To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay -- the Series of Explanation and Analysis of Scripture (15) - 1

The Explanation and Analysis of the Verses in Chapter 1 of HEBREWS

It is edited and compiled under the guidance of Holy Spirit. All thanks, praises and glories be to God!

The supremacy of Christ: (I) Christ is the Son of God, and is much superior to angels:

Heb 1:1-4 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

(NOTES)

“In the past ”:

refers to the time of Old Testament.

“through the prophets ”:

refer to the prophets of the Old Testament.

“ last days ”:

refer to the present age of the New Testament. “these last days ” are not to emphasize the end of the world; but refer to the last stage of the revelation. The whole New Testament is the last stage of the revelations. What God had not completely revealed through the prophets, now revealed completely through His Son. The redemption plan of God has been published completely already. Nowadays, we can not receive any new revelation other than what had been revealed by the Son of God (that is, no new revelation other than the Bible.). The revelations that we receive now are through the Holy Spirit to understand the truths in the Bible, so that we have new insights and enlightenments on the revelations that God had spoken to us by His Son completely -- the Bible.

“he has spoken to us by his Son”:

Here, the Son of God refers to Jesus Christ in the New Testament without any doubt. The birth and death of Christ is the beginning of the New Testament; the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the end of the times of the New Testament. Therefore, here, the “last days” refer to the times of the New Testament.

(LIGHT IN WORDS)

<1> There are some differences between how God spoke in the times of the Old Testament and the New Testament (Heb 1:1-2):

A. God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament, and spoke by His Son in the New Testament.

Although all the prophets are the servants of God, Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Therefore, although both the old and new covenants are based on what God spoke, the way to speak and the values of the two covenants are different. God firstly spoke to the forefathers in the past through the prophets, so that to prepare for the more important and complete revelations. However, regarding Jesus Christ, no matter on status, authority, moral conduct, character, and work, He is complete, and is superior and unequal to those prophets.

B. God spoke in the Old Testament at many times and in various ways, while in the New Testament God spoke completely.

God spoke in the Old Testament at many times and in various ways. It shows that those in the Old Testament, had not got the complete revelations. What they can understand or explain, is only one aspect or one part of the will of God. Although what they proclaimed are good and are from God, they are only part of the revelations. The typology in the Old Testament is only partial. For examples, Moses is a typology that Christ is the savior; however, Moses only saved the Israelites out of the Egypt, but did not lead them into Canaan. Joshua is a typology that Christ is the supreme commander; although he led the Israelites enter into the Canaan, he did not eliminate all the enemies. David is a typology that Christ is the righteous and kindhearted king; but David himself committed adultery and killed Uriah (2Sa 12:9). Solomon is a typology that Christ is the peaceful and wise king; however, Solomon in his later years served the idols and did the most foolish things. Also, in the Old Testament, there are many regulations and temple worships, sacrifices, appointed feasts, the Tent of Meeting and all kinds of regulations of worship. Although they are all the oracles of Christ, they can not be as the complete oracles of Christ. Therefore, in the Old Testament, God spoke through all the prophets that each of them only got part of it; if put all of them together, it is a bit more complete. However, in the New Testament, what God spoke by Christ is complete. The entire life of Christ, including His birth, death, resurrection, Ascension and Second Coming, is the complete revelation of the salvation. When Christ on the earth, His talks and acts, and all the power He showed, to overcome the devil, the sea, the disease, or the death, are the complete revelations of the power of God. Therefore, what God spoke to us in the last days by His Son is complete.

C. The Old Testament is spoken to the forefathers; the New Testament is spoken to us.

The third difference is the objects that God spoke to are different in the times of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The forefathers based on the revelation of the Old Testament became men in the times of laws; we based on the revelation of the New Testament became men in the times of graces. Although those who are in the times of the Old Testament and laws also received the revelations from God, however, in the Old Testament, all the regulations of worship and ways to seek God are outward and indirect. In the New Testament, all the ways to worship God and serve God are spiritual, simple and direct (Rom 7:6; Joh 4:14). What God spoke in the Old Testament, is a shadow of what God spoke in the New Testament. However, in the times of New Testament, what God spoke by His Son, is the reality (Heb 10:1; Col 2:17). The Old Testament is the model; the New Testament is the reality. God firstly proclaimed the model and shadow of the way to save men; then He revealed the reality of the salvation to men. These are the procedures of the revelations of God, in order to make it easier for men to understand and accept. Therefore, what God spoke in the Old Testament, fitted those who were in the times of the Old Testament and laws; just as learning with aid of the pictures fits those who just start to read. However, as to us who are in the times of the New Testament and graces, since the reality of the typology of the Old Testament -- the Son of God Jesus Christ and His salvation -- has come, if we still stick to the old ways of the regulations and laws according to the laws in the Old Testament to serve and worship God, but not according to the revelations and principles established by the Son of God in the times of the New Testament to commune, unite, worship, and serve, we will turn away completely from the will of God that God spoke to us according to His procedures, and turn what God spoke by His Son into worthlessness. Furthermore, people in the times of the Old Testament and laws received only that God spoke through the prophets; however, people in the times of the New Testament and graces received not only what God spoke, but also the Son of God Himself.

