Christ the Enthroned Creator, Always the Same

Introduction

Hebrews Chapter 1 is a treasure trove of images and artifacts together expressing the fullness and sufficiency of Christ. How can the writer proceed from here and have anything else to say? We will be amazed.

Read Hebrews 1:5-14

Hebrews 1:5–14 (ESV)

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;

11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12 like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

As a review let’s see what this portion of the text has revealed thus far. You can look at the slides or follow along in your Bible (phone or book) as we slowly review verses 5- 9. The images and concepts weave a thread, the identity of Christ a declaration of the Father, to the angels, and to us.

( A Son to the Father ) 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?

( Firstborn of all creation )

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world,

( Worshiped by the angels )

... he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

( Therefore, angels do His bidding)

7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

( Eternal Enthronement )

8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,

( Rule with the rod of righteousness )

...the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

( The character of God )

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God,

( Thus empowered by God His Father )

... your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

On a personal the Epistle to the Hebrews and particularly in chapter 10 convinced me that Jesus was not simply a savior but, the true and living God in human form. Between this thought and the bodily resurrection I was complacent. When the idea of Jesus actually being God in human form took over my faith I began to see with spiritual eyes. This is empowering. I would further state the incarnation, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection are the mental hurdles we wrestle. Naturally these phenomena are impossible, but with God all things are possible. To partake of Christ and His divine nature, and walk with resurrected power we are given the catalyst to rise above the grips of temptations, our sin and death. I hear in this epistle the Mandalorian expression, ‘this is the way.’ The real wrap up is how it all interrelates at the conclusion of the book and we see the profundity of Jesus, the way, truth, and the life.

Our text continues to declare the thread of Christ’s quality.

Verse 10 ...And

a connecting with the prior text we go from the empowerment of God to Jesus Creator

English Standard Version Hebrews 1:10

You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,

and the heavens are the work of your hands;

Psalm 102:25–27 (ESV)

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, 27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.

Is this a statement about creation simply as it appears or better as we see it? I would further state ask a person who is blind and they my say otherwise.

Other cross references Col 1:16

Colossians 1:16–17 (ESV)

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

When we think creation our tendency is to think materially and that is OK. However, Colossians goes deeper and reveals the essence of what things are visible and invisible and how things remain with their very composure. The Colossians, being Greeks, struggled with the idea Jesus together could be deity and creation all at once and likewise spirit and fleshly body. We will touch more on this.

-Creation in its parts will pass away. What else is the writer suggest beyond just passing away?

Verse 11

English Standard Version 1:11a

they will perish, but you remain;

English Standard Version 1:11b

they will all wear out like a garment,

English Standard Version 1:12

12 ... like a robe you will roll them up,like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

Our writer in Hebrews aims to give you an OT lesson. By the time we are through you will be able to preach the gospel and disciple others using the OT. I love it!

Psalm 102:25–28 (ESV)

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,

27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.

28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.

Christ will remain and He will be vested or robed with it and it is in perpetual change. Creation is always becoming. Christ is always being or better, Christ is. In Hebrews 13 we will return to this however with greater explanation.

-Why this contrast to the angels again?

English Standard Version 1:13

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,

The inclusio referring to the beginning of this thought in verse 5 ‘for to which of the angels did God ever say?’

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Hebrews 1:13

The introductory formula for the quotation of Ps. 110:1 at 1:13 forms the closing of an inclusio opened in 1:5

Here we have a chiastic distinction. The next thing to we would do is find the intersecting thought which gives us the kernel of truth this passage reveals.

Jesus empowered and enthroned by the Father is Creator and Judge. You might respond and say, “well this is what this text has been repeating.”

Correct it repeats itself over and over. However, wait till you begin to see how and why through the rest of the epistle. We are looking at series of whats and when they are laid out and put in the puzzle of God’s plan of redemption where they belong we will see even greater constructs within. You will be able to preach the gospel from the OT but, likewise have segues into truths that will shatter strongholds people have that repel God’s message of salvation.

English Standard Version Hebrews 1:13 “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?”

Cited from Psalm 110:1 “1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.””

This is the most cited passage in the Old Testament 22 times. For good cause the most profound and

Jesus likewise cites this Matthew 22:41–45“41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44 “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet” ’? 45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”” Jesus stumps the Pharisees regarding the Messiah.

Who son is the Messiah is quite revealing of the Pharisees’ understanding. They reply to Jesus, ‘the son of David,’ which is correct. However, the greater thought is how could David assert within the question the Lord said to my Lord ? What follows is Jesus is the Son of David by genealogy.

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Hebrews 1:13

1 Cor. 15:25; Eph. 1:22; 1 Pet. 3:22

( Deemed the Heavenly Creator )

10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;

( Enduring throughout the ages none can compare )

11 ...they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,

( Christ is vested with His creation as clothing )

12 ....like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed.

( Immutable and Constant )

.... But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

( At the right hand of the Father- the most privileged )

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,

...“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

( His foes beneath His feet will be His rest like David in all his conquests )

( Dispatching of His angels to fulfill His bidding )

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve...

...for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

( You, me and all those He has called and chosen )

What a wonderful thought Jesus superior to the angels has sent them to us as protection and aid. This conclusion is rhetorical but brings to mind the angels worship Christ and rightfully so. The angels minister to us and we can hardly fathom how that practically works out.

Hebrews ((1) The Son’s Superiority to Angels (1:5–14))

In summary, Hebrews 1 affirms that God has no greater messenger than his Son for a world in desperate need of redemption, and Jesus as the Son is both the supreme revealer and the supreme revelation. ‘Three titles’ are given to Jesus in chapter 1: Son, God, and Lord. The focus is on the “Son,” with “God” indicating the writer’s attribution of deity to the Son and “Lord” indicating his sovereignty. The Son is superior to the angels since he is “God” who receives worship, and “Lord” since he is the sovereign, changeless creator. By what is stated in vv. 3, 8, 9, the author not only proved the superiority of Jesus to the angels, he also affirmed that Jesus shares co-equally with the Father the divine nature while remaining distinct from him. The use of “all” in v. 14 sums up the entire catena by placing Jesus in the position of God in relation to the angelic hosts in that he shares in the divine eternality and sovereignty, whereas the angels are mere created beings and servants. The final quotation, placing Jesus on the divine throne, attributes to him, according to Jewish understanding, divine identity.