All Is Not as it Seems, Not at All

War has been declared on America.

This is a war of principalities and powers. The battle ground is our mind.

Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The discourse on the armor of God in Ephesians 6 details the weapons that we have at our disposal. It is critical to note that the tenor of these weapons is defensive, and are designed to hold the line against attacks. Think of the long line of soldiers on the front line with their shields out front and spears dug into the ground pointed towards the enemy. They are not attacking, but holding the line. We are to hold the line against the attacking principalities and powers.

The Article, “The Lefts Long March to Anarchy”

This article provides clear and easily understandable description of the battle for minds that is front and center in our culture today. It outlines the enemy and his wiles. If we are to "hold the line" against principalities and powers, we need to know who the enemy is and what his strategies are, or we are going to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

https://conservativewoman.co.uk/the-lefts-long-march-to-anarchy/?fbclid=IwAR3CugwusOTOGoKjDm0bRUNVX6kVOc8i4HxBVTL3ddYGQcdKwgkhsGV3pPQ

From the article:

"As noted by the American academic Roger Kimball in The Long March, another essential aspect of critical theory is the belief that the most effective way to destroy capitalist society and bring about the new utopia is to take the long march through the institutions by engaging in the culture wars."

It should be noted that the goals of the Revolutionary Abolitionist Movement, Black Lives Matter, and associated groups is to destroy capitalism, democracy and the rule of law. Their target is the very core of our culture, and their "new utopia" is communism.

From the article:

"A belief in competition and meritocracy in education, for example, is condemned as inequitable and unjust as it reinforces capitalist hierarchies and privilege where disadvantaged students are always condemned to fail."

The same is true of "religion, education, family and political, legal, media and cultural systems". What the author is talking about is a shift in the consciousness, or the collective paradigm of the people in the nation, or changing the way we think. We are being asked to change the way we think about religion, education, family etc. and see them as tools of the capitalist that must each be torn down and fundamentally transformed into their "new utopia" communism.

Summing It Up

Rom 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Cultural Marxism and Critical Theory (Google and study them) has been at work in the minds of America for decades, and is now breaking through the surface into our reality. As the article indicates, this is the "The Left's Long March....". I am sorry to say that as unjust as George Floyd's death was, it became a pretext, and has turned into a distraction for the powers of classic Marxism to create the narrative of division, and rub it raw. That is Marxism's MO. To divide and rub raw to foment violence and revolution, and we have a choice to think the way they do or be transformed in our minds by the Holy Spirit. If you are for tearing down statues, you are thinking the way the Marxists think, and I can assure you, this has nothing to do with racism. Paul said "there is nothing to an idol", and when people were offended that Paul was not offended he said, "why should I be judged by your conscience?".

The Marxist do not care if the dividing force is class warfare between the rich and the poor, between the LGBTQ and conservatives or between white and black, just so long as their is some division in values that they can take advantage of and whip the people into a frenzy. This is who our enemy is.

But as Christians, we are not to be conformed to the world, we are to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. We are to have the mind of Christ, not a mind that creates division and rubs it raw. This is the line that we must hold. Marx said that "religion is the opiate of the masses".

Marxist recognize that Christians are standing dead center between them and their goals, and Christian persecution is coming, sooner or later (Rev 13:7). Now, and much more so when persecution arrives, we must have the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

As Christians our way forward is clear.

1. We must study and know our Bible like never before.
2. We must have renewed urgency to win the lost to Christ.
3. We must be ready to guide each other in gaining and maintaining the mind of Christ.

If we can do that, we regain our hold on the line, and keep it advancing. But even if the line is lost, our way forward does not change.

What Just Happened While We Weren't Looking!?

The SCOTUS and “The Civil Rights Act”

In 1964, a law was passed called "The Civil Rights Act". In this  law was a provision (Title VII) prohibiting discrimination (of women) on  the basis of "sex". This precept was about affording women rights equal  to that of men.

What the SCOTUS did on that Monday, June 15,  2020, was to redefine the term "sex" as it was defined in Title VII of  the Civil Rights Act to mean "sexual orientation" of all types,  homosexuality, transgenderism, and so on. No longer does "sex" mean the  biological sex of a man vs. a woman, but now it means "sexual  orientation" of any type. Yes, I mean now, this was their ruling on June  15th.

What the SCOTUS did is create new legislation, something  that only the Legislative branch of our government has the authority to  do. If the Supreme court followed textualism, strictly adhering to what  the text of Title VII actually said, as they should do, then there is no  way they would have interpreted this law as speaking of anything except  a man and a woman's biological sex.

