Hebrews 1:12
You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end."
like a robe
The imagery of a robe in this verse is significant, as it conveys the idea of something that is worn and can be changed or replaced. In the ancient world, a robe was a garment that signified status, identity, and sometimes authority. The Greek word used here, "περιβόλαιον" (peribolaion), suggests something that envelops or covers. This metaphor highlights the transient nature of creation compared to the eternal nature of God. Just as a robe can be taken off and replaced, so can the heavens and the earth be changed by God, emphasizing His sovereignty and unchanging nature.

You will roll them up
The phrase "You will roll them up" uses the imagery of rolling up a scroll, which was a common practice in the ancient world. The Greek word "ἑλίσσω" (helissō) means to roll or coil. This action signifies the ease and authority with which God can bring about change in the created order. It reflects the power of God to transform and renew creation according to His divine will. The rolling up of the heavens and the earth points to the eschatological renewal that God will bring about, as prophesied in the Scriptures.

like a garment
The comparison to a garment further emphasizes the temporary and changeable nature of the physical universe. The Greek word "ἱμάτιον" (himation) refers to an outer garment or cloak. This metaphor suggests that just as garments wear out and are replaced, so too will the current creation be transformed. It underscores the contrast between the perishable nature of the world and the imperishable nature of God. This serves as a reminder of the hope believers have in the new creation promised by God.

they will be changed
The phrase "they will be changed" speaks to the transformative power of God. The Greek word "ἀλλάσσω" (allassō) means to change or alter. This change is not merely a destruction but a transformation into something new and better. It reflects the biblical theme of renewal and restoration, where God will make all things new. This promise of change provides hope and assurance to believers that God's ultimate plan is one of redemption and renewal.

But You remain the same
This phrase highlights the immutability of God. While creation is subject to change and decay, God remains constant and unchanging. The Greek word "διαμένω" (diamenō) means to remain or continue. This attribute of God assures believers of His faithfulness and reliability. In a world that is constantly changing, the unchanging nature of God provides a firm foundation for faith and trust.

and Your years will never end
The eternal nature of God is emphasized in this phrase. The Greek word "ἐκλείπω" (ekleipō) means to fail or come to an end. In contrast, God's years will never end, highlighting His eternal existence. This assurance of God's eternal nature provides comfort and hope to believers, knowing that the God they serve is everlasting and His promises are sure. It reinforces the message of God's sovereignty and the eternal hope found in Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God the Father
The verse speaks of God's eternal nature and His unchanging character.

2. Jesus Christ
The context of Hebrews 1 emphasizes the supremacy of Christ, who is the exact representation of God's being.

3. Creation
The heavens and the earth, which are subject to change and decay, are contrasted with the eternal nature of God.

4. The Author of Hebrews
Traditionally attributed to Paul, though the exact authorship is debated, the author writes to Jewish Christians to affirm the superiority of Christ.

5. The Recipients
Jewish Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament and needed encouragement to hold fast to their faith in Christ.
Teaching Points
The Unchanging Nature of God
God remains constant and unchanging, providing a firm foundation for our faith.

The Transience of Creation
The world around us is temporary and subject to change, reminding us to place our trust in the eternal God rather than in temporal things.

Christ's Supremacy and Eternality
Jesus Christ, as God, shares in this eternal nature, affirming His deity and the reliability of His promises.

Encouragement in Uncertainty
In times of change and uncertainty, believers can find comfort and stability in the unchanging character of God.

Living with an Eternal Perspective
Understanding the temporary nature of the world encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual over material concerns.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's unchanging nature impact your daily life and decision-making?

2. In what ways can you remind yourself of the eternal perspective when faced with the temporary challenges of this world?

3. How does the supremacy of Christ, as described in Hebrews 1, influence your view of His role in your life?

4. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate trust in God's eternal promises amidst a changing world?

5. How can the truths found in Hebrews 1:12 encourage you to share your faith with others who may be struggling with uncertainty?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 102:25-27
This passage is directly quoted in Hebrews 1:12, emphasizing God's eternal nature and the transient nature of creation.

Malachi 3:6
Highlights God's unchanging nature, reinforcing the message of Hebrews 1:12.

James 1:17
Speaks of God as the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change, echoing the theme of God's constancy.

Revelation 1:8
Declares God as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, underscoring His eternal existence.

