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… 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…
(Hebrew 1: 1 - 3)
A Christian friend once asked me, ‘How can we be sure that Jesus is the One? What if we went up there and realised that it’s another god, not the Christian one?’ This friend voiced out a candid concern that many may harbour but few may highlight.
Even if we were confident God really did reveal himself through Jesus Christ, how can we be sure that he won’t reveal himself by some other means in the future? How can we be sure that this is it? How do we know that God won’t speak to us in the future in a way that supersedes the incarnation?
Hebrews 1: 1 - 3 tells us how we can be sure.
The author of Hebrews tells us in v1 that before the incarnation, God has been active in communication. He has spoken in different situations (‘many times’), through different mediums (‘many ways’) and via different human agents (‘the prophets’). This sets the stage for v2: ‘in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son’.
In other words, Christ is God’s final revelation. When we watch Korean dramas, we never know what will happen until the last episode. Here, the phrase ‘in these last days’ tells us that God’s last episode has already started in the coming of Christ. There will be no future episode that renders this one obsolete!
Furthermore, Christ is God’s definitive revelation. ‘He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature’ (v3). Apart from the incarnation, there will not be a clearer or more climactic communication of who God is. The incarnation is God’s climactic disclosure!
Prayer
Father in heaven, we thank you that you are a God who reveals himself. We thank you that you have revealed yourself fully through your Son! Grant that we may pay close attention to him this advent!
Pr Charles Lee
True Way Presbyterian Church - English Congregation
Thank you, Pr Charles Lee. Your exposition is very clear to understand and uplifting in the assurance of God’s Word. Thank you for sharing your Christian friend’s question and addressing it in the devotional. Your exposition gives us the confidence/assurance to know our final place of rest/destiny. It helps us to fully appreciate the 1st coming of Christ and look forward with joy the 2nd coming of Christ. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV)
Thanks, Preacher Charles Lee. Very assuring and comforting indeed.