But whoever wrote it was definitely writing under the power of the Holy Spirit, he was also a well educated person with a sound knowledge of the Mosaic Law and the Old Testament Prophets.
In every one of Paul’s epistles, he starts off by identifying who the letter is written to, “To the church in….” and he also identifies himself as the writer of the letter. In other words, Paul has his particular style, the book of Hebrews is not started off like this and is not written in Paul's style of writing! This is just one of the reasons that I do not believe Paul wrote the Book of Hebrews. At the end of the day the Book was divinely inspired - that's what counts to me!
It was written to present the Lord Jesus Christ as perfect and superior in comparison to anything Judaism and the old covenant had to offer. The author was writing to a group of Christian converts from Judaism who were under intense persecution at the time, and because of this persecution some were contemplating a return to Judaism.
The book is a study in contrast between the imperfect and incomplete provisions of the Old Covenant and the infinitely better provisions of the New Covenant offered by faith in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life in Heaven or alternatively the rejection of Jesus that will bring eternal death in Hell. The choice is ours!
Note: In the body on this article the verses from Hebrews are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.
Old Testament - God speaks through the Jewish "Fathers" and His Prophets
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
In verse 1 the writer stars off the book by contrasting how God worked in the Old Testament with how He is working with us in the New Testament including the Church today! We are reminded that in the Old Testament God spoke to the fathers (Abraham and Moses and others) and the prophets in different ways and at various times to give specific instructions, direction, warnings, discipline and such. The New Testament was written to teach us how to live Godly lives in Christ Jesus even though we are still human!
New Testament - God speaks through His Son
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
From verse 2 the writer moves in to telling us about how the new covenant of faith in Christ Jesus alone is so much superior to the Old Testament covenant of the “Law”!
We are told in this verse that “in these last days God has spoken to us by His Son”.
Now, dear Readers, it is important for us to understand what is meant by the phrase “last days”.
In this context the Greek word for “last” is “eschatos” (Strong’s 2078 pronounced es'-kha-tos) and its full definition and meaning is: last, final, utmost, extreme, at the last, finally and till the end. It is also often translated as the "end" or "latter days," referring to the future or final period of time.
Primarily the term "eschatos" is used in the New Testament to denote the last in a series, the final stage, or the utmost degree of something. It often refers to the end times or the final events in God's redemptive plan, commonly known as eschatology. It can also describe the last or least in terms of rank or importance.
Now, let’s take a look at the Greek word for “days”.
This is “hémera” (pronounced hay-MER-ah) and its full definition and meaning is: a day, the period from sunrise to sunset or a measured period of time (not necessarily a 24 hour period of time). It can also denote a specific day, or a period of time characterized by a particular event or condition, such as "the day of the Lord." In the New Testament, "hémera" is used both literally and metaphorically, indicating not only the passage of time but also significant eschatological events.
So, in the context of this verse the term “last days” refers to the period of time from the resurrection of Christ until His second coming and the destruction of the world as we know it and the creation of the eternal New Heavens and the New Earth for those that are born again and know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Those that don’t know Jesus as Lord and Saviour of course are consigned to eternal death in Hell.
In Revelation 21:1 above, in biblical terms, heaven is seen as the abode of God and His created heavenly hosts like angels, cherubim and seraphim and possibly many others that we do not yet know about, and the sea often represents the place where evil resides and emerges and goes to (see Daniel 7:3; Mark 5:13; Revelation 13:1).
We are also told in this verse that Jesus has been appointed by the Father to be the heir of ALL things.
Right, now is the time for us to have a good look at the word heir and see what it fully means to and for us!
“Heir” is a transliteration of the Greek word “kléronomos” (pronounced klay-ron-OM-os – Strong’s 2818) and its full definition and meaning is: an Heir or an inheritor, it refers to someone who receives an inheritance. In the New Testament, it is used both in a literal sense, referring to someone who inherits property or wealth, and in a spiritual sense, referring to believers who are heirs of God's promises and eternal life through Christ Jesus.
Now, when we become born again, we also become children of God and so become co-heirs with Christ of all things and Romans 8:17 tells us exactly what our inheritance is. We share in His:
1. Spiritual blessings
2. Suffering
3. Glory
Wow! Yes please! Thank you, Jesus! But, if possible, not too much suffering! Yet not my will but Yours be done!
Verse 2 also tells us that God has made all things through Christ Jesus His son and the writer mentions “the worlds” (through whom also He made the worlds) which seems a strange thing to say as in my understanding when I look around me there is only one world!
But let’s have a closer look at the word “worlds” which will give us a better understanding of why the plural was used!
Here “words” is a transliteration of the Greek word “aión” (pronounced ah-ee-OWN, from this we get our English word "aeon") and its full definition and meaning is: an age, eternity, world, forever, everlasting, a cycle (of time), especially of the present age as contrasted with the future age, and of one of a series of ages stretching to infinity – the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end! Jesus!
