Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

His Ministers a Flame of Fire Part 1

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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. 

‘And let all the angels of God worship him.’ This is the 3rd Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:6; Deut. 32:43) and has been fulfilled. This prophecy is quoted from the Septuagint of Deuteronomy 32:43, “Rejoice, you heaven, together with him; and let all the angels of God worship him.”

‘Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.’ Quoted from Psalms 104:4.

‘Angel spirits’ – The word “spirit” is found 551 times in Scripture. From these references, the 297 times “angel” is found, and from over 20,000 others about God who is a spirit being, we learn all there is to know about the spirit world – all the various kinds of spirit beings that inhabit the unseen material world and under the earth (Php. 2:10; Rev. 5:3, 13).

There are ten kinds of spirit beings besides God: [1] Seraphim (Isa. 6:1-7). [2] Cherubim (Gen. 3:24; Ezek. 1:5-28; 8:1-4; 10:1-22). [3] Zoa, or Living Creatures (Rev. 4:6 – 5:14; 6:1-8; 7:11; 14:3, 9-11; 15:7; 19:4). [4] Spirit animals are shaped like the fleshly ones we have on earth (2Kin. 2:11-12; 6:13-17; Zech. 1:8-11; 6:1-8; Rom. 1:20; 2Cor. 12:1-4; Rev. 19:11-21). [5] Archangels, or chief angels rule kingdoms (Col. 1:15-18; 1Thess. 4:16; Jude 1:9). (1) Michael, one of the chief princes, the prince of Israel (Dan. 10:13, 21; 11:1; 12:1; 1Thess. 4:16; Jude 1:9; Rev. 12:7-9). (2) Gabriel, who stands before God (Dan. 8:16-19; 9:20-23; 10:8 – 11:1; Luke 1:19, 26). (3) Lucifer, the original ruler of the Earth and present pseudo-ruler of man’s dominion on Earth (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 10:18; Eph. 2:2; Rev. 12:7-9). (4) Unnamed princes of Persia and Grecia (Dan. 10:13 – 11:1; Rev. 11:7; 17:8).

To be continued…

Thou are My Son

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Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou are 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? 

‘Thou are my Son, this day have I begotten thee.’ This is the first Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:5; Ps. 2:7) and has been fulfilled by His birth. This refers to the incarnation when the second person of the Divine Trinity took a human body to redeem (Php. 2:5-11; Isa. 7:14; 9:6). It was when God had a Son through Mary (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14). This happened on a certain day: “This day have I begotten thee” (Heb. 1:5-7). Therefore, we cannot say that God had a Son before this time. This proves that sonship in connection with God had to refer to humanity and not to deity.

As God, the person we now know as Jesus Christ had no beginning, was not begotten, was not a Son, and did not come into being. He always existed as God (Ps. 90:2; Mic. 5:2; John 1:1-2; Heb. 1:8). But as man and as God’s Son He was not eternal. He had a beginning. He was begotten – at the same time Mary had a Son. Therefore, the doctrine of the eternal sonship of Jesus Christ is irreconcilable to reason, unscriptural, and contradictory to itself. Eternity has no beginning, so if He has been God from eternity, then He could not have a beginning as God. Eternity has no reference to time, so if He was begotten “this day,” then it was done in time and not in eternity.

The word Son supposes time, generations, father, mother, beginning, and conception – unless one is a son by creation, as Adam (Luke 3:38), and angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Gen. 6:1-4). “Time, created, and beginning,” are opposites to God and eternity and are absolutely impossible to reconcile with them. If sonship refers to deity, not to humanity, then this person of the Deity had a beginning in time and not in eternity. It is plainly stated in Psalms 2:7; Acts 13:33 and Hebrews 1:5; 5:5 that God had a Son “this day” and not in eternity. It is stated in Hebrews 1:5-7; Luke 1:35 and Matthew 1:18-25 when this took place. It was nearly 2,000 years ago. It had been predicted that God would have a Son (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Heb. 1:5; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:32-35). This was fulfilled when the virgin conceived “of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 1:20), not at any other time. To say that God had an eternal Son would mean He had two; but it is plainly stated that Jesus was “the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14, 18; 3:16-18; 1Jn. 4:9).

