“having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1:4).
There are dozens of references to angelic beings within the Biblical Scriptures. Therefore, it is well worth our time to get to know these important members of God’s created order. For instance, the Biblical book of Psalms offers the following insight into the origin of the angelic realm…
“Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away” (Psalm 148:5-6).
So, this portion of Scripture tells us that angels were created at the command of God. It also implies that angelic beings cannot die for “…God set them in place always and forever” (NIV).
The Scriptures also identify angels as beings who possess capabilities that are far superior to ordinary human beings. In addition, the final verse of Hebrews chapter one uses the phrase “ministering spirits” to describe angelic beings. This indicates that angels do not normally possess a material form. However, angelic beings do have the ability to assume the physical appearance of human beings when necessary.
That capability was displayed in the life of the Old Testament patriarch Abraham when three men (who turned out to be God accompanied by two angels) appeared to him (see Genesis 18:1-2 and Genesis 19:1-26). Hebrews 13:2 will also go on to elaborate upon this capability when it says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
While the word “angel” is generally associated with a supernatural being today, it is interesting to note that this word is related to the concept of a messenger in the original Biblical languages. Thus, we can say that angels serve as emissaries, representatives, or agents for God. We find one such example in the New Testament gospel of Luke, where the angel Gabriel was sent to announce the impending births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:5-38)
Angels also appeared to a group of shepherds to announce Jesus’ birth saying, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (see Luke 2:8-20).
In light of these things, the author of Hebrews makes certain to establish Jesus’ superiority to any being who exists within the angelic realm. Our author will go on to support that premise in greater detail throughout the remainder of this chapter.