Hebrews Part 2 / Intro. and Ch. 1:5 - 14

Sept. , 1999 / Pastor Cliff Watson

Greater Than The Angels

Ask: Do you struggle with feeling like you’re forgiven? Feeling like maybe you’ve sinned the same sin too many times? Wonder if you’re still saved? Wonder if you’ll ever really be pure (and have a pure mind)? * Can Jesus answer these for you?

Intro: Review:

Theme: "The Superiority of Christ" / It is the N.T. fulfillment of Leviticus. The Son ‘sat down’, i.e. He finished the work of our salvation.

*********************************************

I. A WORD ABOUT ANGELS. Can they answer our questions?

Notes: Take a minute to talk about fallen vs. holy angels.

1:5 the angels. The word angel means "messenger." / an order of spirit beings. All angels were originally created in a holy state, but some followed Satan in his revolt against God and became the demons. Some demons are loose and some are confined. Angels are created beings who must ultimately answer to their Creator (Col. 1:16). Since they are spirit beings, they are not bound by some of the restrictions that limit human beings. They are organized and ranked. Angels ministered to Christ often during His first advent and will accompany Him at His return. They serve believers (v. 14) and observe them (1 Cor. 4:9; 11:10). Michael is the only one designated an archangel (Gabriel and Lucifer??).

A word about angels turned demons:

2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

This along with Jude 6 refer to those who co-habituated with women in Gen. 6:1-4. (Note: Lk. 17:26; Matt. 24 / ‘as in the days of Noah ... coming of the Son of Man’. The same intervention of ‘fallen angels’ will also be here when Jesus returns).

Jude 1:6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

This "hell" is the Gr. word tartaroo, meaning ‘abyss’. Hellenistic (Greek) Jews held that the fallen angels are held there by the angel Uriel (book of Enoch). Vines says that this is neither sheol, hades, or hell. The verb, tartaroo, is the casting of these into this ‘dungeon’. They are being reserved there for judgment, due to a specific sin. It may be that being sent to this place was the fear of the demons called ‘legion’. The word abusos (abyss), is used here.

Luke 8:30-31 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. [31] And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

A. What the holy angels "had" to say.

The Law was given to us through the ministry of angels:

Deut. 33:2 And he said: "The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came with ten thousands of saints (same word used for angels in O.T.) ; From His right hand Came a fiery law for them.

Acts 7:53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it."

Galatians 3:19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.

B. What the angels "have" to say today.

Note: Only Lucifer dared to draw man unto himself. Morris believes that since he was ‘created’ and therefore not at the original creation, that he ceased to believe in creation, making him the first evolutionist.

1. What is being said by holy angels today. Nothing but Scripture. They defer to the Son. They are HIS messengers.

2. What is being said by fallen angels today. They pretend to answer our questions. Some familiar faces and facts:

The Rosicrucians: San Jose, Oceanside, Use the cross, but believe in alchemy (turning metals to gold and receive instruction from the "Grand Masters". They lead away from the cross and into inner strength.

Mormons: Writings from the angel Moroni ( the last of the "American Israelites") and teach that God has wives and they procreate ‘spirits’ who will come to inhabit human bodies; that we can ascend to do the same thing; that Jesus had 3 wives. One note is that Joseph Smith’s mother was into white witchcraft, telling fortunes and having ‘visions’.

Unification Church: Hears from a Jesus and Buddha and others. Was told that Adam and Eve were supposed to have a perfect family. When that failed, (Eve was "seduced" by Lucifer), Jesus was sent to try again, by procreating with the perfect woman (who is the perfect woman?). Since he was killed, Moon is here to do it, "after God had spent the last 2,000 years looking for someone, chose Moon, because has led a perfect, sinless life....". Note: Moon has been married more than once. He is carrying out the ‘formation of a perfect family’ by mass weddings, of 30k plus at a time, in which he has personally matched the couples.

Trans. Med.: Maharishi has been spoken to by the 6,000 year old "master", Guru Dev, who is to whisper a special mantra for each new ‘convert’.

The UFO cults: Too many to name, but here’s a few:

The Aetherians: George King was visited by a "Master" from Venus called Atherius. The masters claim to be thousands of years old and have a home base actually on Saturn. They encourage a mix of the Law and Karma and Yoga. These cosmic masters (self-called) predict a friendly invasion. They speak through King.

