Hebrews 2:5-9

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Christ Is Superior to the Angels

Christ is superior to the angels, even though He became a man:
a. because of God’s original plan.
b. because of man’s original sin.

In the Jewish mind, were angels significant beings?
Why did the author go to great lengths to show that Christ is superior to the angels?
Is there much interest in angels today, or was that primarily an Old Testament interest?
Is Christ 100 percent God and 100 percent man, or was He 50 percent of each?
What does it mean, “…You have made man a little lower than the angels…?” (Hebrews 2:7)

Yes. They appear frequently on the pages of the Old Testament.
Because the audience was primarily Jewish, and they held angels in such high esteem that he feared they would be elevated even above the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is considerable evidence of the interest in angels today. Look at popular TV programs, books, magazines, and jewelry, for example.
Christ was both God and man, fully God and fully man – 100 percent. See Hebrews chapter one concerning the deity of Christ, and chapter two concerning the humanity of Christ.
Right now the angels have greater knowledge, mobility and power than mankind, but they will not in the world to come.

Re-read Hebrews 2: God’s original plan was never that angels were to be greater than man. The world to come, the future, when the Lord returns to this earth and brings in the Messianic Age, will be a time of worldwide peace and blessing. That great kingdom is not going to be ruled by angels, but by man, the Man, Christ Jesus. Now Christ is crowned with glory and honor (Hebrews 2:7-8), not just a little higher than the angels, but much higher, and yet He is still man. God’s original plan is preserved and fulfilled in Christ. Consider the future. Does this plan have importance in your life?
Re-read Hebrews 2:8-9. Man was created in the image of God, but because of man’s sin and disobedience, he lost his position of dominion. Notice the two “buts” in these verses. Think of it! There is an atonement unlimited for all and effective for those who believe. Make sure of your salvation and have a concern for your family, friends, and neighbors who have not yet realized the fact that Jesus Christ died for their sins.

Read Hebrews 2:6-8, a quote from Psalm 8:3- Aren’t you glad that God is mindful of you?

“God has not put the world to come…in subjection to angels.” Hebrews 2:5
“You have crowned man with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” Hebrews 2:7-8
“But now we do not yet see all things put under him, but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:8-9