Prologue: God's Last and Best Word (1:1-4)

Introduction:

One of the most important questions we shall ever consider is who is Jesus? Your answer to this question will determine your eternal destiny. Church history is replete with the necessity to seek the scriptures on the true identity of Jesus Christ in order to counter doctrinal heresy. The councils of Nicene, etc. have provided us with the necessary probing of scripture and have given us biblically accurate statements, regarding Jesus, the God-Man, for our edification and comfort.

As we study through the book of Hebrews, we will find that Jesus Christ is central to the theology of Hebrews. Hebrews’ high literary style and special focus on Christ’s high priesthood set it apart from other New Testament books. Its unique contribution to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ is the disclosure of Jesus’ fulfillment of the sanctuary, sacrifices, and priesthood established in the law of Moses.

The author refers to his work as a “word of exhortation” (13:22). Since the same Greek expression in Acts 13:15 refers to a synagogue speech, the term may identify this “epistle” as an expository sermon in written form. Hebrews is aptly described as a “word of exhortation,” for exhortation or encouragement is the heart of the book’s purpose. The author repeatedly calls his readers to an active and courageous response.

The exhortation to persevere in the pilgrimage of faith is grounded in the author’s proof that the Old Testament itself testified to the imperfection of the covenant at Sinai and its sacrificial system, thereby pointing ahead to a new High Priest—Jesus Christ. Jesus is better than the mediators, sanctuary, and sacrifices of the old order. He is worthy of “more glory” than Moses (3:3). The arguments from lesser to greater of 2:2, 3; 9:13, 14; 10:28, 29; and 12:25 (“if … much less”) underscore the greater grace and glory, and the greater accountability, which have now arrived in the new covenant mediated by Jesus. Unlike the earthly and external aspects of the Old Testament sanctuary, Jesus sanctifies us for the true worship of God, so that we draw near to heaven itself with clean consciences. He is the guarantee of this better covenant bond, for He links us inseparably with the God of grace.

Text: Hebrews 1:1-4

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 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. 3 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, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Main Idea: Because Jesus Christ is the final Word we as God’s people must recognize Him as both Eternal God and Perfect Man.

Background:

As was already mentioned, Hebrews was written to encourage Christian in a time of trial, particularly, Hebrew Christians. It’s author was not given though many think that Paul or Apollos could have written it because of the polished language used. It was written between 60-70 AD, just before the fall of Jerusalem by the Roman general Titus in 70 AD.

As we begin this morning our study of Hebrews, we begin with a prologue, much like we find in John’s Gospel, chapter 1:

John 1:1–3 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Like John, this prologue sets the context of the rest of Hebrews. Also note that chapters 1 and 2 begin the comparison of Christ the greater, with all others, the lesser, and in this case, Christ is seen as Superior to the Angels.

Note that in verses 1-3, we are given several contrasts:

Time of revelation: Long ago vs. these last days

Manner of revelation: many times…many ways vs. heir of all things…created the world…making purification for sins

Recipients of revelation: Our fathers vs. us

Instruments of revelation: prophets vs. his Son

I. God’s Original Word (1)

A. Time of Revelation

Long ago (palai - once upon a time) - in history past, in preparation for today

B. Manner of Revelation

many times (polymeros - adverb of manner, used 1x in NT) - in multiple or various allotments of some amount (quantifying manner)

many ways (polytropos - adverb of manner, used 1x in NT) - in diverse or various ways (qualifying manner)

Point here is that God spoke often and in such a way that his revelation was clear and understandable, leaving nothing to conjecture.

C. Recipients of Revelation

our fathers - to the Hebrews, this would be the patriarchs; those to whom God’s covenant was given

The purpose of speaking clearly to our fathers is that they would hear and obey

Deuteronomy 30:11–14 ESV

11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

D. Instruments of Revelation

prophets - those who were given special revelation by the Holy Spirit. This word is also a general term for prophet denoting anyone to whom the Spirit of prophesy was given.

2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV

20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

II. God’s Final Word (2-4)

but (conjunction of contrast)- although this word is a word of contrast, it is also a word of connection, as we note that the overall controller of both past and present history, is the eternal God (God - v 1, he - v 2) who lives in the eternal presence. This gives continuity to the past, present, and future histories.

His revelation is not broken; each subsequent revelation given by God builds on the previous one, providing one continuous story!

This word but, also points to a final revelation, as if all the others were leading up to this one!

A. Time of Revelation

in these last days - seems synonymous with Christ’s finished work on earth, and the subsequent coming of the Holy Spirit (2)

Acts 2:17 ESV

17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

B. Recipients of Revelation

us - all who are living from that time until this time (2)

C. Instrument of Revelation

by his Son - Jesus the Christ, the God-Man (2)

D. Manner of Revelation

1. Through his relation with the Father (2)

his Son - As we will see next week, Jesus is not just a Son but he is the Son of God, which is better understood by the word begotten in verse 5.

appointed heir of all things - though there is no time attached to such an appointment, none the less, the point is the Jesus as truly God’s Son, inherited all the Father owns as any true Son would.

Unlike us who are joint heirs with Jesus, meaning that our inheritance depends exclusively on Christ’s inheritance.

The comprehensiveness of this inheritance is seen in His work as God and Man mentioned next.

2. Through his display and description of deity (2-3)

The Display: though whom also he created the world - the Father, the first person of the trinity used his Son the second person of the trinity to do the creating of all things. This declares clearly that the Son was not apart of creation, for it is impossible for someone to create themselves.

The Description:

radiance of the glory of God -

radiance - sending forth rays of light as a source, not a reflection

glory - splendor or majesty

exact imprint of his nature -

the exact imprint (charakter) - The word translated as “exact representation” refers to minted coins that bear the image of a sovereign or president. It refers to a precise reproduction of the original. The Son, then, is completely the same in his being as the Father. Nevertheless, even though an imprint is the same as the stamp that makes the impression, both exist separately.

of his nature (hypostasis) - substance, essence, lit: “God Stuff”

upholds (phero - pres, act, part - sustain) the universe by the word of his power (only God has power in his word) - again shows that when Christ created, he did so in order to continue its operation to fulfill his eternal purpose.

This is not the first time Jesus was described like this:

Colossians 1:15–17 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

3. Through his redemptive humanity (3)

after making (aor, mid, part - “after having made”) purification for sin - this language to a Jew would have meant the work of the high priest in the temple offering a blood sacrifice for the sins of the one who brought the sacrifice. We shall see not only the High Priestly work of Jesus Christ, but that he himself was the sacrifice…and not just any sacrifice, but one never to be repeated…we see this by the phrase:

he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high - his work as high priest was complete and therefore sat down next to the father.

4. Through his superior name (4)

having become as much superior to angels - this we shall drill down in next weeks sermon in verses 5-14, but for now the author gives us a hint by the phase name he has inherited compared to the angels (supernatural beings created by God to serve him).

superior - having the upper hand

more excellent - unlike in nature; different then the others

name - the reputation and character of the person

Jesus - Yahweh is salvation

Christ - Messiah - anointed one

Having for a time voluntarily taken a position “lower then the angels” (2:7), have finished his work, he is again exalted on high, never again to be brought low.

Psalm 8:3–5 ESV

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

So What?

Who is Jesus?

The eternal God-Man

Why was it necessary for the Old Testament prophets to prophesy?

Because the prophesied about the coming of Christ

Why is Jesus the final revelation?

He is the final word, the final action, nothing else needs to be said of done with regard to God’s dealings with man!