Is Jesus an Angel?(Hebrews 1)

 Is Jesus an Angel?

Some people, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, have made the claim that Jesus is merely an angel. We have noted his divine claims before (here), but today we want to look at a specific example. "God, who at sundry(several) times and in divers(several) manners spake(spoke) in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son(Jesus), whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high," (Hebrews 1:1-3 KJV). 

There are many things to note in this passage; firstly, the writer claims the son(Jesus) "...made the worlds," (Hebrews 1:2 KJV). Who made the world? "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth," (Genesis 1:1 KJV). The passage also claims he is the brightness of his glory(Hebrews 1:3), how could a mere sinless being(which Jesus is not) be God's glory? Something so pure, that when a person came in its presence in the Old Testament they died(Exodus 33:20, Deuternomoy 5:25, & Numbers 18:22). "...the express image of his person," (Exodus 1:3 KJV). Whose person? The person of God, Jesus is the express image of God.

"4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he(Jesus) hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they(Angels, Messangers)," (Hebrews 1:4 KJV). Jesus is superior to the angels as the verse states, one cannot be an angel yet be superior to angels aswell. Some have tried to claim this verse means Jesus is created; however, a person who makes this claim only is reading part of the verse. What was made? "...a more excellent name than they," (Hebrews 1:4 KJV).  The name Jesus, Emmanuel(God is with us), are greater than the angels. "5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?" (Hebrews 1:5 KJV). This furthers the point that Jesus is not an angel, for as the author writes, the angels have never been called the son. Some have also noted it seems likely the writer is referencing Psalm 2:7 here, "I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee," (Psalm 2:7 KJV). 

"6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him," (Hebrews 1:6 KJV). This verse is commanding angels to worship the son, the firstbegotten. Whom is one told to worship? "14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God," (Exodus 34:14 KJV). Jesus is meant to be worshiped.

"7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom," (Hebrews 1:7-8 KJV). To the son(Jesus), his throne is everlasting. The son, whose throne is forever, is God. 

"9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands(reference to Genesis): 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews 1:9-14 KJV).