Hebrews 1:3-14 - Series on the Epistles of Paul (133)

Well, good evening, brethren. In the previous Bible study, I showed that there is biblical evidence that Paul wrote to Jewish Christians. However, I also noted that Pauline authorship of Hebrews, while an ancient and plausible position, cannot be directly established from Scripture.

That said, and based on a number of implied evidence which I covered in the previous study, I am personally inclined to believe that Paul did write Hebrews. But with that disclaimer, I will refer to Paul as the writer throughout these studies. But the key point remains this.

Regardless of who wrote Hebrews, the epistle emphasizes the supremacy of Jesus Christ and warns us to take seriously the great salvation God has offered us. In other words, for us to remain faithful till the end in our daily Christian lives. Also, in my previous study, I concluded that Paul most likely wrote this epistle around the year 63 to 65 AD. Now, we know from Paul's epistles, as we've covered a number there, that he repeatedly confronted Jewish and Judaizing influences mixed with Spanish mixed with speculative philosophy, asceticism, angelic teachings, genealogies, and claims to superior knowledge, in other words, gnosis or in other words, Gnosticism. So, some of Paul's strongest passages against these influences include, for instance, Colossians 2, verse 8-23, where Paul addresses Jewish practices mixed with asceticism, angelic speculation, and philosophy. Then, if we look at 1st Timothy chapter 1, verse 3-7, and also in 1st Timothy chapter 4, 1-5, and also in 1st Timothy 6, 20-21, as well as in Titus 1-10 and 14, and Titus 3 verse 9, Paul addresses these false teachers, these myths, these genealogies, and disputes about law, and and Galatians, where Paul criticizes those who wanted to pervert the gospel of Christ.

There is then a strong recurring pattern throughout Paul's epistles of combating Jewish or Judaizing influences mixed with human traditions, also with angelic speculation, with asceticism, and claims to special spiritual insight and knowledge, in other words, gnosis, in short, typical Gnostic approaches. So, in the epistle to the Hebrews, Paul writes directly to Jewish Christians in the churches of Asia, warning them against these heretic, heretical ideas being promoted by their teachers. Paul was countering Hellenistic Jewish Christians, and Paul as a native of Tarsus, and remember Tarsus was the home of a Platonic academy and several famous Greek philosophers. And so, he was well equipped to confront these Hellenistic Jewish Gnostic philosophers in their own sophisticated Greek style. And therefore, the elevated Greek that Paul used in the epistle to the Hebrews reflects the fact that it was intended for a Hellenistic Jewish origins. So, today we're covering Hebrews chapter 1, and Hebrews chapter 1 basically covers the supreme supremacy of Jesus Christ.

In verses 1 through 3, we see that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and mediator of the New Covenant. For instance, in Hebrews verse 1 says God, who at various times and in various ways.

Now, this is interesting because in the Old Testament, some at various times received one portion of revelation, others received another portion of revelation. For instance, at the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God revealed and started showing the nation Israel. At the time of David, the family through which the Messiah would come. At the time of Micah, the prophet, the town from which or in which Christ would be born. At the time of Daniel, it started showing the time through those prophecies of Christ's first coming, particularly for instance Daniel 9.

At the time of Malachi, the beginning of the one that would prepare or rather the coming of the one that would prepare the way for Christ's coming. And so it says God who at various times, so we can see in little bits here and a little bit there in Old Testament, at various times revealed different things. And then it says, and in various ways. And we see in some cases were some internal suggestions in the scriptures. Sometimes people had heard all the audible voices. Then there was the time of the Urim and the Thama. There were times in which there were dreams and visions.

In one way at one time, the Creator was seen by Abraham. In another way, the Creator was seen by Moses. And so in Old Testament, revelations were in fragments in various forms and manners.

There were portions of revelation at different times. But in Christ, the revelation of God is fooled by the Son who is superior to all. And then it says in verse 1, it says, spoke in time past. Now, why in time past? Because from the period of Malachi, through to the time of Christ's coming, there had been a period of some 400 years, a gap of 400 years without prophets. So there's a silence. Now the silence is broken with Christ's coming. Then in verse 2 says, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son. In other words, this is the highest of all revelations. The revelation is given to us by the very Son. Now, many don't know who Jesus Christ is nor what He looks like. And even less, He's off us today. We hear a lot about the death of Jesus Christ, but He's a living Savior. He's very much alive. The heavens have received Him, and He's alive. He is our high priest. In Hebrews 4, verse 14 through 15, we see He's our high priest.

