Angel Sacrifice?

The author of Hebrews begins his book by setting an argument that establishes the identity of the Jewish Messiah using the lines of thinking and instruction the average Hebrew understands and is familiar with. Chapters 1 and 2 discuss Jesus’s superiority over the angels. The phrase, “which of the angels said he at any time” occurs twice (in Hebrews 1:5 and Hebrews 1:13) and enforces the author’s point that the term “Son” used here applies solely to Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Let’s take a look at Hebrews 1:5.

“You are my Son, today I have begotten You…” – This passage is quoted from Psalm 2:1-12. Albert Barnes writes, “He (God) never used language respecting the angels like what he employs respecting his Son. He never applied to any of them the name Son… The name “sons of God,” is applied in the Scriptures to saints, and may have been given to the angels. But the argument here is, that the name, my “Son” has never been given to any of them particularly and by eminence. In a large general sense, they are the sons of God or the children of God, but the name is given to the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, in a special sense, implying a unique relation to him, and a special dominion over all things.”

I will not digress into the doctrine of the eternal generation of the son but will only try to lead us to the conclusion that the “Son” here is not any one of the angels, or of the saints.

Let’s stretch the argument that God could have used an angel, even the highest-ranking angel, to become incarnate and be the sacrifice for humanity. God, being God could have done this. But this mode would not work, because the angels are created beings and not a part of the Godhead.

With an angel, the story of redemption would go like this: God creates man; man makes a mess of himself; then God sends an angel to fix everything. There would be something wrong with this picture. It would make God unjust, by forcing an angel, who had nothing to do with all of this, much more so with man’s mess, to suffer and go through a horrible human death.

Another problem with using an angel would be that angels do not worship each other. Even if they observe hierarchy, order and obedience do not equate to adoration. They worship God only (Hebrews 1:6).

Thus we are left with just one person who is able to accomplish the mission of salvation for humanity. There was no other option left but for the Son of God to do it Himself as the writer states in Hebrews 10:5, saying, “Therefore when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but You have prepared a body for Me”. This refers back to Psalm 40:6-8.

And so we arrive at the perfect and beautiful story of salvation.

God creates man; man makes a mess of himself; God enters our time and space by becoming human through birth, suffers, and gives up His life as just payment for sin. This vicarious (substitutionary) death removes the penalty of separation of man from God (this separation is the essence of sin) both at the time a man repents and turns to God up and until man enters eternity through his physical death or at the appearance of Christ on earth. At His appearance, all the redeemed will leave this world via the Rapture to be with Him forever.

Which is Easier For You?

Friend, if you died tonight, where do you think you will end up? If you are unsure of your eternal destiny, now is the time to make your life right with God. You see, all human beings (me included) are sinners! If you would honestly assess yourself right now, you probably have lied to someone. Or have taken something that did not belong to you. You might have looked at someone with lust in your heart. Or hated someone and wished him/her evil. Or, used God’s name as a cuss word. If so, that makes you a lying thief, an adulterer, a murderer, and a blasphemer! I think you know where such kinds of people end up already. You, like me, are in a dangerous position!

But God sent Jesus to earth on a rescue mission! That’s what it says in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

All who turn to God in humble repentance, coming back to The Creator and asking for forgiveness, believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who gave His life on the cross as payment for sin, Who rose again on the third day, ascended to heaven and is coming back to take all His believers with Him to heaven, you can receive forgiveness for your sins and be restored into a relationship with God!

All you need to do is repent, ask Him to forgive you, and entrust your present and future to Jesus Christ. If you are sincere, the Bible says you are SAVED and made as new again! “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” (Romans 10:9-11)

You can stop being ashamed of what you’ve made out of your life. Guilt does not have to haunt you until your dying day. Accept the offer from Jesus and the receipt of His Gift of eternal life today. Hurry! This offer is good only until the Rapture!

If you’ve decided to believe in Jesus, let me know! I wish to help you grow in your new faith in the God of the Bible Whose promises never fail.

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Until then, God bless you!