During a tour of a large manufacturing plant, a visitor noticed a man using a fiery torch of high intensity to work on huge slabs of steel. Operating from a blueprint on a nearby table, a pointer traced the pattern and then by a clever system of levers enlarged the design as it was burned into the metal. There were times, however, when the flame would not make any impression. When this happened, a chemical substance was applied to the resisting patch, and immediately the cutting could be resumed. The worker explained that although the torch was able to go through clean steel 8 inches thick, if it encountered the slightest film of rust on the surface, the flame would not penetrate it. The Bible-believing visitor remarked, "It struck me forcefully that this is a picture of the Christian. The Holy Spirit is seeking to produce in us God's perfect design. If the life is unblemished, He is able to continue His efforts; but if we become carnal or backslidden, His work of shaping us is hindered until the area in question has been thoroughly cleansed." (www.sermonindex.net)
This illustration shows us that it doesn’t take much to backslide from God. Any tiny amount of sin or worldly interest is enough to keep the fire of God from burning through our hearts. Let us be careful of drifting away from Christ.
David J. Riggs in his notes on “STUDYING THE BOOK OF HEBREWS,” he explains to us that the intention of the author why he wrote this book. He mentions that the epistle was given to encourage the Jewish Christians to endure under persecutions and to remain faithful to Christ. The superiority of Jesus Christ is clearly the theme of the book. The Superiority of Christ to: The Prophets, angels, Moses & Aaron and in His Revelation, Salvation, Service, Priesthood, Covenant & Sacrifice. (http://oakridgechurch.com/riggs/hebrews2.htm)
Why Does Hebrews Start with Angels? According to Jewish Christian Literature (January 30, 2010), the writer of Hebrews begins his argument concerning the superiority of Christ to everything by discussing his superiority to angels. Why start with the angels? Angels were very popular in Jewish mythology from the second century B.C. through the first century A.D. A whole hierarchy of angels was developed along with some theological teachings that were not present in the Old Testament. In the re-telling of Biblical stories writers often had angels performing acts that were acts of God in the Hebrew Bible. Although the imagery is found in Daniel 10, the appearance of angels as glowing white, fiery, glowing, etc. was developed during this time as well. What is more, the angels are associated with the giving of the Law in early Judaism. This tradition appears in the Hebrew Bible as early as Deut 33:2, although the “holy ones” merely accompany the Lord as he arrives at Sinai. Stephen refers to the Law as “delivered by angels” in Acts 7:53.
This tradition is found in later Judaism as well: “The presence of angels at the event of the giving of the law was a favourite bit of embroidery in rabbinic tradition, and was meant to enhance the glory of Sinai” (H. Schoeps, Paul, 182). The emphasis in this literature is on the angels as intermediaries, delivering the Law to Moses. When God revealed himself to Moses, he used angels.
Since the writer of Hebrews began his book by saying that God is now revealing himself through his Jesus, it is possible a Jewish reader might think of Jesus as an angel, like a Michael or Gabriel. He must therefore begin by showing that Jesus is something other than an angel; he is the “Son of God.”
One last observation: Is this a “difference” between Jewish Christian literature and the Pauline Letters? Perhaps not. While Paul cannot be accused of emphasizing angels, he does use the same sort of language as Stephen in Gal 3:19: The law was “put in place through angels” (ESV). (http://readingacts.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/why-does-hebrews-start-with-angels/)
7 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD NOT DRIFT AWAY
Heb 1:1-14 (NKJV)
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,
By looking unto Jesus (The Son) , we acknowledge Him as the:
1) THE HEIR - whom He has appointed heir of all things
This truth is against materialism. Materialism means we tend to own worldly things that will draw us away from Christ. Verse 1 clearly teaches that all things will be Christ’s inheritance. If we have the Son, we have everything. Whatever God has blessed us with; know now that it will not be forever. Having Jesus will be for all eternity.
2) THE CREATOR - through whom also He made the worlds
This is against atheism. Atheism is the belief that there is no Creator God. Many Christian nations have drifted away from God when they just believe in the theory of evolution and not creationism by God Almighty. Knowing that you are not an accident of nature but created in His image will make us draw closer to Him.
3) THE SAVIOR - 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 at the right hand of the Majesty on high
This is against sin and unforgiveness. Sin separates us from God and the thought of not being forgiven by a Loving Father will cause us to backslide. Believe that Jesus has already purged us from our sins and this will draw us near unto Him. Feeling condemned by ours sins and feeling that God will never take us back will cause us to drift away.
4) THE SONSHIP - 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say:"You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"?
This statement is against fatherlessness or what I call the “orphaned spirit.” Angels could never be sons of God. By receiving Jesus we have the authority to be children of God (John 1:12). Having a Father who loves us brings us closer to Hm. Not being able to understand the fatherhood of God has caused many Christians to backslide since they feel they are abandoned or unloved. Know Him as Father and you will not drift away.
5) THE RIGHTEOUS RULER - 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." 7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire." 8 But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."
This is against lawlessness. Righteousness causes us to be close to God. Lawlessness will cause us to drift away. God hates lawlessness but love those who love righteousness.
6) THE UNCHANGING ONE - 10 And: "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain;And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail."
This is against unfaithfulness. Knowing that the unchanging God is always faithful to His Word, we as His children will be encouraged to be faithful. Some believers failed to see God as unchanging. Thus they themselves change their hearts and minds and become unfaithful. Unfaithfulness causes us to drift away.
7) THE CONQUERING LORD - 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
This is against defeat and failure. Who would you rather side with? A losing team or a winning team? Of course everyone would like to be with a real winner. Suppose your belief in God is that He is not able to defeat the devil, would you still remain with Him? You will drift away! Many Christians have drifted away because they thought that God is powerless. Angels are mighty beings but they only exist to serve us Christians. The Father has put all our enemies under Jesus’ feet. Seeing Him as a Mighty Conqueror causes us to be comforted and remain faithful to His winning side. I will always side with a real WINNER, JESUS!
Conclusion:
Heb 2:1-18 (NKJV)
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
Heb 12:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
The only way to remain faithful to God is to simply look unto Jesus. Looking unto our own strength will only cause us to drift away. We are weak but with Jesus we are strong. Everytime you experience backsliding, discouragement, persecutions, difficulties, problems, etc., and you drifted away, know for sure that you have turned your eyes off of Him. Return to God and look unto Jesus as the Heir, the Creator, the Savior, The Son Of God, The Righteous Ruler, the Unchanging One and our Conquering Lord.
God bless us all!
Ps Edward
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