(Recap) How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? (Recap over)
After it was at first spoken through the Lord
Then confirmed to us by those who heard
God supporting by both signs and wonders and various gifts (powers)
and distributions (gifts) of the Holy Spirit according to his will
Ok first sorry for not posting for a bit. But here we continue
We left off with the idea that if we neglect our faith, what should we expect. The answer is punishment. If men neglected their faith by breaking the Law of Moses, they were punished. How much more so if we neglect this faith in God's Son. And always remember the setting we are talking about here, Jewish Christians being told to return to the Jewish faith and forget about this Christianity stuff.
In the next few lines, Paul provides reason for believing that this salvation is so great and so important through 4 different groups
1. After it was spoken through the Lord
The message of salvation that we have was not brought to us by some nobody who didn't even have the authority to speak anyways. Jesus brought it to us and the reason that is important is because of who he is and the authority he has. As Colossians 1 states, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn (referring to the inheritance aspect) of all creation, by him all things were created, things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible...all things were created by him and for him." That is the one who brings us the Gospel message and that is first why it is important. And in Hebrews 1:2, he is the Son, the radiance of God's glory, light of light. What he says has authority and what he says is that the kingdom has come through him and "I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now onn, you do know him and have seen him.
2. Then confirmed to us by those who heard
Now this is a simple one for the people Paul is writing to, but tricky for us. Paul here is referring to the Apostles. Now if Paul wrote this letter to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, most likely the people he is writing to heard the Apostles preach, or knew someone who either saw Jesus or heard his followers tell about the man they saw, or they themselves saw and heard Jesus during his time on earth. However, we do not have that luxury. But we do have the recorded message of the apostles. The men who bore witness to Jesus still speak to us today through their writings, namely the Gospels. So in short, study your Bible. If you question whether or not the Gospels faithfully record the life of Jesus, I can recommend some books to start studying and hopefully build your faith and confidence in these writings.
3. God supporting by both signs and wonders and various miracles (powers)
God the Father also bears witness in this situation (check out the early reference here to the Triuneness, Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit; the NT likes to make this type of Triune reference from time to time). When Moses and Israel were out in the desert, God confirmed that Moses was his special speaker/leader, especially through signs, wonders, and various miracles (read the episodes where Moses' authority is challenged, Numbers 12, 16-17). Jesus' authority is questioned as well, read Matthew 9:1-8. When his authority is question, he lets his miracles through the power and blessing of God do the talking. So too with the apostles. When the authority of the Gospel is questioned, they simply point to God's power to heal as confirmation of their message (Acts 3-4). The three words here are all essentially synonymous. Signs points to the purpose of: as a sign that one is from God and his message is valid. Wonders refers to the wowing effect of the act that it has on the people. And miracles speaks of the power that enables one to do a miracle. Now the question arises if there are still miracles today. I would say yes, I see no reason to believe that God could supernaturally work wonders and powers that we do not usually see. However there are a lot of hooky people out there who want to get into your pockets or get there name out there for a book deal and will fake miracles so you will give them money. Personally, I try to have a healthy skepticism when one claims miracle work. Just allow miracles to be what they are, signs as confirmation that one is bringing the message of God (not the confirmation that one should get a book deal).
4. and distributions (gifts) of the Holy Spirit according to his own will.
Today the Holy Spirit gives us different gifts to enable us to work together as a body in the work of the Lord. But the context here does not call for that sense of the gifts. Rather it seems to imply the gifts that were given specifically by the laying on of hands by the Apostles. One of the themes of the NT that we see is distinguishing who has the true message of Jesus and who does not (we still have these debates today, and if you don't believe me check out what the claims the Mormon religion teaches). Rather this specific idea refers to something that occurred in Acts 8 when the Samaritans first recieved the Holy Spirit. Even though they were "saved," they had not yet receieved the Spirit because no Apostle had some and laid their hands on the peopel.
Side note: in Acts one of the themes you find is that the Holy Spirit affirms a people group can be saved first affirming it to the Jews, then the Samaritans (half-Jews), then Gentiles (not Jewish at all). There is a progression of acceptance into God's kingdom (Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles).
In Acts 8, the message and the Apostles is affirmed by the coming of the Holy Spirit and the laying on of hands of the Apostles. Note: this is a special case. I do not believe that you need to get the hand bones of an apostle to recieve the Holy Spirit, nor the do you need to have signs and wonders affirm you individual salvation. Rather this is a special case at the beginning of the early Church.
