Angels, 17of27

~ Angels versus Christ ~

Key Scripture  ~  “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;  who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1:1-5). 

Jesus Christ Is Better Than The Angels. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1:1-4).  

How/why is Jesus Christ better than the angels? Here are four reasons from the first chapter of the book of Hebrews.

(1) Because He is the Son, and the angels are servants. “For to which of the angels did He [God, the Father] ever say: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You’? And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?’” (Hebrews 1:5).

(2) Because He is the object of the angels’ worship, and they are the worshippers. “Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they… But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him’” (Hebrews 1:4, 6). “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Revelation 5:11-12).

(3) Because He rules and the angels are ruled. “And of the angels He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.’ But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom’” (Hebrews 1:7-8). 

(4) Because He is on the throne to reign, and the angels are before the throne to serve. “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.’ And: ‘You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.’ But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:8-14).

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

note:  This post is largely from a previous ALN post from Sunday, April 28, 2013, entitled    Christ Is Better, 3.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Angels, 16of27

~ Angels versus Humans ~

Prolog  ~  Mankind has been interested in the subject of angels for many centuries.  Angels are not Gods and they are not super-human, but they are described in Scripture as “powerful” (Psalm 103:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).  They are different beings than man.  In our English Bibles angels are mentioned about 300 times—yet there is much about angels which is not explained.  Typically they are mentioned them with respect to tasks they are performing ordered by God.  In the Greek the word angelos means, a messenger or one who is sent.  There are many angels (Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22).

Key Scripture  ~  “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the Son of Man that You visit him?  For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:3-5, cf. Hebrews 2:7).  Humans are “a little lower than the angels.”  Note also that while Jesus Christ is fully God when He chose to come to earth in fully human form he was “a little lower than the angels.”

Key Similarities  ~ 

1. Angels and humans were both created by God (Colossians 1:16).

2. Both were created for eternity—future (Luke 20:36).

3. In their original creation both were perfect.

4. Both have intellect (2 Samuel 14:17; Daniel 9:22).

5. Both have the ability to discern between good and evil (2 Samuel 14:17).

6. Both have insight and wisdom (Daniel 9:21-22).

7. The intellect, wisdom, and authority of both angels and mankind is below God.

8. Both angels and humans have a will (Isaiah 14:12-14; Jude 6).

9. Both were created to do the will of God (Psalm 104:4).

10. Both are subject to Christ (1 Peter 3:22).

11. Both angels and humans were created to bring glory to God and worship Him (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 4:8). 

12. Adam sinned and some angels sinned—in both cases it was based on pride and a desire to be equal with God.

13. Angels and humans can both experience joy (see post #8 in this series). 

14. Fallen angels and unrepentant humans will receive eternal punishment (Jude 6).

15. Neither angels nor humans are omnipresent.

16. Neither angels nor humans are omniscient.

17. Neither angels nor humans are omnipotent.

Key Differences  ~ 

1. Angels were present when God created the heavens and the earth (Job 38:1-7).

2. Only humans, not angels, were created in the image of God.

3. Because of Adam’s sin all his descendants are born in sin, whereas only some of the angels sinned (about two-thirds remained holy).

4. Although angels are lower than God, they are higher than man (Psalm 8:3-5, cf. Hebrews 2:7).

5. Angels are faster than mankind (Daniel 9:21; Revelation 14:6).

6. Angels are spirits (Hebrews 1:13-14) while man is a physical being.

7. Angels intellect, wisdom, and authority is above man (2 Samuel 14:20).

8. The Gospel is unique to mankind.  Humans can find forgiveness for sin—angels cannot and those angels which have sinned are awaiting the Day of Judgment.  While angels are aware of the joy of receiving the forgiveness of sins they cannot experience it (1 Peter 1:12).

9. Angels do not marry (Matthew 22:30).   

10. Angels cannot reproduce and have no family relationships.

11. Believers are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and enter into the family of God.

12. Angels are generally invisible (Job 4:15-18).

Common Myths  ~ 

1. Humans do not become angels when they die.

2. Humans should not worship angels (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:13-15; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8; Revelation 19:10).

3. Humans do not need to talk to angels (1 Timothy 2:5).

4. Humans do not have the power to summon angels.

Future Developments  ~ 

1. Humans look forward to physical resurrected bodies (angels will remain spirits).

2. After humans receive their resurrected bodies they will be like angels in the sense that there will be no marriage (Matthew 22:30).

3. Believers will be elevated from lower than angels to higher than angels and will pronounce judgment on angels (1 Corinthians 6:3).

4. Believers as glorified new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) will be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and share Christ’s exalted position.  “God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7).

5. Christ is the firstborn of the large family of God which will be our eternal state.

6. Angels will join with believers in the future Kingdom of Heaven (Hebrews 12:22-23; Revelation 4:8). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Christian Action, 9of39

~ Have Genuine Love ~

Series Note  ~  In just the single chapter of Romans 12 the Apostle Paul gave believers a list of 39 things which are part of the Christian life which pleases God.  This chapter is crying out saying, “If you name Jesus Christ as your Savior then please act like a Christian!”  It is Paul’s “To Do List” for us.  The key principle is that while you and I cannot change God’s character (who He really is) we have the clear potential to damage His reputation (what others think He is). 

Scripture to Meditate On  ~  “Let love be without hypocrisy” (Romans 12:9a).  

Comment  ~  The Scripture indicates that those around us should be able to tell we are Christians by our love for one another and our fellow mankind. 

Related Passages  ~  Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you [a very tall order], that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).  “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .