Hebrews 1:6-7
16 June 2024
And again, when He brings the firstborn into the world, He says,
“Let all God's angels worship Him.”
Of the angels He says,
“He makes His angels winds,
and His ministers a flame of fire.”
So we see of the Son He is the root upon which all things flow and He is the one whose beauty and glory we desire to magnify. This is something that is already so evident in the early stages of Hebrews chapter 1 and it continues as we work through this argument in the chapter where there is this ongoing contrast between the Son and the angels.
Now if we just remember what we have seen in the early stages of Hebrews chapter 1 we have an initial contrast between where God spoke long ago at many times and in many ways to that of at one time through one person that is the Son Jesus Christ who we see in verse 2 is the one appointed the heir of all things. His authority is absolute. It is absolute because of who He is namely the radiance of the glory of God the exact imprint of His being of His nature. It is also because of what He has done namely He has purged our sins He has made purification for our sins and therefore He is the heir of all things. He is the one who is risen victorious and as we see at the end of verse 3 is seated at the right hand of the majesty on high.
So today we come to worship and praise the Son who is the risen and exalted Son who is Lord and King over all. So that's the introduction. That's just the introduction to the book of Hebrews and the introduction to what is this first main contrast between the Son and the angels. Having just seen in verse 3 where the Son is seated note what we see in verse 4 the establishing of this argument having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs. His name is more excellent than the angels.
Now one of the reasons that this is such a striking statement is because of who and what the angels are and what did we begin to unpack last week? Well, we began to unpack a theology from scripture of who angels are and we spent several minutes before we even got to verses 4 and 5 summarising that these are celestial beings created by God. They are in the heavenly realm and we see that they are worshippers of Yahweh. We see that they are ministers of Yahweh. We see that they are also servants of His people namely us. They are strong, mighty, holy creatures. They are far more glorious and spectacular than any of us can fully imagine or comprehend and we're going to see more of this as we even deal with verses 6 and 7 here this afternoon.
But all that to say the Son's name is more excellent and we see even more why in verse 5 because first of many quotes from the Old Testament of which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” Now here's the contrast of all the greatness and the glory of these angels there is only one where there is this exalted Majesty and that belongs to the Son. He is eternally begotten of the Father and He has come to fulfil, first of all we see in verse 5 again, the Davidic covenant, a covenant which will be established which is everlasting. Jesus Christ will fulfil this, not the angels. To no angel has it ever been said you are my son but to Jesus Christ - He is the Son. And now as we prepare to come to verses 6 and 7 the arguments begin to deepen and something even to look forward to as we continue in chapter 1 in later weeks. Some of the doctrine that we're going to be unravelling is going to be a joy but also a challenge to behold and that is certainly the case today.
First of all, we're going to be considering once more as is consistently the theme the superiority of the Son where we see that the angels worship Him and then we're going to consider the inferiority of the angels once more but in doing so we're going to see just how mighty they are as servants as ministers of God. So even though the second point is dealing with the inferiority of the angels that is only because they are inferior to the Son. Everything that we will be drawing out from verse 7 is going to help us to understand all the more how spectacular these celestial beings are. So these are the two focuses we're going to have.
Let's begin then in verse 6 and before we even get to the next quote we have this beginning and again when He brings the firstborn into the world. So that's a statement being made before we even get to the next quote. When He brings the firstborn into the world and we need to stop and just dwell on this in a bit more detail. If we just scroll our eyes up we've already considered this type of language when we were considering the heirship of the Son when we were considering His pre-eminence and we're just going to draw this out more here in verse 6. Now as we've already noted the language of firstborn is something that we would probably initially maybe think Colossians chapter 1 verses 15-20 where it says that of the Son He is the firstborn of all creation and that would be an accurate starting point when dealing with the subject of Jesus Christ as the firstborn.