Anyways, God affirmed the greatness of his message (Gospel, salvation) through these four areas to the people of that day. Today his salvation is affirmed to us today as well, in similar ways (but not quite like theirs). Regardless, if you know Jesus, you have recieved a great salvation. Do not leave that faith, but grow in it. Pray that God will further mature and use you in his kingdom. Rest on that foundation.
This concludes the first warning passage of Hebrews. We move into the next section and the theme of Jesus > (Jesus is greater than...) continues.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Hebrews 2:2-3a
For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable (unshakable) and every transgression and disobedience received a just end (punishment), how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
The first idea presented here is the word spoken through angels. A good theme for the book of Hebrews to always keep in mind as you read is Jesus > (Jesus is greater than...). That is one of the general themes of Hebrews. So at this point Paul is saying the message about Jesus is greater than the 'word spoken through angels.'
The word spoken through angels has been interpreted as the Law of Moses. A Jewish tradition (which is reaffirmed by Stephan in Acts 7:35-38) states that angels appeared to Moses at the burning bush and on Mount Sinai when the Law was given to him. This Law spoken through angels was binding for the nation of Israel. In Psalms 1 and Deuteronomy 28 the message is how God provided Israel with two clear options: obedience to him (and the Law) which leads to life or disobedience of him (and the Law) which leads to death. Israel was bond to this reality.
In this age after Jesus has come once, the same kind of contract is presented by Jesus. Look in John 3 (it presents a great contrast between those who believe and those who do not). John 3:14-15 reads, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." If you follow him you will live. Here is the other side though, John 3:18, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believe in the name of God's one and only Son."
Remember now, Paul is speaking to Jews who are being told that they don't need to believe in Jesus, they can just follow the Jewish religion. But Paul states that God punished those who neglected the Law, how much more will he punish those who neglect his Son.
Stand firm in your faith in Jesus. He is the source of grace. Search the depths of the love and grace he provides and do not neglect the One you know. That is the great message for us today.
The first idea presented here is the word spoken through angels. A good theme for the book of Hebrews to always keep in mind as you read is Jesus > (Jesus is greater than...). That is one of the general themes of Hebrews. So at this point Paul is saying the message about Jesus is greater than the 'word spoken through angels.'
The word spoken through angels has been interpreted as the Law of Moses. A Jewish tradition (which is reaffirmed by Stephan in Acts 7:35-38) states that angels appeared to Moses at the burning bush and on Mount Sinai when the Law was given to him. This Law spoken through angels was binding for the nation of Israel. In Psalms 1 and Deuteronomy 28 the message is how God provided Israel with two clear options: obedience to him (and the Law) which leads to life or disobedience of him (and the Law) which leads to death. Israel was bond to this reality.
In this age after Jesus has come once, the same kind of contract is presented by Jesus. Look in John 3 (it presents a great contrast between those who believe and those who do not). John 3:14-15 reads, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." If you follow him you will live. Here is the other side though, John 3:18, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believe in the name of God's one and only Son."
Remember now, Paul is speaking to Jews who are being told that they don't need to believe in Jesus, they can just follow the Jewish religion. But Paul states that God punished those who neglected the Law, how much more will he punish those who neglect his Son.
Stand firm in your faith in Jesus. He is the source of grace. Search the depths of the love and grace he provides and do not neglect the One you know. That is the great message for us today.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Creating a conversation with Bon Bon
I wanted to take a quick detour and answer a question/comment/response that Bon Bon posted. I don't know how many people actually read this (it might just be her, my wife, Eileen, and Jason), but I am going to write it as if more read it so no one is confused. Bon Bon wrote about the last blog Hebrews 2:1:
ok. i agree with you to a point. if you stop doing nice things for melissa, you are still married. but the intimacy of your marriage is not there. it's about relationship.
once you are a new creation, there is no going back to an old one, however, i think that if we fail to continually seek God, we lose the beauty and depth of an intimate relationship with Him.
but He is so good and so full of grace. we can come back to Him. if it were that once someone fell away they could not come back to Him, then His grace would be insufficient. and to say we would have to come to salvation again does not align with what Jesus accomplished on the cross. He died for our sins. all at once. for us to recieve it. once.
Bon Bon, I think you are spot on here. I guess my illustration was not the best one. First let me clarify a quick point then explain who I was thinking of when I wrote this so that it might clarify what I was saying a bit further.
