

The Time of Correction

and the Promise of the Eternal Inheritance

A Study of the Book of Hebrews

Overview

In my study of Hebrews, I have meditated on two key words: covenant and testament. A covenant is an agreement or alliance. A testament is also an agreement or alliance, but one that is linked to an inheritance. A testament has to do with a will that goes into effect at the death of the testator.

We know that the Holy Scriptures of the Bible are divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Each of these is based on a covenant that God made with his people. However, in addition to these two great covenants there were others:

God made a covenant with Noah. He also made a covenant with Abram (even before God changed his name to Abraham) and then with his great-grandson Levi. David made a covenant with Jonathan and so on. This goes all the way back to Cain and Abel who each made an offering to God. Abel, who offered a lamb, was accepted, and Cain, who offered grain that he had labored to produce, was rejected.

After Adam and Eve sinned, they soon realized they were naked and attempted to cover themselves with fig leaves. God, however, covered their nakedness with coats of skins (Genesis 3:7, 21). In order to obtain the necessary animal skins, something had to die, and Scripture is clear that without the shedding of blood there is no remission (of sin). This is why God established the blood covenant.

In order for a covenant to be viable and valid, both parties must agree to the terms or conditions and abide by them.

Terah, the father of Abram, led the family as they traveled from Ur of the Chaldees toward the land of Canaan and arrived at Haran and dwelled there until he died (Genesis 11:31–32).

But the LORD had said unto Abram, Depart out of thy country and from thy nature and from thy father's house unto a land that I will show thee; and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless those that bless thee and curse those that curse thee, and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:1–3)

God is the one who proposed the agreement, or covenant, with Abram. God told Abram to do something and promised Abram that if he obeyed, a most wonderful blessing would follow, not only for Abram but ultimately for all the families of the earth. As Abram followed God, this covenant was ratified and confirmed several times, until eventually God changed Abram's name to Abraham.

Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23)

God led Abram to the promised land, and after a detour to Egypt due to a famine, his nephew Lot decided to live in the fertile plain near the wicked city of Sodom (Genesis 13:1–13).

And the LORD said unto Abram, after Lot separated himself from him, Lift up now thine eyes and look from the place where thou art towards the Aquilon and to the Negev and to the east and to the west; for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, so that if someone could number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it, for I must give it unto thee. Then Abram removed his tent and came and dwelt among the terebinth [or mighty] trees of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. (Genesis 13:14–18)

When God began to ratify his promises to Abram (after Abram had followed him to the promised land), the response from Abram was to dwell in the mountains at Hebron and build an altar unto the Lord. This altar was to offer blood sacrifices (Abram's way of responding to God).

Then something terrible happened to Lot. Four powerful kings came with their armies and fought and overcame the five kings that were over Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities.

And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their provisions and went away. And they also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods and departed. (Genesis 14:11–12)

Abram must have been absolutely sure that what God was telling him was true because when he heard the news, he took 318 of his tried and true servants that he had raised in his house and went out and slaughtered all four of the enemy kings, rescued Lot and the people of Sodom, and recovered all the goods.

Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine, for he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of the heavens and of the earth; and blessed be the most high God, who has delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And Abram gave him tithes of all. (Genesis 14:18–20)

And so it is that from that time, four thousand years ago, until today, bread and wine continue to be symbols of covenant and of communion with God (symbols that are fulfilled in the blood and body of Jesus Christ). Melchizedek means "king of righteousness," and king of Salem means "king of peace." These are titles that apply to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the king of righteousness and king of peace.

King David prophesied regarding the promised Messiah:

The LORD has sworn and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall smite the kings in the day of his wrath. (Psalm 110:4–5)

Unfortunately, even after such spectacular salvation, Lot did not learn his lesson (he went back to his house in Sodom), and the people of Sodom that Abraham and his servants had saved returned to their wickedness and went from bad to worse (Genesis 18:20–21), even though Abram gave Melchizedek tithes of all their goods.

On the other hand, God took this occasion to formalize his covenant with Abram (Genesis 15). God promised childless Abram that not only would he be blessed but also he would have an heir (born out of his own bowels), and as a father of faith, God compared Abram's seed to the stars of the heavens. The real seed (singular) of Abraham is Jesus Christ and all those who make up the many members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).

The book of Hebrews was written at a time in which the nation of Israel had rejected, condemned, and crucified their Messiah, Jesus Christ. Extreme judgment loomed on the horizon (as was the case when Abram and his men saved the people of Sodom) and it would not be long before Roman legions destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Jesus's prophecy that not one stone would be left upon another was fulfilled close to the year AD 70 (Matthew 24:2). God used the writer(s) of the book of Hebrews to send a final warning to the disobedient Jewish nation as the age of law was ending, which also applies to disobedient denominations as the age of grace is ending. This warning has also applied to individual Jews or Christians ever since it was written almost two thousand years ago.

Some think that Sodom was destroyed because the men of Sodom attempted to rape the angels that God sent to inspect the city (Genesis 19:4–11). This brazen outrage undoubtedly was a final nail in their coffin, but look at what God had the prophet Ezekiel say when he told him to notify Jerusalem of her abominations:

As I live, said the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister has never done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters. Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the afflicted and needy. And they filled themselves with arrogance and committed abomination before me, and when I saw it, I took them away. (Ezekiel 16:48–50)

In prophetic Scripture daughters can refer to entire congregations. In God's eyes, as evidenced throughout Scripture, people and even groups of people can either be clean or unclean. The bride of Christ is clean (without spot or wrinkle or any such thing). However, as we look around us today, how many seemingly Christian individuals, congregations, or even denominations have the iniquity (or hidden sin) of Sodom? Western Christianity in general seems to have many individuals and groups seriously infected with pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness (with the "unfortunate" exception of a few places, such as Cuba and Venezuela, where in the midst of great physical need, most Christians are humble and seem to be spiritually flourishing).

Whenever there has been great apostasy, God has always had a faithful remnant. The book of Hebrews encouraged the faithful remnant among the apostate nation of Israel so that they abandoned Jerusalem and Judea before the ax fell, and they scattered all over the known world preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, God's faithful remnant is much, much larger. It would be a terrible tragedy if the age of grace were to end like the age of the law. It is true that a great falling away is prophesied prior to the second coming, and even though this is happening, I believe there can simultaneously be a great end-time harvest of souls (of those producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit) and that this is also prophesied.

As the true people of God, we desperately need to believe God (like Abram did) and do what he says without fear of our enemies. God saw Abram's heart, and even though Abram made a few mistakes along the way, God saw that they were honest mistakes and covered them until he even began to share his most intimate plans with his friend. As this intimate relationship progressed, God changed the very nature of Abram. In fact, from the beginning of their relationship, God told him he would have to leave his own nature behind and travel to the place God would show him. Their relationship developed until God changed Abram's name (and name has to do with nature) to Abraham (Genesis 17).

The fact that God covers honest mistakes should encourage all of us.

Chapter 1

Today If Ye Will Hear His Voice

Hebrews 1

1 God, having spoken many times and in many ways in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 has in these last times spoken unto us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the ages;

Who are the fathers? Those who first believed God were men like Enoch and Noah and Abraham and so on.

What are these last times? Times have to do with days and years. One day before the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years are as one day (Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8). If God's prophetic plan is to bring forth a new creation in seven prophetic one-thousand-year days, then these last times are the last three days of the week.

What does it mean to be appointed heir of all things? This means that eventually everything that exists will belong to the Son and be under his power and dominion.

What are the ages that God made through his Son? Three ages that stand out in Scripture are the age of law (from the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ – approximately fifteen hundred years) and the age of grace (from the establishment of the church until the second coming – approximately two thousand years). There is also a future age of the kingdom (from the second coming until the new heavens and the new earth – approximately one thousand years – or one prophetic day).

