AAStudyStudyOf TheOf TheApostleApostle

Paul’s LetterPaul’s LetterTo The To The

HebrewsHebrews

Don’t Don’t drift drift away!away!

Don’t Don’t neglect neglect your your salvationsalvation!!

Don’t Don’t Depart!Depart!

Don’t Don’t fall fall awayaway!!

Don’t cast Don’t cast away your away your confidenceconfidence!!

Don’t Don’t hardeharden your n your heart!heart!

How can we neglect so How can we neglect so greatgreat

a salvation? ~ Hebrews a salvation? ~ Hebrews 2:3 2:3

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Person (1:1—4:13)Superior Person (1:1—4:13)

Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Prophets (1:1-3)Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18) Superior to Angels (1:4—2:18)

but…We’ll only get to 1:10-14 today.Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Moses (3:1-19)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)Superior to Joshua (4:1-13)

Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior Priest (4:14—7:28)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Aaron (4:14—6:12)Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—Superior to Melchizedek (6:13—

7:10)7:10)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)Superior to Levi (7:11-28)

Hebrews: Christ Is Superior!Superior Pact (Covenant) to Moses’Superior Pact (Covenant) to Moses’(8:1—10:18)(8:1—10:18)

Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Promises (8:1-13)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-14)Superior Sanctuary (9:1-14)Superior Sacrifice (9:15-28)Superior Sacrifice (9:15-28)Superior Results (10:1-18)Superior Results (10:1-18)

Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses’ (10:19—13:25)(10:19—13:25)

Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Things (10:19-39)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Actions (11:1-40)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Relationship (12:1-29)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)Superior Way of Life (13:1-25)

Let’s add to the previous points Let’s add to the previous points that Jesus is superior to angels that Jesus is superior to angels

because He’s God as well as because He’s God as well as God’s Son, He’s to be God’s Son, He’s to be

worshipped and served by an-worshipped and served by an-gels, and He was given an gels, and He was given an

eternal kingdom to rule as its eternal kingdom to rule as its King.King.

QuotingQuoting Psalm 102:25-27 Paul Paul wrote, wrote, You, Lord, in the

beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are

the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment;

like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But

You are the same, and Your years will not fail ((Heb. 1:10-12).).

QuotingQuoting Psalm 102:25-27 Paul Paul wrote, wrote, You, Lord, in the

beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are

the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment;

like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But

You are the same, and Your years will not fail ((Heb. 1:10-12).).

As we’re prone to do when we As we’re prone to do when we aren’t very careful to aren’t very careful to place place ourselves in the shoes of the ourselves in the shoes of the recipientsrecipients** of New Testa-ment of New Testa-ment letters, people today generally in-letters, people today generally in-terpretterpret thisthis passagepassage literally.literally.

HoweverHowever……

I will share with you why this I will share with you why this passage is alluding … not to the passage is alluding … not to the extinction of our extinction of our literalliteral world, but world, but … to the removal of the … to the removal of the JewishJewish world; i.e., Paul wrote aboutworld; i.e., Paul wrote about the the removal of the old covenant world removal of the old covenant world and its replacement by the new and its replacement by the new covenant worldcovenant world. . So…So…

Let’s ConsiderThe Three ContextsThe Three Contexts

The Remote ContextThe Remote Context(the Bible in general)

The Adjacent ContextThe Adjacent Context(the letter of Hebrews &

the paragraph of the text)

The Immediate ContextThe Immediate Context(the passage itself)

The BibleThe BibleThe BibleThe BibleIsa.

51:

4-16

Isa. 65:17-

22

Mat. 23:31-

38

Mat.

24:34-

35Mat. 5:17-18

HebrewsHebrewsHebrewsHebrewsH

eb. 12:1

8-

26

Heb. 2

:2-

31:10-121:10-121:10-121:10-12

“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the founda-tion of the earth, and the

heavens are the work of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain; and

they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same,

and Your years will not fail.”

The Remote Context:The Remote Context:The BibleThe Bible

The Bible reveals thatThe Bible reveals that heavensheavens andand earthearth are used together are used together

numerous times to refer to the numerous times to refer to the government or thegovernment or the worldworld of the of the Old Covenant people; after all, Old Covenant people; after all,

like various other Bible like various other Bible covenants,covenants, it was a covenant it was a covenant

between God in Heaven and men between God in Heaven and men on Earth.on Earth.