But what we're going to do just briefly is to consider from the Old Testament why this phrase the firstborn is so significant regarding the Son. Now let me just establish a crucial premise for understanding this. When it says of the Son that He is the firstborn this means that He is the first one namely He is chief of all. So Jesus is the first one the chief of all and this means that He has a genealogical pre-eminence in this title. So if you just turn briefly to Genesis chapter 49, we're going to see where this is used in the Old Testament. Genesis 49 and verse 3. Here we have the first of Israel Jacob's 12 sons, the 12 tribes, and it says in Genesis 49 verse 3, Reuben you are my firstborn my might and the firstfruits of my strength preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Now the language here that's being used of Reuben an earthly man a sinful man the first son of Jacob of Israel is quite striking. Yes, first of all we see same word He is the firstborn and we think well that makes sense because He was the one first to be born of Jacob. But notice there is therefore a genealogical pre-eminence that we see here because of this fact where we see He is preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power and this is because the Lord has decreed that the sons of Jacob of those sons Reuben is the first and because He is the first simply by birth, He has this pre-eminence in dignity and in power. And what we can contrast and see as a foreshadowing of the Son Jesus Christ is that the same language can be applied to Jesus Christ as the firstborn but not the firstborn of any earthly man; He is the firstborn of all creation.
So He is the chief first of all which is why He is greater. We also see this phrase firstborn mentioned with regards to Israel. So if we turn just briefly to Exodus 4:22, it says then you shall say to Pharaoh thus says the Lord Israel is my firstborn son. Again very striking language Israel is God's firstborn son. Now this is because Israel is a chosen and set apart people in comparison to the other pagan nations which are around Israel. Israel are God's firstborn and again this is going to be very significant language in our minds when we consider what this is pointing forward to because this firstborn son Israel again is a sinful son, but there is coming one the Son of God who is the firstborn of all creation; the chief of all who is the Son of God, who is without sin. And this is why in Psalm 89:27 it says and I will make Him the firstborn the highest of the kings of the earth. There is a picture being built as we work through the Old Testament and even as we come to verses like this which is pointing to one who will come who will fulfil this firstborn language and yes again as we're seeing time and time and time again in these opening verses of Hebrews chapter 1 the application the fulfilment is Jesus Christ. He is the firstborn.
Now one other thing to note here and this is up for some debate so I'm going to give you a couple of considerations as to how this can be applied. It says here in verse 6 and again when and again when and the question is when is this when because notice what it's saying and again when he brings the firstborn into the world. Now there are two main lines of thought as to when this when is. It is clearly about the Son as we've been establishing the argument about but when is the when referred to.
One argument is that the when is the incarnation. Again when the firstborn Son comes to this earth. Jesus Christ when he comes born of a virgin. That's the first interpretation. It's not the one that I think is most accurate but there is a flow to that argument because the preceding verse has just dealt with the Son begotten of the Father and then the Davidic covenant which we know is fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah with the birth of Jesus Christ. So there are legitimate grounds for believing therefore flow of the argument verse 6 that it is in reference to the coming of Jesus as a baby to this earth.
The other argument is that it is referring to the Lord's return. So we see here and again when. So the very fact that it's saying and again when it could be in reference to just the ongoing building of the argument or it could be referring to and again when the firstborn is brought into this world in terms of His return. And one of the key reasons why this second interpretation I would argue is somewhat stronger is because of what follows. Notice what follows. Let all God's angels worship Him. Now again a point of quite much intrigue. We do not see in the time of Jesus life on this earth in the Gospels the angels explicitly worshipping the Son. Now some people would say look chapter 2 the angels are clearly worshipping the Son. Now you could interpret it this way but the language is very much giving glory to God. Now what we have to understand here in the flow of Hebrews 1. Now this is a deep point if we just try to get in mind what has been the argument so far in Hebrews chapter 1. A picture is being built of a contrast between Jesus the Son and note He is the exalted Son. What have we just seen in verse 3 where He is seated. An argument is being built, a picture is being built of His superiority on the basis now of what He has achieved, what He has secured and where He is now seated. And it is on this basis that we have the angels worshipping.
