Satan is a usurper. Satan's personality can be observed throughout history as men have seized the rights and wealth of others in order to better themselves. To take by force or trickery what is not lawfully ours is a wicked act. Whoever does this will eventually find himself in a barren wasteland, and there will be no relief provided or mercy shown to the one who has shown no mercy.

Christ by inheritance is greater than the angels.

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)

Another significant although incomprehensible fact is that the saints are coheirs with Christ.

It may be observed in this essay and in all our other writings that we exalt Christ as very God of very God. In no way are we attempting to detract from the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We do maintain that Christ is not the same Person as the Father. It is our point of view that Christian theology is too close to the "oneness" position, that is, the view of the Godhead as one Person in three manifestations.

Also, we do not envision three Gods. Rather we hold to the Scripture that Jesus is God's Son, and that in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form.

We are emphasizing, not that Christ is being pulled down from His position at the right hand of the Father but that we, His brothers by Divine birth, have been chosen to be coheirs with Him of the works of God's hands. It is our opinion that our viewpoint will stand the test when compared with the relevant passages of the Scriptures.

Christ is greater than the angels because God has called Christ His Son. The Son is Lord and Heir of all, while the angels are servants in the Divine household.

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)

Christ is to be the Firstborn among a vast number of sons. God has commanded the angels of Heaven to worship Christ, thus exalting Jesus as Lord of Heaven.

And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 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)

The angels are spiritual beings, compared to a flame in that their personalities, assignments, and actions are constantly changing. They are as a wind that blows from here to there as God directs.

Christ, however, is not constantly changing, blowing from here to there. He is resurrected and glorified flesh and bones. His inheritance is the highest throne from which He will administer the laws of righteousness instituted by His Father.

To be continued.