Therefore, everything centers on the Son of God, who God has appointed heir of all things and by whom God made the ages.

3 who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his substance and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

4 being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Son is the brightness of the glory of the Father and the express image of his substance (John 1:18). He continually upholds all things by the word of his power. The Son by himself purged our sins and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. He continues to reign at the right hand of the Father.

The main reason that the Son is so much better than the angels has to do with the inheritance that he has obtained. (Remember that he has been appointed heir to all things.)

5 For unto which of the angels did he say at any time, Thou art my Son, this day I have begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

6 And again, when he brought in the firstbegotten into the world, he said, And let all the angels of God worship him.

A very strong and careful case is being made for the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ from Old Testament Scripture.

7 And of the angels he said, Who makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire.

8 But unto the Son he said, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a rod of equity is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

9 Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore, God, even thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Here it is clear that the Scripture directly addresses the Messiah (meaning the Anointed One) as God in verse 8.

10 And Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

11 they shall perish; but thou dost remain; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

12 and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall never fail.

The Lord (the Son of God who is the Anointed One, or Messiah) is the creator of the heavens and the earth (which in their present state are not eternal and will pass away). Jesus said, The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). In our present state we will also pass away. The heavens and the earth will be changed into new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13) and we also have the possibility of being changed and resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:51–53).

13 But to which of the angels did he say at any time, Sit on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth in service for the love of those who are the heirs of saving health?

The temple was referred to as God's footstool (1 Chronicles 28:2) and now, as the people of God, we are the temple (2 Corinthians 6:16). Jesus will reign at the right hand of the Father until all his enemies are under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:25). The fact that God promises to make thine enemies thy footstool not only means that all enemies will be brought into subjection to the reign and rule of Jesus Christ, but it also holds open a promise that some of the enemies will actually become part of God's people. In fact, all of us (in our past) have been at enmity with God as we walked in the flesh instead of in the Spirit (Romans 8:7).

Jesus obtained a more excellent name than any of the angels due to the inheritance that he obtained (Hebrews 1:4). As born-again members of the body of Christ, we become sons of God by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and if sons, also heirs certainly of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together with him (Romans 8:17).

God loves the heirs of saving health (those who will inherit salvation) so much that in addition to sending his only begotten Son to die for us, he also sends angels who are ministering spirits who serve God by watching over us (Psalm 91:11).

Hebrews 2

1 Therefore, it is necessary that we with more diligence keep the things which we have heard, so that we do not fall.

The first man (Adam) fell, and here we are warned to take more diligence to keep the things which we have heard, so that we do not fall. God is able to keep us from falling (Psalm 56:13; 116:8; Jude 24), and it is very important for us to remain in communion with him so that we continually hear his voice.

2 For if the word spoken by the ministry of angels was steadfast and every rebellion and disobedience received a just recompense of reward,

3 how shall we escape, if we belittle such great saving health? Which, having begun to be published by the Lord, has been confirmed unto us by those that heard him,

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders and with diverse miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributing them according to his own will?

This warning is clearly for those who might reject the new covenant. This is the covenant, which, having begun to be published by the Lord [Jesus], has been confirmed unto us by those that heard him. In the book of Acts, the events are recorded of God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders and with diverse miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributing them according to his own will.

5 For unto the angels he has not subjected the world to come, of which we speak.

The world to come has to do with the new heavens and the new earth.

6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou dost visit him?

7 Thou didst make him a little lower than the angels; thou didst crown him with glory and honour and didst set him over the works of thy hands.

8a Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.

Adam was given dominion and lost it. Jesus Christ, also known as the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45) is the firstborn of many brethren that will be conformed to his image (Romans 8:29). God has placed all things in subjection under his feet.

In this passage there is a very clear and marked differentiation between the angels of the heavenly hosts and man.

8b For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not see yet that all things are put under him.

9 But we see this same Jesus, crowned with glory and honour, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Jesus was made a little lower than the angels when he became a man. The purpose of the incarnation was: for the suffering of death, that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man (every human).

10 For it was expedient that he, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, preparing to bring forth many sons in his glory, should perfect the author of their saving health through sufferings.

11 For both he that sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

To sanctify is to set apart exclusively for God, and those who are sanctified must be clean. Jesus is able cleanse and sanctify his brethren by the Holy Spirit, and this requires our cooperation (Romans 8:13).

12 saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee.

13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God has given me.

Jesus said: No one can come to me unless the Father who has sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard from the Father and has learned comes unto me (John 6:44–45, emphasis added).

The only way for fallen humanity to return to God the Father is through Jesus Christ.

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the empire of death, that is, the devil,

15 and deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to slavery.

16 For verily he did not take the angels, but he took the seed of Abraham.

The problem of sin (with disobeying God) is that it leads to death (Romans 6:23; James 1:15). After enticing Adam and Eve to sin, the devil was able to set up an empire of death. Jesus came and partook of flesh and blood (took on a human body) as a man like us so that through death he could destroy him that had the empire of death. When Jesus died, he broke the power of death and came forth in glorious resurrection and delivered us from slavery to sin and defeated the devil and death in the process. In fact, the last enemy that will be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelation 20:14) and Jesus has the keys (Revelation 1:18).

God's plan of redemption for mankind through death and resurrection was accomplished by taking the seed of Abraham (referring to the incarnation of Jesus Christ) and not by taking the angels. In fact, the Scripture clearly states that the angels that fell have not been granted forgiveness (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6).

17 Therefore in all things he should be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself has suffered and was tempted, he is also powerful to help those that are tempted.

Jesus is not only King of Kings and Lord of Lords, he is also a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. This required him to become fully human. The fact that he himself has suffered and was tempted is of great benefit to him in his ministry as a merciful and faithful high priest who is also powerful to help those that are tempted.

Hebrews 3

1 Therefore, brethren, saints, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus,

2 who was faithful to him that appointed him over all his house, as also Moses was faithful.

If Jesus Christ, the firstbegotten Son, was faithful to God the Father who appointed him over all his house as also Moses was faithful, then it follows that it is possible for those of us who are addressed here as brethren, saints, and partakers of the heavenly calling to be found faithful.

3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who has built the house has more honour than the house.

4 For every house is built by someone, but he that created all things is God.

Scripture is very clear that Jesus Christ participated in the entire creation with God the Father (John 1:1–4). If he that created all things is God, then Jesus Christ is God.

5 And Moses verily was faithful over all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after,

6 but Christ as a son over his own house, which house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the glorious hope firmly until the end.

The house that God the Father appointed Jesus Christ to be over includes us (the people of God) if we hold fast the confidence and the glorious hope firmly until the end.

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit saith, Today if ye will hear his voice,

8 harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

9 Where your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

10 Therefore, I was indignant with that generation and said, They do always err from their heart, and they have not known my ways.

11 So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.

God told the unbelieving generation that their carcasses would fall in the wilderness and that God would raise up their children and bring them in to the promised land that their fathers despised (Numbers 14:26–35).

You remember the story: God parted the Red Sea and led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He fed them manna, gave them water from the rock, and their clothes and their shoes did not wear out. Yet when they got to the border of the promised land, they believed the evil report of ten of the twelve men that Moses sent to spy out the land, and they refused to follow the Lord into his rest.

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unfaithfulness, to depart from the living God.

