptical about their existence.
- Angels are spiritual guides – This is more post-modern and has much support from the new age movement but also from the different directions that spirituality is heading in our society.
- Angels don’t exist
- View four of course is the biblical view.
Biblically, what are angels???????? – We’ve looed at some pictures, heard some songs now what do you reckon? Talk about it amongst yourselves for a minute.
Well, angels are God’s messengers. (That’s what the greek word means = messenger)
We also get the word evangelist from this word which means a messenger with good news.
A bible dictionary explains them this way.
ANGEL (Gr. angelos, = messenger). A supernatural, heavenly being, a little higher in dignity than man. Their creation was certainly before the creation of man. They are described as “spirits”. Their superhuman intelligence and strength is not unlimited. They are distinct from man (1 Cor 6:3; Heb 1:14), and neither marry nor die (Luke 20:34-36). A vast multitude (Rev 5:11), they are of various ranks and endowments (
Angels were created holy (Gen 1:31; Jude 6), but some fell into sin before Satan tempted Eve (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). Thus they have choice to be obedient or disobedient. Their fall was due to a deliberate rebellion against God which resulted in their loss of holiness. They became corrupt and were confirmed in evil. Some are in hell until the Day of Judgment (2 Peter 2:4); others are left free to oppose the work of God for a time (Matt 25:41). Good angels:i stand in the presence of God and worship him (Matt 18:10; Heb 1:6; Rev 5:11).ii. They assist, protect, and deliver God’s people (Gen 19:11; Ps 91:11; Dan 3:28; 6:22; Acts 5:19; Heb 1:14).iii. They guided Philip to go into the desert (Acts 8:26) and encouraged Paul in
iv. Sometimes they interpret God’s will to people (Dan 7:16; 10:5, 11; Zech 1:9, 13-14, 19), v. and execute God’s will toward individuals and nations (Gen 19:12, 13; 2 Sam 24:16; Ezek 9:2, 5, 7; Acts 12:23).vi. The affairs of nations are guided by them (Dan 10:12-13, 20). God uses them to punish his enemies (2 Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23). Angels had a large place in the life and ministry of Christ. i. They appeared to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, and ministered to Jesus after the temptation (Matt 4:11).ii. An angel strengthened him in the Garden (Luke 22:43); iii. one rolled away the stone from the tomb (Matt 28:2-7);iv. and they were with him at the Ascension (Acts 1:10-11).
What we have done here is a topic investigation. I used bible dictionaries, commentaries , the internet etc to put together information about a topic from our passage.
So what has this to do with our passage in Hebrews???
Heaps. The author is saying that Jesus is better than angels. He is not created but is God. The assumption is that because the writer had to talk about this that some people thought Jesus was an angel. People still think that. On Oprah a couple of months ago there was a guy who reckoned that the Gnostic scriptures prove this (Actually, I think he read it wrong, the Gospel of Thomas I think calls Jesus the commander of Angels. His assumption was that that made Jesus an angel. Couldn’t find the quote this week though)
This passage is to remind the people of Jesus rightful place – As God. Better than angels and the next passages we will look at say he is better than the Moses, the Law and some other things too.
So while angels are real, their job is to be messengers from God.
If you experience an angel that doesn’t bear a message from God – be skeptical it might be an evil angel. (A demon in disguise)
Why is it important for us to think Jesus is better than angels?
He is God, even though angels are something special, Jesus is far superior. Again, a warning, an angels message must be God’s message, if the angel just has a message for you, it may not be from God.
Jesus angels are for our benefit, do we have guardian angels? Don’t know, but we have a caring, loving and providing Jesus!!!.
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