Tag: religion

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.

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.

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).

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…