First, like I said I think you are spot on (and Paul will write in a little bit how one cannot re-crucify Jesus). God's grace is bigger than our sins past present and future. I do not want anyone to think that if they have sinned against God, then they are not welcome to repent and turn to his grace and live for him, through him, and by him again. WE ALL NEED CONTINUAL REPENTANCE.
Now what I was thinking about when I wrote this. Some teachers (more reformed in theology than I am) believe that CHRISTIANS CANNOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION. However if you hold that belief and THEN approach this text and interpret it with this idea already in mind (and several other sections in Hebrews) you have to do some hermeneutical back flips to understand it. They will teach things like that Paul was not writing to Christians here, but only people who were about to become Christians (even though Paul calls them holy brothers, and those how share in the heavenly calling in 3:1). Anyways I was thinking of the more reformed teachings when I wrote this (I think I wrote like this because I use to believe in hard line reformed beliefs).
However, let's look at the setting to see what is going on. The situation that these Christians are facing (and we will get to see this idea throughout the text) is that these Jewish Christians in Jerusalem are being attacked for their conversion to Christianity (we believe that this belief is the fulfillment of Judaism). Paul is writing to them to because their family (other Jewish people in Jerusalem) are tempting them to return to their old beliefs (Judaism) or face further persecuation. When Paul here warns against losing their salvation, he is writing to a people who are being tempted to return to a faith that is similar to Christianity (monotheistic Judaism). They are not being tempted to pull off a robbery or launder money (sins on the outside), but being tempted to change their very faith. However if they return to that faith, they are rejecting God's grace. If they return to the old Jewish system of faith they are rejecting the very person they chose to follow and the very person they found God's grace in (and we will get to see this throughout the book).
Knowing the setting of the book of Hebrews helps immensely in interpreting it (as it is with anything ever written).
So to sum it all, if we turn away from the very faith that says we can find grace, then we will no longer have the grace (and this intial grace we receive all at once when we come to have faith in Christ) the grace we once knew. One of the big messages of Hebrews is to stay faithful to the person of Christ, because it is only in him we find grace (and then Jesus is contrasted against the old Jewish system). Most every Christian will agree with this concept in general, but different theological beliefs will get there in different ways (More reformed theology will say they were never Christians, less reformed will say if you walk away, you walk away from grace). I believe Paul here teaches that if one turns away, they turn away.
If you are a Christian and commit a sin (and who doesn't), be like the Apostles (I mean the Apostles sinned here in a great way and they found grace) who deserted Jesus and collectively said "I do not know the man," weep over your sin and find the great grace that God offers. That is one of the foundational teachings of our faith (Matthew 18:15-35, how much he forgives us).
Let me know what you think Bon Bon (and anyone else out there).
ok. i agree with you to a point. if you stop doing nice things for melissa, you are still married. but the intimacy of your marriage is not there. it's about relationship.
once you are a new creation, there is no going back to an old one, however, i think that if we fail to continually seek God, we lose the beauty and depth of an intimate relationship with Him.
but He is so good and so full of grace. we can come back to Him. if it were that once someone fell away they could not come back to Him, then His grace would be insufficient. and to say we would have to come to salvation again does not align with what Jesus accomplished on the cross. He died for our sins. all at once. for us to recieve it. once.
Bon Bon, I think you are spot on here. I guess my illustration was not the best one. First let me clarify a quick point then explain who I was thinking of when I wrote this so that it might clarify what I was saying a bit further.
First, like I said I think you are spot on (and Paul will write in a little bit how one cannot re-crucify Jesus). God's grace is bigger than our sins past present and future. I do not want anyone to think that if they have sinned against God, then they are not welcome to repent and turn to his grace and live for him, through him, and by him again. WE ALL NEED CONTINUAL REPENTANCE.
Now what I was thinking about when I wrote this. Some teachers (more reformed in theology than I am) believe that CHRISTIANS CANNOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION. However if you hold that belief and THEN approach this text and interpret it with this idea already in mind (and several other sections in Hebrews) you have to do some hermeneutical back flips to understand it. They will teach things like that Paul was not writing to Christians here, but only people who were about to become Christians (even though Paul calls them holy brothers, and those how share in the heavenly calling in 3:1). Anyways I was thinking of the more reformed teachings when I wrote this (I think I wrote like this because I use to believe in hard line reformed beliefs).
