Hebrews 1 - Part 2 - Greater than the angels

SERMON TOPIC: Hebrews 1 - Part 2 - Greater than the angels

Speaker: Gavin Paynter

Language: ENGLISH

Date: 23 May 2010

Topic Groups: HEBREWS, TRINITY, BOOK STUDY

Sermon synopsis: The JW's and SDA church claim that Jesus is the archangel Michael. But we’re given 7 facts about the person and work of Jesus to show His superiority to the angels.
(1) He has a superior name
(2) He is to be worshiped
(3) The Father addresses Him as God
(4) He is the creator
(5) He is immutable
(6) He is eternal
(7) He is seated at God’s right hand.
So we are privileged to have Jesus – the very ‘Son of God’ - as our covenant mediator and the one who delivered God’s final revelation to us.
However with greater privilege and knowledge comes greater responsibility - and the potential for greater judgment if we become desensitized and take our privileges for granted.

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HEBREWS 1

SO HE BECAME AS MUCH SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS AS THE NAME HE HAS INHERITED IS SUPERIOR TO THEIRS.

FOR TO WHICH OF THE ANGELS DID GOD EVER SAY, “YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BECOME YOUR FATHER”? OR AGAIN, “I WILL BE HIS FATHER, AND HE WILL BE MY SON”?

AND AGAIN, WHEN GOD BRINGS HIS FIRSTBORN INTO THE WORLD, HE SAYS, “LET ALL GOD’S ANGELS WORSHIP HIM.”

HEBREWS 1

IN SPEAKING OF THE ANGELS HE SAYS, “HE MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, HIS SERVANTS FLAMES OF FIRE.”

BUT ABOUT THE SON HE SAYS, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, WILL LAST FOR EVER AND EVER, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL BE THE SCEPTER OF YOUR KINGDOM.

HEBREWS 1

YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED WICKEDNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS SET YOU ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS BY ANOINTING YOU WITH THE OIL OF JOY.”

HE ALSO SAYS, “IN THE BEGINNING, O LORD, YOU LAID THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS.

THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; THEY WILL ALL WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT.

HEBREWS 1

YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP LIKE A ROBE; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL BE CHANGED. BUT YOU REMAIN THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NEVER END.”

TO WHICH OF THE ANGELS DID GOD EVER SAY, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET”?

ARE NOT ALL ANGELS MINISTERING SPIRITS SENT TO SERVE THOSE WHO WILL INHERIT SALVATION?

HEBREWS 2

WE MUST PAY MORE CAREFUL ATTENTION, THEREFORE, TO WHAT WE HAVE HEARD, SO THAT WE DO NOT DRIFT AWAY.

FOR IF THE MESSAGE SPOKEN BY ANGELS WAS BINDING, AND EVERY VIOLATION AND DISOBEDIENCE RECEIVED ITS JUST PUNISHMENT,

HEBREWS 2

HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE IF WE IGNORE SUCH A GREAT SALVATION? THIS SALVATION, WHICH WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED BY THE LORD, WAS CONFIRMED TO US BY THOSE WHO HEARD HIM.

GOD ALSO TESTIFIED TO IT BY SIGNS, WONDERS AND VARIOUS MIRACLES, AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO HIS WILL.

The keyword in the book of Hebrews is BETTER.

In our last study we were given 7 facts about the person and work of Jesus to show His superiority to the prophets.

God appointed Him heir of all things

God made the universe through Him

He is the radiance of God’s glory

He is the exact representation of God’s being

He sustains all things by his powerful word

He provided purification for sins

He sat down at the right hand of God

We will now see that Jesus is greater than the angels.

BETTER THAN THE PROPHETS

The JW cult deny Jesus’ deity and claim that Jesus is the archangel, Michael. 1 Even the SDA church believes that Jesus and Michael are one and the same, although they still accept Jesus’ full deity. 2

However the author of Hebrews explicitly says of Jesus that “he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.” (Heb 1:4)

1 Charles Taze Russell- “There is Scriptural evidence for concluding that Michael was the name of Jesus Christ before he left heaven and after his return.” (WT 5/ 15/ 1969, p. 307) …“Michael the great prince is none other than Jesus Christ himself.” (WT 12/ 15/ 1984 p29) 2 “We believe that the term ‘Michael’ is but one of the many titles applied to the Son of God, the second person of the Godhead. But such a view does not in any way conflict with our belief in His full deity and eternal pre-existence…” (Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington D.C., 1957. Ch. 8 “Christ, and Michael the Archangel”.)

