Trinity Journal of Apologetics and Theology

JESUS IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS

(By William J. Peters, Ph.D. (C))

There are 273 references to angels in the Bible. What does the Bible say about angels? First of all, the term "angel" is derived from the Greek word angelos, which means: "messenger." Angelos and the Hebrew equivalent, malak (which also means "messenger"), are the two most common terms used to describe this class of beings (Richards).
In general, in texts where an angel appears, the task is to convey the message or do something on behalf of God. Since the focus of the text is on the message, the messenger is rarely described in detail. Thus, the divine emissary may or may not be some sort of supernatural being.

Another set of terms used to describe angels focuses not on angels as mediators between God and us, but on God’s heavenly entourage. Terms such as "sons of God", "holy ones", and "heavenly host" seem to focus on angels as CELESTIAL beings. As such, these variously worship God, attend God’s throne, or comprise God’s army. These terms are used typically in contexts emphasizing the grandeur, power, and/or mighty acts of God (Richards).

1. Where did the angels come from?
The Bible does not say other than to affirm that since only God is eternal, angels must therefore be created beings. They are not ghosts nor are they spirits of the dead. No place in Christian theology do we find any reference to humans becoming angels.

2. Was Jesus superiority to angels still retained when He became man?
Yes. Jesus never lost His deity when He was here. He added humanity and retained His deity. Dickason writes that: "Based on Gen 1.26-28, at the time of creation it was God’s purpose to subject the earth to the authority of man. Psalm 8 is quoted here reaffirming God’s destiny for man. God did not subject the earth to the authority of angels but man. Angels are inferior to man because of man’s destiny in the world to come."

CHRIST’S SUPERIORITY TO ANGELS NOT CONTRADICTED BY HIS SUFFERING
A. The Savior could not even reach the end to which He was appointed without suffering. Jesus secured our destiny when he died for us. We can expect to suffer as well (Ruckman).
B. Christ must identify (become one with) the ones He would redeem. On the Day of Atonement the High Priest puts his hand on sacrifice and the sacrifice making them one. So Christ took our flesh & blood and did the same literally.
C. His death broke Satan’s power in realm of death (Eph 4). Satan lost his death grip on man.
D. Delivered those who were in fear of death. There is real freedom there. No sting in it.
E. Christ’s death was not for angels because He did not take on form of angel but man only. Christ identified himself with human race only and salvation provided puts man above angels.

Man is a wonderful creation, higher than plants, animals, and any other material creation in this world. But there are created beings even higher than man–angels. Hebrews 2.9 indicates that angels are higher than humans because it says that when Jesus became a man, He "was made a little lower than the angels."

Many cults and unorthodox religious organizations deny the deity of Christ on the basis of Hebrews 1.4. They claim that Christ was not God but a created being. Thiessen writes that: "When verse 4 says, Being made so much better than the angels," they (the cults) say, "See, Christ was made." But the Greek word used there for "made" is not poieo, which means, "to make" or "create"; it is ginomai, which means, "to become."

The point of the author of Hebrews in verse 4 is to prove Christ’s superiority, not only over the prophets, but also over angels. Some Jews might say fine. Christ is superior to the prophets, but in no way is He superior to spirit beings, such as angels. Well, according to Hebrews 1.4, Christ is "much better" than the angels. Now this is a very important phrase; it appears 13 times throughout the book of Hebrews (Ryrie). The word "better" is stressed throughout the book. The point of the author is that Christ is a better priest, Christ is a better hope, a better covenant, a better promise, a better sacrifice, a better possession, a better resurrection, a better privilege, and better blood shedding. Christ is better in every way, including better than the angels (Ryrie).

It is important to realize that the author of Hebrews is saying that Christ is better than the angels, not as God, but as a man. He has been better than the angels as God for all eternity, but when He voluntarily left Heaven, and became the Messiah, He became "much better" than the angels as the God-man. At that time He "inherited a more excellent name than they." It is Christ who has the better name than the angels, therefore He is superior.

REASONS CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO ANGELS
The author declares, "For to which of the angels did He ever say, ‘Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee’? And again,’ I will be a Father to Him, and He shall be a Son to Me’ " (Hebrews 1.5). What is the name that Jesus has? The name of God’s Son. This fact alone denotes a position that is superior to the angels, or any other created being (Gaebelein).

The proof that Christ is superior to angels is evidenced in verse 7. In this picture, we see the angels as servants. The author says, "And of the angels He says, ‘Who makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire." Again, we have another Old Testament quote (Psalm 104.4). God is saying that the angels are like the wind and lightning. He sends them out to accomplish His purpose. It is the same with the angels. Angels are "ministers" literally servants (Gaebelein).

Verse 8 quotes directly from Psalm 45.6-7. Contrast the role of angels with the position of Christ in verse 8: "But of the Son He says, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom." Gaebelein asks us to: "Notice that verse 8 begins with the word ‘But’, which indicates a complete contrast. In verse 7 we saw that angels are servants. ‘But’ Christ is identified as ‘God’. This is a very clear statement identifying the deity of Christ."

As glorious as the angels are, as great as is their work, they are, nevertheless, in subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ as man, for in His human nature, God has enthroned Him high above all. Since Christ is more excellent than the most excellent, he must be the most excellent of all. He is seated on the right hand of the Majesty on High.

Guthrie informs that: "The Hebrew word for "Lord" is Adonai. The name "Adonai" assumed an extraordinary importance in Hebrew speech, for in practice it replaced the personal name of God, Jehovah. No Jew pronounced the word "Jehovah," even when reading the Bible. Instead he said, "Adonai." Not only in popular speech but also in Jewish literature and in the writing and transmission of the Old Testament, the word "Adonai" became almost synonymous with Jehovah, the personal name of God.

Consequently, when the early Christians made their confession — "Jesus is Lord" — they were actually confessing that Jesus of Nazareth is the God of Israel, Jehovah, the only true God. So, Jesus "has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than" the angels. He is Lord! He created and controls the angels (Guthrie).