“…having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You’? And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son’? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’ 7 And of the angels He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.’ 8 But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.’ 10 And: ‘You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.’ 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:4-14).
Even though Jesus and the angels are heavenly beings, there is a host of significant differences between Him and them. With book, chapter, and verse documentation, the inspired penman states seven distinct differences between these two different categories of heavenly beings.
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Jesus has a more excellent name than the angels (vv. 4-5). This is proven by David’s prophecy of Jesus in Psalm 2:7.
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Jesus rightfully deserves worship from angels (v. 6). Both Moses (in Deuteronomy 32:43) and the writer of Psalm 97 (in v. 7) confirm this.
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Jesus is the Creator of angels (v. 7). They serve as His ministers according to Psalm 104:4.
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Jesus has greater rank than the angels (vv. 8-9). He rules forever and ever upon His throne. No angel does. The sons of Korah affirm this truth in Psalm 45:6-7.
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Jesus is eternal (i.e., from everlasting to everlasting), not like the angels who are immortal (i.e., will live forever after being created) (vv. 10-12). Psalm 102:25-27 documents this fact.
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Jesus is more highly exalted than any of the angels (v. 13). Never has an angel been promised what was promised by Jehovah to David’s Messiah in Psalm 110:1.
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Jesus is the Son of God; the angels are servants of God, sons of God by creation (v. 14).
These significant differences make all the difference!
