Epaggelia

Now that the authority of Christ has been established over the angels, the Hebrew writer warns us not to drift away from this message delivered by Him. In fact, we must give the most careful attention to Christ’s words due to His superiority.  If that which was spoken by the angels (Old Testament Law, Dt. 33:2 & Ac. 7:53) proved steadfast by God then “how much more” should we revere that which was spoken by Christ? There is absolutely no hope for our salvation if we neglect the teachings of God’s Son.  These teachings were confirmed by those who heard and witnessed them, relaying them on to the writer of this letter we are reading. God’s affirmation of these teachings was confirmed by the use of miracles.

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed … lest we drift away” (Heb 2:1).  The book of Hebrews stands as a clear rebuttal to the Calvinistic heresy of “once saved, always saved.”  The entire letter is an effort to drag weak brethren back from the brink of apostasy. Not once does the writer suggest that their salvation was a sham or pretense.  In fact, he will expressly affirm their fellowship with God (Heb 6:4-6). If people were not predisposed to believe in eternal security, it would never occur to them when reading passages such as Heb 2:1-4.   The readers are offhandedly reminded of the abundant confirmation which had accompanied the gospel. If they drifted away, they could not blame it on a vague or garbled message from God.God was “mindful” of man, cared for him, made him a little lower than the angels, crowned him with glory and honor, and gave him dominion over this world (Psalm 8:3-8).  In other words, God exalted man and gave him dominion over this world. But “now we do not yet see all things put under him”.  Because of man’s rebellion, he lost this exaltation and dominion.  These are now restricted by his sin. But now “we see Jesus”, who became flesh (lower than the angels), who suffered and died for man, become the complete fulfillment of Psalm 8:4-6. Therefore Jesus was crowned with glory and honor.  Jesus suffered and died so that by God’s grace He could pay the penalty of death required by all sinners (Rom 6:23). Jesus did not exempt Himself from impulses that lead to sin.  Had He done so, men would have had little confidence in approaching Him with their own weaknesses. God demonstrates both wisdom and love in providing a Savior who draws men to Him by shared nature and experience. It is God’s plan, “fitting for Him”, to make “the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings”.  In other words, the sufferings of Christ made His qualifications to bring men “to glory” complete (“perfect”).  Christ is not ashamed to call them brethren now that they have been brought “to glory,” they are now a part of God’s family (Mt. 12:49) they “are all of one”. Christ willingly took on the same nature of man, suffered as a man, and died as a man.  But Christ conquered death therefore destroying him (the devil) who had the power of death. Christ destroyed Satan’s power of death over man and we are no longer in bondage to death, (Heb. 2:15) and the souls of people in Christ do not suffer the consequences of their sin! (1st Cor. 15:55-56) So Jesus is now introduced as their new High Priest.  In order for Christ to be a merciful and faithful High Priest, he had to endure the same sufferings of man so that He could sympathize with man. As the High Priest offered atonement for the sins of humanity, Christ offered himself as our atonement for sin.

When Christ inherited a better name, he was truly better than any angel, v4. His name holds power which no angel employs. This was accomplished, proven and  established by ascending to the Throne of Grace and sitting at the right hand of His Father. Revelation 5:6-9 records the Lamb (Christ) as worthy to open the seal and exercise all power in heaven and on earth! 

The question, asked in verse 5, is there to remind us that the level of intimacy between Christ and God is far superior to any level of fellowship God has with any angel. Even the mere arrival of Christ, before he did any work, was enough to prompt angels to worship Him, as commanded by the Father. Angels are viewed as prominent heavenly beings who served as messengers from God, v7 & 14. Since the readers of this letter knew these qualities of angels, the Hebrew writer begins his discussion of Christ’s authority over these heavenly beings in this section. 

The word “firstborn” is very important for us to understand,v6. Both Luke & Paul used it in reference to Jesus, first by Mary, Lk. 2:7, in a physical sense, but also by Paul in a spiritual sense over all creation, Col. 1:15. This spiritual sense is how the Hebrew writer uses it in the context of an eternal creator over the whole of our physical creation. His sonship is unique and superior over all creation throughout the universe.

Angels are ministering spirits to God, but Christ’s position is different because of the Righteous Scepter of His Kingdom and the Anointment of Rejoicing, v9. This Scepter is in the mind of the Hebrew writer, with an origin in Judah, see Genesis 49:8-10. The anointing of joy is reminiscent of Isaiah’s passage revealing the oil of gladness, Isaiah 61:1-3, from within the Messiah/Christ.

