God’s Last Word to Men -- By: S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.

Journal: Reformation and Revival
Volume: RAR 02:2 (Spring 1993)
Article: God’s Last Word to Men
Author: S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.


God’s Last Word to Men

S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He had inherited is superior to theirs (Heb. 1:1–4).

Some years ago E. F. Scott, the well-known New Testament commentator, wrote:

The Epistle to the Hebrews is in many respects the riddle of the New Testament. Among early Christian writings it stands solitary and mysterious “without father, without mother, and without genealogy,” like that of Melchizedek on whom its argument stands. 1

Yet, in spite of its anonymity it entered the portals of sacred Scripture and, since its acceptance, has always been accorded one of the most respected places in the structure.

We may grant that there are many unanswered questions about this grand Epistle, or discourse, but one thing is very clear. The Spirit and the author wish us to hear in it the voice of God. That note appears at the beginning of the letter in the words, “In the past God spoke,” and “in these last days He has spoken to us” (vv. 1–2). And then near the end of the letter the same note appears again in the admonition, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks” (12:25). That in an Epistle which is filled with citations from the Old Testament no human author is cited 2 is certainly striking, and the avoidance of the mention of human authors in his citations underlines his sense of Holy Scripture as coming from God Himself.

The author believed that his message of an eternal High Priest according to the order of Melchizidek (5:11–14; 9:12,

24; 10:19–24) was wonderfully relevant to believers living in Standstillsville, knowing little of the heavenly life He came to bring, smug and slumbering in the pleasures of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

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