It continues to be possible for those with an evil heart of unfaithfulness to be in the midst of a congregation of the people of God today. If so, this can have a disastrous effect on the entire group, like when the children of Israel had to wander in the wilderness for forty years while the disobedient, unbelieving generation died off. The stakes are much higher now because it is the fullness of our inheritance in Christ that is being offered us.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

The call of God and the opportunity to hear his voice is available while it is still today. When this happened to the disobedient children of Israel, the opportunity came and went. The spies that gave the evil report died of a plague; the people of Israel that attempted to enter the land on their own were defeated, and everyone (even the two faithful spies that gave a good report) had to wander around and around the same mountain in the wilderness until the entire unbelieving generation died off. This is carefully and meticulously recorded in Scripture for our benefit.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

15 while it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Note that there are some major conditions if we are to receive the fullness of the promises of the new covenant. If we desire to be made partakers of Christ, then we need to hold the beginning of our confidence (or faith) steadfast unto the end. The offer that God is making us is time limited for today, if ye will hear his voice. At some future moment – possibly very soon – God's clock will move into the next prophetic day, and the option we have to hear his voice today will close. Remember that faith comes by hearing, and the ear to hear by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Those who refuse to hear the voice of God for themselves will be deficient in faith and, therefore, prone to enter into unbelief.

16 For some of those that came out of Egypt with Moses, when they had heard, did provoke; howbeit not all.

17 But with whom was he indignant forty years? Was it not with those that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?

God got very upset with those who refused to hear his voice; he became so indignant that he refused to allow them to enter into his rest. Now we know that his rest includes our inheritance in Jesus Christ.

18 And to whom he swore that they should not enter into his rest, but to those that disobeyed?

19 So we see that they could not enter in because of their unbelief.

Unbelief is the opposite of faith.

Hebrews 4

1 Let us, therefore, fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them, but it did not profit those that heard the word without mixing it with faith.

There is a certain similarity between the unbelieving generation that died off in the wilderness and the entire Jewish nation (with the exception of a small remnant) that later refused to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, the age of the law (which lasted about fifteen hundred years) ended in great tragedy when Jerusalem and the temple (and all the people holed up inside) were completely destroyed by the siege of the Roman armies about AD 70 (about 40 years after Jesus began his ministry and they so completely refused to hear his voice).

Just as Joshua and Caleb were faithful to God in the midst of an unbelieving generation, there was also a faithful remnant at the time of Jesus's ministry. There are close parallels now as we enter the seventh prophetic day or end time (the seventh millennium of human history) as the new covenant of grace during the church age has held out the opportunity to enter into the fullness of God's rest.

3 (For we who have believed do enter into the rest) as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

We know that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). We also know that Satan is called the prince of this world and that all the kingdoms of this world are in his hand (Matthew 4:8–10). The earth belongs to the Lord (Exodus 19:5; 1 Corinthians 10:28), but the present world system run by Satan is a way of doing things based on deception and lies that brought forth an empire of death (Daniel 8:23; Hebrews 2:14).

Jesus is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). In other words, once Satan had recruited Adam into his rebellion and usurped his authority to begin the world system (the foundation of the world), God had already decided to give his only begotten Son, and the Son has always been in accord with his Father. Therefore, the prophecy in Genesis 3:15 of the seed of the woman that would bruise (or crush) the head of the serpent refers to the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ so that through death he might destroy him that had the empire of death, that is, the devil.

4 For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day like this, And God rested the seventh day from all his works.

The first creation that was frustrated through Adam's sin and disobedience was created in seven days. Since then, God has been working on bringing forth a new creation centering on the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are now entering into the seventh millennium, in which God will finish this work and rest. Remember that for the Lord a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are as a day (2 Peter 3:8). This is linked to events surrounding the second coming when some will be welcomed in and others will be cut off.

5 And in this place again, They shall not enter into my rest.

6 Seeing, therefore, it remains that some must enter therein, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter in because of disobedience;

Remember that disobedience is indelibly linked to unbelief, and unbelief is the opposite of faith. Also continue to bear in mind that faith comes by hearing from God.

7 Again, he determines a certain day, saying, Today, by David so long a time afterward; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Over five hundred years after a generation of the children of Israel (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb) failed to enter into God's rest and their carcasses fell in the wilderness over a forty-year period, David brought up the subject in an inspired Psalm.

8 For if Jesus [Joshua in Hebrew] had given them rest, then he would not afterward have spoken of another day.

9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Over the past two millennia, many individuals have found rest. The only work that will bear eternal reward is the work that God accomplishes, and he desires to work in and through people like us. David understood this.

11 Let us therefore make haste to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.

Adam and Eve failed to trust the word of the Lord and listened to a lie from the devil instead. Noah, whose name means "rest," did not join in with the perverse generation of the world of his time, but instead he found grace, listened to God, and did all that God commanded him (Genesis 6:8–22). Therefore, God kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven other persons, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly (2 Peter 2:5).

12 For the word of God is alive and efficient and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Jesus is the living Word of God. The realm of the soul is distinct from the realm of the spirit, and only Jesus (by the Holy Spirit) can show us the difference. Otherwise we will continue to be deceived by our own hearts until we are snared by the devil. Only Jesus can circumcise our hearts of all that is unclean. It is only as we continue in fellowship (communion) with him that our hearts will remain pure and undefiled so that we may also know the Father.

13 Neither is there any created thing that is not manifested in his presence, but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him of whom we speak.

Jesus commanded us not to judge (or to condemn) others (Matthew 7:1–2). We must receive our discernment regarding the knowledge of good and of evil from God; otherwise we will most certainly be deceived.

14 Having, therefore, a great high priest who penetrated the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast this profession of our hope.

What is this profession of our hope to which we are to hold fast? It is the hope that Jesus will apply the sharp two-edged sword of his Word to the very depths of our structure and being (even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow) as he discerns the thoughts and intents of our hearts until we are brought forth pure and clean. Jesus said, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).

15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of his grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus is the only one who has ever been able to overcome every type of temptation. He is victorious over sin, the world, the devil, and even over death. We are now encouraged to come boldly unto the throne of his grace. Grace is much more than unmerited favor. It is also the power of God to change and transform us into the image of Jesus Christ. Instead of seeking the fleeting pleasures and wealth of this present fallen world, if we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, God will supply all of our need (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19).

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we ask that we may understand your Word as you apply truth to our inner being by the Holy Spirit. May we fully comprehend that sanctification is born of your will and of your desire to cleanse us from the inside out. May we rest from our own labors and cooperate so that you may work unhindered in and through us. May we thoroughly understand the covenant that you desire to implement with us so that we will be docile in your hands to receive instruction and correction as your sons and daughters, and so that we might not miss out on the promised inheritance that is about to be revealed in fullness. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Chapter 2

Who is Melchisedec?

Hebrews 5

1 For every high priest is taken from among men, constituted on behalf of men in things relating to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins,

2 who can have compassion on the ignorant and on those that are in error; for he himself is also compassed with weakness.

3 And by reason of this he ought, as for the people so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4 And no one takes this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

The Levitical priesthood was set up and ordained by God (who chose Aaron, the brother of Moses) as the first of a line of mortal high priests to minister the old covenant (or old testament). This had some limitations, beginning with the fact that even the Levitical high priest was compassed with weakness due to his own frail humanity.

5 So also the Christ did not glorify himself to make himself high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son; today have I begotten thee.

6 As he said also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, was heard because of his reverent fear;

8 although he was the Son of God, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal saving health unto all those that hearken unto him,

10 named by God high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

To hearken is to hear and obey. In order to fully and consistently hear and obey Jesus, we must have the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus the Messiah (the Anointed One) is able to baptize us into the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).

11 Of whom we have many things to say and difficult to declare, seeing ye are hard of hearing.

12 For you should now be teaching others, if we look at the time, yet you need to be taught again which are the first elements of the oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong food.

