Sunday, December 23, 2007

Hebrews 2

By way of reminder, Hebrews is an epistle addressed to three different groups of Jews residing in one particular community. One group was Jewish non-Christians who didn't believe anything about the gospel. A second group was Jewish Christians who were still hanging on to the rituals of Judaism. The third group was Jewish non-Christians who were intellectually convinced about the truths of the gospel, but who had never committed their lives to Christ. The writer of Hebrews had one purpose: To show all three groups that Jesus Christ brought a New Covenant that is better than the old one. He wanted to prove to the Jews that the Old Covenant was not wrong but incomplete, for Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant. To prove that the New Covenant is better, this, the writer of Hebrews discusses the important characters of the Old Covenant and shows Christ to be better than all of them. In Hebrews 1:1-3 we saw that Christ is better than everyone and everything. Then in verses 4-14 the writer dealt specifically with Christ's superiority over angels. - The Superiority of Christ - The Tragedy of Neglecting Salvation: www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1604.htm

(1) *So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may **drift away from it.

*So ="Therefore" - Because of the superiority of Jesus to the angels, we must give heed to Jesus.

**drift away: The figure is that of a boat drifting along at an almost imperceptible pace being carried along in the wrong direction by a subtle current. What this current is that may cause us to drift becomes obvious throughout Hebrews - a movement back to Judaism and the law - leaving salvation by grace and going back to an attempt at salvation by works. But, this movement happens in such small stages that the change is not noticed until it's too late.

There are two key Greek words in Hebrews 2:1: prosecho, which means "listen carefully" or "to moor a ship" and pararheomen, which means "to let slip" or "drift away." Pararheomen can be used of a ship that has been carelessly allowed to drift past the harbor because the sailor forgot to attend to the steerage or chart the wind, tides, and current. Verse 1 could be translated this way: "Therefore, we must diligently anchor our lives to the things we have been taught lest the ship of life drift past the harbor of salvation and be lost forever." That is a graphic picture of what happens.

What does "drifting away" mean? The primary application is for people who are in danger of dismissing the gospel despite exposure to it. In a secondary sense, there is application for those who have received the gospel but are in danger of dismissing it as one interest among many. The writer has a very simple word of exhortation to guard against drifting away. It is this: "Pay attention!" It is a message that will reappear several more times in this great book. This simplifies things, doesn't it? Paying attention may not be the easiest thing to do, but at least we know what we have to do. We must seek to scrutinize Jesus, to be engaged by him, to have our hearts penetrated and our minds transformed. When all else fails, beg God to show you Jesus, the true Jesus who is that treasure, that pearl of great price. The Holy Spirit, who is called the Spirit of truth, has been given to help us pay attention, to fasten our minds on the truth, to call Jesus Christ to our attention (John 16:7-14). Knowing that paying attention is difficult, the writer gives us two compelling reasons to do so. The first reason for paying attention to the gospel is that the consequences for disregarding it are tragic. The second reason for paying attention is that the benefits for embracing it are staggering. - Hebrews: www.pbc.org/books/Hebrews

One of the modern causes of "drifting away" is the theory of evolution. Bombarded by secular humanism, false religions and even plastic counterfeit “Christianity” offered as “truth,” it is hard to maintain a true course if one is not founded in the WORD that directs life. You don’t have to do anything to simply drift away; most Christian regress comes from a slow drifting, not from a sudden departure.

When we live and grow up in churches where we are accustomed to hearing the gospel message, all of us get to the point where we tend from time to time to slip into a mode where amazing grace is not amazing any more. In fact, it’s down right boring and routine. It’s expected. And that is a danger for everyone, especially those who grow up and are blessed in churches where the gospel is preached regularly. You become complacent about the gospel message. And the author of Hebrews here seems to be more concerned about those who are not going to outright reject the gospel, but those who might drift away from it. Look at his words. “So that we do not drift away from it.” He’s concerned about apathy or indifference to the truth. He’s not so concerned about people who are going to stand up in the middle of the sermon and say I don’t believe the gospel; that’s a bunch of rubbish. And we don’t have too many people around here that would stand up and do that. I wouldn’t guess that there would be many Baptist churches in town where folks would stand up in the middle of the preacher’s sermon and say, “We just don’t believe this gospel stuff; it’s a bunch of rubbish.” But I bet there are a lot of people that are in danger of neglecting the gospel or drifting away right in our midst. And the author of Hebrews is speaking right to that situation. In the face of that temptation what he wants us to remember is the seriousness of the gospel. - Hebrews: www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/hebrews/Vol%201.htm/

(2) For the message God delivered through *angels has always stood firm, and every **violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.

*angels:
Acts 7:53: You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”
Galatians 3:19: Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.

The concept that angels mediated the Law is found in Deuteronomy 33:2, Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19 and Josephus, Antiquities, 15.53. "Angels" occurs 13 times in Hebrews.

**violation of the law and every act of disobedience: speak of a conscious rejection of God's will; i.e., an unwillingness to listen to God's voice.

The author is calling his readers to personal commitment and responsibility. Yes, God has saved and kept us by faith through grace, but He expects us to respond to His grace.

(3) So what makes us think we can escape if we *ignore this **great ***salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?

*ignore: Greek amelesantes means to neglect through apathy or make light of or not to care about something as in 1 Timothy 4:14: Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Amelesantes is used in Matthew 22:5 (ignored them) of those who disregarded the invitation to the marriage supper. It means to have the opportunity, but to ignore or disregard it.

The danger is that some people will 'ignore' (literally 'be careless' about) this salvation. Matthew 22 illustrates the meaning of this phrase. In this chapter, Jesus is explaining the parable of the wedding feast as a picture of the kingdom of heaven. The feast has been prepared for all those who wish to come, but the invitation is continually rejected by those who are invited (verse 3). Again the king sends out slaves with the invitation to come to the feast. But note verse 5; 'But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business.' The phrase 'paid no attention' is the word 'neglect' that is used in Hebrews 2:3. Those in Matthew 22 were not interested in the wedding feast. They 'ignored' their invitation.

