HEBREWS LESSON 2Chapter One – “Jesus is better”

CHAPTER ONE

THE NEW COVENANT OF THE SON OF GOD IS THE HIGHEST AND LAST REVELATION FROM THE HEAVENLY GODHEAD TO THE HUMAN RACE (VS.1-14)

Hebrews 1:1 – God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets (NKJV)

I. No Introduction – number of reasons (Gospel of John and 1 John exclude introduction).

A. Author Intentionally remains anonymous with no introduction. B. If we go with the logic, “Paul didn’t include his name therefore Paul

didn’t write it,” we would conclude that it was written by no one since it doesn’t include a name. Remember, it was intentional!

C. Why would the author intentionally leave his name off the document? Hebrews is drastically anti-animal sacrifices. This not only affected Judaism, but also heathenism. We are talking about sacrifices as marriages, births, and other occasions were being neglected. This affected only the Judaic system, but also the priests and cow owners. We are probably talking tens of thousands of dollars.

D. This writer was probably hated by the Jewish nation and therefore would have rejected this letter even before reading it. The author withheld the name that would have prevented its circulation.

E. It could be possible that Paul left off his salutation to the Jews because he wasn’t an apostle to the Jews, but to the Gentiles.

F. The majority of early Church tradition accepts Pauline Authorship. In fact, Clement of Rome quotes from Hebrews as Paul’s writing in 96AD.

G. Finally in 2 Peter 3:15, Peter as an Apostle to the Jews specifically cites a unique letter written to them by the Apostle Paul (in addition to his other epistles). If Hebrews was not that letter, then we are deal with an unfound document written by the Apostle Paul.

TE: Regardless of our position on the authorship of Hebrews, it has been and continues to be universally accepted as canon.

II. Immediate TheologyA. “Various ways” = many manners or many in number.

1. QUESTION : In what kind of ways did God speak to the Fathers by the prophets? (God shares tiny bits of his

message with various people before Jesus in a variety of ways):

a. Dreamsb. Audible voicesc. Visionsd. Urim and Thummim – Clothing and and gemstones

worn by the High Priest that would light up in specific ways in accordance with God’s will.

e. Direct Speech

Numbers 12:6-8 – He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream. 7 “Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household; 8 With him I speak mouth to mouth, Even openly, and not in dark sayings, And he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant, against Moses?” (NASB).

f. Proverbsg. Testingh. Providential Plagues or Provisionsi. Sending good or bad spiritsj. Symbolic actions or rituals, offices, buildings, and

utensils (altar, ark, veil, etc.). k. Prophets – or “seers” – received revelation and wrote

it down to what we call Scripture.

KEY PHRASE: All of these methods of communication were partial, but Christ as full and final.

B. “Various Times” = Many Portions = progressive revelation about Himself in bits and pieces. No one person had a completed picture.

1. Three generations given in Scripture with only two dispensations.

2. Generations: a. Adam to Moses (Patriarchal Period) “God spoke to

the Fathers in the times past.” b. Moses to Christ (Mosaic Dispensation) “The law came

through Moses and was until John.”c. Christ to today (Christian Dispensation) “I am with you

till the end of the age.” 3. Dispensation: Old and New (Hebrews 8:13)

C. In the Greek, “Various times and Ways) comes first. What is the significance of putting this first instead of, “God has said” or “God spoke?”

1. It is pointing towards and grabbing their attention at the superiority of Scripture. The only access they had

concerning this communication was found in the Septuagint.

2. How long had it been before God spoke to the Jews again through John the Baptist and then Jesus? (400 years).

D. QUESTION : Who spoke? (It was God).1. GOD TOOK THE INTIATIVE to speak with man. 2. Don’t lose the divine side of Scripture. Written by man, but

originating and inspired by God. E. “God Spoke” – QUESTION: what was God’s primary medium of

communication? (Human language). 1. QUESTION : Why is it important for God speak, often

propositionally, directly in the human language? (He didn’t limit himself to foggy visions, fleeting feelings, or veiled signs).

2. He communicated to man with words of human language. The heritage of God’s people is centered in a book written in human language.