Expanding beyond the text  of Title VII was a bold usurpation of the authority of the Legislative  branch of government by the Judiciary. Only the Legislative branch has  the authority to create new laws, and they were in the process of  attempting legally to do so via The Equality Act. It is likely that The  Equality Act can now be dropped since the Judiciary, in redefining what  "sex" meant in Title VII, effectually accomplished much or all of what  the Equality Act was seeking.

(https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-equality-act)

The separation of powers has been dealt a devastating blow as the  Judiciary usurped the authority of the Legislative branch of our  government by a 6-3 vote. This is particularly disturbing because the  members of the Legislature are in place as representatives of the  people. The people have a direct affect on what laws are created through  legislative representation (Congress and the House). The Judiciary is  appointed for life. They do not represent the people, as all they are to  do is render opinions regarding the law. When such a small group of 9  justices usurps the Legislative branch, and moves from rending opinions  to changing the law, the people are no longer represented in the  creation of law, and this opens the door to Tyranny. This is a  disturbing development on the part of the Supreme Court of the United  States.

Read this for additional information: https://www.conservativereview.com/…/horowitz-conservative…/

But This Is Nothing New

We have been watching for the last 3  months as the Executive branch of our government has been raiding the  Legislative branch as well.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have  seen wave after wave of governors, mayors, and local authorities  (Executive branch) issue "executive orders" which in effect have created  "laws" governing the wearing of masks, social distancing, closing of  businesses, and so on.

While "emergency powers" should be  available for crisis, the last three months has been a sufficient length  of time to overcome "emergency" status and return law making to the  Legislature, where it belongs, but that has not happened. Governors and  local governments are continuing to govern by "executive order" and  excluding the Legislative branch.

The blurring of the lines  of separation of powers in American government should be extremely  disturbing for every American. When the highest court in the land starts  engaging in this behavior, something is seriously wrong. Tyranny  happens when a small unelected and unaccountable group gets the power to  create the laws. Our system of three branches of government was  specifically set up to ensure that the creation of law was based on  representation. If this trend continues, and the Supreme Court's  participation in this is ominous, we will loose the ability to govern  ourselves through a representative form of government.

As  bad as all that is, we now need to stop and consider what this new  "Judicial legislation" actually contains. It is especially disturbing  not only to people of faith, but to all of us. The following article  covers just some of the impacts of this law, and is something all people  of faith should know about. This is going to affect all of our lives  from now onward.

https://www.conservativereview.com/…/horowitz-scotus-decis…/

The 12 Tribes and the Remnant

Introduction

British Israelism, the Hebrew Roots Movement, and Commonwealth Theology all teach that when the Northern Kingdom 10 tribes of Israel were taken to captivity in Assyria, they were completely absorbed into the surrounding Gentile nations. As a result, they completely lost their identity through assimilation into those nations, and the myth was born in which the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom became the "lost tribes". When it is pointed out that some did return, those supporting that myth go on to say that their return from captivity was in such small numbers that they too eventually disappeared.

As we will see, the Northern Kingdom 10 tribes were not lost forever, for God has always kept a Remnant for Himself.

A Temporary Kingdom Division

In 1Kings 11 we read the reason for, and the means by which the Kingdom of Israel was divided into the two kingdoms.

• 1Ki 11:9-11 The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. (10) Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD's command. (11) So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.

• 1Ki 11:31-35 Then he said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand and give you ten tribes. (32) But for the sake of my servant David and the city of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, he will have one tribe. (33) I will do this because they have forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Molek the god of the Ammonites, and have not walked in obedience to me, nor done what is right in my eyes, nor kept my decrees and laws as David, Solomon's father, did. (34) "'But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon's hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant, whom I chose and who obeyed my commands and decrees. (35) I will take the kingdom from his son's hands and give you ten tribes.

The Division Not Forever

The state of the divided kingdom however, would not last forever. At some point, the Northern Kingdom would be restored.

• 1Ki 11:39 - I will humble David's descendants because of this, but not forever.'"

Ezekiel speaks of the rejoining of the two kingdoms.

• Eze 37:20-22 Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on (21) and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. (22) I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms.

The rejoining of the two sticks speaks of the Millennium fulfillment, and is presently being brought to pass. Israel today is returning to the land, and there is little concern with tribal identities.

The Return of the Exiles

Isaiah is very clear regarding the results of the captivity. The Northern Kingdom is referred to as two entities, the first being "the sand of the sea", and the second being "the Remnant".

• Isa 10:21-22 A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. (22) Though your people be like the sand by the sea, Israel, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming and righteous.