**great : This is a great salvation because the destiny we are saved for is great: we will one day break free from cancer and paralysis and arthritis and blindness and depression and corruption and futility and inherit the glory of the risen Son of God. He has been crowned with glory and honor (2:9); and that is where he is leading us. And it is a great salvation because the Savior is great: This is the Son of God who came, not an angel, not a mere human being, but the Son of God, who is God -- worshipped and revered forever. No one less than God has come to lead us to glory. So this is a great salvation because the Forerunner is great and because the goal is great. The Forerunner is the Son of God and the goal is glory of God.

***salvation: What is this salvation, which the writer describes as "so great a salvation"? Although salvation has past, present and future aspects, the writer here speaks of salvation as in the future. He speaks of those who "will inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:14), and he speaks of "the world to come" (Hebrews 2:5). It is the future and eternal reign of Jesus Christ over God's new creation. Salvation, then, in the writer's mind, is entering into the kingdom to come (Hebrews 12:28). What makes it great? It is great because of the greatness of "the author of salvation" (Hebrews 2:10). Up until this point, the writer has done little else but describe the greatness the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Salvation is great because the Savior is great. The writer then proceeds to tell us that there is ample evidence to believe the gospel. It was first spoken through the Lord, namely, Jesus. The title "Lord" implies that the message is one that should be heeded. Immediately after going public, Jesus began "preaching the gospel of God," inviting people to be part of "the kingdom of God" (Mark 1:14-15). The gospel heralded by the Lord was "confirmed" by those who heard it: the apostles and other contemporaries who became followers of Jesus. That confirmation comes to us in the New Testament, the apostolic witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we read the gospel of John, for example, we have an eyewitness account of one who walked with Jesus, heard and saw what he did, and even leaned on his breast (John 21:20-24). The words concerning Jesus in the New Testament are "what we have heard," and we should pay close attention to them. - Hebrews: www.pbc.org/books/Hebrews

This is a word to believers, not to the unsaved. The danger described isn’t rejecting salvation (though the principle certainly applies), but neglecting salvation Remember that Hebrews was written not primarily as an evangelistic tract, but as an encouragement and warning to discouraged Christians, those who neglected an abiding walk with Jesus.

The warning in Hebrews 2:1-4 is the first of five great warnings interjected throughout the book of Hebrews. Each one occurs in the middle of a treatise on the superiority of Christ. It's as if the writer can teach only so much before he has to confront his audience about their response. You can know all the truth there is to know about Jesus Christ and still go to hell if you never do anything about it. To whom is the warning directed? To Hebrew non-Christians who are intellectually convinced about the gospel, but have never committed their life to Christ. You have probably met people like that who say, "I believe, but I'm not ready to make a commitment." They go to church and hear the Word of God. They know it's true, but they are not willing to commit themselves to Jesus Christ. They are like the man who believes a boat can hold him but never gets in. I believe the warning is directed to the intellectually convinced--those who have heard the gospel and know the facts about Jesus Christ, but are not willing to receive Christ as Savior. That's the most tragic category of people in existence. The warning could not be to Christians because they are never in danger of neglecting salvation since they already have it. They might neglect growth and discipleship, but they could never neglect salvation. The warning can't be directed to people who've never heard the gospel because they can't neglect what they don't know exists. The only group left is those non-Christians who are intellectually convinced of the gospel but not committed to it. - The Superiority of Christ - The Tragedy of Neglecting Salvation: www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1604.htm

(4) And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Acts 2:43: A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

In addition to the words being spoke by the Lord, and being confirmed by eyewitnesses, God Himself testified about Christ with signs and wonders. People were raised from the dead, (Matthew 9:24, John 11:39), the blind were healed (Matthew 9:27, Matthew 20:30), the lame walked (Matthew 15:30). The Holy Spirit gave gifts to those believed; prophecy, healing, tongues, etc. The miracles of scripture, also testifies about Him, telling of his death and rejection by his people. (Isaiah 52:12-53:13), The exact time of his death (Daniel 9:24-27 Daniel’s 70 weeks), about his return (Zechariah 12:10).

The Son is superior to the angels.

(5) And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about.

(6) For in one place the Scriptures say, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a *son of man that you should care for him?

*son of man: Jesus himself used the title "Son of Man" for himself, a title that took on a broader concept than the one contained in Psalm 8 with the prophet Daniel, who envisioned the Son of Man receiving "dominion, glory and a kingdom" (Daniel 7:13). It is possible that the author understands "son of man" to be a title for Christ. Jesus' favorite title for himself was "son of man" according to the gospels. More importantly, the author of Hebrews understood "son of man" to express the concept of Christ as Second (or Last) Adam. Paul gives the fullest treatment of Jesus as Second Adam in Romans 5:12-21 and 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 45-49. Christ as Second Adam reversed the Fall. By First Adam's disobedience, sin and death entered the world. By Second Adam's (Christ's) obedience the possibility of righteousness and life became available. It is likely that the author of Hebrews wanted to include Psalm 8:4 in his quotation so that his readers would recognize the concept of Christ as Second Adam in the phrase son of man.

(7) Yet you made *them only a little lower than the angels and crowned *them with glory and honor.

*them: or him

Some manuscripts add You gave them (or him) charge of everything you made.