F. “In the Time past” is contrasted with vs 2, “In these last days”1. All of History is divided into two Parts –

a. Time Past vs Last Days b. Old and New

Hebrews 8:13 – “By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” (NASB).

c. Servant keeper and Master Builder

Hebrews 3:5-6 – ““Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory” (NASB).

d. Death and Life (2 Corinthians 3:6-18).

CONCLUSION: The reason why this information is significant is because we should honor, respect, and read the Scripture about the previous Prophets and Forefathers. Even though the Old covenant is superseded by the New covenant, as we will read shortly, it is still beneficial for our edification.

QUESTION: Give a Scriptural Reason why we as Christians should read and learn form the Old Testament? (1. God’s word speaking to them. 2. Instructive. 3. Convicting. 4. Encouraging).

Romans 15:4 – “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (NASB).

1 Corinthians 10:11 – “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (NASB).

1 Corinthians 10:6 – “Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved” (NASB).

TE: Paul is utilizing a literary device of compare and contrast, “God spoke like this… but now He HAS spoken to US by His Son…”

Hebrews 1:2 – “in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world” (NASB).

I. Some Manuscripts read, “At the end of these days.”II. LAST DAYS:

A. QUESTION : When did the last day’s official begin? Are they future? What did “these last days” mean to the Jewish Christians?

Hebrews 9:26 – “Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (NASB).

Acts 2:14-18 – 14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15 “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: “AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; 18 EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy.

LAST DAYS:

James 5:3 – “Our gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!” (NASB)

2 Peter 3:1-4 – “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever

since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

Jude 17-19 – “But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:20 – “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.”

1 John 2:18 – “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour” (NASB).

KEY PHRASE: For the Jewish Nation Last days BEGAN at Pentecost and either ended in 70AD.

TE: The dispensation for Judaic salvation was coming to a close. Their nation and system were quickly approaching abomination and desolation. They were a fig tree ready to be cut down.

Luke 3:7-9 – “7 so he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 “Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9 “Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (NASB).

Luke 13:6-9 – “6 And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. 7 “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ 8 “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down’” (NASB).

Luke 21:20-24 – ““20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. 23 “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; 24 and they

will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (NASB) = (Dome Rock on temple grounds).

Matthew 24:15-22 – ““15 Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel (see handout) the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 “Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. 18“Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 19 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 “But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 21 “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” (NASB).

Mark 13:14-19 – ““But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15 “The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; 16 and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 17 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 “But pray that it may not happen in the winter. 19 “For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days” (NASB).

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: There was utter chaos in the streets of Jerusalem.

1) They were rebelling against the Roman Yoke.2) Sadduc the Pharisee had taught them that submission to the Romans

means slavery, which resulted in a rebellious spirit possessed by the Jews.

3) The son of the High Priest, Eleazer, persuaded those who officiated in the temple to reject the sacrifices of foreigners and to no longer offer up prayers for them. Caesar’s sacrifice was rejected producing the slaughter of thousands of Jews.

4) Cestius Gallus slaughtered thousands of Jews giving the first big chance for the Jews to understand what Christ had foretold and flee the oncoming wrath. This chance came when Cestius’ officers convinced him to withdraw the siege and flee the city of Jerusalem. However, the Jews pursued him to Antipatis and slew his army nearing six thousand men.

5) After this disaster, many wealthy Jews and Christians took heed to Matthew 24:15 and fled taking refuge in Pella, a place beyond the Jordan in mountainous country.

CONCLUSION: For the first century Jews and Jewish Christians the “last days” came at the fading away of the Old Covenant with the Establishment of the New Covenant. Everything that was predicted about Christ had come to fulfillment, there was universal mockery and rejection of Christ, and many anti-Christs’ had already appeared. For the Jew, the last days ended in 70AD.

TE: That is why I believe Hebrews was written before 70AD, as a last ditch effort to exhort and correct false views about Christianity (Galatianism). It was in these Last Days that… “God has spoken IN His Son.”

B. “Has Spoken” = past tense = finality or completed action. 1. In Comparison with the Apostles and Forefathers 2. Show the finality and superiority of His Son--- Jesus.