13 For any one that uses milk is not qualified in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

14 But strong food belongs to those that are perfect, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The only way to become perfect (or mature) in Christ (so that we may be nourished on strong food) is to enter into God's rest and desist from our own labors (from attempting to produce good works on our own). It is only as he operates in and through us – with our full cooperation – that we will have our (spiritual) senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Those who are spiritually immature have need of milk and any one that uses milk is not qualified in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

Hebrews 6

1 Therefore, leaving now the word of the beginning of the establishment of the Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from works of death, and of faith in God,

2 of the doctrine of the baptisms, and of the laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3 And this we will indeed do, if God permits.

The writer(s) of the book of Hebrews has thoroughly gone over the word of the beginning of the establishment of the Christ. There are six foundational items:

1) Repentance from works of death: What we do on our own apart from God leads to death;

2) Faith in God: This is total dependence on God instead of on anything or anyone else;

3) The doctrine of baptisms: Water baptism, such as conducted by John the Baptist, is an indication of repentance and a beautiful symbol, but only Jesus can baptize us into the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11);

4) The laying on of hands: This is a means by which the Holy Spirit may be imparted along with spiritual gifts;

5) The resurrection of the dead: This has to do with our hope and with the fullness of our inheritance in Christ;

6) Eternal judgment: Everyone will eventually stand before God and give account of their words and deeds (Matthew 12:36–37; Revelation 11:18, 20:12).

4 For it is impossible that those who once received the light and tasted of that heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit

5 and likewise have tasted the good word of God and the virtue of the age to come,

6 and have backslidden, be renewed again by repentance, crucifying again for themselves the Son of God and putting him to an open shame.

This is obviously referring to the case of seemingly genuine Christians who have backslidden. It is impossible for them to be renewed again by simple repentance. There will be some serious consequences for what they have done. David realized this when he sinned with Bathsheba. David repented and God restored him, but David went through the fire of the chastisement of God, and it was not at all pleasant. On the other hand, unrepentant King Saul was completely devastated and died on his own sword.

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes often upon it and brings forth herbs in season for those by whom it is dressed receives blessing from God;

8 but that which bears thorns and briers is rejected and is near unto cursing, whose end shall be by fire.

In the end, it is the fruit that will determine the outcome. Those who come to maturity (or perfection) in Christ will bear the wholesome fruit of the Holy Spirit. Those who come to maturity in the fallen life of Adam may bear "perfect" thorns and briers. Those who go this route will definitely not receive the inheritance or reign and rule with Christ. Those who bear the equivalent of thorns and briers will be rejected and will be near unto cursing and their end shall be by fire. And yes, I know that it is possible for a person to build upon the right foundation with wood, hay, and stubble that will all amount to nothing in the end, even though the person may be saved, yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:15). But what about those who are on the wrong foundation?

9 But, beloved, we expect better things than these of you, things near unto saving health, though we thus speak.

10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of charity which ye have showed in his name, having helped the saints and helping them.

Note that they have a track record of flowing in charity (the love of God) that is ongoing, and charity shall cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), yet even so they have just been given a very serious warning that applies to everyone.

11 But we desire that each one of you show the same diligence until the end for the fulfillment of your hope,

The fulfillment of our hope is not to have everything we think we have done for God burned up like wood, hay, and stubble and for us to be saved as if barely escaping through fire. Someone who is aiming for what they consider to be the bare minimum that God requires could, unfortunately, find out that they were mistaken, and after it is too late, they could discover that they did not even make it through the threshold (Matthew 7:21–23).

The fulfillment of our hope is to be joint heirs with Jesus Christ and participate in his kingdom at the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4–6). This will only happen if we come out from under our own headship and government and meekly submit to his. This requires diligence on our part in addition to grace and mercy from God.

12 that ye not become slothful, but imitators of those who by faith and patience inherit the promises.

Showing diligence is the opposite of becoming slothful, and our necessary diligence is so that we might inherit the promises by having faith and patience like the godly men and women who have gone before us.

13 For when God promised unto Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself,

14 saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee and multiplying I will multiply thee.

God promised to bless and multiply Abraham while he was getting old and was childless and his wife Sarah was barren and well past the age of childbearing.

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Long after it was humanly impossible for he and his wife to have children, Abraham obtained an heir according to the promise that God swore to give him. The blessing and multiplication of Abraham eventually led to the advent of Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the seed of Abraham and of God's promise that in Abraham all of the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

16 For men verily swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all controversy.

17 In which God, desiring to show more abundantly unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath,

The heirs of the promise mentioned here include us if we are in Christ.

18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us,

Where have we fled for refuge? To Jesus Christ. Where does Jesus Christ conduct his ministry as high priest? At the right hand of the throne of the Father in the heavenly realm, which is represented by the Holy of Holies. The hope set before us is nothing less than our inheritance in fullness.

19 which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters even into that which is within the veil,

20 where our precursor, Jesus, has entered for us and is made high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Remember that Melchisedec means "king of righteousness" (and righteousness and justice are the same word in Hebrew). There is room for us in the order of Melchisedec as part of the royal priesthood mentioned in 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 1:6.

The realm represented by the Holy of Holies lies within the veil. It is veiled off from those who are not citizens of heaven (and we, like Abraham, know that here on earth we have no continuing city).

Hebrews 7

1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

2 to whom Abraham also gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is King of peace;

3 without father, without mother, without lineage, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually.

This description of Melchisedec is a bit of an enigma. Some wonder if he is a representation of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who is the Prince of Peace. At first glance, some questions arise. If Melchisedec is a representation of the living Word of God prior to the incarnation, at this time the Messiah would have been without mother and without lineage, but would he have been without father?

The part about him being without father, without mother, and without lineage certainly seems like a representation of God. The fact that Melchisedec was made like unto the Son of God means that he had human form and thus was able to physically interact with Abraham. The part about him having neither beginning of days, nor end of life further indicates that Melchisedec was not Shem or any of the other godly patriarchs, as some have speculated. In fact, the only known entities having neither beginning of days, nor end of life are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (and as far as I can see in Scripture, every other creature is a created being and had a beginning of days).

The fact that he is the priest of the most high God seems to differentiate him from God the Father, and the fact that he abides a priest continually means that he remains a priest even today and that he will always be a priest forever.

4 Now consider how great this one was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

5 And verily those that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they also have come out of the loins of Abraham;

6 but he whose descent is not counted in those took tithes from Abraham and blessed him that had the promises.

7 And without any contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8 In the same manner, here men that die take tithes; but there he received them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

The book of Hebrews was written to the Jewish Christians close to the time (shortly before or shortly after) the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem. Remember that when the apostle Paul made his final trip to Jerusalem, there were thousands of Jewish believers in the congregation (including many Pharisees), and James told Paul that they are all zealous of the law (Acts 21:20). They all continued to observe the law and all of the required customs and sacrifices at the temple. When the temple went down, and along with it the Levitical priesthood, this was undoubtedly devastating to the vast majority of the believing Jews who were then scattered all over the known world. The book of Hebrews explained to them that there was now a new priesthood with a new high priest ministering from the right hand of the throne of God in the heavens who can never be displaced or thrown down. This is very encouraging.

Bringing home the fact that father Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec must have had a tremendous impact. For fifteen hundred years the Jews had been paying tithes to the Levites, and the Levites had been paying tithes to the succession of priests that died and had to be replaced; however, Abraham had paid tithes to Melchisedec, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham.

10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

This is very interesting and effective logic. In fact, those who are yearning to rebuild Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and reinitiate the Levitical priesthood with all of its nuances and legal bondage should bear this in mind and take heed. Not only did Abraham pay tithes to Melchisedec, but so did Abraham's posterity who were yet unborn in his loins.

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec and not be called after the order of Aaron?

