I have been reading the King James Bible every day for 21 years. I have read through the New Testament 11 times in my current Bible, and numerous times in other KJVs. I have read and listened to Hebrews chapter one untold times over the past two decades. All of that repetitive reading notwithstanding, this morning I saw something in Hebrews chapter one that I have never noticed before. This drives home to me the importance of praying as the psalmist did in Psalm 119:18: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
The first chapter of Hebrews demonstrates the superiority of Jesus Christ over the angels (Heb 1:4-14). After telling how the angels were commanded to worship Jesus Christ when he was born into the world (Heb 1:6) and showing from the OT that angels are created spirits (Heb 1:7), the apostle Paul then contrasts Christ with them in verses 8-9, quoting Psa 45:6-7 to demonstrate that Jesus is God.
Heb 1:8-9 – But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Now here’s the part that I missed after reading this chapter scores, if not hundreds, of times. Verse 10 opens up with the word and, which makes it a continuation of the thought expressed in verses 8-9.
Heb 1:10-12 – And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
Verses 10-12 are therefore spoken to the Son, as were verses 8-9. Of course they are! The grammar demands it via the conjunction and, but so does the description in the rest of verses 10-12. Consider how every statement in these three verses directly apply to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thou, Lord ― Jesus Christ is Lord.
Php 2:11 – And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
…in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands… ― The Word, prior to becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (Joh 1:14), made all things, including the heavens and the earth.
Joh 1:1-3 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: ― The universe shall be destroyed and replaced by a new heaven and earth by Jesus Christ at His second coming, and Jesus will live on after this world waxes old and perishes.
2Pe 3:10-13 – But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Rev 21:5 – And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Heb 7:16 – Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Heb 7:25 – Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
…but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. ― Jesus Christ is the unchangeable, immutable God.
Heb 13:8 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
What a remarkable prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ! Other Bible students no doubt discovered this long ago, but it was a hidden gem waiting to be found by this Christian for over two decades. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33)
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Or, having read verses, chapters, and books of the Bible as an Arminian; or even NOT having read them as a catholic but the priest (sic) says “this is what it says”; how the same words seemed to change from “what I thought it said”, having read them after instruction in the Doctrine of Grace to “what it actually says”.
A changed theology didn’t change the words, but my understanding of the word as written.
Amen. Our preconceived notions can definitely alter the meaning of the text in our minds without changing the words.
Dear Pastor Chad, l have been reading my KJV everyday since God took all the HATE out of my heart. That was in 1985. 40 years! I made a vow to God and l am so glad l kept it. My Bible cover is now duck taped. But l have so many names in it. Souls that were saved in my class over the years. Thank you for sharing these verses! They are wonderful!!! God bless you mightily!
You’re welcome, Wanda. May God bless you too.