Hebrews – Part 1

Introduction

Note: The following is Pastor Doug’s preaching notes from the book of Hebrews.
The content of the audio lessons will not necessarily follow these notes exactly
but these notes will be a good overview of the study.

Our approach to Hebrews

1. Dispensational = Where it fits into Gods purpose

2. Historical

a. Past

b. Present

c. Future

3. Spiritual or Practical nature of the book

4. Chapter eight is the key chapter to the book

5. The key word seems to be “better” 13 of them!

Heb 1:4 better than the angels…

Heb 6:9 better things X 4

Heb 7:19 better hope

Heb 7:22 better testament.

Heb 8:6 better covenant - established upon better promises.

Heb 9:23 better sacrifices

Heb 10:34 better and an enduring substance.

Heb 11:16 better country

Heb 11:35 better resurrection:

Authorship

Who wrote the book of Hebrews? Hebrews is an unsigned book. There are many theories

Apollos - Some people feel that Apollos may have written the book of Hebrews. The problem is that there is not much evidence to support the theory. More on this later.

Barnabas - Others ascribe the book to Barnabas, but here again there is no evidence to support this theory. There are some spurious writings that were attributed to Barnabas that are not regarded as authentic; but their style is so different than the epistle to the Hebrews that if one can conclude that the writings that were attributed to Barnabas were at all indicative of Barnabas’ style, he clearly didn’t write the epistle to the Hebrews.

Priscilla - Others have suggested that it was written by Priscilla, the wife of Aquila, but here again there is no evidence.

Paul - There are many style reasons that make the epistle “Pauline” in its style.

Peter, some insist, almost states it as a fact in 2 Peter 3:15-16.

2 Peter 3:15-16

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

Peter here ascribes a letter written by Paul to the Jews or Hebrews.

But the other 13 Pauline epistles all went to Gentile churches.

So if Hebrews was not written by Paul then there is a missing letter written by Paul to the Hebrews.

16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some

things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Here Peter is commenting on Paul’s letter, saying that Paul had some written some things that were hard to understand (Hebrews 6 and 10).

Paul’s Secret Mark

If one understands that there were apparently forgeries of Thessalonian letters being circulated, then several passages start to make more sense (Thess 2:2). Thus at the end of that letter, Paul says he includes a sort of secret mark, a token.

2 Thessalonians 3:17-18

17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle:

so I write.

Note how Paul is emphasizing that he has signed the letter with his own hand (most were probably drafted by an amanuensis or secretary). He would sign the end so that they would know that the letter was really from him.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

So what is this signature or style item that is included in every letter?

Those who think Paul wrote Hebrews choose these endings:

Rom 16:24

1 Cor 16:23-24

2 Cor 13:14

Gal 6:18

Eph 6:24

Phil 4:23

Col 4:18

1 Thess 5:28

2 Thess 3:18

1 Tim 6:21

2 Tim 4:22

Titus 3:15

Philemon 25....

So how does Hebrews end? Hebrews 13:25 says: “Grace be with you all. Amen.”

Why is this so impressive of Paul’s style? Because the word “Grace” does NOT even appear in the other epistles! (Except in 2 Peter 3:18, where it is used as an instruction or exhortation and not as a salutation or blessing as here.)

However a close look at what we know will help us decide, I think, that Paul did not write the book of Hebrews

1. What Is Known: Several things are known about the author of Hebrews, but these are not enough to identify this

a. The book makes no direct reference to the author

b. The author was probably a Jew:

1) The author was very familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures

2) The author was familiar with the practices of First Century Jews

2. Various Suggestions: Many have been suggested as possible authors of the book of Hebrews, but it is not possible

We will look at just the two major considerations: Paul & Apollos.

a. Paul: While many of the arguments could be weighed either way, it seems unlikely that Paul was the writer of

1) Anonymity: Nowhere in the letter does the writer identify himself as Paul; this is very unlikely in view of

2) Difference in Style: The Greek style is not typical of Pauline abruptness and digressions; it is more classical

3) Absence of Pauline Spiritual Experience:

