|
|
Jesus: The Reason to Be Faithful
Hebrews1:1-9; 2:1-4 (1:1-2:4)
June 6, 2004
1. V1 Over the course of about 1800 years, from the
time of Job 2200 BC, to
the time of Nehemiah 400 BC, the Old Testament was written in 39
different
books, reflecting different historical times, locations, cultures and
situations. These are the sundry times or various times God spoke, in
the
past, unto the fathers, and all the Old Testament Saints by the
prophets.
God not only spoke to His saints in different times, but also in
different
ways, thru visions, dreams types and symbols, audible voices and thru
His
Holy Spirit. GOD'S revelation of the Old Testament described God's
program
of redemption 1 Peter 1:10-12, and his will for His people Rom. 15:4
and 2nd
Tim. 3:16-17. Note: The book of Hebrews describes in detail, how
Christ
Jesus not only fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old
Testament,
but that Christ Jesus is better than everything in the Jewish system
of
thought, which includes Moses, The law The Prophets, Angels etc.. The
Book
of Hebrews shows the sufficiency and superiority of Christ. And
although the
writer of Hebrews is unknown, it is clear this writer was concerned
about
the Jewish Christians. These Jewish Christians knew the Old Testament
Scriptures well, and had professed faith in Christ, but because of
doubt,
which is a result of the false teaching, and persecution they were
under,
some of these Christian Jews were in danger of giving up their
Christian
faith and returning to Judaism. V2 The last days began the 1st time
Christ
came as a suffering servant and shall continue until Christ Jesus
returns
the 2nd time as The Conquering King to judge the world and do away
a/all sin
wickedness and evil. We are living in the last days right now. And
rather
than reveal Himself to us as He did in the past before the 1st coming
of
Christ, God now reveals Himself and speaks to us thru His Son Jesus
Christ,
to reveal His redemptive plan for humanity. V2-3 describes the
superior
Glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 1st V2b, as God, Christ is
equal
to God The Father, Phil.2:5-6 but as God-man and Mediator, He was
appointed
by The Father to be heir of all things, Matt.28:18. Christ is also
Creator
of all, which means everything comes under His control. Consider Roman
11:36
- Col. 1:16. V3 The term brightness expresses the concept of sending
forth
light, not a reflection, for Christ is not just reflecting
God's-Glory, for
He is God Himself, and radiates His Glory Consider John 8:12. Christ
is the
full revelation of God and complete expression of God in a human body
Col.2:8-9 - John 10:30 - 14:7 and 9. The word Person in v3 expresses
nature,
being or essence, which means that Christ Jesus The Son is the perfect
imprint, the exact representation of the nature and essence of God, in
time
and space. Also Consider Phil. 2:5-6. V3c The universe and everything
in it
is constantly sustained by the Son's powerfully effective word
Col.1:17. The
term upholding also indicate movement or progress, which the Son of
God
directs toward the consummation of all things according to Gods
Sovereign
purpose. V3 Shows that the same power that created the universe, is
the same
power that cleanses our sins thru the Blood of Christ Rev.1:5. The
right
hand is a place of power authority and honor v13 and 1st Peter 3:22.
Although the seat Christ has taken is the Throne of God Hebrew 8:1 and
12:2
the indication is, that Christ is under the authority of The Father
1st
Cor.15:27-28, and yet Christ still rules as Sovereign Lord. V4 Jesus
has, in
His Divine essence, has always existed John 1:1. Therefore (being
made) in
v4 does not refer to a change of existence but rather a state of
being. For
a while Christ was made a little lower than angels, when he came into
the
world as a human being to suffer and die for the sins of the world
Hebrew
2:9. Afterwards Christ was exalted to an infinitely higher position,
because
of what He accomplished upon the Cross Phil.2:5-11. The writer of
Hebrews
makes it clear that what false teachers taught in the early Church,
that
Michael the arch angle surpassed the authority of Christ, was untrue.
