LOOKING TO JESUS
A Study of the Book of Hebrews
Chapter 1
JESUS, THE BETTER MESSENGER
OUTLINE OF THE
FIRST SECTION
Jesus, A Better Messenger
1. Introduction of the new messenger (1:1)
2. The new messenger described. He is better than the
prophets (1:2-3)
3. The superiority of the new messenger over the
angels (1:4-14)
4. The application: We had better listen to Him . . . or
else! (2:1-4)
1-1
CONTRASTS BETWEEN OT
AND NT REVELATION
Contrasts
Old Testament
New Testament
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
1-2
OLD AND NEW
REVELATION 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. . .”
1-3
THE SPEAKER: GOD
IMPLICATIONS:
1. The writer’s 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. 1:20-22; Luke 1:70; John 7:16, 8:28). 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 God’s plan to reveal himself and His will to men
(e.g., 1 Cor. 10:11). Remember that ALL scripture has value
(2 Tim. 3:16).
4. No scripture (including the Old Testament) could be ignored with
impunity (Heb. 2:1-3).
1-4
THE ‘OLD’ MESSENGERS:
THE PROPHETS
1. Spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:70; 2 Pet. 1:21-22).
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 11:32) but they often
persecuted and killed them (Matt. 23:31).
4. These prophets spoke of the coming Messiah.
• Acts 10:43
• Rom. 1:2
• Acts 26:22
• Luke 24:27
So one who truly believed the prophets would also believe in
the Messiah
5. Ignoring the words of God’s prophets resulted in sure
punishment (e.g., Num. 15:32-36).
1-5
THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE
WAS DELIVERED
“in time past”
THE CURRENT MESSAGE
COMES IN
“these last days”
To the Jewish readers, the term “these last days’ clearly referred to the
Messianic age.
Isa. 2:2 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 4:1 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.
1-6
THE ORIGINAL AUDIENCE
“the fathers”
THE CURRENT AUDIENCE
“us”
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)
1-7
THE NATURE OF OLD
TESTAMENT REVELATION
PROGRESSIVE:
1. Given out a little at a time (Isa. 28:10-14) For example . . .
• To Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15)
• To Abraham (Gen. 12:3)
• To Moses (Deut. 18:15-19)
• To David (2 Sam. 7:12-17)
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. 31:18)
• Spoke directly (Gen. 17:9)
• Spoke through angels (Gen. 16:9)
• Spoke through an animal (Num. 22:28)
1-8
THE NATURE OF OLD
TESTAMENT REVELATION
Continued
INCOMPLETE:
1. Much remained a mystery even after all the prophets had spoken
• Eph. 3:1-7 —“the mystery . . . which in other ages was not made
known unto the sons of men . . .”
• 1 Pet. 1:10-12 — OT prophets and angels did not previously know
that which is now revealed to us
• Matt. 13:17 — 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. 13:8-12)
1-9
THE NATURE OF NEW
TESTAMENT 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. 3:3-5)
3. Completely “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
[enables men of God to be] perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works.
1-10
OTHER CONTRASTS BETWEEN
OT AND NT REVELATION
OT
REVELATION
NT
REVELATION
LOCATION
MESSAGE
From earth
Law
Heb. 12:25
John 1:17
From heaven
Grace and
truth
1-11
Who is the new and better
messenger through whom
God speaks to us?
JESUS CHRIST,
THE SON OF GOD!
Hebrews 1:2-3
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased; hear ye him.” Matt. 17:5
1-12
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!
1-5
1-13
THE NEW
MESSENGER REVEALED
Hebrews 1:1-3
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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
1-14
JESUS CHRIST,
SON OF GOD
Hebrews 1:5
• Heavenly beings and Christians are referred to as sons of God
(Job 1:6; John 1:12; 1 John 3:1-2)
• The Old Testament refers to Jesus as the Son of God (Dan. 3:25;
2 Sam. 7:14; Ps. 2:7)
• God announced that Jesus is His Son (Ps. 2:7, Matt. 3:17; 17:5,
Heb. 1:5)
• Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (Luke 22:70-71; Matt. 27:43;
John 11:4; John 19:7)
• The Jews rightly understood this to be a claim of deity
(John 10:30-33)
• Jesus, as the Son of God, was God (Heb. 1:8)
1-15
JESUS CHRIST,
HEIR OF ALL THINGS
Ps. 2:7 “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. 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto Me in heaven and in earth.”
