by R. L. Morrison

"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 at 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 then they" (Hebrews 1:1-4).

Although the opening sentence of the Hebrew letter explains HOW God speaks to man today, it seems that many do not recognize what the passage teaches, or if so, choose to ignore it. It is not at all unusual to hear a TV evangelist affirm that his message was revealed directly from God. Another may say," The Holy Spirit has just spoken to me and laid this message on my heart." Others may express the same idea using different words. But, regardless of how the idea may be expressed, it is very apparent that what may be said is NOT in harmony with the writer of Hebrews and what he said in the opening sentence of that letter.

Then, there are others who make the claim that God has revealed additional information not found in the New Testament, by visions, in dreams, or in some other manner. Some religious organizations in existence today are the result of such claims. For example, Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, or the Latter-Day Saints claimed an angel directed him in the finding of the material (plates of gold), which led to the writing of the book of Mormon. On the basis of the book and others, Mormonism exists in the world today.

Ellen G. White, who is in reality the "mother" of Seventh-Day Adventism, was said by her husband to have had from one to two hundred "open visions" over a period of twenty three years. Later she claimed she had a vision in which she was taken into the Holy Place; then into the Holy of Holies of the heavenly sanctuary, where it was revealed to her that the Sabbath WAS NOT taken away. Both Smith and White claimed to have received information directly from heaven. But what each said they received contradicted what the other claimed to have received. The two religious groups, which are the result of what these two said they received, are as different as day and night. They have very little in common. Yet TRUTH does NOT contradict itself!

Charles T. Russell wrote a series of books that came to be called "Studies in the Scriptures." Mr. Russell claimed these "studies" were an absolute necessity to an understanding of the scriptures, that one could not "see" the divine plan without them. He claimed that one who studied them and came to the knowledge of the truth, would, by turning to the Bible alone, soon walk in darkness. Many more books were written, and in fact are yet being written, for his followers became what is known today as "Jehovah's Witnesses."

Christian Science, which has been described as neither Christian nor science (and rightly so), is the result of a book "Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures", written by Mary Baker Eddy. She claimed God was in reality the author and she was just the scribe. But this book differs from those written by Smith, White, and Russell. Yet each writer claims to have received his or her own message directly from God. Does God contradict himself? Who but an unbeliever would so affirm? Mrs. Eddy wrote and taught there is no such thing as death (compare this to Hebrews 9:27). But it is interesting to note that on December 3, 1910, Mrs. Eddy died! Yet the religious group which she founded still exists today.

There are many other churches today who teach the Old Testament prophecies regarding fleshly Israel are yet to be fulfilled. Some teach the prophecies concerning the work of Christ on earth are yet to be fulfilled. This means that these prophets of old have a message for man today, that is in directing men how to live and worship. One particular group, "The Philadelphia church of God", boldly declares: "One third of your Bible is prophecy, 90% of which is being fulfilled today." The same group quite frequently refers to the prophecies of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. They say, "We know that most prophecy is dual, with the main fulfillment being in the end time", which to them means now. It would be interesting to know HOW after more than 2000 years have passed away, one can determine this prophecy or that prophecy is being or about to be fulfilled. Of course, no information is given on this point. One is supposed to accept, simply because they say it. But compare this to the first sentence in the Hebrew letter.

Then, there are the "Premillennialists", and there are many of them, who reject the New Testament teaching concerning the kingdom. They say that when the Jews rejected the announcement of the soon to be revealed kingdom, Jesus returned to heaven and too his place at the right hand of God, not as a king, but expecting to made a king at some time in the future. They teach that when the Jews are ready to receive him, or in some miraculous way, they are converted to Christ, he will then become a king on earth and rule for 1000 literal years from the city of Jerusalem. There is much more to this doctrine, but this should be sufficient to show that those who believe it do not know what Hebrews 1:1-4, teaches or they choose to reject it.

Regarding the reign of Christ, the New Testament teaches that he ascended and was given the kingdom; that he now reigns with all power in heaven and on earth given to him. He so stated just before his ascension. It is found in Matthew 28:18. He will reign until time shall be declared to be no more. Hear Paul: "Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule and authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (1 Cor. 15:24-26). Everyone should know that he yet reigns, for all know that death has not been destroyed. People still die daily. But when death is destroyed, by the resurrection of all from the dead, there will be no more dying.

