Tag: Christianity

The Nature of Angels

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Hebrews 2:16-18 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself had suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 

‘For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.’ Here Paul sums up his argument about Christ being better than angels, declaring He did not take on the nature of angels, but became the natural seed of Abraham. He needed to be made in all things like unto His brethren “that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest” in the things of God, to remit their sins by His own atonement, and to represent them in time of temptation (2:17-18). Thus, Paul shows the Jews that Christ had to be made a human being; that He came from Abraham according to the flesh; that He was one of their own people; that redemption could not have been possible otherwise; that the Messiah had to suffer to redeem; and that He is now able to help and deliver all men who are tempted.

‘Nature of angels’ – They are heavenly spirit beings with (1) Personal spirit bodies with bodily parts, such as hands, feet, eyes, heads, voices, mouths, hair, faces, and other parts which men have (Gen. 18:2, 4, 8; 19:1-22; Jdg. 13:6). (2)  Personal souls with emotions (Luke 15:1-10), passions (Gen. 6:1-4; Jude 1:6-7); appetites (Gen. 18:8; 19:3); anger (Rev. 12:12); enmity (Gen. 3:15); lusts (John 8:44); vengeance (1Pet. 5:8); desires (1Pet. 1:12); pride (Ezek. 28:17; 1Tim. 3:6); and other soul passions, feelings, and desires. (3) Personal spirits with intelligence and wisdom (2Sam. 14:20; 19:27; Matt. 24:36; Eph. 3:10); patience (Num. 22:22-35); meekness (2Pet. 2:11; Jude 1:9); modesty (1Cor. 11:10); holiness (Mark 8:38); obedience (Ps. 103:20; Matt. 6:10); knowledge (Mark 13:32; 1Pet. 1:12); willpower (Isa. 14:12-14); ability to speak languages (1Cor. 13:1); and other spirit faculties.

‘High priest’ – Used of Christ 15 times in Hebrews (2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:1-10; 6:20; 7:1, 26-27; 8:1, 3; 9:11, 25; 10:21; 13:11).

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).

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.

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…

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.

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.