It’s rather appropriate that we start a Bible study on the Book of Hebrews on the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. I’ve embedded a video below that explains what the Jewish Feast of Trumpets is. The Book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians sometime after Acts and before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. Who wrote it? No one is quite sure. It’s purpose was to explain that Jesus — and Jesus only — is who Christians should worship. The Old Testament is somewhat of a precursor to Hebrews. The writer, refers to a lot of the Old Testament folks, as well as comparing the old Jewish laws to the new Christian way of thinking and worshiping.
The writer starts by comparing Jesus to angels. If you’ve ever prayed or attempted to talk to angels, you’ll find this interesting….
Hebrews 1
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels
5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.[Psalm 2:7]”God also said,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son.”[2 Samuel 7:14]6 And when he brought his supreme (or firstborn) Son into the world, God said,
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”[Duet. 32:43]
7 Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds,
his servants like flames of fire.”[Psalm 104:4]8 But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
9 You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”[Psalm 45:6-7]10 He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.
12 You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever.”[Psalm 102:25-27]13 And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”[Psalm 110:1]14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
Hebrews 1 NLT
Calling on Angels is Wrong
Since Jesus is above the angels, we are not supposed to ask angels to help us. What we need to do is ask Jesus to help us and Jesus will use whatever forces He deems necessary — be they angels or something else.
We are also not supposed to pray to angels, or to Mary or the Saints.
We are to pray to God in Jesus’ name.
Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t answer your prayers? We need to pray in the right attitude and to God — not to anyone or anything else! Sure, He hears our prayers, but if we venerate or worship other people — dead or alive– or objects, angels, idols, saints, whatever, that’s turning away from the one, true God.
We read in 2 Chronicles…
The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them. 4 But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him.
2 Chronicles 15:2-4 NLT
God said…
11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT
Who do You Follow?
Jesus cleansed us from our sins once and for all and He is in Heaven making a place for each and everyone of us in God’s mansion. We need to follow Jesus and Jesus only! Not a church, not a priest, not Mary nor the saints. When you invite Jesus into your heart, He is with you 24/7 in the form of the Holy Spirit. He is there for you whenever you need Him.
That, my friends is the Good News — the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…