The Raelians: French journalist was contacted by Rael, an alien, who says they are former humans, 25,000 years advanced in our evolution. They collectively call themselves Elohim. Was ‘told’ his mother was abducted and impregnated by aliens, giving life to him. He has used the cults funds to clone the sheep named ‘Dolly’. He states that this DNA modification was given to him by the masters. His goal is "to offer human cloning .... called Clonaids.....This service offers a fantastic opportunity to .... homosexual couples to have a child cloned from one of them." The ‘masters’ say that Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed were prophets to guide us in their ways.

Heaven’s Gate: Do and Ti (real names Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Trousdale) believed they are the two witnesses of Revelation. Received revelations that the "cloud" of Rev. were UFO’s, coming to pick them up. 39 of them drugged themselves to death to ‘reach the higher level’ of the Hale-Bopp comet (spaceship).

The Unarius Academy of Science: Led by Ernest and Ruth Norman. Aliens masters told them they are reincarnates of Jesus and Mary of Bethany. She also was Elizabeth I, Socrates, Peter the Great and more. The archangel Ureil (of Tartaras?) is the voice behind Ruth Norman. Their group numbers in the millions.

These aliens are coming to earth in 2001.

The One World Family: Called also "Messiah’s World Crusade", receives its instruction from the alien master, Ashtar, to leader Michael Noonan. He has been instructed to re-write the Bible. It is the modern father (since 1954) of the New-age movement. Channeling and ‘visitations’ are key. They plan to take over the UN.

The Solar Temple: Leader Luc Jouret, believed that cosmic masters were conceiving alien-human babies. Led to mass suicide of 22 in Switzerland in 1994. Believed that (with the fire that was set) they "would all descend (not ‘ascend’) to a new life in a ball of fire". Princess Grace was linked to this group.

There are many more, but the similarities are: "masters", mixing the Bible with other teachings, sex, money and death.

C. Why the voice of the angels is considered complete.

Hebrews teaches that the Son has the complete (final) word.

D. The danger of angels who continue to ‘talk’.

Rev. 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; [19] and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

2 Cor. 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

1. They can circumventing.

2. They, therefore, are not of God.

Note: They must one day answer to God.

Col. 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

E. The real role of angels today.

Note: v. 7, 14 - They are servants and ministers, like deacons to a church.

They are ‘swift as the wind’. See Jewish Comm. p. 666.

See Mac. Bible on Matt. 18:6 (guardian angels).

Note: v. 14 - Angels are to minister in such a way as to lead us to salvation (via the Son). They re merely servants (deacons, diakonos) here to assist in God reaching us.

II. CHRIST’S DEITY OVER THE ANGELS. 1:5-14

He CAN answer and fulfill those questions!

Here is how the Superiority of Christ is demonstrated.

A. By Christ’s relationship to the Father. v.5,13

The angels are collectively called "the sons of God", but only Christ is called the one specific "Son of God". (Lucifer tried to ‘climb’ to this position).

Note: SEE Ryrie notes on v.5**.

B. Because He is worshipped by the angels. v. 6

This verse is fulfilled 1) At appearance to the shepherds in the field, and 2) At the 2nd coming.

C. Using the O.T., Christ’s authority is established clearly. v.7-12

In this section, Paul (?) quotes 7 O.T. passages that show Christ’s superiority to the angels. Note that:

1. He is clearly called ‘God’ and is eternal. v.8

The Son is to Reign. See. Jewish Comm. p. 667.

Note: This Ps. 45:6,7 was sung at the King’s wedding (ref. To Bride [Jews thought this to be Israel] and Bridegroom [Messiah]). This was also sung at Solomon’s coronation ( 2 Sam. 7:14).

2. He is True, Just, & Righteous. v.9

Note: "companions" are believers.

Note: fallen angels love wickedness.

3. He is the Originator & Creator. v.10

Note: This is a quote of Ps. 102:25-27. Everyone and everything changes except the Son of God.

2 Tim. 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

4. He is the One who Sustains and knows nothing of Aging or Changing. v.11-12

D. Christ’s authority is seen in His position and purpose. v.13-14

Note: v. 13 - The son only has been given honor. No angel (who are created) has this right. The victory over the enemies are (or includes) the fallen angels.

Note: Mac Bible shows Christ as PROPHET (v.1), PRIEST (v.3), and KING (v.3,8). p. 1898

Conclusion:

1. God’s angels impress (and intrigue) us, but only the Word (Bible) of the Son can enlighten us.

2. God’s angels minister to us, but only the H.S. ministers IN us.

3. God’s angels are sent to protect us physically, but only God’s Son can save us

spiritually.

Back to Sermon Table of Contents