The Israelites that did not survive the exile, that were absorbed into the nations were unbelieving Israel, the "sand of the sea". Those are the ones that went into the nations and were assimilated, and supposedly make up the "lost tribes". A Remnant, however, would return to Almighty God, some in the diaspora and some returning to Jerusalem and continue on, and in sufficient numbers to repopulate all 12 tribes, as we shall see.

All Israel Returns

In the return of the Remnant from exile under Zerubbabel, Judah, Levi, and “all Israel” are mentioned. This includes:

Arah from the tribe of Asher (Ezra 2:5 cf. 1Ch 7:39),
Bani from the tribe of Gad (Ezra 2:10 cf. Neh 7:15);
Bethlehem from the tribe of Zebulun (Ezra 2:26 cf. Jos 19:15-16),
Ramah from the tribe of Naphtali (Ezra 2:26 cf. Jos 19:32-39),
Men from Bethel and Ai, towns of the Northern Kingdom (Ezra 2:28),
Nebo from the tribe of Reuben (Ezra 2:29 cf. 1Ch 5:1-8).

2Chronicles fills in the gaps. There were those from EVERY TRIBE who set their hearts on seeking the Lord and followed the Levites to Jerusalem.

• 2Ch 11:16 Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.

• 2Ch 15:9-10 Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him. (10) They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa's reign.
  
  2Ch 11:12-16 - "Those from every tribe of Israel"
  2Ch 15:9 - "Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, Manasseh, Simeon"
  2Ch 30:11 - "Asher, Manasseh, Zebulun"
  2Ch 30:18 - "Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun"
  2Ch 31:1 - "Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, Manasseh"

In the above 2 lists, 11 of the tribes are mentioned by name after the return from the exile. Asher, Gad, Zebulun, Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, Issachar, Reuben, Naphtali, Judah, and Benjamin. Only Dan is not mentioned.

When the Northern Kingdom was taken into captivity, not all of them were taken. Some members of the northern 10 tribes were left behind in the land when the Northern Kingdom was taken into captivity. These would have remained in the land and reproduced.

• 2Ki 25:12 But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields.

Daniel recognized members of the Northern Kingdom, all Israel, both near and far.

• Dan 9:7 "Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame--the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.

References to the 12 Tribes Post Exile

Each tribe was responsible for supplying their own sacrificial goat for the sin offering. All 12 tribes would have needed to be present for there to have been "12 male goats".

• Ezra 8:35 Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven male lambs and, as a sin offering, twelve male goats. All this was a burnt offering to the LORD.

Zechariah referred to Israel separately from Judah, indicating that the Northern Kingdom tribes are not lost at all.

• Zec 1:19 I asked the angel who was speaking to me, "What are these?" He answered me, "These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem."

• Zec 1:1 8:13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong."

• Zec 10:6 "I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.

The Time of Jesus

Jesus refers to the 12 tribes:

• Mat 19:28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

• Luk 22:29-30 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, (30) so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

James refers to the 12 tribes:

• Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Paul refers to the 12 tribes:

• Act 26:7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.

In the Future

In the Revelation, the tribes are again listed by name during the Time of Jacob's Trouble, which is still future to us:

• Rev 7:4-8 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. Vs 5-8:
  From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
  from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
  from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
  from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
  from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
  from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
  from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
  from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
  from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
  from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
  from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
  from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

Ezekiel mentions 12 tribes who are still in existence at the time of the division of the land in the Millennium:

• Eze 47:21 "You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

• Eze 48:1-7 "These are the tribes, listed by name: At the northern frontier,
  Dan will have one portion; it will follow the Hethlon road to Lebo Hamath; Hazar Enan and the northern border of Damascus next to Hamath will be part of its border from the east side to the west side.
  (2) "Asher will have one portion; it will border the territory of Dan from east to west.
  (3) "Naphtali will have one portion; it will border the territory of Asher from east to west.
  (4) "Manasseh will have one portion; it will border the territory of Naphtali from east to west.
  (5) "Ephraim will have one portion; it will border the territory of Manasseh from east to west.
  (6) "Reuben will have one portion; it will border the territory of Ephraim from east to west.
  (7) "Judah will have one portion; it will border the territory of Reuben from east to west.

The 12 tribes have a continuous presence all through the timeline of Scripture in the Remnant. Scripture is explicit about this.

Conclusion

Reviewing the passage from Isaiah once again:

• Isa 10:21-22 A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. (22) Though your people be like the sand by the sea, Israel, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming and righteous.

It was Israel, the "sand of the sea" that was absorbed into the nations and assimilated, not Israel "the remnant".