By the deeds of the law, no flesh shall be justified (Romans 3:20). Justification is by grace and by faith (Romans 3:24–28). The order of Melchisedec is the order of the King of Righteousness (the order of the King of Justice). He is the only one who can change our hearts from the inside out so that instead of being compulsive slaves to sin, we will become the slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:17–23). Slaves have an owner and the King of Righteousness wants us to belong to him and to the righteousness and justice that he represents.

12 For the priesthood being transposed, there is made of necessity a translation also of the law.

The New Testament mentions the law of faith (Romans 3:27), the law of the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2), and the law of liberty (James 1:25, 2:12).

13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, of which no one presided at the altar.

14 For it is manifest that our Lord sprang out of Juda, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet far more manifest: if there arises another priest who is like unto Melchisedec,

16 who is not made according to the law of a carnal commandment, but by the virtue of an indissoluble life;

17 for the testimony is of this manner, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

The order of Melchisedec is the order of a royal priesthood who share the virtue of Jesus's indissoluble life. The priesthood of the order of Melchisedec is eternal (in quality and duration). Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, is able to bring us into a right and ongoing and direct relationship of communion with God the Father by the Holy Spirit.

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness of it;

19 for the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, by which we draw near unto God.

If there is a disannulling of the commandment going before, then God's people need to think twice before letting anyone convince them to return to the bondage of the law. And remember that legalistic groups abound who have, over time, made up their own version of the law without realizing the weakness and the unprofitableness of it. Those who are led by the Spirit are not under the law (Galatians 5:18), and where that Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Even though the law made nothing perfect, God used it to point out sin (Romans 3:20). Those who do not understand the drudgery and limitations of the old covenant tend to not be sufficiently thankful and appreciative of the new covenant and of the better hope that is held out to us, and by which we draw near to God. All of this is predicated on hearkening unto his voice.

This is what happened with David. God spoke, and David recorded the promise and the oath in beautiful Psalm 110, some of which is contained here in Hebrews.

20 And even more, inasmuch as it is not without an oath

21 (for the others indeed without an oath were made priests, but this one with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec);

22 by so much better testament is Jesus made surety.

23 And the others, truly, were many priests because they were not able to continue by reason of death:

Even though the fullness of the promise is messianic and applies to Jesus, David knew that he was also included (as are we if we are in Christ) because the order of Melchisedec is not just one person. It includes the entire body of Christ, of which Jesus is the head. The Levitical priests were not able to continue by reason of death. The same applies to the succession of popes, cardinals, bishops, patriarchs, superintendents, apostles, pastors, elders, and presbyters, and so on throughout the church age.

24 but this man, because he continues forever, has the intransmissible priesthood.

25 Therefore he is able also to save to the uttermost those that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.

I love the idea of being saved to the uttermost and that a central purpose of Jesus is that he ever lives to make intercession for people like us. It is of immense comfort to me that Jesus continues forever and has the intransmissible priesthood. It behooves us to become good friends with Jesus, as we know for sure that he will always be there for us and that no one else will ever take his place. Therefore, Jesus is the only way for us to be saved and to come to know the Father.

26 For it was expedient that we have such a high priest, who is holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens,

27 who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins and then for the people's; for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

We know that heaven and earth will pass away and that all will be made new. When all the tremendous upheaval of the end of the age of grace begins to take place (and I believe that this will happen shortly, if it has not already begun) it is wonderful to know that Jesus has been made higher than the heavens and that he shall never be moved. Therefore, if we rest in him we shall never be moved (Psalm 15:5, 30:6, 93:2).

28 For the law makes men high priests who have weakness; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, has made perfect a Son forever.

The fact that the word of the oath of the Father has made perfect a Son forever does not mean that previous to this Jesus Christ was in any way flawed. It means that now he is complete, lacking nothing, to save us to the uttermost if we come to God through him. This also implies that we may be complete in him.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we are completely overwhelmed as we begin to comprehend the awesome magnitude of your plan of redemption for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. We marvel at your patience as you have developed your plan through the millennia after mankind got off to such a horrible start in the beautiful garden of Eden that you prepared for our forefathers. We offer you our most profound gratitude and praise. Amen.

Chapter 3

The True Tabernacle

Hebrews 8

1 Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: We have such a high priest who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

We have seen in the previous chapters why Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to be the High Priest of the new testament. Even now, he will continue to reign and rule at the right hand of the Father until he has put all enemies under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:25).

2 a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

What would you rather do? Worship in a replicate tabernacle that man pitched or worship in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched?

The true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, is in the realm represented by the Holy of Holies. It is not possible for us to enter there in our own life. We may, however, obtain access in the life of Christ if we are willing to desist from our own works, plans, and ambitions.

3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices; therefore, it is also necessary that this one have something to offer.

What gifts and sacrifices (note that this is plural) are available for our High Priest, Jesus Christ, to offer God the Father?

We can make ourselves available as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). Jesus can help us place all of our gifts, abilities, and ministries on the heavenly altar.

4 For if he were on earth, he should not even be a priest, being present still the other priests that offer gifts according to the law,

5 (who serve as an example and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed unto thee in the mount);

In the highest sense, the Lord Jesus Christ is the pattern. God's plan is for us to be conformed to his image. Human intermediary ministry, no matter how dedicated, gifted, and talented, coupled with self-effort can never conform us to the image of Christ. This is why the old covenant failed. We require a radical change and transformation from within that can only be accomplished directly by Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God.

6 but now a more excellent ministry is his, in that he is the mediator of a better testament, which was established upon better promises.

Why does Jesus now have a more excellent ministry? Because he is now the only mediator between the Father and us.

What are the better promises that establish the new covenant? They have to do with the fullness of our inheritance in Christ. They have to do with overcoming sin and the world. They have to do with intimate communion with Jesus and with the Father. They have to do with the availability of the Holy Spirit to operate in and through every genuine believer. They have to do with the circumcision of the heart and with a radical change and transformation of our very nature.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place should have been sought for the second.

The fault was with God's people, not with God.

8 For finding fault with them, he said, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new testament with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,

9 not according to the testament that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not continue in my testament, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Why did God find fault with them? God says it was because they did not continue in my testament.

When things really came to a head was when God told them to enter the promised land and they refused. God summed it up like this: Because all those men who saw my glory and my signs which I have done in Egypt and in the wilderness and have tempted me now these ten times and have not hearkened to my voice, surely they shall not see the land which I swore unto their fathers, neither shall any of those that provoked me see it (Numbers 14:22–23, emphasis added).

At Mount Sinai they had previously refused to hear and obey his voice (Deuteronomy 5:25) and insisted on sending Moses up the mountain to hear from God and report back to them (Deuteronomy 5:27). This is how they got the commandments of God written on tablets of stone when, instead, God really desired to give his laws into their soul and write them upon their hearts. This is how they got a covenant of law instead of grace. In order for us to find grace, every one of us must hear and obey God. If we opt for a secondhand revelation, even if our pastor or priest knows God like Moses did, we will come up short and find that we have not personally encountered the throne of grace.

10 For this is the testament that I will ordain to the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will give my laws into their soul and write them upon their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11 and no one shall teach his neighbour nor anyone his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will reconcile their iniquities and their sins, and their iniquities I will remember no more.

We know that this quote from Jeremiah is describing the new covenant and that this epistle to the Hebrews is in the New Testament, but here where it says and no one shall teach his neighbour nor anyone his brother, saying, Know the Lord, it does not seem to be anywhere near the actual reality of the experience of much of the church. It is quite possible for God to teach each one directly by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (and place his laws into our soul and write them upon our hearts), but many of those who call themselves Christians do not seem to have this level of communion with God.

It goes on to say, for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest; therefore, it seems that the new covenant, even though it has been in effect for almost two thousand years, has still not been completely fulfilled in this regard.