Matthew 17:1-7 – “Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. 7And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” 8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone” (Matthew 17:1-8 NASB).

3. QUESTION : What is the significance of Having Moses and Elijah Present at the Transfiguration? Furthermore, what significance is there to having them disappear and Jesus standing alone?

C. “IN” His son = inside of, within, in the realm/sphere of--- 1. QUESTION : What is the significance of the preposition “IN”

instead of “by” (Mortal Kings speak by ambassadors, Jesus is the embodiment of the Heavenly King. Christ IS the King).

2. God united all of his qualities in His (Christ) manhood. All the eternal qualities were made known to us IN time, IN his son. Our creator became our Savior.

3. Yet, God didn’t choose some servant to send, but his Only Son.

Matthew 21:33-37 – “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT AND DUG A WINE

PRESS IN IT, AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. 34“When the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce. 35“The vine-growers took his slaves and beat one, and killed another, and stoned a third. 36“Again he sent another group of slaves larger than the first; and they did the same thing to them. 37“But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

4. Remember, the Son speaks from Heaven through His Apostles----

Hebrews 12:25 – “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven” (NASB).

2 Corinthians 5:20 – “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (NASB).

1 Thessalonians 2:13 – “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (NASB).

Matthew 10:19-20 – ““But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20“For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” (NASB).

D. “Whom He has appointed heir of all things” = Jesus is greater than “all.” He inherited everything--- rightfully---

1. Heir in the English = Entering into possession of property after the death of the testator.

2. Heir = contextually to “get possession of” without reference to “how” the property came into question.

3. Heir = a Title of dignity and superiority in the universe. 4. Everything was entrusted unto Jesus at the appointment or

recognition of His Kingship in sitting on the throne of Heaven.

Matthew 21:38-41 – 38 “But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39“They took him, and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40“Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?” 41They said to Him, “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons” (NASB).

Matthew 28:18 – “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (NASB).

E. “Through whom also He made the worlds”1. “Worlds”, actually comes from “aion” or ages.2. This is the duration of forces that combine to form the

entire universe with all of its material and spiritual existences.

3. It includes all of the stars mentioned in Gen 1, and the constellations (Job 9:9) of all planetary bodies (I Cor. 15:40) but it means more than this since even celestial angels belong to the ages. God made all of these things by Christ.

4. Hebrews 11:3 – “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (NASB).

5. Colossians 1:15-17 – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (NASB).

6. John 1:3 – “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (NASB).

F. WE ARE CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST

Romans 8:16-17 – “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (NASB).

Galatians 4:7 – “Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God” (NASB).

2 Timothy 2:12 – “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us” (NASB).

TE: Therefore, we benefit from Him in that as His followers we will inherit a redeem universe and reign with him. Thus far we’ve established that Jesus is superior to the prophets and forefathers, He is superior to “all things” in the universe because he is the heir, he is superior to the entire creation because he is the creator.

Hebrews 1:3 – “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (NASB).

I. “Radiance of His Glory” = apaugasma = brightness, a light flashing forth, supremely reflecting the personal/personality of God.

A. “Glory” is often associated with a dazzling sphere of light emanating from God as He sits on the throne.

Revelation 4:2-3 – “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance” (NASB).

1. Beautiful imaginative image of God---this light dazzles, stins, and overcomes everything.

2. Previous Jewels of beauty and majesty attempt to convey to our minds the splendor of God’s presence.

a. Jasper – dazzling White = purityb. Sardius – Bloody red – judgment and holyc. Emerald – Crystal Green = serenity and Faithfulness

(the storm is over). d. Rainbow – 7 colors – embodies perfectione. Throne – Supreme ruler of Spiritual realm

B. LINKED with God the Father – So closely linked with the Father that to see the Son is to see the Father--- and vice versa.

1. Jesus himself shines with dazzling light just like the Father does.

2. No prophet could ever claim this radiance, not even Moses, whose face shined so bright when he descended from the Mountain he covered it with a veil. However, that glory faded (2 Corinthians 3:13).

3. QUESTION : What is the significance of Jesus’ deity is always emanating the glory of the Father? (The eternal deity of Jesus depends not only on world-making, but the eternal order of existence. In other words, there was a time with a world, but never a time when Jesus didn’t have glory).

