Hebrews 1:8-14 - In character, permanence and honor, Christ is also more superior to angels

Continuing where we let off yesterday, we will see that from verses 8-13, the author will show us three others areas where Christ is more superior than angels. In verses 8-9, Christ is shown to be more superior to angels in character. The author began to focus on the Son’s reign. Here we see the reign of Christ Jesus marked by three characteristic: eternalness, righteousness and joyousness. Firstly, His reign is forever and ever. To substantiate it, Psalm 45:6 equates the Son with God and His throne, and so like God, His reign shall be everlasting. The scepter here refers to His reign. We get the idea that His reign shall be characterized by righteousness. Verse 9 is a quotation of Psalm 45:7. It shows that Christ the Son loves both righteousness and hates lawlessness. While He loves sinners, He did not embrace and condone their sinfulness. In fact He had to lay down His life in order that sinful men could be accepted by God. Verse 9 tells us that God had, therefore, vindicated His righteousness and had anointed Him with great joy above that of His companions.

Verses 10-12 tell us that Christ is more superior to angels in permanence. The attention is now shifted to Christ Jesus’ status as Creator. Words that were used to describe God were now being attributed to the Son. Here the author was quoting from Psalm 102:25-26. He emphasized on Christ’s eternal nature as compared to the transitory nature of the things that were created. The created world, beautiful and strong as it might seem now, would all perish one day, but the Son would remain and abide forever. In verse 11, creation is like an old garment that would be set aside when they become worn out. And in verse 12, he asserted that the Lord remains the same and changes not. His years will not come to an end.

In verse 13, Christ is shown to be more superior to angels in honor. Quoting Psalm 110:1, the author asked a rhetorical question to show that God made an astounding promise to His Son but He did not make the promise to angels. God had invited His Son, Jesus Christ to sit in a position of honor until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. In contrast, verse 14 shows us that angels were not given this promise, but were made to serve the redeemed.

This is the reason why Charles Wesley put it this way:

Jesus! The name high over all,

In hell or earth or sky;

Angels and mortals prostate fall,

And demons flee and fly

Jesus, the name to sinners dear,

The name to sinners given;

It scatters all their guilty fear,

It turns their hell to heaven.