IS JESUS AN ANGEL?

Firstly let’s consider how great angels are:

They are greater than men. 1

They can appear & disappear at will. 2

They are awesome in appearance. 3

They cannot die. 4

1 Heb 2:6-7 “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little a lower than the angels; 2 Judg 6:21 … And the angel of the LORD disappeared. Acts 12:7-10 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell… When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 3 Matt 2:3-4 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 4 Luke 20:36 … and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels.

HOW GREAT ARE ANGELS?

They have supernatural power.

They strike the men of Sodom blind. 1

Gabriel makes Zechariah mute. 2

An angel causes Gideon’s food to be miraculously burnt by fire. 3

1 Gen 19:11 Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door. 2 Luke 1:19-20 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God… And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.” 3 Judges 6:21 With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread.

HOW GREAT ARE ANGELS?

An angel causes Peter’s chains to simply fall off and the prison gate to open by itself. 1

1 Acts 12:7-10 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists… They … came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it.

They are very powerful

A single angel destroys 185,000 men. 1

In Revelation we see an angel standing in the sun. 2

An angel rolls away the large tombstone at Jesus grave. 3

HOW GREAT ARE ANGELS?

1 2 Kings 19:35 That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. 2 Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun… 3 Matt 2:1 … an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.

To back the statement that Jesus is greater than the angels, the author of Hebrews now gives 7 facts about the person and work of Jesus to demonstrate His superiority to the angels.

He has a superior name

He is to be worshipped

The Father addresses Him as God

He is the creator

He is immutable

He is eternal

He is seated at God’s right hand

BETTER THAN ANGELS

Heb 1:4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

In fact His name is not only superior to the angels, but superior to, or above EVERY NAME.

Paul wrote of Jesus, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:9-11)

1) He has a superior name

In our culture we have names and they function primarily to identify and distinguish one person from another. In Biblical vocabulary and culture names take on a greater significance. 1

Eve named her son Cain (brought forth) and said “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man” (Gen 4:1). Phinehas’ wife named her boy Ichabod (no glory) saying, “The glory has departed from Israel” - because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas. (1 Sam 4:21)

In both of these cases names were applied, not only to identify but to communicate something about the person or circumstance. 1

1 SOURCE: bible.ca/ ef/ expository-philippians-2-9.htm.

1) He has a superior name

In the Bible names do more than identify; they have meanings and convey images about the one named. 1

The angel told Joseph that Mary “will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, 2 because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21)

Matthew continues “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ - which means, ‘God with us.’” (Matt 1:22-23)

1 Ibid 2 Jesus means “the LORD (Yahweh) saves”

1) He has a superior name

So Jesus’ various names inform and communicate the truth about who He is and what He has done.

The names that Jesus has been given are more than just a means of personal identification. They are titles and have reference to who Jesus is; His power, His glory, His position and His perfection.

In the context of Heb 1:4-5 we see that the superior name (or title) Jesus has received is “Son of God”.

So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”?

We saw in our last study how the title ‘Son’ implies that He is the heir of all things.

1) He has a superior name

Now the writer is quoting Psalm 2:7 and applying it to Jesus:

Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”?

We need to see the full context of the passage the writer is quoting from and consider why these OT passages are being applied to Jesus.

Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm of David (i.e. applicable to the future promised “son of David”). Looking at the context, the entire Psalm 2 is prophetic, speaking of the battle of Armageddon and Jesus’ future 1000 year Millennial rule.

1) He has a superior name

PSALM 2

WHY DO THE NATIONS CONSPIRE AND THE PEOPLES PLOT IN VAIN?

THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TAKE THEIR STAND AND THE RULERS GATHER TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS ANOINTED ONE.

“LET US BREAK THEIR CHAINS,” THEY SAY, “AND THROW OFF THEIR FETTERS.”

PSALM 2

THE ONE ENTHRONED IN HEAVEN LAUGHS; THE LORD SCOFFS AT THEM.