‘I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.’ This is the 2nd Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (1:5; 2Sam. 7:14) and was fulfilled when Christ was born.

So Much Better

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Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he had by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 

‘Better’ – Christ is better [Greek: kreitton] stronger, mightier, greater, more excellent. Translated better 13 times in Hebrews, the Book of better things.

Christ is better than the: Prophets (1:1-3), angels (1:4 – 2:18), Moses (3:1-18), Joshua (4:1-13), the High Priest (4:14 – 6:12), Melchizedek (7:1-10), Abraham (6:13 – 7:10), Aaron and other earthly priests (7:11 – 8:6), the old covenant sacrifices (8:7 – 10:39), the old covenant faith-worthies (11:1 – 12:2), parents and others (12:3 – 13:25).

‘Angels’ – The Jews had the highest opinion of angels and even associated them with God. On their own ground, Paul proves to them that Jesus is God, to be worshipped by angels (1:6).

Christ is better than the Angels: He obtained a more excellent name (1:4). He is the only begotten Son of God (1:5). To be worshipped by angels (1:6). He is the Creator of angels (1:7; Col. 1:15-18). A member of the Godhead (1:8; John 1:1). An eternal Being, not a creature (1:8). An eternal King (1:8). God’s only Anointed One (1:9). Creator of the material world (1:10).

The renewer of all creations (1:11-12). The only exalted One (1:13). The Director of angels (1:14). Rejecting His word entails greater punishment than rejecting that of angels (2:1-3). Greater confirmation of the Word (2:3-4). Greater conqueror than angels (2:5, 8). Has greater authority than angels (2:6-7). Greater humiliation than angels (2:9). Greater glory and honour. Greater love than angels. All things are created for Him (2:10). He is the Creator of all things. He is the redeemer of man. Perfected through His sufferings. Sanctifier of man (2:11). Became a brother to man (2:11-13). Preacher of God’s name to man (2:12). Singer of God’s praise amid the congregations. He has perfect trust in God (2:13). Adopts children to God. Partook of human nature (2:14-18). Died to destroy death (2:14). Conquered the devil (2:14; 1Jn. 3:8). Delivered people from hell (2:1-14; Eph. 4:8-10; Matt. 12:40; Ps. 16:10). Made in all things like human beings so that He could redeem them (2:1-14, 17). Suffered temptation and won, so He could help those tempted (2:1-14, 18).

‘By inheritance obtained a more excellent name. Three ways Jesus obtained His great name: By birth (Matt. 1:21). By inheritance (1:4). By achievements (Php. 2:5-11).

The Brightness of His Glory

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Hebrews 1:3 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

‘Brightness’ [Greek: apaugasma], translated as reflection.

‘Glory’ [Greek: doxa] translated as glory 145 times (1:3; 2:7, 9, 10; 3:3; 9:5; 13:21); glorious (Rom. 8:21; 2Cor. 4:4; Php. 3:21; Col. 1:11); praise (John 9:24; 12:43; 1Pet. 4:11); honour (John 5:41, 44; 8:54; 2Cor. 6:8; Rev. 19:7); worship (Luke 14:10); and dignity (2Pet. 2:10; Jude 1:8).

‘Express image’ [Greek: character] exact expression, or impression as when metal is pressed into a die, or as a seal upon wax.

‘Person’ [Greek: hupostasis] person (1:3); substance (11:1); confidence (3:14; 2Cor. 11:17); and confident (2Cor. 9:4). Here it refers to an essential substance or that which constitutes deity in body, soul, and spirit.

‘Word of his power.’ By His word of power, all things are upheld and sustained eternally.

‘By himself purged our sins.’ By His atonement sins are purged, not by water baptism, the Lord’s Supper, or any other ritual or form of religion (Matt. 26:28; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:1-11; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:22; 1Jn. 1:7-9; 1Pet. 1:18-23; 2:24; Rev. 1:5; 5:8-10).

