Friday, August 23, 2013

Hebrews Chapter Two Part 4

2:11-13 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

Jesus is the one who sanctifies the sinner. We are those (who have believed the gospel) that are sanctified; we are one in Christ. The Greek verb “hagiazo” means to “make holy, purify or consecrate” and is derived from another word that describes separation; being separated from sin and consecrated to God like the holy vessels in the OT. Just as Jesus shared in our humanity and became fully man, so now we who have believed receive imputed righteousness which permits us to be called children of God, John 1:12; 1st John 3:1.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Hebrews Chapter Two Part 3

2:9-10 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

It is now contrasted what we do not see (what we have dominion over) against what we do see, Jesus our Lord. The Greek word for “made” in this verse is “elattoo” and means “to lessen in rank or influence. It signifies being made less or inferior in quality, position or dignity.” Christ our Lord was brought down from His unique position of God the Son and incarnated in flesh; He never ceased being God, but chose voluntarily to make Himself of no reputation, coming in the form of a man, Philippians 2:7.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Hebrews Chapter Two Part 2

2:5-8 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

The angels are ministering companions to the saints, as we have already seen in Hebrews 1:14; we shall enjoy their company for eternity in the new Heavens and Earth. They will not be beneath us as slaves, but are fellow servants, Revelation 19:10. Though this passage does in fact indicate that our joint rule with Christ our Lord will place as above the angels in authority, which is positively mind boggling.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Hebrews Chapter Two Part 1

2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

The NKJV renders the latter portion of this verse “lest we drift away.” The Bible seems to teach that one is either advancing in their spiritual walk or regressing; there is no standing fast and holding ground. I am either walking with the Lord, and strengthening my feeble limbs (Hebrews 12:12-13) or I am walking away from God, which compels our Lord to walk contrary to us, Amos 3:3; Leviticus 26:23-24. The whole idea of our life on this earth is one of pilgrimage, Hebrews 11:13-14. This world and what it represents is no longer our home; we have been transferred from Satan’s kingdom to Christ’s via the new birth and the power of the Holy Spirit, Colossians 1:13.