Tag: Hebrews 1
God’s final Word from Heaven!
Scripture reading for October 14: Hebrews 1
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed Heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the Name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:1-4
When it comes to God speaking to His people, God has been speaking from way before our own existence. In fact, this passage declares that God has spoken many times and in many ways to our ancestors through prophets. Prophets were people of faith in God who God moved on to speak and write out what God was saying. (2 Peter 1:21) God used prophets because sinful man had lost his ability to hear God directly. They needed an intermediary to relay what God has said and God sent those made in His image to speak prophetically and even act out God’s message in illustrated form.
But the writer of Hebrews declares that God has spoken to us all by a final Word in these last days. God sent His own Son, born of woman, to relay His final message of love and mercy and forgiveness. This Son, Jesus Christ, was the One Who created the world out of nothing by His powerful Word. Jesus was the ‘exact representation’ of the Father in that He totally obeyed His Father, doing only what the Father did and saying only what the Father said. (John 5:19-21) This Son was sent to mankind in the form of a human being, identifying with us in all ways, but without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He offered His own body and blood as a payment for human sin, dying on the cross of Calvary. He rose again in victory over death and hell, and is seated at God’s right hand. His Name is above every name and His Word is forever settled in heaven. (Philippians 2:9-11)
Have you ever felt that God spoke to you? Have you considered Jesus Christ as God the Father’s final Word from heaven? How would this world view change your life if you decided to believe that Jesus is God’s final message?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ as the final message to us from heaven. I hear You speaking to me through Him! I place my trust in Jesus Christ and receive purification for my sins through faith to receive the gift of Your grace. Use me to share this Good News with those who have not yet heard this final Word of mercy and love. Amen.
Jesus–God’s final Word!
Scripture reading for October 13th: Hebrews 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 1:1-3 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word.”
God, the Father, is a God who is active in the creation and spoke by revelation to man. In earlier times God spoke through the prophets. Prophets were anointed men and women who spoke as God spoke to them through direct conversation, visions, or dreams. But the writer of Hebrews declares that God’s final Words come from His own Son, Jesus Christ! In fact, He is the Word made flesh and is the embodiment of God’s nature and glory. His Son sustains all creation and the universe by His Word!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers recognize God’s Son as God’s revelation of Himself to us in these last days and are sustained by His powerful Word! “I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise Your Name for Your love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word.” (Psalm 138:2)
Jesus: Superior to Angels!
Scripture reading for October 14th: Hebrews 1
The writer of Hebrews, who is not identified by name, wrote primarily to Jewish believers concerning the superiority of Jesus to the old covenant that they were raised under. He used a style close to classical Greek and gave encouragement and warning to the believers about the dangers of apostasy–falling away from the faith. It speaks to the church today when many are abandoning the faith!
Before the time of the New Testament, God spoke to His people through the prophets. These prophets were moved on by God to write about the One who would come as the Messiah. But when Jesus Christ came, God spoke a final and complete Word through His Son. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the Name He has inherited is superior to theirs.” (Hebrews 1:3-4)
The first comparison the author makes is that Jesus Christ is far superior to angels. Jesus Christ is the exact representations of God’s being and glory. The angels are created beings, the Son is eternal. Jesus’ Name is above every other name given under heaven. Only Jesus made provision for purifying man from his sins. Only Jesus is seated at God’s right hand! Angels are ministering servants but the Son rules! “But about the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.”” (Hebrews 1:8) Jesus sits far above all angels and humans ruling ’till I make Your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (Hebrews 1:13)