Lesson for January 3, 2024
The Focal Point of God the Father’s Plan
Hebrews1:1-2
“God, after He spoke to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, Whom He appointed heir of all things, through Whom also He made the world.”
God chose to speak in many different ways in the Old Testament. He spoke directly to individuals such as Moses from a burning bush, to Balaam from the mouth of a donkey, to Jacob in a dream, to Daniel in a vision, to Lot through angels, but mostly God spoke through His prophets. Some Old Testament prophets had the office of a prophet, some had the gift of prophecy, but they all carried God’s message. So, in many ways and in many portions of the Old Testament, God spoke to His people. However, in the New Testament God spoke and continues to speak through His Son Jesus Christ. Remember that the Word of God is the mind of Christ.
God, after He spoke to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways. The Greek word for portions is “polumeros,” which means “in many parts.” It is actually a reference to the Old Testament. The entire first chapter of Hebrews is a very strong proof text of the importance of the Old Testament. The Old Testament revealed Jesus Christ in many ways, and it revealed many wonderful things about Him.
The principle of occupation with Christ existed just as much in the Old Testament as it does in the New Testament. They did not have the same doctrines that we have; the whole realm of the Church Age doctrine was unknown to them. However, they had enough doctrine, enough information so that the same principle under which we operate — occupation with Christ — was very much available to them. The Greek word for ways is “polutropes,” which means in different ways. Jesus Christ was revealed in many ways in the Old Testament — theophanies, anthropomorphisms, types, tabernacles, the offerings, and the holy days. In every part of the Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi, Jesus Christ was revealed in many parts of the Old Testament.
In these last days has spoken to us in His Son. The Greek word for last days is “palai,” which means at the end of these days and indicates we are talking about the close of Old Testament times. It means the testimony of the prophets under the Law of Moses closed with the appearing of Jesus Christ in human form on earth. God began to speak through His Son. While on earth in human form, Jesus Christ spoke volumes, all of which was not recorded in Scripture.
John said that if it were all recorded there are not enough books to contain it. (John 21:25) Much of this information was transferred to the pages of the Canon of Scriptures – the Bible. Once again, the Bible is the mind of Christ in written form. For the rest of human history God chose to reveal Himself through Christ. In the Old Testament, Jesus Christ was always revealed as God (Jehovah), and theophany means that He sometimes took the form of a man, the form of an angel, the form of a burning bush, the form of a cloud, or His Shekinah glory (as in the Holy of Holies), etc. The New Testament was all written after Christ was seated at the right hand of the Father and therefore Jesus Christ is revealed in a different way, in a different language. He is now the God-Man and this passage will emphasizes His humanity because through His humanity He won the strategic victory over Satan and the fallen angels.
The complete revelation of Jesus Christ continues right through the book of Revelation. In fact, the book of Revelation is the panoramic history of Christ from the Cross to the end of time. The Bible is the only source of revelation regarding God, and God the Son is the only revealed member of the Godhead. He is revealed in many different ways in the Old Testament, but he is revealed one way only in the New Testament (in the Person of Christ).
All revelation in the Word of God focuses on Jesus Christ. The Word of God is actually a progressive revelation of Jesus Christ. He is and always will be the focal point for believers who are living their spiritual lives. As the planner, God the Father appointed the Son to be heir of all things. There was a time in eternity past when God established the doctrine of divine decrees. (Psalms 2:7) The Father appointed Christ as the focal point of His divine plan. Remember, we are in the plan of God but the focal point, the important Person is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was there when the appointment was made; He was there when the decrees were decreed; and He is also the subject and the basis of those decrees.
Jesus Christ is not only the God of all eternity, along with the Father and the Spirit, but He is also the focal point of history. He is the object of everything that is important to us; He is first in our scale of values; but you can’t understand history apart from understanding Jesus Christ and His relationship to the Angelic Conflict.
Through Whom also He made the world. The Greek word for made is “poieo”and means to do or to make, to work, to design, or to arrange. Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe, but God the Father designed the various dispensations around Jesus Christ. In every age, Jesus Christ is the focal point of that age.
Jesus Christ is not only the Savior of mankind, but He is the solution to mankind’s problems, historically as well as spiritually. Apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ, life has only superficial meaning. Everyone is designed to have a relationship with God. Without a relationship with God there is a vacuum in the soul. Every dispensation is designed in its own unique way to give man freedom to believe in Jesus Christ, and to use that freedom to learn and apply Bible doctrine consistently. This is the only way to have true happiness!