Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

I will Put My Trust in Him

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Hebrews 2:13-15 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God had given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

‘I will put my trust in him.’ This is the 9th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (2:13; 2Sam. 22:3) and is fulfilled. From 2Samuel 22 and Psalms 18, we have twelve things that God is to His people: Rock (2Sam. 22:2, 3, 29, 31, 32, 33, 40; Ps. 18:2). Fortress. Deliverer. God of my Rock. Shield. The horn of my salvation. High tower. Refuge. Saviour. Lamp. Buckler. Strength.

‘Behold I and the children which God had given me.’ This is the 10th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (2:13; Isa. 8:18) that is fulfilled.

‘Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.’ Seeing that those whom He represents are flesh and blood, it was necessary for Him also to become flesh and blood that He might be capable of dying in their place, by this act of destroying satan and annulling his power of death over mankind.

‘And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.’ This refers to the deliverance of all righteous souls from the captivity of satan and their prison in the lower parts of the earth. Christ descended first into hell (Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:27), in the lower parts of the earth (Eph. 4:8-10; Matt. 12:40), then captured the righteous souls from satan, leading them captive to heaven when He ascended on high as referred to in Ephesians 4:8-10. This fulfilled Psalm 68:18. Before this, all righteous souls went into hades or sheol, along with the souls of the wicked, but in another compartment with a great gulf between them (Luke 16:19-31). Now, the souls of the righteous no longer go into the heart of the earth to be held captive against their will. They go immediately to paradise at physical death to await the resurrection of their bodies (2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24). The wicked continue to go to the torment compartment of Hades or Sheol and will continue to do so until the end of the Millennium. Then death and Hades will deliver up the wicked souls who will be united with their bodies in the resurrection to be judged and sent to eternal hell (Rev. 20:11-15).

Captain of their Salvation

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Hebrews 2:10-13 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctified and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 

‘Became him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory.’ It was suitable to divine wisdom and justice and the program of grace to offer Jesus as a sacrifice to bring many sons to glory.

‘Captain of their salvation.’ The Originator of Salvation. Without suffering He could not have died; without dying He could not have made atonement for sin; and without completing His redemptive work He could not have been perfected.

‘Perfect’ [Greek: teleioo] make a full end; complete. The idea is that Christ could not have been made complete or bring to a complete end the work He was supposed to do without His sufferings.

‘For both he that sanctified and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.’ Christ is the great Sanctifier, who sets apart and consecrates men to the service of God. They who are sanctified or thus consecrated and set apart to the service of God, are all one, in the same family, and called brethren. The brethren are those who represent the body of Christ which is male and therefore called brethren. During Old Testament times the nation Israel was referred to as God’s wife and the representative of God during those dispensations.

‘I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.’ This is the 8th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (2:12; Ps. 22:22) and is fulfilled in Christ declaring the Father to His followers – the Christians, also called His brethren. The Old Testament use of congregation is the correct translation instead of using the word “church” which derives from the translations period where King James’ translators changed the word to fit the Roman Catholic Church.

What is Man?

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Hebrews 2:5-9 For unto the angels had he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou are mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visited him? Thou made him a little lower than the angels; thou crowned him with glory and honour, and did set him over the works of thy hands: Thou had put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 

‘Unto the angels had he not put in subjection the world to come.’ The angels will not be the rulers on earth during the Millennium for they are not God’s children, heirs or co-heirs (Rom. 8:16-17).

‘World to come.’ This refers to the kingdom of the Messiah that wil start with the Millennium that follows the battle of Armageddon at the Second Coming of Christ.

‘What is man, that thou are mindful of Him? or the son of man, that thou visited him.’ This is the 7th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (2:6-7; Ps. 8:4-6) and it is unfulfilled but will be fulfilled in the Millennium and New Earth.

‘Did set him over the works of thy hands.’ Including the sun, moon, and stars to rule them (Ps. 8:3-6).

‘Put all things in subjection under his feet.’ The purpose of the first 1,000 years of the eternal reign of Christ is to put all enemies down and rid the earth of all rebellion (1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 20:1-15).

‘For the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.’ This is why He was made lower than angels. They are immortal and cannot die (Matt. 22:30). Christ needed to be capable of death so that He might taste death for every man.

How shall We Escape

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Hebrews 2:3-4 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, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 

‘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, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? … What is man, that thou are mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visits him?’ If those who had fewer privileges were punished for every sin, we who have the greater light in Christ will be punished also for each sin. What a fool’s dream to think there is no moral responsibility on Christians to live right under grace, or that grace does not see their sins if they commit any!

‘Neglect’ [Greek: ameleo] neglect (2:3; 1Tim. 4:14); be negligent (2Pet. 1:12); regard not (Heb. 8:9); and make light of (Matt. 22:5).