It is Scripturally wrong to think of Jesus as merely God or merely man. It is wrong to think of Him as 50% God, 50% man (or any other percentage split). It is wrong to think of Him as “man on the outside” and “God on the inside.” The Bible teaches Jesus is fully God and fully man, that a human nature was added to His divine nature, and both natures existed in one Person, Jesus Christ. Significantly, the first false teaching about Jesus arising in the church was not that He wasn’t God, but that He wasn’t really human and He only seemed to be human. The heresy was called Docetism, coming from the Greek word to seem, and was taught by Cerinthus, who opposed the apostle John in the city of Ephesus, and whose teaching is probably the focus of 1 John 4:2 and 5:6.

(8) You gave *them authority over all things.” Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority.

*them: or him; their: or his

Psalm 8:4-6: what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority

(9) What we do see is *Jesus, who was given a position “a **little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.

*Jesus: The writer uses the Lord's human name here, Jesus, to emphasize his humanity. He was made like us. He became a man. He came in the flesh, and on the cross he who knew no sin became sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21), becoming less than the angels.

**little: for a short time

(10) God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his *suffering, a **perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

*suffering: Through suffering, Jesus completed the work necessary for our own salvation. Our suffering can make us more sensitive servants of God. People who have known pain are able to reach out with compassion to others who hurt. If you have suffered, ask God how your experience can be used to help others.
2 Corinthians 1:4: He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

**perfect: "Perfect" is from teleioo which also means "to be complete". Not perfect in that He was imperfect before death, but rather the idea of being completed, finished. Has to do with the idea of fully completing a course, making it to the end of God's plan.

NIV: In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the *author of their salvation perfect through suffering. *author = Greek archegon = author, trailblazer, guide or champion. Hercules was called the archegon (champion) and soter (savior). Hebrews 12:2: We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Why does God sometimes not answer our prayers for healing, relief from problems etc.?

The Son's Solidarity with the "Sons"

(11) So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.

(12) For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”

Psalm 22:22: I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. Remember, this psalm is Messianic, starting with My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?:

Psalm 22:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water,and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him— may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn— for he has done it.

As pioneer on the perfection trail there is a true sense in which Jesus is also the one who perfects us. Shifting to the language of priestly consecration, the author states in verse 11 that the one who sanctifies - that is Jesus - and those who are sanctified - that will be all of us who will follow Christ on the trail to fellowship and obedience to God - have one Father. In other words, life on the trail between fallen humanity and a holy God is a family life, a community life. It is the family formed by shared obedience and being made perfect by suffering. Thus Jesus is not ashamed to call them [us] brothers and sisters. - Hebrews 2:5-3:6 by Roger Hahn: www.crivoice.org/biblestudy/bbheb3.html

(13) He also said, “I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.”

Isaiah 8:17-18: I will wait for the Lord, who has turned away from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my hope in him. I and the children the Lord has given me serve as signs and warnings to Israel from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies who dwells in his Temple on Mount Zion.

The reasons for the incarnation.

(14) Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he *die, and only by dying could he **break the power of the devil, who ***had the power of death.

*die: Suffering of death is a recurring theme in Hebrews (5:7-10, 9:26-28, 12:1-3).

**break: Greek katargeo - means to render inoperative or ineffective.

***had - or has

John 1:14: So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Romans 8:3: The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22,26, 53-56: So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
Hebrews 10:5-7: That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.’”
Hebrews 12:2: We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Philippians 2:7-8: Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
1 Timothy 3:16: Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.
Revelation 20:14: Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.

The only way Jesus could break the power of Satan and of death was to die; and the only way He could die was by becoming human.

(15) Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the *fear of dying.

*fear of dying: We're not set free from dying, but from the fear of dying.

Why did the Father will the death of his only beloved Son, and in so painful and shameful a form? Because the Father had laid on him the sins of us all (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus’ death was vicarious (undergone in our place) and atoning (securing remission of sins for us and reconciliation to God). It was a sacrificial death, fulfilling the principle of atonement taught in connection with the Old Testament sacrifices: “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22; Leviticus 17:11). As the “last Adam,” the second man in history to act on mankind’s behalf, Jesus died a representative death. As a sacrificial victim who put away our sins by undergoing the death penalty that was our due, Jesus died as our substitute. By removing God’s wrath against us for sin, his death was an act of propitiation (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10 —“expiation,” signifying that which puts away sin, is only half the meaning). By saving us from slavery to ungodliness and divine retribution for sin, Jesus’ death was an act of redemption (Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19). By mediating and making peace between us and God, it was an act of reconciliation (Romans 5:10-11). It opened the door to our justification (pardon and acceptance) and our adoption (becoming God’s sons and heirs—Romans 5:1,9; Galatians 4:4-5). This happy relationship with our Maker, based on and sealed by blood atonement, is the “New Covenant” of which Jesus spoke in the Upper Room (1 Corinthians 11:25; Matthew 26:28). - A Sacrificial Death: www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=366

(16) We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the *descendants of Abraham.

*descendants of Abraham: That is, the Jewish people.

This verse is rendered in the King James version as For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

(17) Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High *Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.

*Priest: The Son had to become human because high priests are taken from among human beings and He had to become a high priest in order to offer the ultimate sacrifice for sins. This theme of Jesus as the high priest is expanded upon in chapters 4 & 5 and then fully covered in chapter 7 where we learn that Jesus is a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 4:14 : So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.

Hebrews 5:1-2: Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses.

(18) Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Jesus, both human and divine, is the bridge between us and God.