In 1 John 2, verse 1, He's our advocate, our defense advocate. And so it continues here, and He says, whom He has appointed here of all things. And that is a quote from Psalm 2, verse 8. Let's just look at Psalm 2, verse 8 very briefly. Psalm 2, verse 8. Psalm 2, verse 8, we read.

Ask of me, and I'll give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession. And so He sees He appointed God appointed Christ here of all things. Christ will inherit all nations. Look at verse 9 of Psalm 2. You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel. And so we see that in Yah, where in verse 2 of Hebrews, we see that in His last day spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed here of all things, through whom also He made the walls. So we can see that Yah was quoting in part by saying that He was the heir or appointed heir of all things. He was quoting Psalm 2, 8 and 9, and that was quoting that from Psalm 2, that He would rule with a rod of iron. And we know in Revelation 19, verse 15. Revelation 19, verse 15. Revelation 19, verse 15 reads, Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, with it He should strike the nations, and He Himself will rule with a rod of iron. When Christ comes, He will rule with a rod of iron. And then, Yah in verse 2 of Hebrews 1, it says that through whom? That through Christ, God also made the walls. And so we see that in a number of scriptures, for instance, in Colossians 1, 15 and 16. Let's look at that. I'll make reference of that a little later again, but let's just look at them at this moment. Colossians 1, verse 15 and 16. And we can see interesting, by the way, brethren, there they are quotes from Paul's epistles that Hebrews, in a sense, refers to, maybe in slightly different words, but he's referring to that. So Colossians 1, 15 and 16 says, All things were created through him and for him. And it was the Father created everything, using Jesus Christ as His agent, as His representative, through whom He made everything.

And so, also in Ephesians chapter 3 verse 9, Ephesians chapter 3 verse 9, we see, and talking about this mystery, to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the age has been needed in God. It was the mystery of the Gentiles having salvation, not just for the Jews, who created God, who created all things through Jesus Christ. And so, the Father delegated the creation to Christ. And Christ, therefore, was, in a sense, the executive agent that executed the orders of the command of the Father.

And then we read also in John chapter 1 verse 3. John 1 verse 3, and it says, All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was made. And so, Paul and John, in the epistles, make reference that Christ created everything under the command or the instruction of the Father.

Then we go on and read verse 3, Hebrews chapter 1 verse 3, Who being the brightness of his glory and express image of his person, and upholding all things by the world, 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. And so, we can see that Christ upholds everything, all things, by the water of his power. He makes grass to grow, he makes the rain, and yes, we need rain, and he keeps us alive.

So, he is there, Christ is there to intercede for you and I, to ensure our needs are supplied. Christ gives us, gave and gives his life for you. And so, every need of ours is taken care of, whatever we need, not wants. So, before his human birth, as we can see, Christ already existed as a God being in the God Kingdom. We see in verse 3, Hebrews 1 verse 3, he's the brightness of his glory and express image of his person.

And in verse 2, through him God made the walls. So, he already existed before his human birth, before he became flesh. And in verse 3, he upholds all things by the word of his power. Therefore, Christ existed before the physical creation. Christ was involved in creating the whole physical universe and continues to sustain it, to maintain it. I'll make a part of it. And then it says also, and by himself purged our sins.

And so, Christ became human to make purification for our sins. Christ became flesh, as we read in John 1 14, being born of Mary by the power that proceeded from the Father, the heavenly Father. One of the great purposes, therefore, of Christ's becoming flesh was ultimately to deal with human sin. He purged our sins, as we see in verse 3, he purged our sins. And no angel could accomplish this work, because Christ was the Creator, not angels. So, Christ willingly gave his life to make forgiveness and reconciliation with God possible.

Let's move on now to verse 4. Having become much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. This begins to demonstrate here that Christ is infinitely superior to the angels. Christ has become so much better than the angels, and he also obtained a more excellent name than they.