The Hebrew writer does not diminish the importance and role of angels, from this declaration of them serving anyone who is to inherit salvation, 1:13, to the last chapter 13:2, commanding us to never neglect hospitality to strangers, the importance and role of angels is maintained throughout these last days we live in.  The Old Testament is quoted in this chapter at least 5 times. The significance is in the fact that God’s old law is being used to confirm this new message brought to us by His Spirit of Christ and not any angel. The result is comfort, joy & hope, see Romans 16:25-27 (Romans 15:4 & 16:25-27) with emphasis on v27, “Through Jesus Christ”. The comparison in verse 13 between Christ and the angels is about victory over sin, death and Satan himself. God the Father will work through Jesus and no one else, in order to totally defeat all our enemies throughout time as we know it. Angels do represent Christ in the revelation, but it is Christ who actually wins the victory over sin in our life. Is He living and working in our hearts? Or are we depending on a guardian angel to keep us safe?

The character of our Lord Jesus Christ is publically made known in this unique book. He is…

…Better than Angels — 1-2

…Better than Moses — 3-4

…Better than Aaron — 5-7

…Mediator of a Better Covenant — 8

…Minister of a Better Tabernacle — 9-10

…A Better Example — 11-12

…A Better Shepherd — 13

There are at least 5 warnings in the letter.

1. Warning against drifting (2:1-4) Since Christ is better than the angels, we better seek His salvation.
2. Warning against unbelief (3:12-4:13) Since Christ’s house is better than Moses’, we had better not find ourselves left outside because of unbelief.
3. Warning against falling away (5:12-6:8)  Since Christ is a better high priest, we had better not fall away from His righteous example & protection.
4. Warning against willfully sinning (10:26-31) Since Christ has brought a better sacrifice, we had better not despise it.
5. Warning against defying the work of God (12:14-29) Since Christ has taught us how to resist sin, we had better follow His teaching, thereby cooperating with his work.

The book is a unique jewel in a collection of jewels. The strongest assurance of the presence of Christ is found in this book (13:5). It contains a powerful view of the Word of God. God’s Word is living, powerful and discerning (4:12), good (6:5), & a refuge (6:17-18).

Date & Penmanship; Most theology scholars agree that during the 2nd century an early church writer named Tertullian seemed to agree with the idea of Barnabas being used by God to write Hebrews, but there is no definitive proof or correlation with other writers, so no one really knows specifically who God used to pen this masterpiece!  Most scholars date it around 60AD just before the Temple is destroyed but some of the grammar leads us to believe it might have been later, after the Temple was destroyed. Hebrews 9:5 is probably the best reason for dating it later. This much is certain, tradition is wrong concerning the Apostle Paul writing Hebrews because Hebrews 2:3-4 is written by someone who was a second generation Christian, that is certainly not Paul. This is actually written to all of Spiritual Israel with a Jewish background, Romans 9:6 & 27.

1:1-3, The Hebrew writer takes us back to the creation of the world, back before the Patriarchs Adam, Noah & Abraham. During the creation, God spoke through the same word, which became flesh in Jesus, Gen. 1:1-26 & John 1:14. In Jesus Christ we have a new beginning in revealing a new covenant, as God gives this faith into the heart of anyone who chooses to trust and obey His Son Jesus, wherein a new creation is begun. Now we have the one true and best delivery in hearing, discerning and growing in God’s will. The mind of Christ. This powerful word sustains the universe and gives all matter the ability to exist, Colossians 1:17. This word will judge us all in the last day, John 12:48-49. Let’s be ready!

ACTS 1:21 – 2:21 (Scripture Reading/Text)

The Reason & Result: The prophet Joel 2:28-32 proclaims that God will give an escape to people and a remnant on Zion in Jerusalem. It is there, that he will pour out His Spirit. Why? Because God desires to deliver all people willing to trust & obey Him, showing their faith in that over 3000 people were baptized on this one miraculous event, Acts 2:41.

The Power Source: The Spirit of God, (Joel speaks of) is also called the Spirit of Christ, Romans 8:9. Factually, we can not belong to God, unless we have the Spirit of Christ, according to Paul. Colossians 1:27. The Spirit of Christ would testify through the Apostles, the very word of God, to everyone that would listen. Enacting miraculous interpretation in the ears of everyone who listened.

The Miracle Workers: For this ministry and apostleship (Acts 1:25-26), who is the BIble talking about? 

Why should the gospel writers list the apostles by name? Matthew 10:2-4, Mk. 6:12-16 & Lk. 6:12-16

THE SOUND OF RUSHING WIND The forceful change upon all authorities by God, which will affect all creation. It was the Spirit of God in creation that “hovered and/or moved” over the face of the deep and separated the waters from the land, forming order from chaos in the beginning, Gen. 1:1-10. It was a strong wind that God used to separate the Red Sea allowing Hebrews to escape one oppressive government and begin a journey for a theocracy to live and work in Canaan to become Israel. Wind represents the change God makes in the earth. Jesus talked about the wind as the Spirit, (John 3:8), as well as his own breath, creating sanctification in the Holy Spirit, John 20:22. 

