(Week #51) The Superiority of Christ’s Kingdom (Heb. 1:1-3) I. Jesus Gave a Completed Word (v.1-2a)
A. God revealed Himself in various means and modes through His people. (v.1)
a. Revelation Defined
1. Revelation comes from the Greek word apokalupsis, which means to unveil.
2. The process of God’s revelation to man includes: miracles, visions, dreams, theophanies, providential control of history, conscience, Jesus Christ, and Scripture.
b. General Revelation
1. Revelation that everyone can see and understand. (Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:18-32)
2. It demonstrates that God exists and that He is powerful.
3. It confirms man in his sinfulness, in that it proves that no one wants to know God.
c. Special Revelation
1. Revelation that is limited to and revealed through the Bible. These include:
2. Characteristics of Special Revelation:
B. God has given his fullest and final revelation by means of Jesus Christ. (v.2a)
II. Jesus Gave a Completed Work (v. 2b-3)
A. He is heir of all things (2b)
a. Jesus possess all things and all authority (Mt. 28:18; Jn. 3:35; Mt. 11:27)
B. He created all things (2c)
a. The physical world and events of all the Ages
C. He is the radiance of God’s glory (3a)
a. Brightness is inherent in Christ as the eternal Son. It is not a reflection of the Father’s radiance. (Col. 1:17; Jn. 17:5; Rev. 1:8)
D. He is the exact representation of His nature (3b)
a. Representation (charaktēr – a distinctive mark or impression)
b. The Son possess the exact or “sameness” of nature and character as the Father. (Jn. 14:8-9, 12:46; Col. 1:16)
E. He upholds all things (3c)
a. Jesus created, sustains, and directs all things by His power.
1. Note: His power is not what sustains it is His command. “He sustains the universe by the mighty power of His command.” (NLT)
F. He made purification of sins (3d)
a. Jesus’ redemptive work cleansed our sins. (Heb. 10:11-12)
1. It was exclusive- Jesus made the sacrifice paying for sin.
2. It was effective- Jesus’ sacrifice achieved the work of outward cleansing.
3. It was efficient- Nothing has to be added to the work of His sacrifice.
4. It was entire- It not only cleansed from without (ceremonial) but within (the heart).
- “In His work He deals not only with personal sins, but with cleansing all creation from sin itself. This is viewed as a once-for-all purification…a work He accomplished “by Himself.”
G. He sat down (3e)
a. At the right hand of Majesty on high (Heb. 8:1-2; Phil. 2:9-11)
III. Principles for the Christian
A. Jesus is the final Prophet. What God wants to say to man, He has said through His Son. Are you listening?
B. Jesus is the final Priest. Jesus’ sacrificial death ensured the forgiveness of all sins past, present, and future. It is only available to those that trust in Him for this for salvation. Do you presently trust in Him?
C. Jesus is the final King. Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, waiting to come back and establish His kingdom. Will you rule with Him as a committed follower?
Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Messianic Jewish Epistles: Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, Jude, 1st ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2005), 19.
Ibid., 20.
J. Dwight Pentecost and Ken Durham, Faith That Endures : A Practical Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, Rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2000), 48.
Ibid., 48.
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