‘So great salvation’ – Ten reasons why salvation is great: [1] Its Founder: Christ preached it (2:3). [2] Its price: Death of only begotten Son (John 3:16; Col. 1:20; 1Pet. 2:24). [3] Its scope: (1) Time and eternity (2Cor. 6:2; Isa. 45:17; Heb. 5:9). (2) The Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 1:16). [4] Its benefits: (1) Physical healing (Acts 3:16; 4:9-12; Matt. 8:17; 1Pet. 2:24; Jas. 5:14). (2) Soul salvation (1Pet. 1:9; 2Cor. 7:10; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-9). (3) Deliverances (Ex. 14:13; 1Sam. 14:45; Isa. 33:2). (4) Joy and peace (Ps. 20:5; 51:12; Isa. 12:3; Rom. 5:1-2). (5) Preservation (Isa. 26:1). (6) Daily benefits (Ps. 68:19). [5] Its infinity: it reaches to the greatest depths and the farthest ends to redeem, exalting the redeemed to the highest heavens (Eph. 3:18; Acts 13:47; Ps. 98:3; Isa. 49:6). [6] Its divine source (Ps. 25:5; 37:39). [7] Its confirmation (Heb. 2:3-4; Mark 16:15-20). [8] Its basic requisites: Grace and faith alone (Rom. 3:24-31; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 2:11). [9] Its exclusiveness (Acts 4:12). [10] Its utter simplicity of reception (John 3:16; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10; 1Jn. 1:9).

‘Confirmed unto us by them that heard him.’ Not only was it confirmed then, but it should be likewise confirmed today (Matt. 18:18; 28:20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1Cor. 12:4-11; etc.).

‘Also bearing them witness.’ God also bore witness. He did not leave the confirmation of such great salvation to men alone. He bore witness by: Signs and wonders (Mark 16:15-20; Acts 2:43; 5:16; 10:38; 1Cor. 12:4-31). Various miracles (Acts 2:43; 19:11). Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 12:4-11, 28-31; Rom. 1:11; Heb. 2:4). These powers are still for Christians today.

More Earnest Heed

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Hebrews 2:1-2 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward

‘Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard.’ Because God has spoken unto us by His Son, because He is such a glorious personage, and because what He says is of such infinite importance to our eternal welfare.

There are eighteen safeguards for Christians noted in Hebrews: Hearing (2:1); heeding (3:12); exhorting (3:13); fearing (4:1); labouring (4:11); coming (4:16; 10:19-20); leaving (6:1); showing (6:11-12); drawing (10:22); holding (3:6; 10:23); Laying (12:1); looking (12:2; Hebrews 15); considering (12:3); lifting (12:12); making (12:13); following (12:14); going (13:13); obeying (13:17).

‘Slip’ [Greek: pararrhueo] to flow beside or past; to slip away from one’s memory. Only here and means, lest we should let the truth slip away from us and forget we were purged from our old sins (2Pet. 1:4-10).

‘Word spoken by angels’ – Referring to the law which was given by angels (Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19), and also to special messages from angels, as in the case of Lot’s wife (Gen. 19:17-26); Samson (Jdg. 13:5; with Jdg. 16:19-22), and others.

‘Steadfast’ [Greek: bebaios] steadfast (2:2; 3:14; 6:19; 2Cor. 1:7); firm (3:6); sure (Rom. 4:16; 2Pet. 1:10, 19); and of force (9:17).

‘Transgression’ [Greek: parabasis] Here translated transgression and in Hebrews 9:15; Romans 4:15; 5:14; Galatians 3:19 and 1Timothy 2:14. Translated “breaking the law” in Romans 2:23.

‘Disobedience’ [Greek: parakoe] means an unwillingness to hear (2:2; Rom. 5:19; 2Cor. 10:6).

‘Recompense of reward’ [Greek: misthapodosia] payment of wages; recompense for breaking the law (2:2; 10:35; 11:26).

Ministering Spirits

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Hebrews 1:13-14 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? 

‘Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.’ This is the 6th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:13; Ps. 110:1) and is fulfilled (Matt. 26:64; Markl 16:19; Acts 2:33-34; 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:1-3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pet. 3:22).

‘Sent forth to minister’ – Angelic Apostles [Greek: apostello] to send forth as a messenger with a commission, the sender remaining behind. An apostle is one thus sent. Here angels are sent like apostles to minister to the heirs of salvation. It is used for the apostles in Matthew 10:5, 16 and Mark 3:14; 6:7. The word is used 133 times and generally for special missions, not for a permanent job or calling. This may help us to understand why the disciples failed in Matthew 17:1-27, after being sent on a special mission with the power to heal and represent Christ in the cities He was to visit on a special tour. They evidently received power for this one mission, Christ knowing that their full reception of power would come later at Pentecost (Acts 1:8).

