Over the coming weeks and possibly months we will return periodically to the Book of Hebrews where we will study a chapter before moving on to other subjects.  To study this very important Book in total would consume many days, probably weeks.  God wants me to be ready at His notice to delve into a variety of subjects.  Therefore we will study Hebrews a little at a time.  Let us begin.

In the first four verses of chapter one we find a variety of subjects which we will examine briefly.  Here we are told that God spoke to the prophets in a variety of ways as the Old Testament confirms.  In “these last days” He speaks to us through the man Jesus of Nazareth–His Son–Who will, upon His return to earth, inherit the earth and the entire universe which He sustains by His all-powerful Word (not “Words”).  Why not use the Word “Words” (plural)?  Because every Word in the Bible is essential and not to be removed, added to or altered in any way.  In this sense, God’s “Word” and His “Words” mean the same–the entire Law of God–which, for convenience, He (the Son) condensed into Ten Commandments which He hid so that man could not take chisel and hammer in hand and alter it.  Unfazed and encouraged by Satan, man altered it spiritually by removing the 4th commandment and replaced it with a fake, thereby removing the “sign” that identifies God’s people.  Read Exodus 31:12-18.  By altering God’s Law religious man has broken the entire Law of God, making himself (man) a “worker if iniquity” (Gr–Lawlessness) whom Jesus will cast away at judgment (Mat. 7:23).  In James 2:10 the apostle reminds us that to break one commandment is to break the entire Law, which is God’s definition of sin (1 Jn. 3:4).

“These last days,” meaning the final days of the world, began on the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. as Peter proclaimed in Acts 2:16-18.  When asked to explain how the people in the upper room could speak in languages they did not know,  He said, “THIS (speaking in tongues) is THAT (prophecy) which was spoken by the Prophet Joel, who said: ‘In the last days ….'”  The prophet then went on to describe some of the things that would take place during the “last days” of this era.  The last days began over 2000 years ago.  Because most of the signs of the end times Jesus spoke about have taken place, we know that we are living in the final days prior to His return.  The last sign to take place before the beginning of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord (1 1/2 years total) is recorded in Luke 21:20.  That sign could materialize at any time.  I fully expect to see it happen, and I am 81 years old.

Jesus is described and characterized by the Apostle Paul as the creator of the universe Who, upon orders from God, spoke all that is into existence.  King David said: “He spake and they (the things of the universe) were created” (Ps. 33:9).  He (the Word who became Jesus Christ–Jn. 1:1-4) sustains the universe by His Word, which causes the Holy Spirit to do whatever He says.  Jesus is said to have the nature and the radiance of God.  After having died for man’s sins, He sat down at God’s right hand, having BECOME (made) higher than the angels and having BECAME higher than they.  Note that as a man, Jesus had to BECOME–TO BE MADE–higher than the angels.  As a man on earth He was a man like all other men, having none of His pre-human powers.  We are told that He emptied Himself of those powers before coming to earth.  Note that He had to INHERIT a name superior to that of other men.  He accomplished this by living in holiness, dying for man’s sins, being resurrected and being born again from flesh to spiritual body composition.  Then, and only then, was He able to enter God’s presence and assume the title (name) of God and sit down on His heavenly throne in the northern heavens.  JESUS THE MAN WAS MADE IMMORTAL AND PLACED ABOVE THE ANGELS BECAUSE HE OBEYED THE FATHER.  THOSE WHO OBEY THE FATHER AS HE DID WILL JOIN HIM IN HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH.  THEY WILL LOOK LIKE HIM AND HAVE THE SAME GODLY POWERS.  Read Jesus of Nazareth: God, Man or God-man?  Key word–God-man.

In verses 5-7 we find several key Truths.  First, God said of Jesus that on a specific day He (God) would become Christ’s Father (at the instant of conception) and He (Jesus) would become His (God’s) Son.  This took place as recorded in Luke 1:26-38.  The instant Mary’s egg was fertilized by the Holy Spirit Jesus became God’s Son and God became His Father.  What does this say about abortion?  Read Abortion: God’s Word on the Subject.  Key word–Abortion.  See the segment titled NOTICE on the website introduction page for instructions on downloading a specific series.  Notice that God refers to Jesus as His “FIRSTborn,” meaning that there would be others born who would become like Him–live lives of holiness and be born again so that they can come into His (God’s) presence.

In verses 7,14 God calls His angels “winds,” “fiery flames” and “ministering spirits” who “serve those who will inherit salvation.”  Note that these people, by conducting themselves as did Jesus (1 Jn. 2:6), will (later) inherit salvation (upon Christ’s return).  Read Hope and Salvation.  Key word–Hope.

In verses 8-12 God the Father, speaking through David in Psalm 102:25-27 about the One Who would become His Son, proclaims that He will BECOME a God and sit on His own throne (following His 31 year stint as a man on earth).  This One would love righteousness and hate Lawlessness.  Note that the two character types are diametrically opposed.  Like oil and water, they do not mix.  So much for so-called “sinners saved by grace.”  God goes on to tell how this One, in the distant past, had created the universe and everything in it.  John calls that One “the Word” (Jn. 1:1-4,14).  Everything would pass away, but that One would not pass away and would not change.  Indeed, He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is the Word Who became Jesus of Nazareth and paved the way for God’s other sons who would walk in His (Jesus’) spiritual footsteps, thereby qualifying to receive eternal life upon His return to this earth to establish the Kingdom of God.  From that location He and they will rule, first the earth for 1000 years, then the entire universe forever.  L.J.