THE ETERNAL SON - BETTER THAN ANGELS. Hebrews 1:13-14. Psalm 110 is quoted twelve times in Hebrews, referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. In this passage, He holds a position of authority at the throne of God until complete victory is achieved worldwide at His return in power and glory. All the enemies of our Lord will be defeated, and His exaltation will confirm that He has gained total victory over all the foes who oppose Him.
Angels who serve as messengers of God assist believers in Christ, protect the helpless, proclaim God’s message when He sends them, and carry out God’s judgment according to His sovereign will. “Heirs of salvation” here does not refer to our current salvation from sin but points to the future, not the past. To Hebrew believers, Psalm 110 clearly pointed to the Messiah they awaited. The writer aimed to confirm that Jesus, the Son of man and the Son of David, was exalted by God to the throne as the Son of God. He possesses all power and authority in heaven and on earth. The Lord Jesus Christ is far above all the heavens, so that in His human and divine authority, He governs and fills all things. His desire is that when the earthly kingdom is fully established, it will be closely connected with the kingdom of grace.
Angels are connected to all that God does, serving His people now and in the coming kingdom. The truth that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God has been confirmed through the fulfillment of prophetic words, His resurrection, and His throne in heaven. In grace, God continues to wait for people to repent and come to Him through faith. But one day, the waiting will end; the Son of God will return, and all enemies — including the last enemy, death — will be defeated.
There is no question, no angel that has been created can share the glory that is His – their role is to serve. A coming day will bring the fulfillment – the defeat of every foe. His glory will not be compromised – the universe will know. He has triumphed – the Conqueror has prevailed. Hosts of angels – messengers sent to testify of Him. Publicly, the message is shared worldwide – to mankind: “Whosoever will, may come,” and they have come – and will yet come!
Amazement appears on the faces of every angel, mighty in strength given by the stronger One, capable of defying the natural laws imposed by humans. They move through the universe serving Him, watching a small blue planet, hidden on the outskirts of the roads and paths. They come and gather around Him—the poor, the maimed, the halt, the blind—frail mortal men!
Encircled by Him who is higher than the highest, forming an inner circle, like a bride loved and cared for, and loving Him in return, eager to please Him. They are chosen—His Bride chosen before the world—all as one, holy, redeemed, loved, and loving. As one, they respond to Him who loved us and washed us. They rise beyond watching, worshiping angels, to be seated at His right hand—strong angels worship—“This is right!”
Even now, in this fading scene, the Lord waits for those who, with appreciation, will also share His joy. When I think of Him, who is so much higher than everything else, I rejoice in my spirit and soul, and I bless His holy name. There is no jealousy; only the facts that have been planned and carried out by divine purpose. The Lord Jesus is high and lifted up. The bride of His choosing, who will sit at His right hand, is one who honors and appreciates Him and the redemption price He paid for them. We join that band of the relieved and redeemed Jews and Gentiles to worship Him, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are some fundamental points to be reviewed in Chapter 1 that lay the foundation for the entire book of Hebrews. God has Spoken: A living, loving God must speak. In times past, He spoke in fragments by individuals. This was an imperfection of the Old Testament because different people could take various ways and means in different ways. Another lack was that they did not fully understand the messages given to prophets, and they had to search to find out what was going to come. They were like signposts pointing pilgrims to an unknown future. Their prophecies were finite and limited in their scope.
Now all that is past: God has spoken openly and personally by the Son, His one and only Son, not many prophets who were servants. Prophets were temporary messengers; the Son abides forever. The prophets were imperfect; the Son is perfect. The prophets were impure; the Son can purify those who are sinners and polluted by sin. There is no higher revelation of God than the Son, who is God Himself.
All Things : The Lord Jesus Christ is the end of all history; He is the appointed heir, the objective of all things. The Lord Jesus Christ is the beginning of all history: “All things” refers to all ages and everything that exists and moves. The Lord Jesus Christ is before all history: He is the eternal, infinite God who has revealed Himself in Som – the Light, morally, spiritually, and physically.
Purge our sins: He came to purge our sins, which only He could do. What a lowly place He came to – “Even the death of the cross.” What a height of glory He has ascended to – “Seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high!”
Summary of Doctrine: All truths that are expounded in the book of Hebrews are briefly mentioned in this opening. Absolute Truths: The Son, Majesty, Christ (Appointed Heir), Creator whom He has appointed; made the worlds; sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Relative Truths: Comparison with angels, v.4. Confirmation as the Son, v.5. The Heir, v.6-9. Made the worlds, v.10-12. Sitting at the right hand of God, v.13-14.
Psalm 1 and 2 are like Hebrews 1 and 2. They are a prologue to the whole book and begin with the introduction of the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, highlighting both His deity and humanity. That is why the quotations from the Psalms are so significant. He is God’s Son, worshipped by angels; He is God yet distinguished from the Father.