Israel today consists of descendants from all 12 tribes. They existed as the Remnant in post exilic times and clearly maintained an awareness of which tribes the were from.

Even at the time of Jesus many still had awareness of which tribe they were descended from. Paul knew he was from the tribe of Benjamin, Anna knew she was from the tribe of Asher (Luk_2:36), and obviously the Levite’s would have known their tribe. Jesus, James, and Paul made explicit references to the 12 tribes.

Although it is likely today that many Jews are unaware of their tribal genealogy. The fact of the matter is we are all told not to concern ourselves with such matters in Tit_3:9. Nevertheless, there is no reason not to take a literal view of the future restoration of the 12 tribes as the prophecies name them explicitly in the 144,000 as well as the division of the land in the Millennial Kingdom.


References

https://scripturethoughts.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/the-ten-lost-tribes-myth-david-barons-classic-work/

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_History_of_the_Ten_%22Lost%22_Tribes

http://www.spiritandtruth.org/teaching/Book_of_Revelation/commentary/htm/topics/ten_tribes.html

https://hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Two_House/two_house.html

Hebrews Chapter 01

The Book of Hebrews

Chapter 1

Heb_1:1

"our ancestors" - This would be the ancestors of the Jewish people to who the book is addressed.

"spoke in various ways" - Supernatural interventions into history as well as storms, plagues, historical events.

"through the prophets" - Major and Minor prophets. God spoke in visions, dreams, and face-to-face communication

Num_12:6-8 he said, "Listen to my words: "When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. (7) But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. (8) With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"

2Pe_1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Heb_1:2

"last days" - The last days began with Jesus, and the character of Jesus revelation is of culmination. The end is in sight.

"spoken to us by His Son" - Through Jesus as He walked the earth, and after His ascension through the apostles, the ensuing books of the Bible.

Act_1:1-2 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach (2) until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

This continues the plan of progressive revelation.

• Patriarchs - through physical interaction - Adam and Eve Gen_3:8-24, Cain Gen_4:1-16.
• Patriarchs - through spiritual interaction - Enoch Gen_5:24, Noah Gen_6:13-14.
• Patriarchs - dreams and visions - Abraham Gen_15:1, Abimelech Gen_20:3, Jacob Gen_31:1-11, Joseph - J, Nathan - 2Sa_7:17.
• Patriarchs - physical interaction - Jacob - Gen_32:24-25, Burning Bush Exo_3:2, Plagues Exo_5:1, Red Sea - Exo_14:22.
  
  
• Mosaic Period - Law (God's nature, pointing to Christ) Exo_20:22, Law (tutor) Gal_3:24-25.
• Mosaic Period - Spiritual Awareness (God's external interactions, combined with internal dreams and visions are now joined to the divine regulations to start waking up the spiritual man.)
• Mosaic Period - Dwelling with Man - The Ark Exo_25:21-22, Tabernacle Exo_25:21-22.
• Mosaic Period - Continued physical, dream and vision - Cloud Exo_19:9, Manna Exo_16:35, Conquest through Joshua.
  
• Davidic Period (Primarily external still) - David - Psa_51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me, Othniel - Jdg_3:10, Gideon - Jdg_6:34, Saul and his messengers - 1Sa_10:10, 1Sa_19:20.
  
• Prophetic Period - Minor and Major Prophets - Bring awareness of inward working of God and bring them back to God. Declare relationship between God's and man's Spirit.
  
• Immanuel Period - God with us - Isa_7:14, If you have seen me, you have seen the Father Joh_14:9.
  
• Pentecostal Period - The presence of the Holy Spirit - Joe_2:28 And it will happen afterward thus: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your elders will dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.
  1Co_3:16-17 Do you not know that you are God's temple and the Spirit of God dwells in you? (17) If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy this one. For God's temple is holy, which you are.
  
• The Future - Us with God - Joh_14:2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places; but if not, I would have told you, because I am going away to prepare a place for you.
  Rev_21:22 And I did not see a temple in it, for the Lord God All-Powerful is its temple, and the Lamb.

"heir of all things" - His name is above every name

Php_2:9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Psa_2:8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

"made the universe" - creator of matter and history

Joh_1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Col_1:16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Heb_1:3

"the radiance of God's glory" - Jesus is what shines out from the Father.

Mat_17:1-2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. (2) There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

"the exact representation of His being" - precise duplication

Joh_14:9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

"sustaining things by His powerful word" - moves all things forward on their appointed course

Col_1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

"provided purification of sins" - much more will be said about this in the future chapters.

"sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" - conveys Christ's royal power unparalleled glory.

