“UNTO THE SON HE SAITH…”

Hebrews 1:7-9

Ministering Spirits

God’s angels are created spirits, sent forth into all the world to serve him (v. 7). God is the uncreated Spirit. They are his created spirits. They often appeared in the Old Testament and in the gospels in the form of a man; but the angels do not have material, physical bodies. These created spirits are made the “ministers (servants) of God”. They do his bidding; they attend his presence, and are ready to do as he commands.

They are called “a flame of fire”, because of their power and swiftness, because of their burning love and zeal, and because they are the executioners of God's wrath. The chariot of fire which bore Elijah away were probably angels. Certainly, those chariots of fire surrounding Elisha and his servant were the angels of God (2 Kings 6:17-18).

Enthroned Son

Christ is God’s risen, exalted, enthroned Son (v. 8). Our Savior’s excellence, glory, and superiority are set before us in ever-increasing tones in Hebrews 1. If we were reading scales of music, this passage reads like a great cantata rising rapidly to the crescendo. To the Son, Jesus Christ, the Father says, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever.” Again, we are here told that the man Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior, is himself God (John 1:1,14; 10:30; Matt. 1:23; Acts 20:28; 2 Cor. 5:19). His throne is an everlasting throne. The sceptre of his kingdom is the sceptre of righteousness (Ps. 45:6-7).

Obedience Rewarded

Our Savior’s exaltation and enthronement as a man is the reward of his obedience to the Father as our Mediator (v. 9). “Thou has loved righteousness and hated iniquity.” He showed this in casting Adam from the garden, in the flood, in Sodom, in all his dealing with Israel, and most fully and perfectly in working out a perfect righteousness for us as our Substitute. In the last day, at the bar of God, he will display to all the universe and make every creature see and acknowledge that he loves righteousness and hates iniquity. In that day, every creature shall confess that the sceptre by which he rules is a right sceptre.

The words, “Thy God”, refer to both the triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and to God the Father, for the Father is the God of Christ as man (Eph. 1:3). Because of what Christ has accomplished as the God-man, our Mediator, he has been anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows (Col. 1:14-18).

CHRIST AND HIS ANGELS

Hebrews 1:10-14

Christ our Savior

Christ Jesus is the Creator of all things (v. 10). Our Redeemer, our Mediator, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ is the sovereign Creator. These verses (10-14) are addressed to our Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout this passage great emphasis is laid upon his deity, eternality, wisdom, excellence, and glory as God the Son.

Everything in this sin cursed earth is marked for destruction (v. 11). How I wish we could learn this. It is all going to be burned soon. The heavens and the earth in their present form shall pass away (Rom. 8:19-22).

Soon, our Lord will come again. He will purge all creation with fire. He will remove the curse. He will create a new heaven and a new earth, purified and without sin. But Christ remains as he is, without change, the same yesterday, today, and forever (Isa. 51:6; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8).

When our clothes wear out and lose their beauty and usefulness, we fold them up, lay them aside, and replace them with new garments. That is what our Lord is going to do with this world (v. 12). When it has served its’ purpose, he will fold it up, put it away, and create something better. Yet, he is forever immutable, unchangeable in his nature, in his person, in his offices, and in the virtue of his blood and righteousness. What a consolation this is for our souls! To rest and trust in him is never to die or be ashamed (Job 19:23-27).

Sent Forth to Minister

"To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?” (v. 13). God the Father never said anything like this to a mere angel. He never promised dominion to them. He did not prepare a throne for them. This high honor is reserved for Christ, alone.

What, then, are the angels? How do we account for them? What is their purpose? Read verse 14. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” The angels are servants to the Father, to the Son, and to his people (his elect “who shall be heirs of salvation”). But how do the angels of God minister to those who shall be the heirs of salvation? They serve God’s elect before conversion in prevenient grace, protecting their lives. After conversion, they secretly and constantly continue to watch over and care for believing sinners. At death, the angels of God carry God’s Lazaruses up to Glory. And at the resurrection, they will gather the dust of our flesh into our bodily forms again.

Let us ever thank God for his holy angels; but we do not worship them. We worship Christ, who created, rules, and sends the angels to keep us in our ways and bring us safely into glory, where we shall be the heirs of salvation forever!