The Book Of Hebrews. Table of Contents

Transcription

1 Table of Contents Introduction... 7 The Author Of Hebrews... 7 A Comparison With Psalm Chapter Hebrews 1: The God-Head God The Son Whom He has appointed heir of all things Whom also He made the worlds He is the brightness of His glory The express image of His person Upholding all things by the word of His power He has by himself purged us of our sins Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Hebrews 1: Jesus is a unique creation By Inheritance He Has Obtained A More Excellent Name Hebrews 1: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son The Davidic Covenant Let all the angels of God worship him Hebrews 1: Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire Hebrews 1: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever Jesus is the Messiah Messiah is God Man s Confusion Of God s Word

2 Jesus Contrasted With The Angels Hebrews 1: Righteousness vs Iniquity The Outcome of This Love and Hatred Annointed Thee With The Oil Of Gladness Above Thy Fellows Hebrews 1: In The Beginning Hast Laid The Foundation Of The Earth And The Heavens Are The Works Of Thine Hands Jesus Christ Forever And Ever Hebrews 1: Angels Are Ministering Spirits We Will Judge The Angels Hebrews 1 Recap Chapter Hebrews 2: Give More Earnest Heed Lest At Any Time We Should Let Them Slip For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast Words spoken by angels are stedfast If every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward Judgment of the saved Judgment of the lost How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord And was confirmed unto us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness days and 40 days and 10 days Hebrews 2: For unto the angels hath he NOT put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honour

3 Jesus was created a little lower than the angels Man was originally created a little lower than the angels Jesus Has Dominion But now we see not yet all things put under him Hebrews 2: A suffering Messiah was necessary For whom are all things and by whom are all things Bringing many sons unto glory To make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: Sanctification The Sanctifier The Sanctified Are All One For Which Cause He Is Not Ashamed To Call Them Brethren Jesus Praise Of The Father My Brethren Declaration and Praise Brethren By Adoption Our Trust In The Father Hebrews 2: God as partaker of flesh and blood Jesus Destruction of the Devil We Have Been Set Free He Took On Him The Seed of Abraham Jesus, The Merciful And Faithful Reconciler Angels as sons of God Believers as sons of God The Role of the High Priest Kinsman As Reconciler Boaz An Example Of The Kinsman-Redeemer

4 Suffered Being Tempted Tempted Suffer Succour Them That Are Tempted Chapter 2 Recap Chapter Hebrews 3: Holy Brethren Partakers Of The Heavenly Calling Consider Apostle And High Priest Of Our Profession Jesus Our Apostle Jesus Our High Priest Christ Jesus Jesus Was Faithful To Him That Appointed Him Comparison And Contrast With Moses Needed Jesus Was Faithful Moses Was Faithful Glorify The Creator Over The Creation Further Reflection On The Faithfulness Of Moses For A Testimony Christ s Faithfulness Over His House As A Son The Far Reaching Effects Of Jesus Work Comparing Jesus and Israel Where Israel Failed, Jesus Succeeded True Believers Are The House The House Believers Meet The Condition Specified The Hope Believe God Chapter

5 Entering Into His Rest The Gospel + Faith = Salvation His Rest

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7 Introduction Our study of the Book of Hebrews will take us into a greater understanding of two key factors. We will first see the superiority of Jesus over all those things of Judaism; prophets, angels and men. Secondly, we will see how we, as Christians, should maintain conduct superior to that of Judaism. This is a book written to Jewish Christians who were facing much persecution for their belief in Jesus as Messiah. It is a book of exhortation and encouragement. The Author Of Hebrews It is believed by some that Hebrews was written by Paul. There is evidence within the writing that indicates it is written by Paul. We will compare Scripture with Scripture to help us get that sense that it is written by Paul. Of course, the self-proclaimed scholars will not admit that, but they have enough issues believing in Jesus and the King James Bible, itself. So I, for one, could care less what they think, other than to point out their error, so others do not fall prey to the thinking of them and their father, the Devil. While the letter to the Hebrews does not state who the author is, there are several places in Scripture that support Paul as the author. Three places in this epistle help me lean towards the author being Paul. Hebrews 10:34 and Hebrews 13:19 speak of the writer s term in prison. Hebrews 10:34 (KJV) 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Hebrews 13:19 (KJV) 19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. The writer here shows a love for his companions and trusts that he will continue with his brethren. We see a similar example of this idea in Philippians 1:25. Philippians 1:25 (KJV) 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; Again we see this manner of thought in Philemon. Paul is imprisoned at this time and says this in Philemon 22, 7

