LOOKING TO JESUS A Study of the Book of Hebrews

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LOOKING TO JESUSA Study of the Book of Hebrews
Chapter 1 JESUS, THE BETTER MESSENGER
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OUTLINE OF THE FIRST SECTION

• Jesus, A Better Messenger
• 1. Introduction of the new messenger (11)
• 2. The new messenger described. He is better than
  the prophets (12-3)
• 3. The superiority of the new messenger over the
  angels (14-14)
• 4. The application We had better listen to Him .
  . . or else! (21-4)

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CONTRASTS BETWEEN OTAND NT REVELATION
Old Testament
New Testament
Contrasts
1. Who spoke? 2. When? 3. To whom? 4.
Through whom? 5. How? 6. Delivered from
where? 7. What message?
A worksheet for completion during class
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OLD AND NEWREVELATION CONTRASTED
OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT

• THE SPEAKER God God
• WHEN in times past in these last days
• TO WHOM to the fathers to us
• THROUGH WHOM the prophets His Son
• HOW many times and ways completely and finally

God, who at various times and in different ways
spoke in times past to the fathers by the
prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by
His Son. . .
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THE SPEAKER GOD
IMPLICATIONS 1. The writers purpose is NOT to
denigrate in any way the message of the Old
Testament. 2. All scripture has the same origin
the mind of God Himself (2 Pet. 120-22 Luke
170 John 716, 828). Therefore, we would
expect perfect consistency and unity of purpose
between the Old and New Testaments. 3. The Old
Testament is not inferior revelation. It played
an important part in Gods plan to reveal
himself and His will to men (e.g., 1 Cor.
1011). Remember that ALL scripture has value
(2 Tim. 316). 4. No scripture (including the
Old Testament) could be ignored with impunity
(Heb. 21-3).
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THE OLD MESSENGERSTHE PROPHETS
1. Spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit (Luke 170
2 Pet. 121-22). 2. There were many different
prophets who ministered during the 1400 years
of the Mosaic dispensation some in writing
(e.g., Jeremiah) and some verbally (e.g.,
Abraham, Miriam). 3. The Jews revered their
prophets (Mark 1132) but they often persecuted
and killed them (Matt. 2331). 4. These prophets
spoke of the coming Messiah. Acts 1043 Rom.
12 Acts 2622 Luke 2427 So one who truly
believed the prophets would also believe in the
Messiah 5. Ignoring the words of Gods prophets
resulted in sure punishment (e.g., Num.
1532-36).
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THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE WAS DELIVEREDin time
pastTHE CURRENT MESSAGE COMES INthese last
days
To the Jewish readers, the term these last
days clearly referred to the Messianic age. Isa.
22 And it shall come to pass in the last days,
that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be
established in the top of the mountains, and
shall be exalted above the hills and all nations
shall flow unto it. Micah 41 But in the last
days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of
the house of the LORD shall be established in the
top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted
above the hills and people shall flow unto it.
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THE ORIGINAL AUDIENCEthe fathersTHE CURRENT
AUDIENCEus
1. Pay attention! This is addressed to
YOU. 2. What we must be interested in is what
God has to say to US. (e.g., There is no need
for us to build an ark like Noah or offer burnt
offerings like the OT Jews)
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THE NATURE OF OLDTESTAMENT REVELATION
PROGRESSIVE 1. Given out a little at a time
(Isa. 2810-14) For example . . . To Adam and
Eve (Gen. 315) To Abraham (Gen. 123) To
Moses (Deut. 1815-19) To David (2 Sam.
712-17) 2. Through many prophets over 1400
years no one Prophet knew all truth) 3. Given
in many different ways Hand of God on stone
(Ex. 3118) Spoke directly (Gen. 179) Spoke
through angels (Gen. 169) Spoke through an
animal (Num. 2228)
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THE NATURE OF OLDTESTAMENT REVELATIONContinued
INCOMPLETE 1. Much remained a mystery even after
all the prophets had spoken Eph. 31-7 the
mystery . . . which in other ages was not made
known unto the sons of men . . . 1 Pet.
110-12 OT prophets and angels did not
previously know that which is now revealed to
us Matt. 1317 many prophets and righteous
men have desired to see those things which ye
see, and have not seen them and to hear those
things which ye hear, and have not heard them 2.
The totality of OT revelation was in part. ( 1
Cor. 138-12)
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THE NATURE OF NEWTESTAMENT REVELATION
COMPLETE 1. Delivered once and for all
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write
unto you of the common salvation, it was needful
for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye
should earnestly contend for the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3) 2. The
mysteries have now been revealed . . .by
revelation he made known unto me the mystery . .
. Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my
knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in
other ages was not made known unto the sons of
men, as it is now revealed unto his holy
apostles and prophets by the Spirit (Eph.
33-5) 3. Completely All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and enables men of God to
be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works.
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OTHER CONTRASTS BETWEENOT AND NT REVELATION
LOCATION
MESSAGE
OT REVELATION
From earth
Law
John 117
Heb. 1225
NT REVELATION
From heaven
Grace and truth
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Who is the new and bettermessenger through
whomGod speaks to us?JESUS CHRIST,THE SON OF
GOD!
Hebrews 12-3
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased hear ye him. Matt. 175
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WHO IS CHRIST?
Deity, with all the attributes of God the Father
With all power and rights (heir of all things)