<2> The Supremacy of Christ:

A. Christ is the Son whom God loves, is One in God, and is “the exact representation of his being”:

“The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, ” (Heb 1:3)

“He is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15)

“No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. ” (Joh 1:18)

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ” (Col 1:19)

“the exact representation of his being” indicates that Christ is completely the same as God. Not only He represents God, but also He IS God. No matter in glory, holiness, authority, honor and all virtues, He is the same as and equal to God. Although the Word became flesh, he lived in the man’s world; however, “ being in very nature God”, He is equal to God (Php 2:6). Therefore, He said that “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (Joh 14:9).

No representative will be exactly the same as the one he represents; and the representative is often inferior to the one he represents. However, the Son of God -- Jesus Christ of the Trinity is exactly the same as God He represents. He is not only equal to God on the status of the Son of God, but also as the son of man; He shows completely all the virtues, authorities, and glories of God. There is no any weakness of the body of flesh that affects Him in any aspect such that He can not show God completely. Although He was in the flesh, He was still the exact representation of God’s being.

Christ is “the radiance of God's glory”:

The magnitude of God’s glory is up to the magnitude of the radiance of God's glory. How could we know what is the incomparably enormous glory of God? It can be known from the radiance of God's glory. And Jesus Christ is the radiance of God's glory. In the Old Testament, when the glory of God filled up the tent, even Moses could not enter (Exo 40:35). When the face of Moses was radiant because of coming near God, the Israelites were afraid to come near him (Exo 34:30). However, in the New Testament, this glorious and real light -- Jesus Christ, came into this world (Joh 1:8-9), gave out the glorious light of God in the flesh (Joh 1:14), and made the glory of the invisible God known (Joh 1:18); whoever follows Him will have the light of life (Joh 8:12).

Although the prophets can also give out light for God, their light is not “the radiance of God's glory”; since they are not the origin of light, they are the same like us, and are just the reflectors to reflect the glorious light of God.

B. By him all things were created -- from him: “and through whom he made the universe.” (Heb 1:2)

All things are sustained by him -- through him: “sustaining all things by his powerful word.” (Heb 1:3)

All things were created for him -- to him: “whom he appointed heir of all things,” (Heb 1:2)

Christ is King of kings, Lord of lords. He will reign for ever and ever. Amen!

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (Joh 1:3)

“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. ” (1Co 8:6)

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ” (Col 1:16)

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. ” (Rom 11:36)

“The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. ” (Joh 3:35)

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ” (Joh 13:3)

“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. ” (Eph 1:22-23)

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ” (Php 2:9-10)

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Rev 11:15)

“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Rev 17:14)

“and through whom he made the universe. ”

“the universe” is also translated as “the worlds”. “the worlds” shows that not only the world we live right now is created by God through Christ, but also the previous world is also created through Christ; not only this material world is created by Him, but also all the creations in the heavenly spiritual worlds are created by Him. Since He is the Creator of “the worlds”, He certainly is far above any creation in “the worlds”. Since He can create all things from the emptiness, for us who are the new creation in Him, how can anything in this world make us be discouraged, shrink, fear and worry? “the universe” is also translated as “the ages”.

C. “ he had provided purification for sins” (Heb 1:3)

This is the glorious accomplishment in his work of redemption. Since He is the One who had accomplished the work of the purification for sins, therefore, only He can cleanse the sins of men. This sentence includes how Christ, the Word became flesh in man’s likeness, died for the sins of men on the cross. This sentence also shows that He is not only God, but also was a man and bought us at a high price. He not only forgave the sins of men based on the authority of the Son of God, but also with His blood cleansed the sins of men, so that men not only were forgiven according to His love, but also were forgiven rightfully in accordance to His righteousness; it is because our sins were punished on the Son of God.

D. “he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ” (Heb 1:3)

“After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ” The word of “after” shows the associated relationship between “he had provided purification for sins” and “he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven”. Since Christ is originally equal to God, it is not because He provided purification for sins of men that He is qualified to sit down at the right hand of the Father. However, after He had provided purification for sins of men, He sat at the right hand of the Father; not only it shows that He is equal to God, but also it has important significance that he became a qualified mediator in heaven. It is because He is the One who cleansed the sins of men; therefore, only He can be the mediator between us and God, and plead for us (1Ti 2:5).