The author does not place his experience into the letter as Paul is noted for doing in his writings

4) Theological Differences:

There are theological differences in this letter with Paul's other writings:

(1) The exaltation of Christ rather than resurrection is emphasized

(2) The redemptive aspects of Christ's work rather than the sanctifying aspects of Christ's work are emphasized

(3) The high priesthood of Christ is nowhere else emphasized by Paul

(5) Historical Difference: Unlike Paul who emphasizes that he did not receive the gospel from men

(Gal. 1--2), this writer seems to have received the gospel from others

(6) Outside of Apostolic Circle: The writer of Hebrews seems to place himself outside of the Apostolic circle

b. Apollos: The positive evidence can not be argued against, but it is not determinative, and the negative evidence

1) Luther believed Apollos to be the author. And as a historical note; because Martin Luther believed Apollos

2) Support for Apollos as author of Hebrews:

a) His close fellowship with Paul, thus accounting for the Pauline influences

b) His connection with Alexandria, therefore the Alexandrian style

c) His knowledge of the Scriptures, which would explain the OT content

d) His eloquence, which well suits the oratorical form of the Epistle

e) His contacts with Timothy

f) His considerable influence in various churches

3) Weakness for Apollos as author of Hebrews:

a) There is no early tradition to support the theory

b) There is no evidence of literary activity on his part

Hebrews Is A New Testament Leviticus

Chuck Missler has said…

Hebrews is a sort of New Testament book of Leviticus. What Leviticus concealed in the Old Testament, the book of Hebrews reveals. As we study Hebrews, we are going to discover the real significance of the events in Leviticus.

As you read through Leviticus, it can be tedious getting bogged down in all of the details and ceremonial issues. However, the study of Hebrews will allow us to look at those ceremonies and memorials in a new perspective showing us the significance of them all!

The Book of Hebrews is a call to maturity. It is not an evangelical book.

It is a call to be separate and suggests that Israel not be satisfied with salvation alone, but that they should maximize the fruits and service that can be counted to them.

Seven Major Ideas of the Book

1) It advocates that the Jewish reader leave the shadows behind and exchange them for the substance.

2) The writer argues that the things which make up Judaism were instituted as a foreshadowing of things to come. They were just shadows of things to come, and that which they were foreshadowing has now come. So exchange the shadows for the substance.

3) It suggests exchanging the types, or models, that were prefigured, for the reality, now that the reality is here.

4) It suggests an exchange of the good things of Judaism for the better things of Christ. It constantly makes that kind of idea, and the word “better” is one of the key words throughout the book. It is not disparaging degrade the past; it is building upon it, or superseding it in a sense.

5) It suggests the incompleteness of the Law versus the perfection of the New Covenant.

6) It exchanges the cardinal ordinances that had a temporary purpose with eternal, spiritual truths that had a complete revelation. It contrasts the earthly sanctuary and temporary passing ceremonies with abiding realities that are eternal.

7) It contrasts the conditional promises of the past with the unconditional promises of the New Covenant.

About the Book

It is addressed to the saints, who are not young in Christ (5:12).

It is addressed to a people who have suffered persecutions (10:32).

It is addressed to a Christian community of considerable size as implied by 13:34.

Therefore, we assume it was first delivered to Jerusalem (Acts 11:23), or maybe the churches of Judea (Acts 9:31).

It was written by someone who had been in bonds (10:34),

It was by someone who had been separated from the Jewish believers 13:19.

It is the only book in the New Testament where the Priesthood of Jesus Christ is elaborated on. It is a unique window into that, with heavy emphasis on Old Testament types such as Melchisedec and Isaac (8:5; 9:9; 10:1; 7:15; 11:9).

It is going to emphasize the Heavenlies seven times:

1) Christ in the Heavenlies (1:3)

2) The Heavenly Calling (3:1)

3) The Heavenly Gift (6:4)

4) Heavenly Things (8:5)

5) Heavenly Country (11:16)

6) Heavenly Jerusalem (12:22)

7) Names are written in Heaven (12:23)

Evidence of Verbal Inspiration

Where there are quotes from the Psalms, Second Samuel, and Deuteronomy; in every case it ascribes them to God—not to the Psalmist —but to God Himself. So clearly the Scripture here is authenticated itself as the Word of God.