Psa_110:1-2 Of David. A psalm. The LORD says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." (2) The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, "Rule in the midst of your enemies!"

Present rulership is over the church and heavenly angelic hosts.

Eph_4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Col_1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Col_2:10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

Future rulership is over Israel in the Millennial Kingdom

Isa_9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Dan_2:44 "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.

Dan_7:13-14 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. (14) He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Heb_1:4

The Jewish people were under pressure to abandon their belief in Messiah and return to the Mosaic system of Judaism. The previous 7 actions would demonstrate to the Jewish people the full diety of Jesus and His superiority of any other messengers from the outset of the letter.

It is likely that the Jewish readers regarded angels too highly. Angels are very important to the Jewish people. Multitudes of angels were involved with them in the Old Testament. Explaining that Jesus was superior to the angels would help them to get a proper perspective of Jesus.

Notes

Two terms for Christ are the focus of the letter to the Hebrews, as we see going through the chapters:

1. Son of God - Jesus is God's Son, which the previous 7 actions declare. Jesus is better, higher than the angels as God's Son. As we read through the letter, we should understand the term "Son of God" as a term signifying Jesus's superiority.

Deu_33:2 He said: "The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.

Psa_68:17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.

Gal_3:19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.

This position of Jesus as higher than the angels is also cautionary to those who claim to be angelic mediators who claim to connect the living with angelic beings or dead relatives. These practices are found in cults and New Age occultic proponents. Finding a "spiritual guide" or "channeling are other examples. Jesus is higher than the angels and the biblical revelation about these subjects.

2. High Priest - will be the subject of much of the following chapters.

Heb_1:5

The seven quotes:

"You are my Son; today I have become your Father" - The writer to Hebrews appeals to his Jewish readers on the basis of David's declaration in Psa_2:7 that Jesus is the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. Angels were referred to as "sons of God", but never as a "Son of God". Only Jesus has the name "Son of God".

Psa_2:7 I will proclaim the LORD's decree: He said to me, "You are my son; today I have become your father.

"I will be His Father, and He will be my Son" - a reinforcement to the above quote.

1Ch_17:13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor.

Heb_1:6

"Let all God's angels worship Him." - A second reinforcement.

Heb_1:7

"He makes His angels spirits, and His servants flames of fire" - Angels are created as spirits, powerful, invisible, and servants of a higher power whom they serve with judgment and illumination. They are servants, unlike the Son of God, who's role is to rule.

Psa_104:4 He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.

Heb_1:8-9

"Your throne, oh God, will last forever and ever..." - This is another quote showing the difference between Jesus and angels. The Son will rule, not serve. His throne is unending, not changing. The Son exercises royal power, and the angels are ministers.

Psa_45:6-7 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. (7) You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Heb_1:10-12

"In the beginning Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth..." - The 6th quote, shows that the Son is immutable, unchanging. As the creator living out side of creation, He is the cause of change, but is not affected by that change. This cannot be said of the angels, who are also created.

Psa_102:25-27 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. (26) They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. (27) But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

Heb_1:13

"Sit at my right hand..." - The 7th and last quote, angels stand and serve, Jesus sits and rules. The vindication here is that of the second coming, and His future rule on David's earthly throne in Jerusalem.

Psa_110:1 Of David. A psalm. The LORD says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."

Heb_1:14

A primary purpose for angels is revealed in this verse. They are ministers of those who will inherit salvation. They assist humans in achieving deliverance against our enemies, and bringing all humans to salvation.

"inherit" - Inheritance is usually a term used of something someone receives through a will, not through any action on their own part. Our inheritance is all that God wants to give us. We will receive an inheritance, however, we are liable to lose some of that inheritance through unfaithfulness, as in the case of Esau.

Heb_12:16-17 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. (17) Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

A part of our inheritance is rewards. Like our inheritance, we can forfeit rewards based on our actions while alive on earth.

1Co_3:6-15 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. (7) So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (8) The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. (9) For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building. (10) By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. (11) For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, (13) their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. (14) If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. (15) If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames.

The closing passage is an encouragement to the readers. It details Jesus's right to rule in the coming Millennial Kingdom, based on 7 respects:

1. He is the Son of God (Heb_1:5 a).
2. He is the promised son of David (Heb_1:5 b).
3. He is the sovereign whom angels worship as Yahweh (Heb_1:6).
4. His ministry is not that of a temporary servant like the angels (Heb_1:7).
5. His ministry is that of the eternal ruler (Heb_1:8-9).
6. He is the immutable creator (Heb_1:10-12).
7. He is the sovereign who will rule as victor over all His enemies (Heb_1:13).