• Creator and sustainer of all things

Prophet, Priest, and King
Righteous and eternal
Leave such a One for the old law which came
through the efforts of ministering spirits and
mere men? How absurd!
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THE NEWMESSENGER REVEALEDHebrews 11-3

• The Son of God
• Heir of all things
• The One through whom the world was made
• The brightness of God's glory
• The express image of God's person
• The One who upholds all things
• The One who purged our sins
• The One who sits at the right hand of God

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JESUS CHRIST,SON OF GODHebrews 15

• Heavenly beings and Christians are referred to as
  sons of God (Job 16 John 112 1 John 31-2)
• The Old Testament refers to Jesus as the Son of
  God (Dan. 325 2 Sam. 714 Ps. 27)
• God announced that Jesus is His Son (Ps. 27,
  Matt. 317 175, Heb. 15)
• Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (Luke
  2270-71 Matt. 2743 John 114 John 197)
• The Jews rightly understood this to be a claim of
  deity (John 1030-33)
• Jesus, as the Son of God, was God (Heb. 18)

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JESUS CHRIST,HEIR OF ALL THINGS
Ps. 27 I will declare the decree the LORD
hath said unto me, Thou art my Son this day have
I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee
the heathen for thine inheritance, and the
uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou
shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Matt. 2818 And Jesus came and spake unto
them, saying, All power is given unto Me in
heaven and in earth. Rom. 14 Christ was
declared to be the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the
resurrection from the dead Eph. 120-22
Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him
from the dead, and set Him at his own right hand
in the heavenly places, Far above all
principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this
world, but also in that which is to come And
hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him
to be the head over all things to the
church. Jude 25 To the only wise God our
Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and
power, both now and for ever. Amen. Also see
Matt. 1127, Acts 236, John 1710, Rom. 817,
Eph. 111and Gal. 41
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JESUS CHRIST, CREATOR
And God said, Let US make man in our image . .
. (Gen. 126) In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3
All things were made by him and without him was
not any thing made that was made. (John
13) For by him were all things created, that
are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions,
or principalities, or powers all things were
created by him, and for him. (Col. 116-17) But
to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom
are all things, and we in him and one Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (1
Cor. 86) And to make all men see what is the
fellowship of the mystery, which from the
beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who
created all things by Jesus Christ. (Eph. 39)
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THE BRIGHTNESS OFGODS GLORY
THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER Our God is glorious
(Ex. 1511 1 Chr. 2913 Ps. 7219 Rev.
712) His glory is to be acknowledged by men
(Luke 112 Phil. 420 Rom. 156) Jesus
brought glory to God the Father (John 849-50
1331-32 2119 Phil. 211) Jesus perfectly
manifested the glory of God (Heb. 13) Mens
duty in this life is to demonstrate by their
actions the glory to God (Matt. 516 1 Cor.
1031 1 Pet. 212) THE GLORY OF JESUS Before
time was (John 175) While on earth (John 114
John 211 2 Pet. 117) Upon His death and
resurrection (1 Pet. 111) Worthy of glory now
(Rev. 512 ) Will come in glory when He returns
(Matt. 2531) GLORY AND MANKIND At the end of
time, faithful men will receive glory (Heb. 27,
10)
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JESUS CHRIST,EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE FATHER
Image in the Greek meant a seal or stamp and
then the impression left by the stamp. Jesus is
an exact and complete representation of the
essence of God because He is God Who is the
image of the invisible God, the firstborn of
every creature. (Col. 115) And without
controversy great is the mystery of godliness
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the
Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up
into glory. (1 Tim. 316) I and my Father
are one. (John 1030)
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JESUS REVEALS THE FATHER
All things are delivered unto me of my Father
and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father
neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son,
and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
(Matt. 1127) Philip saith unto him, Lord, show
us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith
unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and
yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath
seen me hath seen the Father and how sayest thou
then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that
I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the
words that I speak unto you I speak not of
myself but the Father that dwelleth in me, he
doeth the works. (John 148-10) No man hath
seen God at any time the only begotten Son,
which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath
declared him. (John 118) For God, who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of
the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 46) Now is the Son of
man glorified, and God is glorified in him. . .
. (John 1331-32)
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JESUS CHRIST,UPHOLDER OF ALL THINGS
Col. 117 And he is before all things, and by
him all things consist. Ps. 10427-30 These
wait all upon thee that thou mayest give them
their meat in due season. That thou givest them
they gather thou openest thine hand, they are
filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they
are troubled thou takest away their breath, they
die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest
forth thy spirit, they are created and thou
renewest the face of the earth. Job 3414 If
he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto
himself his spirit and his breath All flesh
shall perish together, and man shall turn again
unto dust. Acts 1728 For in him we live, and
move, and have our being as certain also of your
own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring. He upholds all things through the
word of His power (see Psm. 336, 9)
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JESUS CHRIST BY HIMSELFPURGED OUR SINS
Purged means to cleanse or purify This term
would remind the Jewish readers of the OT
cleansing rituals Refers to the cleansing away
(i.e., forgiveness) of sins (Ps. 653 799 2
Pet. 19) True purging never occurred as a
result of OT sacrifices (Heb. 102-4) But did
occur as a result of Jesus giving Himself as a
sacrifice (Heb. 727 912, 26 1 John
17) This is the first mention Hebrews of the
role of Jesus as our high priest
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JESUS CHRISTnow sitting at the right handof the
Father in heaven
A position of great honor (Acts 233 531 1
Pet. 322) Prophesied by David (Ps. 1101 Luke
2042) God put Him there (Eph. 120) Note that He
sits at the right hand of God Indicates that
His work is done (Heb. 727 1010, 12 Position
of greater glory than the OT priests who stood
because their work was never completed (Heb.
1011) Position of greater glory than the
angels who stand around the throne (1 Kin. 2219)
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JESUS ISBETTER THAN THE ANGELS