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On-Line Sources:

A Sacrificial Death: www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=366
A Study in the Book of Hebrews: By Dr. David L. Cooper: www.biblicalresearch.info/page425.html
Angels, God’s Ministering Spirits: www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=711
Bible Explained: Hebrews: www.bibleexplained.com/epistles-o/hebr/heb.htm
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Chuck Missler - Exodus: www.blueletterbible.org
Clarke's Commentary: www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarkeheb2.htm
Commentary on the Letter to the Hebrews by Dr Peter Pett: uk.geocities.com/jonpartin/hebrewsa.html
Commentary on Hebrews, by John Gill: www.pbministries.org/Landmark_Baptist/Seminary/Bible_Study_Courses/Hebrews/hebrews_chap02.htm
Crosswalk: Hebrews: bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/DarbysSynopsisofNewTestament/dby.cgi?book=heb
David Guzik's Commentaries on Hebrews: www.enduringword.com/commentaries/58.html
First Presbyterian Church of Jackson: Hebrews: www.fpcjackson.org/resources/sermons/hebrews/Vol%201.htm/
Hebrews 2:5-3:6 by Roger Hahn: www.crivoice.org/biblestudy/bbheb3.html
Net Bible: http://www.bible.org/netbible/index.htm
Our Captain Made Perfect Through Suffering: www.soundofgrace.com/piper96/06-02-96.htm
PB Ministries: Pink's Exposition of Hebrews: www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Hebrews/hebrews.htm
Perfection or Perdition: www.levendwater.org/books/perfection_or_perdition/index.htm
Studies in Hebrews: www.bible.org/passage.php?passage_id=58
Study Guide for Hebrews by Chuck Smith: www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/chuck_smith/sg/hebrews.html
The Book of Hebrews: www.truthnet.org/Christianity/Hebrews/Introduction/
The Epistle To The Hebrews: rapturealert.blogspot.com/2007/11/epistle-to-hebrews.html
The Epistle To The Hebrews Part 1: http://www.gracethrufaith.com/selah/spiritual-life/the-epistle-to-the-hebrews-part-1
The Five Warnings of Hebrews: www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=50
The Superiority of Christ - The Tragedy of Neglecting Salvation: www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1604.htm
Off-Line Sources:

"Archaeological Study Bible", NIV Version - Zondervan Publishing House
"Cruden's Complete Concordance" - Zondervan Publishing House
Exploring Hebrews - John Phillips - Kregel Publications
"Life Application Study Bible" - New Living Translation version - Tyndale House Publishers
"The Companion Bible" by E. W. Bullinger - Zondervan Publishing House
"The Defender's Study Bible" -World Bible Publishers
The NIV Application Commentary - Hebrews - George H. Guthrie - Zondervan Publishing House
"Unger's Bible Dictionary" - Merrill F. Unger - Thomas Nelson Publishers
Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary - W. E. Vine - Thomas Nelson Publishers
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Sunday, December 2, 2007

Hebrews 1

  The intention of this epistle being to demonstrate the superior excellency of the Gospel revelation to the legal one, the apostle begins with the divine author of it, in which they both agree, and observes that in other things they differ. The revelation under the law was made in times past, the Gospel revelation in these last days; the former was made top the Jewish fathers that were of old, the latter to the then present apostles; the one was made at sundry times, and in divers manners, the other was made at once, and in one way; the one was made by the prophets of the Lord, the other by his own son (vv. 1,b2), and therefore the latter must be the more excellent; in proof of which the author enlarges on the character of the son of God, with respect to his person, office, and glory; showing that he is heir of all things, the Maker of the worlds, of the same nature and glory with his father; is omnipotent, and upholds all things by the word of his power; is the High-priest of his people, who has made satisfaction for their sins, and purged them from them, and is now at the right had of God (vv. 2, 3). He goes on to prove that he is more excellent than the angels, by a variety of arguments, and these supported by testimonies from the Scriptures; as that he has a more excellent name than any of them, being called the Son of God (vv. 4,5), which is proved from Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:12-16. that he is the object of the worship of angels (v. 6), which is required of them, Psalm 97:7. that he is their Maker and creator (v. 7), which appears from Psalm 104:4. that he has an everlasting kingdom, is a righteous king, and is richly anointed above his fellows (vv. 8, 9), which is the sense of some passages in Psalm 14:6,7, and that he is the founder and former of the heavens, and of the earth, and will endure when they shall not (vv. 10, 11, 12), which is confirmed by testimonies out of Psalm 102:25, 26, 27, that he sits at the right hand of God, where none of the angels were ever admitted, (v. 13), as is clear from Psalm 110. and besides, the angels, as they are ministers made by him, they are sent out from him to wait on his people, the heirs of salvation, and minister to them, and therefore he must be greater than they are (v. 14). - Commentary on Hebrews, by John Gill: www.pbministries.org/Landmark_Baptist/Seminary/Bible_Study_Courses/Hebrews/hebrews_chap01.htm


(1) Long ago *God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the **prophets.


*God: In the original Greek, the first word in Hebrews is "God" (Theos) as "Paul" is the first word in most of Paul's epistles.


**prophets: Acts 10:43: He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”


   Notice how Hebrews starts as a sermon rather than a letter or epistle.


   Because of man’s limited ability to comprehend, God has chosen to reveal himself to humanity, little by little. He disclosed himself at times through the Law, and then again through Prophecy, Types, Shadows, Sacrifices, Visions, Dreams, Audible Voice, and Angels.


   God walked with Adam, but following Adam’s sin God’s communication with man was distant and sporadic. God would communicate with man, through representatives, who would make his will known. Abraham, Moses, and Joshua saw God appear in Human form. Daniel received messages through Gabriel, by dreams and visions. The method of revelation varied, some more direct then others. On Mt. Sinai, at the request of the children of Israel, God chose to speak through prophets, rather then direct to the people. Man’s sin broke the relationship between man and God. A sacrificial system was put in place to atone for sins, and to point to the ultimate fulfillment of sacrifice, the death of Messiah (Daniel 9:26, Isaiah 53. )


Deuteronomy 18:16,18: For this is what you yourselves requested of the Lord your God when you were assembled at Mount Sinai. You said, ‘Don’t let us hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore or see this blazing fire, for we will die.’ I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him.