“sat”:

It is a posture of rest, enjoyment, and waiting. In the mean while, it shows that Christ had accomplished the work of redemption and waits for God to make His enemies a footstool for His feet (Heb 1:13; 10:13).

“in heaven”:

refers to where God live. Since He sit in the heaven, it shows that He sit at the position that overcomes the devil and know all the cunning schemes of the enemies and all the situation and action of the churches on the earth.

“at right hand”:

In the Bible, “at right hand” represents the honorable and important position; and also often represents eternal pleasures (Psa 16:11), authority(Psa 110:1; Act 2:25, 34-35), glory (1Ki 2:19) and so on.

“he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”:

This sentence is about the work of LORD as a mediator after the Ascension. Not only He is our Savior, but also He is our mediator in Heaven and the high priest sits at the right hand of the Father. By a new and living way opened for us through Him, we can now pray and commune with God all the time through Him. This high priest in heaven, came to the earth in man’s likeness and is the mediator who understands our weakness.

<3> Christ is the Son of God, and is much superior to angels (Heb 4-13).

In the verses of (Heb 1:4-13), it does a comparison of Christ with angels to prove that Christ is much superior to the angels. Since angels are the creations in the spiritual world, as to men in the material world, they certainly consider them superior to the prophets in the material world. Therefore, here, it gives the citations to compare the angels in the spiritual world with Christ, so that the believers can see that the angels in the spiritual world are totally inferior to the supremacy of Christ. It is because Christ is much superior to anything that men consider surpassing; and Christ is much more complete than anything that men consider complete. Here, it gives 7 reasons that Christ as the Son of God is much superior to the angels:

1. His name is superior to that of the angels (Heb 1:4)

HEBREWS 1:4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

(NOTES)

In the Bible, there are many different names to call Christ, and they are all much more honorable and surpassing, for examples, some common names of them are: LORD, LORD Jesus Christ, Lord of lords, King of kings, Lamb (Rev 17:14), Savior, mediator (1Ti 2:3-5), the only God (Jud 25), the light of the world (Joh 8:12), God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side (Joh 1:18). Among all these names, none of them can be inherited by the angels. On the other hand, in the Bible, among the names of the highest angels, none of them implies the meaning that is surpassing or comparable to the name of Christ, for examples, Michael (Dan 10:13), that is, like God; Gabriel (Dan 8:16), that is, God is the power; cherubim (Gen 3:24), that is, the imperial bodyguard in front of God; seraphs (Isa 6:2), that is, the burning one or the honorable. These names indicate that they are lower than God. A name often represents a seniority and a status. The name of Christ is superior to that of angels; therefore, He is certainly much superior to the angels.

The name of Christ is much superior to that of angels. It is not only because of the implication represented by His name, which shows that He has higher status, authority, glory, and merits that far above the angels; but also because His name has marvelous and unique effects: by His name, men can be saved (Act 4:12; 13:39); in His name, our payers get answered (Joh 14:13); His name can make the limp walk (Act 3:6-8), and can drive out the evil spirits (Act 16:18). No any angel’s name has such effects.

2. The identity of the Son of God (Heb 1:5)

HEBREWS 1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father " ? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son" ? (See also Psa 2:7)

(NOTES)

The verse is associated with the preceding verse. “the name he has inherited ” in the preceding verse, especially refers to “Son” in this verse. This name of “Son” shows that he has the identity of the Son of God. This status is far above the angels. Although the angels are also called “the sons of God ” (Job 1:6; Psa 29:1; 89:6), that is because they are all the creations of God, just as Adam is also called “the son of God” (Luk 3:38). However, God said to Jesus that: “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”. It is apparent that Christ is God who do not have the life of being created (the One and only Son of God). Therefore, although the angels have more power than men, and used to pass on the laws in the Old Testament to men (Heb 2:2; Act 7:38; Gal 3:19), they are still the servants of God. While Christ is the Son of God, He is LORD and God who surpasses totally beyond all classes of angels.

“You are my Son; today I have become your Father ”:

This verse is cited from (Psa 2:7). The apostle Paul once cited this verse of the Bible to talk about the resurrection of LORD (Act 13:33). Although Christ is the Son of God already before the beginning of time, however, Christ, the Word became flesh, on the day of the resurrection shows that He is the Son of God. Here, this book cited this verse to prove that Christ is the Son of God. It is for the purpose to prove that Christ is much superior to the angels; this is not what the author said according to his own will, but it is what God Himself said; it also shows that Christ is the Son of God, and it can be proved from the facts of His resurrection from the dead (Rom 1:4).