Now, this is crushing, this statement is crushing gnostic ideas of angelic philosophies and teachings. Continue now in verse 5. We read, For to him, for to which of the angels did he ever say? God ever say, you are my son, today I've begotten you. And again, I'll be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. To each other angels, as God ever said that.

So Christ, I beg your pardon, was born by resurrection from the dead into a spirit being. Christ was raised from the dead and exalted, and therefore following his death, Christ was resurrected and glorified. So therefore, when it says, today I've begotten you, I have begotten is the perfect tense. That means, I have begotten. In other words, emphasizes a complete act with continuing significance. For instance, in Acts 13 verse 33, Acts 13 verse 33.

Acts 13 verse 33 says, God has fulfilled this for us, the children, in that he has raised up Jesus, obviously from the death, right? As it was written in the second Psalm, today you are my son, today I have begotten you. So yeah, we can clearly see that in Acts, this statement here in Acts, it shows, which is by Paul, is clearly saying that today I've begotten you. It specifically applies to a specific day of his resurrection, which we know was at the end of a Sabbath. So today I've begotten you. Also in Hebrews 5 verse 5, Hebrews 5 verse 5, Hebrews 5 verse 5 says, so also Christ did not glorify himself to become high priest, but it was he who said to him, you are my son, today I've begotten you. So that relates to when Christ was glorified as a spirit being at the resurrection. So today refers to on this day of Christ's resurrection, he was exalted and restored to the full power and glory that he shared with the Father in the beginning as the Word of God. And we read that in John 1 verse 1, in beginning he was with God and he was God, but also particularly in John 17 verse 5. Let's look at John 17 verse 5, because this is Christ's prayer. John 17 verse 5, he reads, and now our Father glorify me together with yourself with the glory which I had with you before the world was. You see, Christ had glory with the Father before the creation. And the day that he was resurrected and he was glorified, he was restored to the full power and glory that he shared with the Father in the very beginning as the Word. Look at Romans chapter 1 verse 4, Romans chapter 1 verse 4.

Romans 1 verse 4, it says, born of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead. He was declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection. So therefore the statement, represents the day that he was resurrected. Yeah, in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 5, today I've begotten you. It actually is pointing to his resurrection and glorification. And again, I'll be to him a father and he shall be to me to be to me a son. So his resurrection was followed by, in other words, his exaltation when he had purged by himself, purged our sins, and sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high as we read in verse 3. So Christ is therefore not merely the one who died for us, he is the living and exalted Christ who is now sitting at the right hand of God. And in verse 6, but when he again brings the firstborn into the world, firstborn, Christ was the firstborn from a human being to a spirit being. He was the firstborn from the dead. Look at Colossians chapter 1 verse 15. Colossians chapter 1 verse 15 says, for he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. And look at verse 18 which explains a little further. He is the head of the body, the church. Who is the beginning? The firstborn from the dead. He's the firstborn from the dead. So he's the firstborn. So as we continue now in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 6, it says, it says, let the angels worship him. Now look, if angels worship him, and if he's not God, that would be breaking the first two commandments.

Angels themselves are commanded to worship Christ. And that is a quotation here from Psalm 89.

So angels themselves are commanded to worship Christ, and therefore Christ therefore stands well above in angels in authority, in position, and glory. Now yes, angels do have a specific role. Look at verse 7. And to the angels he says, who makes these angels spirits, and he's ministers a flame of fire. And as we will see in verse 14, that angels do have a specific role, and that is to be ministering spirits for us. Now continue now in verse 8. He says, but to the son, he says, who is he? To the father. To the son, God, the father says, your throne, O God. Look at this. The father is calling Christ, and says, the father says to Christ, your throne, O God. I've had people telling me, well, no, we're in the New Testament. Do we see Christ being referred to as God? Well, yeah, it is. Yeah, it is. Plain, plain. Your throne of God is forever. A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom. And so, he is God, declared so by the father. And so, when we think about this context, think about the context of what we've been reading so far. The context is showing that the risen Christ occupies a position of supreme authority. And he says, your throne of God is forever and ever. Christ's throne and kingdom, he is going to be the king of kings in the kingdom of God, ruling on earth. That is the kingdom of God, but that the kingdom that is running. So, it's the kingdom of Christ as well, but it's the kingdom of God, of course, is eternal. Christ's authority is not temporary. And then he says, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom. Christ rules, what? With righteousness. And so, that's how he rules. Therefore, he loves righteousness. Isn't it? He rules of righteousness. He wants righteousness. And that is the way how he rules in the kingdom. Continue now in verse 9. You have loved righteousness. Who's he talking about that loved righteousness? You know, to the son, he says, so he's talking about the father saying to Christ, you have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.