Isaiah 51:6
Describes the heavens vanishing like smoke, but God's salvation enduring forever, paralleling the imagery in Hebrews 1:12.
The Friend Whose Years Do not Fail. Rev. W. Arthur, M.AKnowles KingHebrews 1:12
Christ Exalted Above the AngelsD. Young Hebrews 1:4-13
And Let All the Angels of God Worship HimF. Rendall, M. A.Hebrews 1:4-14
Angel AidH. S. Carpenter.Hebrews 1:4-14
Angelic Life and its LessonsStopford A. Brooke, M. A.Hebrews 1:4-14
Angelic Life in Connection with ManStopford A. Brooke, M. A.Hebrews 1:4-14
Angels -- Ministering SpiritsE. Deering, B. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Angels -- MinistersW. Jones, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Angels and Their Alliance with NatureA. B. Davidson, LL. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Angels Likened to FireW. Jones, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Being SomebodyHebrews 1:4-14
Christ ImmutableT. KiddHebrews 1:4-14
Christ is Everlasting and UnchangeableT. Bogs.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ is GodC. Stanford, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ the CreatorF. B. Meyer, B. A.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ the First-BegottenH. J. Hastings, M. A.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ the First-BegottenW. Gouge.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ the Object of Angelic WorshipHomilistHebrews 1:4-14
Christ Worshipped by AngelsL N. Norton, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christian CosmogonyHomilistHebrews 1:4-14
Christ's Excellences Above AngelsW. Gouge.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ's Glory in CreationE. Deering, B. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ's Holiness and UnctionT. Manton, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ's KingdomE. Deering, B. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ's Superiority to All Created BeingsR. Jones, B. A.Hebrews 1:4-14
Christ's Throne and SceptreJames Wells.Hebrews 1:4-14
Destructive Agencies At Work in the WorldA. S. Patterson.Hebrews 1:4-14
Divinity of ChristJames Hamihon, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
God Ever the SamePerrine.Hebrews 1:4-14
God's Setting Christ on His Right HandW. Gouge.Hebrews 1:4-14
Instructions and Directions Arising from the Inheritance of SalvationW. Gouge.Hebrews 1:4-14
Jesus Christ the Cause and the Consummator of All ThingsR. W. Hamilton, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Messiah and NatureW. L. Watkinson.Hebrews 1:4-14
Messianic RegaliaW. L. Watkinson.Hebrews 1:4-14
Ministering SpiritsHomilistHebrews 1:4-14
Ministering SpiritsThe Evangelical PreacherHebrews 1:4-14
Ministration of AngelsJ. Hannam.Hebrews 1:4-14
Ministry of AngelsJ. Burns, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Ministry of AngelsDr. Fowler.Hebrews 1:4-14
Ministry of AngelsHebrews 1:4-14
Nature and Employment of AngelsN. Emmons, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
Of Christ's ImmutabilityW. Gouge.Hebrews 1:4-14
Of the Uses of Christ's ImmutabilityW. Gouge.Hebrews 1:4-14
Oil of GladnessW. Gouge.Hebrews 1:4-14
Righteousness and GladnessC. H. Spurgeon.Hebrews 1:4-14
Sonship in the ResurrectionJ. B. Owen, M. A.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Angelic HierarchyDr. Grandpierre.Hebrews 1:4-14
The AngelsA. Saphir.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Church and the AngelsW. L. Watkinson.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Church's EnemiesE. Deering, B. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Dominion of Jesus ChristJohn Owen, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Eternal Sonship of ChristW. Gouge.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Exaltation of ChristJohn Owen, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Gladsomeness of JesusH. W. Beecher.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Greatness of the Angels Revealing the Greatness of the LordC. New Hebrews 1:4-14
The Immutabulity of ChristJ. Hannam.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Liturgy of Angelic ServiceF. B. Meyer, B. A.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Messiah's ThroneJ. Cumming, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Ministry of AngelsEssex Congreational RemembrancerHebrews 1:4-14
The Nature, Office, and Employment of Good AngelsArchbishop Tillotson.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Practical Side of the Doctrine of AngelsDr. Grandpierre.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Solar System PerishingJ. Morison, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Superiority of Christ to the AngelsW. L. Watkinson.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Time and Certainty of Inheriting SalvationW. Gouge.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Unchangeableness of ChristD. Wilcox.Hebrews 1:4-14
The World as a GarmentW. Jones, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Worship of God and the Service of ManB. Bird.Hebrews 1:4-14
Twofold Aspect of Angelic MinistrationE. E. Johnson, M. A.Hebrews 1:4-14
Worship Due to Christ from AllW. Jones, D. D.Hebrews 1:4-14
The Glory of Christ in His Creative PowerJ.S. Bright Hebrews 1:10-12
The Son and the UniverseW.J. Jones Hebrews 1:10-12
People
Hebrews
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Change, Changed, Cloth, Covering, Fail, Fold, Garment, Mantle, Robe, Roll, Rolled, Though, Undergo, Vesture, Wilt, Yes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hebrews 1:12