Now before we say any more about that interpretation let's spend some time now dwelling on the quote in verse 6 because this will help us to build the argument. So verse 6 and again when He brings the firstborn into the world, He says let all God's angels worship Him. So when Jesus comes to the world here in this verse this is when God calls His angels worship the Son, worship the firstborn of all creation Jesus Christ. Now this quote the third of seven of Old Testament quotes in Hebrews 1 is taken somewhat loosely from Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 43 when it says rejoice with Him O heavens bow down to Him all gods. Now just a quick thing about this title god, with a small ‘g’, it might seem a bit confusing; Psalm 82:6 helps to give clarification on this I said you are my you are God's sons of the Most High all of you and what we do see in places in the Bible is that angels are occasionally described as gods, with a small ‘g’ where they are representing, bearing His name and proclaiming His message. Angels in no way have the authority the status or the being as though they're God but this is a title which is given to them.
We see elsewhere in Job 38:7 that angels are described as sons of God for example when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. So we have examples in the Old Testament. Now one of the things we also know from the Old Testament and in the New Testament is that the angels even longed to see and know of the time that we are marvelling in this very night. 1 Peter 1:12 it was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven things into which angels long to look. So there is a period in time where the Lord has decreed even where the angels are longing to look and see and know what we now know namely what God has decreed in the complete finished work of the Son and this is one when it comes to not only Jesus life on this earth but His death resurrection and exaltation. Philippians 2:9-11 and there's one thing that maybe we've overlooked before but let's pay attention it says therefore God has highly exalted Him that is the Son and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name. Jesus’ name is superior, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and note what it says, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Did you notice this here in verse 10 it says every knee should bow in heaven who is in heaven bowing at Jesus Christ it is the angels and what is this passage focusing on the time of Christ's exaltation and this is why in Revelation 5:11-12 it says that I looked and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels numbering myriads of the myriads and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing the picture that we have being painted in the New Testament is that we are leading to the time when the angels will exalt the risen King when the angels will exalt the exalted King the one who is lifted high the one who is Lord over all and this is the exalted and majestic picture that we have being painted here in verse 6 and crucially it is therefore establishing furthermore the son is superior to the angels, the angels will worship the son, one who was made a little lower than the angels as we see in Hebrews 2. He will be exalted above every name, His name is the greatest, majestic, mighty, glorious name and the angels will bow and worship Him that is the picture.
Now with that said we come to verse 7 and we come to draw out the inferiority of the angels. Now that is absolutely true but it's probably one of the most not really getting to the heart of verse 7 points you'll ever see because we're about to now draw out how as worshippers of God they are also ministers of God so we have them as worshippers of God verse 6 and messengers and servants of God verse 7 so probably those would have been better points for this sermon if we can turn to Psalm 104 verses 1 to 4 this is where what we have in Hebrews chapter 1 is being quoted from Psalm 104 and we're going to read the first four verses, “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great! You are clothed with splendour and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. He lays the beams of His chambers on the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He rides on the wings of the wind; He makes His messengers winds, His ministers a flaming fire.”
Now you can just have a quick glance at Hebrews 1:7 and Psalm 104 verse 4 is where Hebrews 1:7 is quoting from now the reason why we are briefly dealing with the first three verses is to note everything in this opening psalm is dealing with who and what God has created and it isn't until verse 4 that we get to the angels so this is all just to say so that we can see it in the text there is a very important place, a very important status that the angels have that cannot compare to the Son who is God. They are created celestial beings and here as we come to Psalm 104 verse 4 quoted in Hebrews 1:7 we see what they are called what they are commissioned to do, first of all we see that He makes His messengers winds, He makes His messengers winds. So, first of all we have a description of their nature we have a description of the nature of the angels so this is a term winds or another translation says spirits which helps us to visualize something that cannot be seen, something invisible to our eye like wind it's also a picture of power.
2 Kings 19:35 “And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians.” They also travel fast, as being described as winds. We saw this from Daniel chapter 9 last week. They go from the highest heaven to the earth so His angels are winds by nature then we see what they do so in verse 7, He makes His angels winds and His ministers again a description of angels a flame of fire the angels His messengers His ministers are a flame of fire. This is what they do; this is one of the key descriptions, the key ways that we can understand the purpose the calling of angels. They are a flame of fire.