However, let's look at the setting to see what is going on. The situation that these Christians are facing (and we will get to see this idea throughout the text) is that these Jewish Christians in Jerusalem are being attacked for their conversion to Christianity (we believe that this belief is the fulfillment of Judaism). Paul is writing to them to because their family (other Jewish people in Jerusalem) are tempting them to return to their old beliefs (Judaism) or face further persecuation. When Paul here warns against losing their salvation, he is writing to a people who are being tempted to return to a faith that is similar to Christianity (monotheistic Judaism). They are not being tempted to pull off a robbery or launder money (sins on the outside), but being tempted to change their very faith. However if they return to that faith, they are rejecting God's grace. If they return to the old Jewish system of faith they are rejecting the very person they chose to follow and the very person they found God's grace in (and we will get to see this throughout the book).
Knowing the setting of the book of Hebrews helps immensely in interpreting it (as it is with anything ever written).
So to sum it all, if we turn away from the very faith that says we can find grace, then we will no longer have the grace (and this intial grace we receive all at once when we come to have faith in Christ) the grace we once knew. One of the big messages of Hebrews is to stay faithful to the person of Christ, because it is only in him we find grace (and then Jesus is contrasted against the old Jewish system). Most every Christian will agree with this concept in general, but different theological beliefs will get there in different ways (More reformed theology will say they were never Christians, less reformed will say if you walk away, you walk away from grace). I believe Paul here teaches that if one turns away, they turn away.
If you are a Christian and commit a sin (and who doesn't), be like the Apostles (I mean the Apostles sinned here in a great way and they found grace) who deserted Jesus and collectively said "I do not know the man," weep over your sin and find the great grace that God offers. That is one of the foundational teachings of our faith (Matthew 18:15-35, how much he forgives us).
Let me know what you think Bon Bon (and anyone else out there).
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Hebrews 2:1
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard lest we drift away from it.
In the book of Hebrews there are several warning passages. This is the first one.
At this point, the fact is established that Jesus is greater than any earthly or heavenly power. For that reason, WE must pay close attention to his message. We must study his life and his teachings and live by them.
One of the great sections of the Bible is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. We have a lot of people out there who tell us how we need to live, what we need to do to be good people and so on. The government tells us what is illegal and legal. University Professors tell us what ethics are. Our culture teaches us what is right and wrong (if you don't believe me just pay attention to how our culture responds to issues like pornography, environmental needs, the use of our money, and just about any ethical issue you can think of). Essentially everyone wants to tell you how to run your life. However as a Christian, if this great section in Matthew 5-7 is not the backbone of your ethics, then you need to reconsider what you are doing.
And this warning does not just have to do with the ethics of our lives.
The principles, teachings, and warnings of the Bible need to be taken seriously. They need to be the backbone of who we are.
The warning here is "lest we drift away from it."
Many people teach that one cannot drift away from God. In fact if you are a Christian, then you are a Christian forever. If you "fall away" then you were never really a Christian to begin with. I do not believe this. As Christians we need to continually seek out our salvation. Yes there is the time when our sins were washed away. But after that, now is the time that we seek out becoming more like Christ (seek to become holy as he is holy). If I stopped doing nice things for my wife, did nothing for her, and relied on the fact that at one point in time we said I do, we would drift away from each other and our marriage would fail. It is like that with God. If you do not seek him and attempt to live and think as he calls us to, that relationship will end.
Let this verse stand as a warning encouragement. Seek God out everyday. Do not just rely on the fact that you sought forgiveness for sins at one point in the past. Seek him out and you will find him and he will guide you everyday.
In the book of Hebrews there are several warning passages. This is the first one.
At this point, the fact is established that Jesus is greater than any earthly or heavenly power. For that reason, WE must pay close attention to his message. We must study his life and his teachings and live by them.
One of the great sections of the Bible is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. We have a lot of people out there who tell us how we need to live, what we need to do to be good people and so on. The government tells us what is illegal and legal. University Professors tell us what ethics are. Our culture teaches us what is right and wrong (if you don't believe me just pay attention to how our culture responds to issues like pornography, environmental needs, the use of our money, and just about any ethical issue you can think of). Essentially everyone wants to tell you how to run your life. However as a Christian, if this great section in Matthew 5-7 is not the backbone of your ethics, then you need to reconsider what you are doing.
And this warning does not just have to do with the ethics of our lives.
The principles, teachings, and warnings of the Bible need to be taken seriously. They need to be the backbone of who we are.
The warning here is "lest we drift away from it."
