Hebrews 1:3b-14 "Christ Above the Angels"

Read Hebrews 1:3b-14.

"'Let all the angels worship him."' NIV

People have had a fascination with angels for centuries. Their power and abilities has always been a mystery to mankind. And because of their invisible eternal quality, we have never really been able to pin down who they are. The Scripture speaks some about angels, and the author of Hebrews here makes it very clear that they are not equal in any way to Jesus Christ, the Son.

The Jews revered the angels because the law given at Sinai involved angels. So Hebrews is making sure that the Messianic Jews understood the angels place in the hierarchy.

What I love about this passage is not so much where the angels are in relation to Christ because I already believe they are below Christ. But this passage says so much more about Christ's relationship to the Father and His status as God. He is placed over the angels and made equal with the Father. Christ was at the creation of the world. He is the one who completed the purification for sins. He sits at the right hand of the Father. All beings, including angels worship Him. Even His enemies are a footstool for His feet. Christ's superiority is clearly established.

Then the author closes out the chapter reminding us that angels are just ministering spirits sent to serve us, the redeemed. While that is comforting in itself, that I serve a Master that is God of all is so much more.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look up the verses regarding angels that the author of Hebrews sites.
2. Do you rely on angels to guard you or the power of Christ who lives within you?
3. Read Billy Graham's book "Angels, Angels, Angels." Fascinating read.

Matthew 26:47-56 "Angels at Your Back"

Read Matthew 26:47-56.

"Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" NIV

A legion is 3000-6000 men. So twelve legions would be about 36,000 to 72,000 angels. Jesus could have opened the heavens and called down an army to rescue him from the crowd. He also had every right. He had been betrayed by a friend. Not only was he unjustly being arrested, but a friend had turned against him. If justice was to be served, the debate was on Jesus' side. But that was not the Father's will, and Jesus had the strength to stand because He had been with His Father in prayer through the night. This shows us the lengths we must go to for the Father's will to be done. His desires need to be my desires; His plans my plans. I cannot allow anything to stand in the way even if it causes me some pain.

On the other side of that, if Jesus wants to rescue, encourage or send me a message, He has at least 72000 angels to do it. The same Jesus that could call on the hosts of heaven to help Him in the garden can send the angels to minister to me today. He's always got my back. There is no situation I can get myself into where there isn't an army at my disposal. Psalm 91:11-12 says, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." That power is promised to us as God's children. What tremendous comfort those words hold. In every situation I face, I can stand. I've got an army at my back led by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Boy, who needs to ever worry?

Further Thoughts:

1. Do a study of angels and see what their jobs are. There are many theories about angels floating around out there. Be sure what you research has Scriptural support.
2. What are you facing right now that could possibly overwhelm you? Surrender it to the Lord. He is not only omnipotent, but has a whole army to work for him. That's bigger than any problem you can throw at Him.

Matthew 18:10-11 "Angels Here?"

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." NIV

I've never done much of a study on angels. And frankly, when I've spoken of guardian angels, I've said it rather flippantly. "Well, your guardian angel was working overtime." I don't even remember writing "guardian angels" alongside this passage in my Bible, but I did. Maybe my attitude has been hesitant on this subject because I have seen so many people put store in angels that it almost seemed like they were worshipping the angels instead of God. But obviously, since Jesus brings them up, there is merit in seeing what they are about. So what does God's Word say about angels?

Strong's definition of an angel is "a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God." In the KJV, "angel" or "messenger" is used 186 times. There are dozens examples in the Old Testament of an "angel of the Lord" being sent with a message. An angel spoke to Hagar about Ishmael; an angel speaks to Jacob in a dream; an angel appeared in front of Balaam's donkey. In each case an angel is sent as a messenger or as a guard.

In the New Testament, the angelic occurrences are mostly in Revelation, however, an angel appeared to Mary; one to Zacharias; an angel ministered to Jesus in the desert; and there are several occasions where angels helped out in Acts.

So since the angels have been active since the beginning of the earth, why wouldn't they still be active and relevant in our lives today? There is no Scripture that says we each have our own specific angels watching over us. Therefore, the term "guardian angel" is a misnomer. Any of the angels can be sent to us by the Lord at any time to bring a message or guard over us. What a privilege and a comfort to know we are being ministered to by angels of the Lord.

Further Thoughts:

1. Did you have preconceived notions about angels? Does your idea line up biblically?
2. Read Billy Grahams book Angels for interesting stories on their activity in our lives.