Therefore God, your God, therefore God, Jesus Christ, your God, the father, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions. You see, the context is the father glorifying, showing how Christ has got such a superior authority. Obviously, not above the father, but yeah, we can see this the supreme authority that the father is giving the son.

And he says God has anointed him with oil of gladness. This is also, by the way, supported if you read or listen to Muslim Strong's Hebrew part one recording that he did on radio, he says exactly the same thing. So God the father anointed Jesus Christ with gladness.

Brethren, there's joy and gladness when there is righteousness, isn't it?

There's joy and gladness when there is righteousness. And therefore, Christ's exaltation and glorification is accompanied by extra-worldly joy.

He endured suffering and death. He now experiences the joy associated with accomplishing God's purpose. What's God's purpose? In this phase of God's plan, God's purpose is to bring many sons to glory. Hebrews 2 verse 10, he says, yeah, for it was fitting for him for whom all things and by whom all are all things in bringing many sons to glory. That's the goal. That is the mission which will be accomplished. In the end, we know it says Father, he has a kingdom. Mission accomplished. I've done the job you've given me.

So the purpose for Jesus Christ in this phase of God's plan is to bring many sons to glory.

And look at Hebrews 12 verse 2 as well while we are talking about this theme. Hebrews 12 verse 2 says, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.

Christ endured the cross for the joy that was set before him. Brethren, we go through trials. We go through difficulties. We need to look to the joy that is before us so that we don't be discouraged. We just got to keep going. We got to look beyond. We have to have trust and the faith that will be glorified with him, to be joyous with him. Now, there's an amazing parable in Luke 15 that illustrates this joy.

Luke 15. In Luke 15, in verse 1 through 7, it's talking about a lost sheep, you know, and any Christ is being accused by the Pharisees. And it says, He, this man, receives sinners and eats with them. Oh, how can you allow him to be with sinners and eat with them? And then it goes through the parable about the lost sheep. The lost sheep. And then he found that lost sheep which was lost. And in verse 7, he says, I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 just persons who need no repentance. The shepherd rejoices when one of his lost sheep is found and repents.

But note this parable is repeated three times in a sense. Why three times? It's interesting. Maybe it's to emphasize an any a point because in verse 8 through 10, it says about the woman about the woman having 10 silver coins, she loses one coin and she struggles and looks and looks for that. I mean, how many of you for instance, ladies, maybe you've lost one earring and you look and you look and you look for that earring and maybe you even pray where is that earring or whatever.

And she rejoices in this parable when her lost coin is recovered. And it says likewise, verse 10, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. And then the parable of the lesson is repeated a third time from verse 11 to the end of the chapter. And now it's about that lost son of the lost son. And he went, he got his inheritance, his goods and things like that. And he went and and he sinned and he sinned. Terrible sins, terrible sins, really. And he admitted, I have sinned. I want to come back. I repent. My sins are filthy. And then when he comes back, the other brother, verse 28, the other brother says, he was angry, he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him. You know, don't be angry. You know, this person, the son wants to come back into the fold, allow him to come in. And look at verse 30.

There's the son that was angry, he says, oh, as soon as the son of yours, and it's not my brother, is the son of yours, came, who has devoured our lives, livelihood with harlots, who killed the fatness of Calphari. I mean, has devoured your livelihood with harlots. He went and he lived a life of sin.

And then he says, and you killed the fat Calphariim to welcome him. And so this father says to his son, he says, some son, you're always with me and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad for your brother was dead and is alive again and was lost and is found. You see, in each case, the greatest joy belongs to the one who lost and recovered what was precious to him. And every person is precious to God. Likewise, Christ has a unique joy in the salvation of human beings that repent because he created us.