8 Philemon 22 (KJV) 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. Paul spent much time in prison for his preaching of the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike. He suffered much at the hands of his own countrymen. Consider what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 11: Corinthians 11:23 24 (KJV) 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Paul spent much time in prison and when imprisoned looked to be restored so that he could continue his ministry outside of the prison walls. Paul speaks of Timothy in Hebrews 13:23. Hebrews 13:23 (KJV) 23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. It is a fact that Timothy was so much a fellow labourer with Paul, that Paul speaks of him as his son. Here we have Paul speaking to the Jewish Christians referring to Timothy as traveling with him. Outside of the book of Hebrews, we have the witness of Peter, speaking to believing Jews, of Paul s epistles. This is what 2 Peter 3:15 records. 2 Peter 3:15 (KJV) 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; Can we say without a doubt that Paul is the author of the Book of Hebrews? Not with 100% certainty, but as one studies Scripture and compares what we know Paul has written with this book, a sense of Paul being the author is certainly present and very much close to 100% certainty. With this stated, however, the author does a magnificent job of detailing the superiority of Jesus and man s need of Jesus for salvation. I am thankful for this book and personally lean very heavily towards Paul being the author. A Comparison With Psalm 110 A reading of Psalm 110 brings out many resemblances to that of Hebrews. As we study the Book of Hebrews, keep in mind this short Psalm printed here for convenience. 8

9 Psalm 110 (KJV) 1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. 6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. 7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head. At the very least, verses 1 through 4 are definitely seen in the Book of Hebrews. 9

10 Chapter 1 Hebrews 1:1 3 Hebrews 1:1 3 (KJV) 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high; The God-Head These first three verses introduce us to the Trinity. We only see the words God and Son mentioned here, but when you look into the specifics of verse 1, you will see the Trinity is described. We read that God, who at different times and in different manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. One of the manners in which He spoke unto the fathers was by the Spirit. We see this in several places in the Old Testament. We see an instance of this in 2 Samuel 23: Samuel 23:1 3 (KJV) 1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, 2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. So we see the Spirit of the Lord here, the Holy Ghost, God the Holy Spirit, being spoken of. We see in Hebrews 1:2 God the Son being spoken of. This will actually be brought out more a few verses later. We see God the Father being spoken of first in verse 1 and verse 2 where the Son is spoken of as his Son. So, we see in a quick glance here, the Trinity spoken of. God The Son While we saw how the Trinity, or God-Head is spoken of in Hebrews 1:1 3, the main idea being established here concerns the second part of the Trinity, Jesus, the Son of God. While God the Father spoke to men in times past by the prophets, he now speaks to us through his Son. The letter of Paul to the Hebrews establishes the superiority of Jesus the Son of God. This is not to imply that the prophets did not do an excellent job in speaking those things that God told them to speak, but we see and will continue to see Jesus, the Son, is to be counted superior to the prophets of times past. Jesus, the only 10

11 begotten Son of God is who speaks to us in these last days. The Father speaks to us by His Son. Seven things are shown to us in verses 2 and 3 concerning the Son. 1. Whom He has appointed heir of all things 2. Whom also He made the worlds 3. He is the brightness of His glory 4. The express image of His person 5. Upholding all things by the word of His power 6. He has by himself purged us of our sins 7. Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high I read this list and wonder how anyone else can even begin to think there is any other way to the Father other than by Jesus. Whom He has appointed heir of all things Hebrews 1:1 speaks of God speaking unto the fathers by the prophets. Verse 2 then speaks of Him speaking through His Son. We see a parable in Matthew 21:33 41, Mark 12:1 9, and Luke 20:9 16. Here is the account from Matthew 21:33 41, Matthew 21:33 41 (KJV) 33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 11

