Summary:
The author of Hebrews again picks up the discussion of Jesus and the angels. Jesus became man, lower than the angels, perfected by suffering to call those he saves brothers.
Questions
4. a. I think “the world to come” refers to a world totally under salvation totally subjecting itself to Christ. For the elect I think it starts on the day we accept Christ as our savior, but I think it is complete when all do, when Christ comes again and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess.
b. In Genesis 1 God subjected the earth to man’s dominion. The fallen earth continues in that covenant. In these verses the writer confirms that the saved world also falls under that gift from God.
5. While fully man, Jesus took on the sins of the world and suffered death, becoming the author of salvation and rising to glory in heaven
6.Death (or fear of death), the devil, Sin, Temptation
7. (Challenge) The world is comprised of believers and non-believers. Jesus defeated death for all, but it is not forced on all, it is a gift free given that can be received or rejected. In Mark 16:16 the gospel says “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”. Satan is still in this world because free-will to sin is still in the world. As long as sin remains, Satan remains. But Satan is still defeated because he no longer holds power over the believers (Eph 2:1-9) who are no longer dead to transgression but alive in salvation. At a time to come, all will know that Christ is Lord and every knee shall bow (Rom 14:11)
8. Hebrews 2:17, Jesus made like man in every way. This is in perspective of Hebrews 1:3 stating that Jesus is the exact reflection of God.
Conclusion:
Was Jesus part man and part God? God inside and man outside? 1/2 man 1/2 God? Hebrews clears this up. While we may have difficulty understanding it: Jesus was, at the same time, fully man and fully God. It clears up that as fully man Jesus suffered when he was tempted, but as fully God he was able to remain completely without sin.
I have heard it said that Jesus could not sin because He was God. However, if you are not able to sin then what would be the sting of temptation? From these passages we see the amazing sacrifice that he made, to become lower than the angels and put himself in a position of suffering the same temptations and trials that we as men face, but in his divine nature He did something no other man has been able to: resist always and stay focused only on the will of God the Father.
Hebrews is a book of encouragement. We see in chapter one the place and power of Jesus relative to men and angels and in this chapter we begin seeing the sacrifice that He made to be able to call us brother in every way.
The Notes are Good 