Tag: Hebrews 1:1-4
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.
Radiating the Glory of God
Scripture reading for February 16th: Exodus 38-40, Hebrews 1
Hebrews 1:1-4 “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 the 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.”
The Name of Jesus Christ was given from the Father to Joseph by an angel. This Jesus is the First-born Son of God, and is the exact representation of God the Father and radiates to sinful man God’s awesome glory. No man could look on God in the fullness of His glory and live. But Jesus Christ made God and His glory known! The ark of the covenant, whose pattern Moses received from God was to be where God’s glory would reside in the midst of His people on earth. When the ark was placed in the tabernacle, and covered with the curtain and sacrifices were made exactly as God prescribed, God’s glory filled the Tabernacle and was in the midst of Israel to guide, protect and provide for them on their journey to their promised inheritance. In the same way, when we repent and invite Jesus to reside in us, God’s glory fills us and we reflect that glory to the world on His behalf.
Hebrews 1:8-9 “But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Name above all names and the exact representation of Your glory and the creator and sustainer of earth and all life. Thank You for Your eternal rule in righteousness and the anointing of Jesus Christ and His followers with the oil of gladness. I receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and invite Him to reflect His glory through my life.
Exodus 40:34 “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
Jesus Christ the Superior Son!
Scripture reading for August 6th: Hebrews 1
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 1:1-4 “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 the angels as the Name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
The author of Hebrews is not known for sure. Some think it was Barnabas and others possibly Apollos. It is certain he was a Jew who understood Jewish religion and culture. He wrote this letter to encourage Jewish Christians who were being persecuted for their faith and some considering going back to Judaism. The superiority of Christ is emphasized throughout the letter and pastoral encouragement to believers to hold tight to Christ is a major theme. In this first chapter, Jesus is proclaimed as the final Word from God to His people in the last days. He is the radiance of God’s glory. He is the heir of all things and creator of all things. Jesus upholds creation with His powerful Word. Jesus also has made purification for our sins and is now seated in the ultimate place of honor as God’s Son at His right hand. His Name, Jesus Christ, is superior to all names of men and angels! He alone has preeminence and an anointing of joy!
Hebrews 1:9 “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness: therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You for Your Son, Who is preeminent over all creation and all earthly and heavenly beings. I believe He has made atonement for my sins and the sins of the world and is now seated at Your right hand, anointed with the oil of gladness as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He is the only Way, Truth, and Life for lost sinners.
Psalm 2:6-8 “”As for Me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to Me, “You are My Son; today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage and the ends of the earth Your possession.””