Rom. 1:4 Christ was “declared to be the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead”
Eph. 1:20-22 “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. 11:27, Acts 2:36, John 17:10, Rom. 8:17, Eph. 1:11and Gal. 4:1
1-16
JESUS CHRIST, CREATOR
“And God said, Let US make man in our image . . .” (Gen. 1:26)
“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 1:3)
“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. 1:16-17)
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. 8:6)
“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. 3:9)
1-17
THE BRIGHTNESS OF
GOD’S GLORY
THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER
• Our God is glorious (Ex. 15:11; 1 Chr. 29:13; Ps. 72:19; Rev. 7:12)
• His glory is to be acknowledged by men (Luke 11:2; Phil. 4:20; Rom. 15:6)
• Jesus brought glory to God the Father (John 8:49-50; 13:31-32; 21:19;
Phil. 2:11)
• Jesus perfectly manifested the glory of God (Heb. 1:3)
• Men’s duty in this life is to demonstrate by their actions the glory to God
(Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Pet. 2:12)
THE GLORY OF JESUS
• Before time was (John 17:5)
• While on earth (John 1:14; John 2:11; 2 Pet. 1:17)
• Upon His death and resurrection (1 Pet. 1:11)
• Worthy of glory now (Rev. 5:12 )
• Will come in glory when He returns (Matt. 25:31)
GLORY AND MANKIND
• At the end of time, faithful men will receive glory (Heb. 2:7, 10)
1-18
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. 1:15)
“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. 3:16)
“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)
1-19
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. 11:27)
“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 14:8-10)
“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 1:18)
“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. 4:6)
“Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. . . .”
(John 13:31-32)
1-20
JESUS CHRIST,
UPHOLDER OF ALL THINGS
Col. 1:17 “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Ps. 104:27-30 “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 34:14 “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 17:28 “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. 33:6, 9)
1-21
JESUS CHRIST — BY HIMSELF
PURGED 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. 65:3; 79:9;
2 Pet. 1:9)
True “purging” never occurred as a result of OT sacrifices (Heb. 10:2-4)
But did occur as a result of Jesus giving Himself as a sacrifice
(Heb. 7:27; 9:12, 26; 1 John 1:7)
This is the first mention Hebrews of the role
of Jesus as our high priest
1-22
JESUS CHRIST
now sitting at the right hand
of the Father in heaven
A position of great honor (Acts 2:33; 5:31; 1 Pet. 3:22)
Prophesied by David (Ps. 110:1 Luke 20:42)
God put Him there (Eph. 1:20)
Note that He sits at the right hand of God
•
Indicates that His work is done (Heb. 7:27; 10:10, 12
•
Position of greater glory than the OT priests who stood
because their work was never completed (Heb. 10:11)
•
Position of greater glory than the angels who stand around the
throne (1 Kin. 22:19)
1-23
JESUS IS
BETTER THAN THE ANGELS
The angels served a key role in the revelation of the Old
Testament (Gal. 3:19; Acts 7:52-53).Yet Christ, through
whom we have New Testament revelation, was much
better than these angels (Heb. 1:4-14) because:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
He received a better name — “Son” (Heb. 1:4-5)
He is worshipped by the angels (Heb. 1:6)
He is a mighty king (Heb. 1:7-9)
He is eternal (Heb. 1:8, 11-12)
He is righteous (Heb. 1:8-9)
He created all things (Heb. 1:10)
But the angels are just ministering spirits
(Heb. 1:7, 10)
1-24
THE POSITION AND
WORK OF ANGELS
NATURE/POSITION OF ANGELS
Have a different nature than man — Heb. 2:16 (Angel food - Ps. 78:25; angel
language -1 Cor. 13:1)
In some sense, occupy a higher position than man (Ps. 8:5, Heb. 2:7) yet are not to
be worshipped by men — Col. 2:18, Rev. 22:8-29
Are subject to Jesus — 1 Pet. 3:22
Some sinned and were lost — 2 Pet. 2:4, Jude 6, Matt. 25:41
Don't know everything — Matt. 24:36, 1 Pet. 1:12
Do not die — Luke 20:36
Don't marry — Matt. 22:30
WORK OF ANGELS
Served as God’s messenger — Gen. 16:7; 19:1; 22:11; Matt. 2:13; Acts 8:26
Brought God’s judgment on man — Gen. 6:22, Ps. 104:4, Luke 22:43, Heb. 2:7, 14,
Matt. 18:10, Luke 4:10
Involved in giving the old law — Gal. 3:19; Acts 7:53
Fellow servants of men, Rev. 22:9
Worshiped God - Ps 148:4, Luke 2:13, Heb. 1:6
Different from Seraphs (Isa. 6:2) and Cherubim (Ezek 1:5-25; 10:1-22; Rev.4:6-8)
1-25
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ON ANGELS
• They were created beings (Ps. 148:2-5)
• Had superhuman intelligence but not omniscient (Matt. 24:36; 1 Pet. 1:12)
• Stronger that men but not omnipotent (Ps. 103:20; 2 Pet. 2:11; 2 Thes. 1:7)
• Not glorified human beings but distinct from man (1 Cor. 6:3; Heb. 1:14)
• Vast multitude of them (Rev. 5:11)
• One (Michael) was called an archangel (Jude 9)
• There are good and bad (Matt. 25:41) angels
• Angels were created holy (Gen. 1:31; Jude 6) but after a period of time some
fell from their state of innocence (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6)
• Some men worshipped angels but this practice was condemned (Col. 2:18)
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.
1-26
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
1-27