FIRE  Isaiah writes that “the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning, (Isaiah 4:4) When John the immersionist came, he said of Jesus, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”, Luke 3:16. Which could be a reference to what happened to the Apostles on Pentecost. For centuries and in many different cultures it was well known that fire was used to purge dross from metals. There is the obvious sense of creating purity from fire. Which would be in the minds of every believer listening to the words spoken by the Apostles, as they were “pricked” in their hearts by God’s pure word. However there were unbelievers which simply ignored the wind, fire & message, claiming they were drunk. Obviously, it seems like the tongues of fire act like amplifiers and interpreters simultaneously.

LANGUAGES  The most notable fact of this miracle is that foreign languages were uttered by uneducated men, speaking to foreigners in their own language. The Greek word for language in Acts 2:6 is διάλεκτος anglicized as, “diálektos”, it is never translated as babel or noise, but always language or tongue, an intelligible sound recognized by clear speech forming words understood, not needing interpretation. However what was coming out of the Apostles mouths was “γλῶσσα” in verse 4, anglicized as ‘glossa’. This word means “tongues”, as in a body organ. The same word is used in verse 3 for the fire that appeared above each Apostle, so it would look like a literal tongue from their mouth but as if it was in flames! Glossa can also mean a sound, but when it’s used in reference to flames and words, the context demands a language understood by the audience, not a babbling noise needing interpretation, because there is no mention of a need for interpretation. That is the whole point of the miracle! It was as if the Apostles opened their mouths and foreign words were coming out, then straight through the flaming tongues and into the ears of thousands of foreigners, understanding them clearly.

The Audience: 

How many different countries are listed in 2:8-11 ? This would almost instantly result in planting brand new churches of Christ in all the countries mentioned!

The earliest recording of the resurrection of Christ is attached to an appearance that can be understood as a miracle. Mark writes, “he appeared in another form to two of them, as they walked and went into the country” (Mk. 16:1-12) This appearance is immediately after the two Marys and Salome are told by the angel to go tell the disciples that “He is Risen”, Matthew 28:8-9 His body is not recorded in the gospels as being in another form until after the resurrection. The very idea of changing the form of a body is surely connected to the idea of having an incorruptible and immortal body, as Paul describes in 1st Corinthians 15:42-54. 

The reason Jesus is the “firstborn from the dead”, Col.1:18 & Rev. 1:5, is because no one raised him up, He was God with us. So when the Scriptures proclaim the “Father raised” him, Romans 6:4 & Galatians 1:1, we understand that it was the self-same power of the Father in His Glory that raised him. Afterall, it was prophetically proclaimed by Isaiah that he would be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, in Isaiah 9:6. How can anyone be both the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace simultaneously? The resurrection of Christ proves that only he could. This position is best understood as Jesus is the only person in Scripture described as having the Spirit of God without measure, John 3:34. So it was impossible that the grave (power of death) could hold him by himself. He abolished it, 2nd TImothy 1:10.                      

BENEFITS OF HIS RESURRECTION

1. The resurrection is evidence that Christianity is true: “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Cor 15:17). Over 500 eye-witnesses could testify.
2. The resurrection proves the believer will overcome death: “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is  your sting? O Hades, where is  your victory?” (1 Cor 15:54-55). 
3. The resurrection helps you grieve differently: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Thess 4:13). 
4. The resurrection guarantees you eternal life: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). 
5. The resurrection guarantees that you will have a glorious new body: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Phil 3:20-21). 
6. The resurrection means Jesus intercedes for you: “Who is  he who condemns? It is  Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Rom 8:34). 
7. The resurrection motivates us to put away sin and obey Christ in baptism: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4)

Biblically, the idea of the resurrection had to be in the mind of Abraham, when he said to his servants, “we will return” (Gen. 22:1-6) knowing that he was about to sacrifice his son Isaac. Somehow Abraham had faith in the resurrection of his own son, before any recorded resurrections in the Bible. Even the funeral rites of the ancient Egyptian idol Osiris (appx 2400BC) contain written ideas about the resurrection of the dead. Resurrecting people from the dead, was an astounding, yet most desired ancient belief. For anyone to perform a resurrection or be resurrected was more than just amazing, it was stupendous and always related to the power of God, not mere humans! So it is reasonable to understand why some people find it strange that Matthew, Mark & Luke do not record John’s story of Lazarus, and only Luke tells us about the son of the widow in Nain. The only resurrection story that the gospel writers share is the daughter of Jairus! Doesn’t that sound strange to you? The conundrum is solved when we consider the obvious fact that Jesus is the Resurrection (Jn. 11:25) & the Life, therefore it is his own resurrection which is more important than any other miracle recorded. So the gospel writers, most likely felt compelled to highlight the resurrection of Jesus rather than anyone else’s resurrection. The doctrinal reason is in Colossians  1:18 & Revelation 1:5. Where both John and Paul use the title “Firstborn from the Dead” towards Jesus. What does this mean? – From whose resurrection flows all the life, spiritual and eternal, of all his family. All other people in the past or in the future that were resurrected, get their power from the firstborn from the dead, that is Christ Jesus. There is an innate quality and power in His resurrection, because he IS the resurrection, Immanuel, God with us and the Alpha & Omega. That is why the eternality of Jesus, in John 1:1-14, is emphasized, and Luke’s account begins with clarifying the certainty of factual details in his gospel, Luke 1:1-4. With that fact established, let’s consider the message or purpose in Jesus raising other people to life from the dead. If you don’t believe it’s a testified fact from eye-witnesses, then you have not faced the burden of producing proof on the contrary. Because the only way to disprove the resurrection of Jesus is to produce evidence against hundreds of eye-witnesses. So far, in the past 2 millennia, no one has done that. So it is very logical, safe and sound to conclude that Christ’s resurrection is a deduced and astounding fact!

