Print Page | Add To Favorites | Close Window | Send To A Friend | Save This Page
FAQ # 81
QUESTION 81
: Aren’t we made lower than the angels
(Psalms 8:4-5), how comes we are higher than them?
Yes, but so was Christ
for our example. What God did for Jesus Christ the man, is his intentions
for every born again believer.
Jesus was made lower
than the angels in flesh. But when he died (repented), buried (water baptism)
and ascended to the right hand of God (baptism of the Holy Ghost), he
became higher than angels and all the heavens; being only second to God
in the form of a son.
In other words, “he
was made so much better than angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Heb 1:4).
How? “By inheritance.”
All this is for our
understanding, that we might know what is the height, breadth and width
of our calling. We are sons of God, by this sonship or inheritance we
too have obtained a more excellent name than they (angels). We are direct
sons of God. Meaning, as Christ is the only
begotten of the father, so is all who follow him and become born-again.
In other words, we have
the status of the first born (birth right), though being made last (Gen
1:26). We are now the first executors of all of heaven, if we have his
image (born again).
Why?
Angels are sons of God
too (Gen 6:4). But us, though being made last, have attained the birthright;
similar to the story of Esau and Jacob, Joseph’s two sons and even Aaron
and Moses - Aaron being the eldest. As Paul confesses, “such an high priest
became us, who is holy…and made higher than the heavens” (Heb 7:26-27).
A born-again believer
might exclaim, “Wow, we have inherited heavens birth right, what status
and what class!”
It does sound spectacular,
but remember this quotation from one of the angels in heaven, your brother;
“These are they which came out of great tribulation” (Rev 7:14).
However,
because of this hope we can easily call this “great tribulation” “light
afflictions.” Not that the troubles on earth are light, but when a born-again
believer thinks on the inheritance that awaits them, everything will seem
light; and he or she, by the Holy Ghost, will strive to live righteously,
having “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”
(Rev 7:14).
Though born-again
believers are last or made a little lower than the angels, by inheritance
we shall obtain a greater name. Our brothers in heaven will help see to
it (Heb 1:4) and it’s their joy to behold their little brothers, just
like Esau embracing Jacob on his return home from Laban (Gen 33:4).
This verse
will help you understand this hope that we have,
“Now, I say that the heir, as long as he
is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of
all. But are under tutors and governors until the time appointed of
the father” (Gal 4:1-2).
Christ being the first
heir, who obtain a more excellent name and position that the angels, then
we who follow in the similitude of his suffering, “if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs
with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also
glorified together” (Rom 8:17).
“Behold, what manner
of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not”
(1 John 3:1). In other words, we are heirs to the same status Christ has
and God’s angels are helping us along the way; related in this verse,
“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand,
until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation”
(Heb 1:13-14)? Wow, the status that we shall inherit is greater than the
angels because none of them have ever been told to sit at his right hand,
only Christ and then we; but they are sent to us as ministering spirits.
It’s all based on Christ, fully seen when he returns and we reign with
him on earth for 1000 years.
Lastly, the word “image”
in Gen 1:26, directly translated from the Hebrew, means ‘illusion’ and
the word man in the same chapter, directly translated means ‘phantom’.
Both words suggest a mirroring of God or the direct replica, but not the
actual thing. Similar attributes, similar power, similar everything, but
we would only be a reflection — like how moonlight is a reflection of
the sun; according to researchers.
This was God’s original
intention for man; it was lost by Adam’s fall and fortunately regained
through being born again.
In essence, we are the
same as Jesus, therefore the same as THE Son of God.
Christ himself tells
us, “It is enough for the disciple that he be
as his master, and the servant as his lord” (Matt 10:25).
Finally, Luke records,
“The disciple is not above his master: but every
one that is perfect shall be as his master” (Lk 6:4)
Go to top of Page | Get the Book | Buy it here or here or here or here | More FAQ's