Click / Hover here to read this section’s passage in its entirety – Hebrews 1:4-14.
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Before we begin, I found another quote this week that answers the question, “Why study Hebrews?” This also comes from commentator David Guzik. He writes, “The purpose of Hebrews is like the purpose of the Transfiguration. Each of them cry out and say, ‘This is My Beloved Son! Hear Him!’(Mark 9:7).” Jesus has come; He has given us the full revelation. He’s given us all we need to know for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). I submit to you that we may solve any of our problems through a personal, intimate, and growing relationship with Him. I don’t say that out of speculation but rather out of experience in my own life. Test Him and see if He doesn’t prove faithful.
In the first section, we saw seven evidences of Jesus’ divine nature from the Old Testament. They proclaimed that He is the Messiah promised throughout the writings of the Law and the Prophets. They simultaneously proclaimed a work of redemption only the Messiah could have accomplished. Jesus accomplished that work of redemption the first time He came to earth.
In this section, we’re going to look back at the Old Testament so we might look ahead to our own future when Jesus will return a second time. If the first seven evidences show Jesus as our Savior, then these seven will show Jesus as our Lord.
Throughout, we’ll also see that Jesus isn’t an angel but is rather far superior to any angelic being. The author of Hebrews wanted to make sure to clear up any confusion on that issue.
Why might they have been confused?
At the end of section one we mentioned a story in the Old Testament about the prophet Micaiah. Micaiah saw into heaven and described the throne of God as surrounded by the angelic host (1 Kings 22:19). However, the author of Hebrews says that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. I believe the author wants to make sure his readers don’t think Jesus is an angel based on His current position at God’s right hand. To prove his point, the author concludes the chapter by quoting seven different Old Testament passages that proclaim Jesus as the promised Messiah who would rule as King.
Seven Prophecies of a Messianic King
Son of God
To read full context: Psalm 2
The first quote in Hebrews 1:5 says, “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” It comes from Psalm 2:7, a royal Psalm and Messianic prophecy. God will crown His Son as King on Mount Zion. From there, He will rule over all the nations.
As is often the case, the psalmist reminds us toward the end of the Psalm that we have a choice to make. We may “serve the Lord with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling” or we “will perish in [our] rebellion” (Psalm 2:11-12). It should be an easy choice to make but our pride holds us back too often.
Jesus is the Son of God who is crowned King.
Son of David
To read full context: 2 Samuel 7:8-16
The second quote in Hebrews 1:5 is, “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son.” The original words were written in 2 Samuel 7:14. God promised King David a descendant who would rule the kingdom forever. David’s kingly line ended with King Zerubbabel but this didn’t prove God’s promise to be false. We still await the last and greatest king of Israel who descended from David’s line – the Messiah, King Jesus.
Jesus is the Son of David who will complete David’s kingly dynasty.
King of the end
To read full context: Psalm 97
The third quote is in Hebrews 1:6. It reads, “And all God’s angels must worship Him” which comes from Psalm 97:7. The day will come when His presence will light up the entire world, the earth will tremble, and mountains will melt away. All other glory will pale in comparison to the majesty of the King. At that time, followers of Christ will rejoice with the angels as they all bow to worship Him. Not everyone will be so happy, though. Once again, those who followed the idols of this world will be put to shame.
Jesus is the King who will return a second time in sight of the whole world.
God of creation
To read full context: Psalm 104, especially verses 1-4
The fourth point in a list of seven is often the pinnacle in Hebrew writing; it’s the key point the author wants to make. (This was true in our previous section where we listed seven evidences of Jesus’ divine nature.) Here, the fourth quote steps away from kingly messianic prophecies; instead, the quote comes from a Psalm praising Yahweh for His majesty and splendor especially as they are displayed in creation. Within that context, the author of Hebrews quotes the psalmist to remind us that Yahweh is God, even over the angels (Hebrews 1:7, Psalm 104:4).
Did the author of Hebrews run out of Old Testament prophecies referring to the Messiah as king? No, we have more to come. Instead, the author is taking advantage of this fourth point to show us something different – the key point, if you will. The other six reveal Jesus as King. This one shows Him to be Yahweh God, similar to the main idea in the fourth point of our previous list. We can almost hear the author of Hebrews saying, “Yes, Jesus the Messiah is King, but don’t stop there. Jesus is also God who created the universe.”
Jesus is Creator God, King of the universe.
The Bride-groom King
To read full context: Psalm 45
We again catch a glimpse of our awaited future in the fifth quote from Hebrews 1:7-9. Revelation 19:6-8 reveals a future wedding between the Lamb, Jesus, and His bride. The Old Testament prophesied this event hundreds of years before John ever wrote Revelation, though. Psalm 45 goes into great detail of the wedding between the king and his bride, the queen. The author of Hebrews recalls this context to help us understand that not only is Jesus greater than the angels, He is the King who awaits His promised bride. He is the King who loves righteousness, hates lawlessness, and who will establish an eternal kingdom based on those principles.
Jesus is the promised Bride-groom who will rule over His kingdom with righteousness
King of eternity
To read full context: Psalm 102, especially verses 23-28
The sixth quote from the Old Testament is Psalm 102:25-27. We find it in Hebrews 1:10-12. You and I, we’re all human. As such, we’re limited to a finite number of days. The whole of Psalm 102 reminds us that those days will be days of trouble (vs 2), affliction (vs 4), groaning (vs 5), and loneliness (vs 7). Despite all of that, in the end God will restore us when He reigns from Zion (vs 12-17).
He can make such a promise of hope to us because He is king of eternity. Yes, our lives may be short; sometimes they seem worthless. But God existed before creation (vs 25) and He will continue to exist after creation is gone (vs 26). To Him, time is nothing. Our days may fly by in an instant, but He has always existed and will always exist. In all that awesomeness, He chose to reach into our temporal world and give us significance, holiness, and the promise of eternity with Him.
He is King outside of time who chooses to bring us into eternity with Him.
The Priestly King
To read full context: Psalm 110:1-4
We’ve come to the end of our seven Old Testament quotes that show Jesus as our promised future King. This final quote in Hebrews 1:13 comes from Psalm 110:1, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
For the Hebrew people, a man couldn’t serve as both priest and king. King Uzziah tried to perform the duties of the high priest one time. It didn’t end so well for him, however, as God struck him with leprosy until the day he died (2 Chronicles 26:16-18). During the days of Abraham – before the Law was given to Moses – Scripture tells us of a man, Melchizedek, who did serve as both priest and king. Genesis 14 tells of Abraham’s encounter with him. “Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High” (Genesis 14:18). Salem is an early name for Jerusalem where this ancient man both reigned as king and served as priest. Psalm 110 ties into this story when it prophesies the Messiah as the king who is also a priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus is the eternal Priest who made atonement for our sins and He is also the eternal King who will rule over His enemies with a “mighty scepter from Zion” (Psalm 110:2). And that is so much cooler than the work of the angels.
Jesus is the priestly King.
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Why do I care?
Almost all of these promises of a messianic king reference a time of judgment. Whether our number of days is long or short, we will all stand before King Jesus. That time will either be a time of rejoicing because we humbly chose to recognize our sin and acknowledge His salvation for us. Or, that will be a day of great shame and horror as we realize our pride kept us from Him. Either way, He will reign as King.
To consider for discussion
Why is the realization that Jesus is King and not an angel important?
Which aspect of Jesus’ kingship is your favorite or holds the most significance for you?
How does Jesus’ kingship impact your life right now?
How does Jesus’ kingship give you hope for the future?
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