One of the great truths given in the Bible is that the Holy God, Who created all things and knows all things, has spoken to humanity.
There are two ways in which God has spoken and revealed Himself to mankind. God spoke to mankind even though he rebelled and sinned against Him.
1.
He has spoken through men.
2.
He has spoken through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Mankind would be wise and well served if he would listen to what God has said and give heed to His message.
THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES Verses l, 2
What does the Bible say about the Word of God?
2 Tim. 3:16-17: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the
man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Acts 3:18-21: "But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of
all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled. Repent ye
therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus
Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive
until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of
all His holy prophets since the world began."
2 Peter 1:21: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy
men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
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HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
God spoke though men in time past to the fathers (Verse l). God spoke to men through Noah, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and the prophets. God has spoken to us through His Son (Verse 2). Jesus spoke to the people while He lived here upon the earth. He has spoken to us today through the writings of many of those who heard him speak.
THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF THE TWO REVELATIONS
In time past. THE OLD TESTAMENT. In these last days. THE NEW TESTAMENT. God has spoken in both. Verse 2.
THE OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERIZED
It was Ancient. "In time past unto our fathers." "Since the world began" (Acts 3:21). It has been four thousand years since God began to speak. It has been fifteen hundred years since the first part of the Old Testament has been written. It has been four hundred years since God had ceased speaking through men.
Acts 3:21: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all
things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the
world began.
It was given by or through the prophets (2 Peter 1:21; Acts 3:21). The primary meaning of prophet (Gr. prophetes) is "he who declares things before they come to pass. This foretelling or fore-announcing may be, and often is, of the office of the prophet, but is not the essence of that office."
(Wuest).
2 Peter 1:21: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy
men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Acts 3:21: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all
things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the
world began.
The prophet (Gr. prophetes) is "our speaker; he speaks out the counsel of God with clearness, energy, and authority which springs from the consciousness of speaking in God's name and having received a direct message from Him to deliver." (Wuest). Thus, the prophets were the mouth pieces of God and for God.
It was Fragmentary. "At sundry times or at various times." It was given little by little, part by part.
It was given first by oral communication and later by writing. It was given in connection with temporary dispensations—the Adamic, the Abrahamic, and the Mosaic dispensations.
It was in Multiform, “In Divers” or various manners. God spoke in: 1. Dreams: Jacob (Genesis 28:12-16); Joseph (Genesis 37:5-11); Pharaoh (Genesis 40-41); Nebuchadnezzar
(Daniel,
2
&
4);
and
Joseph
(Matthew
1:18-25).
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HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
2. Visions: Abraham (Genesis 15); Jacob (Genesis 46); Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37); Ananias (Acts 9:10-16); Cornelius (Acts 10:1-6); Peter (Acts 10:9-20; 11:4-11); and Paul (Acts 16:9-10).
3. Voices: Adam and Eve (Genesis 3); Samuel (1 Samuel 3); and at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-18).
4. Through Angels: Daniel (Daniel 9:20-27); Zacharias (Luke 1:10-20); Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25); Mary (Luke 1:26-36); and Philip (Acts 8:26).
THE NEW TESTAMENT CHARACTERIZED
It was recent and final. Verse 2, "In these last days has spoken to us." It was given in His Son.
Verse 2, "Hath....spoken unto us by His Son." God manifested in the flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). Jesus was declared to be the Son of God (Matthew 3:16-17; 17:1-5).
John 1:1-3, 14: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were
made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made….14And
the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory
as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Matthew 3:16-17: 16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out
of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of
God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from
heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 17:1-5: 1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his
brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was
transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was
white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias
talking with him. 4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for
us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and
one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud
overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
It was complete and perfect. Prophecy was fulfilled in the Son.
Acts 10:43: "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name
whosoever believeth in Him shall receive the remission of sins."
Luke 16:16: "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the
kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."
Luke 24:44: "And He said unto them, These are the words which 1 spoke unto
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HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written
in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me."
The New Testament (Covenant) is superior to and takes the place of the First Testament (Covenant).
THE PROPHETS AND THE SON CONTRASTED
The Son is superior to the prophets. The prophets were only inspired. The Son is the Divine Person, God manifested in the flesh, the second Person in the Godhead. The prophets were only servants.
This is God the Son. The prophets were only God's spokesmen. This is God Himself speaking.
The revelation which God gave in His Son, consisted not merely in what was said, as in the case of the prophets but also in what the Son was and not merely in what He (the Son) said. It was a revelation made by One, Who in all that He is, in all that He does, and in all that He says, reveals God the Father. He is the Logos, the total concept of Deity, Deity told out, the Word of God, not in the sense of a spoken or written word, but in the sense of a Person Who in Himself expresses at! that God the Father is. John 1:1-3, 14 (Quoted earlier).
The Son is superior to the prophets in that the latter were merely created beings used as instruments by God, whereas the Son is God the Son, thus very God of very God.
Not only is the Son superior in His being, but the mode of revealing God's Word to the human race was superior in His case. When the prophets spoke, it was merely as mouth pieces. When the Son spoke, it was God Himself Who spoke.
The Scriptures are very clear that God has spoken to us. God has spoken through men. God has spoken through His Son.
CONCLUSION
Have you heard the message from God? Has there been a time when you acknowledged that you were lost and needed a Saviour? God has provided that Saviour you need. Have you received that Saviour? If you were to die today, do you know for sure that you would live in Heaven? If not, why not?
God has revealed to us how to live after He has saved us from sin. Are you living for Him and serving Him through His Church? If not, why not?
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HEBREWS GOD’S PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY