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God Speaks His Final Word Through His Son

In the past, God spoke to our people through the prophets. He spoke at many times. He spoke in different ways. But in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. He is the one whom God appointed to receive all things. God also made everything through him. The Son is the shining brightness of God’s glory. He is the exact likeness of God’s being. He uses his powerful word to hold all things together. He provided the way for people to be made pure from sin. Then he sat down at the right hand of the King, the Majesty in heaven. So he became higher than the angels. The name he received is more excellent than theirs.

The Son Is Greater Than the Angels

God never said to any of the angels,

“You are my Son.
    Today I have become your Father.” (Psalm 2:7)

Or,

“I will be his Father.
    And he will be my Son.” (2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13)

God’s first and only Son is over all things. When God brings him into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.” (Deuteronomy 32:43)

Here is something else God says about the angels.

“God makes his angels to be like spirits.
    He makes those who serve him to be like flashes of lightning.” (Psalm 104:4)

But here is what he says about the Son.

“You are God. Your throne will last for ever and ever.
    Your kingdom will be ruled by justice.
You have loved what is right and hated what is evil.
    So your God has placed you above your companions.
    He has filled you with joy by pouring the sacred oil on your head.” (Psalm 45:6,7)

10 He also says,

“Lord, in the beginning you made the earth secure. You placed it on its foundations.
    The heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will pass away. But you remain.
    They will all wear out like a piece of clothing.
12 You will roll them up like a robe.
    They will be changed as a person changes clothes.
But you remain the same.
    Your years will never end.” (Psalm 102:25–27)

13 God never said to an angel,

“Sit at my right hand
    until I put your enemies
    under your control.” (Psalm 110:1)

14 All angels are spirits who serve. God sends them to serve those who will receive salvation.

God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(P)

And again, when God brings his firstborn(Q) into the world,(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](S)

In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](T)

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(V)
    by anointing you with the oil(W) of joy.”[e](X)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(Y)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(Z)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(AA)
    and your years will never end.”[f](AB)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand(AC)
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool(AD) for your feet”[g]?(AE)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit(AG) salvation?(AH)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  7. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1