12 This parable amplifies what we read in Hebrews 1:1 2. The householder is God, the husbandmen are the Jews, the lost sheep of Israel, the servants were the prophets, the householder s son is Jesus, and we are the other husbandmen. As you read through the Gospels you will see just how the Pharisees, Saduccees, and Scribes did not reverence the son. They went after the inheritance of the son. Jesus has been made heir of all things and we see the world s response to the heir of all things. Jesus as we have said is better than the prophets who had spoken before. The prophets were ordained by God to speak the words of God, but none of them had been made heirs of all things at that time. Jesus had not only been ordained to speak the words of His Father, but was ordained to be heir of all things. Jesus is better than the prophets. Notice though, that there is good news for us here and for the prophets who spoke to the fathers in times past. Because Jesus has been made heir of all things by the Father, we who believe on Jesus, who have been called the children of God, are joint heirs with Christ. We are told this in Romans 8:14 17, Romans 8:14 17 (KJV) 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. The prophets of the Old Testament were led by the Spirit of God and are called sons of God. We are led by the Spirit of God because of our belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and are called sons of God. We are told here in Scripture that because we have received the Spirit of adoption, we are children of God. As children of God, we are heirs of God, in fact joint heirs with Christ. Jesus is better than the prophets. Whom also He made the worlds We see this speaks of Jesus with absolutely no doubt whatsoever. The first chapter of the Gospel according to John brings this out clearly. John 1:1 3 (KJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 12

13 But, you may say this speaks of the Word and does not speak specifically of Jesus. John 1:14 finishes the point. John 1:14 (KJV) 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Jesus is that only begotten of the Father spoken of here. We know this because of what God personally says in Luke 3:22 when Jesus had just been baptized by John, Luke 3:22 (KJV) 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. This all shows that Jesus is God. Considering what we read in John 1:1 3 which states the subject of what is being spoken is God, but we also see this in Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:1 (KJV) 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Jesus made the worlds. Jesus is better than the prophets. He is the brightness of His glory We read in John 1:14 how that Jesus was the word made flesh. It says, And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. Jesus is God, as the Father calls Him God in Hebrews 1:8. Jesus humbled himself and became man so that he could pay the price for our sins. While he did humble himself and became a man, we do read of a time when he showed a few of his disciples the brightness of his glory. Matthew 17:1 9 has this account, Matthew 17:1 9 (KJV) 1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 13

14 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. Peter, James, and John got a momentary glimpse of the glory of God during this transfiguration. John records a time when in the isle called Patmos, he experienced Jesus in His glorified state. We see this in Revelation 1:10 16, Revelation 1:10 16 (KJV) 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. At the end of the Book of Revelation in chapter 21 and verse 23, John records the following, Revelation 21:23 (KJV) 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 14

15 The truth of Jesus being the brightness of the glory of God is also described by Paul in his second letter to the Church at Corinth. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV) 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lamb. Jesus is the brightness of His Glory. Jesus is better than the prophets. The express image of His person When man was originally created, he was created in the image and likeness of God. We see this in Genesis 1:26 says, Genesis 1:26 (KJV) 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. After the fall, however, we see Adam s offspring was created in his image and his likeness. We see this in Genesis 5:3, Genesis 5:3 (KJV) 3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: No longer was man seen in the image and likeness of God. Because of sin entering the world through Adam and the woman, we were no longer in the express image of God. Because of sin entering through the first Adam, we no longer were the express image of God. But Jesus, while born of a woman, came into this world because of the Holy Spirit coming upon the woman. Jesus was not of the product of corruptible man, but of God. Scripture speaks of many sons of God, but only one begotten Son of God. Jesus was born in the image and likeness of God because He is God. Jesus is the firstborn of every creature, too. How do we define express image? John 14:6 11 (KJV) 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 15

16 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works sake. John 17:3,11 says, John 17:3 (KJV) 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:11 (KJV) 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. Colossians 1:15 tells us, Colossians 1:15 (KJV) 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: How important is Jesus and His Gospel message? Because Jesus is the Messiah and has brought about the glorious Gospel message, every attempt had been made by Satan to stop this. Consider what is spoken in 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Jesus is better than the prophets. 16