‘Sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.’ Christ’s exaltation at the right hand of God (Matt. 26:64; Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33-34; 7:56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pet. 3:22). Another proof of God and Christ being separate and distinct persons who sit side by side.

Spoke In Time Past Part 4

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Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Had in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he had appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

‘By’ [Greek: en] IN. There is no definite article here and no pronoun “his”. It simply reads, “in Son,” emphasizing not only His sonship but that He is the only Son in the sense of being begotten (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18). Under the Old Testament, there were many parts, ways, and persons used in speaking to men, but in the New Testament, all was done through the Son who fulfilled the law and the prophets and made the new covenant (Matt. 26:28; Acts 1:2).

‘Son’ Eight facts about Christ: Spokesman for God (1:2). Appointed heir of all things. Planner of the worlds (ages). Brightness of God’s glory (1:3). Express (exact) image of God’s Person. Upholder of all creations. Saviour of the world – purged sins. Ascension and exaltation.

‘Appointed’ [Greek: tithemi] appoint (1:2; Matt. 24:51; Luke 12:46; 2Tim. 1:11; 1Pet. 2:8); ordain (John 15:16; 1Tim. 2:7); set forth (John 2:10).

‘Heir of all things’ – Romans 8:17 states that if we are God’s children, then we are His heirs and joint heirs with Christ who is the ‘Heir of all things,’ but only if we are prepared to suffer with and for Him.

‘Worlds’ [Greek: aion] age – a period of time whether long or short. Translated “world” (1:2; Matt. 12:32; 13:39); “age” (Eph. 2:7; Col. 1:26); “course” (Eph. 2:2); and other ways. Here it means Christ was the agent in planning the ages and making God’s plan for man. In this sense He is the everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6). He not only planned the ages but all creations (Col. 1:15-18; John 1:3; Eph. 3:9).

Spoke In Time Past Part 3

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Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Had in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he had appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

We see that Christ is better than the prophets from Hebrews 1:1-3, 9 and other Scriptures: Creator of prophets (1:1-3). Lord and Master of prophets (1:1-2; Matt. 22:41-46; 1Pet. 1:10-13). Only-begotten Son of God (1:1-3; John 1:18; 3:16-20). God manifested in the flesh (John 1:14). Sinless (1Pet. 2:21-22). He had greater anointing (John 3:34). He was the fulfilment of their writings (Luke 24:25, 44-45; 1Pet. 1:10-13). He is the heir of all things (1:2). He is the planner of the ages (1:2). He is the brightness of God’s glory (1:3). Express the image of God’s person (1:3; Php. 2:5-11). He is the upholder of all things (1:3). He was God’s perfect sacrifice (1:3, 9; 9:11-28; 10:1-18). He is the Saviour of the prophets (1:3; 7:25; 1Pet. 1:10-13). He was and is exalted higher than prophets (1:3; 1Pet. 3:22).

‘Last days’ – Fourteen end-time expressions: Latter times – last years ending this age before the Millennium (1Tim. 4:1). Latter years – Armageddon and the end of this age (Ezek. 38:8, 16). Latter days – the future tribulation (Num. 24:14; Deut. 4:30; 31:29; Jer. 23:20; 30:24; 48:47; 49:39; Dan. 2:28; 10:14). Latter day – Millennium (Job 19:25). Latter days – Millennium (Hos. 3:5). Last days – end of this age preceding the Millennium (Dan. 8:19; 2Tim. 3:1; Jas. 5:3; 2Pet. 3:3; Jude 1:18). Last day – the rapture, at least seven years before the Millennium and second advent (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54; 11:24). Last days – the tribulation period or the last seven years of this age (Acts 2:16-21). Last days – first coming (Heb. 1:1-2). Last times – first coming (1Pet. 1:20). Last time – apostolic times and the congregational period (1Jn. 2:18). Last time – second coming (1Pet. 1:5). Last days – Millennium (Gen. 49:1; Isa. 2:1; Mic. 4:1). Last day – end of the Millennium (John 12:48; cp. Rev. 20:7-15).

