Faith without religion.
Divine Communication: From Prophets to Christ
In the opening verses of Hebrews, we are reminded of the profound ways God communicated with humanity throughout history. The scripture begins by acknowledging that God spoke to the ancestors of the Jewish people through the prophets in various ways and at different times. This method of communication was fragmentary and progressive, revealing God’s will piece by piece over centuries. Prophets like Moses, Job, and Elijah received divine messages through unique experiences such as burning bushes, dreams, and visions.
However, the writer of Hebrews emphasizes a significant shift in divine communication. In these last days, God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Unlike the partial revelations given to the prophets, Jesus embodies the complete and perfect revelation of God. He is described as the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, offering a full and tangible manifestation of the divine.
The New Testament further elaborates on this by presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. He is the Word made flesh, the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and the head of all principality and power. Through Jesus, believers receive a complete picture of God’s nature and His plan for salvation.
The discussion also touches on the role of prophecy today. While God can still communicate through dreams and visions, any new revelation must align with the foundational truths established by the prophets and apostles. The gift of prophecy continues to be relevant, serving to edify and unify the body of Christ, as long as it remains consistent with the teachings of Jesus and the early church.
In essence, the message of Hebrews invites us to look to Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God, encouraging believers to find assurance and guidance in His life and teachings.