In every one of Paul’s epistles, he starts off by identifying who the letter is written to, “To the church in….” and he also identifies himself as the writer of the letter. In other words, Paul has his particular style, the book of Hebrews is not started off like this and is not written in Paul's style of writing! This is just one of the reasons that I do not believe Paul wrote the Book of Hebrews. At the end of the day the Book was divinely inspired - that's what counts to me!
It was written to present the Lord Jesus Christ as perfect and superior in comparison to anything Judaism and the old covenant had to offer. The author was writing to a group of Christian converts from Judaism who were under intense persecution at the time, and because of this persecution some were contemplating a return to Judaism.
The book is a study in contrast between the imperfect and incomplete provisions of the Old Covenant and the infinitely better provisions of the New Covenant offered by faith in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life in Heaven or alternatively the rejection of Jesus that will bring eternal death in Hell. The choice is ours!
Note: In the body on this article the verses from Hebrews are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.
Old Testament - God speaks through the Jewish "Fathers" and His Prophets
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
In verse 1 the writer stars off the book by contrasting how God worked in the Old Testament with how He is working with us in the New Testament including the Church today! We are reminded that in the Old Testament God spoke to the fathers (Abraham and Moses and others) and the prophets in different ways and at various times to give specific instructions, direction, warnings, discipline and such. The New Testament was written to teach us how to live Godly lives in Christ Jesus even though we are still human!
New Testament - God speaks through His Son
2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
From verse 2 the writer moves in to telling us about how the new covenant of faith in Christ Jesus alone is so much superior to the Old Testament covenant of the “Law”!
We are told in this verse that “in these last days God has spoken to us by His Son”.
Now, dear Readers, it is important for us to understand what is meant by the phrase “last days”.
In this context the Greek word for “last” is “eschatos” (Strong’s 2078 pronounced es'-kha-tos) and its full definition and meaning is: last, final, utmost, extreme, at the last, finally and till the end. It is also often translated as the "end" or "latter days," referring to the future or final period of time.
Primarily the term "eschatos" is used in the New Testament to denote the last in a series, the final stage, or the utmost degree of something. It often refers to the end times or the final events in God's redemptive plan, commonly known as eschatology. It can also describe the last or least in terms of rank or importance.
Now, let’s take a look at the Greek word for “days”.
This is “hémera” (pronounced hay-MER-ah) and its full definition and meaning is: a day, the period from sunrise to sunset or a measured period of time (not necessarily a 24 hour period of time). It can also denote a specific day, or a period of time characterized by a particular event or condition, such as "the day of the Lord." In the New Testament, "hémera" is used both literally and metaphorically, indicating not only the passage of time but also significant eschatological events.
So, in the context of this verse the term “last days” refers to the period of time from the resurrection of Christ until His second coming and the destruction of the world as we know it and the creation of the eternal New Heavens and the New Earth for those that are born again and know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Those that don’t know Jesus as Lord and Saviour of course are consigned to eternal death in Hell.
Isaiah 65:17 (AMP)
“Behold, I am creating new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things [of life] will not be remembered or come to mind.
Revelation 21:1 (AMP)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away (vanished), and there is no longer any sea.
Revelation 21:8 (AMP)
But as for the cowards and unbelieving and abominable [who are devoid of character and personal integrity and practice or tolerate immorality], and murderers, and sorcerers [with intoxicating drugs], and idolaters and occultists [who practice and teach false religions], and all the liars [who knowingly deceive and twist truth], their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone *(Hell), which is the second death.”
(*my insertion)
Daniel 7:3 (NKJV)
And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.
Mark 5:13 (NKJV)
And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
Revelation 13:1 (NKJV)
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
We are also told in this verse that Jesus has been appointed by the Father to be the heir of ALL things.
Right, now is the time for us to have a good look at the word heir and see what it fully means to and for us!
“Heir” is a transliteration of the Greek word “kléronomos” (pronounced klay-ron-OM-os – Strong’s 2818) and its full definition and meaning is: an Heir or an inheritor, it refers to someone who receives an inheritance. In the New Testament, it is used both in a literal sense, referring to someone who inherits property or wealth, and in a spiritual sense, referring to believers who are heirs of God's promises and eternal life through Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:17 (AMP)
And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.
Now, when we become born again, we also become children of God and so become co-heirs with Christ of all things and Romans 8:17 tells us exactly what our inheritance is. We share in His:
1. Spiritual blessings
2. Suffering
3. Glory
Wow! Yes please! Thank you, Jesus! But, if possible, not too much suffering! Yet not my will but Yours be done!
Verse 2 also tells us that God has made all things through Christ Jesus His son and the writer mentions “the worlds” (through whom also He made the worlds) which seems a strange thing to say as in my understanding when I look around me there is only one world!
But let’s have a closer look at the word “worlds” which will give us a better understanding of why the plural was used!
Here “words” is a transliteration of the Greek word “aión” (pronounced ah-ee-OWN, from this we get our English word "aeon") and its full definition and meaning is: an age, eternity, world, forever, everlasting, a cycle (of time), especially of the present age as contrasted with the future age, and of one of a series of ages stretching to infinity – the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end! Jesus!
