Jesus & Angels

Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)



Eternity-Inspiration for Friday 6th February 1998


Jesus & Angels

Hebrews 1:6-9 (NIV) 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire." 8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
At Jesus' incarnation when God brought Him into "the world" the angels were commanded to worship Him and they did ..and the shepherds saw it. Thus Jesus, being worshipped by the angels is greater than the angels. The angels are ephemeral servants - winds and flames of fire, both symbols of the Holy Spirit. The impermanence of these symbols contrast vividly with the permanence of "Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever.." notice the verse starts with about the Son he says...Your throne O God.." the Son is explicitly called God by the author of this epistle.

Jesus is portrayed as the anointed and righteous King with an everlasting Kingdom. The thrones of men are so brief, political parties change quickly, rulers rise and fall. But Jesus is enthroned forever- He cannot be dethroned despite all the attacks of Satan. His throne lasts forever and its authority is not abusive but righteous - it is a sceptre of righteousness. Jesus is the perfect and ideal King whose laws are just in contrast with Nero Caesar who was temporary and evil. This epistle was probably written not long before the destruction of the temple, possibly during Nero's reign which would explain the references to persecution. Jesus does not only love righteousness - He hates wickedness and thus would hate the evil system of emperor worship. Thus the Caesar's were doomed. Jesus is not a milque-toast figure but an avenger of evil.

God rewards His Son's love of righteousness and hatred of evil by anointing Him with the "oil of joy". Moral awareness leads to deep joy. As we let God's emotions become our emotions we find an anointing of joy, a sudden inbreaking of His Kingdom life into our spirit. God loves righteousness and hates wickedness and as we become godly and Christ-like then the same will also happen to us. Being able to look on horrid sin with equanimity is not maturity or sophistication - it is moral decay. Paul was grieved over the idols in Athens. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. The prophets had great anguish of spirit over the moral condition of the nation. However they were not permanently gloomy figures - they also had a deep intimacy with God that gave them great joy.

Prayer:
Lord give us the moral perspective that Jesus had so that we can love righteousness and hate wickedness and be set high with an anointing of joy. Amen.

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John Edmiston ([email protected])
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