(2) And now in these *final days, he has spoken to us through ***his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an ***inheritance, and through the Son ****he created the universe.


*final days: Literally, “at the end of these days,” which may be understood to mean either:



  1. The closing of the Jewish period or age

  2. The period of the Messiah…this denotes the final phase of history, brought on by the first coming of Christ, continuing until his second coming and the consummation of all things.


Hebrews 9:26: If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

1 Peter 1:20: God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

1 Corinthians 10:11: These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.


**his Son: “Son of Elohim” is a title for the incumbent ruler of Israel in the royal line of Davidic kings. (Psalm 2:7; 1 Chronicles 22:10). God has sent His Son to speak for Him…as wonderful as the prophets were, how can they compare to God’s own Son?

Matthew 21:37: “Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

Mark 9:7: Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.”

John 1:14: So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

Galatians 4:4: But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.


***inheritance: The words of Calvin are important here: “If Christ is the heir of all good things, then we must be in Christ to receive an inheritance.” If we want to receive what God has desired for those children that He has created, we must be in saving relationship to Christ and that means trusting Him for our salvation. It means all the claims that He makes about Himself. It means believing on Him as our Lord and Savior and being brought into a walk of fellowship with Him whereby He saves us by grace. If we are in Him like that, then we are fellow heirs, Paul says in Ephesians. He says He becomes our brother, as if we along with Him become co-inheritors of the mansions in glory which God has been preparing from the foundations of the world. When there is only one son, there is only one heir. Christ is the heir of all things precisely because God has one Son and only one heir.


****he created the universe:

John 1:1-3: In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

1 Corinthians 8:6: But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.

Colossians 1:16: for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.


(3) The Son *radiates God’s own **glory and expresses the ***very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our ****sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the *****right hand of the majestic God in heaven.


  According to oriental customs no monarch, seated on his throne, would invite anyone other than a fellow sovereign to sit at his right hand. God used this current language, with which the people were familiar, to convey the thought that the man Jesus of Nazareth was His equal.


*radiates God’s own glory: Literally, "Who being (existing as) the radiance of his glory". This radiance was perhaps reflected in Christ most fully before men on the mount of transfiguration. The active meaning has the idea of emitting brightness and the meaning is that shekinah glory of God radiated from Christ. Glory (doxa) refers to the brilliant radiancy from the person of God. Jesus is the very radiance of God’s glory.



* *glory:

Luke 9:32: Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him.

 John 1:14: So the Word became human (became flesh) and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 2:11: This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

 John 17:5: Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

 Thessalonians 2:14: He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.


***very character: Greek charaktêr comes from charassô, to cut, to scratch, to mark. It was first used of the tool that did the marking, then of the mark or impress which it made, the exact reproduction. It was used of the ‘stamped out image’ on coins, and of the impression that was reproduced by seals and dies. It thus indicates an exact representation. No law or set of laws, no fasts, feasts or sacrifices, no prophet, no angel, not even Moses could be the exact image of God, except Christ. Literally, "the exact representation of his being". The very character and attributes of God’s existence were visibly, audibly, and physically expressed in the person of Jesus Christ, so that Jesus declared, “I and my Father are one,” one in nature and essence being and existence. The Son of God is, then, the revelation of the person of God.

An example is Joseph, to whom Pharaoh gave all power in the land of Egypt, with the single exception of the throne. Joseph was all-powerful. He had complete dominion over all of Egypt. The throne, that is the kingship, was the only thing kept from him. He could do anything Pharaoh could do with the one exception that he was not the king. He was Pharaoh's right hand man. Joseph is a type of Christ. He was anointed by the king of all of Egypt to be the governor of all the land.

This type is a picture of Christ, who sits upon the throne at the right hand of the Father. He is given all things and has all the power of the Father. He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent just as is the Father. The Son is the Second Person of the Godhead. There will always be the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. They will always be separate Persons, but One God. This is similar to Joseph, who had all the power of the king, but would never be the king. Jesus is always the Son and not the Father. But again, He is the exact Image of the Father. The Father is all powerful as is the Son

John 14:7,9: If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?

Colossians 1:15: Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,


****sins: Greek hamartia - failing to hit the mark.


*****right hand: To be seated at the right hand of a ruler or host meant occupying a place of high honor. The position itself was considered an indicator of the power and authority of the one holding it. Someone who sat at the king's right hand was the king's "right-hand man", as Joseph was to Pharaoh, as the one acting as the principal agent of the king's authority, through whom he carried out his most important work. In addition, sitting at the right hand was a statement of fellowship and favor between the central figure and the individual so honored.

Psalm 110:1: The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

Ephesians 1:19-20: ...the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

 1 Peter 3:22: Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

Revelation 3:21: Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

Philippians 2:6: Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.


(4) This shows that the Son is far greater than the *angels, just as the **name God gave him is greater than their names.


*angels: Occurs 13 times in Hebrews. In Hebrew the angels are called, b'nai haElohim, which is translated sons of God. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.


**name: The more excellent name is the “Son of God.”.

Isaiah 9:6: For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


   Angels had an important place among both orthodox (e.g. the Pharisees) and unorthodox (the Essenes, etc.) Jews, as well as in the Gentile world (Colossians 2.18). They were seen as intermediaries and mediators, maintaining the separation of the awesome holiness of God from men. They were those through Whom God acted because He Himself was unapproachable. Others considered that there were hierarchies of them between God as pure spirit, and man as unworthy flesh, a descending order with a gradual lessening of deity as the lower ‘angels’ became less spirit-like. Through them men received ‘knowledge’ about God. Their mediation was seen as essential so that they had even been introduced into the idea of God’s dealings with Moses. In their view it had to be so. Thus the thought that Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) was in direct touch with God and reigned with Him as representative Man was awesome. It was a revelation of the fact that even in His Manhood He was superior to the angels. Who then, the writer will ask, could sensibly and rightly seek to come to God through angels, when a greater than the angels, Who is directly approachable, is here?