Many people teach that one cannot drift away from God. In fact if you are a Christian, then you are a Christian forever. If you "fall away" then you were never really a Christian to begin with. I do not believe this. As Christians we need to continually seek out our salvation. Yes there is the time when our sins were washed away. But after that, now is the time that we seek out becoming more like Christ (seek to become holy as he is holy). If I stopped doing nice things for my wife, did nothing for her, and relied on the fact that at one point in time we said I do, we would drift away from each other and our marriage would fail. It is like that with God. If you do not seek him and attempt to live and think as he calls us to, that relationship will end.
Let this verse stand as a warning encouragement. Seek God out everyday. Do not just rely on the fact that you sought forgiveness for sins at one point in the past. Seek him out and you will find him and he will guide you everyday.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Hebrews 1:14
Are not all ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who are inheriting salvation?
The summary of the chapter so far is that Jesus is greater than any other spiritual being (angels). We do not think of angels too often in our culture, but in many cultures, a certain fear and respect is given to them because they are intimidating to humans (read Luke 2). However, Jesus is greater than them.
Jesus is the one who rules as a king. Paul here contrasts the job of angels with the job of Jesus (king) in a way we do not often consider. Part of the angels job description is to help and serve those inheriting salvation.
Ok let's ask some questions of the text so we can figure out what it is saying.
Anyways, I think this is a really cool and interesting verse because this is not typically what we think or are taught in our Western American churches. But the Bible teaches that God uses his angels and still does to help us as we go throughout life. It is amazing how much he cares for us and provides for us in ways we can never know in this life.
The summary of the chapter so far is that Jesus is greater than any other spiritual being (angels). We do not think of angels too often in our culture, but in many cultures, a certain fear and respect is given to them because they are intimidating to humans (read Luke 2). However, Jesus is greater than them.
Jesus is the one who rules as a king. Paul here contrasts the job of angels with the job of Jesus (king) in a way we do not often consider. Part of the angels job description is to help and serve those inheriting salvation.
Ok let's ask some questions of the text so we can figure out what it is saying.
- First, who are those who are inheriting salvation?
- What is the service the angels render?
- Who controls the angels?
- Should I pray to/worship angels since they protect me?
Anyways, I think this is a really cool and interesting verse because this is not typically what we think or are taught in our Western American churches. But the Bible teaches that God uses his angels and still does to help us as we go throughout life. It is amazing how much he cares for us and provides for us in ways we can never know in this life.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Hebrews 1:13
but to which of the angels has he at one time said, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.
Psalm 110 (quoted here) is one of the most quoted/referred to Messianic prophecies in the OT and it plays a central role in the book of Hebrews. So first before much else, let's go look at Psalm 110 (in its entirety). (By the way, when something is quoted in the NT it is a really good idea to look at the full passage and its context in the OT, so we need to do that here).
Psalm 110 has some very interesting and weird things to say (we will look at it a lot later in Hebrews). Some big ideas found in Psalm 110: God keeps his anointed close to his side until he crushes all his enemies. The Lord comes from Jerusalem (Zion) and crushes the rulers of the earth. There are two sides and some line up against God. Needless to say they do not win. This Psalm also mentions that the anointed one (Messiah, Christ) will be a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek (which is similar to the idea that the Messiah will rule forever in the line of David). But again there is a lot here and I am just trying to point out some general ideas presented.
Back in Hebrews, the Son is again contrasted against angels. The Son sits at God's right hand until God defeats all their enemies. There is no OT passage that mentions angels sitting at God right hand (the privileged position). Rather angels in God's presence are a lot like us: bowing down, covering their face, understanding how holy he is compared to us his creation (check out Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, and Exodus 33-34 and compare the posture of the angels and Moses, both covering their face). But the Son is invited to sit next to him.
This is the final OT quote that Paul uses to show how much more privileged (v. 5-7) and powerful (v. 8-12) the Son is compared to the angels (or anything else for that matter). Let us always remember that. Jesus is above any spiritual power out there. If you feel tempted, turn to him. If you are praying to someone else, or through someone else, turn to him. If you are worshiping at any others' feet than Jesus', turn to him. If you are worried about the end times and nuclear proliferation, turn to him (v. 10-12). He is above all, know that there a great foundation in that (and that foundation will never change).
(Note the final verse of the chapter continues some of these ideas, but also leads into the next section, so I am putting it off until next blog.)
Psalm 110 (quoted here) is one of the most quoted/referred to Messianic prophecies in the OT and it plays a central role in the book of Hebrews. So first before much else, let's go look at Psalm 110 (in its entirety). (By the way, when something is quoted in the NT it is a really good idea to look at the full passage and its context in the OT, so we need to do that here).