     1160   God, unchangeable
     2018   Christ, divinity
     4930   end

Hebrews 1:4-14

     2069   Christ, pre-eminence

Hebrews 1:5-13

     4111   angels, servants

Hebrews 1:10-12

     4028   world, redeemed
     9121   eternity, nature of

Hebrews 1:11-12

     1140   God, the eternal
     4915   completion

Library
Messiah the Son of God
For to which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee? T hough every part of a revelation from God must of course be equally true, there may be a considerable difference even among truths proposed by the same authority, with respect to their immediate importance. There are fundamental truths, the knowledge of which are essentially necessary to our peace and holiness: and there are others of a secondary nature, which, though very useful in their proper connection,
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Messiah Worshipped by Angels
Let all the angels of God worship Him. M any of the Lord's true servants, have been in a situation so nearly similar to that of Elijah, that like him they have been tempted to think they were left to serve the Lord alone (I Kings 19:10) . But God had then a faithful people, and He has so in every age. The preaching of the Gospel may be compared to a standard erected, to which they repair, and thereby become known to each other, and more exposed to the notice and observation of the world. But we hope
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

December the Eleventh the Speech of the Incarnation
"He hath spoken to us in His Son." --HEBREWS i. And that blessed Son spake my language. He came into my troubled conditions and expressed Himself out of my humble lot. My surroundings afforded Him a language in which He made known His good news. The carpenter's shop, the shepherd on the hill, the ladened vine, a wayside well, common bread, a friend's sickness, the desolation of a garden, the darkness of "the last things"--these all offered Him a mode of speech in which He unveiled to me the heart
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Friend Whose Years do not Fail. Rev. W. Arthur, M. A.
"And thy years shall not fail."--HEBREWS i. 12. You know that these words are taken from the hundred and second Psalm. There, they are addressed to God the Creator; here, to Christ the Redeemer. In both cases they express the same truths. Man finds himself here, looks out to what he can see around him, and then in thought passes on to what he cannot see. He knows that a very little while ago he was not here, he was not anywhere. He has an instinct within which tells him that though it is so short
Knowles King—The Wesleyan Methodist Pulpit in Malvern

Of Creation
Heb. xi. 3.--"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."--Heb. i. 14.--"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" There is nothing more generally known than this, that God at the beginning made the heaven and the earth, and all the host of them, the upper or the celestial, the lower or sublunary world. But yet there is nothing so little
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Mason -- Messiah's Throne
John Mitchell Mason, the eminent divine of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, was born in New York City in 1770. He completed his studies and took his degree at Columbia College and thence proceeded to take a theological course at Edinburgh. Ordained in 1793, he took charge of the Cedar Street Church, New York City, of which his father had been pastor. In 1807 he became editor of the Christian Herald, and in 1821 was made president of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He died in 1829. MASON
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3

And the Fame of Antony came Even unto Kings. ...
81. And the fame of Antony came even unto kings. For Constantine Augustus, and his sons Constantius and Constans the Augusti wrote letters to him, as to a father, and begged an answer from him. But he made nothing very much of the letters, nor did he rejoice at the messages, but was the same as he had been before the Emperors wrote to him. But when they brought him the letters he called the monks and said, Do not be astonished if an emperor writes to us, for he is a man; but rather wonder that God
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Introduction to Tomus Ad Antiochenos.
The word tome' (tomos) means either a section, or, in the case of such a document as that before us, a concise statement. It is commonly applied to synodical letters (cf. the Tome' of Leo, a.d. 450, to Flavian). Upon the accession of Julian (November, 361) the Homoean ascendancy which had marked the last six years of Constantius collapsed. A few weeks after his accession (Feb. 362) an edict recalled all the exiled Bishops. On Feb. 21 Athanasius re-appeared in Alexandria. He was joined there by Lucifer
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Texts Explained; Thirdly...
Chapter XIII.--Texts Explained; Thirdly, Hebrews i. 4. Additional texts brought as objections; e.g. Heb. i. 4; vii. 22. Whether the word better' implies likeness to the Angels; and made' or become' implies creation. Necessary to consider the circumstances under which Scripture speaks. Difference between better' and greater;' texts in proof. Made' or become' a general word. Contrast in Heb. i. 4, between the Son and the Works in point of nature. The difference of the punishments under the two Covenants
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The Bible in the Days of Jesus Christ
[Illustration: (drop cap S) Reading from a Roll--old Roman Painting] Slowly but surely, as time went on, God was adding to His Book, until about four hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ the Old Testament Scriptures, in their present shape, were completed. Many questions have been asked as to how the canon of the Old Testament was formed--that is, how and when did the Jews first begin to understand that the Books of the Old Testament were inspired by God. About the first five Books--the
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Revelation in a Son.
"God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in His Son, Whom He appointed Heir of all things, through Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the effulgence of His glory, and the very image of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."--HEB. i. 1-3 (R.V.). "God hath spoken." The
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Son and the Angels.
HEBREWS i. 4-ii. 18. The most dangerous and persistent error against which the theologians of the New Testament had to contend was the doctrine of emanations. The persistence of this error lay in its affinity with the Christian conception of mediation between God and men; its danger sprang from its complete inconsistency with the Christian idea of the person and work of the Mediator. For the Hebrew conception of God, as the "I AM," tended more and more in the lapse of ages to sever Him from all
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Trinity Sunday the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 11, 33-36. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon was first printed in 1535, at Wittenberg.] 1. This festival requires us to instruct the people in the dogma of the Holy Trinity, and to strengthen both memory and faith concerning it. This is the reason why we take up the subject once more. Without proper instruction and a sound foundation in this regard, other dogmas cannot be rightly and successfully treated. The other festivals of the year present
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