Hebrews 1:5-9: “He saith” meaning the quotes from these Old Testament passages are written or attributed to God Himself. (Quoting from Psalms 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 97:7; Psalm 104:4; Psalm 45:6-7.)

Hebrews 2:8 and 4:2-11: Psalm 95 is quoted and the word “today” and “I have sworn in my wrath” are used to build a whole position hanging on those particular words occurring in Psalm 95.

Hebrews 3:2-6 is quoted from Numbers 11:7. The words “servant” and “My House” are the key words that an issue is built on.

Hebrews 8: is built on one word from Jeremiah 3:31 - the word “new” and the relevance of that word.

Hebrews 12:5-9: is quoted from Proverbs 3:11 which speaks of “My Son.”

Hebrews 12:26-27: connects with Haggai 2:11 building an argument on the phrase “once more.”

This whole interconnectedness of these words, phrases and arguments clearly shows that these 66 books are inspired by the Holy Spirit to create the Word of God (not a paraphrase or summary, but the actual WORD).

Subtitle: The Superiority Of Christ

Hebrews will show to the Hebrews that the Lord Jesus Christ is superior to the prophets 1, superior to the angels 2, superior to Moses 3, to Joshua 4, to the Priesthood 5, and to the fundamental ideas which were the underpinnings of Judaism.

The Importance of these issues to Israel.

It is simply not possible for us, as grace age saints, to grasp the full weight of the intent of the book of Hebrews without, at least, a rudimentary understanding of the importance of these 5 issues.

The Priesthood

The prophets

The angels

Moses

Joshua

Image living your life:

1. without a completed revelation – always waiting for the next update… (windows)

2. in fear and trembling

3. with angels popping in and out all the time

4. with everything pre ordered for you

5. with being in submission to a man

6. with God constantly changing the laws of physics just to get your attention

7. with creatures that could kill hundreds of thousands single-handedly

Lets consider a few verses…

Mat 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Exo 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. 20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. 21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. 23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. 24 And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.

Lev 24:10 And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; 11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) 12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be showed them. 13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 14 Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. 16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.

2 Ki 19:35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand 185,000: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

Moses was so great that God buried him!!!

Deu 34:4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. 8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. 10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, 12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel.

If Moses typifies the Law then Joshua typifies the Messiah.

Just a few points…

1. Hebrew word for Jesus is Joshua. In the Greek Joshua is Jesus.

2. Joshua takes the place of the lawgiver (plug in the sermon on the mount here)

3. It is Joshua, not Moses, who leads Israel into the promised land.

4. And like Jesus, Joshua was rejected in his later ministry.

The prophets!

They are divided into 2 groups the major and the minor.

This is not groups of importance but rather one of scope.

5 Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel)!!!

12 Minor ones

See your index…

The point of all this is this:

This is what Israel knew.

This is what they trusted.

This is what they had been taught.

This is what had to be overcome if the nation was to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Messiah.

For some it was an impossible transition to make - Gal 1:8

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

What? You don’t believe the angels now???

Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Read ordained there as:

institute, prescribe, appointed, command, set in order

So….

Hebrews presents the, mashiyach – hoc – mashiyach, as being superior to:

The prophets

The priesthood

The angels

To Moses

To Joshua

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Heb 1:3 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry in many portions, variously as to time and agency, piecemeal times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

1. God is the speaker, the revealer he has interjected himself into the history of mankind.

2. God, who at sundry times. He spake piecemeal. This again reminds of the ministry of Moses - 2 Cor 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

3. The point is that in time past, there was no completed revelation. God spoke through many agents and at many times using direct communication from God to man through the prophets.

Remember the functionality differences between the prophet and priest.

Prophet: God >>>>> Prophet >>>> Israel

Priest: Israel >>>> Priest >>>>> God

4. God spake! Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry piecemeal times and in divers various methods manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

God spake! Means the content of God’s communication to man!

