If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. . . . (2 Timothy 2:12)
“For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world [‘the inhabited world’]1So Great Salvation by Arlen L. Chitwood. http://bibleone.net/SGS.htm to come, whereof we speak [‘concerning which we are speaking’]2So ibid” (2:5).
“In the opening verses of Hebrews, God’s revelation of His plans and purposes has to do with a change in the government of the earth. These verses reveal the outworking — after 6,000 years of time, after the completion of Man’s Day — of God’s original purpose for bringing man into existence. In the opening verses of Genesis, man was created to “have dominion” over the earth — to rule the earth — and all that is upon the earth (Gen. 1:26-28); and the Book of Hebrews reveals the outworking of God’s plans and purposes in this respect. Christ as “the second man,” “the last Adam,” is to occupy the position for which “the first man Adam” had been created, and from which he fell. Christ is God’s “appointed heir of all things.” And numerous individuals, redeemed through the finished work of the second Man, the last Adam, are to ascend the throne with Him as “companions,” “co-heirs,” in that coming day. However, positions of this nature with Christ in the kingdom are not to be entered into merely on the basis of one’s eternal salvation. These positions are to be earned by those who will ultimately occupy them. Faithful household servants, bringing forth fruit resulting from their faithfulness, will be the ones who enter into these positions. And Hebrews has been written with these things in view, relating the unsearchable riches of Christ and then exhorting, warning,
and encouraging Christians concerning present faithfulness in view of that which lies out ahead.3ibid
“First-century Jews endured their plight under foreign domination by focusing their hopes on the ‘age to come.’32 The Epistle to the Hebrews declares that this coming age had broken into human history through the advent of Christ and the completion of his high priestly work (9:11, 26). The argument of the epistle demonstrates how the following elements of Jewish apocalyptic thought had been ‘realised’ in Jesus Christ. First, the Jews expected the arrival of a Davidic messiah who would rule over them as king. Hebrews declares Jesus to be the long–awaited messianic Son who had already sat upon his ‘throne’ (1:8) at God’s right hand Jerusalem (12:22–24; 13:14) where sacrifices of praise could now be offered (12:28; 13:15–16). Although many of the Jewish eschatological hopes had ‘already’ been fulfilled in Christ, the author appeals to additional events that had ‘not yet’ come to pass. From our modern perspective, we know now that part of the ‘not yet’ was to be fulfilled in their distant future when Christ ‘shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin’ (9:28), resurrecting and glorifying those of faith still awaiting ‘what was promised’ (11:40). Our author also explains that the messianic Son had ‘not yet’ subjugated all things (2:7–9) including his enemies under his feet (1:13; 10:11). This refers to the Jewish expectation that the coming Davidic Son would render judgement upon the wicked rulers and oppressors of God’s people. It is this coming crisis that the author appeals to throughout his warnings (1:2–3, 13; 10:12) to begin ruling his unshakeable ‘kingdom’ (1:8; 12:28). Second, the Jews longed for the day Yahweh would renew his covenant with his people (Je. 31:31–34; Ezk. 36:22–36; 37:26–28). Hebrews declares that Jesus had inaugurated the new covenant with better promises replacing the old (Heb. 8:6–13). Third, many Jews believed that covenant-renewal would require a new priesthood to provide purification for Israel’s sins since the present priesthood had grown corrupt.35 The author of Hebrews presents Jesus as a permanent
priest (7:11–28) without sin (4:15) who provided complete purification once for all through his perfect sacrifice (1:3; 9:11–14; 10:10–14). Fourth, due to its desecration by violence and a corrupt and politicised priesthood many expected a renewed or rebuilt Temple. Hebrews declares that Jesus had built a new house (3:1–6; 10:21) and provided access to the true tabernacle (8:1–10:18) in the heavenly Jerusalem (12:22–24; 13:14) where sacrifices of praise could now
be offered (12:28; 13:15–16). Although many of the Jewish eschatological hopes had ‘already’ been fulfilled in Christ, the author appeals to additional events that had ‘not yet’ come to pass. From our modern perspective, we know
now that part of the ‘not yet’ was to be fulfilled in their distant future when Christ ‘shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin’ (9:28), resurrecting and glorifying those of faith still awaiting ‘what was promised’ (11:40). Our author also explains that the messianic Son had ‘not yet’ subjugated all things (2:7–9) including his enemies under his feet (1:13; 10:11). This refers to the Jewish expectation that the coming Davidic Son would render
judgement upon the wicked rulers and oppressors of God’s people. It is this coming crisis that the author appeals to throughout his warnings.”4Dr. Randall C. Gleason PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Eschatology of the Warning in Hebrews 10:26–31
” Eschatological references include ‘the world to come’ (2:5); ‘the age to come’ (6:5); ‘the good things to come’ (9:11; 10:1); ‘the consummation of the ages’ (9:26); Christ’s ‘appear[ance] a second time’ (9:28); ‘the day drawing near’
(10:25); and the repeated exhortations to hold firmly to ‘our hope’ and ‘assurance … until the end’ (3:6,14; 6:1;10:23).”5ibid
“The world to come” refers to the inhabited earth under Jesus Christ’s reign (during the Millennium and from then on; cf. Heb. 1:8-9; Heb. 1:11-13). Some branches of Judaism believed Michael and his angels would rule over it. [Note: Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, p. 783.] The angels administer the present world (Deut. 32:8; Dan. 10:20-21; 12:1), but the Son will administer the world to come. “This will occur at His second advent when He returns to this earth to sit as David’s Son on David’s throne and rule over David’s kingdom in fulfillment of God’s covenants and promises.” [Note: Pentecost, p. 57.] 6 Notes on Hebrews 2021 Edition Dr. Thomas L. Constable. https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/hebrews/hebrews.htm
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