That's all it refers to.
Of course He is!
:-)
Much love!
"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son,"
Historical Context: The author of Hebrews contrasts the ways God communicated in the past—primarily through the prophets—with how He communicates in the present, through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Progressive Revelation: The phrase "in these last days" refers to the time of fulfillment and culmination of God's redemptive plan through Christ. This period is considered the "last days" in biblical theology, beginning with the incarnation of Jesus Christ and extending through His resurrection and ascension.
Supremacy of Christ: The statement emphasizes the unique and authoritative role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God to humanity.
Unlike the prophets who served as intermediaries, Jesus is portrayed as the direct and perfect expression of God's will and nature.
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1:1 "God, after He spoke" "God" is not first (fronted) in the Greek sentence; therefore, this text is not emphasizing the doctrine of revelation, but the manner of revelation in the past (aorist active participle).
"in the prophets" The Jews believed that prophets wrote Scripture. This is why Moses was considered a prophet (cf. Deut. 18:15) and why the Jews labeled the historical books of Joshua through Kings as the "former prophets." Therefore, this phrase does not refer to the OT prophets only, but to all the OT writers.
The phrase "in (en) the prophets" (v.1) is parallel to "in (en) His son" (v.2). There is an obvious contrast between the two means of revelation. One was a servant and one is a family member. The first was only partial but the second is full and complete (cf. Col. 1:15-17).
NASB"in many portions and in many ways"
NKJV"at various times and in different ways"
NRSV"in many and various ways"
TEV"many times and in many ways"
NJB"at many moments in the past and by many means"
The OT revelation was piece-meal in form and content. This phrase is placed first (fronted) in the Greek text of Heb. 1:1 to show the author's emphasis. Each OT writer had an important, but partial, message.
God revealed Himself:
1. to Moses in a burning bush
2. to the High Priest by the Urim and Thummim
3. to Elijah in a still, small voice
4. to Ezekiel in a vision
5. to Hosea through a bad marriage
6. to Jonah through a fish
1:2 "in these last days" This period of time goes by several names.
1. end of the days, Num. 24:14; Deut. 8:16; Dan. 2:28; 10:14
2. in the last days, Jer. 23:20; 30:24; 49:39; Ezek. 38:8,16; Hos. 3:5; Joel 2:28 (Acts 2:17); John 6:39,40,44,54; 11:24; 12:48; 2 Tim. 3:1; James 5:3
3. in the Last Time, 1 Pet. 1:5
4. at the end of the times, 1 Pet. 1:20
5. during the last of the days, 2 Pet. 3:3
6. the last hour, 1 John 2:18
At the end of the last days is the "day of the Lord" (i.e., "the consummation," Matt. 13:39,40; 24:3; 28:20; Heb. 9:26).
The Jews of the interbiblical period saw two ages: the current evil age of rebellion and sin (starting at Genesis 3) and the coming age of righteousness inaugurated by the coming of the Messiah in the power of the Spirit. The OT emphasizes the coming of the Messiah in judgment and power to establish the new age. However, it failed to see clearly the first coming of Jesus as (1) the "Suffering Servant" in Isaiah 53; (2) the humble One riding the colt of a donkey in Zech. 9:9; and (3) the pierced One of Zech. 12:10. From NT progressive revelation we know that God planned two comings of the Messiah. The period between the Incarnation (the first coming) and the second coming involves the overlapping of the two Jewish ages. This is designated in the NT by the phrase "last days." We have been in this period for over 2000 years.
Utley.
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