God once reminded the Israelites God once reminded the Israelites of His covenant with them by say-of His covenant with them by say-ing,ing, I am the Lord your God who divided the [Red] Sea [[when they when they were baptized unto Moses, were baptized unto Moses, 1 Cor. 10:

1-2]]. … I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you

with the shadow of My hand that I may plant the heavensthe heavens, lay the

foundations of the earththe earth, and say to Zion, “You are My people”

((Isa. 51:15-16).).

In the same context when prophesying In the same context when prophesying about His New Law to come, God said about His New Law to come, God said thatthat law will proceed from Me, and I

will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, and My

arms will judge the peoples; the coast-lands will wait upon Me, and on My arm they will trust. Lift up your eyes to the

heavens, and look on the earth beneath. For the heavensthe heavens will vanish

like smoke, the earththe earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it

will die in like manner; but My salvation will be for-ever, and My righteousness will not be abolished [like the Law][like the Law] ((51:4-

6). Again…). Again…

When promising the establish-When promising the establish-ment of a New Covenant with a ment of a New Covenant with a

new people, God said,new people, God said, I will create new heavens and a new

earth, andand the new heavens and the new earth which I’ll

make shall [[unlike the old unlike the old heavens and earthheavens and earth]] remain

before Me ((Isa. 65:17 && 66:22). ). Incidentally…Incidentally…

InIn Isaiah 65 God had predicted God had predicted that the new creation (that the new creation (the new the new

covenant and new Jerusalemcovenant and new Jerusalem) ) would come when Israel had would come when Israel had filled the measure of her sin filled the measure of her sin

and was destroyedand was destroyed ((v. 7).). And And when did that occur?when did that occur? AD 70AD 70..

Listen to the following from the Listen to the following from the mouth of the Lord Jesus:mouth of the Lord Jesus:

To the Jews Jesus said,To the Jews Jesus said, You are wit-nesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up

then the measure of your fathers’ guilt ((Mat. 23:31-32); ); then,then, after referring to their after referring to their immi-nent demise, He said,immi-nent demise, He said,

Assuredly I say to you, all these

things will come upon this generation …. See! Your house is left to you desolate ((Mat. 23:36 &&

38).). A few verses later… A few verses later…

Jesus spoke more at length of Jesus spoke more at length of this impending doom by this impending doom by

predicting the fall of Israel’s predicting the fall of Israel’s world—their heaven and earth—world—their heaven and earth—when He said thatwhen He said that the powers of

the heavens will be shaken ((24:29), and), and this generation will by no means pass away till all

these things are fulfilled; heaven and earth will pass away, but My

words will by no means pass away ((24:34-35).).

Parenthetically speaking… Parenthetically speaking…

(I find it interesting that in (I find it interesting that in Genesis 2:4, immediately after , immediately after God created Adam [God created Adam [the one who the one who

would head-up God’s people on would head-up God’s people on Earth]Earth], the inspired writer wrote , the inspired writer wrote

that that These are the generations of the heavens and earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the

heavens, KJV. Is there perhaps KJV. Is there perhaps some connec-tion? Or is this just some connec-tion? Or is this just

coincidental?coincidental?

Anyway… Anyway… ))

In Luke’s account of this warning, In Luke’s account of this warning, he recorded Jesus as saying thathe recorded Jesus as saying that These are the days of vengeance that all things which are written

may be fulfilled ((21:22); and ); and what’s even more interesting is what’s even more interesting is

that when all this is put together,that when all this is put together, Matthew 5:17-18 makes perfect makes perfect

sense: Jesus said,sense: Jesus said,

Don't think that I’ve come to destroy the law of Moses or the

teaching of the prophets. I’ve not come to destroy them but to bring

about what they said. I tell you the truth, nothing will disappear

from the law until heaven and earth are gone. Not even the smallest letter or the smallest

part of a letter will be lost until everything has happened ((NCVNCV).).

I.e… I.e…

Jesus wasn’t talking about the Jesus wasn’t talking about the phy-sical world, but aboutphy-sical world, but about the the covenant worldcovenant world of the Jews; of the Jews;

see, since Jesus said that see, since Jesus said that heaven and earth couldn’t pass heaven and earth couldn’t pass

away until the law was ful-away until the law was ful-filled, then … filled, then … since the material since the material

world still existsworld still exists … He wasn’t … He wasn’t talking about it—He was talking talking about it—He was talking

aboutabout the Jewish systemthe Jewish system.

