Good Evening Brothers and Sisters,
I many times like to read the Bible in the quiet of the evening. I enjoy reading from various translations, including the Amplified Bible. I also like to follow the references and comparisons to understand the portion of Scripture more fully.
This evening, I simply wanted to read a few Scriptures in Hebrews, and I'm glad that I did. The first three verses of Hebrews Chapter 1 are extremely powerful and packed with information for further Bible Study.
First, please see the same portion of Scripture from the KJV as a base for comparison:
Hebrews 1:1 KJV God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hebrews 1:2 KJV 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 1:3 KJV 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;
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Now, take a look at the Amplified. It's nice to have software that will allow you to do a side-by-side comparison of various translations, and the Freeware e-Sword Bible Study package does this and much more.
Hebrews 1:1 AMP IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets,
Hebrews 1:2 AMP [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].
Hebrews 1:3 AMP He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,
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Just the Scriptures by themselves speak volumes without reading a word of commentary. You should understand that Hebrews is a book of great contrasts and comparisons. Examples:
1 - GOD'S Grace verses the Law of Moses.
2 - JESUS CHRIST versus Levitical Priests and Old Testament Prophets.
3 - The New Covenant versus the Old Covenant.
If one puts Hebrews into historical perspective, the comparisons in Hebrews are some of the most powerful and beautiful in the entire Bible. The Jews were used to using the words of the Prophets as the ultimate TRUTH, but now they have the words of JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF. One doesn't have to look very hard at this small portion of Scripture to determine that JESUS CHRIST is and always has been VERY GOD.
Most of the Jews didn't believe in the Holy One who walked among them, even though HE gave them many signs and wonders to help their belief. HE was, in fact, their Promised MESSIAH and Anointed KING, but they rejected HIM.
The Book of Hebrews tells the people WHO was among them, what HE did, and why HE did it. I find it almost amazing that the Old Testament Scholars among the Jews didn't see the Bible Prophecy being fulfilled under their very noses. This is also a time when Jews are being persecuted, and everyone is persecuting the Christians - including the Jews. So, this was a time of fear and confusion. JESUS CHRIST is much more important than the fear and confusion, and this is one of the purposes for the book of Hebrews. In fact, JESUS CHRIST will always be much more important than fear and confusion.
Brothers and Sisters, I really don't want to give much commentary about this beautiful portion of Scripture. I've mentioned some surrounding issues, but I'd rather have these Scriptures speak to your heart just as they are. Read them again and see if you can recognize the great Power and Truth locked in a few words. Use your own Bible to do a little bit of study. Follow the cross references and comparisons and see the tremendous significance of this portion of Scripture. Enjoy!Love In Christ,
Tom
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable GIFT, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour Forever!