Now before we even deal with any text in Scripture which describes this in more detail when we see fire in Scripture what is associated with very often it is associated with the anger of God; it is associated with His wrath and with His judgment. Now if we can turn to Genesis chapter 19 to see an example of this so Genesis chapter 19 this is an account of one of the darkest periods in the Old Testament the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah a time when the people in this area were very much doing as they pleased deeming themselves to be masters of their own fate not under any judgment or any accountability pretty much like 21st century Scotland and what happens to Sodom and Gomorrah. Well let's read verse 13 of Genesis 19, “For we are about to destroy this place…” now let's just stop there who are these? Well it's the angels who are about to destroy this place, “…because the outcry against its people has become great before the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”
God has sent His angels to destroy it now at the same time if in any way we still have some some fluffy light caricature picture of angels in our mind and hopefully in these coming minutes that picture will be destroyed as well these are powerful mighty beings and they come as ministers of the wrath of God. Verse 28 of the same chapter, “And He looked down towards Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and He looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.” What accompanies these ministers a flame of fire and this is not an isolated incident in the Old Testament consider what we saw in the time of Israel's deliverance at the Passover summarized in Psalm 78 from verse 49 it says, “He let loose on them His burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels.” He let loose on them His burning anger wrath indignation and distress a company of destroying angels this is what we see and then into verse 50, “He made a path for His anger; He did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague. He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.”
They are ministers of flame of fire and in Matthew 13:41-42 our Lord declares the Son of Man will send His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers and throw them into the fiery furnace in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth not only do we see an account of when we administer God's judgment and wrath in the time of the Old Testament we have the pointing forward to when it comes to the casting of sinners straight to hell the angels are the ones who will strike down all that is sinful all that is not holy they've already witnessed the fall of Satan and His legion of demons there is already a spiritual war in which they are part of Ephesians 6:12 for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers against the authorities against the cosmic powers over this present darkness against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places praise be to God that we're not dealing with some like fluffy characters somewhere in the clouds no these are mighty warriors the angels the celestial beings who are ministers a flame of fire and as ministers of judgment we need to understand that by nature they have an unwavering zeal to protect the holiness of God. We see this even with the presence of the cherubim in Genesis 3:24 at the Garden of Eden He drove out the man and at the east of the Garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life we've also seen that they are present in guarding the mercy seat in Exodus 25 and as well as a description of the thunderous work they do we also can see that this is a description of the resplendent brilliance and the terrifying appearance of the angels.
Is it speculative to say that the angels have a terrifying appearance? No, it is not, it is instructive because it is contained in the Word of God; this is why Balaam falls on His face in Numbers 22; it's why Mary is afraid by the presence of the angel in Luke chapter 1; it's why the soldiers guarding the tomb in Matthew 28 they fall like dead men because the angels are winds, they are flame of fire, invisible, strong, fast, mighty executioners of wrath; this is who they are.
Now, brothers and sisters, this picture is being painted with the overarching argument to show the superiority of the Son, but in so doing we have the opportunity to develop a theology, a biblical understanding of these celestial beings. They have a mighty purpose and calling, according to the will of God for His purpose here on this earth and this is something we can give thanks to our God for because the angels are those who are fast, mighty, and powerful; they are the ones who execute God's wrath against the wicked and the ungodly, but for those who are in Christ Jesus praise be to God that we will not face the execution of God's wrath through their work because we are no longer children of wrath but sons of God, co-heirs with Jesus Christ, where we have the angels being described as sons of God by their nature and by their heavenly status we come today as children of God, as sons of God by adoption through the saving blood of Jesus Christ and this is the crucial point. With all that the angels do as worshippers, as ministers and servants of God, they are not the ones who have the power to save, that is only found in the Son. This is why He is the one who is seated on the throne and is being worshipped, and it is why the angels are encircling the throne, worshipping the risen and exalted Lamb, Jesus Christ. And so we come here this evening, maybe standing in awe and wonder at the might and power of these angels, but we come worshipping not the angels but the one whose name is far superior, the Son, risen and exalted Jesus Christ.