Let us take a little review of what we have already passed over. In the first chapter we learn that God still speaks to us by His Son, who is Heir of all things, by whom all things were created, and who, because He is the shining of the Father’s glory and the very image of His substance, and bears all things upon His own life, has made reconciliation for sins, and is seated at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens, having “a name that is above every name.” He is better than the angels, because He is the uncreated, begotten Son, the Creator. To Him, and not to the angels, has it been said, “Sit on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.” Nevertheless the angels are not insignificant beings, since they have the speed and strength of the winds, and the brightness and swiftness of the lightning. These glorious beings are content to be servants to mortals who are heirs of salvation, since it is the will of the Master.
But though the angels are so excellent in strength, to them has not been committed the work of preaching the word of salvation. That at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and by Him, is committed to them that hear. The reason why the Gospel is not committed to angels, is that “unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak,” is the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwells righteousness, and is identical with the world that was in the beginning, when man was made king over it and all that it contained. “Whatsoever God does, it shall be for ever” (Ecclesiastes 3.14), and therefore the earth once given to man must for ever remain his. Therefore it is that to man is given the work of preaching the Gospel, by the power of which “the first dominion” is to be restored. The heavens are the heavens of the Lord; but the earth hath He given to the children of men.” Psalm 115.16
“But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see, Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. It was not this “present evil world,” blighted by the curse that God gave to man.” No; from this we are to be delivered by Christ, who gave Himself for that purpose. Galatians 1.4. This world passes away, but “the world to come” is man’s everlasting possession, and the right to it has been earned by Christ’s life and death and resurrection. Since the world was in the beginning given to man, to Christ has been given authority to execute judgment, “because He is the Son of man.” John 5.27. Who has the right to judge, if not the King? And this right Christ has obtained for all men, since He “by the grace of God tasted death “for every man.” All who accept Christ are raised to sit with Him, and made kings and priests. “He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory.” 1 Samuel 2.8