A great question was asked this past Sunday by Raheem Bumbray on who is mightier or greater in heaven, man or angels?

I have thought more about this question and the answer is unequivocally, redeemed man has a higher position in heaven than the angels.

While Jesus Himself was made a little lower than the angels in that He took on human flesh (Psalm 8:5), we can say that angels are greater than man in our present, earthly condition. As redeemed sinners, we will die one day, and the angels in heaven never die. But when we see Jesus, man will attain to a higher position in heaven than the angels. This higher position of man is seen in a number of ways. 

For one, the Savior Jesus Christ is the perfect man who is now glorified in heaven, far above all principalities and powers. While He was made a little lower than the angels, He is now “crowned with glory and honor.” He has dominion over all the works of God’s hand, and all things are put under His feet (Psalm 8:4-9)  Jesus Christ Himself is far above all angelic power as the Second Person of the Trinity and the Son of God. When we see Him, we will be like Him, and also be far above the race of angels created by God. 

Second, in the coming Kingdom of God, man shall judge the angels, which puts man above angels in authority (1 Cor. 6:3). David Lopez shared this verse with us during the question and answer time. 

Third, some details of the eternal city of God also indicate the greater position of man. This city will be a place where God Himself will tabernacle with men and dwell with them (Rev. 21:3-4). The gates are named after the 12 children of Jacob while the foundation stones are named after the 12 apostles of Christ. Nothing is named after the angels in the eternal city from what is written in Scripture. These truths demonstrate man’s greatness over the angelic race in heaven.

Finally, Jesus said that “whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt.18:4) So may God give us all humble hearts to enter heaven and enjoy the glory of God and to see Jesus, and in seeing Him to like Him when we see Him as He is!