JESUS, THE BRIGHTNESS OF GOD'S GLORY

"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; 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; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:1-4)

Devotion 6 of 14

AND WHAT OF THE SON?

    Because this is intended to be an overview, we will only introduce these remarkable aspects of the Lord Jesus. Candidly, this is exceedingly difficult for me. I have confidence that you will pursue the implications of these things on your own, thereby deriving the meat of the text. When it comes to the consideration of the Lord Jesus Christ, we stand in the Holy of Holies. There is no more lofty consideration than this! We will find the Father has placed everything in the hands of the Son, then given Him to us as Head over all things! This is intended to build your confidence, and encourage you to run an effective race, fight a good fight, and finish the course that has been set before you by Omnipotence.

Appointed Heir of All Things

    "God . . . has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed HEIR OF ALL THINGS." Elsewhere it is written, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and FOR HIM" (Col 1:16).

      Jesus is the reason for the world, and for humanity. Things that can be seen, and things that cannot be seen were made FOR HIM. All forms of power are His; He is the reason for their existence, and they will all be publicly brought under Him. "The kingdoms of this world" themselves will yet "become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ" (Rev 11:15).

      Everything is going to be gathered into one in Christ! That is the Divine appointment. The history of the world is nothing less than the outworking of this eternal purpose. As it is written, "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him" (Eph 1:9-10). In the end, everything that is salvaged will find its apex in the Son. There will be perfect harmony and abundant productivity. It will all center in Him, and He will bring everything together in one common objective and design.

    Who is a more suitable Spokesman? He speaks with this appointment in mind. His words will prepare us to participate with Him in this glorious heirship. Remember, "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son" (Rev 21:7, NKJV). Such are "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17)--a staggering consideration!

      Jesus is speaking to bring men into the ultimate inheritance with Himself! His design is not simply to tell us what to do here, but to orient us to reign with Him there (2 Tim 2:12). He is the "Heir of all things," and those who find their rest in Him are "joint heirs" with Him.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Your Son I thank You for a Teacher that has a keen interest in preparing me for an eternal reign with Him.

-- Tomorrow: THROUGH WHOM GOD MADE THE WORLDS --