Angels

We, as a nation, are losing our religion, so to speak. Church attendance is down. The "Nones" -- those who consider themselves "spiritual" but unaffiliated with any religion -- are on the rise. There are more atheists and more apathetics -- "Is there a God? I don't much care." Even among self-styled Christians, the trappings of religion are waning. The Bible? Well, a nice book, perhaps, but not that important. Doctrine? It's really a personal thing, don't you know? Is there a real devil? I read somewhere that in 2001 66% of baptists didn't believe Satan was a real being. Others are really keen on Jesus ... except let's not talk about His virgin birth or His deity or His resurrection. In fact, we should probably avoid that whole "died on the cross" thing, too, since there is a broad spectrum of theories about that. Indeed, religion in general including Christianity in particular are on the decline in America.

One particular aspect, however, is still pretty popular. That would be the notion of angels. We like angels. We know that every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings. We know that they flit around on feathery wings and look out for us. Some of them are pretty cuddly, aren't they? Of course, very little of this corresponds to biblical images, but that doesn't stop most people, does it?

It is interesting to me, then, how the author of Hebrews compares angels to Christ.

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. (Heb 1:1-4)

Hebrews is saying, "You like angels? Then get a load of Jesus!"

Angels are God's created messengers. Jesus is God's uncreated Son. God made the world through His Son (Heb 1:2). (That makes it really difficult to call Him a created being since "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being" (John 1:3). He can't have made Himself, can He?) Angels are created; He was not. Angels operate as God's messengers; Jesus is "the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Heb 1:3). God Incarnate. It's interesting, too. God did not send an angel to obtain purification of our sins. They didn't have all the necessary qualifications. Only God's Son had all of them. So only He could make purification of sins. Angels are around the throne of God (Isa 6:1-4). Jesus is at His right hand (Heb 1:3).

And that's just a beginning. The author of Hebrews builds and builds on this theme. Angels? Good. But they pale in comparison to the Son of God. Because of the supremacy of Christ, even over angels, we can conclude, "For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Heb 2:1-2).

The logic is unavoidable. Angels? We love 'em. Well, if that's so, you're gonna need to bow and worship the Son of God because He is so very much more. Don't neglect that.