'A Greater than Jonas'
'A greater than Jonas is here.'--MATT. xii. 41. There never was any man in his right mind, still more of influence on his fellows, who made such claims as to himself in such unmistakable language as Jesus Christ does. To say such things of oneself as come from His lips is a sign of a weak, foolish nature. It is fatal to all influence, to all beauty of character. It is not only that He claims official attributes as a fanatical or dishonest pretender to inspiration may do. He does that, but He does
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Winsome Jesus.
The Face of Jesus: Jesus drew crowds, men, women, children, bad people, enemies--His personality--face--impress of experiences--the glory of God in that face, 2 Corinthians 4:6. Hebrews 1:3. The Music of God in the Voice of Jesus: the eye--Jesus' eyes, Luke 4:16-30. John 8:59. 10:31. 7:32, 45, 46. 18:6. Mark 10:32. 9:36. 10:13-16. Luke 19:48.--His voice, Matthew 26:30. personal touch, Matthew 8:3, 15. 9:29. 17:7. 20:34. Mark 1:41. 7:33. Luke 5:13. 22:51. (John 14:16-20). His presence irresistible.
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death.
This estate has three degrees:--1st, From the day of death to the resurrection; 2d, From the resurrection to the pronouncing of the sentence; 3d, After the sentence, which lasts eternally. As soon as ever the regenerate man hath yielded up his soul to Christ, the holy angels take her into their custody, and immediately carry her into heaven (Luke xvi. 22), and there present her before Christ, where she is crowned with a crown of righteousness and glory; not which she hath deserved by her good works,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Revelation of the Old Testament in Writing.
"Then I said, I will not speak any more in His Name. But His word was in my heart as a burning fire, shut up in my bones: and I was weary with forbearing, but I could not."--Jer. xx. 9. Altho the miracles performed for and in the midst of Israel created a glorious life-center in the midst of the heathen world, yet they did not constitute a Holy Scripture; for this can not be created except God speak to man, even to His people Israel. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple, and Uncorrupted Christian Religion Teaches,
(that is, not only those plain doctrines which it requires to be believed as fundamental and of necessity to eternal salvation, but even all the doctrines which it teaches as matters of truth,) are, though indeed many of them not discoverable by bare reason unassisted with revelation; yet, when discovered by revelation, apparently most agreeable to sound unprejudiced reason, have every one of them a natural tendency, and a direct and powerful influence to reform men's minds, and correct their manners,
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

The Prophet of the Highest.
(LUKE I.) "Ye hermits blest, ye holy maids, The nearest heaven on earth, Who talk with God in shadowy glades, Free from rude care and mirth; To whom some viewless Teacher brings The secret love of rural things, The moral of each fleeting cloud and gale, The whispers from above, that haunt the twilight vale." KEBLE. Formative Influences--A Historical Parallel--The Burning of the Vanities--"Sent from God" "Thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Most High"--thus Zacharias addressed his infant
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

What God is to Us.
Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7.--"The lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands." There is nothing can separate between God and a people but iniquity, and yet he is very loath to separate even for that. He makes many shows of departing, that so we may hold him fast, and indeed he is not difficult to be holden. He threatens often to remove his presence from a person or nation, and he threatens, that he may not indeed remove, but that
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Of the Creation 0F Man
Gen. i. 26, 27.--"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them."--With Eph. iv. 24.--"And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."--And Heb.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

John's Introduction.
^D John I. 1-18. ^d 1 In the beginning was the Word [a title for Jesus peculiar to the apostle John], and the Word was with God [not going before nor coming after God, but with Him at the beginning], and the Word was God. [Not more, not less.] 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him [the New Testament often speaks of Christ as the Creator--see ver. 10; I. Cor. viii. 6; Col. i. 13, 17; Heb. i. 2]; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. [This
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Introduction to Four Discourses against the Arians.
Written Between 356 And 360. There is no absolutely conclusive evidence as to the date of these Discourses, in fact they would appear from the language of ii. 1 to have been issued at intervals. The best judges, however, are agreed in assigning them to the fruitful period of the third exile.' The Discourses cannot indeed be identified with the lost account of the Arian heresy addressed to certain Egyptian monks (see Introd. to Arian Hist. supra); but the demand for such a treatise may have set Athanasius
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

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