John 1:8-9 – “8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

John 6:62 – “What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?” (NASB).

John 17:5 – ““Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (NASB).

C. ARIAN CONTROVERSY – When Arius began his diabolical anti-Christ campaign Athanasius opposed him, “Who is so senseless as to doubt concerning the eternal being of the Son, for when has one seen light without effulgence?” (Against Arius, Oratory 2)

1. Arian tried to make a distinction between Jesus’ essence/nature and person. Thus, Arian believed Jesus wasn’t equal with the Father.

2. Athanasius answered him by showing each person of the Trinity has their own identity or personality, but one essence of substance which is equal.

II. “Exact Representation of His Nature” comes from “charax” which was a tool used for engraving a character.

A. EMPEROR – figure stamped with the imprint of his ring to seal an official document.

B. Exact copy, character, or representative = No created being can claim the merit of his passage. Proof text for the Divinity of Christ.

C. “His Nature” = To understand the nature and behavior of Jesus is to understand the nature and behavior of God the Father.

1. Hypostatic Jesus = outwardly a human man (schema), but in inward “morpha” was fully God. This hypostasis was his true identity in essence, spirit, truth, and actuality.

D. Exact representation = whatever makes up the Father makes up Son. QUESTION: What are some of those things?

1. Eternal Spirit2. Omniscience3. Omnipresence4. Omnipotence5. Omni benevolence6. Infinitely Holy, wise, just, and good.

E. SANCTIFYING SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE CHRISTIAN

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (NASB).

III. “Upholds all or sustaining all things” (in the entire universe).The three facts here are enumerated in the same order in (Col.1; 15,17,20)

A. “Upholds” = phero = bear or carry along, may be responsible for governing or guiding.

1. Present tense participle = continuing action. 2. Because Jesus declared the world should operate by a set

of natural laws he has the right to intervene (miracles) and destroy (end times), or redeem (new heavens/earth) simply by speaking.

3. “Let there be Light” and there was light! B. “By the Word”-The Son is not a phantom (docetic appearance) but

a real person for He has the Word (logic and reason) which is God’s Word (11:3)

C. “Of His power”-The Son has the inherent power of God to utter life and substance into existence and judge it as well.

D. “By Himself”-The Godhead has vested all authority in Him to redeem, reconcile and judge.

IV. “When he made purification/purging of our sins and sat down at the right hand of Majesty”.

A. Redemptive Work of Christ--- highest honor and authority in the Universe.

B. “PURGED” = Jesus helped the world with their sin problem. “Sin” occurs 25 times in this epistle---

1. Jesus is superior to the prophets because by His death on the cross he “purified, cleansed, washed” us from our sins. It is a moral cleansing!

2 Peter 1:5-9 – “5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins” (NASB).

C. QUESTION : What is the significance of Jesus “sitting down?” (It means his redemptive work is finished)

1. Jesus one time redemptive act shows he is better than not only the priests, but the entire Old Testament system.

Hebrews 7:27 – “who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself” (NASB).

Hebrews 9:24-28 – “For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest

enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. 26Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him” (NASB).

Hebrews 10:10-13, 18 – “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, 13 waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified… 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin” (NASB).

1 Peter 3:18 – “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (NASB).

D. He sat down”-thus fulfilling Psalms 110:1. E. This inaugural installation was completed by the Father Himself

Ephesians 1:20-23 –“ He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (NASB).

1. Christ will return everything to the Father at the end of the universe---

1 Corinthians 15:23-28 – “23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all” (NASB).

2. QUESTION : Does Christ returning the Kingdom to the Father diminish his Kingship?

a. No, it simply means there will be no more need for His mediatorial Kingship. We will all finally be in the presence of God who will be all in all.

Romans 8:34 – “who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (NASB).

Hebrews 8:1-2, 6 – Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being… But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises” (NASB).

b. Christ simply wants The Father to have the admiration of their reign and will mediate as King and Savior until he presents us all to the Father.