It’sIt’s alsoalso importantimportant toto notenote thatthat Psa. 102 itself (itself (the passage Paul quotedthe passage Paul quoted))

implies that he was referring to implies that he was referring to something that would occursomething that would occur onon

Earth notEarth not toto Earth; i.e., he wasn’t Earth; i.e., he wasn’t referring to the extinction of the referring to the extinction of the world: the verse following Paul’s world: the verse following Paul’s quote reads,quote reads, The children of Your

ser-vants will continuecontinue; their descendents will be established

before You ((v. 28).).

In In verse 18 the inspired Psalmist the inspired Psalmist wrote that wrote that this will be written

for the generation to come, that a peoplepeople yet to be createdcreated may praise the Lord.. Well, let’s move Well, let’s move

on to… on to…

The Adjacent Context:The Adjacent Context:The Letter of HebrewsThe Letter of Hebrews

Notice how all the previous Notice how all the previous informa-tion from the remote informa-tion from the remote context corres-ponds to the book context corres-ponds to the book of Hebrews.of Hebrews.

Hebrews, if you remember, was Hebrews, if you remember, was writ-ten to … YES, writ-ten to … YES, HebrewsHebrews, , JewsJews—God’s Old Covenant people who —God’s Old Covenant people who had become His New Covenant had become His New Covenant people, a people who were being people, a people who were being relentlessly pressured to turn relentlessly pressured to turn back to Judaism by Judaizers.back to Judaism by Judaizers.

To these Hebrews, Paul spoke of To these Hebrews, Paul spoke of the fulfillment of numerous the fulfillment of numerous prophecies concerning the prophecies concerning the change of covenants.change of covenants.

InIn 12:18 && 22 he wrote,he wrote, You have

not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire [[Mt. SinaiMt. Sinai]]…. But you have come to Mt. Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. Then…Then…

InIn verses 26-28 he wrote,he wrote, Now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only earth, but

also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of

those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which

cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a

kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may

serve God acceptably ((perfectly perfectly fulfillingfulfilling Joel 3:16-17 ).).

The Lord will roar from Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem [cf. Luke 24:47]; the heavens & earth will shake, but the Lord will be a shelter for His people, and the

strength of Israel. And don’t forget And don’t forget that that Joel 3 follows follows Joel 2, the, the

passagepassage Peter quotedPeter quoted fromfrom in in Acts

2 about what was then beginning about what was then beginning to be fulfilled in their hearing. So…to be fulfilled in their hearing. So…

The book of The book of Hebrews itself itself verifies that Paul not onlyverifies that Paul not only knewknew about howabout how the heavens and earth phrase was a Hebraism phrase was a Hebraism denoting a government or denoting a government or covenant world, but he also covenant world, but he also usedused it in this manner. However, it in this manner. However, looking more into looking more into Hebrews……

Let’s hone in on our text in Let’s hone in on our text in connec-tion with what we just connec-tion with what we just looked at; let’s comparelooked at; let’s compare 2:2-3 withwith 12:25: :

2:2-32:2-3

If the word spoken through angels proved steadfast and every trans-gression and diso-bedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

12:2512:25

Do not refuse Him who speaks, for if they did not escape who refused Him who

spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven.

There’s an unmistakable correlation, and There’s an unmistakable correlation, and the contexts of both are alike: both are in the contexts of both are alike: both are in

the con-texts ofthe con-texts of the heavens and earth idiom.idiom.

Consider also the statement ofConsider also the statement of 1:14 about how the angels about how the angels

worked for those who would worked for those who would inherit salva-tion; surely that inherit salva-tion; surely that was meant to apply to people was meant to apply to people

on Earth. Right? on Earth. Right?

One more thing here…One more thing here…

This interpretation also perfectly This interpretation also perfectly fits with our comments onfits with our comments on 1:2 andand 1:6 con-cerning the different ways con-cerning the different ways the wordthe word world is used in is used in Hebrews as well as elsewhere:as well as elsewhere: 1:2 speaks of speaks of how God orchestrated the ages for how God orchestrated the ages for His redemp-tive purpose, whileHis redemp-tive purpose, while 1:6

speaks of the citizens of Jesus’ speaks of the citizens of Jesus’ kingdom-age; then inkingdom-age; then in 2:5 Paul Paul

stated thatstated that the world [[the king-dom,the king-dom, 1:6]] to come of which he spoke (in of which he spoke (in

his time before AD 70) would, his time before AD 70) would, unlike the Old Covenant kingdom,unlike the Old Covenant kingdom, notnot be managed by angels (cf.be managed by angels (cf. 2:5, , etc.). Now… etc.). Now… Let’s move on to the last context: Let’s move on to the last context:

The Immediate Context:The Immediate Context:Hebrews 1:10-12Hebrews 1:10-12

Remember, this passage was Remember, this passage was taken fromtaken from Psalm 102:25-27Psalm 102:25-27..