He gave his life for us. He made purification for our sins and is bringing us to salvation. And note, as we read in verse 10, even the angels rejoice when one sinner repents. But note, the angels do not create us. They do not die for us, nor do they make a time for us, but they rejoice. Shouldn't we? And so continuing now in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 10, it says, And you, Lord, in the beginning lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. And you, Lord, that's Christ. That's how great Christ is. You, Lord, in the beginning, lay the foundation of the earth. I did show you a few scriptures in Colossians, Ephesians, and John a little while ago that God created all things by Jesus Christ. And so anyone that doubts Jesus Christ, you know, we must not doubt because all things were made by him. The Father gave him the power and the authority to do it. So Christ is superior, and not only superior to the angels, Christ is superior to the universe, to the physical universe, because he's saying he made it.

And he says, Christ's supremacy extends, therefore, beyond angels to the entire creation. You see, in first place, Christ created the whole universe.

You, Lord, in the beginning, lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. But look in second place.

Creation itself changes, but Christ does not. Look at verse 11. He says, they will perish, but you remain. Creation in the heavens will perish, and the earth will perish. They'll grow old like a garment. Look at that. And they shall all grow old like a garment.

But it says, but you, Christ, remain. Christ doesn't change. Hebrews 13 verse 8. Hebrews 13 verse 8.

It says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

And Christ's present job is to do good for you and I.

So, you and I don't need to be praying to a dead woman, like, for instance, Virgin Mary, or dead saints. You see, Paul was attacking these philosophies and Gnostic ideas that were coming there about angels and praying to angels and things like that, which are nothing else than demons.

We are praying through and by the authority of Jesus Christ, the living Jesus Christ, to the Father. And so, in John 7 verse 39, John 7 verse 39, John 7 verse 39.

John 7 verse 39 we read, But this he spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in him would receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Jesus was not yet glorified when he was speaking to the apostles there at that time, on that last great day of the feast, as he's referring in this section. So, he was not yet glorified. But after he was glorified, by his authority, he sent his God's Holy Spirit on the day of the Pentecost. And also in John 20 verse 24 through 29, John 20 verse 24 through 29. He's talking about doubting Thomas, you know the story. And then after his resurrection, he appeared, but Thomas wasn't there. So he says, Oh, I don't believe it unless I put my finger into the print of the nails and I put my hand into his side. Then otherwise I will not believe that he says in verse 25. And after eight days, verse 26, his disciples were again inside and Thomas with them and Jesus came, the doors being shut there and stood in the midst and said, Peace to you. In other words, maybe what the Jews would say, Shalom, peace to you. Then he said to Thomas, Hey Thomas, come, come here, reach your finger, yeah, and look at my hands. Reach your hand, yeah, and put it on my side. Don't be unbelieving, but believing. And Thomas said, answered and said to him, My Lord and my God. He was not saying, Oh my God, or any expression like that. He was saying, My God, he was saying that Christ is my God.

And Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you've seen me, you believed, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. You see, so concerning Christ, and when we read here in Hebrews chapter 1 in this section here, and it says, But you remain, verse 11, concerning Christ.

Christ remains. Christ is glorified, and he looks in heaven as an amazing spirit being. Do you know what Christ looks like? Well, today you have pictures, you have little pictures that of Christ. Is that the true Christ? Is that what he looks like?

Maybe you have idolized that false picture. No offense. When I go to Rio, they got a big statue. You probably heard there in Rio, they got that big statue. I always call it the statue of the false Christ. Anyway, but the point is, what does Christ look like? Look in Revelation chapter 1. Revelation chapter 1 verse 13. In the midst of the seven lampstands, one like the son of man, you know, it's Christ, clothed with a garment down to the feet, girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and ear were like white wool, as white as snow, and his eyes like a flame of fire.

Is that the pictures that you see of Christ? Is that what those pictures are depicting?

His feet were like fine brass, as he refined in a furnace, and his voice as the sound of many waters. He had in his right hand seven stars out of his mouth, went a sharp two-edged sword, and his countenance was like the sun, shining in its strength.

