Persevere in Jesus LESSON VI

REVIEW Survey – 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

REVIEW Hebrews 1:1-3 NKJ 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

Hebrews 1:4-14 NKJ 4 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?

Summary vv.4-14 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 not, however, exalted to His right hand – They are, in one sense, higher creations than mankind – They are sent to minister to the faithful 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 is changeless, permanent – He reigns, the eternal king – He is very God

Exhortation! Word through angels? – Acts 7:35 "This Moses whom they rejected, saying,`Who made you a ruler and a judge?' is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 "He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. (Act 7:35 NKJ) We have heard the way of salvation. – In Christ we inherit it (like the Promised Land). – His angels minister to us to that end. The author gives three witnesses to what we have heard. NKJ Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Bottom Line of 1:4-2:4 The Scriptures say Christ is greater than the angels in the completest possible sense. By an angel God proclaimed Moses the leader, and those who opposed him were swallowed up by the earth in the desert. How much more will the word of God’s own son be binding upon us? Therefore Christ is very exalted. Moving forward, the writer will balance that exaltation with Christ’s humiliation.

For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." 13 And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me." 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham (Hebrews 2:5-16 NKJ)

Summary Angels are ministers working powerful acts for God throughout the Scriptuers. – They worship Him forever. Jesus Christ is greater than the Angels: – Greater in His exalted divinity – Greater through His humiliated humanity – Greater in His work for, and direct effect upon our salvation in destroying death and the adversary in freeing the enslaved in setting the example of true love

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. (Hebrews 2:17-3:6 NKJ)

High Priest Our writer had just been fleshing-out the humanity of Christ. – We find out later that “every high priest [is] taken from among men...” 5:1 “Merciful and faithful” (as attributes of Jesus the High Priest) hold the thought together— – Merciful toward the brethren – Faithful toward God “Propitiation?” to forgive, with the focus upon the instrumentality or the means by which forgiveness is accomplished -Louw and Nida – And the Lord was prevailed upon to preserve his people. (Exo 32:14 LXE) Expiate-take away guilt Propitiate-regain favor through a pleasing act Atone-to expiate, with the idea of unity NKJ Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Exhortation Since He can help the tempted... – Just like at the beginning of chapter 2, the Writer circles back to application. In chapter 2 – We found out that Christ is not ashamed of His brothers and sisters because as Sacrifice and Sacrificer, He sanctifies them, He makes us holy. Now the Author can refer to the readers as “holy Brethren.” Partakers We need to “thoroughly and carefully notic[e Jesus]” - Kistemaker – sent with authority – made atonement ! NKJ Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him,

Proceeding down the Jewish authoritative ladder. – God sent the angel – the angel appointed Moses (St. Stephen’s speech) – Jesus is greater than angels, – is Jesus greater than Moses? KJA Wisdom 13:4 But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them, how much mightier he is that made them. (Wis 13:4 KJA) The house. The Author uses the language of construction: – 9:2, 6; 11:7 – and the idea of a family NKJ Hebrews 3:2-6 as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. Moses --This is similar to when God builds David a house (a family), after telling him through Nathan the prophet that David would not be the one to build God a house (temple), but his son--and Christ is the Son.

! So let us Consider Jesus – at all times – and especially in the times of temptation. Except for sin, His humanity is the same as ours. He understands. hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Homework Read Chapter 3 a few more times. Review Chapters 1 & 2 Check a couple different translations if you can