God hath Spoken
Heb. 1:1-3
Introduction
The Bible is the Word of God. Whether it’s Old Testament or New Testament, it is God’s Word. In the Old Testament, God spoke thru the prophets. In the New Testament God spoke to us thru His Son Jesus Christ. He is the Living Word and God’s final Word.
I. God has spoken (Heb. 1:1)
A. Sundry times – in Greek, it means “in many portions.” This means that not everything was revealed to one prophet. The Old Testament revelations was given in “portions,” not all at once, and at wide intervals. God’s way of revealing the truth is progressive.
B. Divers’ manners – The Old Testament Scriptures were all from God but He used different writers over the ages and different manners of inspiration to write them. These includes visions, internal suggestions, direct dictations, written in poetry, etc. The style of writing may vary according to the individual knowledge and ability of the writer, but all of them were guided and illuminated by the Holy Spirit.
C. In the time past – refers to the period of time before the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the period of time in the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi.
D. Unto the fathers by the Prophets
1. The Fathers were the ancestors, the Jewish fathers of the Israelites
2. The prophets -. A prophet was a spokesman for God; he spake in God’s name and by his authority (Ex. 7:1). He is the mouth by which God speaks to men (Jer. 1:9; Isa. 51:16), and hence what the prophet says is not of man but of God (2 Pet. 1:20-21; Heb. 3:7; Acts 4:25; 28:25). Before Christ came, God spoke using the prophets in the Old Testament.
Illustration/Application: What Is a Prophet
Someone who is the mouthpiece of God. He stands between God and man to communicate to man the word of God. When the prophet spoke as the mouthpiece he was inspired and without error. The prophet, though, is not a puppet or a mindless repeater of what he hears. Instead, he retains his own will, mind, and thoughts as he speaks for God. God would put His words in their mouths (Deut. 18:18; Jer. 1:9). A prophet was God’s servant (Zech. 1:6) and messenger (2 Chr. 36:15). The prophecies fell into three categories: concerning the destiny of Israel, the messianic prophecies, and eschatological prophecies. The term Law and Prophets refers to the writings of the O.T. divided into two categories. The Law is the Pentateuch, or Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Prophets are all the rest of the O.T. books.
Source Unknown
II. God’s Spokesman “in these last days” (Heb. 1:2-3)
A. The term “in these last days”
1. To the Jews, the “last days” means the time when the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come. (Num. 24:14, Jer. 3314-16, Mic. 5:1-2, Zech. 9:9,16). The messianic prophecies were fulfilled when Christ came. Since He came, it has been the last days (1 Cor. 10:11, James 5:8, 1 Pet. 1:20, 4:7, 1 Jn. 2:18). It is the age beginning with Christ until the rapture. We are living in the last days.
2. For us now, we can say that because we are experiencing troublesome and difficult times it’s the “last days”. However, scripturally, “last days “includes Christ’s return from Heaven to establish His earthly rule, the Great Tribulation (Jer. 30:23-24), the regathering and regeneration of the nation Israel (Jos. 3:5), the second coming and glorious earthly reign of Christ (Isa. 2:2-5; Mic. 4:1-7), the resurrection (Jn. 11:25), and the final judgment of the unsaved (Jn. 12:48).
B. God has spoken to us by His Son
1. God spoke intermittently and partially thru the Old Testament prophets.
2. Beginning at the advent of Christ, God spoke the message of redemption thru His Son. The title commonly given to the Lord Jesus, as denoting his special relation to God. It was understood, by the Jews, to denote equality with God, (Jn. 5:18; Jn. 10:33).
3. Heir of all things – what is implied here is that everything that exist will all be under the control and authority of the son of God (Jesus Christ). (Ps. 2:8).
4. Made the worlds – The Son is the creator of all things (Jn. 1:1-3, Eph. 3:9, Col. 1:16. Christ created space, time, energy and matter. The Greek word “aion” can be translated either “ages” (Eph.2:7) or “worlds” (Heb. 11:3). He created the entire universe and everything that makes it works.