You know, brethren, the pictures people have today of what they call Christ.

You know, they clearly are not like this. So, in a sense, they are an idol.

They have a man looking effeminate, and his countenance, look at it in verse 16, his countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. If you looked at the sun, well, you can't look at the sun, you'll go blind, but likewise, you cannot look at God and live.

And that's the way Jesus Christ looks now. That is the way Christ looks now. Look at 1 John, 1 John chapter 3 verse 2. 1 John chapter 3 verse 2, Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when he is revealed, when Christ comes into the woods, we shall be like him.

We just finished reading what Christ looks like in that glory, shining.

And for we will see him as he is, because we will be able to look at that glory, because we will be of that same essence that is able to look at that brightness and joy. Look at Romans chapter 8, Romans chapter 8 verse 16. Romans chapter 8 verse 16.

The spirit itself bears witness with our human spirit, that's the spirit of man and man, that we are the children of God. And if children then heirs, heirs of God, and joined heirs with Christ, joined heirs with Christ, we will be co-inheritors with him, that we may also be glorified together, glorified together.

Verse 18. For I can consider that the sufferings of this present time, the pain, the sadness, the difficulties, the trials of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. You know, that's why Christ looked forward to that joy of coming. We need to look at that joy, that glory, with positive, to help us go through the difficult days.

And so, in Hebrews 13 verse 8, Hebrews 13 verse 8, Hebrews 13 verse 8, it says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Christ will not fail.

Therefore, therefore, the creation changes. But Christ doesn't.

The creation is temporary, but Christ is eternal. The creation is his work, and Christ is its creator. And now, continue in verse 12. Verse 12 says, like a cloak, you will fold them up, and they will be changed, but you are the same, and your years will not fail. Christ will not fail. He's the same.

He remains. Ultimately, the present heavens and earth will pass away, and God will bring about a new heaven and a new earth. We read that in 2 Peter 3, 10 through 13, and also in Revelation 21 verse 1. Continue now in verse 13. But to which of the angels has he ever said, sit at my right hand till I make you enemies, you foolstool. God never said that to the angels.

We got to wait for that day. Look at Acts 19, the 3 verse 19 through 21. Acts 13, Acts 3, Acts 3, 19 through 21.

It says, repent therefore, and be converted. You know, brethren, we need to change.

We need to change that our sins may be blotted out, so that at times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before.

And look at it now. In verse 21, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets since the world began. Christ is in heaven for the time being. Until the time comes to restore all things, he'll come to earth and will make his enemies his footstool and will establish the kingdom of God reigning on earth.

So continue now in verse 14 of Hebrews chapter 1. Are they, in the words angels, not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those who inherit salvation? And so, yeah, Paul, the writer, summarizes the position of angels. Angels have an important role, but it is a subordinate role of service. Christ is the Savior and King. The angels are his servants.

And so, in summary, the first chapter, it highlights how great Christ is and who will attain or inherit salvation through him. It shows that through him we can attain or inherit salvation. Christ is superior to the angels from verse 4 to 14 and also from verse 8 to 13 shows that God the Father is showing how great Christ is. And so, we may ask the question, why is he referring out to angels? Because angels, as we read, you know, at the beginning, at various times he spoke to our fathers through prophets and he spoke through angels, through messengers. So, angels were associated with the giving of the Old Covenant. And Hebrews is demonstrating the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant. So, Christ is superior to angels because he existed before them. He created them. He, Christ, made purification for human sin. Angels did not. Christ is the Son. Angels are servants. Angels worship him. Christ sits upon the eternal throne. Angels do not. He rules angels minister. And so, the progression of Hebrews 1 can be followed in a following simple sequence. Christ existed before creation. Christ created and sustains all things. Christ became human. Christ made purification for our sins. Christ was resurrected. Christ was exalted to God's right hand. Christ reigns on the eternal throne. And angels worship and serve him. And creation itself is temporary, but Christ remains forever.

So, the central theme of the first chapter of Hebrews is, therefore, clearly unmistakable. Jesus Christ is supreme. He's superior to the prophets, superior to the angels, superior to the very created universe. He is the eternal Son of God, our Savior, our King, and the one through whom God establishes the new covenant.