THEN HE REBUKES THEM IN HIS ANGER AND TERRIFIES THEM IN HIS WRATH, SAYING,

“I HAVE INSTALLED MY KING ON ZION, MY HOLY HILL.”

PSALM 2

I WILL PROCLAIM THE DECREE OF THE LORD: HE SAID TO ME, “YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BECOME YOUR FATHER.

ASK OF ME, AND I WILL MAKE THE NATIONS YOUR INHERITANCE, THE ENDS OF THE EARTH YOUR POSSESSION.

YOU WILL RULE THEM WITH AN IRON SCEPTER; YOU WILL DASH THEM TO PIECES LIKE POTTERY.”

PSALM 2

THEREFORE, YOU KINGS, BE WISE; BE WARNED, YOU RULERS OF THE EARTH.

SERVE THE LORD WITH FEAR AND REJOICE WITH TREMBLING.

KISS THE SON, LEST HE BE ANGRY AND YOU BE DESTROYED IN YOUR WAY, FOR HIS WRATH CAN FLARE UP IN A MOMENT. BLESSED ARE ALL WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM.

The nations of the earth gather against God (at Armageddon 1) and his Messiah (the Anointed One).

Psalm 2:1-3 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 2 “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”

1 In fact Ps 2:9 is quoted regarding the battle of Armageddon. Rev 16:14-16 … they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty… Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. 19:11-15 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war… Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” 2 Anointed One is ‘Messiah’ in Hebrew and ‘Christ’ in Greek.

1) He has a superior name

Jesus’ rule as king will be established in Jerusalem (Zion) and He will rule “with an iron scepter”.

Psalm 2:4-9 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

1) He has a superior name

In this context God declares that the Messiah (Anointed One) who is David’s future son, is also the Son of God. Although we too are “sons of God”, Jesus’ title of “the Son of God” is greater as a result of His eternal and special relationship with the Father.

Psalm 2:7,10-12 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BECOME YOUR FATHER… Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

1) He has a superior name

Heb 1:5 … Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?

This second passage (from 2 Sam 7:14 and 1 Chron. 17:13) which the author uses to show that Jesus is God’s Son is interesting. It provides a direct link to the title “son of David” applied to the Messiah and hence to Jesus in the gospels, especially Matthew. 1 This passage shows that the future “son of David” which is looking beyond David’s immediate son, Solomon, 2 is the “Son of God” (i.e. deity). 3

1 Matt 1:1 “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David…” See also 9:27, 12:23, 15:22, 20:30-31, 21:9,15, 22:42 2 Because “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Sam 7:16) 3 John 5:18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

1) He has a superior name

David expresses a desire to build “a house” (i.e. temple) for God. God responds by sending the prophet Nathan to tell David that God will establish a house for David.

2 Sam 7:5-16 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? … the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I WILL BE HIS FATHER, AND HE WILL BE MY SON… Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

So the Messiah (Christ) would be the son of David!

The fact that these prophecies referred not just to David’s immediate son Solomon, but to a future son of David (the Messiah or Christ) was understood even by the Pharisees and the Jews of Jesus’ day.

Matt 22:41-42 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied.

Matt 12:22-23 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

1) He has a superior name

We will see how the author of Hebrews takes attributes that can only be true of God and applies them to Jesus.

Only God is entitled to worship. When Satan tempted Jesus to worship him, Jesus responded, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’.” (Matt 4:10)

2) He is to be worshipped

The author is showing that Jesus is greater than the angels. We know that angels must not be worshipped.

John related how the mighty angel refused worship, “I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, ‘Do not do it! I am a fellow with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!’” (Rev 22:8-9)

Col 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize.

2) He is to be worshipped

In contrast to angels who must not be worshipped, the author shows in Heb 1:6 that God commands the angels to worship Jesus.

And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

The source of this quotation is not as clear-cut as the other quotations in Heb 1. It could be from Deut 32:43 1 or Ps 97:7, 2 albeit both from the Septuagint (LXX).