‘Heirs’ [Greek: kleronomeo] heirs (1:14; Gal. 4:30); obtain by inheritance (1:4); and to inherit (Matt. 5:5; 19:29; 25:34; Mark 10:17; Luke 10:25; 18:18; 1Cor. 6:9-10; 15:50; Gal. 5:21; Heb. 6:12; 12:17; 1Pet. 3:9; Rev. 21:7). Salvation, like eternal life, is not an unforfeitable possession until we inherit it fully in the next life (Rom. 13:11; 1Thess. 5:9; Heb. 9:28; 1Pet. 1:5, 9,  13).

In the Beginning Part 2

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Hebrews 1:10-12 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning had laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remained; and they all shall wax old as do a garment; And as a vesture shall thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou are the same, and thy years shall not fail.

‘Foundation of the earth’ – Katabole therefore, means the disruption, overthrow, or ruin of the social system before Adam. In Genesis 1:1 we have the themelioo, founding of the earth (1:10), and in Genesis 1:2 we have the katabole, overthrow of the social system on the earth by a flood. Note in the first scriptures above that “from” is used seven times and “before” is used three times in connection with the overthrow of the social world. Thus, the New Testament is very clear that the earth became desolate and empty before it was re-created in the six days of Genesis 1:3-31.

‘Works of thine hands’ With His hands God actually formed the earth (Ps. 8:3, 6; 90:2; 95:5); the heavens (Ps. 8:3; 19:1; 102:25); the moon and the stars (Ps. 8:3; Isa. 40:26; 45:12; 48:13; Heb. 1:10); the living creatures (Gen. 1:10-27; 2:7-25; Job 26:13; Rom. 9:20; 1Tim. 2:13); and all things (Pro. 26:10).

‘Perish’ [Greek: apollumi] mar or ruin, never annihilation. The earth is eternal (Eccl. 1:4; Ps. 104:5), so perish here means to “wax old” as a garment (8:13; Luke 12:33). It also means elsewhere in Scripture to kill (Matt. 2:13; 12:14); torment (Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:24); mar (Mark 2:22); lose (Matt. 10:6, 10:39, 42); be lost (John 17:12; 2Cor. 4:3); perish or die (Matt. 8:25); and to ruin (Matt. 9:17), but never to annihilate.

‘Changed’ [Greek: allasso] to make other than it is; to alter; change, as stated above.

In the Beginning Part 1

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Hebrews 1:10-12 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning had laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remained; and they all shall wax old as do a garment; And as a vesture shall thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou are the same, and thy years shall not fail. 

‘Thou, Lord, in the beginning had laid …’ This is the 5th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:10-12; Ps. 102:25-27) and is unfulfilled. This will be fulfilled at the end of the Millennium when the heavens and earth will be renovated and made renewed (1:10-12; 12:25-28; Rom. 8:21-25; 2Pet. 3:10-13).

‘Foundation of the earth’ [Greek: katabole] to cast or throw down (note the verb kataballo, translated as “cast down” in 2Cor. 4:9; Rev. 12:10). Katabole should have been translated as “overthrow” or “casting down of the world” in Matthew 13:35; 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 4:3; 9:26; 11:10; 1Peter 1:20 and Revelation 13:8; 17:8. Except for Hebrews 11:10, katabole is used with kosmos, social world, and refers to the overthrow of the pre-Adamite world by the flood of Genesis 1:2; 2Peter 3:5-7; Psalms 104:5-9; Jeremiah 4:23-26 and the defeat of Lucifer and his earthly kingdom before Adam (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Luke 10:18).

Katabole is not the ordinary word for founding or foundation. A reference to the founding of the world would require the use of themelios, as in Luke 6:48-49; 14:29; Acts 16:26; Romans 15:20; 1Corinthians 3:11-12; Ephesians 2:20; 1Timothy 6:19; 2Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 6:1; 11:10 and Revelation 21:14, 19. This word is never used with kosmos, social systems, or used of ge, the earth. The verb, themelioo, occurs in Matthew 7:25; Luke 6:48; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 1:10 and 1Peter 5:10. This verb is used only once for the founding of the earth (1:10).

To be continued…

Unto the Son He Said

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Hebrews 1:8-9 But unto the Son he said, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou had loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, had anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 

‘Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever …’ This is the 4th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:8-9; Ps. 45:6-7) and it is unfulfilled.

‘Sceptre’ – A rod or staff and a symbol of power and government (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27).

‘Thou had loved righteousness, and hated iniquity.’ This is characteristic of a just ruler.

‘God, even thy God, had anointed thee.’ This is spoken of the Son by the prophet. How could the Son have a God who would anoint Him if He Himself were the only God? This clearly proves two separate Persons, both called God (1:8-9).