The reason given for there to no longer be any need for anyone to teach his neighbor or his brother to know the Lord is given when it goes on to say, For I will reconcile their iniquities and their sins. To reconcile us means to straighten us out and line us back up with God.

God even adds, and their iniquities I will remember no more. In other words, God will forgive and forget, and there will be no more iniquity or hidden sin among the people of God. During the church age there have been those who have definitely experienced the promises described above, but the corporate situation of all of the congregations of what is deemed to be "the church" most definitely has not (at least up until now). This is why I believe there is another time of correction looming on the horizon as our present age draws to a close prior to the return of Jesus for a bride without spot or wrinkle or any such thing and who should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27).

Today, the church seems to be filled with "how-to" seminars. If we think about it, however, one thing that is impossible to teach anyone else to do is to really know the Lord. This requires personal experience directly with the Lord. Nothing else will do.

It seems that much of the church is still caught up in proselytizing people into their doctrine, theology, or denomination instead of leading them to Christ so that he may baptize them into the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11–12) and so that they may be taught directly by the Lord. It is extremely beneficial to preach and teach from the Scriptures, but unless the anointing and conviction of the Holy Spirit are present, no eternal results will be evident. Many still seem to have much in common with the old covenant instead of being identified completely with the new.

13 In that he says, New, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 9

1 Nevertheless the first had its justifications of worship and its worldly sanctuary.

2 For there was a tabernacle made: the first, in which was the lampstand and the table and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary.

The Holy Place of the temple or tabernacle is referred to here as its worldly sanctuary. If the outer court of the temple with the brazen altar and the brazen sea corresponds to the age of the law, then the "first tabernacle" here with the lampstand and the table and the showbread corresponds to the age of the church (the age of grace), which is now rapidly coming to a close. The lampstand made of sixty-six features of hammered gold represents the written Word of God (the sixty-six books of the Bible) that requires the illumination of the oil and fire of the Holy Spirit.

The table and the showbread represent the body of Christ broken for us that should be fed by the nourishment that every connecting bond supplies (Ephesians 4:16). Unfortunately, the church has been infiltrated by the world, and large sectors of it now operate according to the ways of the world, which is at enmity with God (James 4:4). This is the court that is within the temple that is given unto the gentiles (Revelation 11:2).

3 And after the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies,

4 which had a golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, in which was the golden urn that had the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the testament,

5 and over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the seat of reconciliation, of which we cannot now speak particularly.

When God banished Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden, he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). The cherubim were embroidered on the second veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies to show that we cannot return to the presence of God in our own life. The only way back to God the Father and to all that is represented by the tree of life is through Jesus Christ who desires to place his life in us by the Holy Spirit.

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

The realm represented by the first tabernacle (which is the Holy Place reserved exclusively for the ministry of the priests) is symbolic of the age of grace (also known as the church age), known for the priesthood of all born-again believers. The golden lampstand(s) with its sixty-six features of hammered gold provided light as the priests trimmed the wicks and supplied the necessary oil (this symbolized our need to diligently examine the Scriptures in the light of the Holy Spirit). In fact, in the book of Revelation, Jesus placed a golden lampstand in the midst of every congregation (Revelation 1:20).

This realm also contained the table and the showbread, which was mentioned earlier, and the priests could reach their hand through the veil and tend the golden altar of incense (called a golden censor in verse 4 above) that is symbolic of the prayers of God's clean people that ascend into his presence with a sweet savor. The reason for the second veil was so that the direct presence and glory of God from the Holy of Holies would not kill any unclean or contaminated priests still operating in their own lives who had not entered into God's rest.

7 But into the second the high priest went alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for his own ignorance, and for that of the people:

In fact, the high priest, when he entered the Holy of Holies once a year on the day of reconciliations (Yom Kippur) had to be extremely careful and pay great attention to detail, or his own life would be in danger. Therefore, he was required to enter with the blood of a proper sacrifice and put some on the seat of reconciliation over the ark. He offered this for his own ignorance, and for that of the people because virtually all of them for the entire fifteen-hundred-year duration of the age of the law were ignorant of God's plan to redeem us and reconcile us to himself through the shed blood of the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The next verse is of great significance:

8 The Holy Spirit signifying in this, that the way into the sanctuary was not yet made manifest, as long as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

The reason for the ignorance of the succession of high priests and of the people was because the way for all of us to return to the realm represented by the Holy of Holies was not yet made manifest, as long as the first tabernacle was yet standing.

Remember that the majesty and splendor and stones of the restored temple awed Jesus's disciples. A disciple commented on this to Jesus and his reply had to have absolutely stunned them: Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down (Mark 13:2).

As long as the first tabernacle (the temple) was yet standing there would be confusion about the way into the sanctuary (of the realm represented by the Holy of Holies). Even most of the Jewish believers still thought that they must continue to fulfill the rituals of the law at the temple.

9 Which was a figure of that time present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience,

10 but in foods and drinks and different washings and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of correction.

When was the time of correction? I think it must have been about the time when Jesus's prophecy about not one stone being left upon another was fulfilled, circa AD 70, by Roman armies that destroyed Jerusalem and pried apart all the stones of the temple searching for the seams of gold that went through them joining one to another. For most Hebrews, the time of correction was brutal, yet it was necessary to make manifest the way into the sanctuary of the presence of God.

11 But Christ being now come, high priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,

We now know that the real temple that God is building is of living stones and that we are that temple (1 Peter 2:4–12). The old creation, including heaven and earth, will pass away like Solomon's Temple at Jerusalem. But Christ, the high priest of the good things to come has been working for about six thousand years (six prophetic days) on a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is part of a new creation.

12 neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the sanctuary designed for eternal redemption.

For any of us accustomed to seemingly endless and repetitive dry religious ritual in the sometimes very impressive sanctuaries built by the hand of man (and also for those of us who have suffered great pangs of guilt for failing to show up at any of these long, elaborate, and frequent functions), the fact that Jesus entered in once into the sanctuary designed for eternal redemption is thrilling – even electrifying – good news upon which we can rest. Jesus took care of whatever legalities, niceties, protocols, or formalities were necessary for our eternal redemption when he entered in once. Whew! What a load off of our shoulders!

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctified to the purifying of the flesh,

14 how much more shall the blood of the Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from the works of death to serve the living God?

Legalistic religion is unable to bring forth a clean conscience in anyone; its myriad of requirements and lack of power to change the heart contribute to uncontrollable feelings of guilt that people attempt to anesthetize with endless religious ritual. On the other hand, the blood of the Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, really can purge our conscience from the works of death (and deliver us from endless guilt). A conscience purged from the works of death by the blood of the Christ is a clean conscience. (And any of our own works will never be able to deliver us from death.) The only way to effectively serve the living God is with a purged conscience, knowing that our present behavior is clean before God as the eternal (Holy) Spirit operates in and through us. He is the comforter that Jesus promised (John 14:26).

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, so that death intervening for the redemption of the rebellions that took place under the first testament, those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The new testament is more than just a simple covenant. It is also a will. Jesus went the way of the cross and died so that we can follow him until everything having to do with our old carnal nature is dead, crucified with Christ. This is absolutely necessary if we are to receive the promised inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity intervene the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is confirmed by the death: otherwise it is not valid as long as the testator lives.

18 From which came that not even the first one was dedicated without blood.

The new testament required the death of Jesus, the testator, in order to go into effect. It was exactly at the time of his death that the veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was rent from top to bottom, indicating that the new testament was now in effect and the way was open for mankind to regain communion with God the Father. Remember that Jesus is the Way.

The fact that not even the first one was dedicated without blood helps us understand how God turned around the role of death so as to put into effect his plan to break the power of sin and death.