In this passage itself there are In this passage itself there are hints that Paul had the hints that Paul had the covenant world, not the literal covenant world, not the literal world, in mind.world, in mind.

Let’s refresh our memory of Let’s refresh our memory of this passage by reading it this passage by reading it again:again:

QuotingQuoting Psalm 102:25-27 Paul Paul wrote this:wrote this: You, Lord, in the

beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are

the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment;

like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But

You are the same, and Your years will not fail (Heb. 1:10-12).).

QuotingQuoting Psalm 102:25-27 Paul Paul wrote this:wrote this: You, Lord, in the

beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are

the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment;

like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But

You are the same, and Your years will not fail (Heb. 1:10-12).).

The phraseThe phrase in the beginning (v. 10) is not as definite as the same ) is not as definite as the same phrase found inphrase found in Genesis 1:1 (in (in Hebrew or Greek); it actually Hebrew or Greek); it actually

merely means merely means of oldof old ( (as rendered as rendered inin Psa. 102:25); i.e., the phrase ); i.e., the phrase

could’ve taken its readers all the could’ve taken its readers all the way back to the creation, or it way back to the creation, or it

could’ve simply taken them back could’ve simply taken them back to the formation of God’s to the formation of God’s

covenant with Abraham and/or covenant with Abraham and/or Moses a few gen-erations before. Moses a few gen-erations before.

Besides… Besides…

The part ofThe part of Psalm 102 that Paul that Paul quoted is a verse of hope sang quoted is a verse of hope sang just before Israel’s restoration just before Israel’s restoration to Zion after being held captive to Zion after being held captive

in Babylon, a in Babylon, a typetype which which perfectly fits the perfectly fits the anti-type anti-type of of how mankind was enslaved in how mankind was enslaved in

sin before Jesus brought sin before Jesus brought complete redemption by complete redemption by

ratifying a new cove-nant to ratifying a new cove-nant to supplant the old one.supplant the old one.

The ideas inThe ideas in verses 11-12 of the of the heavens and earth perishing, heavens and earth perishing,

growing old, being folded (growing old, being folded (or rolledor rolled) ) up, and changed are found later inup, and changed are found later in

8:13 where no one I know of where no one I know of disagrees Paul was speaking about disagrees Paul was speaking about

the passing away of the Old Law and the passing away of the Old Law and the coming in of the New Law:the coming in of the New Law: In that He says, “A new covenant”

[[quotingquoting JeremiahJeremiah]], He has made the first obsolete. Now what is

becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away..

{Incidentally, the only other place the {Incidentally, the only other place the term for term for rolled up is used in the NT is in is used in the NT is in Rev. 6:12-17 which perfectly parallels which perfectly parallels

Mat. 24 & & Luke 21.}.}

In In 2nd Cor. 3:7-13 Paul, again in Paul, again in the context of the New Law the context of the New Law

sup-planting the Old Law, spoke sup-planting the Old Law, spoke of how that the Old Law (of how that the Old Law (at the at the

time he wrotetime he wrote)) was was passinging away while the New Law would while the New Law would

remain.remain. ((The New Law was in The New Law was in existence at the same time as the existence at the same time as the Old Law for that generationOld Law for that generation). ).

Likewise…Likewise…

Jesus said that the heavens Jesus said that the heavens and earth (and earth (the Old Lawthe Old Law) would ) would pass away, but His words (pass away, but His words (the the New LawNew Law) would remain () would remain (Mat. 24:35); i.e., it would endure ); i.e., it would endure

the shaking which that the shaking which that generation would experience generation would experience

((Mat. 24:34). OK…). OK…

Let’s move on to…Let’s move on to…

Hebrews Hebrews

1:13 1:13

To which of To which of the angels has the angels has He He (God)(God) ever ever said, “Sit at said, “Sit at My right hand My right hand till I make till I make Your enemies Your enemies Your Your footstool”?footstool”?