17 Upholding all things by the word of His power Colossians 1:15 told us Jesus was not only the image of the invisible God, but the firstborn of every creature. This came about as a result of His resurrection. Let s look at what Colossian 1:16 17 now, Colossians 1:16 17 (KJV) 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. We have established in the previous section Jesus is the Word of God and that it is Jesus who was made flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is the Word. He is the Word that provides the power to uphold all things. Colossians 1:17 tells us that he is before all things and by him all things consist. We see this in the first chapter of Genesis. Before anything had been made, God was there and so was His Word. Let s look again at Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:1 (KJV) 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. If God had not existed before in the beginning, how could He have created the heaven and the earth? He was there before all things and by the power of His Word He created all things and they all are upheld by the power of his word. Those things that were created know it, and proclaim it! We see this in Psalm 19:1 3, Psalm 19:1 3 (KJV) 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. How powerful that Word is! The very heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork! Those things that were created by the Word proclaim the Word! Verse 3 of Psalm 19 tells us there is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard! Apparently, all those tribes hidden in the dark recesses of the jungles of the Amazon and continent of Africa hear the proclamation given by the heavens! We all can be saved by that Word! I think Job s response to Bildad the Shuhite in Job 26 gives us a good idea of the upholding of all things by the word of his power, 17

18 Job 26 (KJV) 1 But Job answered and said, 2 How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength? 3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? 4 To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee? 5 Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. 6 Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. 7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. 8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. 9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. 10 He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. 11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. 12 He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. 13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. 14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? Jesus is superior to the prophets. He has by himself purged us of our sins Regardless of how unpopular the subject of sin is, it is completely necessary to talk about it in order to understand the salvation that Jesus provided for us by his death, burial and resurrection. If Jesus had by himself purged us of our sins then there must exist sin. Most churches in this Laodicean age do not speak of sin for fear of offending people and thereby losing those in attendance. These pastors are only playing out their part in what is spoken of by Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3, 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV) 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 18

19 The age we live in is that time that has come. Speaking of sin and the effects of sin is sound doctrine and people do not want to hear it. They want to positive messages about how great they are and how much God loves them regardless of any sin issue. They want to hear smooth things as prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 30:10, Isaiah 30:10 (KJV) 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: You see, it s not just smooth things people want to hear, they want to hear deceitful messages. This is precisely what they are hearing in great abundance in these last days. Man s heart is evil and therefore he has a sin problem. The pastor s mentioned before are all too happy to provide the service of positive messages for the people wanting to be deceived. But regardless of what men think, sin exists and therefore has to be dealt with. All throughout the Old Testament we see sin being dealt with through sacrifices offered by the priests assigned to do so. Only those who belonged to the tribe of Levi and specifically of the line of Aaron could offer sacrifices for the sins of the people and themselves. They were chosen by God to do the job of offering sacrifices for sin. This is why we read what we do in Ephesians 2:8 9, Ephesians 2:8 9 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. God has chosen the method of payment, has chosen the agent of the payment, and has provided it as a gift to man because man in his sinful state could not make the atonement for sin needed. It was the blood sacrifices of animals that provided this temporary payment for sin. From the beginning it had been established that only those God chose could make the sin offering and these offerings had to be accomplished as God commanded. All of the offerings made by men only provided a temporary atonement for sin, however. It only purged the sins committed, but did nothing for any sins yet to be committed. A better sacrifice had to be made. Man was told in the beginning the effect of sin. We see this in Genesis, Genesis 2:17 (KJV) 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. As Paul tells us his letter to the Romans, 19

20 Romans 6:23 (KJV) 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Sin is the very reason Jesus came to the earth; sin is the very reason Adam and Eve died; sin is the very reason Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden; sin is the very reason God placed Cherubim and a flaming sword to block the path to the Tree of Life; sin is the very reason for the Law given to Moses by God. Sin must be dealt with and as we have read here, God has made a way for sin to be dealt with. In the Old Testament we see the beginnings of how sin was to be dealt with. It was a picture of things to come. Man tried to provide a covering for sin on his own when Adam and the woman made aprons for themselves out of fig leaves after they sinned. It is here that God showed man the things of the earth cannot provide a covering for sin. God himself showed what kind of covering they needed. We read in Genesis 3:21, Genesis 3:21 (KJV) 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. Fig leaves could not provide the covering needed, but coats of skins did. Why is this so? What is so special about these coats of skins. These coats of skins are not the skin that cover our body, that is, it is not our own skin. We read that man was already made of flesh earlier in Genesis, Genesis 2:21 (KJV) 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; Adam knew he was made of flesh and so was the woman created for him by God, Genesis 2:23 (KJV) 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. So, the skins God created as a covering of the nakedness of Adam and his wife was not their own flesh. These coats of skins were made of animal hides. So, once again, why are animal hides the covering needed instead of the fig leaves? The animals had to be killed and skinned in order for the coats to be made. During this process, there is the shedding of blood. In order for a covering to be made for sin, a shedding of blood has to occur. As we go on in our study of Hebrews, we ll look at this a bit more in depth. But notice, this shedding of blood here to make the covering for Adam and Eve did not take care of the sin problem, it only made a covering. Adam and Eve would both die as a result of sinning against God. 20