Jesus told Pontius Pilate that he was born to be a king. But he also told Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world. Pilate understood this, for "he knew that for envy the Jews sought Jesus' death." And he told the Jews, "I find no fault in him." The Old Testament prophets foretold his coming and his rule. See Daniel 2:44, Micah 4:1-2; 5:2, plus many others.

After the resurrection of Jesus and just before his ascension, Jesus said to those who became the apostles, "These are the words I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me" (Luke 24:44). Here Jesus told them plainly, and thereby tells all mankind today, that all things spoken concerning him before THAT time had been fulfilled. He included ALL of it, the law, the psalms, the prophets. This must indeed be a difficult passage for those who teach there are many prophecies concerning his life on earth yet to be fulfilled.

In Hebrews 1:1-4, God states that He speaks to man today through His Son. But how? This question is easily answered and just as easily understood. In the very beginning of his earthly ministry, Jesus selected twelve men as chosen disciples. See Matthew 10:1 and Mark 3:13-14. He taught them during his personal work on earth, things concerning the kingdom of God. In John, chapters 14-16, he gave them the last personal instruction they received. He promised to send the Comforter to them who would "teach them all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26). Again: "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning" (John 15:26-27). "And he said unto them, thus it is written and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye shall be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:46-49).

These men obeyed the words of the Lord, and upon Pentecost after his resurrection from the dead, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to reveal God's message of salvation to mankind. That which they revealed is God's last message to man, for it contains all men need to know or ever will know in this life about salvation and eternity. Hear Peter: "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus, our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:2-3). Here Peter says that ALL things that pertain to life and godliness have already been revealed to mankind. Nothing more will be given. Nothing more is needed. We have the will of God for men today, revealed by Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit and the apostles Jesus selected for that purpose. Paul affirms that the Holy Spirit even selected the words they were to use in revealing God's last message to mankind. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God, which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but that which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Cor. 2:12-13).

Perhaps we should now consider some of the things God said that are applicable to us. You know that what Jesus taught the apostles is the New Testament, and in it we find God's message to mankind today. This is NOT to say we "do not believe the Old Testament" or that Testament is of no value to us today. That first Testament was God speaking to people who lived in that time. But that Testament served its purpose; it was fulfilled and taken away. However, many object lessons are found there. We can also learn how God punished those who refused to obey, and we should know the same principals apply to us today!

Consider some things God said that we should hear and obey today. First, He said He so loved the world (people, for He made us in His image), that He sent Jesus Christ to become a sacrifice for our sins. Most everyone knows John 3:16. But notice it is "conditional", which simply means that to be made free from the guilt of sin (and all are guilty), there are some things we - every sinner - must do. We are fully aware that many religious people teach contrary to this. The "things" we must do are what God has commanded. They are not determined by men. God commands all men, everywhere, to believe. But believe what? What God has said! To obtain forgiveness, one MUST believe or have faith in Christ, as the Son of God and Savior of mankind. This is "the work of God" according to John 6:29. So faith itself is a work, something that each must do for himself. But faith alone will not save (James 2:24). The believer is commanded to repent. Repentance is a change of heart or mind that results in a changed manner of life. Jesus said: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). This is a command of God. It is necessary to salvation. But this is not all God has said regarding obtaining forgiveness. Hear Paul (Rom. 10:9): "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Baptism for the remission of sins also follows. One is baptized "into" Christ, into the church, which is his body.

These things God requires of every individual in these last days, in order to be saved eternally. These things were revealed by God.

Do not look for a "new" revelation today. Do not believe the person who says God just spoke to me and gave me this message; or God just laid this on my heart. Refuse to accept the words of those who claim to "speak by the spirit". They who so claim are deceivers. They are blind leaders. They will fall into the "ditch". Do not follow them lest ye fall into the ditch with them. Study the New Testament. Learn to divide it aright. It is not only God's last message to a world lost in sin, it is also God's power to save the sinner (Romans 1:16). Read it, believe it, obey it, trust it to lead you to God in eternity. There is no other way for YOU to escape eternal destruction.

Do YOU accept only God's revelation?