19 For when Moses had read every commandment of the law to all the people, taking the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, he sprinkled both the book and all the people,

20 saying, This is the blood of the testament which God has commanded unto you.

21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

The law states that if there is death, then thou shalt pay life for life (Exodus 21:23), and Jesus came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17). Therefore, he gave his life to redeem us. Jesus, however, did not shed his blood for us so that we can continue to do whatever we please. We are to identify in his death and follow him along the way of the cross until we are dead to sin (Romans 6:1-11; 1 Peter 2:24). The old covenant was full of object lessons that were figures of things to come as people came and offered animal sacrifices that represented their sin, their guilt, and even themselves.

23 So that it was necessary that the figures of the heavenly things should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Note that this speaks of better sacrifices (plural). Why? Because as we follow Christ we are to present our bodies in living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).

24 For Christ is not entered into the sanctuary made with hands (which is a figure of the true), but into the heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us,

25 nor yet that he should offer himself many times (as the high priest enters into the sanctuary each year with blood that is not his own);

26 otherwise it would have been necessary for him to suffer many times since the foundation of the world; but now once in the consummation of the ages he has appeared to abolish sin by the sacrifice of himself.

God's plan of redemption is not some kind of magic trick or sleight of hand to pretend that we are fine when we really are not. Jesus did not have to offer himself many times because once in the consummation of the ages (covering the sin of everyone of all time whether they lived in the time of the Old Testament or in the time of the New Testament) he appeared to abolish sin by the sacrifice of himself.

So, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), and in order to cleanse us from all unrighteousness he will circumcise our hearts. This could be painful and ongoing, involving the fire of the dealings of God as he removes every wrong desire from our hearts. It is, however, the only way to retain a purged conscience and consistently flow in the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit.

27 And as it is appointed unto men to die once, and after this the judgment;

28 so also the Christ is offered once to take away the sins of many; and unto those that wait for him without sin he shall appear the second time unto saving health.

If we are to wait for him without sin, then it is essential that our hearts be transformed.

Hebrews 10

1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never make perfect those who come by the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually.

2 Otherwise, they would cease to offer them, because those that sacrifice, once purged, would have no more conscience of sin.

3 But in these sacrifices each year the same remembrance of sins is made.

Does any of this sound familiar? There seem to be a number of people today involved in repetitive religious activity that can never make them perfect (that can never bring them to spiritual maturity in Christ so that they can bear good fruit). Year in and year out the same remembrance of sins is made, and even though a great deal of time (and money) is sacrificed, their conscience is never completely purged, otherwise they would cease the endless routine.

There are those today who would change their traditional Christian rituals in favor of renewed Jewish ritual. Many breathlessly await the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, which they deem essential in their concept of Bible prophecy and fail to realize that a rebuilt replica of Solomon's Temple will continue to have exactly the same limitations that caused God to decide to allow it to be torn down so many years ago.

4 For the blood of bulls and of goats cannot take away sins.

Period.

5 Therefore when he came into the world, he said, Sacrifice and offering thou dost not desire, but a body hast thou prepared me;

6 in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

7 Then said I, Behold, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.

8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou dost not desire, neither hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the law;

God has no pleasure in that which cannot take away sins, and therefore, which cannot purge the conscience of anyone.

9 then he said, Behold, I come to do thy will, O God. He took away the first, that he may establish the second.

Ever since God took away the first, that is, since he ended the animal sacrifices with the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ (followed by the destruction of the temple), those who continue to insist on any type of sacrifice or offering that cannot take away sins and purge the conscience continue to be doomed to failure. The reason that God took away the first is that he may establish the second, which is actually a will that establishes the possibility of an inheritance that words cannot adequately describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).

10 In this will, we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus, the Christ, once for all.

11 And so every priest stands daily ministering and offering many times the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins,

Today, there continue to be pastors and priests and rabbis doing virtually the same thing with the bloodless sacrifices of repetitive, entrenched ritual.

12 but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, is seated at the right hand of God,

13 waiting for that which follows, that is, until his enemies are made his footstool.

The apostle Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) was one such enemy of the gospel that very abruptly was made part of his footstool, and after that he never tired of preaching the gospel to the enemies of Jesus Christ.

14 For by one offering he has perfected for ever those that are sanctified.

Jesus reached out and sanctified Saul on the Damascus road, setting him apart for his exclusive service in an awesome display of the power of his grace that quickly brought Paul to maturity in Christ, as proven by the good fruit of the Spirit demonstrated in his life and ministry.

15 Likewise the Holy Spirit gives us the same witness, who afterwards said,

16 This is the testament that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord. I will give my laws in their hearts, and in their souls will I write them;

17 and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

The Lord can "give his laws" in our hearts on a continual basis (for his word is law) and write them in our souls. When he decides to forgive and forget our sins and iniquities – when this type of remission takes place – there is no need for any more offering for sin. If in the future we ever have any more trouble, we are to directly seek the Lord Jesus because he is our advocate before the Father (1 John 2:1). In other words, the new testament is designed to put any religious intermediaries who attempt to place themselves in between the people and God completely out of business. The new testament has only one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 and having that great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts purified from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water;

The sanctuary that we need to have boldness to enter is nothing less than the realm of the presence of God the Father. Jesus fervently desires for us to know the Father and to have direct communion with him (John 17).

Having our "bodies" individually and corporately washed with pure water is not just a call to personal hygiene but can also apply to the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26). If we are to remain clean as individuals and as corporate congregations, then the water, or message, that flows needs to be absolutely pure.

23 let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that promised).

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto charity and unto good works,

Our hope has to do with the fulfillment of God's promises regarding inheritance. As we have seen, these promises are conditional.

Here charity (the sacrificial agape love of God) is linked to good works, for apart from him we can do nothing of eternal value.

25 not forsaking our gathering together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more, when ye see that day approaching.

Regarding the above verse, I see two possible interpretations:

1) Taken at face value the way that it is translated, not forsaking our gathering together means to continue to meet together with other Christians on a more or less regular basis to encourage and to exhort one another. Some would use this verse as a commandment for people to compulsively attend their religious meetings. Remember, however, that the new testament is not law, it is grace, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. Therefore, I do not believe that this verse or any other verse in the New Testament is for the purpose of placing anyone into bondage (religious or otherwise). It is curious to note that this is virtually the only verse in the entire New Testament that those who encourage obligatory church attendance have been able to find.

2) Not forsaking our gathering together could have been translated as not forsaking our congregation. This is a letter to Hebrews, and this phrase could refer to the practice of Paul (and others) of always going to the synagogue, wherever they travelled or wherever they stayed, to be with the Jews and speak to them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It would have been easy for the Christians to meet with other Christians and forget about the unconverted Jews back at the synagogue.

This could also apply to us if we have been led by the Lord to fellowship outside the camp of traditionally organized religion so that we do not forsake those who are left behind. We are encouraged to reach out to those we consider to be in error, just as Paul (even though he was the apostle to the gentiles) spent virtually every Sabbath day reaching out to Jews, some of whom repeatedly made attempts on his life. Everyone that names the name of Jesus Christ should concern us even if we consider them to be apostate. As God opens doors, we should be willing to share and to interact wherever he leads as this present age of grace ends.

Note that the purpose of not forsaking our gathering together is so that we might be exhorting one another (unto charity and good works) and so much the more, when ye see that day approaching. When the book of Hebrews was written, the day that was approaching was bringing the end of the age of the law, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the demise of the Levitical priesthood (that most believing Jews continued to hold in reverence). For us, the day that is approaching is the end of the age of grace, and we certainly hope that this age does not end like the last one did. If complacent Christians are to be ready for what is coming, serious exhortation of one another needs to be taking place all across the globe.

