Hebrews 1:2

These last days. This is equivalent to the expression “in our time.” Bible writers sometimes speak of events associated with the first advent of Christ as occurring in the “last days” (see Acts 2:17; Heb. 9:26; 1 Peter 1:5).

By his Son. The word “his” is supplied. The RSV translates the phrase “by a Son.” This translation, though grammatically allowable, is misleading, for it could be taken as suggesting that God had more than one son. It is better to regard the absence of an article here as laying emphasis on the quality of the noun as in Dan. 7:13; Rev. 1:13 (see on comment there; cf. on John 1:1). The meaning of the phrase would then be “one who is a son.” The contrast is between revelation by a prophet and revelation by a “son.”

Hath appointed. It is difficult to assign this event to any precise moment in history inasmuch as the purposes of God are eternal. However, the appointment here referred to probably took effect at the time of the ascension, when Christ sat “down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (v. 3).

The first verse presents the Father, the second the Son. In presenting the Son, the author of Hebrews comes to the heart of his subject. If Christ is to supersede the Aaronic priesthood instituted by Moses, He must be shown to be superior to Moses, or He would not have the power to abrogate that which Moses had instituted. Therefore Christ is set forth as God (see on 1:3; cf. on John 1:1).

Heir of all things. When Jesus came to earth He laid “aside His royal robe and kingly crown” (9T 68). He “chose to give back the scepter into the Father’s hands, and to step down from the throne of the universe” (DA 22, 23). At His ascension He resumed the position that He had had with the Father prior to the incarnation (see AA 38, 39; cf. 8T 268, 269). It was important that the Hebrews understand the true position of the Son. Old Testament writers did not clearly distinguish between the persons in the Godhead. Israel had been taught, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deut. 6:4). It was necessary that they understand that the Messiah shared the throne of the universe with the Father. See Additional Note on John 1; cf. on 1 Cor. 15:24-27.

By whom also he made. The Son stands revealed as associated with the Father, the active agent in creation (see on John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17).

Worlds. Gr. aidnes (see on 13:39). The plural probably looks to the whole system of things brought into existence by Christ in time, the “all things” of Heb. 1:3, the things “visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers” (1:16, 17). Through Christ, God made the worlds. God used Him, not as a tool, but as a fellow worker. There is an indication here of division of activity in the Godhead. He who was to be man’s Redeemer was his Creator. And, indeed, because He is the Creator, He is able to create a man “a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17).

When we consider the magnitude of God’s creation, the unnumbered millions of worlds circling the throne of Deity, not only do we gain an enlarged concept of God; we are led to say with the psalmist, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Ps. 8:4). Wonderful in wisdom, knowledge, and power must our God be; and with this, wonderful must be the love of Him who created and upholds all things and invites man to become a partaker with Him in glory.