To which of To which of the angels has the angels has He He (God)(God) ever ever said, “said, “SitSit at at My right hand My right hand till I make till I make Your enemies Your enemies Your Your footstool”?footstool”?

ThisThis wordword isis inin the the pre-sent tense, pre-sent tense, meaning that it meaning that it would be better would be better understood as to understood as to be be sittingsitting or or remain remain seat-edseat-ed, expressing , expressing perma-nency. Jesus perma-nency. Jesus sat down (sat down (past past tensetense) in ) in v. 3, and , and He was meant to He was meant to con-tinue sitting; in con-tinue sitting; in fact, in fact, in thethe samesame Psalm wePsalm we findfind another quote Paul another quote Paul re- ferred to in re- ferred to in 5:6 which speaks of which speaks of Jesus as being the Jesus as being the High Priest High Priest forever..

ThisThis wordword isis inin the the pre-sent tense, pre-sent tense, meaning that it meaning that it would be better would be better understood as to understood as to be be sittingsitting or or remain remain seat-edseat-ed, expressing , expressing perma-nency. Jesus perma-nency. Jesus sat down (sat down (past past tensetense) in ) in v. 3, and , and He was meant to He was meant to con-tinue sitting; in con-tinue sitting; in fact, in fact, in thethe samesame Psalm wePsalm we findfind another quote Paul another quote Paul re- ferred to in re- ferred to in 5:6 which speaks of which speaks of Jesus as being the Jesus as being the High Priest High Priest forever..

To which of To which of the angels has the angels has He He (God)(God) ever ever said, “Sit at said, “Sit at My right hand My right hand till I make till I make Your enemies Your enemies Your Your footstool”?footstool”?

This is the crowning This is the crowning argument of Paul as argument of Paul as to why Jesus is to why Jesus is superior to angels: superior to angels: the fact that on the fact that on Jesus was confer-Jesus was confer-red the highest of red the highest of all honors possibleall honors possible—to sit at God’s —to sit at God’s right hand—proves right hand—proves beyond dispute that beyond dispute that Jesus is superior Jesus is superior to to every being in exist-every being in exist- ence, except God ence, except God Him-self, of course.Him-self, of course.

This is the crowning This is the crowning argument of Paul as argument of Paul as to why Jesus is to why Jesus is superior to angels: superior to angels: the fact that on the fact that on Jesus was confer-Jesus was confer-red the highest of red the highest of all honors possibleall honors possible—to sit at God’s —to sit at God’s right hand—proves right hand—proves beyond dispute that beyond dispute that Jesus is superior Jesus is superior to to every being in exist-every being in exist- ence, except God ence, except God Him-self, of course.Him-self, of course.

Listen to Listen to Daniel 7: 13-14,, notingnoting

howhow it fitsit fits intointo thethe con-text of con-text of our study:our study:

Listen to Listen to Daniel 7: 13-14,, notingnoting

howhow it fitsit fits intointo thethe con-text of con-text of our study:our study:

Daniel described one of his Daniel described one of his prophetic visions like this:prophetic visions like this: Behold, One like the Son of Man, coming

with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and

they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion was an everlasting dominion,

which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not

be destroyed. Likewise… . Likewise…

Peter wrote thatPeter wrote that Jesus Christ … has gone into heaven and is

at the right hand of God, angelsangels and au-thorities and powers having been made subject to Him (1 Pet. 3:22).).

To which of To which of the angels has the angels has He He (God)(God) ever ever said, “Sit at said, “Sit at My right hand My right hand till I make till I make Your Your enemiesenemies Your Your footstool”?footstool”?

