"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."
John calls Christ the "Word" in John 1:1-14. The entire book of Hebrews is essentially about how Christ as Savior is better than the Old Testament rituals and symbols that pictured Him. This, it could be said, is the story of the New Testament in general. But a few points from the passage at hand.
Firstly, the author of Hebrews confirms that the prophets were divinely inspired. God revealed His redemptive plan to them in different ways throughout several centuries. He does not demean this revelation at all. In fact, his argument depends on previous revelation being worthy of respect and our attention.
Secondly, he states as a matter of fact that the "last days" were present in his own day. The last days, Biblically understood, refer to the period of time after Jesus' Coming. The last days were implemented with the first advent of Christ. Peter echoes this concept in Acts 2:14.
Thirdly, he declares the superiority of our own revelation. God spoke through men. That is an absolutely indescribable statement. Meditate on it for a minute. Consider that fact continually. God spoke to man--His greatest creation run amuck! He initiated a relationship with His fallen creatures, a fact established clearly by communicating with them, an integral part of any relationship. But now God has communicated to us by an even greater relational gift--selfless giving. He communicates through His very own Son, whom He sent as a Prophet to proclaim the plan of salvation that was foreshadowed in the ceremonial system of the Old Testament. He also sent Him as a Priest to make the priceless, effectual sacrifice that the Old Testament shadows could not provide. We ought to marvel at this demonstration of love given to us by our Father! Jesus Christ is truly the "radiance of the glory of God." He is the pinnacle of God's revelation of Himself to man. We were given a man who also could (and did) demonstrate to us everything about who God is and what He has done for us. As for the statement that "he upholds the universe by the word of his power", I'm not sure if this is a reference to Christ or to the Father. It could go either way, and, not actually being able to read the Greek, I must admit ignorance. It could be saying that Jesus Christ upholds the world by His very word, and we do definitely see Jesus Christ as King of the world. However, it seems to me that this is a reference to the Father, who upholds the world by His Word, Jesus Christ. This seems to be a better fit. Perhaps the English construction of the sentence misrepresents the thought. It includes it structurally under things that are true of Jesus, but it could just as easily refer to another of the activities that God is doing through Christ. Acts 17:28 says that in God we live and move and have our being, which would seem to agree with our present intepretation. At any rate, we cannot divide the Trinity, which means that God is in control either way.
Fourthly, we see into the inter-Trinitarian relation and what we call the Economy of the Godhead. This is how things were worked out in time and space between the Persons of the Trinity. The Son is given rule of the universe, that which was created through Him, as we see here and in Genesis 1. Psalm 110:1-2 prophesies accordingly, "The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!" Christ was rewarded for His suffering by being given the royal sceptre. This is a present reality! (I had to sneak it in)
Lastly, we end with a note of the superiority of Christ over the angels. This is really the theme of this book. Christ is superior to angels. He is superior to Levitical priests. His sacrifice is superior to the Old Testament Temple--it's sacrifice and symbols. He enters the true Holy of Holies instead of a Holy of Holies made by man's hands. Why return to Judaism when you have the fulfillment? We ought to take this message and apply it to our lives. Why return to sin and depravity when we have a perfect sacrifice and King? There is simply no good reason.
John calls Christ the "Word" in John 1:1-14. The entire book of Hebrews is essentially about how Christ as Savior is better than the Old Testament rituals and symbols that pictured Him. This, it could be said, is the story of the New Testament in general. But a few points from the passage at hand.
Firstly, the author of Hebrews confirms that the prophets were divinely inspired. God revealed His redemptive plan to them in different ways throughout several centuries. He does not demean this revelation at all. In fact, his argument depends on previous revelation being worthy of respect and our attention.
Secondly, he states as a matter of fact that the "last days" were present in his own day. The last days, Biblically understood, refer to the period of time after Jesus' Coming. The last days were implemented with the first advent of Christ. Peter echoes this concept in Acts 2:14.
Thirdly, he declares the superiority of our own revelation. God spoke through men. That is an absolutely indescribable statement. Meditate on it for a minute. Consider that fact continually. God spoke to man--His greatest creation run amuck! He initiated a relationship with His fallen creatures, a fact established clearly by communicating with them, an integral part of any relationship. But now God has communicated to us by an even greater relational gift--selfless giving. He communicates through His very own Son, whom He sent as a Prophet to proclaim the plan of salvation that was foreshadowed in the ceremonial system of the Old Testament. He also sent Him as a Priest to make the priceless, effectual sacrifice that the Old Testament shadows could not provide. We ought to marvel at this demonstration of love given to us by our Father! Jesus Christ is truly the "radiance of the glory of God." He is the pinnacle of God's revelation of Himself to man. We were given a man who also could (and did) demonstrate to us everything about who God is and what He has done for us. As for the statement that "he upholds the universe by the word of his power", I'm not sure if this is a reference to Christ or to the Father. It could go either way, and, not actually being able to read the Greek, I must admit ignorance. It could be saying that Jesus Christ upholds the world by His very word, and we do definitely see Jesus Christ as King of the world. However, it seems to me that this is a reference to the Father, who upholds the world by His Word, Jesus Christ. This seems to be a better fit. Perhaps the English construction of the sentence misrepresents the thought. It includes it structurally under things that are true of Jesus, but it could just as easily refer to another of the activities that God is doing through Christ. Acts 17:28 says that in God we live and move and have our being, which would seem to agree with our present intepretation. At any rate, we cannot divide the Trinity, which means that God is in control either way.
Fourthly, we see into the inter-Trinitarian relation and what we call the Economy of the Godhead. This is how things were worked out in time and space between the Persons of the Trinity. The Son is given rule of the universe, that which was created through Him, as we see here and in Genesis 1. Psalm 110:1-2 prophesies accordingly, "The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!" Christ was rewarded for His suffering by being given the royal sceptre. This is a present reality! (I had to sneak it in)
Lastly, we end with a note of the superiority of Christ over the angels. This is really the theme of this book. Christ is superior to angels. He is superior to Levitical priests. His sacrifice is superior to the Old Testament Temple--it's sacrifice and symbols. He enters the true Holy of Holies instead of a Holy of Holies made by man's hands. Why return to Judaism when you have the fulfillment? We ought to take this message and apply it to our lives. Why return to sin and depravity when we have a perfect sacrifice and King? There is simply no good reason.
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