THE SEVEN GLORIES OF CHRIST
Nowhere in all of Scripture (except the book of John, chapter 1, and the book of Hebrews chapters 1-3) is the uniqueness of the Glory and Divinity of the person of Christ so compactly presented. Open your ‘Study’ Bible to the first chapter of Hebrews.
Notice the first word in Hebrews chapter one is “God.” The writer chose to start with God to establish authority as a beginning for the chapter. Two other writers of Scripture began their books with “God:” Moses, in Genesis 1:1; and John, in John 1:1. Moses and John were given the unique and special honor by God’s Grace to communicate two strategic beginnings that began not in time, but in eternity, before time — which only God could possibly know.
In Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God.” In John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word.”
In our context (Hebrews 1:1), “times past” refers to the time of the Old Testament. God spoke to the fathers (the Hebrew ancestors) by means of the prophets, through visions, dreams, direct communication, certain types of ceremonies, offerings of the Holy Days, the Tabernacle and the written scrolls.
All the writers of the Old testament Scriptures from Moses to Malachi, had either the office or gift of prophecy. However, since the completion of the canon of Scripture in approximately A.D. 96 with the death of the Apostle John, God has spoken to man in only one way — through His Son, Jesus Christ (see verse 2).
In the Old Testament, truth was given in part. They were never given the complete picture at any one time, and each new generation eventually had its own spokesman, as a leader or prophet.
Now, in the current Church Age (the dispensation of grace, which we are in right now), which began at Pentecost, all truth is set forth in Christ. The Old testament dealt in shadow form — shadow revelation, but with the First Advent (coming in the flesh) of Christ, the shadows became reality. With these things in mind let us begin our summary outline of:
The Seven Glories of Christ
1 ). CHRIST IS HEIR OF ALL THINGS – Hebrews 1:2.
Because of the believer’s relationship to God through Christ we share Christ’s:
- Heirship as Joint Heirs (Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7).
- Sonship as Sons and Children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14; Galatians 3:26; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Hebrews 2:10; 12:5; James 1:18; 1 John 3:1)
2). CHRIST IS THE BLUE-PRINTER OF THE AGES – Hebrews 1:2 c.
- Christ formed from nothing – the universe (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:10).
- Christ is the revelation of history; the interpretation of history; the fulfillment of the ages – past, present and future (Ephesians 2:7-10; 3:2-5; 3:8-11). Christ is the central figure in God’s Grace Plan Of History. Christ is the manifestation of God Himself, The God-man who redeemed mankind to Himself.
3). JESUS CHRIST IS THE ESSENCE OF GOD –
- In Hebrews 1:3a, “Glory” refers to Essence — “Brightness of His Glory” means Absolute Existence — a shining forth; a flashing forth — the source of the light of absolute brightness.
4). JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE WHO REVEALS GOD THE FATHER TO MANKIND
In Hebrews 1:3b, “Express Image of God” means “exact image.” Christ made God known to man, no man has seen the Father at any time (John 1:18; 6:46; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 John 4:12).
5). CHRIST SUSTAINS THE UNIVERSE — Hebrews 1:3c
6}. CHRIST IS THE REDEEMER OF MANKIND “He purged our sins” Hebrews 1:3d
7). CHRIST (in His Humanity) IS GLORIFIED IN HEAVEN — Hebrews 1:3e
Jesus Christ is the First man to enter the THRONE ROOM of Heaven. Christ is the unique person of the Universe. He is uniquely God and uniquely man in one person forever. In technical, theological terms this is called the “Hypostatic Union.”
Jesus Christ truly is the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) of Existence. Christ redeemed mankind, therefore Christ cannot ever receive enough glory for all that He has done for mankind. Praise God from whom all blessings flow because Jesus Christ said “Yes” to God’s Plan in Eternity Past. We recommend you read the Book of Hebrews and the Book of John several times every year.
This study originated from Bible Studies taught by RBT Bible Ministries. It is provided here on WOTM with permission
Happy Studying in Fields of Grace.