3. Entrusting the Kingdom back to the Father is recognized as the marriage supper of the Lamb--- It’s when Christ presents His bride (the Church) to the Father.

a. We are in the process of making ourselves “holy” for Christ

Revelation 19:7-9 – “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God” (NASB).

b. Christ is in the process of making us “holy” for himself through His word--- continual preparation –

Ephesians 5:25-27 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (NASB.

c. The Hebrew Marriage was consummated by the appearance of the bride and the groom, as well as the bridal party, before the groom’s Father. This is total

redemption, hope realized, and faith made manifest. The wedding feast will last forever--- and we will never forge the honey moon.

CONCLUSION: As Christ sit at the right hand of the Father, He is carrying out his work on earth until the last Gentile is saved. Then, he will return for his bride, ready and willing, to be presented to the Father as holy and perfect in a beautiful white gown. We will celebrate with the Lamb, in the eternal presence of the Father, as we live in the blessed state of eternal life. Praise God! Like two virgins waiting to give themselves until their wedding night, it’s worth waiting for!

GREATER THAN ANGELSHebrews 1:4 – having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they (NASB).

V. “Becoming much better than the Angels” points to His recognized divinity and Kingship at His ascension.

A. His Name is much more significant than theirs--- “Son of God,” “Savior,” “Lord.”

B. General idea = Jesus is superior. C. “Superior” = better = kreittón = strong, more excellent, planting

God’s flag of victory. Used 13 out or 19 times in the NT. 1. Better Ministry (8:6)--- Moses in inferior2. Better Covenant (8:6, 7:22) 3. Better Hope (7:9)4. Better Resurrection (11:35)5. Better Country (11:6) 6. Better Possessions (10:34) 7. Better Sacrifice (9:22) 8. Therefore, God expects better things from us (6:9)

because of the one who obtained a better name (1:4)D. QUESTION : In writing, “become” better than the Angels, why didn’t

the writer say, “eternally greater” than the Angles? What is the writer pointing towards in writing, “Having become better?” (He was thinking of what the Son did in order to provide the purification for our sins).

E. It was in incarnation that made him lower than the Angels (2:7). He became subordinate to the Father and veiled his divine attributes with his human nature (Philippians 2:6-8). However, he is not “lower” anymore! (Hebrews 2:9).

VI. “Inherited a more excellent name than they” A. “Greater name” – the Father’s public declaration that, inspite of his

Earthly Humility, was truly His unique Son as God in the Flesh.

Philippians 2:9-11 – “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under

the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (NASB).

B. Viewing Christ As he is, the glory and excellency that he had before the world began, is impossible.

1. Flames of Fire for Eyes – Jesus sees all (Revelation 1:4)

Revelation 19:12 – “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself” (NASB).

2. Crown – Diademata = symbolizes royalty and honor. Christians have a stephanos crown like a winner at a Olympic games when rejoicing. We don’t have a “diadem” because only Jesus is worth to wear that crown.

3. Unknown name = a mystery. He is self-determined, and far above anyone or anything. He alone is supreme and victorious. This mystery represents…

a. How Shall he Appear?b. What is His knew name that no one knows?c. Will his followers get a new name?d. What is the exact timing of His coming?

Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? NKJV

1:5- PAUL USES THE QUESTION METHOD OF TEACHING

“Unto which of the angels?” (Psa. 2:7). This is the traditional Pauline manner used throughout his Epistles (see Romans, I and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians for examples of his many questions to the reader).

Christ in the New Testament is God’s Son, not by origination but declaration. God declared (publicly stated) that Christ was His Son at His birth, His immersion, at the tomb of Lazarus and His resurrection (Acts 13:33, Rom. 1:4)

“First begotten” from the dead is used in the same way that “first begotten” of God is used. It is interpreted as primogeniture. This word has Jewish significance in that the first-born Son accrued greater rank than the second or those born

thereafter. It carried even greater meaning in the O.T. when a newborn son had the potential of being The Messiah. First born (with the omniscient God) guarantees there are more to come. Christ’s birth as Son of Man guarantees that more sons of the human race are to be born into God’s family. This is why that Isaiah 9:6 says, “Unto us a son is given, unto us a child is born.” It is for the salvation of the human race that the Christ child is born, and The Son is GIVEN “not born.” In this, Christ is called “Everlasting Father” because he said, “Here am I…. And the children you have given Me!”