There are three types of revelation

Natural Revelation which is the creation of the world clearly seen, i.e. man himself and creation, manifested in them, Romans 1:18-20.

Special Revelation - different times, different agents and different ways God has revealed himself:

Genesis 18, God spoke to Abraham

Exodus 3, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush

Genesis 32, God wrestled with Jacob.

Another example of special revelation is when God spoke through the prophets and through miracles.

God has also manifested His will personally:

Matthew 16:17, special revelation from God to Peter.

Galatians 1:11-12, God communicated to Paul

Ephesians 3:3 revelation of the mystery to Paul.

Written Revelation - things written down, John 20:24-31

Revelation, God communicates and reveals Himself to man

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Inspiration, Man to paper (write it down), 2 Timothy 3:16 - all scripture given by inspiration is always concerned with what is written down, from God to man. The words that the men wrote down were inspired as opposed to the men being inspired.

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Illumination - How information comes off of the page of the Bible into the soul of the believer (what is written down), 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 - revealed by the spirit (teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit).

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Preservation - How the things written down go on from generation to generation, Psalms 12:6-7, preserved throughout history via the Church. Instead of one manuscript for all times, God has the Church as the pillar of truth. The Holy Spirit in the believer is illuminated to the truth and is able to identify what is God’s Word or not as he is instructed.

5. God spake – but how did he speak? >>> By the prophets!!

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry piecemeal times and in divers various methods manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

But notice now…. The replacement for the prophets! There is some thing better than the prophets!

Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son! …

Woman of Samaria understood supremacy of Messiah over the prophets! John 4:6

What Christ said:

Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Mat 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas;

Jonah was a what? Prophet!

Mat 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

And Solomon was what?? A King! And a priest!

1 Ki 3:15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

The Lord Jesus Christ not only Spoke the message – HE was the message!

This is the first contrast the author of Hebrews makes! Prophet vs. Son

Prophet vs. Son

First contrast the writer makes. There were many prophets and they dealt in successive periods, in contrast to the Son who came one time with a complete thing.

The prophets spoke “in diverse manners” - in visions, with similitudes, and symbols.

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself not only spoke but WAS that message.

The prophets were sinful men:

The testimony of Isaiah

Isa 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

The testimony of Daniel

Dan 10:8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

The prophets were burdened with the fact that they were sinful; they were conscious of their sin, in contrast to the Lord Jesus Christ who was free of sin.

Nor did the prophets possess the Spirit continually,

it would come upon them for a message, but not necessarily abide.

David could plead in Psalm 51, “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.”

The idea that the Holy Spirit could be a permanent gift was hard to grasp.

Even at best in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was something that came and went like the wind; hence Acts 2 with the rushing mighty wind!

The Prophets did not understand the depth of their message.

We know that from 1 Peter 1:10.

1 Pet 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

1 Pet 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. >>> hint as to Christ being superior to the angels

Like John the Baptist, all the prophets would have to say: they were not the light!

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

So the prophets were fragmented, partial, and incomplete.

All of these are eclipsed by the Lord Jesus Christ as an alternative and superior prophet, priest and king!

This is plainly seen in Hebrews and in one more passage:

The mount of transfiguration… if you please.

Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Mat 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. - Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the prophets, and here we see the Lord Jesus Christ superseding them.

Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said,

Subtitle: The Appointed Heir

Text: Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days deal with later spoken unto us by his Son, whom he God hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Introduction: We want to take advantage of the Holy Day season and where we are in Hebrews to learn something about the Lord Jesus Christ that has the potential to change your life, your walk and help us to understand who we really are “in Christ”.

Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

We do not preach Christ according to the kingdom program given to the nation of Israel in time past. We do study those books historically, dispensationally and practically looking for the spiritual principles we can apply.

We do not preach the mystery but we do preach Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.

2 Cor 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Col1:27 … Christ in you, the hope of glory:

What is wrong with the religious systems of the world, both catholic and protestant, is that it has made the saints, the walk of the saints, the life of the saints, a part of a performance system that limits or removes the life of the Lord Jesus Christ from the equation!