21 With this act, God was establishing the requirement of the shedding of blood in order for the sacrifice of sin payment to be accounted as acceptable to God. We see this with the offerings made by Abel and Cain after the Fall. Let s look at Genesis 4:1 5, Genesis 4:1 5 (KJV) 1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Abel made an offering of the firstlings of the flock and the fat thereof. This was acceptable to God. Cain, on the other hand, brought of the fruit of the ground an offering and this was not acceptable. You just can t squeeze blood out of a turnip! There s actually much more that goes with this section of Scripture, but we ll save that for a future study! With the giving of the Law to Moses by God, there was a section dealing with the covering of sins. Only the priests that were of the line of Aaron could make atonement of the sins for themselves and then the people. This was a limited atonement, as it only covered those sins that had been committed. A point to bring up here, however, is how at the giving of the Law, God and man could not meet. It was only Moses who could first go up on the mount. We see the effect of God coming to personally meet sinful man in Exodus 19: This description shows the effect even after the people had sanctified themselves for two days before God descended onto Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:16 25 (KJV) 16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. 21

22 18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. 20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. 21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. 23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. 24 And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. 25 So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them. The Israelites knew they could not stand in the presence of God. We see this in what they said after hearing Moses tell the people what God commanded. Exodus 20 contains the ten commandments of God given to Moses. It also contains the Israelites fearful statement. Exodus 20:18 21 (KJV) 18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. 21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. They were fearful because they were sinful and they knew that is what would have been proven. Reading this makes me wonder about those people who claim they have had personal, face-to-face conversations with God and describe it as if they were just chatting with their best friend. 22

23 As you continue to read in Exodus, you will find specific laws dealing with the sacrifices needed for sin. They all included the blood of animals as a covering for sin. You will see that only those who were of the line of Aaron could make the offerings for sin. You could not just be an Israelite and be permitted to make an offering for sin. This man had to be of the line of Aaron. Only a son of Aaron could be an earthly priest. With this in mind, how is it then that Jesus could be our high priest? These are questions you have to be careful about because unbelievers will try to trick you with these types of questions. The answer here is that while Jesus was on the earth, he was not our priest; he was not our High Priest. While on earth Jesus was preparing to be our sacrifice. Now, Jesus did offer himself up by choice. But he made this decision before humbling himself to become as man. As a man, Jesus was the sacrifice. As God, Jesus is the High Priest. We will see more of this as we go further into our study of the Book of Hebrews. Suffice it to say, Jesus is superior to the prophets and the earthly priests. Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high We come now to the last part of the list we began looking at that encompassed Hebrews 1:2 3. We have seen how Jesus was made heir of all things by God the Father. The Father made the worlds by Jesus. Jesus is the brightness of the glory of the Father, and the express image of His person. God the Father upholds all things by the power of His Word. Jesus is the Word. Jesus by himself purged us of our sins. Lastly, Jesus has sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Let s look at what is involved with this having sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high. There are several things to consider here. The first is that it is God who chose who would sit at His right hand. Secondly, there is a price to be paid for this privilege. Let s take a look at a couple sections of Scripture and get a better understanding of this. We will be looking at Matthew 19:27 30; 20:17 28, Mark 10: I want to look at both of these sections to get a better picture of the whole story here. Matthew 19:27 30 (KJV) 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. This section, I believe, helps establish the question that is about to come up from two of Jesus disciples, and there mother. Jesus is telling the twelve disciples that those who have followed him, will sit upon 23

24 twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Now, he says it this way, because Judas will not be counted amongst those twelve being the son of perdition. I believe Jesus picked Saul, or as he was named after his conversion, Paul, as that twelfth man. What is being pointed out here though is the promise Jesus is making of making them rulers in His kingdom. The story continues! Matthew 20:17 28 (KJV) 17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 24