The Son Is Greater Than the Angels - He is the Son, they are ministers or messengers


(5) For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:

“You are my Son.

Today *I have become your Father.”

God also said,

“I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son.”


*I have become your Father: Or Today I reveal you as my Son.

Psalm 2:7: The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father.

Matthew 22:42-45: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.” Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’? For David said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet. ’Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”

 Acts 13:33: and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus. This is what the second psalm says about Jesus: ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.

Romans 1:4: and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.


   God was speaking to David about Solomon, but the writer shows that the Messianic Son of David is in view, not just his biological son.


(6) And when he brought his firstborn Son into the world, God said,

“Let all of God’s *angels worship him.”


Deuteronomy 32:43: “Rejoice with him, you heavens, and let all of God’s angels worship him. Rejoice with his people, you nations, and let all the angels be strengthened in him. For he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take revenge against his enemies. He will repay those who hate him and cleanse the land for his people.”


*angels: According to some Jewish writings, four archangels (Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Phanuel) are always present before the throne of God. This means that Satan, as one of God's angels, was instructed to worship the Son.


(7) Regarding the angels, he says,

“He sends his angels like the winds,

his servants like flames of fire.”


Psalm 104:4: The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants.


(8) But to the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.

You rule with a scepter of justice.


Psalm 45:6-7: Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.


John 18:36: Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”


(9) You love justice and hate evil.

Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,

pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”


Psalm 45:6-7: Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

 Acts 10:38: And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.


(10) He also says to the Son,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth

and made the heavens with your hands.


Psalm 102:25: Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.

 John 1:3: God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

Acts 17:22-24: So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples,

Colossians 1:16: for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

 1 Corinthians 8:6: But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.


(11) They will perish, but you remain forever.

They will wear out like old clothing.


(12) You will fold them up like a cloak

and discard them like old clothing.

But you are always the same;

you will live forever.”


Psalm 102:25-27: Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. But you are always the same; you will live forever.


(13) And God never said to any of the angels,

“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand

until I humble your *enemies,

making them a footstool under your feet.”


*enemies: Who are these enemies of God?


Ps 110:1: The Lord (YHWH), said to my Lord (Adonai), “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

 Matthew 22:44: The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’

Matthew 26:64: Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Romans 8:34: Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

 Revelation 5:13: And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever."


(14) Therefore, angels are only servants - spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.


Psalm 91:11-12: For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

Mark 13:26-27: Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

Galatians 3:19: Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.

Galatians 1:8: Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.

 Ephesians 1:19-21: ...the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.

Colossians 2:18: Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud,

1 Peter 3:22: Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.


   The notion that Jesus was an angel, as early gnosticism held and as the Jehovah's Witnesses still teach, is clearly refuted. While angels exist to minister to God's people, Jesus is the visible image of God. He was with God in the beginning and He is God. He became flesh and dwelt among us. God in human form. In a very forceful manner, the “writer” to the Hebrews has shown Jesus’ superiority to the angels. He has done so by showing Jesus to be the “Son” and not the angels. Jesus is the “firstborn” who receives worship; He is “God” enthroned and anointed; He “Lord” (Yahweh) who is the eternal Creator whereas angels are created spirits; and Jesus is “Sovereign,” reigning at God’s right hand. All of these things are attributed to Jesus and not to angels. While angels certainly have a special place in God’s plan for redeeming man, they are not the object of worship or adoration; only Jesus is worthy of such worship and adoration.


Revelation 5:11-12:
Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”



Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him, though created higher than man. Some, the good angels, have remained obedient to Him and carry out His will, while others, fallen angels, disobeyed, fell from their holy position, and now stand in active opposition to the work and plan of God.



Angels are created beings.
The fact of their creation is brought out in Psalm 148. There the psalmist calls upon all in the celestial heavens, including the angels, to praise God. The reason given is, “For He commanded and they were created” (Ps. 148:1-5).
The time of their creation is never stated, however, we know they were created before the creation of the world. From the book of Job we are told that they were present when the earth was created (Job 38:4-7) so their creation was prior to the creation of the earth as described in Genesis one.
The agent of their creation is specifically stated to be Christ as the One who created all things (cf. John 1:1-3 with Col. 1:16).
They are nevertheless an innumerable host created before the creation of the earth (cf. Job. 38:7; Neh. 9:6; Ps 148:2, 5; Heb 12:22; Dan 7:10; Matt 26:53; Rev. 5:11; with Matt. 22:28-30; Luke 20:20-36).

Though at times they have been given the ability to reveal themselves in the form of human bodies as in Genesis 18:3, they are described as “spirits” in Hebrews 1:14. This suggests they do not have material bodies as we do. Hence, they do not function as human beings in terms of marriage and procreation (Mark 12:25) nor are they subject to death (Luke 20:36). Mankind, including our incarnate Lord, is “lower than the angels” (Heb. 2:7). Angels are not subject to the limitations of man, especially since they are incapable of death (Luke 20:36). Angels have greater wisdom than man (2 Sam. 14:20), yet it is limited (Matt. 24:36). Angels have greater power than man (Matt. 28:2; Acts 5:19; 2 Pet. 2:11), yet they are limited in power (Dan. 10:13).


Angels, however, have limitations compared to man, particularly in future relationships. Angels are not created in the image of God, therefore, they do not share man’s glorious destiny of redemption in Christ. At the consummation of the age, redeemed man will be exalted above angels (1 Cor. 6:3).8 This also means they are not omnipresent. They cannot be everywhere at once.


