Sunday, October 2, 2016 Lesson: Hebrews 1:1-9; Time of Action: 67 A.D.; Place of Action: Unknown Golden Text: 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 (Hebrews 1:1-9). I. INTRODUCTION. Many people are willing to acknowledge that a Supreme Being holds final control over all things. But they are not as willing to give this status to Jesus Christ. This isn t new. Some New Testament epistles were written especially to correct erroneous teachings about Jesus (see I John 2:22; 4:3). Errors concerning Jesus abound today as well. Many people are willing to accept Him as a wise teacher, a worthy example, or a social reformer. However, they balk at the truth of His deity, resurrection, ascension, and promised return. The Jesus of the New Testament is fully God, and He has demonstrated His divine sovereignty through His perfect life, miracles, removal of sin, and victory over death. This week s lesson reveals that Jesus
Christ is the eternal Son and final revelation of God. II. LESSON BACKGROUND. The Book of Hebrews was written to first-century Christians who were saved out of Judaism. The letter was composed before the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome (70 A.D), since it is evident that the Temple was still standing when Hebrews was written (see Hebrews 10:11). The writer s purpose was to demonstrate the superiority of Christ in His Person over all human and angelic beings and the superiority of His work and sacrificial ministry to the Mosaic priestly system. The writer did not name himself, and we don t know when it was written or who it was originally written to. Its authorship has been debated since post-apostolic days. In certain places the language is like Paul s and because of the personal reference to Timothy in Hebrews 13:23, some scholars have attributed the letter to Paul although there is no conclusive proof that he was the author. By giving a wide array of reasons to be confident in Christ, the writer encouraged Jewish Christians to be faithful when they might otherwise have fallen away from the faith because of persecution. Hence the readers are exhorted to hold fast (see Hebrews 3:6) and to go on unto perfection (see Hebrews 6:1).
III. JESUS AND GOD S REVELATION (Hebrews 1:1-3) A. God s final word (Hebrews 1:1-2). 1. (vs. 1). Our first verse says God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. The writer begins with the important truth that God has spoken at sundry times and in divers manners spake. The phrase at sundry times and in divers manners means many times and in many different ways. This indicates that God revealed Himself often and in various ways in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. In other words, God in Israel s past revealed or communicated Himself and His will through chosen instruments, the fathers by the prophets. This happened many times through various prophets. The fathers were the ancestors of these Jewish readers who became the caretakers of God s revelation (see Romans 9:4-5). The prophets were God s spokesmen to the people (see I Peter 1:10-12). Note: God communicated His messages to the prophets at various times and by various means. It was given to them in fragments, adding pieces of revelation little by little. Therefore, the Old Testament took shape progressively with God revealing to each generation only what He deemed necessary for them. Sometimes He spoke by dictation as in the giving of the Law. At other times He spoke through visions, dreams, natural events, angels, symbols, or object lessons. He used history, law, parable, prophecy, poetry, and song to covey His message. All this was marvelous, as was the God who
gave it. But for all the varied forms and manifestations God used to reveal Himself and His will, the Old Testament was still incomplete. It looked forward to the final revelation in the Messiah. 2. (vs. 2). This verse goes on to say 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. The final fulfillment of God s revelation of Himself has now come in these last days when God has spoken unto us by His Son. In other words, the climax toward which history was building has arrived. God s revelation has reached its final destination in Jesus Christ. In contrast to the prophets who were simply created beings, when God desired to reveal Himself completely, He chose to do it through his Son. This refers to Jesus in terms of the nature of His relationship to God. He is God s Son having the same essence as the Father. Jesus is the only begotten (see John 1:18), or unique Son who reveals the invisible God. He and His Father are one (see John 10:30). Not only has God spoken to us by His Son, He has also appointed (Him) heir of all things. A human heir receives property in the realm of time. In contrast, the divine Heir, Jesus Christ eternally owns all things which were not only given to Him by the Father (see Psalms 2:7-8; I Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:15), but also were His because He created them. Nothing came into existence apart from Christ s creative hand (see John 1:3; I Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16). The phrase by whom also he made the worlds or ages, identifies Christ as God the Creator (see John 1:1-4, 10; Hebrews 11:3). Note: John 1:1 refers to
the Son of God as the Word. Words communicate. God has communicated Himself to us through the eternal Word, His Son Jesus Christ. Since John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16 teach that Christ was the agent of Creation, then He and God must be one and the same. This is further proof of Jesus deity. Jesus not only brought God s message, He is God s message. All the divine messages in the Old Testament prepared for and led to this final revelation. So whoever encounters Jesus the Son, encounters God (see John 1:18). Since Jesus Christ is God s final word to mankind, no one can afford to be neutral toward Him. He demands a decision from us today, just as He did from those who walked with Him during His earthly life. Eternal destiny hangs on whether one receives or rejects God s final word (see John 3:16-18, 36). The lesson for the Hebrew believers and for all Christians is clear: we must honor and study the Old Testament because it is God s Word. However, we must never abandon the New Testament, the revelation of Jesus Christ, for the partial teaching of the Old Testament. To do that would be an insult to both the Father and the Son. B. The supremacy of the Son (Hebrews 1:3). Still referring to Jesus Christ, this verse goes on to say 