The Elevation of Man Above the Angels
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Creator of all things. He is the architect and builder of it all. It all holds together by the Word of His power (Col 1:16–17; Heb 1:3; 3:4; 11:10). The eternal Son of God condescended to the world He created (Phil 2:5–11), at the fullness of time (Gal 4:4). He left the glories of heaven in order to rescue God’s chosen people (Lk 1:74; Gal 1:4; Col 3:12; 2 Thess 2:13), given to Him by God the Father before creation (2 Tim 1:9). He was made for a little while lower than the angels (Heb 2:7).
God created the angels to serve Him. He made both the elect angels and the demons, who rebelled against Him in the pre-cosmic fall. All of them continue to serve His purposes. It is evident from Holy Scripture that angels are superior in position and power to fallen humanity. The condescension of Christ, therefore, saw His incarnation as a re-location from heaven to earth, from above to below, from glory to travesty (Jn 1:14).
It is problematic for people to worship creatures rather than the Creator (Rom 1:25). The writer of Hebrews instructs his audience of Jewish Christians to recognize this fact about Jesus Messiah. The threat of false teaching always distorts the person and work of Jesus Christ. They want Jesus muted, diluted, or refuted. Understanding why all things are not now seemingly subject to Christ must be made clear to them and to us.
Humanity has been estranged from God. The extent of the fall is incomprehensible. It is far worse than we could ever think or imagine. Creation groans under the weight of sin and the despotic ruler of this world, Satan, our adversary (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 1 Pet 5:8). For this reason, our Christian hope is not here. God has spoken to us through the prophets and through His Son. He has told us about the world to come (Heb 2:5). In that world, righteousness dwells (2 Pet 3:13).
In Adam, all die (1 Cor 15:22a). Death is the promised consequence for sin (Rom 6:23); and then comes the judgment (Heb 9:27). Sin is lawlessness (1 Jn 3:4). All have sinned (Rom 3:23; 5:12).
The judgment of God is just (Jn 5:30). Justice demands either payment or punishment. At the end of the day, some receive justice, while others receive mercy, according to the will of God (Rom 9:15–16).
Jesus tasted death for everyone for whom He died, as our substitute sacrifice for sin (Heb 2:9). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29), for those who were captive to sin and who belonged to Him (Rom 6:6; 1 Cor 3:23). He rescued us by releasing us from our sins and the wrath of God against ungodly and unrighteous sinners (Rom 1:18; Rev 1:5). He came to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). He laid down His life for His sheep (Jn 10:11, 15). He purchased His church, paying her ransom by His precious blood shed on the cross (1 Pet 1:19).
The mercy of God is entirely God’s prerogative. He has mercy upon whom He will have mercy (Rom 9:15–16). The Lord knows those who are His because He chose His remnant people to be saved from His wrath to come (Rom 11:5–6; Col 3:12; 2 Tim 2:19; 2 Thess 2:13), by sending His Son (Jn 3:16), the one and only Savior of sinners (Acts 4:12). The angels worship Him who has been exalted far above them in glory and honor (Heb 2:7, 9).
Jesus Christ died. God raised Him from the dead and highly exalted Him. All authority in heaven and on earth have been given to Jesus (Mt 28:18), whom God appointed over the works of His hands (Heb 2:7). It has been and will always be the immutable will of God for all things to be subjected to Jesus Christ. There is nothing in heaven or on earth not subject to Him (Heb 2:8). Simply put, our Lord is the Lord of all; and He reigns over all (Acts 10:36).
The incarnation, suffering, and death of Jesus Messiah did not look good for Him in the eyes of the world. Jesus appeared to be a common criminal. He appeared to be like us sinners. He was like us, yet without sin (Heb 4:15). Instead, He bore our sins in His body on the cross (1 Pet 2:24). It was this work that positioned Him as the God-man above the angels. There is a man sitting, today, at the center of the throne of God in heaven above (Rev 7:17).
At His coronation, following His ascension into heaven, Jesus was crowed the King of angels. He is the King of glory (Ps 24). There is none beside Him; and all is beneath Him. This includes His enemies, both reprobate demons and reprobate humanity. His enemies must be put down, as a footstool under His feet (Ps 110:1).
Jesus Christ is the Head of His body of members (Eph 1:22; 5:23; Col 1:18), who are called by His name. Christians fear God, tremble at His Word, and revere Jesus Christ, who is our forerunner into the celestial world to come (Heb 6:20). It is man elevated above the angels in that better country. Jesus has told us that He will come for us, on the day of His glorious appearing (Jn 14:3). We will sit with Him on His glorious throne, as He judges this world and the angels (Gen 18:25; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Cor 6:3).
Christian, this world is not your home. Your sojourn here is a temporary one. It is the season of preparation for Christ’s second coming (Mt 25), to deliver us from the wrath to come (1 Thess 1:10). Why are all things not seemingly under subjection to Christ Jesus the Lord? The Gospel has yet to be preached to all nations (Mt 24:14); and the full number of His saints has not yet entered the sheepfold of the Savior.
It is our great joy to bear witness of our great high priest and King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Heb 4:14). We proclaim Him who was incarnate…but now exalted (Col 1:28). We declare the excellencies of Him who lived the perfect life, died the perfect death, and who always lives to make intercession for us who trust in Him. Yes, my dear reader, worship Him. The angels do because He is above them.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
April 21, 2024
Hebrews 2:5–9
