It is interesting to note that the Hebrew writer begins his letter by declaring that Jesus is the last prophet (Hebrews 1:1-2). As the letter continues, Jesus is declared to be the last High Priest, serving in the last sanctuary, provider of the last covenant, and the final fulfillment of all typical sacrifice, and replacing all aspects of the tabernacle and temple with the final antitypes of Himself and His Kingdom.
Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Hebrews 5:9 ESV And being made perfect (τελειόω teleioo)…Dr. Thayer says of this word meaning, …add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full; to bring to the end (goal) proposed… in Hebrews 5:8 identifies one aspect that Jesus knew about but needed to endure to fully understand “…though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” He had endured being born of woman, growing as a child, developing into manhood; being without a home, the comforts of regular meals, and rest for the body. But he needed the suffering of death, a very violent death, to complete His “learning.”
Once, in answer to the Pharisees and Herod Antipas, Jesus said: … the third day I shall be perfected (I finish my course ESV)’ Luke 13:32. The third day was when He returned from the grave. On the cross He said, “It is finished” John 19:30. The need to be burdened with an earthly body coming to an end, “He gave up His spirit.” To complete His course here and the requirements for the salvation and justification of mankind, he rose up from the grave to die no more (Romans 4:25). See Paul’s description of these events in Acts 13:28-39.
The concept of Jesus being the last also carries the idea of completion; of Him being the ender, finisher, completer of a predetermined plan. In Hebrews 12:2 He is called both the starter and the completer of our faith. …Jesus, the author/captain and finisher (Τελειωτής perfecter), of our faith,
Vincent says that the word is teleioo which means “to carry through completely, to finish, to make perfect or complete.” “The faith referred to is not our Christian faith, but faith absolutely, as exhibited in the whole range of believers from Abel to Christ. Christ is the leader or captain of faith, in that he is the perfecter of faith. In himself he furnished the perfect development, the supreme example of faith, and in virtue of this he is the leader of the whole believing host in all time.” In His life of faithful obedience on earth, Jesus became the perfect or complete example of the life of faith. Thayer speaks of our Lord as “one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.” Wuest Word Studies, Publisher: Eerdmans Publishing Company by Kenneth Wuest
In Romans 1:17; referring to the gospel of Christ, Paul says, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “the just shall live by faith.” God delivered the gospel (good news of salvation) in little portions throughout time. But it was presented in its entirety, and finalized in the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Lord Jesus Christ. As the “last” prophet and law giver, His is the “last word” on all matters pertaining to life here, godliness, and life eternal.
Someday, often referred to as the last day or the end of time, Jesus will return. He will return not as a man but as the final judge of mankind. It will be His last contact with the physical creation. 2 Peter 3:9-12 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Revelation 22:12-13 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Therefore, let us press on toward the goal of eternal life, increasing in our faith, following the example He left for us, Philippians 3:12-14.
Are you ready to meet Him in the air, 1 Thessalonians 4:17?