2) He is to be worshipped

1 Deut 32:43 (LXX) reads: “Rejoice, you heavens, with him, and let all the angels of God worship him; rejoice you Gentiles, with his people and let all the sons of God strengthen themselves in him.” Most translations use the Masoretic text as the primary source but the writer of Hebrews consistently quotes the Septuagint (the Greek OT of Jesus’ day). The Masoretic text drops the first line of this verse. However the oldest manuscript, the Dead Sea Scrolls, agrees with the Septuagint here.

But why should the author of Hebrews quote either of these passages with reference to Jesus, rather than to God which the context seems to require? These passages don’t seem to refer to Jesus’ first coming.

However if “when God brings his firstborn into the world” refers to the second coming and Millennial rule these quotations make perfect sense - as the context around Ps 97:7 is “The LORD reigns” and all are to worship Him - while the context around Deut 32:43 is “The LORD will judge his people”.

2) He is to be worshipped

2 Deut 32:43 is a word-for-word quotation in Heb 1:6 but the other possibility is Ps 9:7 (LXX): “Let all that worship graven images be ashamed, who boast of their idols; worship him, all you his angels.” The Masoretic text uses the word íelohim (gods), not angels. Most times in the OT íelohim refers to Yahweh but sometimes you see the word’s rarer, generic sense of “supernatural beings” (e.g. 1 Sam 28:13; Job 38:7; Psalm 82:1,6; 138:1).

Jesus accepted

worship

Unlike the angels, Jesus is entitled to receive worship. Jesus accepted worship on numerous occasions:

From the Magi (Matt 2:11)

From the leper (Matt 8:2)

From the ruler (Matt 9:18)

From His disciples in the boat (Matt 14:33)

From the Canaanite woman (Matt 15:25)

From the disciples following His ascension (Lk 24:52)

From the blind man (John 9:38)

From Thomas (John 20:28)

All creation worships the Lamb (Rev 5:11-14)

2) He is to be worshipped

Heb 1:7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.” 1

Contrasted with the angels who are God’s servants, the author shows not only that the Father addresses Jesus as God, but that Jesus is enthroned (i.e. being served):

Heb 1:8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever…”

1 This is a quote from Ps 104:4 which shows that the physical creation carries out God’s will, with wind and flame acting as his messengers. Ps 104:1-4 Praise the LORD, my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty. You cover yourself with light as though it were a robe. You stretch out the heavens as though they were curtains. You lay the beams of your home in the water. You use the clouds for your chariot. You move on the wings of the wind. You make your angels winds and your servants flames of fire. (God’s Word Translation)

3) The Father calls Him ‘God’

Heb 1:8-9 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

Here Ps 45:7-8 is being quoted. Addressed to David 1 this psalm declares that David’s kingdom will last for ever, because it was based on righteousness. 2

1 Ps 45:1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. 2 You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. 2 SOURCE: tyndale.org/ TSJ/ 7/ tait.html

3) The Father calls Him ‘God’

But David and his successors, like all human rulers, were mortal. However the house of David would culminate in the coming of the Messiah, whose kingdom would literally last for ever. The writer to the Hebrews declares that this Messiah is Jesus and applies the text to him. 2

1 (cont) Ps 45:3 Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. 4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. 5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. 6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy … 17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever. 2 SOURCE: tyndale.org/ TSJ/ 7/ tait.html

3) The Father calls Him ‘God’

In Isaiah 44:24 we see that Yahweh created alone: “I am Yahweh, who makes all things; who alone stretches out the heavens; who spreads out the earth by myself” (World English Bible).

Yet the author says of Jesus, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” (Heb 1:10)

4) He is the Creator

Heb 1:11-13 “They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

The author is taking Psalm 102:25-27 which speaks of Yahweh (Jehovah) as the creator and applies this to Jesus because of the reference to the Millennial rule. 1

1 Ps 102:15 So the nations will fear the name of Yahweh; all the kings of the earth your glory. 16 For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory … 21 that men may declare the name of Yahweh in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22 when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh… 25 OF OLD, YOU LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH. THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS. 26 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU WILL ENDURE. YES, ALL OF THEM WILL WEAR OUT LIKE A GARMENT. YOU WILL CHANGE THEM LIKE A CLOAK, AND THEY WILL BE CHANGED. 27 BUT YOU ARE THE SAME. YOUR YEARS WILL HAVE NO END. (WEB - World English Bible)

4) He is the Creator

We saw last time how being the Creator made Jesus greater than the prophets. It also makes Him greater than the angels, for no angel was involved in creation – rather they themselves are created beings.

