GOD'S FINAL WORD

GOD'S FINAL WORD
Heb 1:1-4
"…In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son…" (v.2)

OF THE MANY BOOKS WRITTEN BY the Christian apologist and philosopher Francis Schaeffer, one bears the intriguing title, "He is There and He is Not Silent". God exists. And He has spoken. These are the two great truths without which there can be no true knowledge of God.

"In the past God spoke… at many times and various ways…." (v.1). Through the prophets of old, God revealed glimpses of Himself, and man caught snatches of His glory. But when God became man and dwelt amongst man, that was His full and final revelation. In His Son Jesus, God gives His complete and final word.

Sometimes in a war, a cease-fire is declared and an ultimatum is given for the defeated troops to surrender. A deadline is set. Once the hour is past, the amnesty is over and no surrender will be entertained. When the ultimatum, the last word, is not heeded, only judgement remains.

That is why our age, the age after the coming of Jesus, is called "these last days" (v.2). Mankind has one last opportunity to respond to God's offer of peace in His Son. Jesus had accomplished everything necessary for the forgiveness of our sins. In a most graphic way, the author of Hebrews tells us of Jesus' completed task, "He sat down." (v.3).

What is our response then? "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" So God commanded the disciples at the mount of transfiguration (Mark 9.7). We need to listen to Jesus. His words are communicated through the inspired records of the Gospels, and through the teachings of the apostles. In fact, the whole of the New Testament represents God's final message to us.

We would do well to read His Word, listen to His voice, and heed what He says. We sometimes listen with bated breath to the speeches of politicians when we know that the policies they announce will radically affect our lives and businesses. How much should we pay attention to God's final word when eternity is at stake!

Am I listening to God's final word?