Tuesday, May 27, 2014

HEBREWS:Christ, Mankind & Angels; "You, God have made man a little lower than the angels; but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels..."

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 2:1-4)

People of various cultural or spiritual beliefs can get caught up in worshiping things that aren't supposed to be worshiped, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:25) Some people and cultures even practice worshiping celestial beings, which is not to be done either. For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying:
“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
You have made him a little lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And set him over the works of Your hands.
You have put all things in subjection under his feet. [Psalm 8:4-6]”
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. (Hebrews 2:5-8) 

When did God give man all of this authority over His creation? When He created mankind, Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28) I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works,... How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:14, 17)

But inspite of all the power and authority God has given mankind over His creation, there is still one who is above all things, Christ Jesus.  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You. [Psalm 22:22]”
And again:
“I will put My trust in Him. [II Samuel 22:3; Isaiah 8:17]”
And again:
“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me. [Isaiah 8:18]” (Hebrews 2:9-13)

God allowed Jesus to become like mankind so that He could save mankind.  He was made a little lower than the angels; But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5) He was made perfect through sufferings; but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:7-8) 
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood [John 1:14-18; John 6:53-59], He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage [Revelations 20:13].  For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham [Galatians 3:16, 29].  Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted [Luke 4:1-13]. (Hebrews 2:14-18)

We are not worship or praise any created being or thing, but only God the Father and His Son, Chris Jesus our Lord; For He [God] made Him [Christ Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (II Corinthians 5:21) There is only One who is worthy to be praised, and to be esteemed high above all others, and that is God, through our belief and faith in His Son, Christ Jesus. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. We love because He first loved us. (I John 4:10, 19) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'”(Luke 4:8) AMEN!

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