One of God’s unique characteristics is that he is immutable. Simply put this means that, unlike men, God is consistent and does not change.

Immutability is the perfection of God by which He is devoid of all change in essence, attributes, consciousness, will and promises. No change is possible in God, because all change must be to better or worse, and God is absolute perfection. 1

Malachi 3:6 “For I, Yahweh, don’t change…” (WEB)

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.

1 www.parentcompany.com/ awareness_of_god/ aog4.htm

5) He is immutable

The author of Hebrews takes this same attribute of God and twice applies it to Jesus:

Heb 1:11-12 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same…

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

5) He is immutable

Another unique attribute of God is that He is eternal. 1

Eternity refers to the endless past, the unending future, or to God’s present experience of all time. God has no beginning and no ending either, but God exists now and knows both the beginning and the end as we perceive them. Thus in the Scriptures, God is called ‘everlasting’ and ‘eternal’. 2

1 parentcompany.com/ awareness_of_god/ aog7.htm 2 Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were made, before you had given birth to the earth and the world, before time was, and for ever, you are God. Deut 33:27 The eternal God is your dwelling place. Underneath are the everlasting arms. Gen 21:33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and called there on the name of Yahweh, the Everlasting God. (WEB) 1 Tim 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

6) He is eternal

But the author of Hebrews applies this attribute of God to Jesus when he writes, “… and your years will never end.” (Heb 1:12)

This following prophecy concerning Jesus shows that He is EVERLASTING or ETERNAL.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Col 1:17 … He is before all things…

John 8:57-59 “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born I AM!”…

6) He is eternal

In Isaiah 44:6 we read, “This is what Yahweh, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies, says: ‘I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.’” (WEB)

When Jesus appeared to John on the island of Patmos, His words to him were, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last.” (Rev 1:18)

Jesus makes the same statement as Yahweh in the Old Testament. Now it is impossible for there to be two “FIRSTS”. Either one must be FIRST and the other SECOND if they are two separate beings. But Jesus and Yahweh both state, “I AM THE FIRST.”

6) He is eternal

Heb 1:13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

This is quoted from Psalm 110:1. Once again the entire Psalm is again clearly a Messianic psalm of David speaking of Armageddon and the Millennial rule of Christ.

This psalm is quoted more than any other in the New Testament, and especially in Hebrews, where the writer clearly regards it as central to everything he has to say about Jesus Christ. 1

Jesus himself quoted this Psalm as applying to the Messiah (Son of David).

1 tyndale.org/ TSJ/ 7/ tait.html

7) Seated at God’s right hand

PSALM 110

THE LORD SAYS TO MY LORD: “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.”

THE LORD WILL EXTEND YOUR MIGHTY SCEPTER FROM ZION; YOU WILL RULE IN THE MIDST OF YOUR ENEMIES.

PSALM 110

YOUR TROOPS WILL BE WILLING ON YOUR DAY OF BATTLE. ARRAYED IN HOLY MAJESTY, FROM THE WOMB OF THE DAWN YOU WILL RECEIVE THE DEW OF YOUR YOUTH.

THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND: “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, IN THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

PSALM 110

THE LORD IS AT YOUR RIGHT HAND; HE WILL CRUSH KINGS ON THE DAY OF HIS WRATH.

HE WILL JUDGE THE NATIONS, HEAPING UP THE DEAD AND CRUSHING THE RULERS OF THE WHOLE EARTH.

Ps 110:1 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

In the Hebrew language 2 different titles of God are used here, Yahweh and Adonai, both translated ‘Lord’ in English although the former is distinguished by capitalization in many Bible translations. The LORD (Yahweh) speaks to David’s Lord (Adonai). The Father appoints the Son to exercise lordship. He is seated in the place of honour and is destined to overcome his enemies. He is greater than his human ancestor David, for he is David’s Lord.

Jesus demonstrated this very point when He quoted this exact psalm to the Pharisees showing the paradox that the Messiah was both David’s son and his Lord.

