{{ Introduction to Hebrews 65-66 AD
The book of Hebrews gives direction to the Jewish Christians; building on their common knowledge of Jewish Law and traditions, the book furthers their comprehension of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ by using the Law as a shadow of the things they had witnessed.
It is important to realize how difficult it was for "Children of Abraham" to shove aside generations of teachings and the marvelous acts of God recorded in their history. The miraculous confirmations happening among them got their attention, but they must understand all the fulfillment of recorded prophecies.
The author would have referred to the destruction of Jerusalem had it been written after AD 70; also, references in the present tense are used when speaking of worship in the Temple. (5.3, 10.1) It was probably written after the first generation of Christians. (2.3) “received it in the beginning when spoken through the Lord, which was confirmed to us by the ones who heard it?”
We lean toward the idea that Paul actually wrote Hebrews and it would have been about 65-66 AD, right before his death. The many speculations on the authorship range from Paul, Luke, Barnabas, Clement of Rome, Apollos, and to Silvanus. This letter is very ‘Paul-like’ Greek, except for chapter 2, which is similar to Luke’s writing and where those who oppose ‘Paul’s authorship’ center their arguments. We can understand at this point in Paul’s life not to have his name inside. However, more importantly, God is the final authority over his written word.
Hebrews is a book of encouragement, exhortation, but contains strong warnings. Powerful beginning, “God spoke long-ago in many parts and in many manners, in the prophets to the fathers, and spoke to us upon the last of these days in his Son.”
Hebrews shows the proper relationship between the Old and New Testaments and explains clearly the Old Testament passages and ideas. It also demonstrates the superiority of the Good-news of Jesus. It was written to prevent apostasy from Christianity back into Judaism by showing the Good-news is superior to Judaism (a God-given religion) and by showing perfection and finality of Christ’s priesthood. Hebrews also shows how Jesus was the Christ to the non-believer and as the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies. It was a final attempt for the Jews to be saved before their life ends in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the end of the Jewish religion.}}
1:1 God spoke long-ago in many parts and in many manners, in the prophets to the fathers, and spoke to us upon the last of these days in his Son, 1:2 whom he appointed* heir of all things, through whom also he made* the ages, 1:3 who, being the brightness of his glory and the exact representation of his essence, and is carrying all things by the declaration of his power. After he made* a cleansing of our sins through himself, he sat down by the right hand of the Majesty in the high places, 1:4 when he became so-much better than the messengers, inasmuch as he has inherited a name more-excellent than they.1:5 For* to what one of the messengers has he previously said, ‘You are my Son; I have fathered you today.’ And again, ‘I will be a Father to him and he himself will be *for a Son to me.’ {Psa 2:7} 1:6 And again, whenever he brings* in the firstborn into the inhabited-earth, he says, ‘And let° all messengers of God worship him.’ {Psa 89:26, 27} 1:7 And he indeed says toward the messengers, ‘Who makes* his messengers, spirits, and his ministers*, a fiery flame.’ {Psa 104:4}
1:8 But he says toward the Son, ‘Your throne, O God, is forevermore; the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 1:9 You loved* righteousness and hated lawlessness. Because of this, God, your God, anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.’ 1:10 And, ‘You, Lord, in the beginnings, founded the earth and the heavens are the works of your hands: 1:11 they themselves will be perishing, but you are remaining and they will all become-obsolete like a garment; 1:12 and you will coil them up like an outer dressing and they will be changed, but you are the same and your years will not be failing.’ 1:13 But toward which of the messengers has he previously said, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I should place your enemies as the footstool of your feet? {Psa 45:6-7, 102:25-27, 110:1}
1:14 Are they not all ministering* spirits, being sent forth into service because of the ones who are about to inherit salvation?