“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”:

This verse is cited from (2Sa 7:14). According to the situation at that time, it referred to the son of David -- Solomon. However, that is only the superficial meaning. Actually, here, Solomon is the typology of Christ. Therefore, this promise realized completely after the resurrection of LORD and His being proved to be the Son of God. This verse is to complement the preceding verse that “You are my Son; today I have become your Father ”. It illustrates that LORD Jesus Christ resurrected to show to be the Son of God; which is in accordance to the promise of the Old Testament.

3. The lofty position (Heb 1:6-7)

HEBREWS 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

HEBREWS 1:7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."

(NOTES)

These two verses from two aspects prove that Christ is superior to the angels”.

A. He is worshiped by the angels (Heb 1:6)

It implies that although Christ was sent to this world which is lower than the heavenly world, it does not lower His status as the Son of God; the angels with the highest rank in the creations need also to worship Him and be under His authority. He once said that “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ” (Mat 26:53) Although he did not send the twelve legions of angels, the angels can still be send by Christ in the body of the flesh.

The “firstborn” in this verse shows the result of Christ’s resurrection from the dead and makes everyone who receives His redemption share in the life of the Son of God (1Jo 5:11-12), and become the son of God (Joh 1:12; Gal 4:5-6). Therefore, He is not only the One and only Son of God, but also the firstborn of God (Rom 8:29).

B. He is served by angels (Heb 1:7)

This verse is cited from (Psa 104:4). The angels are the servants of God and obey and do the commands of God. However, Christ is God, and is the One who gives the commands, but not receives the commands from the angels; He is served by the angels (Mat 4:11), but not serves the angels.

“He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.”

The angels are appointed and sent by God. They can only be what God made them to be and do the will of God. The reason that they are the spirits without the weakness of men in flesh, is not because of their own ability, but because God made them so. In the like manner, God make His servants as ardent and bright as the flames of fire; it is not because their own efforts, but because God made them so. In short, they are all the servants of God and can only do according to the will of God and become the form that God want them to accomplish. However, Christ, the Son of God, is the same as God and the angels absolutely can not be compared with Him.

4.The surpassing royal power (Heb 1:8-9)

HEBREWS 1:8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.

HEBREWS 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

(NOTES)

A. His throne last forever and ever (Heb 1:8)

Note that in speaking of the Son, it said that “O God”. This verse illuminates that the Son IS God. How people call God “O God” so it is proper to call the Son “O God”. Christ and God are equal with same glories, are complete One.

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever”, this verse is cited from (Psa 45:6). The “throne” represents the royal power. In this world, there is no everlasting “throne”, for there is no any royal power that can last forever. However, the throne of Christ is forever and ever, for his royal power can never be overthrown, shaken and changed. Here, it is obvious how Christ is much superior to the angels. The angels are only surrounding around the throne of God, waiting for and obeying the commands of God (Isa 6:1-2; Job 1:6). However Christ sit on the throne forever and ever (Rev 3:21, 4:9-10).

We should let Christ be in us, set His throne forever and ever in us, and give the commands and take charge of everything.

B. He has the upright royal power (Heb 1:8-9)

There are many power that are not upright royal power. They often grasped the power with unjust method, and executed the power without justice. Only the royal power of Christ is just and upright. The way that He gained the power is completely upright and just without using any power in this world or any distorted means, He obtained the power through the sufferings on the cross to overcome the devil; His people are bought and redeemed by His own blood (Rev 1:5-6). His kingdom is established by making himself nothing and shedding blood to accomplish the salvation. Therefore, it is completely just and upright that He obtained the power of the kingdom; and only He is worthy to receive glory, honor and power (Rev 4:11, 5:9-14, 7:12).

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness”:

This is His righteous nature. The righteous character is worthy of the righteous royal power of the kingdom. He loves the righteous characters such that He does everything without biasing, injustice, practicing favoritism or fear of the evil force (Mat 22:16; Luk 13:5; Joh 7:7; Mat 10:28; Rom 2:11). He hates the evil characters such that He won’t allow any unlawful things. Any thing against the will of God is hated and rebuked by Him (Mat 16:22-23). The characters of loving righteousness and hating the sins and evils are what those who take charge of the upright power must have. The believers will have the heavenly power, and they must love the righteousness and hate the wickedness. If they want to be in charge together with LORD, they must act justly in this world.

“therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

The kings in the Old Testament must be anointed before they became the kings. Here, “anointing you with the oil of joy” indicates that God anoints Christ to be the King. Not only He has enough qualification, but also He has passed the legal procedure to be the King. However, He became the King not by being anointed by God through the prophets or priests; but by being anointed by God Himself. The oil that God used is not the sacred anointing oil with a fragrant blend, but is the anointment of Holy Spirit. For God gives the Spirit to Jesus Christ without limit (Joh 3:34).

5. The eternal power of creation (Heb 1:10)

HEBREWS 1:10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. (See also Psa 102:25)

(NOTES)

This verse illustrates that LORD is the creator of the heaven, the earth and the universe. Here, “you laid the foundations of the earth”; the word of “foundation” does not mean that the concept about the earth in the Bible is similar to people’s idea about the buildings --firstly establishing the foundation well and then doing the construction on it. The word of “foundation” here, is used to describe the great creativity of LORD; although the earth is vast and endless, in His hand with marvelous and mighty power, it is as easy and effortless as building a small house. Since this great and wonderful universe is created by Him, thus, as to those angels who are also the created like us, how can they be comparable to Christ?

6. His years will never end (Heb 1:11-12)

HEBREWS 1:11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

HEBREWS 1:12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."

(NOTES)

Although from the viewpoint of men, the years of the earth and the heavens are extremely long; however, they will perish one day. At that time, the angels who committed sins will be destroyed together (Rev 19:20; Rev 20:10). However, Christ remain forever and ever. The word of “remain” implies to exist continuously. Therefore, here, “remain” indicates to not only last forever and ever in terms of time, but also be eternally unchanging in terms of nature. This word of “remain” not only is used to look into the future -- He is everlasting without changing; but also can be used to trace back to the past -- he is also everlasting without changing. It is because that He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End -- “I am who I am”(Exo 3:14); without beginning of days or end of life (Heb 7:3); in the beginning (Joh 1:1); and the firstborn over all creation (Col 1:15). He not only created the earth and heavens; but also can change the earth and heavens; it’s as easy as to roll up a garment. However, the angels are only the creations who are created comparatively earlier than the mankind; also the angels are absolutely not everlasting, the existence of the angels are based on the everlasting of God. Without God, there won’t be angels; just as, without God, there won’t be the earth, heaven and mankind. The angels can not create the earth and heavens, they can only obey the will of God to work.

7. The triumphal glories (Heb 1:13)

HEBREWS 1:13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" ?

(NOTES)

Note that “To which of the angels” has been used for three times in this chapter. In verse 5, it has been used for twice. This verse is to especially emphasize that the angels are absolutely incomparable to Christ. All kinds of characteristics that Christ have are unique in the entire spiritual and material worlds.

“Sit at my right hand”:

As to these words, Christ once mentioned them in the judgment on the earth (Mat 26:64); they have been cited for many times to prove the triumph and glory of Christ (Act 2:34-35; Heb 1:3,8:1; Eph 1: 20-21). This verse is originally in the Psalms of David, and it is cited from (Psa 110:1). It shows that David was inspired by Holy Spirit to admit that Christ is the LORD and God, and will overcome His enemies.

“until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”:

that is, more than conqueror, gain complete glories from the enemies. Christ had overcome the devil on the cross (Heb 2:14). Now, only wait for the time of the devil’s doom to come which is predestined by God (Mat 8:29; Rev 20:10), then He will gain the complete glory on the enemies.

<4> The work of the angels proves that not only they are not superior to Christ, but also they are not superior to those who will inherit salvation:

HEBREWS 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

(NOTES)

The angels are inferior to Christ in the following points:

(1) The angels are just the spirits: they do not have the experience of Christ that the Word became flesh, and resurrected from the dead. Although they also worked on passing on the laws of the Old Testament, they have nothing to do with the great work of redemption accomplished by Christ in the New Testament. The work of redemption is accomplished by Christ Himself.

(2) The angels are ministering spirits: they are created to minister, they are ministering spirits, obey the commands of God, and show the power and glories of God. They receive the superman power; it is all for the purpose for their work to serve God.

(3) The angels are sent only to work for those who will inherit the salvation. They are sent by God to comfort, protect, or give the will of God to those who will inherit the salvation (Act 27:23-24,12:15; Mat18:10,1:20,2:13). However, Christ was sent (Joh 7:29) to accomplish the salvation (Joh 3:16; Mar 8:31, 10:45; Joh 19:30), and let all who believe in Him be justified (Act 13:38-39, 15:11). Therefore, the angels only indirectly shared in the work of the redemption, and also serve those who will inherit the salvation.

Reference:

1. Zhongdao Chen: “The Lectures on the Bible Studying of the Letters in New Testament”.