Jesus > Angels

Hebrews 1:4–14

This is a transcript edited for reading purposes from a sermon preached at The Heights at Night, The Heights Baptist Church’s weekly Young Adult Ministry on Monday Nights.

Christ Is the Final Word

Two weeks ago, we began our journey through the book of Hebrews by focusing on the first three verses of chapter one. In those verses, we saw that God, who once spoke through prophets in many times and many ways, has now spoken finally and fully in His Son.

We traced how every prophet—from Isaiah to Zechariah—anticipated the coming Messiah. Each voice of the Old Testament pointed toward a greater fulfillment. The shadows cast by the old covenant found their substance in Christ. And now, in these last days, the Word has become flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The Son is not merely a messenger—He is the message.

The Son’s Divine Nature

Hebrews 1:2–3 teaches us that Christ is:

• Heir of all things (cf. Psalm 2),

• Creator of the world (cf. Genesis 1; Colossians 1:16–17),

• The radiance (ἀπαύγασμα) of God’s glory,

• The exact imprint (χαρακτήρ) of His nature,

• And the One who upholds the universe by the word of His power.

The implication is breathtaking: every law of nature, every scientific constant, every molecule is held together because Jesus says so. He is not distant or dormant; His sustaining voice upholds reality.

Then, Hebrews tells us that after making purification for sins, Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Priests in the Old Covenant never sat because their work was never finished. But Jesus completed the work. His sacrifice was sufficient and final. The priests stood daily. Christ sat down.

Why Compare Jesus to Angels?

Hebrews 1:4 shifts to a new comparison—Jesus is greater than the angels. For many modern readers, this may seem unimportant. “Of course Jesus is better than angels,” we think. But for the first-century Jewish-Christian audience, angels were revered. They were seen as powerful agents of God, often associated with delivering the law and guarding God’s holiness (cf. Galatians 3:19; Acts 7:53).

To underestimate Christ’s superiority to angels is to misunderstand His authority—and that misunderstanding is dangerous. Hebrews 2 will soon issue its first warning: if we neglect this great salvation, we risk falling away. So this passage matters deeply.

Here is a Scriptural overview of Angels and Demons:

A. Overview of Angels

1. Created Spiritual Beings – Hebrews 1:14; Colossians 1:16; Luke 20:36

2. Messengers and Ministers – Luke 1:26–38; Matthew 28:5–7

3. Worshipers of God – Isaiah 6:2–3; Revelation 5:11–12

4. Mediators of the Law – Galatians 3:19; Acts 7:53

5. Warriors and Guardians – 2 Kings 6:17; Psalm 91:11

6. Agents of Judgment – Genesis 19:13; Revelation 16

7. Symbolic Forms – Winged or appearing as men – Isaiah 6:2; Genesis 18:2

8. Hierarchy – Michael, Gabriel, Seraphim, Cherubim – Daniel 10; Jude 9

9. Eschatological Witnesses – Matthew 24:31; 1 Peter 1:12; Hebrews 2:5

I. Nature and Essence of Angels

1. Spiritual Beings – Angels are non-corporeal spirits.

   • Hebrews 1:14: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve…?”

   • Psalm 104:4: “He makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.”

2. Created Beings – They were made by God, not eternal.

   • Colossians 1:16: “For by him all things were created… whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.”

3. Immortal but Not Eternal – They do not die, but they were created.

   • Luke 20:36: “They cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels…”

II. Roles and Functions

4. Messengers of God – The Greek word angelos means “messenger.”

   • Luke 1:26–38: Gabriel announces Christ’s birth.

   • Matthew 28:5–7: Angels proclaim the resurrection.

5. Ministers to the Elect – Serving believers is a major task.

   • Hebrews 1:14: “…sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation.”

6. Worshipers of God – Constant praise in heaven.

   • Isaiah 6:2–3: Seraphim cry “Holy, holy, holy…”

   • Revelation 5:11–12: Multitudes of angels worship the Lamb.