To be continued…

Spoke In Time Past Part 2

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Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Had in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he had appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

‘In time past unto the fathers by the prophets.’ Moses was the author of the Law – Genesis to Deuteronomy –  he was also called a prophet for God commanded Him to write these first books (Ex. 3:8,12,17-22; 4:8-9,14-17,21-23; 6:1-8; 7:3-5,9,15-19; 8:2-4,10-11,16,20-23; 9:1-5,8-9,13-19,29; 10:2-6,29; 11:1,4-9; 12:12-13,23-27; 13:5,19; 14:3-4,13-18,26; 15:13-18; 16:4-8,12; 17:6,14-16; 19:5-6,9-13; 22:23-24; 23:20-33; 33:1-3,14; 34:10-11,24; Leviticus 18:24-28; 26:3-45; Numbers 10:9; 11:17-20,23; 14:21-24,28-35; 16:29-30; 17:5; 33:55-56; Deut. 1:35-38; 2:24-25,31; 3:2,21-22,27-28; 4:10,21-22,25-31; 6:10-12; 7:20-24; 8:3,10-20; 9:3-6; 11:13-32; 12:1-32; 15:4-6; 17:14-20; 18:15,18-19; 28:1-68; 29:17-28; 30:1-10,15-20; 31:1-8,16-23,27-29; 32:19-32; 33:6-29; 34:4). He also wrote Psalms 90 and 91.

The “Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 5:17; 11:13; Acts 13:15) is another name for the Old Testament as well as “the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms;” (Luke 24:25, 44) “the Law of the Lord;” (Ps. 1:2) “the Book of the Lord;” (Isa. 34:16) “the Scripture;” (Mk. 15:28; Jn. 7:38; 2Tim. 3:16-17) “the Scriptures;” (Luke 24:27, 32; John 5:39; Acts 17:11) “the Holy Scriptures;” (Rom. 1:2; 2Tim. 3:15) “the Promises;” (Rom. 9:4-5; 15:8) “the Oracles of God;” (Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12; 1Pet. 4:11) “the Lively (living) Oracles;” (Acts 7:38) “the Word of God;” (Mark 7:13; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 4:12) “the Sword of the Spirit;” (Eph. 6:17) “the Old and New Testament;” (Luke 22:20; 2 Cor. 3:6-15; Heb. 9:15) “the Word of Christ;” (Col. 3:16) “the Word of Life;” (Phil. 2:16) “the Scripture of Truth;” (Dan. 10:21) “the Word of Truth;” (2 Tim. 2:15) and “the Gospel of Christ.” (Rom. 1:16)

‘By’ [Greek: en] IN the prophets. The Holy Spirit indwelt the prophets and spoke through them in the same manner He dwells in men today. It testifies to being in union with, being consecrated to the same end – one in mind, purpose, and life. Men can become one in spirit with God when joined to Him in consecration (1Cor. 6:17).

To be continued…

Spoke In Time Past Part 1

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Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Had in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he had appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds 

‘God’ – This is God the Father, the head of Christ and the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 8:6; 11:3; Matt. 28:19; 2Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1Jn. 5:7).

‘Sundry times and in divers manners.’ In many parts in many ways (Isa. 28:10). From all these portions we get a perfect harmony, as in musical sounds made up of different parts. There is only one plan of God for man. All the prophets [Old Testament authors] gave perfect and harmonious testimony that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and Saviour of the world (Acts 10:43).

‘In time past’ [Greek: palai] of old (Matt. 11:21; Luke 10:13; 2Pet. 1:9; Jude 1:4).

‘In time past unto the fathers by the prophets.’ The Old Testament was by God the Father given to man by the prophets and From Hebrews 1:1-2 as well as Matthew 11:13 and Luke 16:16 we see that the Old Testament (Law and Prophets) ended with the last prophet John the Baptist who was a prophet (office bearer) called by God. The New Testament starts with Christ’s crucifixion (1Cor. 11:25; Heb. 9:15-16) and He again called the apostles who wrote the New Testament. God speak to us through His written Word today and no prophets or apostles – except false ones – are called anymore (Matt. 7:15; 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; 2Cor. 11:13; 2Pet. 2:1; 1Jn. 4:1; Rev. 2:2). Two prophets that will return during the last 3½ of the 7-year tribulation will be Enoch and Elijah will herald Christ’s Second Coming and to prepare the hearts of people to receive the Messiah (Mal. 4:5-6; Rev. 11:3-11; Ezek. 20:35-36).

