.....the first chapter of Hebrews, ...
Think of the infinite contrast between Christ and the angels,
a contrast that is infinite,
not because the angels are insignificant beings,
but because, excellent in strength as they are,
Christ is infinitely greater.
Then with the last words of the chapter still in mind, namely,
---that all the angels are ministering spirits,
---sent forth to do service for the sake of them who shall be heirs of salvation, let us begin the second chapter....
Who Can Proclaim the Message?
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Hebrews 2:3
The text simply tells the fact, that those who heard the word spoken by Christ, proclaimed it to others.
Q: But who have the right to proclaim the Gospel message? Nay, upon whom does the obligation rest to proclaim it?
A: Here is the answer: "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come." (Revelation 22:17)
The word was confirmed to us by them that heard it, and as we hear it we are to confirm it to others. All have not the same talents, nor the same circle of influence; but all who hear are to say, "Come," each in his place according to his ability.
There is in the church of Christ no priestly class between God and the people; but "the Man Christ Jesus," the High Priest, "the One Mediator between God and men" (1 Timothy 2.5), and every believer is a priest.
"For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak." What has this to do with the subject? Very much, as we shall see if we note the little word "for," which shows that what follows depends on what goes before.
To men has God committed the work of preaching the Gospel. God Himself bears witness and beseeches through them. The word of salvation, which began to be preached by the Lord, is continued by men, not by angels.
Q: And why not by angels?-
A: because "unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come." (Heb.2:5)
Thus we see that "the world to come" has a very close connection with the preaching of the Word, and this is what all naturally expect; but the noteworthy thing is that the preaching of the Gospel is committed to none but to those to whom the world to come has been placed in subjection, and angels are their attendants and ministers as they do their work.
E.J.Waggoner
a contrast that is infinite,
not because the angels are insignificant beings,
but because, excellent in strength as they are,
Christ is infinitely greater.
Then with the last words of the chapter still in mind, namely,
---that all the angels are ministering spirits,
---sent forth to do service for the sake of them who shall be heirs of salvation, let us begin the second chapter....
Who Can Proclaim the Message?
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Hebrews 2:3
The text simply tells the fact, that those who heard the word spoken by Christ, proclaimed it to others.
Q: But who have the right to proclaim the Gospel message? Nay, upon whom does the obligation rest to proclaim it?
A: Here is the answer: "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come." (Revelation 22:17)
The word was confirmed to us by them that heard it, and as we hear it we are to confirm it to others. All have not the same talents, nor the same circle of influence; but all who hear are to say, "Come," each in his place according to his ability.
There is in the church of Christ no priestly class between God and the people; but "the Man Christ Jesus," the High Priest, "the One Mediator between God and men" (1 Timothy 2.5), and every believer is a priest.
"For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak." What has this to do with the subject? Very much, as we shall see if we note the little word "for," which shows that what follows depends on what goes before.
To men has God committed the work of preaching the Gospel. God Himself bears witness and beseeches through them. The word of salvation, which began to be preached by the Lord, is continued by men, not by angels.
Q: And why not by angels?-
A: because "unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come." (Heb.2:5)
Thus we see that "the world to come" has a very close connection with the preaching of the Word, and this is what all naturally expect; but the noteworthy thing is that the preaching of the Gospel is committed to none but to those to whom the world to come has been placed in subjection, and angels are their attendants and ministers as they do their work.
E.J.Waggoner