7. Mediators of the Law – Angels were involved in delivering the Mosaic covenant.

   • Galatians 3:19: “It was put in place through angels by an intermediary.”

   • Acts 7:53: “You who received the law as delivered by angels…”

8. Warriors and Guardians – Sometimes portrayed as fighting or protecting.

   • 2 Kings 6:17: Elisha sees angelic armies.

   • Psalm 91:11: “He will command his angels concerning you…”

9. Agents of Judgment – Execute God’s justice.

   • Genesis 19:13: Angels destroy Sodom.

   • Revelation 16: Angels pour out bowls of wrath.

III. Appearance and Symbolism

10. Radiant or Fearsome Presence – Often induces fear.

11. Matthew 28:3–4: “His appearance was like lightning… the guards trembled.”

12. Daniel 10:6: “His face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches…”

13. Sometimes Winged – Though not all angels are described this way.

14. Isaiah 6:2: Seraphim have six wings.

15. Ezekiel 10:5–14: Cherubim have four wings.

16. Sometimes Appearing as Men – Often indistinguishable from humans.

17. Genesis 18:2: Abraham sees “three men” (two are angels).

18. Hebrews 13:2: “Some have entertained angels unawares.”

IV. Hierarchies and Names

13. Named Angels:

14. Michael – Archangel and warrior (Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7; Jude 9).

15. Gabriel – Messenger of important announcements (Daniel 8–9; Luke 1).

16. Ranked Beings:

17. Seraphim (Isa. 6), Cherubim (Gen. 3:24; Ezek. 10), Archangel (Jude 9).

18. Thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities (Col. 1:16; Eph. 6:12 – includes fallen angels too).

V. Eschatological Roles

15. Present at Christ’s Return – Will accompany Him in glory.

16. Matthew 24:31: “He will send out his angels…”

17. 1 Thessalonians 4:16: “The voice of an archangel…”

18. Witnesses to Redemptive History – Observing and learning from God's plan.

19. 1 Peter 1:12: “…things into which angels long to look.”

20. Ephesians 3:10: “…through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

21. Will Not Rule in the Age to Come – Christ and believers will reign, not angels.

22. Hebrews 2:5: “For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come…”

The Fall and Defeat of Demons

But not all spiritual beings remained faithful. Demons are fallen angels—once created good but now corrupted through pride and rebellion (cf. Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28). Scripture portrays them as:

I. Nature and Origin of Demons

1. Created Angels Who Fell – Demons were originally good angels created by God.

   • Colossians 1:16: All spiritual beings were created by Christ.

   • Jude 6: “The angels who did not stay within their own position of authority… he has kept in eternal chains.”

   • 2 Peter 2:4: “God did not spare angels when they sinned…”

Reformed theology (e.g., Calvin, Turretin) insists demons were created good but fell through pride and rebellion, as hinted in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 (often applied typologically).

2. Personal Spiritual Beings – Not abstract forces, but real, individual spirits.

   • Luke 8:30: “Legion, for we are many.”

   • Mark 5:12–13: Demons speak, reason, and request.

II. Characteristics and Powers

3. Unclean and Evil – They are morally corrupt and hostile to God.

   • Mark 1:23–26: “Unclean spirit… convulsing him.”

   • Matthew 12:43–45: “The unclean spirit… finds none and returns.”

4. Limited but Powerful – They are stronger than humans but still under God’s sovereign control.

   • Acts 19:15–16: “The man… leaped on them, mastered all of them.”

   • Job 1–2: Satan must ask God for permission.

5. Intelligent and Strategic – They know who Jesus is and operate with malicious intent.

   • James 2:19: “Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

   • Matthew 8:29: “Have you come to torment us before the time?”

Calvin: “They are instruments of God’s wrath, yet unwillingly serve His purposes.”