Revelation 1:8 (AMP)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega [the Beginning and the End],” says the Lord God, “Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all].”
Revelation 21:6-7 (NKJV)
6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Jesus the Light of the World
3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
In verse 3 we are told the Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, is in fact the brightness of the Father’s glory. This is why Jesus is also known (amongst many other names) as the “Light of the World!”
John 8:12 (NKJV)
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
The Son Exalted Above Angels
4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Verse 4 tells us that Jesus is much better than the angels because He is the son of God and His name is more excellent than any other!
Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV)
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus is the only name by which man can be saved to salvation and eternal life!
Acts 4:12 (AMP)
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say:
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?
And again:
“I will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son”?
Verse 5 reminds us that Jesus is God’s only begotten son! This was revealed to the Psalmist many years before Christ’s physical birth as a man.
Psalm 2:7 (NKJV)
“I will declare the decree:
,‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
In verse 6 we see that Moses already new, by the power of the Holy Spirit, when he wrote the Book of Deuteronomy, that Jesus would come again after His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension back to the Father in heaven.
This was revealed to Moses when he wrote what the Bible calls “The Song of Moses.” The birth of Christ was always God’s plan for man’s salvation.
Deuteronomy 32:43 (NKJV)
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His *people;
For He will avenge the blood of His servants,
And render vengeance to His adversaries;
He will provide atonement for His land and His people.”
*In the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint manuscripts they have additional words besides "people) which the writer of Hebrews is aware of, “And let all the gods (angels) worship Him.”
7 And of the angels He says:
“Who makes His angels spirits
And His ministers a flame of fire.”
In verse 7 we are told, to distinguish the inferior roles of angels from the superiority of Jesus, that the angels are ministering spirits as mentioned in verse 14 below.
8 But to the Son He says:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
In verse 8 we read that the Father addresses His Son as “God” which confirms to us that Jesus is God and the words “scepter of righteousness” (the scepter is a symbol of rulership) shows that Jesus is our righteousness and He is ruler of God’s creation – His kingdom is given to Jesus as the Son as the scripture specifically says, “Your kingdom” – referring to Jesus. This was all prophetically proclaimed in Psalm 45 hundreds of years before Christ was born.
Psalm 45:6 (NKJV)
Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
In verse 9 we again have a prophetic proclamation taken from Psalm 45.
Psalm 45:7 (NKJV)
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.
In Psalm 45:7 we are told that the Father has anointed Jesus; the act of anointing signifying God's blessing, selection, and empowerment for His specific role of being the Messiah our Saviour, Lord and King. Anointing just as importantly signifies the infilling of the Holy Spirit
The word gladness (Strong’s 20) conveys a spiritual sense of exuberant joy and exultation. It is often used in the context of spiritual or divine joy, reflecting a deep, overwhelming sense of gladness that transcends the ordinary human emotion of happiness. This joy is typically associated with the presence and work of God, the fulfilment of His anointing, His promises, or the anticipation of His salvation.
All this encompasses everything Jesus is to us. He is our saviour and the author and perfecter of our faith. Jesus is our everything!
Nehemiah 8:10b (NKJV)
Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Romans 5:1-2 (AMP)
1Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). 2 Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].
Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
10 And:
“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain;
And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not fail.”
In verses 10-12 the writer is quoting from Psalm 102:25-27. Theses verses tell of the greatness of God, how he never changes and that He is the everlasting God and that how everything in existence is the work of Hid hands. Verse 26 makes reference to how our current heaven and earth will perish and that they will be changed when the New Heaven and New Earth is created at the end of this age!
Psalm 102:25-27 (NKJV)
25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They will perish, but You will endure;
Yes, they will all grow old like a garment;
Like a cloak You will change them,
And they will be changed.
27 But You are the same,
And Your years will have no end.
13 But to which of the angels has He ever said:
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?
In verse 13 the writer quotes from Psalm 110.
Psalm 110:1 (AMP)
The Lord (Father) says to my Lord (the Messiah, His Son),
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet [subjugating them into complete submission].”
This verse (13 of our main text) reiterates the fact that Jesus is far superior to the angels. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father where He was seated after His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension to heaven.
Mark 16:19 (NKJV)
So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
Now, to end off this chapter, we are reminded that the angels are lower in rank to Jesus. It is He who sends out the angles to minister for God’s human children – those of us who are born again – those of us who have recognised and repented from our sins and have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
Life application for today’s believers
1. Remember! Jesus is the Name above all names!
2. Remember! Angels are real and they are ministering spirits.
Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
Thank you for Jesus my Lord and Saviour. Thank you that it is by His name alone that I am saved, and it is only through Him that I receive your sonship and can share in your spiritual blessings that are for Your children only. Help me, Father by the power of your Holy Spirit to walk in a manner that is worthy of my salvation in Christ Jesus. Amen.
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!