Originally all angelic creatures were created holy. God pronounced His creation good (Gen. 1:31), and, of course, He could not create sin. Even after sin entered the world, God’s good angels, who did not rebel against Him, are called holy (Mark 8:38). These are the elect angels (1 Tim. 5:21) in contrast to the evil angels who followed Satan in his rebellion against God (Matt. 25:41).9


They are not divine and are not to be worshipped (see Rev. 19:10; 22:9). As a separate order of creatures, they are both distinct from human beings and higher than humans with powers far beyond our abilities in this present age (1 Cor. 6:3; Heb. 1:14; 2:7). But as creatures they are limited in their powers, knowledge, and activities (1 Peter 1:11-12; Rev. 7:1). Like all of creation, angels are under God’s authority and subject to His judgment (1 Cor. 6:3; Matt. 25:41).


While all the angels were originally created holy and without sin, there was a rebellion by Satan, who, being lifted up by his own beauty, sought to exalt himself above God and rebelled. In his rebellion, he took with him one-third of the angels (Rev. 12:4). This rebellion and fall is probably described for us in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:15 embodied in the kings of Babylon and Tyre.


Prophesying of a future angelic conflict that will occur in the middle of the Tribulation, John wrote, “And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. And the dragon and his angels waged war” (Rev. 12:7). In other words, there are good angels and there are evil angels.


As is clear from Revelation 12:7 and many other passages, the leader of these fallen angels (or demons as they are also called) is Satan (cf. Matt. 12:25-27). Satan, the leader of unholy angels, is a liar, a murderer, and a thief (John 10:10). As God’s great antagonist, He hates God and God’s people. Scripture teaches us that he prowls about like a roaring lion in search of those whom he may devour by his nefarious schemes (1 Peter 5:8). As an angelic being, Satan, along with his demon-like angels who operate under his authority, is supernaturally powerful and brilliant, and he uses all his powers against humanity. Not only is he a liar, a thief, and a distorer, but that which characterizes him above all else is deception. John describes him as the one “who deceives the whole world” (John 12:9). In his cunning, he disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). So, in view of this, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness . . .” (2 Cor. 11:15).


The good and loyal angels are the mighty servants of God who constantly serve him always doing His will. The Psalmist described them as, “Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will” (Ps. 103:20-21). It is no wonder, then, that the author of Hebrews, in showing the superiority of Christ to even the mighty angels, asked (the question here demands a positive answer both in the Greek text and contextually), “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14). The answer is “Yes!” Though God can always act independently without the use of agents, He has chosen to use both angelic and human instruments to accomplish His will. In keeping with this, over and over again in the Bible, we find angels acting as God’s servants involved in variegated ministry to people.


That they are ministering spirits who minister to the saints is presented as a general truth of the Bible and should not be restricted to Bible times. Also, Scripture suggests that Michael, the archangel, is particularly involved in ministry to Israel. Concerning the reference to Michael in Daniel 10:13, Ryrie writes: Michael, which means “who is like God?” (v. 21; 12:1; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7), is the special guardian of the affairs of Israel (12:1) and is designated the archangel (Jude 9). One of the chief princes shows a hierarchy among the angels (cf. Eph. 1:21). I had been left there with the kings of Persia. The good angel (cf. vv. 5-6), with Michael’s help, was left in a place of preeminence in influencing Persia. But the battle between good and evil angels over the control of nations continues (see v. 20 and Rev. 20:3).


Throughout the Bible we find angels involved in communicating God’s truth or message as the Spirit of God directed them.This is, of course, is very much in keeping with the basic meaning of the word angel. Both the Hebrew word for angel (mal`ak,) and the Greek word (aggelos, pronounced angelos) mean “messenger.” In a number of passages we are told that angels were instruments God used to reveal His Word (cf. Acts 7:38, 53; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2). But that is only half the story. Numbers of times they appeared to announce an important message. They announced the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:11f, 26f; Matt. 1:20f). In the Tribulation, God will use them to announce key events (cf. Rev. 14:6). Today, however, God’s canon of Scripture, the Bible, is complete. Beware, therefore, of anyone claiming to have new revelation as given by an angel or of anyone claiming to be an angel with new revelation. Remember, Satan is a deceiver with his own angels of deceit promoting false doctrine (2 Cor. 11:1-4, 12-13; 1 Tim. 4:1).



- Angels, God’s Ministering Spirits: www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=711 - I suggest you go to this site and read several interesting stories where angels have indeed appeared to and assisted Christians.



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Introduction to the Epistle to the Hebrews

   We've just completed our study of Exodus which took us over a year (Genesis did too). I'm going to Hebrews before going into Leviticus because it will give us a much better understanding of Leviticus - plus, I don't want to be away from the New Testament part of the Bible for so long.


   I always emphasize that a book of the Bible should be approached with the journalists' "Who", "What", "When", "Where" and "Why" before beginning an in depth study. By not clearly understanding to whom a book is addressed, much confusion and error can occur. Additionally, we should be alert to key words and phrases that an author uses to emphasize the importance of a concept. Key words and phrases to watch for in Hebrews are:



  • better

  • blood - 22 times

  • draw near

  • eternal (including for ever)

  • greater

  • heaven, heavens, heavenly

  • inheritance

  • let us

  • perfection

  • salvation

  • sanctify

  • tempted (tried)


WHO?