III. Activities of Demons

6. Deception and False Teaching – Demons promote false doctrine.

   • 1 Timothy 4:1: “Some will depart… by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”

   • 2 Corinthians 11:14–15: “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

7. Possession and Oppression – Demons may take control of unbelievers.

   • Luke 4:33–36: “A man… who had the spirit of an unclean demon.”

   • Mark 9:17–29: Demonic possession can cause physical and mental suffering.

Reformed theology affirms demons can oppress believers externally, but cannot possess those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 John 4:4).

8. Temptation and Accusation – They entice to sin and accuse God’s people.

   • Matthew 4:1–11: Satan tempts Jesus directly.

   • Revelation 12:10: “The accuser of our brothers has been thrown down.”

IV. Satan and His Demonic Kingdom

9. Satan as Chief – The “prince of demons.”

   • Matthew 12:24: “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons…”

   • Ephesians 2:2: “Prince of the power of the air.”

10. Organized Structure – Spiritual hierarchy of evil.

11. Ephesians 6:12: “Rulers… authorities… cosmic powers… spiritual forces of evil.”

Francis Turretin and Bavinck note this hierarchy mirrors the orderliness of the angelic host—but perverted in rebellion.

V. Defeated Through Christ

11. Disarmed at the Cross – Christ’s atonement broke their power.

12. Colossians 2:15: “He disarmed the rulers and authorities… triumphing over them.”

13. Hebrews 2:14: “That… he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”

14. Subject to Christ’s Authority – Jesus cast out demons with a word.

15. Luke 11:20: “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons… the kingdom of God has come.”

16. Mark 1:27: “He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

VI. Final Judgment of Demons

13. Destined for Eternal Punishment – No redemption for demons.

14. Matthew 25:41: “The eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

15. Revelation 20:10: “The devil… was thrown into the lake of fire.”

16. Already Judged, Not Yet Destroyed – They remain active under God’s sovereign restraint.

17. Revelation 12:9–12: “The devil has come down… in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short.”

John Owen: “Their kingdom is ruined, their prince is judged, and their end is certain.”

The Son’s Superiority Over Angels

Hebrews 1:5–14 draws on a series of Old Testament texts to highlight Christ’s supremacy:

1. Unique Sonship (Hebrews 1:5):

   • Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14 emphasize that no angel has ever been called “Son.” This divine sonship belongs to Christ aloneOld Testament Reference….

2. Worshiped by Angels (Hebrews 1:6):

   • Deuteronomy 32:43 (LXX) and Psalm 97:7 command the angels to worship Him. If Christ were not God, such worship would be idolatryOld Testament Reference….

3. Angels as Servants (Hebrews 1:7):

   • Psalm 104:4 depicts angels as winds and flames—servants executing God's will. But Jesus is no servant—He is SovereignOld Testament Reference….

4. Throned and Anointed (Hebrews 1:8–9):

   • Psalm 45:6–7 is applied directly to Jesus: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Here, the Father calls the Son “God,” affirming His eternal kingshipOld Testament Reference….

5. Creator and Immutable (Hebrews 1:10–12):

   • Psalm 102:25–27 originally applied to Yahweh is now attributed to Christ. He laid the foundations of the earth and remains unchanged while creation wears outOld Testament Reference….

6. Exalted Lord (Hebrews 1:13):

   • Psalm 110:1—“Sit at my right hand…”—is never said of an angel. Christ alone shares this divine authorityOld Testament Reference….

Why This Matters

Hebrews is not just stacking theology for the sake of academic argument. It’s building toward a warning. If angels—mere servants—mediated a covenant that came with such weight, how much more should we heed the Son, who is the Creator, King, and God?

This chapter culminates in Hebrews 2:1:

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

Conclusion: Worship Him

So what do we do in response?

• Worship Jesus. He is not one among many. He is the exalted Son, seated at the right hand of the Father.

• Listen to Jesus. His word is final. If the law came with such glory, how much more the gospel?

Cling to Jesus. Don’t drift. Don’t ignore. Pay much closer attention.