GOD SPEAKS. Hebrews 1:5-14 There is no doubt about the superiority of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory, honor, and majesty over the "fathers," the "prophets," or any other human being - or angels. Even though there have been wise and heroic men and women of faith, their inherent humanity made them susceptible to sin and subject to death. Human nature is such that we "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." How foolish, vain, and irresponsible it is for mortal people to say that God is a creation of man's imagination to keep people civilized.
The limits of man's intelligence are reached long before we even consider the marvelous intricacies of the human body. The fullness of the earth, the boundlessness of space, and the vastness of all creation in the universe and the heavens all place us humans in a position of curious wonder as God's intelligent design of everything unfolds more fully before us.
Even though angels are not under the same condemnation as we human beings are, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned," and they are higher in the divine order of the "families" in heaven and earth than we are as frail, mortal men, if they do not "keep their first estate," they have no opportunity to change. As messengers of God and spiritually created beings, they serve God by "ministering" to believers, by protecting the helpless, by declaring messages from God to men, and by executing judgment.
God clearly expressed in the scriptures His declaration about the superiority of our Lord Jesus. "Thou art My Son" states a fact that has been true from the beginning. "The first-begotten" would clarify to any Hebrew believer the superiority of His position above any of the angels who are called "sons of God," or even redeemed people who are children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
The declaration by God concerning His Person is followed by another biblical quote about the continuation of David's royal line. The One miraculously born "in fashion as a man," to carry on the kingdom promised to David, is both "Lord and Christ." The presentation of the Lord is that of Someone whose moral character and holy life, "loved righteousness and hated iniquity," explain His kingship both on earth and in heaven. He was, and is, Deity in His nature, and as God, His throne is eternal, and will be "on earth as it is in heaven." The vindication of His authority is that, as the Son of God, He is eternal in His being, and as the Creator-God, even His current creative work will eventually be freed from the pollution and consequences of sin.
Now, His position is seated in the place of honor where "all the angels of God worship Him." There was a time when He was here in the flesh, fulfilling God’s divine purposes for our salvation and blessing. The waiting time is over. His authority is established on earth now among His people, so we do not worship anything or anyone but Him, whom angels worship—our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the firstborn of all creation, of Mary, of the new creation in which people are born again by the Spirit of God, of many brethren, of the church, and the Father.
Our faith is firmly rooted in the unchanging Person of our Lord Jesus. It is on this solid foundation that we depend. He is the eternal Son of the eternal God. "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever." His love remains unaffected by everything around us. His mercy and justice are not swayed to fit any bias but are based on His unchanging word. His grace is always enough to meet our needs and satisfy our hearts. His forgiveness is offered on the simplest possible terms.
He surpasses everything produced by man's ideas. God has established His uniqueness and supremacy because He "is the Son of God." Angels serve as His obedient messengers. His kingdom is eternal, and those He has redeemed will "live and reign with Him." "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork."
As the Creator and Sustainer of all things, our Lord Jesus Christ is uniquely honored by God. It is our great privilege to be connected with such a Person whom God sent to redeem us and bring us into a family relationship with Him. We can be thankful that He remains unchanged and is always ready to help, sustain, and forgive us whenever we need His grace to cope with our frail humanity.