Hebrews - Chapter 1 Jesus is above all - even God's angels.

The Book of Hebrews Chapter 1

The Prophets

The Old Testament, written over a period of fifteen hundred years by more than forty writers was fragmentary and incomplete. Each book has its own element of truth, building upon each other and became a progressive revelation to God's people. To enforce each truth, God gave His laws as a teacher of how He wanted His people to live. 

As we begin chapter 1 of the Epistle to the Hebrews, the writer gives the Jews throughout Jerusalem (before the fall of the temple) the criteria as to who wrote the Holy Scriptures, which originally came from the mouth of God.  In other words, who was qualified to actually pen these words that would eventually constitute what we know of as the Bible.  Among those qualified, and as the author of this book, he includes himself. That being said, the author of this book is referring to himself as hearing directly from God.

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets.

Throughout the Old Testament, God used Moses and various prophets to speak forth His Word to His people - the Jews.  Even though the Old Testament was long in its compilation, amounting to around 1500 years, God began by speaking to Moses and then many other of His anointed prophets, all the way to Malachi, using their individual personalities to convey His Word to His people. As God spoke to them, it was done in different ways and at different time in history. God spoke through prophecy, writings of history, poetry, and other ways to bring His Word to His people.  In doing so, God used individual personalities, totally controlled by the Holy Spirit, to speak on His behalf, with the intention of reaching all of His people in a variety of  ways in which they all individually could understand. Every word they spoke and wrote was what God chose for them to convey to His people. Each of His prophets all carried different personalities, speaking and writing in their own individual style. Through its progressive revelation, these writings began as the Torah and were something that the Jewish believers of the 1^st century believed and accepted as truth.

Just as we all have different personalities, having individual likes and dislikes, God used the various personalities of His prophets to convey to us even today in ways that we would understand and be drawn to read.

In these last days... ...Jesus

God’s Word to His people remained incomplete until the New Covenant with the coming of Jesus as the Messiah and Savior of the world. The standards of morality established under the Old Covenant were then totally complete in Jesus.

 1 Peter 1:20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 

What is the last days? We are looking following the times of Christ's resurrection - the Age of the Messiah, known to us as the New Covenant or the New Testament. In this last period of time, Jesus spoke to His disciples who, under the inspiration of His Holy Spirit, passed His words down to those who would come to believe and follow Him. Jesus is far more superior than the best of prophets under the Old Covenant, revealing things that none of the prophets could. Not only did Jesus bring a message from God, Jesus IS the message as well as He IS God, come to earth to save mankind.

When Jesus went back to heaven, He left a part of Himself, meaning the Holy Spirit, to speak into the hearts of His believers. As such, God still speaks today under the New Covenant, but through His Son Jesus whom God appointed heir of all things. Heir meaning that Jesus holds preeminence over all things, was in on the creation of the heavens and the earth, as we read in the 1^st chapter of Genesis, and will continue to hold preeminence over all things forever.

The author of this Hebrews then followed by saying that in the latter days, meaning the times following Christ’s resurrection, God was using His Son Jesus the Christ (Christ meaning Messiah the anointed One) to speak forth His Word to His people.  While Jesus did not personally pen God’s Word to the people, God used His Son’s followers – those who were His eye witnesses because they got the truth right from the mouth of Jesus.  Under the power of the Holy Spirit, these eye witnesses spoke forth God’s truths in this new dispensation of  time, which we know as the New Covenant or New Testament.  In this, the author was not denying that Moses and the prophets' words were null and void, because Jesus was very specific to say that He did not come to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them (Matt 5:17). 

The author confidently stated here that God had earlier used Moses and the prophets under the Old Covenant, which was our teacher, teaching us about God and His righteousness.  But now, the works of the Law was of no value in light of Jesus’ sacrificial blood on the cross. God has now appointed Jesus, the long-prophesied Messiah – the Christ – as the One to speak forth God’s truth.  In that, Jesus is now the One to be lifted up instead of Moses.  Paul, as the probably author of this epistle, therefore, gave credence to Jesus above everyone and everything.

The writer concluded verse two by giving an astonishing statement – Jesus was with God when He created the world, and He has been appointed to be heir of all things.

John 1:1-2  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.    John 1:14  And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Who is Jesus

The writer now gives a description of Who Jesus, the Son of God is to mankind: 

2b  whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;  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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 

God appointed Jesus as heir of all things.  Everything that God is and has belongs to Jesus. 

• He is the express image of God, representing God to us.  Colossians 1:15 tells us that Jesus is the image, or carbon copy or likeness, of the invisible God.  Jesus is the substance of the Father.  As such, Jesus IS God,  the second person of the Trinity. 

The Prophet Isaiah called the forthcoming Messiah to be God. Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government will be upon His shoulder, and his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everylasting Father, prince of peace. 

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans called Jesus the eternally blessed God. Romans 8:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

This concept that Jesus IS God is the biggest thing that divides the orthodox Jews of their belief that God is One from the Gentile belief of the Godhead - even today.

• As the second person of the Godhead (Father, Son and the Holy Spirit), Jesus was from the beginning and created the worlds, meaning the many ages of history past, present and future.  All things were created through Him.
• As the second person of the Trinity, Jesus is the brightness of God the Father's glory, shining forth the radiance straight from the source of light.
• So then to know about God, we find Him in Jesus.

Jesus sat down at the right hand of God in heaven, sharing His throne, which is a position of majesty, honor and glory.  Rev 22:1 tells us that the throne of God is also the throne of the Lamb - this throne belongs to God and His Son.

