Posted on 12/11/2017 3:34:37 PM PST by metmom
"Having become . . . much better than the angels" (Heb. 1:4).
Through a deft use of the Old Testament, the writer proves that Christ is the mediator of a greater covenant.
Man is a wonderful and amazing creation—higher than plants, animals, and any other material creation in this world. But there are created beings even higher than man—angels.
Hebrews 2:9 shows this to be the case because when Jesus became a man, He was "made for a little while lower than the angels." After the fall of the rebellious angels under Lucifer, the angels in heaven were no longer subject to sin. These angels are holy, powerful, and wise. They are special beings created by God before He created man.
The Jewish people understood the exalted position of angels because they knew that the Old Covenant was brought to men and maintained by angelic mediation. Galatians 3:19 says, "Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made."
Because of this high regard for angels by his readers, the writer of Hebrews was faced with a problem. If he was to show that Christ was the mediator of a better covenant, he would have to prove that Christ is better than angels. To do so, he used seven Old Testament passages to verify his claim.
If he had tried to prove from Christian writings that Christ is a better mediator, his unbelieving Jewish readers would have said, "We don't accept these writings as being from God." So in effect he wisely replies, "Open up your own Scriptures and I'll prove my claim from them." It results in a powerful and irresistible argument.
For the next several days, we'll see in what ways Christ is superior to angels and how He could mediate a better covenant for us.
Suggestion for Prayer
Because much of our understanding of the New Testament is based on the writings of the Old Testament, thank God for how He has brought His complete Word to us intact throughout the centuries.
For Further Study
Read Galatians 3:8, Romans 9:15, and Matthew 4:4.
What Old Testament verses to those passages quote? What truth does each of them verify?
Studying God’s Word ping
Sorry--I don't believe that.
Man was made in God's image--angels were not.
Christ died for Man's sins--not angels' sins.
We are told we will judge angels--not that angels will judge us.
Sorry, but John is wrong on this point.
Psalm 8 was a song written by David. I'll take any order in the way it was meant to be taken--poetically and musically.
But you neglected my first point--we have God's Image in us. That is so awesome I cannot even begin to explain or comprehend it.
Angels have no such Image. They are a created being.
As it has been explained to me, when God allows man to judge, it’s more of a confirmation of God’s judgement than any actual doom pronouncement. Everybody’s fate has already been decided at the beginning.
I have no idea on what criteria nor what conditions we will be doing said judgments. I am just repeating Scripture.
Interesting. When were the angels created?
In terms of marriage, we’ll be like the angels. They don’t marry.
I have no clue.
I don’t know that Scripture tells us and honestly, I don’t see what difference it makes.
I agree it doesn’t make a big deal; the question came up in Bible study and no one could answer; more of a curiosity than anything so I thought I’d ask the wizards on FR.
We ARE the angels. Though temporarily lower than them, like Christ was when He was in the flesh as we are today.
In the first Earth age Satan rebelled, a third of the angels (us) followed him. Instead of destroying one third of His creation God created the second earth age (today) so that each of us could be born from woman unaware of our prior rebellion.
This IS our second chance. Well, at least those who rebelled.
We will be back in spirit bodies when we die here - angels. Those who have overcome by accepting Christ as savior will judge those who have not - at the end of this age and millennium period. Those still in rebellion will be destroyed in the lake of fire mentioned in Rev and will not be present in the final age.
There ARE also special angels which ARE better than us and did not need to be born of woman - archangels. But there is only a few of them mentioned in the bible. You are not one of them if you are here in the flesh.
Gen 1:26 - "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..."
We currently lowly fleshies are made in the image of our spiritual selves. And we will be back to spirit bods in the third and final earth age when eternal heaven is here on Earth with God.
No kidding? And the Blessed Mother is also superior to the angels.
That was was the reason Lucifer’s pride caused his fall.
“For the next several days, we’ll see in what ways Christ is superior to angels”
—
I didn’t know this was even an area of contention (Christ v. Angels, who’s the best?). Maybe with Jehovah’s Witnesses, otherwise it seems like one mighty odd strawman to offer up as some kind of debate among Christians.
It is my opinion that many folks confuse the metaphysical state of one's soul with its current or potential future position / rank within God's Kingdom.
Mary's current state IS that of an angel right now - just like all not currently in the flesh. She wasn't an angel, state-wise, when she was in the flesh. But that state itself does not make her 'better' than you or me in a rank/position sense.
However, she IS better than most in the sense that she earned a high rank via uncommon faith in this age and presumably in the first age.
Though it is a sin to worship her. Or any 'angel'.
If you are faithful and overcome, then you too will be superior to many angels. Including better than one archangel - Satan.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Mother of divine grace,
pray for us.
Mother most pure,
pray for us.
Mother most chaste,
pray for us.
Mother inviolate,
pray for us.
Mother undefiled,
pray for us.
Mother most amiable,
pray for us.
Mother most admirable,
pray for us.
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us.
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us.
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us.
Virgin most renowned,
pray for us.
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us.
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us.
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us.
Mirror of justice,
pray for us.
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us.
Cause of our joy,
pray for us.
Spiritual vessel,
pray for us.
Vessel of honor,
pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us.
Mystical rose,
pray for us.
Tower of David,
pray for us.
Tower of ivory,
pray for us.
House of gold,
pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant,
pray for us.
Gate of Heaven,
pray for us.
Morning star,
pray for us.
Health of the sick,
pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Help of Christians,
pray for us.
Queen of angels,
pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs,
pray for us.
Queen of prophets,
pray for us.
Queen of apostles,
pray for us.
Queen of martyrs,
pray for us.
Queen of confessors,
pray for us.
Queen of virgins,
pray for us.
Queen of all saints,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin,
pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven,
pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us.
Queen of peace,
pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587
I’m always baffled by friends who pray to angels. A big storm is coming and my friend waves her hand in the air and commands angels to prevent the storm from ruining the garage sale.
No offense to you personally, but that stuff is one of the many reasons I quit the Catholic club years ago.
Popes are nobody special to my soul. And why pray to Mary? She can’t forgive you.
Mary is certainly to be admired, but not worshiped or relied upon for saving your soul. Jesus is the savior and intercessor.
I pray to God, in Christ’s name. Jesus never prayed to nor suggested we pray to His mom.
If this is a thread for still-practicing Catholics only, then I will gladly and peacefully bow out now.
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