The Reason to be Faithful
|
Key Verse: “He is Selected Scripture: |
ALTHOUGH THE AUTHORSHIP of the book of Hebrews has been disputed, we believe the writer was the Apostle Paul because there are many phrases throughout the letter that are strictly Pauline in content.
In verse one, the apostle reminds us that in the beginning God spoke to his people through the fathers [patriarchs], and through the prophets sent to Israel. These were imperfect, fallen human beings, but rich in faith. Now, at the end of the Gospel Age, we are taught God’s Word through the resurrected Lord Jesus.
The Apostle Paul gives us a detailed view of our Lord saying, “he made the worlds,” indicating that he was with the Father before the worlds were made (Heb. 1:2; Prov. 8:22-31), and was the instrument used in Creation. (I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 3:9) He was the Father’s “only begotten.” (John 1:14) God sent his Son, born of a virgin, “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” to give his perfect human life for Adam and all mankind, dead in Adam.—Heb. 7:26; I Tim. 2:5-6
The Apostle Paul next tells us that since Jesus’ resurrection, he is the “brightness of his glory” and the “express image” of his character, and that Jesus upholds “all things by the word of his [God’s] power,” sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Heb. 1:3) What a marvelous Divine being we now have to bring, and explain, God’s Word to us.
The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to prove that a totally new dispensation of grace, and not of works, had been ushered in through Jesus at Pentecost. Jesus was now higher than the angels in nature and office. He had obtained a “more excellent name” than the angels—more distinguished—“KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”—vs. 4; Rev. 19:16
“Unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?” (vs. 5) None. (Ps. 2:7; Col. 1:15) Jesus was the first begotten Son. Paul thus says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” (vs. 6) Let all of God’s holy ones reverence him.—Ps. 97:7
The throne of Jesus will be a righteous throne. His reign will be a righteous reign; righteousness will be a scepter of his kingdom. (Ps. 45:6,7) This is the kingdom we have been taught to pray for. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”—Luke 11:2
God is to make Jesus’ enemies his “footstool.” (Ps. 110:1; Heb. 1:13) God’s angels are sent to “minister” to those who are to be the “heirs of salvation.”—Heb. 1:14; Ps. 103:20
“Therefore [because of what we have heard] we ought to give the more earnest heed [careful attention, New International Version], lest at any time we should let them slip.” (Heb. 2:1) In the past, when God spoke and the people failed to hear, they were chastised. Now we must pay attention because our Lord is speaking to us. We must be faithful.