INTRODUCTION

DISCUSSION

A. GOD’S SPOKESMEN “IN TIME PAST” 

1. Hebrews 1:1

a. The expression “of old time” refers to the period of time prior to the coming of Jesus 

b. That is, that period of time described in the Old Testament (Genesis-Malachi)

2. God Spoke “Unto the Fathers in The Prophets”

a. The “fathers” would be the ancestors of the Israelites 

b. The “prophets” would include great men like Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel 

c. The word for “prophet” refers to one who is inspired by God to speak for Him… 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Peter 1:10-12

3. God Spoke “By Divers Portions and Divers Manners”

a. His revelation did not come all at once, but progressively at different times 

b. His methods varied as well, using visions, dreams, symbols, etc. 

c. God has clearly revealed Himself as One who “speaks” 

B. GOD’S SPOKESMAN “IN THESE LAST DAYS”

1. Hebrews 2:2-3

2. The Expression “At the ends of these days” refers to The Christian Age

a. The Old Testament often spoke of “the latter days” or “last days” … Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1

b. The apostles spoke of their time as the time of this fulfillment… Acts 2:16-17; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 Corinthians 10:11

3. God “Has spoken unto us in his Son”

a. God has spoken once again, but note the contrast! 

b. “In time past” it was through “prophets” – but “in these last days” it is in “His Son”! 

c. God has sent His own Son to speak for Him! 

d. As wonderful as the prophets were – they cannot compare to God’s own Son? 

4. The Excellence Of “God’s Perfect Spokesman”

a. Jesus is “appointed heir of all things”

1) As the “beloved Son”, it is only natural that He would be the appointed heir 

2) What does “all things” include? 

b. Jesus is the one “through whom also he (God) made the worlds”

1) Not only the “Heir”, but also the “Creator”

2) For it was through the Son that God created the universe… John 1:3; Colossians 1:16

3) All things were created “through (or by) Him” (He is the Creator)

4) All things were created “for Him” (He is the rightful Heir) 

c. Jesus is “the effulgence (or, brightness) of His (God’s) glory”

1) In Jesus we see the very radiance of the glory of God… John 1:14

2) When we behold Jesus, we see an extension of the glory of God! 

d. Jesus is “the very image of His substance”

1) The NAS reads “the exact representation of His nature” and the ESV reads “the exact imprint of his nature”

2) He is the exact representation of God’s being and character… Colossians 2:9; John 14:7, 9

e. Jesus is “upholding all things by the word of His power”

1) Jesus is not only the Creator, but also the Sustainer of the universe… Colossians 1:17

2) By His word the universe holds together! 

2) All He has to do is say the word, and the universe is no more

3) Note well: This illustrates the power of His Word. Shall we not listen when He speaks? 

f. Jesus has also “made purification of sins”

1) A clear reference to His death on the cross for our sins 

2) This speaks to His role as our Redeemer, a theme that will be prominent later in this epistle… Hebrews 2:17; 9:26, 28

g. Jesus has also “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”

1) This Jesus did when He ascended to heaven… Ephesians 1:20; 1 Peter 3:22

2) Sitting at the right hand of God is a place of honor, but for Jesus it is also a place from which 

3) He reigns – as is seen in… Ephesians 1:21-22; 1 Peter 3:22

4) It is true that He is waiting for the His enemies to be made His footstool (Heb. 10:12-13), but He is reigning until that time (1 Cor. 15:25-26)

CONCLUSION

A. The sentence does not end with verse three… 

1. It continues on into verse four, with a declaration of Jesus’ superiority over angels 

2. But that verse and the rest of the chapter we shall save for the next study B. How can one turn their back on Him? Especially when the Majesty on high proclaimed at the Mount of Transfiguration (Mat. 17:5)

Tom Moore
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”