Hebrews 2:5-13

5: For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. 
6: But one has testified somewhere, saying, “WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU REMEMBER HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM? 
7: “YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAVE APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; 
8: YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

9: But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 
10: For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 
11: For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 
12: saying, “I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” 
13: And again, “I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.” And again, “BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.”

*** 

To further his point that the new covenant spoken by Christ is superior to the old which was mediated by angels, Paul pointed out that God did not give angels authority over the world to come. The world to come means the world functioning under the new covenant in place now. Angels did have, and still do to the degree God gives them, some presence and rule in the world, but man in Christ rules with Him in this new world. In Christ man is exalted above the angels.

This new world began when the new covenant was instituted through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father, but it begins personally for each person when they believe in Him and accept the salvation He purchased for them, and His lordship in their life. The rule of man in the world will be fully implemented when Jesus returns. In the meantime, we live and function in God's invisible kingdom, while also living in the world as an example and a light to draw others to Christ.

Paul quoted Psalm 8:4-6 where David said God had made man, for a little while, lower than the angels having appointed him over the work of His hands, and having made all things in subjection under his feet. We don’t see this full rule of man now as it will be, but we do see Jesus. He, as God, was far superior to angels when He came to the earth as a man. Yet He was made lower than them for a time. He suffered for us—being crowned with honor and glory, tasting death for every person. Through His suffering and death He brings many sons to glory. So we see both the Sanctifier and the sanctified are birthed from the Father—sons of God and brethren of Christ. Paul also quoted Psalm 22:22 and Isaiah 8:17-18 which are both references to God’s people being brethren of Christ and children of God.


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