5. Brightness of his glory – Brightness is from the Greek word used only here in the New Testament. Literally “off-flashing” with the idea of sending forth light or shining (Jn. 8:12, 2 Cor. 4:4, 6). Christ is God and He is the light of the world. As the sun provides light and life, so Christ is spiritually the light of the world (Jn. 8:12) and the “life” of the world (Jn. 1:14, 14:6, Acts 17:28)
Illustration/Application: The Glory of the Creator
“You teach,” said the Emperor Trajan to Rabbi Joshua, “that your God is everywhere, and boast that He resides among your nation; I should like to see Him.” “God’s presence is indeed everywhere,” replied Joshua, “but He cannot be seen. No mortal eye can behold His glory.” The emperor insisted. “Well,” said Joshua “suppose we try to look first at one of His ambassadors.” The emperor consented. The Rabbi took him into the open air at noonday and bade him look at the sun in its blazing splendour. “I cannot,” said Trajan. “The light dazzles me.” “You are unable,” said Joshua, “to endure the light of one of His creatures, and can you expect to behold the resplendent glory of the Creator? Would not the brightness of His glory annihilate you?” This same thought is expressed in the Bible in 1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. Illustrations of Bible Truths.
6. “Express image” carries the idea of “the exact imprint.” Our English word character comes from the Greek word translated “image.” Literally, Jesus Christ is “the exact representation of the very substance of God” (Col. 2:9). Only Jesus could honestly say, “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” (Jn. 14:9). When you see Christ, you see God the Father. (Jn. 1:14).
7. Jesus is “upholding all things by the word of His power”! Christ did not create the universe then let it run on its own. Christ not only created the universe but maintains it in a very precise and effective manner as is testified by how the heavenly bodies move with great precision. And all of this “upholding” is done by His Word. His Word is indeed powerful. He created the universe by His Word (Psalm 33:6) and maintains it the same way.
a. All Jesus has to do is to say a word and it will happen. His words are very powerful.
b. When Christ speaks, we should all listen. (Lk. 6:46).
8. Jesus “by Himself purged our sins”! A clear reference to His substitutionary death on the cross for our sins (Titus 2:14, Rev. 1:5). This speaks to His role as our Redeemer, a theme that will be prominent later in this epistle (Heb. 2:17; 9:26,28)
9. Jesus has also “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”! This Jesus did when He ascended to heaven – Eph. 1:20; 1 Pet. 3:22.
a. The right hand of God is a place of power, authority, and honor (Rom. 8:34, 1 Pet. 3:22).
b. It is also a position of subordination, implying that the son is under the authority of the Father (1 Cor. 15:27, 28).
c. The seat that Christ has taken is the throne of God (Heb. 8:1, 10:12, 12:2) where He rules as sovereign Lord. Truly our Lord Jesus Christ is the ruler over the kings of earth” (Rev. 1:5; 17:14)
d. This sitting position may also show the completion of His atoning work.
Illustration/Application: The Light of the World
As George Matheson said, “Christ has illuminated the world, not by what He did, but by what He was; His life is the Light of Men. We speak of a man’s life-work; the work of Jesus was His life itself. It is good to be told that the pure in heart shall see God, but the vision of heaven in a pure man’s face outweighs it all. They tell us that the Easter morning has revealed His glory; rather would I say that His glory has revealed the Easter morning. It is not resurrection that has made Christ; it is Christ that has made resurrection. To those who have seen His beauty, even Olivet can add no certainty; the light of immortality is as bright on His Cross as on His Crown. ‘I am the resurrection’ are His own words about Himself—not ‘I teach,’ not ‘I cause,’ not ‘I predict,’ but ‘I am.’ ”
Bible Illustrations – Illustrations of Bible Truths.
III. Conclusion:
God is clearly a God who speaks, He makes His will known to mankind. And now He speaks through His Son, who is the appointed Heir of all things! The Creator! The brightness of God’s glory, the express image of His person! Our Sustainer, Redeemer, and King!
