Persevere in Jesus LESSON II

REVIEW We began with the “gobbledy-gook” of SURVEY – who, where, to whom, the sitz im leben (circumstance), when, and the purpose – Opinions abound; facts are scarce! – But... I Clement – the Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians—AD 95, cites Hebrews in a Scriptural manner. AND, there is no mention of the Fall of Jerusalem – This is an argument from silence, so not terribly strong, but I think it significant given the Epistle’s content.

REVIEW Hebrews 1:1-3 NKJ Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

REVIEW Vv. 1-3 Most recently, God reveals Himself to us, – not by a the scattered witness of the Prophets – but by the fullness of His Son – Who is Alpha and Omega, through Whom all was created Who is heir of all things – Who is the wisdom and Word of God – Who is radiance of His glory – Who represents Him perfectly – Who sustains all things – Who atones for sins – Who is honored at the Right Hand of Majesty

Some Themes The Writer will show and apply throughout the Epistle – that God spoke, speaks, and how! as well as how what He has said can be shown to point to Jesus – (By this writer’s example we see a certain doctrine of Scripture being practiced; ala 1 Tim 3:16) – that Jesus is Supreme! Prophet (v.1), priest, and King (v.3) Powerful enough trustworthy enough willing and interested in His people – that sin is a critical problem. – that there is a promise, inheritance, an Heir and heirs. – that that Heir, Christ Jesus, is the only solution to the problem of sin – that, in light of all this, there are certain steps we must take in light of sin, because of, and by the power of Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 1: having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 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"? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." 7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire." 8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." 10 And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail." 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

The Word of God V.4 Introduces the idea of Angels: – What is an angel? How many can dance on the head of a pin? – Give some examples of angels in the bible: First “Angel of the Lord” sighting: Gen 16:7: – Ishmael’s mom, Hagar, by a spring in the wilderness Two angels going to Sodom and Gomorah: Gen 19:16 The Burning Bush: Ex. 3:2 At the Crossing of the Red Sea: Ex. 14:19 The Call of Gideon: Judges 6:12 When Elijah confronts Ahaziah (Ahab’s Son) 2 Ki. 1:15 Zechariah’s Night Visions: 1:9—The Angel shows Him what the four horsemen are. Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph: at the Resurrection, Revelation etc.

The Word of God V.4 Jesus is no mere messenger: – He does perform the prophetic function (v.2). – That function is not the limit of His person. Therefore His name: as Son, which He inherited is greater than theirs. – “The sons of God” –In Job we have this phrase that the LXX translates “angels.”

Angels or Jesus 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"? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." 7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire." 8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."

Difficulties? Some may have some difficulty with the difference between the Hebrew Scriptures and the LXX being cited here. – It does NOT hurt our doctrine of the Inspiration of the Scriptures, b/c the writer to the Hebrews is an inspired writer– The Holy Spirit, therefore shows here the these passages are God breathed (as well as the others) by His use of them. The way passages are chosen may also seem difficult, as the immediate contexts for those passages don’t always seem to us to be pointing to Jesus Christ. – But on the Road to Emmaus, Jesus pointed out that all the Scriptures are about Him. We cannot understand Scripture without this principle.

Summary vv.4-9 Angels are messengers and have done great things throughout salvific history – God has spoken through them – They have performed great works – They are ministers – They worship God – They are, in one sense, higher creations than mankind. But the Son is greater still – He is “begotten not made” (not a creation). – He will be worshipped in the Judgment – He is the maker, angels attend him, are at his disposal – He reigns, the eternal king – He is very God Two important points to all of this: – If even the angels worship Him, then so should we! – If His authority is greater, then we should pay close attention to what He said!

For Next Week Read Chapters 1 & 2 at least a couple times. Check a couple different translations if you can also Read Psalm 110

For Next Week Read Chapter 1 & 2 at least couple times. Check a couple different translations if you can also Read Psalm 110