This system blinds our minds to the infusion of the life that God has imparted to us through his son. It is not me, nor you, nor the priest or preacher it is Christ!

And this truth has been lost… and it is in the life of Christ, during his earthly ministry that we can learn something that will energize your life as nothing else can do.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We quote this verse over and over in hopes that one day the real meaning and significance of it will surface in our thinking and begin to have a real impact on who we really are.

His life is put on public display every day in the lives of those who have trusted him for justification before God… And the perfect example of how we are to live our lives is demonstrated in the humanity of Christ during his earthly ministry.

So the question I want to ask this morning is “When was Christ appointed heir of all things” as indicated in Hebrews 1:2.

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he God hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

The answer to this question of course is found in Romans 1.

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Seed of David = the birth of Christ

Son of God = the hypostatic union

Verse 4 = Declared to be the Son of God “with power”.

Adoption: The Bible viewpoint

Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

What this means:

1. There was a time when God the father appointed Christ to be heir of all things.

2. Hebrews tells us he was made the Son of God – with power (full authority)

3. Romans tells us that was by – (not at) the resurrection of Christ.

4. This indicates then that there was a time when the Lord Jesus Christ, preemptively chose not to use his deity.

What this means to us:

1. It means that the Lord Jesus Christ went through exactly what we went through equipped with the same means as we do to deal with the problems and temptations of life.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest the Israel connection which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

NOTE: Listen… Life is NO challenge, temptation is NO problem, faithfulness is NOT an issue for God. But what the Lord Jesus Christ did was to divest himself of all his power and authority in order to be fully identified with mankind.

It would be no big deal if I picked up a 100 pounds of weight. But it would be a really big deal if I could lift 10,000 pounds. But if I lifted that 10,000 pounds using some mechanical device the glory would go to the device… not me.

What the Lord Jesus Christ did was something that we cannot do, in ourselves. He lived a perfect God pleasing life “in his flesh” without assistance from his inherit deity.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Christ dealt with and was always victorious in his life.

He was always faithful

He always overcame temptation

He always made the right life choices

HOW? – not through his deity – but through his humanity.

A humanity that depended completely, totally on his heavenly father.

Let’s digress for just a bit….

Let’s see him in his full deity before the world began in eternity past!

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

1. Who all was back there?

2. What did they do?

3. Let’s move forward a bit now…

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4. We see him over and over in the Old Testament!

1 Cor 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5. We read of his coming for the nation of Israel!

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

6. We find him in Bethlehem!

Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

7. We see him growing up

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

8. We see him becoming the “man Christ Jesus” completely, totally dependent on his heavenly father.

Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus earthly ministry: 6 Who, being in the form of God eternity past, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

a. mind = he was of a mind to do something

b. earthly ministry

c. form of God = eternity past

d. form of a servant

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: …

Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

e. humbled himself >> before whom? God folks!

f. became obedient to whom? God folks!

The Godhead created a plan for the redemption of mankind. And the Lord Jesus Christ willingly, faithfully and dependently carried out his part.

Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him,…

Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered when was the last time you learned obedience from suffering?; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Question>> And I want you to listen to the question.

What would God have you to do?

As you sit here this morning you are a part of something…

You are a part of family, a part of a marriage, a part of a home, a part of an assembly of believers.

What would God have you to do?

I ask this because I fear that we sometimes take the path of least resistance.

It is easier to follow the course of this world.

It is easier to find something else to do rather than...

To be a mother or To be a father or To be good kid

To be a wife or To be a husband or To be like Christ

It is easier not to set the standard.

It is easier not to be the example.

To your children

To your family

To your community

To your church

It is easier to be ok and not be the best

What would God have you to do?

God would have you to be the best kid on the planet!

God would have you to be the best mom ever born!

God would have you to be the best father there is!

God would have you to be the best saint he has ever made!

Be if you would do what God would have you to do you are going to have to do it the way that Christ did. You are going to have to put your trust, all of it, in him.