Who are the Who are the enemies here? Well, here? Well, according to Jesus according to Jesus Himself, His Himself, His enemies at least in-enemies at least in-cluded the Jews cluded the Jews who rejected Him who rejected Him ((which, incidentally, which, incidentally, would again fit our would again fit our contextcontext). Speak-ing ). Speak-ing in a parable about in a parable about them, He said, them, He said, Bring here those enemies of mine who didn’t want Me to reign over them, and slay them before Me ( (Luke 19:27).Then…).Then…

Who are the Who are the enemies here? Well, here? Well, according to Jesus according to Jesus Himself, His Himself, His enemies at least in-enemies at least in-cluded the Jews cluded the Jews who rejected Him who rejected Him ((which, incidentally, which, incidentally, would again fit our would again fit our contextcontext). Speak-ing ). Speak-ing in a parable about in a parable about them, He said, them, He said, Bring here those enemies of mine who didn’t want Me to reign over them, and slay them before Me ( (Luke 19:27).Then…).Then…

InIn Luke 20:17-19,, when speaking to when speaking to the chief priests and scribes, Jesus the chief priests and scribes, Jesus spoke of how He, as the chief spoke of how He, as the chief cornerstone, would grind His cornerstone, would grind His rejecters to powder. Further…rejecters to powder. Further…

InIn Philippians 3:18 Paul wrote of the Paul wrote of the un-believing Jews asun-believing Jews as enemies of the cross of Christ.. (Isn’t it ironic that (Isn’t it ironic that those who put Him on the cross those who put Him on the cross would end up being ene-mies of it?) would end up being ene-mies of it?) (Cf.(Cf. Rom. 11:28.).)

InIn Revelation 3:9 Jesus called Jesus called JudaismJudaism the synagogue of Satanas——the enemy.the enemy.

To which of To which of the angels has the angels has He He (God)(God) ever ever said, “Sit at said, “Sit at My right hand My right hand till I make till I make Your Your enemiesenemies Your Your footstool”?footstool”?

The only other item The only other item I know of that might I know of that might be included as an be included as an enemy would be would be

foundfound inin 1st Cor. 15:26 which liter- which liter-ally reads, ally reads, The last en-emy being rendered powerless is [spiritual] death. . I added I added spiritu-al due to the context due to the context of this verse, such of this verse, such as Paul’s statement as Paul’s statement that that the sting of death is sin, & the strength of sin is the Lawthe Law ( (v. 56).).

The only other item The only other item I know of that might I know of that might be included as an be included as an enemy would be would be

foundfound inin 1st Cor. 15:26 which liter- which liter-ally reads, ally reads, The last en-emy being rendered powerless is [spiritual] death. . I added I added spiritu-al due to the context due to the context of this verse, such of this verse, such as Paul’s statement as Paul’s statement that that the sting of death is sin, & the strength of sin is the Lawthe Law ( (v. 56).).

To which of To which of the angels has the angels has He He (God)(God) ever ever said, “Sit at said, “Sit at My right hand My right hand till I make till I make Your enemies Your enemies Your Your footstoolfootstool”?”?

This is an allusion This is an allusion to the ancient to the ancient custom of placing custom of placing one’s foot on the one’s foot on the neck of the de-neck of the de-feated enemy (feated enemy (cf. cf. Jsh. 10:22-25); some ); some of the more of the more haughty victors haughty victors used the bodies of used the bodies of their defeated their defeated enemiesenemies like like footstools from footstools from which to mount which to mount their horses.their horses.

This is an allusion This is an allusion to the ancient to the ancient custom of placing custom of placing one’s foot on the one’s foot on the neck of the de-neck of the de-feated enemy (feated enemy (cf. cf. Jsh. 10:22-25); some ); some of the more of the more haughty victors haughty victors used the bodies of used the bodies of their defeated their defeated enemiesenemies like like footstools from footstools from which to mount which to mount their horses.their horses.

In Hebrews Paul also wrote of In Hebrews Paul also wrote of Jesus thatJesus that this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for

sins for-ever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies

are made His footstool ((10:12-13).).

Let’s move on to… Let’s move on to…

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

HebrewHebrews s 1:14 1:14

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

This refers back This refers back to to the angels in in 1:13..

This refers back This refers back to to the angels in in 1:13..

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

This word was This word was pro-bably used in pro-bably used in order to order to emphasize that emphasize that even the highest even the highest rankingranking angelangel isis

subsub--ject to Christ ject to Christ ((cf. cf. 1 Pet. 3:22), ), and, in a sense, and, in a sense, even to those in even to those in His kingdom (His kingdom (cf. cf. 2:5));; afterafter allall,, it it does say here does say here that angels that angels ministered for ministered for those who were those who were about to receive about to receive salvationsalvation..

This word was This word was pro-bably used in pro-bably used in order to order to emphasize that emphasize that even the highest even the highest rankingranking angelangel isis

subsub--ject to Christ ject to Christ ((cf. cf. 1 Pet. 3:22), ), and, in a sense, and, in a sense, even to those in even to those in His kingdom (His kingdom (cf. cf. 2:5));; afterafter allall,, it it does say here does say here that angels that angels ministered for ministered for those who were those who were about to receive about to receive salvationsalvation..