Hebrew 1:5-7 and 13-14 confirm that no angel is greater than our
Sovereign
Lord Christ Jesus. V5 Which is quoted from Psalm 2:7 show the unique
relationship that the Son has w/the Father, which no angel has ever
experienced. In the Jewish families the 1st born son held the place of
highest privilege and responsibility. Christ Jesus the son of God was
faithful to His responsibility when He voluntarily submitted unto the
Father
to fulfill God's purpose for redemption, which was established in
eternity
past 2nd Tim.1:9-10. V6 can refer to Christ 1st coming into the world
as a
suffering servant, as God's angles honored Christ Luke 2:10-14, and it
also
can refer to the time when Christ was in the Throne Room of God
previous to
His 2nd coming, when God's angles worshipped Christ Rev. 5:11-12.
First
begotten means First born and does not refer to order of time, but
rather
pre-eminence, position or title Roman 8:29 - Col.1:15. Christ was not
first
born on the earth, but He holds the highest position of Sovereignty.
V6b Is
a command to angels, which clearly show Christ, is greater than
angels. V7
Angels are ministers or servants of God, and God qualified angels for
their
service unto Him v7b, in other words God made them swift as the wind,
endowed them w/light and zeal, ability and readiness to do Gods
pleasure,
they are nothing more than what God made them. V8-9 Is quoted from
Ps.45:6-7, the writer here argues for the Deity and Lordship of the
Son over
His creation v3. And the fact that God declared His Son to be God
Himself in
v8, clearly show that Christ Jesus The Son is God Himself. To confirm
Christ
kingship, God also declares His dignity and dominion as having a
Throne, an
Everlasting kingdom, and a Scepter of His kingdom. The Scepter is His
royal
power and authority in His kingdom v9 Christ came to fulfill all
righteousness and bring in an everlasting righteousness, and to do
away
w/sin as He exposes the danger of sin in human life in all of the
universe.
V9a Makes Christ The Messiah Isa.61:1-3 - Luke 4:16-21 and qualifies
Him to
be our Mediator, as well as Prophet Hebrew 1:1 - Priest v3- king v3
and 8.
Being anointed w/the oil of gladness express Christ willingness to
take the
responsibility, God placed on Him as our Mediator, and also qualifies
Him
for the joy set before Him as the reward of His service and suffering
Hebrew
12:2. V9b also makes it clear that no matter how noble and loyal men
or
angles have been, Christ is superior. Read v10-14 - 2:1 Now that the
writer
of Hebrews has shown Christ to be superior to the angels, who God used
to
deliver His law to Moses, he says v1. In other words we are to pay
close
attention to what Jesus said under The Gospel Grace, than what the
angels
brought to Moses which was the law. For Christ The Messenger, and His
Message is greater than the angels, and the message they delivered
under
law. The writer encourages them to pay close attention to what Jesus
said,
so that these 2nd generation Jewish believers would not drift away
into
false teaching. Paying attention means not only are we to hear but
also obey
God's Word James 1:22-25. To enforce this encouragement he says v1b.
Pure
minds are like leaky vessels and w/o proper care our minds will not
retain,
what has been put into it. And if we neglect The Gospel Truth we loose
a
treasure that is much greater than silver and gold. V2-3 The writer
warns
them and us today of the dreadful punishment we shall receive if we
disobey
unknowingly, or transgress knowingly. He asks the question v3a.
Salvation is
great because it introduces us to our Savior, who reveals God The
Father to
us and reconciles us unto The Father 2nd Cor.5:18-19. Salvation shows
us how
we can be saved and delivered from great sin and great misery, and
restored
to great holiness and happiness, as God sanctifies our life, by
transforming
us into the image of our Lord Savior and Redeemer Christ Jesus. To
neglect
this great Salvation, is to not consider it, and think, it is not
worth its
while, for one to acquaint themselves w/it. Those who neglect this
great
Salvation are already condemned John 3:18. And there is no escaping
this
condemned state, but by accepting The Gospel Truth of this Great
Salvation.
This is an appeal to sinners to reason w/in their own consciences, it
is a
challenge to all their power and wisdom and interest as to whether
they can
escape the condemnation of God, if they neglect This Great Salvation.
The
question in v3a is an indication that sinners will be w/o excuse.
Consider
Roman 1:18-20 and 2:12-16. The writer enforces his argument even more
by
saying v3b and c. V3c Were eye and ear witnesses of what Christ
taught. V4
Are supernatural powers demonstrated by Jesus and His apostles which
is Gods
Divine confirmation of The Gospel of Jesus Christ His Son.
-
In Jesus Name Amen
|
