Hebrews 1:8 Commentary and Bible Study

The subject of this verse and therefore the speaker is the same one who has spoken to us by the Son, who has not addressed the angels as ‘Son’ or declared himself to be their Father, who has brought the first begotten into the world and commanded the angels to worship him. It is God the Father, identified in verse 1. The language of the previous verse used to describe the angels could never be used of the Son of God, just as the terms now addressed to the Son could never be applied to angels. The categorical distinction between the two as found in the psalms is clear, and the Scripture cannot be broken. The quotation is from Psalm 45:6. The whole Psalm is unmistakably about the Messiah. First of all, the Father addresses the Son in a way that no angel was ever addressed. Secondly, the Son’s throne is for ever and ever. There is only one kingdom that will last forever, and it is the kingdom established by the Lord himself (Psalm 145:10-13), the kingdom of the high God (Daniel 4:2-3). He will remain King forever and ever, for he will defeat all his enemies and will never abandon his throne. What mortal man could have a kingdom that lasted forever? Human kingdoms and empires come and go, rise and fall, and eventually all give way to God’s eternal kingdom which is an everlasting kingdom, with an everlasting dominion, and which is from generation to generation (Daniel 4:3, 34). What angel was ever called a king or credited with having a kingdom? The incarnate Son of God has a throne, so he is a king. It is a place of office, of authority, of rule. The king acts officially when he is on the throne. He is to be respected. In the case of the eternal Son of God his monarchy doesn't suffer from any of the faults that we see in human monarchies, because he is the holy perfect Son of God who can make no mistakes. He is not merely high above his subjects, but he connects with them all. He can relate warmly and closely to millions and millions of ransomed souls at one and the same time. It is an eternal throne and our security is there. The word ‘sceptre’ comes from the Greek ‘to lean’. It’s a staff that a king would lean on, a mark of his authority. He would sit on his throne and his staff would be firmly planted on the ground. If councillors of state bought some project or some necessary action, and argue perps for and against it, then the king would often say nothing. He didn't have to speak. He would simply tilt his staff the one way or the other. That was a very lordly way of taking a decision. He has absolute authority. Christ is King, not only because he along with the Father is God, but because it was by him that all things were created. Not only that, but is the conqueror. It has been stolen from by the fall and by Satan, but Christ has vanquished Satan; he has atoned for sin. By those actions – conquering and purchase – he is rightfully King. Then also he is entitled by the fact that he has been acknowledged by the Father as the rightful heir. His work on Calvary: his life of perfect righteousness so great and so extensive that it earns the rewards of righteousness for all this people. Just as his atonement takes away the sin, so his righteousness secures the rewards of heaven. And the Father has commended and affirmed that, so he has the right. Then also he has the right because we, his people, desire him more than we desire any earthly government when we go to vote. There are no reservations when we look for heaven, and seek eternal life, and cross that boundary from life to death. What is the character of this throne? It is a throne of righteousness. The first term translated righteousness literally means straightness, and the second term in verse 9 is richer. Its character is perfection and purity and integrity. There is no disappointment or contradiction, no stain, no blemish, no sin, no decay, no hostility, no death, no lie.