25 Mark 10:32 45 (KJV) 32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, 33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: 34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again. 35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 25

26 First of all, it is interesting that Jesus starts off by telling the disciples what things are going to happen to him. Still fresh in the mind of the disciples is hearing how they were going to sit on thrones in Christ s Kingdom to judge the 12 tribes of Israel. So how do they respond when Jesus tells them he is going to be turned over to the chief priests and the scribes and that they were going to not only condemn him to death, but turn him over to the Gentiles? How do they respond when Jesus tells them that he would be mocked, scourged, spit on, and killed? How do they respond when Jesus tells them that he would rise again on the third day? James and John, the sons of Zebedee, with their mother present demand of Jesus that one of them sit on his right hand and one on his left hand! When Jesus asked them if they could drink of the cup that he drank and be baptized with the baptism that he was baptized with, both brothers said they could. Jesus assures them that they would. This was going to happen regardless of whether James and John agreed to it. They were disciples of Jesus and this was going to be the outcome. It is the same for us who believe on Jesus. Romans 6:3 (KJV) 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? What is important here is to recognize Jesus instructions to the disciples. If you are going to be chief amongst the believers then you must be a servant, or minister, to them. Jesus himself came not to be served, but to serve. He did not come to be ministered unto, but to minister. Do not think of being chief as being the same as the way the world sees it. Those who are chief amongst the people of the world are ministered unto and served. That is the way of the world, not the way of the Body of Christ. Jesus told James and John, that it was up to God to appoint who would sit on his right hand and his left hand in the kingdom. They were going to rule over the nation of Israel, but the position of the thrones was up to God Himself. God chose His only begotten Son, Jesus, to sit at His right hand. We can see from Scripture how Jesus perfectly fulfilled our salvation and is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Jesus is superior to the prophets. 26

27 Hebrews 1:4 Hebrews 1:4 (KJV) 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. We start off in verse 4 with the statement that Jesus was made so much better than the angels. We are here again speaking of Jesus as the only begotten of the Father. This is the same Jesus who as God humbled himself to become as man and pay the price of our sin. We will get into this more as we go along in our study. A point to be made here is Jesus is so much better than the angels. He is not equal with the angels, or should I say, the angels are not equal with him. This stands against what Mormonism teaches in that they equate Jesus and Lucifer, a created angel, as brothers. The Jesus of Mormonism is not the same Jesus as presented in Scripture. Jesus is a unique creation Jesus, as we see here, is a created being. He is the most unique created being to ever walk on this earth. You and I are created beings. We have an earthly father and an earthly mother. Adam was a created being. He was created from the dust of the ground and became a living soul when God breathed His Spirit into him. Genesis 2:7 (KJV) 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. There was the first man born of a man and woman, Genesis 4:1 (KJV) 1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. There were giants born into this world with a human mother and an angelic father. Genesis 6:4 (KJV) 4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 27

28 Jesus was born into this world through a woman and the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:34 35 (KJV) 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. He is truly unique in this, as no one had come into this world this way before and no one has nor ever will come into this world in this manner. Jesus has God as his Father. We originally had God as our Father, but we sinned and lost that relationship with God. We who believe on Jesus will be reconciled with the Father at some point, but as of now, we have earthly fathers. Jesus is the only one who has God as his Father in every sense of the word. He did not sin and did not lose that relationship with the Father. On the contrary, it is Jesus who has made it possible for us to be reconciled with God as our Father. By Inheritance He Has Obtained A More Excellent Name According to Scripture, the inheritance goes to the first born male. It can, in a sense, be loosely argued that Adam was the first born son of God. God created him from the earth in His likeness and image, and by breathing His Spirit into him, Adam became a living soul. The problem with inheritance here though comes in because Adam lost that inheritance when he sinned in the Garden by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Everyone born after Adam was created in the image of Adam, not God. Everyone except Jesus, that is because he was conceived in a woman when the Holy Ghost overshadowed her. Jesus was created therefore in the image and likeness of God. As a matter of fact, Jesus is even referred to as the second Adam. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, 1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV) 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:45-47 records this. 1 Corinthians 15:45 47 (KJV) 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 28