• The angels served a key role in the revelation of
  the Old Testament (Gal. 319 Acts 752-53).Yet
  Christ, through whom we have New Testament
  revelation, was much better than these angels
  (Heb. 14-14) because
• He received a better name Son (Heb. 14-5)
• He is worshipped by the angels (Heb. 16)
• He is a mighty king (Heb. 17-9)
• He is eternal (Heb. 18, 11-12)
• He is righteous (Heb. 18-9)
• He created all things (Heb. 110)
• But the angels are just ministering spirits
  (Heb. 17, 10)

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THE POSITION ANDWORK OF ANGELS
NATURE/POSITION OF ANGELS Have a different nature
than man Heb. 216 (Angel food - Ps. 7825
angel language -1 Cor. 131) In some sense,
occupy a higher position than man (Ps. 85, Heb.
27) yet are not to be worshipped by men Col.
218, Rev. 228-29 Are subject to Jesus 1 Pet.
322 Some sinned and were lost 2 Pet. 24, Jude
6, Matt. 2541 Don't know everything Matt.
2436, 1 Pet. 112 Do not die Luke 2036 Don't
marry Matt. 2230 WORK OF ANGELS Served as
Gods messenger Gen. 167 191 2211 Matt.
213 Acts 826 Brought Gods judgment on man
Gen. 622, Ps. 1044, Luke 2243, Heb. 27, 14,
Matt. 1810, Luke 410 Involved in giving the old
law Gal. 319 Acts 753 Fellow servants of
men, Rev. 229 Worshiped God - Ps 1484, Luke
213, Heb. 16 Different from Seraphs (Isa. 62)
and Cherubim (Ezek 15-25 101-22 Rev.46-8)
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ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ON ANGELS

• They were created beings (Ps. 1482-5)
• Had superhuman intelligence but not omniscient
  (Matt. 2436 1 Pet. 112)
• Stronger that men but not omnipotent (Ps. 10320
  2 Pet. 211 2 Thes. 17)
• Not glorified human beings but distinct from man
  (1 Cor. 63 Heb. 114)
• Vast multitude of them (Rev. 511)
• One (Michael) was called an archangel (Jude 9)
• There are good and bad (Matt. 2541) angels
• Angels were created holy (Gen. 131 Jude 6) but
  after a period of time some fell from their state
  of innocence (2 Pet. 24 Jude 6)
• Some men worshipped angels but this practice was
  condemned (Col. 218)
• So what are they? They are a vast company of
  created being distinct from and of a higher
  position than men and whose duty it is to praise
  and serve God and to minister to His children.
  Some have rejected their responsibility and are
  doomed to eternal punishment.

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THE MESSAGE OF CHAPTER ONE
1. God now speaks through a better messenger 2.
This messenger is His own Son 3. As such, He is
deity and is better than The Old Testament
prophets The angels
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