I have shared in other writings and videos about my vision some years back when I was in prayer of sitting with Jesus on the throne of God.  As I was snuggled up with Jesus, I looked over at God and His whole being was a bright white, like the rays of the sun.  When I looked at Jesus, I could see His body, His hands and feet, but His face shown such bright rays of gold, very much like God, but not as bright.  As such, Jesus was shining forth rays from the Father.

Because of Who He is, Jesus upholds all things by His power and the power of His words.  Even in His earthly ministry, Jesus continuously demonstrated His power and the power of His word by healing the sick, forgiving sins, casting out demons, calming nature’s fury simply by speaking one word.  As the second person of the Godhead, Jesus forgives our sins, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. 

⁴ having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.  5  For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”?  And again:  “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”?

The writer now compares Jesus with the angels by saying Jesus is far more superior than any angelic being.  Jesus, as God, is perfect, and is God over all created beings. 

Throughout the Old Covenant and into the 1st century A.D. there was a dangerous tendency to worship angels.  Angels often came to people throughout the Old Covenant on behalf of God - even to Moses - but in the New Covenant, Jesus is the One Who came to mankind.  We must understand that Jesus is better than the angels - far better than anyone and anything because He IS God! 

In this verse, the writer is stating that God once spoke to the angels saying:  "Which of you angels did I ever say that you are my son?  No, none of you - you are angels - one's whon I made to worship and serve Me."   While collectively, angels were called the "sons of God" in the Old Covenant Scriptures, no angel was ever given the title of THE Son of God (singular).  God was saying that Jesus IS His Son - a part of Himself.  He is begotten of the Father - the first-born of all creation (Col 1:15).  He is the nature of God, sharing the same being.  Jesus Himself claims to be the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end - the first and the last (Rev 22:13).  Jesus is One with His Father - Jesus IS God. 

⁶ But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

When Jesus came into the world as a human, born of Mary, many angels were instructed by God to worship Jesus, the babe born in Bethlehem.  Worship; however, throughout the Old Covenant, was only to be to God, acknowledging that Jesus is God - part of the Godhead.  The heavenly realm shouted out and declared "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:13-14)!"

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill[a] toward men!”

⁷ And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.”

To a 1^st century Hebrew believer, it was a clear understanding that “flames of fire” 
was a declaration of the angels’ roles to minister in many extraordinary ways unto people under the direction of God.

Throughout the ages, angels have always been servants of the Most High God - ministers a flame of fire.  They were made, not created - servants for God.  God sent His angels to protect His people throughout the Old Covenant and New Covenant. Scripture tells us they shut the mouths of lions, led the Israelites through the wilderness, ministered to Jesus in the wilderness, delivered apostles from prison, and on and on as ministers of flames. They continue to do so even today. (Psm 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways). Angels still protect, deliver, help and serve His followers while we walk upon the earth.  No angel in the Bible holds a position as exalted as Jesus Christ. Instead, angels bow in reverence to Him because they recognize His nature to be far greater than their own.

Jesus is God

⁸ But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. ⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

God is speaking to His Son claiming His throne is forever and ever.  Here God is literally calling His Son God - God speaking to God - and His throne is His Son's throne, having the same authority as Himself.  As God, Jesus carries a scepter of righteousness over His kingdom for He loves righteousness and hates lawlessness.  As such God has anointed Jesus with the oil of gladness - far more than any of the angels.

¹⁰ And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. ¹¹ They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; ¹² Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”

So much is packed in these three verses where God is saying to Jesus (Himself) that He was there at the beginning when He (God) laid the foundation of the earth. As such, God claimed that the heavens were the works of Jesus' hands. 

• In Gen 1:26 God said "Let US make man in OUR image. 
• The Apostle John wrote in John 1:1 & 14 that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.   
• Jesus claimed in Rev 22:13 that I am the alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end. 

Jesus was there in the beginning when the foundation of the earth was laid and the heavens were created by the Godhead - Jesus being the second person of the Trinity.  While the earth will one day perish (Rev 21:1), Jesus will always remain.  The Godhead will close up the earth and its heavens as it becomes old like a tattered garment, and He will then bring on a new heaven and earth.  Through it all, Jesus will remain the same - He will never change!

¹³ But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

God told Satan that following the fall of mankind in Genesis 3:15 a day would come when the seed of a woman (Jesus) would crush His head.  Jesus came in the flesh to defeat Him by His death, resurrection and taking His rightful place over the world.  Jesus still has authority over Satan from the throne of God and He put all things under His feet - including Satan.  Jesus then gave that authority over Satan on this earth - using Jesus as our authority (Luke 10:19)

In that same vision I brought out earlier in this lesson - when I was sitting with Jesus on the throne, I saw a footstool under my feet with Satan under it dangling his head, hands and feet uncontrollably.  Jesus then pointed to me telling me that I had authority, just like He did to render Satan helpless.  He was under my feet.

In Romans 16:20, the Apostle Paul gave a ending salutation stating that the God of peace will crush Satan under all of our feet very soon - in other words, Jesus is coming back soon to defeat Satan and he will be thrown into the Bottomless Pit for 1000 years.  

And now God finishes this chapter by making this statement:

¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

Angels are not governing nor dominating spirits. They are servants of the Most High God. Angels are commanded to serve God, and He has given His angels charge over those who will inherit salvation, meaning believers in Jesus, to guard and keep us in all our ways (Psm 91:11). 

• Jesus has given us authority to render Satan helpless and God has given us His angels to continuously watch over us day and night. 

We are the blessed of the blessed!