Thus “first begotten from the dead” means that Christ the first to rise for immortality is the primogeniture and millions of other sons will follow (Lk. 20:36, Rom. 1:4, Rev. 1:5)

When Christ rose from the dead, He proved indisputably that day, what He was eternally (Col. 1:18) THE EVERLASTING SON OF GOD. This was not His origination as Son; it was the manifestation what He was eternally in the bosom of the Father (John 1:14,18 with1 John 4:9). What was hitherto unknown and unbelievable became the most believable FACT in history when the humbled manhood of the Messiah is united with His Godhead in the resurrection and ascension.

The “today” of the ascension is a segment of time known to man in history, but it is an everlasting day with God, for God is not constrained and confined by time. With God there is no yesterday of past time, or tomorrow or future time.

“Nothing there is to come And nothing past With God, the eternal now Does ever last”

Alford (See Prov. 30:4, Jn. 10:30, 38, 16:28, 17:8)

Divine essence has no beginning. It is eternal generation. In physical generation death destroys the Father-Mother-Son Daughter generation, but there never has, never is and never will be a time that God is not Father and Christ is not THE Son of His bosom. The time of Christ entering His inheritance (v. 4) is human time in history for man to remember on the calendar, but it is not that of a time-shackled God.

The bringing of the first born into the world “only uniquely” (v. 6) and His glorious ascension and entering on His inheritance (v.4) are to be taken as one event in God’s eternal, contemplative counsel (Acts 2:22-23, 30-35).

Heb 1:6But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."NKJV

1:6- But, a more decisive proof of Christ’s superiority and Divinity (believe it or not) is what we learn from Psalms 97:7, and that is the bringing of Christ into the world as a man. The prospect of Christ even entering this world is more baffling than His resurrection from the dead. Others have been resurrected, but there is only ONE Christ child (Man-child, see 9:11, 10:5, Rev. 12:1-5). As a man (incarnation-Lk. 2:9-14) He was tempted (Mt. 10-11), hungered, thirsted and became weary,”seen of angels” (I Tim. 3:16) gazed at on the cross, crucified and pierced in body “a body thou hast prepared Me!” Heavenly intelligences stared at Him with adoring love (Eph. 3:10, 2 Thes. 1:9, 10, I Pt. 3:22). He resurrected in a body (Mt. 28:2).

Millions believe the resurrection, but the second coming in glory will be believed by every creature living at that time, or has lived (Psa. 97:7, I Cor 15:24, Phil. 2:9). Worship Him all you Gods (exalted beings). All of this would be impossible without the incarnation.

“Psalms 93-101 contains within it’s context of information the mystery of the Anointed Christ-Messiah. God was ruling the Theocracy in and through Him.”

Kimchi

“Let all of the angels worship Him at His birth” (Deut. 32:43-LXX-But the modern Hebrew Bible omitted this verse). But the Holy Spirit put it in Paul’s inspired intellect. Paul also had Psa. 97:7 in mind. The whole LXX text reads like this ,

“Rejoice ye heavens along with Him, and let all of the sons of God worship Him, rejoice ye nations with His people, and let all of the angels of God strengthen themselves in Him”

Heb 1:7And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."NKJV

1:7-Spirits-Winds as angels. They can be winds, lightening or flames in God’s service. All of which is undetectable to human minds, because these things can appear as natural phenomena. Angel worship is forbidden (Col. 2:18), and good angels will not accept it (demons encourage it), so God makes them of a subtle incorporeal nature, swift as the wind. We may be aware of our angels as either a gentle caressing, or sudden gusting of wind when it is least expected. One of the highest forms of angelic existence is the Seraphim (Isa. 6:1), which means “burning”. In one aspect of their nature, they have a burning devotion and zeal for the Godhead.

God is called “Yaweh Saboath”, Lord of the Heavenly host (armies) because he does with them what pleases Him. He makes them to sit (Judges 6:11), to stand (Isa. 6:2), to resemble women (Zech. 5:9), and to resemble men (Gen. 18:2). Christ made them therefore they are creatures. Christ is the creator (v. 10). Only the son is to be worshipped(Rev. 14:7, 22:8,9).

