From Hebrews: God's Speaking in Son
Orientation
Many approach Hebrews with fear, believing its warnings threaten their security, causing them to shy away from its rich revelation of Christ.
- The enemy distorts the book's warnings, filling them with terror and misunderstanding.
- Legalistic interpretations stigmatize Hebrews, making it seem unsafe for the believer.
- This fear deprives believers of a clear view of Christ's present heavenly ministry.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:1-2)
— Hebrews 1:1-2
Clarification
Hebrews does not undermine assurance but establishes it by revealing Christ's finished work and His exclusive role as God's final word.
- God's present speaking is exclusively 'in Son,' not in law, prophets, or shadows.
- Christ's enthronement after purging our sins declares redemption is complete and secure.
- The warnings are against abandoning this present, living voice of God in Christ for dead works.
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)
— Hebrews 1:3
Structure
Hebrews reveals the biblical logic of God's speaking: from fragments in the prophets to the full substance in His Son, who impresses God's image into believers.
- Christ is the 'express image' (charaktēr), the engraving tool of God's person.
- God's speaking in Son is a life-giving illumination that reveals Christ's person and work.
- This revelation transforms believers, impressing Christ's divine image into them through the Spirit.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)
— Matthew 17:5
Weight-Bearing Prose
God’s definitive, final speaking is now exclusively in His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the present, heavenly speaking that surpasses all previous revelation through prophets and law. Christ, as the enthroned God-man and High Priest after Melchizedek’s order, is both the subject and the instrument of this communication. His finished work—having purged our sins by Himself—is the completed ground of redemption. He is appointed heir of all things, restoring humanity’s dominion.
This speaking is not merely audible information. It is the life-giving revelation of Christ as the ‘express image’ (charaktēr) of God’s person. The Father, through the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, impresses this divine image into believers. This is the foundation of the church and of authentic faith; no one comes to the Son unless the Father draws him. The transformation of the believer into an epistle of Christ is the result of this divine engraving.
The legalistic misinterpretation of Hebrews, particularly its warning passages, seeks to drive believers back into old covenant shadows and self-effort. This is the retreat Hebrews contrasts with the ‘new and living way’ opened by Christ’s death and resurrection. The call is to bold access to God’s throne, based on Christ’s qualified priesthood and finished work, not to a fearful scrutiny of one’s own performance.
Integration
Your assurance rests on where God is speaking now: in His Son. Christ sat down. His work is complete. Your standing is secured in heaven by Him, not by your grip on doctrine or your performance. The same Father who drew you to believe the gospel is now speaking to reveal more of His Son to you. This is not a test to pass, but a Person to know. There is no pressure to advance, only an invitation to behold the One who is the radiance of God’s glory. Your transformation is His work, impressing His own image into you. You can lay down the fear of warnings and the burden of shadows. Christ is God’s last word. Hear Him, and in hearing, rest.