To be continued…

Introduction to the book Hebrews Part 2

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The arguments for Paul’s authorship are (continues): [7] There is nothing in the epistle contrary to Paul’s authorship, and there is much internal evidence that Paul was the author: (1) Both books argue at length on the abolishment of the old covenant. (2) Both anticipate the visit of the writer (Gal. 4:20; Heb. 13:19). (3) Paul was the only writer of the New Testament who requested prayer for himself (cp. Heb. 13:18 with 2Thess. 3:1). (4) Many exhortations in Hebrews are similar to those of other epistles of Paul (cp. Heb. 12:3 with Gal. 6:9; Heb.12:14 with Rom. 12:18; Heb. 13:1-3 with Eph. 5:2-4; Heb. 13:16 with Php. 4:18; Heb. 5:12 with 1Cor. 3:2; Heb. 8:1 with Eph. 1:20; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; Gal. 3:19-20; 1Tim. 2:5; Heb. 10:1 with Col. 2:17; Heb. 10:33 with 1Cor. 4:9; Heb. 13:9 with Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:10 with 1Cor. 9:13; 10:18; Heb. 13:20-21 with Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 2Cor. 13:11; Php. 4:9; 1Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:22 with Acts 24:16; etc.). (5) The author of both books wrote from Italy (Heb. 13:24). (6) Paul was the only New Testament writer who wrote from prison and expected release (Heb. 13:19, 23 with Php. 1:7-8, 13, 26; 2:23-24; etc.). (7) No other writer of epistles mentions Timothy. Paul refers to him 20 times in his recognized epistles (cp. Heb. 13:23). When Paul mentions Timothy to others he always calls him brother (2Cor. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1Thess. 3:2). (8) The conclusion of the epistle is like others of Paul (cp. Heb. 13:18-25 with the end of his other epistles).

The theme of this book is to present Jesus Christ as deity, and as better than all human beings and angels; to prove that Judaism and the law have come to an end; to confirm Jewish Christians in the faith; and to set forth new covenant doctrines for all people.

Statistics: 58th book of the Bible; 13 chapters; 303 verses; 6,913 words; 17 questions; 270 verses of history; 9 verses of fulfilled and 24 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

Introduction to the book Hebrews Part 1

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The book of Hebrews was written in Rome about 68 A.D., along with Galatians and 2 Timothy. Even though an author is not clearly stated, the arguments for Paul’s authorship are: [1] The thoughts and reasonings are Paul’s. Any difference in style is due to his writing to Jews as a Jew and not to Gentile congregations as in other epistles. Furthermore, the translation of the book into Greek by Luke may account for some change in style. [2] Peter confirms the fact that Paul wrote an epistle to Jews (2Pet. 3:15-16). [3] The book of Hebrews is ascribed to him by over 100 ancient writers in both Greek and Latin, from 70 to 73 A.D. [4] It was received as Paul’s by the council of Laodicea (363 A.D.), and by the council of Carthage (397 A.D.). [5] Paul is named as the author of the Alexandrian manuscripts (500 A.D.). [6] Some Latin churches questioned it only because Paul’s name is not used in the introduction as in all his other epistles, but this was for two reasons: (1) Eusebius, the father of congregational history, explains that Paul wrote the epistle in Hebrew, leaving his name off so that it would be read and received more readily by Jews who hated him and would not want to listen to anything he had to say. Luke translated it into Greek, hence it is similar to Acts in expression. (The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2, p. 579). (2) In the oldest manuscripts the epistle follows Galatians with the title “To the Hebrews,” indicating that it was part of the Galatian letter. If this is true, the authorship stated in Galatians 1:1 applies to both books. This would explain why Paul speaks of Galatians as “a large letter” (Heb. 6:11). “The Israel of God” of Galatians 6:16 would be an appropriate introduction to the book of Hebrews.

To be continued…