| Hebrews 2 Previous Chapter | Next Chapter 1 Therefore we ought to give more earnest attention to the things that we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip away. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was firm, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, 3 How will we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation; which first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard him, 4 God also bearing witness, both with signs and wonders, and with many miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?1 5 For he has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to the angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying, "What is man, that you are mindful of him; or the son of man that you care for him?" 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." Now in putting all things in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But at present we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God, he should taste death for every man.2 10 For it was fitting of God, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he who makes holy and those made holy are of the same family for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers, [George Fox writes of when you are sanctified: "a believer that is justified is a new creature, is past from the death which came by sin, and comes to enter into His rest, where there is no sin. He who is the sanctification, is the justification, and so by their sanctification are they justified; it is one and the same, what sanctifies, justifies....Men are justified by the believing, and in the faith and by the faith, and in believing they overcome, and have victory; and there are mortification, and sanctification, and redemption, and justification, all possessed together in the one, which is Christ, and this to the particular satisfaction." Holiness, mortification, sanctification, redemption, justification and the first stage of perfection are a state still without protection from ever sinning again, which occurs after union with Christ and God. From the Word of the Lord within: "Once you are in union, it is permanent. The first stage is not even a shadow of what you will inherit in the second stage."] 13 And again, "I will look [wait and hope for] Him." And again, "Behold I and the children whom God has given me." 14 Since then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part in the same nature; so that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, [Christ's destruction of Satan is not a one-time event for Christ destroys the works of the devil in each believer, He crushes Satan under your feet, He destroys the spirit of Satan with brightness of His coming, and He consumes that spirit with the Spirit of His mouth, by which He frees you from the bondage of sin.] 15 And deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. [To be delivered is to be freed from even the desire of your sins — freed from the bondage of sin, which is the promise of the gospel.] 16 Doubtless, he did not give aid to angels; but he rescues the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore in all things it behooved him to be made like his brothers, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.3 18 For since he himself was allowed to be tempted, he is able to comfort those who are tempted. Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | |||||||||
1 gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his own will. Notice. Not according to the will of man. A man cannot assume to be a minister, preacher, teacher, evangelist, etc., based on a feeling, a door opening, a desire, a burden — one must be specifically trained, authorized, and sent by the Holy Spirit.
2 Tasted death for every man, not just "believers." Because the disobedience of one man led all men to condemnation; even so one man's act of righteousness exculpates (pronounces not guilty of offences) all men to right standing with God and eternal life. Rom 5:18. All men are eventually justified. All men are eventually saved: we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 1 Tim 4:10. (Mark! All men, not just all believers). Jesus made it possible that all men will be eventually saved: For God has sealed them all [men] in disobedience, that he might show mercy on all [men]. Rom 5:1. But all men must pass through the fire before being set to right standing with God, either: 1) the first fruits, at the conclusion of repentance on the inward cross, must pass through the unquenchable fire of the Holy Spirit's baptism of death to the sinful nature, or 2) those dying in their sins must pass through the lake of fire, commonly called Hell. See Is There Hope for All for more. And God purposed that through the intervention of Him all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, by Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
3 he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. George Fox has an excellent qualification writing for reconciliation to be experienced:
No man knows the reconciliation, and his reconciliation made with God, but by hearing and doing the word of God, that is in the heart and mouth, which divides your bad words, and your bad thoughts, and cuts them down, and hammers them down, and burns them up; that is the word that sanctifies and reconciles to God, and makes clean. And the word is Christ, called ‘the word of God,’ and Christ is the light that enlightens every man that comes into the world, and that is it that renews man into the image of God. For the light that comes from Christ is the image of God, ‘the light of the glorious gospel which is the image of God,’ and so this is within, and you who do not know this within, and do not feel it, your lips are polluted, and you are in the damnable doctrine, and you cannot comprehend the light that shines in the darkness. Indeed, you are too proud, high, and lofty, and must be brought down; the Lord God will abase you. No man comes into the image of God, and is renewed, and has reconciliation with God, but he who comes to the light which Christ the word has enlightened him with, and that is within, and those who believe in it have the witness in themselves, and those who do not, the light condemns them. The light that every man who comes into the world is enlightened with, does not take them from Christ's fullness at the right hand of God; but the light lets them see him lifted up, and no one upon the earth comes to Christ at the right hand of God, to receive of his fullness, but he who comes to the light with which Christ enlightens every man that comes into the world; that is the eye, the light, with which he sees Christ, and in which he receives him, and comes to be engrafted in him, in the vine Christ Jesus. ..None come to the fountain of living mercies, but are all broken cisterns, who are away from the light within them, which comes from Christ the fountain of living mercies, which enlightens every man that comes into the world, that with it all might come to see the fountain, and believe in it, and they who do not are condemned. No one knows perfection, or comes into the perfection of Christ, but if in the dangerous estate,.. who do not come into the light that enlightens every man that comes into the world; for the imperfection comes by the first Adam and Eve, and the devil going out from the truth; the perfection comes again by Christ, who destroys the devil, death, and his works, and sanctifies man, and reconciles man again to God, who enlightens every man who comes into the world, that in the light all men might see the perfection of God, Christ Jesus; which none do, but those who come to him, the light.
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