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. God s Son deserves to be His final revelation because He is the brightness of his (God s) glory, and the express image of his (God s) person. The term brightness refers to radiance that comes from a source of light. Just as the Shekinah reflected God s glory on earth in Old Testament days, Jesus reflected God s glory during His life on earth. However, Christ is not merely the reflection of God the Father s glory, but being God, He radiates the same glory as the Father (see John 1:14; 2:11; 17:4-5; II Peter 1:16-19). Jesus is also the express image of his (God s) person. This means that Jesus was indistinguishable from God (see John 14:9). The words express image mean an exact reproduction or representation. The Greek word was used to describe the stamp or impression made on coins or seals. Just as the impression was the exact image on the die, likewise Christ is the exact image of God s person or essence. God s essence is visible in Jesus Christ. Everything the Father is, He is also (see Colossians 1:15). In addition, Jesus deserves to be god s final revelation because He is upholding all things by the word of his power. The word upholding means maintaining or sustaining. Christ not only created all things, He also maintains them continually. Upholding is in the present tense indicating a continuous ongoing action. Jesus is upholding or maintaining everything He has created and carrying it all to their intended purpose. Paul expressed this same truth when he wrote by him all things consist (held together) (see Colossians 1:17). Jesus Christ accomplishes this by the word of his power. Just as it took powerful divine utterances to bring the world into being (see Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11), it also requires the enabling word of Christ to keep it
operating smoothly. The phrase when he had by himself purged our sins can be translated as having made purification of sins. It s in the past tense indicating that this action was completed only once. The word purged means purified. Note: Purification from sins was a familiar concept to the Hebrews (see Numbers 19:9, 17). This purification has come about only through the work of the great High Priest who offered His own blood as a sacrifice to God (see Hebrews 9:12-14, 25-28). In contrast to the priests continuing sacrificial offerings for sin (see Hebrews 7:27), Christ s redeeming work was final and complete (see Hebrews 9:25-28). And because His sacrifice was perfect and final (see Hebrews 10:10), Christ then sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. The words sat down are in the past tense indicating a completed action at a point in time. Unlike earlier priests who stood because of unfinished work in the temple (see Hebrews 10:11), Jesus sat down because His work was completed (see John 19:30). Knowing that God was pleased with His redeeming work, Jesus took the place of honor on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Seated at the right hand of the divine Majesty, Jesus occupies the most exalted position in the universe. The term Majesty is a synonym for God Himself, and the right hand signifies the place of honor. After completing His redemptive work, Jesus returned to the position He occupied before (see Luke 22:69; John 1:18; Philippians 2:9).
IV. JESUS AND THE ANGELS (Hebrews 1:4-9) A. Jesus has a better name than the angels (Hebrews 1:4-5). 1. (vs. 4). In this verse, the writer went on to say about Jesus: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. In verses 1-3, the writer had just shown the Son s superiority to the revelation of the prophets, and he now asserted His superiority over the angels saying Being made so much better than the angels. The words Being made translates a Greek term that literally means having become. The focus here is not only on Jesus incarnation but also on His esteemed position in heaven (see Philippians 2:5-11). Although Christ in His incarnation was made a little lower than the angels (see Hebrews 2:7), having completed the Father s will and being seated at His right hand, Jesus is esteemed above all creatures. Note: Angels were held in high regard by the Hebrew Christians. The Old Testament presented angels as powerful beings that excel in strength, that do (God s) commandments (see Psalms 103:20; II Kings 6:17). The Jews knew that angels serve as God s ministers (see Hebrews 1:14) and have access to His presence (see Isaiah 6:1-4; Daniel 8:15-17; 9:21-22). The Hebrews needed to know that Christ was superior to angels not only as an un-created Being (see Colossians 1:16) but also as Redeemer. To prove that Jesus was better than the angels, the writer said he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name
than they (the angels). An inheritance refers to property, rank, title, traits and qualities received from one s parents or ancestors. Since Jesus is God s Son, and has fulfilled His purpose (see Philippians 2:7-8), God has given Him as His inheritance a more excellent name than the angels (see Philippians 2:9). In biblical times, a person s name described their whole character. The more excellent name that God gave to His Son is Jesus which means Jehovah is salvation and confirms what Matthew s gospel says that he shall save His people from their sin (see Matthew 1:21). The name Jesus summarizes His whole character, for He is Creator, Sustainer, Son, Sacrifice and Victor over death. These are qualities that no angel can match. 2. (vs. 5). This verse continues to say For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? At this time, the Old Testament was the only Scriptures. The writer of Hebrews viewed the whole Old Testament as messianic meaning about the Messiah (see Luke 24:27). The author made his case for the distinction between Christ and angels by asking a series of rhetorical questions. He asked first For unto which of the angels said he (God) at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? This quotation comes from Psalms 2:7, a messianic psalm. This quotation from Psalms 2:7 was probably originally understood by Jews to refer to David; yet Acts 4:25 and 13:33 make Psalms 2 refer to Jesus Christ. The words this day probably refers to Jesus resurrection (see Acts 13:30-33;
