The Glory of Jesus in Comparison to the Angels

Of the angels He says, 
"
Who makes His angels winds, 
And His ministers a flame of fire.” 
But of the Son He says, 
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, 
And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. 

(Hebrews 1:7-8)

In speaking of winds and flames of fire, the author refers to the manifested glory of the Angels that have stricken men with holy fear all throughout history. When Zacharias saw an angel, though He was a very holy man, “fear gripped him” (Luke 1:11-20). When the shepherds saw an angel, “they were terribly frightened” (Luke 2:9). When John saw angelic glory in Revelation 19, even he could not help but fall at his feet “to worship him” (Revelation 19:10). These visual manifestations of glory are other-worldly and awe-striking, but are nothing compared to the simple revelation of Christ as King. His glory infinitely outshines theirs. 

A flame may be useful to a King to warm Him, and a wind to cool Him, but they have no worth in comparison to the King Himself. It is not uncommon to see someone staring in wonder into a flame, admiring its’ shifting colors and shapes. For many, it causes wonder quite unlike anything else in the world. On a hot day, what brings more relief and temporary flashes of joy than a cool gust of wind? But, as glorious as fire and wind are, can they at all compare with a King? If a flame, a gust of wind, and a King were in the room, would anyone think to bow down to the flame or the wind? Never! The King sits in a regal glory that utterly steals the show from the flame and the wind. No one sees the flame, except in how it reflects off of the King’s face. No one notices the wind, except in how it blows through His hair. In the same way, Christ so out-shines the angels that their value and glory is absolutely nil in comparison. The angels are more alive than even we are, but Jesus is so infinitely alive that, in sight of Him, it is as if the angels are not at alive at all (being compared to fire and wind). Jesus is so infinitely powerful, authoritative, beautiful and holy that it is as if the angels had no power, authority, beauty or holiness at all.

Is that the Jesus that we know? A wonderfully alive, infinitely powerful, righteous, beautiful and holy King? A sovereign, victorious savior? If the angels, having infinitely less glory, cause such fear in those who see them, how much more frightened might we be if we got a glimpse of Jesus' glory? Our faces would fall into the dust in holy fear and our hearts would be lifted up to the skies in holy love. May He grant us to see Him as He is, and to flick our weak little idols in the trash!  

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8) 

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3

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