CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO ANGELS AND ALL

In the past, God usually spoke to His people through the prophets - at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He speaks to us often by His Spirit. His Son Jesus, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe, is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His being, and He sustains all things by Him (His Name and His Word).

Reference: Hebrews 1:4 New Living Translation (NLT) "This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names."

God spoke more highly about Jesus than His angels and prophets. Though He commended the angels and His servants, the prophets, He expressed a greater approval and encomium of Jesus. In speaking of the angels and His servants, God said, "He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire." But about the Son Jesus, He said, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom" (Hebrews 1:8-9).

There is something about angels that intrigues us - probably because they are spiritual beings and fascinating as well. Angels are divine messengers or ministering Spirits, sent to minister to the saints (Hebrews 1:14 NKJV). I can't fully explain why the book of Hebrews has a heavy emphasis on angels, but from a little study, I believe that the worship of angels, and other spiritual beings, were common in the days the book of Hebrews was written. For this reason, the writer had to emphasize that Jesus is far superior to the angels. To be more specific about Christ's superiority, our referenced Scripture acknowledged that Jesus is not on the same level as these beings, just as the Name God gave Him is greater than their names.

Jesus Himself and "His Name, Jesus" are far, far above any angelic or other conceivable spiritual being. Angels are great messengers of God. The Prophets too were messengers of God. In fact, here's what is significant about God's ordained Prophets: The Bible says, "Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed" (2 Chronicles 20:20 ESV). However, above all, Christ is still the superior authority.

This is not just because Jesus is God the Son, but more so for this reason: The Scripture says, '...having provided purification for sins, God exalted His Name above all names and He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven' (Hebrews 1:3-4). So He became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Furthermore, Philippians 2:8-11 (NIV) says, 'And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'

The focus of Hebrews is on Jesus and His Name. The whole creation revolves around Him because He is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being. Nothing can compare to Him; not even the angels. Now why is this knowledge so important? This is because God wants us to establish Christ's authority and superiority in our own lives and world, which will in turn, help and empower us to live a successful and victorious daily lives. It will also help us to exercise our faith effectively by using His Name as the most powerful Name, and then position us to walk in absolute dominion.

Scripture Reading - Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:16; Colossians 2:9; Colossians 3:17.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for helping me to keep my focus on Jesus and acknowledge His Name as the all-powerful Name. As I live for you each day, I dedicate myself to the knowledge of Christ and the Word, thereby ensuring that His superiority, glory, righteousness and dominion are established in my world. I put my entire trust in the Name of Jesus, knowing that nothing can stand the authority of His Name and power of the Word. Thus I experience your blessings in a profound way, always in Jesus' Name, Amen!