Hebrews – Part 4

Subtitle: Heirship Part 2

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Heirship From Last Time:

1. Christ willingly and preemptively laid aside his deity attributes in order to be able to fully identify with us. So his Heirship begins with servitude to the father….

Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

2. Because of his faithfulness he became the ….

Heir Of All Things… a reference to the governmental structure of the universe.

So his Heirship begins with servitude to the father…. And ends as Lord Of All

We know that an heir means he is a successor to ALL that the Father has.

Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

1 Cor 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end compression, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Governmental Structure:

Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; Eph 1:22-23 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

He is the heir of all things, and in this age, it is the church the body of Christ that is the agency through which he is making himself known!

Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

1 Cor 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

Heirship of Christ then is tied to two things

1. His setting aside of his power

2. His faithfulness to his father

3. As his agency today in the age of grace we can learn from this!

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews – Part 5

Subtitle: Last Days

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

We turn now to take a brief look at the “last days” mentioned here by the writer of the book of Hebrews.

The Way God Use To Do It –

Sundry Times – in many portions, variously as to time and agency (piecemeal)

Divers Manners – in many ways, variously as to method or form

Natural, Special & Written Revelation

By The Prophets – The mouthpiece of God

Jeremiah as an example:

Jer 1:1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: 2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. 4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. reference to the priesthood in verse 1 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

Jer 20:7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. 8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. 9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

But something better has come along. It is the embodiment of the prophet, priest and king in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The “last days” is a reference to a countdown to the return of the king!

Isa 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. eph 1:10 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. (Micah 4:1-3)

Dispensationally We Fit In Between The Two Comings Of Christ

The First Coming

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, land & resurrection 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

John 19:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

The Bridge

The Bridge Between The Two Comings

Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

Acts 2:16 But this is that if this is that what is this? which was spoken by the prophet Joel; Joel 2:28-32 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

If This Is That Then What Is This? – Eph 3!

Draw A Line Here And Insert The dispensation of the grace of God

Acts 2:19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

Rev 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

In His First Coming He Came As The Lamb Of God – Meek And Lowly

In His Second Coming He Will Come As The Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah!

Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

It Is This ONE That The Author Of Hebrews Recommends To The Hebrews!

Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Peter’s Warning About The Unrepentant Jews

2 Pet 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, Pet 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

2 Pet 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old John 1:1, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

Rabbit Trail

There are many geological features on the earth that cannot be explained using evolutionary and "long age" theories. But these features appear to be consequences of a cataclysmic, worldwide flood, whose waters burst forth from under the earth's crust. – For More Detail Get Walt Brown’s book – “In The Beginning”.

Examples:

The Grand Canyon and Other Canyons

Continental Shelves and Slopes

Seamounts and Tablemounts

Earthquakes

Magnetic Variations on the Ocean Floor

Submarine Canyons

Coal and Oil Formations

Methane Hydrates

2 Pet 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old John 1:1, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

Gen 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

Subcrustal waters would be pressurized, and so they would emerge with great force. It is the restraining of the flood waters, perhaps by accumulation of sediments, or subterranean lavas, etc., that is emphasized in the following passage where God answers Job.

Job 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? 9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, 10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, 11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

Psa 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

The formation of the earth during the creation week is associated with Wisdom in the following passage from the book of Proverbs. This scripture provides us with an ancient commentary of the somewhat mysterious events of the second day of the creation week of Genesis 1.

Prov 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

2 Pet 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old John 1:1, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2 Pet 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Pet 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise big bang, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Pet 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

It is this event and the one who brings about this event that the writer of the book of Hebrews is recommending!

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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 on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Now… before we finish we should be clear to point out that we, living in the age of grace, have not been appointed to partake of this wrath….

Religious Israelis appointed… to that wrath (see Dan 9)

Luke 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

A Very Interesting answer…

10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Grace age saints are not appointed to the wrath to come!

1 Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord not the day of Christ 2 Th 2:2/ Phil 1:10/ 2:16 so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1 Th 1:9 For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.