Hebrews Chapter Two, Justified, Sanctified, Glorified

 

Hebrews 2:5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.

 

God has put, “the world to come” in subjection to mankind, not angels, we are told. As Adam was steward to God’s kingship on Earth, so too does a glorious future and destiny await the sons of the King. Jumping back to verse 2, we read again, “so great a salvation.” Sometimes, or perhaps especially, mundane words need to be expounded upon to dig out their value. The word “great” is defined as, “of ability, quality, or eminence considerably above the normal or average.” We have forms of salvation involved in the amazing work Jesus accomplished on our behalf.

Hebrews Chapter Two, Bestowing Gifts To Men

 

The writer, briefly pausing to confirm the transmission of the gospel, affirms that the Lord Himself began to preach it, and was conducted by those who heard Him firsthand. Many believe Paul to be Hebrews’ author, but I respectfully disagree. Though I offer only an opinion, I do not believe Paul wrote Hebrews. The writer tells us that he received the gospel and further teaching by those who heard the Lord firsthand, implying that he was not such a one. “[It] was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.” 

Hebrews Chapter Two, Making Light Of Sin

 

Twice in this chapter, the Holy Spirit through Ezekiel issues a stern warning about the consequences sin brings into our lives. “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” “For I have no pleasure in the death of the one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” Ezekiel 18:23, 32. 

Hebrews Chapter Two, The Angel Of The Covenant

 

Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, [3] how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, [4] God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will?

 

The deacon and martyr Stephen, when addressing the Sanhedrin in his greatest and final sermon, accused them of this at the last: “[you] have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it,” Acts 7:53.  So the “word” of Hebrews 2:2 is the “law” of Acts 7:53. This, of course, relates to the Mosaic Law given at Sinai.