7) Seated at God’s right hand

Matt 22:41-46 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

7) Seated at God’s right hand

The Millennial rule will be from Zion (Jerusalem).

Ps 110:2 The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies.

7) Seated at God’s right hand

Like Psalm 2, it refers to the battle of Armageddon which precedes Christ’s Millennial rule.

Ps 110:3 Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth… 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.

It refers to the judgment of the nations which immediately precedes the Millennium.

Ps 110:6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.

7) Seated at God’s right hand

Vs 4 speaks of Jesus’ role as High Priest. This verse in particular is used frequently later on in Hebrews.

Ps 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

So Jesus, the son of David, was not only greater than David, but greater than the angels.

Heb 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

7) Seated at God’s right hand

In the light of what we have seen in Hebrews 1 ask yourself, “Who is greater, the angels or Jesus?”

Again, the answer is obvious. The angels never created. They are not immutable or eternal. They cannot be worshipped. They aren’t the special heir (Son) of God. The angels don’t sit at the Father’s right hand. They are servants of God while Jesus is to be served.

BETTER THAN THE ANGELS

The 7 facts we looked at show that Jesus is superior to any angelic being.

At this point we might say, “Well this is wonderful. Jesus is not just one of the prophets. He’s greater than the prophets. He’s not even equal to the mighty angels of God. He is greater than the angels. So we are privileged to have Jesus – the very ‘Son of God’ - as our covenant mediator and the one who delivered God’s final revelation to us.”

The author has developed a principle. He now brings the application. His point is that with greater privilege and knowledge comes greater responsibility - and the potential for greater judgment if we become desensitized and take our privileges for granted.

A SOLEMN WARNING

Because Jesus is greater than the angels we are then given a solemn warning against falling away.

Heb 2:1-4 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels 1 was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

1 Act 7:53 …the law that was put into effect through angels… Gal 3:19 The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.

A SOLEMN WARNING

Now bear in mind that the recipients of the book of Hebrews were not unbelievers, but Christians who had faced fierce persecution.

Heb 10:32-34 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property…

A SOLEMN WARNING

Some were being tempted to fall away in the face of this persecution. Yet they receive the stern warning:

Heb 10:28-29 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot… ?

In the face of this persecution, 1 they are also warned not to stop fellowshipping:

Heb 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing… 1 We normally apply this passage to those who are simply too lazy to fellowship, or who stay away because they were hurt in the past, or who aren’t given the platform they seek.

A SOLEMN WARNING

Heb 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

If we do not give the more earnest heed, we will drift away. Drifting is something that happens quite automatically when we are not anchored to anything solid; if we are not “anchored” in the superiority of Jesus, we will drift with the currents of the world, the flesh, and the devil. 1

One doesn’t have to do anything to simply drift away; most Christian regress comes from a slow drifting, not from a sudden departure. 1 1 David Guzik - enduringword.com

A SOLEMN WARNING

An ungodly farmer died, and they discovered in his will that he had left his farm to the Devil. In the court, they didn’t quite know what to do with it - how do you give a farm to the Devil? Finally, the judge decided: “The best way to carry out the wishes of the deceased is to allow the farm to grow weeds, the soil to erode, and the house and barn to rot. In our opinion, the best way to leave something to the Devil is to do nothing.” We can leave our lives to the Devil the same way – doing nothing, drifting with whatever currents will drive us. 1

1 Ibid

This is a word to believers, not to the unsaved. The danger described isn’t rejecting salvation (though the principle certainly applies), but neglecting salvation. 1

Therefore, we must not neglect so great a salvation. The word neglect is amelesantes, which is used in Matthew 22:5 (they made light of it) of those who disregarded the invitation to the marriage supper. It means to have the opportunity, but to ignore or disregard it. 1

1 Ibid

A SOLEMN WARNING

If we must take the word which came by angels seriously, how much more seriously must we take the word which came by the Son of God - who has been proven to be greater than the angels? A greater word, brought by a greater Person, having greater promises, will bring a greater condemnation if neglected. 1

In the light of the fact that we have a way of salvation provided by God’s own Son Jesus, who is greater than the prophets and the angels, “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?”

The answer is – we won’t escape.

Are you ignoring (or neglecting) God’s plan of salvation? 1 Ibid

A SOLEMN WARNING

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