Romans 1:4). However, the main emphasis is that God never called an angel His son. The second question, did God ever say to an angel I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? This was quoted from II Samuel 7:14. In the original context, this verse refers to Solomon and was part of God s covenant with David. However, the covenant was eventually fulfilled in Jesus through the line of David (see Luke 1:31-33). The writer chose this passage to show that the Messiah s Father-Son relationship was superior to the angels Creator-creature relationship. No angel has ever had this relationship with God. B. Jesus has a higher dignity than the angels (Hebrews 1:6). In this verse the writer said And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. The words And again goes with the words he saith indicating that this is another statement by God. The phrase when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world can refer to either the first or second coming of Christ because at both advents all the angels of God worship him (Christ). The origin of the statement that God makes here, And let all the angels of God worship him is uncertain. However, it is similar to Psalms 97:7 where the word gods replaces angels. But in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament), the word angels replaces gods. This may indicate that the writer quoted from the Greek translation of the Old Testament and not the Hebrew translation. The point here is that angels have
the role of worshiping the Son. This was the case at Jesus first coming (see Luke 2:13-14) and will also be the case at His second coming (see Revelation 5:11-14). C. Jesus nature is different from the angels (Hebrews 1:7). This verse continues to say And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. The writer again used a quotation from Psalms 104:4, where God said of the angels Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. This likens angels to fire and spirits which can also be translated as wind. The word maketh implies that the angels were created or made, whereas Christ is immutable and eternal. In their capacity as God s ministers, angels serve their Creator within their assigned duties. This is further evidence of the superiority of Christ to angels for they are subservient to Him. At Jesus birth, angles were sent to worship Him. Angels are not to be worshiped, but are ministers or servants. Note: Angels are powerful supernatural beings and are here described as wind and fire which are both irresistible and can also be used constructively and destructively. God uses angels to carry out missions of mercy (see Daniel 6:22; Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43) as well as His judgment (see II Samuel 24:15-16; Acts 12:23). Angels are above humans in their abilities, but they are still created beings (see Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9).
D. Jesus character is superior to the angels (Hebrews 1:8-9). 1. (vs. 8). This verse says But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. The conjunction But introduces another contrast between Christ and angels. As already noted, angels are God s ministers or public servants, but God addressed Jesus as the divine ruler saying Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. The writer quotes this from Psalms 45:7. This Psalms focuses on the marriage of an Israelite king, but by applying it to the Messiah, the writer of Hebrews gave the text its full meaning. God declared that Messiah s throne will last for ever and ever meaning that it is eternal and without end. Notice that when God the Father said to the Son Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever He addressed the Son as God. Note: The Father acknowledged the Son as God just as He Himself is God. Since God the Father declares Jesus to be God, He must be really and truly be God for God calls persons and things as they are. Therefore, those who deny that Jesus Christ is God they do it at their own peril. But those of us who are saved own and honor Him as God. God also described the Messiah s kingdom as a scepter of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. A scepter was the staff or wand carried by a king as his badge or symbol of his command or sovereignty. It refers to the kingly office of power. In the case of Jesus Christ, His scepter is one of righteousness or justice. This
description confirms the millennial picture portrayed by Isaiah (see Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-5). Jesus Christ is by nature righteous (see I John 2:1). Wherever He rules, righteousness or justice prevails (see Isaiah 11:4-5; Jeremiah 23:5-6). 2. (vs. 9). Our final verse says Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Since Christ is righteous, God here said of Him that Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity. Jesus has proved Himself to be free from any taint of corruption or impure motives. The terms loved and hated indicate the intensity of Christ s commitment to righteousness or justice. Therefore or because of this, God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Although this anointing could refer to Jesus entrance into His millennial kingdom, it more likely is a picture of the festive occasion when the divine Son completed His work on earth. At that time He was honored by His Father and anointed with the oil of gladness. This is likened to the joy that was set before him (see Hebrews 12:2). The figure of anointing is appropriate for the victorious Son of God because the word for anoint in Hebrew is Messiah and in Greek it s Christ. Both titles, Messiah and Christ mean anointed One. God said that Christ s joyous exaltation is also above thy fellows. This means that Jesus fellows or companions will share in His joy, but to a lesser degree. These fellows are all believers who have identified with Christ and are sons of God who Christ is bringing into glory
(see Hebrews 2:10). As His fellows or companions, Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren (see Hebrews 2:11). Jesus Christ, the eternal and righteous King, has so completely identified with us that He suffered the same temptations as we do (see Hebrews 2:14-18). And now He shares His regal joy with us! V. Conclusion. This week s lesson centers on the Person of Jesus Christ. It s necessary to have a correct view of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Person and His work, in order to be saved. The lesson has provided us with a marvelous description of the sovereign Christ. He is God s final Word, for there will be no more revelations. He is also Lord of the universe, Creator of the angels, and yet He is the Sacrifice for sin and the Companion of redeemed mortals. Knowing this should ignite continuous praise from all the redeemed. ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***