"THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS" Chapter Two The author interrupts his comparison of Christ with angels with his first of six warnings in this epistle: a warning against drifting by neglecting our great salvation (1-4). He then illustrates Jesus' superiority to angels by being made lower than the angels, whereby He became the perfect captain of our salvation and a merciful and faithful High Priest (5-18). POINTS TO PONDER * The very real danger of drifting and neglecting our salvation * Man's fall from his exalted position over creation * Jesus' humanity and its impact on His role as Savior and High Priest REVIEW QUESTIONS 1) What are the main points of this chapter? - A warning against drifting - He 2:1-4 - Jesus' superiority over the angels by virtue of His humanity - He 2:5-18 2) How can we avoid drifting away? (1) - By giving earnest heed to the things we have heard 3) What proves we cannot escape judgment if we neglect our great salvation? (2-3) - Disobedience to angels was punished, much more so if we neglect the Lord Himself 4) How was this great salvation revealed and confirmed to us? (3-4) - Spoken by the Lord Himself at first - Confirmed by those who heard Him (i.e., the apostles) - God bearing witness through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit 5) What does Psalms 8:4-6 reveal about the creation of man? (6-8) - He was made lower than angels, but placed over all God's works 6) Has man maintained his authority over all things? (9) - No, now we do not see all things put under him 7) List eight reasons Jesus was made lower than angels (became flesh). (9-18) - To taste death for every one - To bring many sons to glory - To be made perfect through sufferings - To destroy the devil who had the power of death - To release those subject to bondage through fear of death - To give aid to the seed of Abraham - To be a merciful and faithful High Priest - To aid those who are tempted, having suffered temptation Himself