Are they not all Are they not all ministeringministering spirits sent spirits sent forth to forth to ministerminister for those who for those who will inherit will inherit salvation?salvation?

As mentioned in As mentioned in our study of our study of 1:7, , the original term the original term for for minister comes from a comes from a word (“liturgy”) word (“liturgy”) which referred to which referred to the work of the the work of the OT priests for the OT priests for the peo-ple of God.peo-ple of God.

As mentioned in As mentioned in our study of our study of 1:7, , the original term the original term for for minister comes from a comes from a word (“liturgy”) word (“liturgy”) which referred to which referred to the work of the the work of the OT priests for the OT priests for the peo-ple of God.peo-ple of God.

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

Firstly, this Firstly, this means means sent sent repeatedlyrepeatedly, not , not just once.just once.

Secondly, this im-Secondly, this im-plies that Jesus plies that Jesus was the One with was the One with the authority to the authority to send, while they, send, while they, as ser-vants, were as ser-vants, were merely the ones merely the ones who were who were sent for for the saints.the saints.

Firstly, this Firstly, this means means sent sent repeatedlyrepeatedly, not , not just once.just once.

Secondly, this im-Secondly, this im-plies that Jesus plies that Jesus was the One with was the One with the authority to the authority to send, while they, send, while they, as ser-vants, were as ser-vants, were merely the ones merely the ones who were who were sent for for the saints.the saints.

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

Here Here for means means for the sake offor the sake of; ; i.e., angels i.e., angels weren’t sent to weren’t sent to minister minister toto Chris- Chris-tians, but tians, but forfor them; so them; so thisthis verse does not verse does not support the idea support the idea that each that each Christian Christian has a has a personal angel. personal angel.

Here Here for means means for the sake offor the sake of; ; i.e., angels i.e., angels weren’t sent to weren’t sent to minister minister toto Chris- Chris-tians, but tians, but forfor them; so them; so thisthis verse does not verse does not support the idea support the idea that each that each Christian Christian has a has a personal angel. personal angel.

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

This word literally This word literally means means about toabout to or or on the verge ofon the verge of; ; i.e., the angels i.e., the angels spoken of were spoken of were being sent being sent repeatedly during repeatedly during this period of this period of transi-tion for transi-tion for those who were those who were on the verge ofon the verge of receiving the full receiving the full salvation of God’s salvation of God’s redemptive plan redemptive plan ((cf.cf. Eph. 1:10-14). ). So… So…

This word literally This word literally means means about toabout to or or on the verge ofon the verge of; ; i.e., the angels i.e., the angels spoken of were spoken of were being sent being sent repeatedly during repeatedly during this period of this period of transi-tion for transi-tion for those who were those who were on the verge ofon the verge of receiving the full receiving the full salvation of God’s salvation of God’s redemptive plan redemptive plan ((cf.cf. Eph. 1:10-14). ). So… So…

By returning to the Law, they By returning to the Law, they would, in essence, be going back would, in essence, be going back to a law which came thru the to a law which came thru the agency of mere angels, angels who agency of mere angels, angels who were under the authority of Christ, were under the authority of Christ, the One they were being pres-the One they were being pres-sured into forsaking. sured into forsaking. Interestingly…Interestingly…

In the context of Paul’s discussion In the context of Paul’s discussion to the Colossians about the to the Colossians about the Judaizers, he warned them to not Judaizers, he warned them to not be carried away (be carried away (or backor back) into the ) into the worship of angels (worship of angels (2:18); they ); they needed to cling to the substance, needed to cling to the substance, not the shadow (not the shadow (2:17). So… ). So…

Jesus is superior to angels forJesus is superior to angels forthree more reasonsthree more reasons::

1. He’s unchanging from He’s unchanging from everlasting toeverlasting to everlasting. everlasting.

2. He corresponds to He corresponds to JehovahJehovah in in Psalm 102:25 from which Paul quoted. from which Paul quoted.

3. Upon Him, and Him only, was Upon Him, and Him only, was confer-confer- red the highest of all honors—to red the highest of all honors—to sit, sit, and remain seated, at the right and remain seated, at the right hand hand of God. of God.