1-Jesus raised the son of the widow in Nain (within the region of Galilee), Lk 7:11-15. When this happened, the fame of Jesus spread throughout all Israel and the surrounding regions. Elijah raised a widow’s son in Zarephath, Canaan, could these two events be linked? Yes, it was to let them know that the Christ/Messiah which the forerunning prophet Elijah was pointing to (via John the Immersionist) had arrived with power proving he was the Son of God, Romans 1:4.

2-Jesus raised from the dead, the daughter of Jairus, Mt. 9:18-26, Mk. 5:22-43, Lk. 8:40-56, also in the north of Israel. But this time, he asks the parents to not publically make known this power. He also reveals that death is a type of sleep, from God’s perspective, which from our human aspect, is hard to accept. But this makes our understanding of the resurrection a little bit less overwhelming and stupendous. The message of this resurrection is to teach us that our next life is when we are awakened. 3-Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44). This happened close to Jerusalem and caused fear & friction, that the Jewish Leaders contrived to kill Lazarus. This would be a futile attempt to hide the evidence of Jesus being God in the power of the resurrection. John 12:9-10. From these resurrections, we glean 3 points: 1-The resurrection will always cause Jesus to be known as who he claims to be. 2-It will always keep us awake to the truth of life in Jesus, 3-It will always cause friction in the world. Do you believe in the resurrection unto life? John 5:29.

Jesus referred to Jonah’s experience as prophetic of his burial & resurrection, Matthew 12:39-41. See Jonah 1:17. Jonah’s great fish was “prepared” by God, מָנָה “manah” – to weigh out; by implication to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll: – appoint, count, number, prepare, set, tell., “manah” is used 28 times in the Old Testament.

The tomb of Joseph (Matthew 27:59-62) was prepared for Jesus, because God prepared Christ’s body. (Hebrews 10:3-7) Now today, the burial is brought to us by faith in baptism, Colossians 2:12. What comes out of baptism is the church, which is Christ’s spiritual body on earth. Living, not dead!

Prophetically, Perhaps the best example of God’s promise in the resurrection comes from Isaiah 53:9-12 and Daniel 12:1-3. So when the Messiah did come in Jesus Christ, why should the resurrection bring stupendous disbelief when he raises the dead? Mark 16:14.

Elijah raised the dead; 1st Kings 17:21-22 “Breath”, 

Elisha raised the dead; 2nd Kings 4:32-35 “mouth to mouth,,,sneezed”, 

Even the bones of Elisha raised the dead;  2nd Kings 13:20-21, “bones…came to life”

Each of these miraculous O.T. events merely mention the power of God through his prophets to raise the dead. So what should have the Jews expected when Jesus came raising the dead?

Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain from the dead (Luke 7:11-15).

Jesus raised up from the dead, the daughter of Jarius (Luke 8:54-55).

Jesus raised up Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44).

Last but not least, Ezekiel sees a valley with dry bones that miraculously come back to life. Bones will be covered again with sinew and flesh, and God will “put breath” into those bones. God brings to life through “breath.” God’s breath is used from Creation (Gen. 2:7), to Christ & his disciples (John 20:22). Which is equated to God’s Spirit. Ezekiel 37:1-14 and the “valley of dry bones.” is a great prophecy of the resurrection,  the meaning of this vision is spelled out for us: This says the Lord: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel (v. 12). Herein death isn’t physical but metaphorical. The dry bones represent Israel in exile (the grave). Where in exile? In Babylon, which is in the east, To be in exile, in the east, outside of the land of Canaan, is death. To be in the land is life. Now, today, the spiritual location of our soul is best found in Christ, not any religion, but His Spirit. The Spirit of life in Christ, Romans 8:2. The religion of the resurrected Christ! Are we in Him?