Psalm 110 has some very interesting and weird things to say (we will look at it a lot later in Hebrews). Some big ideas found in Psalm 110: God keeps his anointed close to his side until he crushes all his enemies. The Lord comes from Jerusalem (Zion) and crushes the rulers of the earth. There are two sides and some line up against God. Needless to say they do not win. This Psalm also mentions that the anointed one (Messiah, Christ) will be a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek (which is similar to the idea that the Messiah will rule forever in the line of David). But again there is a lot here and I am just trying to point out some general ideas presented.
Back in Hebrews, the Son is again contrasted against angels. The Son sits at God's right hand until God defeats all their enemies. There is no OT passage that mentions angels sitting at God right hand (the privileged position). Rather angels in God's presence are a lot like us: bowing down, covering their face, understanding how holy he is compared to us his creation (check out Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, and Exodus 33-34 and compare the posture of the angels and Moses, both covering their face). But the Son is invited to sit next to him.
This is the final OT quote that Paul uses to show how much more privileged (v. 5-7) and powerful (v. 8-12) the Son is compared to the angels (or anything else for that matter). Let us always remember that. Jesus is above any spiritual power out there. If you feel tempted, turn to him. If you are praying to someone else, or through someone else, turn to him. If you are worshiping at any others' feet than Jesus', turn to him. If you are worried about the end times and nuclear proliferation, turn to him (v. 10-12). He is above all, know that there a great foundation in that (and that foundation will never change).
(Note the final verse of the chapter continues some of these ideas, but also leads into the next section, so I am putting it off until next blog.)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Hebrews 1:12
And like a cloak, you will roll them up, as a garment also they will be changed; but you are the same and your years will never come to an end.
This is the final verse taken from Psalm 102:25-27.
This verse compares the nature of God (in the original the God of Israel and here Jesus in his deity) versus the nature of the creation.
In the end, Jesus, the one who created, will take this creation and change it like you would change an old garment. Obviously, we do not wear the same clothes everyday. If you do, I will give you some advice that will change your life. People change their clothes when they get dirty and worn. People have to buy new clothes when they get faded and torn. Take that image and see how Jesus is the one who changes the entire creation at the proper time. By its very nature creation is not timeless (it had a beginning).
On the other hand, God (the Father, Son, and Spirit) are timeless. They have no beginning. Jesus is greater than any physical or spiritual thing because he will never change. He will not fade. He will not get torn. We have no need to go out and buy a new Jesus (as if that is even possible) like we would buy a new outfit. We (creation) will in fact change. He will not.
This verse also points out to an interesting teaching that we in the modern western church have forgot. At the end of all these, this creation that we are a part of will not be completely annihilated and replaced with clouds in the sky. I believe that the Bible teaches that at the end of it all, the hereafter will appear more like a renovated earth than clouds in the sky. Jesus here is pictured as recreating when the end comes. And only the timeless One can do this. He will recreate this earth that we know and all those who are in him will be a part of this recreation.
It is good to be reminded of our place. Jesus is above all and is timeless. We as a part of creation are not. We must worship and revere him as the timeless One who is over all for that is who he is.
This is the final verse taken from Psalm 102:25-27.
This verse compares the nature of God (in the original the God of Israel and here Jesus in his deity) versus the nature of the creation.
In the end, Jesus, the one who created, will take this creation and change it like you would change an old garment. Obviously, we do not wear the same clothes everyday. If you do, I will give you some advice that will change your life. People change their clothes when they get dirty and worn. People have to buy new clothes when they get faded and torn. Take that image and see how Jesus is the one who changes the entire creation at the proper time. By its very nature creation is not timeless (it had a beginning).
On the other hand, God (the Father, Son, and Spirit) are timeless. They have no beginning. Jesus is greater than any physical or spiritual thing because he will never change. He will not fade. He will not get torn. We have no need to go out and buy a new Jesus (as if that is even possible) like we would buy a new outfit. We (creation) will in fact change. He will not.
This verse also points out to an interesting teaching that we in the modern western church have forgot. At the end of all these, this creation that we are a part of will not be completely annihilated and replaced with clouds in the sky. I believe that the Bible teaches that at the end of it all, the hereafter will appear more like a renovated earth than clouds in the sky. Jesus here is pictured as recreating when the end comes. And only the timeless One can do this. He will recreate this earth that we know and all those who are in him will be a part of this recreation.
It is good to be reminded of our place. Jesus is above all and is timeless. We as a part of creation are not. We must worship and revere him as the timeless One who is over all for that is who he is.
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