Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,… And who may be this Son, who in the last days it is declared hath brought us speech of God? Read the Scripture in immediate connection (Hebrews 1:1, 3). Possession — has He anything? Achievement — has He done anything? Character — is He anything? Position — is He where He can do anything? — these are the four great and universal tests of worth and power. To this Son, by whom, in these last days, God hath spoken to us, our Scripture applies these searching and settling tests of possession, achievement. I. Behold the glory of this Son in the light of His Possession. "Whom He hath appointed heir of all things." I spent a very interesting day in rambling through the vast naval station at Portsmouth, England. There were huge ironclads floating in the harbour, of enormous force of engines, and armament of thunderous guns; there were huge skeletons of iron ships upon the stocks in process of construction; there were almost miles of streets of anchors so strong and great it looked as though the nethermost rocks must give before their mighty flukes would break; there were circling piles of iron cables, every link of which seemed massive enough to hold against the stoutest storm; there were pyramids of balls and shells, and long, high armouries bursting with weapons; there were machine shops almost innumerable, and multitudinous piles of cordage, and immensities of things of every sort needed for a naval station of a world-including empire. And on every iron plank, and ball, and tool, and gate-post even, was stamped the broad arrow; and twisted into every bit of cordage there was the red line, marking and betokening the ownership of the sovereign. Everything was hers, and the sign of the sovereign's ownership was written upon everything. It may not be so plainly seen; it may look dimmed sometimes even to the clearest vision of our faith, but, more really, deeply, indestructibly there is stamped upon the " all things" which go to make up this universe the sign of their possession by the Son of God. God hath appointed Him heir of all things. 1. All the moneyed wealth of the world is the Son's. In a real way Jesus Christ is possessor of the money of the world. 2. Of the mighty enterprises of the world Jesus Christ is possessor. They are all seen to hold most real relation to the advance of His kingdom — the invention of printing. 3. To the great natural forces of the world, already discovered and to be discovered, Jesus Christ has title — e.g., railroads, telegraphs, swift communications between continents all these are being laid hold of for the widening of Christ's kingdom. 4. And on the thinking of the world the grasp of the Son's possession is also placed. After all, the thought which gets its inspiration from the Bible is the thought that leads. 5. Even upon the wickedness and infidelity of the world Jesus Christ has grasp. Somehow He will compel these to lend ministry to His purpose. 6. And of all the unknown forces in farthest suns, stars, planets, the Son is in possession. God hath appointed Him of all things the heir. II. Behold the glory of this Son in the light of His ACHIEVEMENT. Three things, the Scripture here declares, this Son, by whom in these lust days God hath spoken unto us, has achieved — 1. Creation. 2. Upholding. "And upholding all things by the word of His power." "In Him all things consist" — stand together. 3. Redemption. "When He had by Himself purged our sins." III. Behold the glory of this Son in the light of His CHARACTER. "Who, being the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person." IV. Behold the glory of this Son in the light of His POSITION. "Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High." In view of the glory of this Son, see — 1. The folly of expecting a farther revelation. He is the Father's utmost revelation. 2. The folly of the thought of any other way of salvation than this Son's way. 3. The wonder that Christians should not more appreciate the honour of confession and service of this Son. 4. The certainty of this Son's triumph. He who by faith and self-surrender allies himself with this Son is on the winning side of things. Parallel Verses KJV: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, |
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