   Hebrews was written anonymously but there's been speculation as to its authorship for most of the Church's history. The earliest recorded suggestion, in 200 AD, was that Barnabas, a learned Jew from the tribe of Levi and one of Paul's associates, wrote it. From 400 to 1600, it was universally assumed that Paul was the letter's author. After the reformation, Apollos became the leading candidate, probably because Martin Luther had proposed him as being the letter's most likely author. I personally believe that Paul is the author. He had both the strong motivation to write it, having a passionate desire to see his brothers accept their Messiah, and to remain anonymous, since he was considered a turncoat by the Jewish leadership. But while even the mention of his name would incite them to anger, Paul said that he would agree to be cursed and cut off from Christ himself if it meant that salvation would come to those of his own race. (Romans 9:3) One reason, I believe that the epistle is anonymous is that Paul himself said that he was the apostle to the Gentiles while Peter was the apostle to the Jews. Another reason is that Paul wrote 7 epistles after the conclusion of Acts - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. We know for certain that he wrote 6 during the Acts period: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians. It would make perfect sense and a balance of Paul actually wrote 7 epistles during the Acts period - giving Paul as the author of 7 during and 7 after the Acts period. That would leave seven remaining epistles not written by Paul (3 x 7 total): 1 & 2 Peter, James 1 & 2 & 3 John and Jude. Also, we know that Paul wrote a letter to the Jews because Peter mentions it in 2 Peter 3:15 where Peter says And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him - speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction. Another reason is that the letter speaks of Timothy, Paul's spiritual son to whom he wrote two epistles, as "brother" (13:23). Additionally, Hebrews was often included with Galatians in many early church collections leading some scholars to believe that Hebrews was the cover letter for Galatians and that, therefore, Hebrews didn't need to mention the author again. Additionally, the earliest complete copy of Hebrews is situated squarely within the Pauline corpus, immediately after Romans. Paul was at Jerusalem for the Council meeting in 51 AD when the very subjects of Hebrews had been bitterly discussed (Acts 15:5-7). Shortly thereafter, he wrote 1 and 2 Thessalonians both of which contain references to "shameful treatment" at the hands of his own people. The style and Greek used in Hebrews is very different from Paul's epistles. One theory is that this is actually a sermon Paul gave and was transcribed into elegant Greek by Luke or someone else.


   The other part of the "who" is -TO WHOM was this letter written. As you read the letter, it is immediately obvious that Hebrews was written to the Jews who had accepted Jesus as their Messiah, but they were in danger of slipping back into the traditions of Judaism.


WHEN?


   While no date is given, Hebrews had to have been written between 35 and 70 AD since there's no mention of the Temple's destruction. In fact, it's referred to in the present tense several times.


WHY?


   The letter's purpose was to document the absolute sufficiency of the Lord's death as payment in full for man's sins to the large community of Jewish believers in Israel, many of whom had been priests in the Temple when it happened. Considerable pressure was being exerted upon them to revert to Judaism or at least maintain some sort of hybrid status, blending adherence to the Levitical system with the belief in Jesus as Israel's Messiah. This attempt to “Judaize” the Gospel was by no means confined to either Jerusalem or the first century. From the time Jesus went to the cross to this very day, man has tried to add his own effort to the salvation equation in a misguided attempt to either complete or maintain what he thinks the Lord only partially accomplished. In doing so He has relegated the Lord's death to the same status as that of a bull or a goat, insufficient to the task. But from the beginning the letter offers persuasive evidence of the Lord's deity, another issue that's still unresolved in the minds of some, making any thoughts of insufficiency even more ridiculous.


   The Epistle of Hebrews answers questions the Jewish believers struggled with in the first century. They needed to understand the relationship between the Old and the New Covenants. Why Jesus was superior to Moses? Why did Jesus’ death eliminate the need for the Levitical system? What is the relationship between the Tabernacle and the Temple and Jesus? Is there another way to attain salvation? Can you lose your salvation? Hebrews was written so that one fact would be in the mind of the Hebrews as they finished reading this letter. This one fact is: Christ alone can qualify to provide perfect salvation.


WHAT?


   The theme of Hebrews, quite simply, is the absolute supremacy of Christ—a supremacy which allows no challenge, whether from human or angelic beings. The writer's purpose is to show that Jesus Christ is superior to the Old Testament prophets, He is the Great Revelation of God, He is the creator and upholder of the universe, He has always existed, He is greater than the creation, He is the Image of God, He is equal to God, He is the Son of God, He is the Redeemer of men, He is unchanging, He is superior to the angels and we are to worship Him.



   So the message of Hebrews is that God became man to accomplish for man what man could never accomplish for himself. All that's left for us to do, indeed all we can do, is to accept this by faith and enter in to a lifelong rest from the work of our salvation. Everything in Hebrews has to be considered from this perspective. The conflict between Law and Grace will make itself evident in nearly every chapter, as will the necessity of choosing grace. Clearly Hebrews has as much to say to us now as it did to them then. Remember our study before on this subject of Law versus Grace: exodus-study.blogspot.com/2007/03/exodus-20-law-versus-grace.html.


KEY VERSE:


   The key verse is 1:3: The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.



Outline (adapted from The Five Warnings of Hebrews www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=50 ):



  • Christ Alone Qualifies In His Person to Attempt Salvation, (1:1–4:13)

    The Son: (Eternal, 1:1-3) …Christ … Prophet


    • Greater than the Prophets (1:1-3)

    • Greater than the Angels (1:4–2:18)

    • Greater than Moses (Chapter 3)

    • Greater than Joshua (4:1-13)


  • Christ Alone Qualifies In His Work to Provide Salvation (4:14–10:18)

    The Savior: (Perfect, 7:24-28) … Jesus … Priest


    • The High Priest (4:14–7:28) THE SERVICE: “After the order of Melchisedek”

    • The Tabernacle (8:1–9:11) THE SANCTUARY: “Not made with hands”

    • The Sacrifice (9:12–10:18): “Once for all”


  • Christ Alone Qualifies In His Position to Effect Salvation (10:19–13:25)

    The Shepherd (Great): (13:20) … The Lord … King

    Here is the believer’s walk, “by a new and living way” in relation to Christ’s position:


    • Faith (10:19–11:40)

    • Hope (Chapter 12)

    • Love (Chapter 13)




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