Hebrews 1:4-14 Being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.… I. NATURE OF ANGELS. 1. That they are the highest order of created beings that we have any account of. They are represented, in respect to their exist-nee, as prior and superior to men. 2. Angels are beings of superior power and wisdom. They are called "mighty angels." They are said to excel in strength. 3. Angels are fixed in a state of permanent and superior holiness. They were once in a state of probation; but what was the test of their obedience we are nowhere expressly informed. It is, however, very probable that what proved the occasion of Satan's falling, was the occasion of their establishment in holiness. They are called the elect angels. 4. Angels are not encumbered with such gross bodies as we have. The apostle calls them "ministering spirits," and God says, He makes "His angels spirits, and His minsters a flaming fire." 5. That there are various grades or ranks of angels. Whether the distinction in the orders of angels arises from any disparity in their powers, or from any distinct offices which they discharge, it is not easy to determine. It is, however, most agreeable to that beautiful variety which is everywhere to be seen in the works of God, to suppose there is a real diversity in the intellectual powers of individual angels. And they may be appointed to different offices, according to the difference in their mental powers and capacities. II. THEIR EMPLOYMENTS. 1. Angels have been employed in bearing the messages of God to the Church. This was probably one of their first employments after the fall of man. And from this employment it seems they took their name. 2. It was the business of angels to attend upon Christ, from the time He came into the world to the time He went out of it. They were devoted to His service, and He could, as He intimated, at any time call more than twelve legions of them to His aid. 3. Angels are employed as executioners of God's wrath, against His enemies and the enemies of the Church. 4. It is the employment of angels to take particular care of good men. "Arc they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? " We may not pretend to point out all that angels do for particular saints; but yet the Scripture clearly mentions some important services which they perform for the heirs of salvation. (1) They often protect them from danger. Lot, Jacob, Peter in prison. (2) They assist good men in their duties and devotions. They are represented as present in the assemblies of the saints. Two large cherubim were carved in the temple. "And within the oracle," we read, "were made two cherubim of olive tree, each ten cubits high." These emblems signified the presence of angels in the temple. Now if angels are present with good men in duty, they may have the: power of assisting them in their devotions. (3) There is reason to believe that angels minister to saints in their dying moments.Improvement: 1. Since angels wore created an order of beings superior to mankind, we have peculiar reason to admire the great and discriminating grace of God in providing salvation for fallen men, while He suffered ,allen angels to perish without remedy. 2. Since all the angels are employed in promoting the work of redemption, it must be an immensely great and important work. 3. Since God employs all the angels to minister for the benefit of saints, we may justly conclude that they are very precious in His sight. They are His children, His heirs, His jewels, and the richest treasure He has on earth. 4. Since God employs all His angels to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation, there is no god ground to believe that the departed spirits of good men are ever present in this world, to take care of the pious friends whom they have left behind. 5. Since angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation, we may justly conclude that there is a great change in the circumstances of sinners, as well as in their character, when they become saints. 6. Since angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who are heirs of salvation, they must be fully acquainted with this world, and with the circumstances, characters and conduct of mankind in general. 7. Are all the angels ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation? Then Christians have no ground to fear in appearing on the Lord's side, and in performing every duty He has enjoined upon them. Those that are for them are more and mightier than those that be against them. 8. Since angels are such great and amiable beings as they bare been represented, saints have a bright prospect, not only through life, but through death and through a boundless eternity 9. This subject shows the sinful and miserable state of all incorrigible sinners, both in time and eternity. They have no holy angels to guide and guard them in this world; but they are under the power and influence of the god of this world, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. They are constantly growing in sin and guilt, by all the light they have, and by all the mercies they enjoy, and by all the evils they suffer. The same evil spirits that attend them in life, will attend them at death, and drag their unwilling souls down to the chambers of eternal death. (N. Emmons, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. |
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