Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.
1. Long ago, at many times and in many ways/once and for all in these last days.
2. God spoke to the fathers/God has spoken to us.
3. By the prophets/by his Son.
With all of this diversity, we must remember the words of John Calvin from his commentary on Hebrews,
But in this diversity he still sets before us but one God, that one might think that the Law militates against the Gospel, or that the author of one is not the author of the other...This foundation being laid, the agreement between the Law and the Gospel is established; for God, who is ever like himself, and whose word is the same, and whose truth is unchangeable, has spoken as to both in common. But we most notice the difference between us and the fathers; for God formerly addressed them in a way different from that which he adopts towards us now. And first indeed as to them he employed the prophets, but he has appointed his Son to be an ambassador to us.
What is meant by "last days"? It means that now that Christ has come, there is no longer any reason for any of us to look for any new revelation from God. As elsewhere in Scripture, the "last days" refers to the time of God's final revelation that was fulfilled in Christ. What this means is that God has spoken once and for all in and through His Son. Again, as Calvin says in his commentary on Hebrews, "And when he speaks of the last times, he intimates that there is no longer any reason to expect any new revelation, or it was not a word in part that Christ brought, but the final conclusion. It is in this sense that the Apostles take the last times and the last days." God has finished speaking, and to search for His voice anywhere outside of Christ is futile and dangerous.
The phrase "has spoken" is in the aorist tense. It seems to function here has a summary action that has happened in the past. In other words, the totality of the Son's historical life, death, resurrection, and ascension was God speaking. John testifies of this same truth by referring to Jesus as the Word (John 1:1-3). Jesus is the final, full, and supreme Word of God. If we want to know and hear from God, we must run to the gospel. This revelation has been preserved for us in sacred Scripture. The New Testament is the inspired record and teaching on Christ and all that is entailed in the gospel. This means that if we look for God to speak about Christ outside His word, it is both futile and dangerous.
This means that through the birth of Jesus, God was speaking. He was speaking to His people that salvation had finally arrived and the fulfillment of all the Old Covenant promises laid there in a little ball of flesh, wrapped in cloth, laying in a manger. It means that every time Jesus spoke or taught, God was speaking. Any time He healed and cast out demons, God was speaking. He was speaking that His kingdom has come. Through Jesus temptation in the wilderness, God was speaking. Through His miracles, God was speaking. Through His betrayal and suffering, God was speaking. Furthermore, through His death and resurrection, God was screaming. Screaming of His love. Screaming of His justice. Screaming that the sins of His people have been forgiven. Screaming that hope is real and that victory is promised.
Do you want to hear from God? Look to Christ the Living Word as revealed in the Written Word. There is no need for anything else. Once we have gotten Christ, we need to go no further for a word from God, for God has given us the fullness of His Word. This is why we don't need to look for "words of God" from any teacher or preacher who claims special extra revelation. This is why you should be skeptical when someone says they have a "word from God" for you that God has spoken to them. But wait, doesn't God speak? Yes, through His Word; and that is the final authority. You do not need a word from a so called modern day "prophet" or "apostle." If you want a Word from God, open your Bible, pray, and read it. Do you want to hear God speak to you of His love? Look to Christ until your heart melts and overflows with praise, joy, love, and hope. Do you want God to speak to you of His holiness? Look to Christ until your eyes burn out, especially as He is revealed in Revelation. Look to Him until you are utterly appalled and convicted of your sin. Do you want God to speak to you of His forgiveness? Look to Christ until your soul soars in relief, free from guilt and condemnation. Do you want God to speak to you in your suffering? Run to the nail scared arms of Christ and stay there until you find His strength. Of sanctification? Of His thoughts toward you? Of hope? Of His salvation? Of the future? Look to Christ as revealed in the written Word. Study Him, meditate on Him. Drink deeply from Him and feed often. There is no need for us to starve spiritually or intellectually, when we have access to the fullness of God through Christ. It is our own fault for not going to the well enough, or eating from the tree of life regularly.
Through Christ, God speaks day and night, in unceasing manner. Christ is there, constantly radiating God's glory, and speaking the forth all that God is. He reveals God's thoughts, mysteries, and character. He has spoken, and He invites us to come daily and listen. He invites us to come and stand in His light, as truth upon truth is made plain to our darkened soul and mind. He speaks, and invites us to abide in Him, so that we may constantly be seeing, hearing, and knowing. When we abide in Christ, and His word abides in us, we are able to truly know what it means for God to speak. When we gaze upon the Son, and are immersed in who God is. By knowing Him through the Scriptures, we will not be deceived by an impostor. We will be able to discern truth from falsehood, and see through the facade of nominal Christianity.
Christian, the invitation still stands. Come to the Son, through the Word, and hear God speak.