“A More Excellent Name” (Heb 1:4-12)

“Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (vs4).

This "more excellent name" is King of kings, Lord of lords, God manifested in the flesh, the Savior. He got this name by right, being God before the world was made, come into the world, God's Son.

He was begotten of His Father, yet before He took upon Himself a body, He was the Father's eternal equal and coexistent. Phil 2:6-7 says, “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men”. As a real Man, the Father kept Him, guided His Son in a perfect display of manhood and righteousness, while He accomplished redemption for us.

We are sons of God by faith in Christ, but this Son did no sin, manifesting the holy and obedient character of God to what is right. He was the Perfect Son, brought up by the Father, manifesting the attributes of God in submission and provision.

God tells us to worship Him, therefore, He's no mere man, or man become god, somehow less than Almighty Deity. We read, “But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: Let all the angels of God worship Him” (Heb 1:6). He's greater than angels, for He created them and gives them strength.  They burn with zeal by His kindling - “And of the angels He says: Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire” (vs7). No one gave life to Him. He's always existed, One, in the Three.

Secondly, His throne is eternal, not temporary. He is not here today and gone tomorrow. His shine never stops glowing, His kingdom never falls, His people never again suffer bondage. We read, “But to the Son He says: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom”. He rules in righteousness, makes war in righteousness, saves in righteousness, and does all things justly forever (Rev 19:11-13).

He doesn't punish unjustly, nor does He pardon His friends without an atonement. We read, “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (vs9). Every spot of the gospel is pure, from the holy choice of the Father, to the redemption of the Son, to the cleansing of the Spirit, all performed by God for Christ's sake, because He put sins away.

He's exalted above all because He's worthy, having humbled Himself to serve. This is no favoritism, where the best is passed by to exalt someone less qualified, unjustly. This is the One who earned the blessing, and He's the One who rules justly. Who else but the Son should reign? David was a great man who said, “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God” (2 Sam 23:3).

Thirdly, this world shall be destroyed. The Lord who created this world will return to reap revenge and punish His enemies. We read, “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” (vs10-12). He will come to judge men, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God.

This world grows old, but not the Son. Women fade in beauty, and men deteriorate in strength. Yet, Jesus shines on, never getting smaller, less significant, or less majestic. He is ETERNAL, and like a Man who's finished with his napkin, Jesus will fold this world up and dispose of it, as He sees fit. In simplicity, Christ shall destroy this present world, so be ready. A new heavens and new earth, dwelling places for the righteous and punishment for the wicked, shall appear. His rule will never cease, so we can't hope that God will one day change His mind. Christ will be the “It”, and those who've believed will be safe, while the unbelieving will be ashamed. It's only a matter of time before all bow to Christ. He isn't presented as optional, but necessary. Scripture says, “But to which of the angels has He ever said: Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies your footstool? (vs13). He has enemies, but they are fools. His kingdom is forever. Angels are here to help, but they are not the Christ. They serve you and me, invisibly protecting us, doing God's will to defeat Satan on our behalf. But, salvation's in Christ. Worship and believe Him only.