Heb 1:8But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. NKJV

1:8-“O God”-The article denotes affectionate emphasis (Psa. 45:6-7), “Your throne is righteousness forever”. God is and always will be right. When the world falls to pieces we can bank on it. When all else fails we can believe it and live and die by it.

If eternal God the Father called The Son, “GOD”, then the controversy as to whether Jesus Christ is eternally equal to God is settled forever. A theologian who embraces the Socinian, “adoptionist theory” of Christ being called “Son of God” at some point in the time of His earthly sojourn (no one of them is sure if it was his birth, baptism, at the tomb of Lazarus or His resurrection), puts himself squarely in the path of warfare with the Father.

The first test of whether you are in the right congregation, under the right preaching and teaching, and leadership of those who orchestrate the outreach is what they think about the Godhead, and Deity of Christ (I John 4:1-3, 4:9,10, 5:6-13). If you read the verses you will understand that anyone who wanted to fellowship in the congregation of which John the Apostle was a member (I John 2:18-14) had to pass these tests of orthodoxy concerning their understanding of who Christ was. What theological views they may have had of God the Father were secondary. The crux “crucifixion” of their thinking was in regard to what they thought of Jesus Christ when He revealed Himself in a fleshy body. If we understood Him to be God while in flesh, eating, drinking, sleeping, struggling and suffering with the rest of us, then we have absolutely no problem at all in understanding His as God in eternity past and on the right hand of the throne of God the Father forever future.

If we refuse to believe and confess this, “We do not have the Father, but if we acknowledge the Son we have the Father also” (I John 23). The Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Mohammedians (to mention a few of the antichrist religions) start their theology backwards. They try to start with God and end up in chaos. The New Testament believer starts with Christ and ends up with God.

This is why the knowledge of God is secondary. If we have the right view of Christ we have the right view of God.

Heb 1:9You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You. With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."NKJV

1:9-God hates iniquity “lawlessness” as much as He loves righteousnessChrist is addressed as God (Psa. 45:7). To anoint means to acknowledge Christ as Messiah. The O.T. uses the word “anointed” instead of Messiah or the Greek “Christ” (Anointed-Christos). In order to begin His ministry, God anointed the Son with the Spirit of power at His immersion. Here He anoints Him as triumphant King over all enemies and above all previous anointed ones-prophets, priests, kings, heavenly and earthly principalities. All ruling dignitaries experienced some type of anointing (Psa. 23:5).

Mortals anointed all these, but Christ was anointed and installed as King over all the earth by the Father (Psa. 2:6-8). His reign is in the midst of His enemies (Psa. 110:1-2).

Heb 1:10And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain;And they will all grow old like a garment;

1:10-In Psa. 102:25-27 it says, “ The heavens and earth shall perish. Even though they were established by the Lord’s hands, but Jesus Christ is always the same and His years shall never end.” Christ is preached in the O.T. where many might argue that the Father was chiefly intended. Christ created the heavens (plural) with there various, constellational; administrations of heavenly intelligence then came to earth and later ascended up far above these heavens (Eph. 4:10). Wow! How awesome can it get?

Heb 1:12Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail." NKJV

1:12-These heavens are as subject to Christ as would be a blanket or cloak in your hands.

Heb 1:13But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"?NKJV

1:13-Christ will some day place His feet on the necks of the enemy (Josh. 10:24-25)

Heb 1:14Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? NKJV

1:14-An after thought on angels. After the testimony as to who Christ is and who angels are not, the Spirit testifies who angels really are and what is their primary work.They minister. They are like a loving mother or wife. They have one desire. That is to serve. It is this basic nature of service that separates true women and Jezebel. It also separates angels and demons. The same angels that delivered Lot out of Sodom are active in our lives in this evil world. The same angels that ministered to Christ, minister to us. Their primary focus is on the ELECT.

We cannot command angels. They stand before God (Luke 1:19). Christ sends them as He pleases because He sits on the right hand of majesty (vss. 3,13). He reigns, they serve.