‘Above thy fellows’ – Threefold office of Christ – No man was ever anointed as prophet, priest, and king before Christ or thereafter. Some were anointed kings, some prophets, and some priests, but in Christ, all these offices are combined. He is Prophet to all mankind (Matt. 5:3-12, 17-20; 7:21-23; 8:11-12; 10:15, 17-23, 25-26, 41-42; 11:20-24; 12:36-37, 39-42, 45; 13:24-33, 35, 39-50; 15:13; 16:18, 21, 27-28; 17:22-23; 18:7, 35; 19:28-30; 20:18-19, 23; 21:2-3, 31; 22:30; 23:34-39; 24:2,4-25:46; 26:12-13, 18, 24-32, 34, 45-46, 64; 27:63; John 1:50-51; 2:19; 4:21, 50; 5:20, 28-30, 43; 6:35-40, 44-45, 62; 7:37-39; 8:21; 10:14-18; 12:31-32; 13:21, 26, 28-30; 15:18-21, 26-27; 16:1-16, 19-28, 32-33; 20:1721:18; Acts 1:4-8; Rev. 1:1-22:21), High Priest to the whole race (3:1; 4:14-16; 5:6; 6:20; 7:11-17), and King of all nations (Dan. 7:13-14; Isa. 9:6-7; Zech. 14:9; Luke 1:32-33; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 11:15; 22:4-5).

He is also called “The Creator;” (John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1-3) “Mediator;” (1Tim. 2:4-5; Heb. 8:6) “Head of the Body;” (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:16-24) “Saviour;” (2Pet. 3:2) “Judge;” (2Tim. 4:1) “Preserver;” (Heb. 1:1-3) “Life-Giver;” (John 10:28; 17:2) “Lord and Christ;” (Acts 2:36) “The Resurrection and the Life” (Jn. 11:25).

Some men tend to call themselves the prophet, priest and king of their household and over their wives and children, but it is against Scripture and blasphemous to put oneself equal to Christ’s offices for which He gave His life for all of mankind. No man can qualify for these roles in someone else’s life and marriage was not made to elevate one sex or role above the other (Eph. 5: 22-32; Gal. 3:28).

His Ministers a Flame of Fire Part 2

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Hebrews 1:6-7 And again, when he brought in the firstbegotten into the world, he said, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he said, Who made his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

There are ten kinds of spirit beings besides God (continues): [6] Common angels (Gen. 18:2, 4, 8; 19:1-22; Num. 22:22-35; Jdg. 13:6; 2Sam. 14:20; 19:27; Ps. 103:20; Isa. 37:36; Matt. 6:10; 24:36; Mark 8:38; 13:32; Luke 9:26; 20:36; 1Cor. 11:10; Eph. 3:10; 1Pet. 1:12; 2Pet. 2:11; Jude 1:9; Rev. 18:1, etc.). [7] Demons ((Lev. 17:7; 19:31; 20:6; Deut. 18:11; 32:17; 1Sam. 28:3, 9; 2Kin. 21:6; 23:24; 2Chron. 11:15; Ps. 106:37; Isa. 8:19; 19:3). [8] Demonic locusts (Rev. 9:1-11). [9] Demonic horsemen (Rev. 9:12-21). [10] The inner man, or soul and spirit of human beings.

Definition and usage of “Angel”: The word literally means messenger and is used for Christ, angels, and people. [1] Christ, the second Person of the Trinity appeared to men as the messenger of God (1Cor. 10:4, 9; 11:3). He is called: (1) The angel of God (Gen. 21:17; 31:11; Ex. 3:2; Jdg. 6:20; 13:9; Acts 27:23). (2) The angel of the Lord (Gen. 16:7-11; 22:11, 15; Ex. 14:19; Num. 22:22-35; Jdg. 2:1, 4; 6:11-12, 21-22; 13:3-6, 13-21; 2Kin. 1:3, 15; 19:35; 1Chron. 21:12-30; Ps. 34:7; 35:5-6; Isa. 37:36; Zech. 1:9-19; 3:1-6; 12:8; Acts 7:30-38). In all other places where “the angel of the Lord” is found, the term refers to ordinary angels, as in Matthew 1:20, 24; 2:13, 19; 28:2-5; Luke 1:11-38; 2:9-21; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7-23. (3) His angel (Gen. 24:7, 40; Ex. 23:20; 33:2; Num. 20:16; 2Chron. 32:21; Dan. 3:28; 6:22). (4) The angel (Gen. 48:16; Eccl. 5:6; Hos. 12:4). (5) Mine angel (Ex. 23:23; 32:34). (6) Angel of His presence (Isa. 63:9). (7) Angel (Rev. 8:3-5; 10:1-11:3). [2] The word angel is used for common angels in Psalms 104:4. [3] It is used of men in Revelation 1:1, 20; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14; 19:9, 10; 22:6-8, 16. In other places, it is nearly always clear that common angels who are spirit beings and heavenly creatures are referred to.