26 For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

27 but a certain fearful hope of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

This is a very solemn warning that needs to be taken to heart. It will be very tragic for anyone found on the wrong side of the fence when Jesus returns if he should consider them adversaries.

Genuine sons (and daughters) of God, whom he loves, are disciplined and chastened by our heavenly Father if we get out of line. The adversaries, on the other hand, shall be devoured by fiery indignation. And as the clock winds down on the age of grace, as Jesus predicted, there remain many tares among the wheat.

28 He that despised the law of Moses died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much greater punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden underfoot the Son of God and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know who he is that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

This does not sound like many preachers today (particularly some of those on TV) who cherry-pick their texts and only speak about peace and security and prosperity. And yes, as we head into the end of the age, anyone whose heart is right with God will find grace like Noah did to survive whatever the future holds. However, those mixed in with the people of God and whose hearts are infected with corruption and betrayal need to fall on their faces before the Lord and repent immediately.

32 But bring to memory the former days, in which, after ye received the light, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

33 on the one hand ye were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and on the other ye became companions of those that were so used.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing that in yourselves ye have a better substance in the heavens, and that abides.

35 Do not lose, therefore, this your confidence, which has great recompense of reward;

Those who shower love and kindness on those whom God sends forth in ministry have a special place in the heart of God. Jesus said that whoever receives those he has sent receives him, and whoever receives him receives the Father who sent him. Quite a promise!

36 for patience is necessary, so that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry.

The promises of God require patience on our part as we continue to do the will of God. We fervently await the return of the Lord Jesus. However, as we patiently serve God for yet a little while and when we least expect it, God can send encouragement to us and give us a bit of a down payment on some of his promises.

38 Now the just shall live by faith, but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of those who draw back unto perdition, but faithful unto the saving of the soul.

Please note that those who draw back are linked to perdition, and on the other hand, those who are faithful are linked to the saving of the soul. The faithful are not only reliable, they are full of faith.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, may our faith be increased and strengthened as we continue to hear and obey your voice. May we encourage and exhort one another to believe your promises as we see your new day approaching. Amen.

Chapter 4

The Heirs of the Promise

Hebrews 11

1 Faith, therefore, is the substance of things waited for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the ages were framed by the word of God, that which is seen being made of that which was not seen.

One thing that the natural man has never been able to see is God the Father. He can, however, be revealed to us by his Son, Jesus Christ. We can also learn a lot about him, who we cannot see, by observing the creation around us that we can see. Therefore, there are key things about God that we must take hold of by faith (particularly his great and precious promises).

Our justification, redemption, and salvation hinge on at least two key elements: the first is the grace of God that operates through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of grace; the second is faith that comes from hearing from God and operates inside us as we respond to what God says to us. Faith and grace have a very intricate relationship. Scripture states that we are justified freely by his grace (Romans 3:24), and almost in the same breath it also states that we are justified therefore by faith (Romans 5:1). It is when we begin to hear personally and directly from God that the dynamic of faith and grace has the opportunity to dramatically expand.

Faith comes by hearing, and the ear to hear by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16, emphasis added)

If we are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, it is his total trust and dependence upon his Father that brought him through death and resurrection, thus making the new testament viable and active with an unlimited supply of grace. It is as we enter into direct communication with Jesus (the living Word of God) and with his Father that the faith of Jesus overwhelms and inspires us, causing a dynamic of ever-increasing faith to well up inside of us.

Prior to the incarnation, the living Word of God has been with the Father from the beginning, and without him was not anything made that was made (John 1:1–3). No man has seen the Father at any time except Jesus (who is the Son of God), and Jesus may reveal God the Father to whom he wills. Therefore, when God walked with man in ancient times (apparently in human form), it must have been Jesus.

Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:22, 24). Noah walked with God (Genesis 6:9). Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called the Friend of God (James 2:23).

Knowing God and hearing directly from God inspire faith.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts, and by it he being dead yet speaks.

Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD looked upon Abel and his present (Genesis 4:4) and thereby entered into a blood covenant with God, indicating that he wanted to be covered by God's life. (This is the only way to be righteous.) Cain offered grain that was the work of his hands, and anything that we do apart from God is not acceptable. Therefore, Cain was not accepted because he offered of his own works. Able himself soon became a sacrifice at the hand of Cain as the first martyr recorded in Scripture. Therefore, Able being dead yet speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death, and was not found because God had translated him, for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Quite a testimony! Enoch lived 365 years, and a solar year (the time it takes for the earth to make a complete circle around the sun) is 365 days. For the ancients, a circle (a never ending line) represented perfection.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please God; for he that comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him.

We must have at least a tiny amount of faith to begin to interact with God. Jesus said: If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove from here to yonder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20).

Even if there is a huge mountain of doubt standing in our way, if we have even a very small amount of faith (a mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds), we shall be able to command the mountain to remove itself. And that is not all because Jesus said that nothing shall be impossible unto us (Matthew 17:20).

7 By faith Noah, having received revelation of things not seen as yet, with great care prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world and was made heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

In the ancient world at the time of Noah, for over fifteen hundred years it had never rained, let alone ever flooded. It took Noah about one hundred years to prepare the ark. And the salvation of Noah and his family and all the animals in the ark was only the first step because he was made heir of the righteousness which is by faith, and the fullness of this inheritance is yet to come.

8 By faith Abraham, being called, hearkened to go out into the place which he should afterwards receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the promised land, as in a strange country, dwelling in booths with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

10 for he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Abraham walked with God for a hundred years (he was seventy-five when God called him in Haran and one hundred and seventy-five when he died), and even though God gave him some temporal blessing, he sojourned in the promised land as in a strange country. For Abraham, the fullness of the promise is yet to come.

11 By faith also Sara herself being sterile received strength to conceive seed and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she believed him to be faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore there sprang even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Abraham was the father of both natural and spiritual descendants that are innumerable. Note that the faith of Sara was essential for God to bless Abraham.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but seeing them afar off and believing them and embracing them and confessing that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For those that say such things declare plainly that they seek their native country.

If we are truly citizens of God's heavenly country, we will feel the same, and nothing here upon the earth will fully satisfy us.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had time to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one; therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

If we qualify for the promised inheritance, we will be able to join them. Those who are invited to live in the city of God receive great honor, starting with the fact that God is not ashamed to be called their God. There are many running around today calling themselves the people of God even while they continue their corrupt and shameful behavior.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac, and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called,

19 accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence he also received him in a figure.

Abraham's only begotten son, Isaac, was his only heir (Genesis 25:5), yet Abraham was willing to offer up Isaac at God's command. Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God the Father, and if we meet the conditions of God's promises, we may become joint heirs with Christ (who is the heir to the entire kingdom of God). In order to qualify, it is absolutely certain that our faith will be tried. It is clear to me that not everyone who is saved will reign and rule with Christ. (Otherwise who would they reign and rule over?)

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning what they should become.

When Jacob pretended to be Esau so that he could receive the blessing, Isaac expressed some misgivings, but then went ahead by faith and blessed Jacob as if he were the eldest son saying: let God give thee of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of wheat and new wine. Let the peoples serve thee and nations bow down to thee; be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee; cursed be every one that curses thee, and blessed be he that blesses thee (Genesis 27:28–29).

Later on when Esau pleaded for a blessing Isaac by faith told Esau, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth and of the dew of the heavens from above, and by thy sword thou shalt live and shalt serve thy brother; yet there shall be a time when thou shalt have dominion, and thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck (Genesis 27:39–40).

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Jacob told Joseph by faith that his two boys born unto him in Egypt were his like Reuben and Simeon (Genesis 48:5). Joseph positioned his boys for the blessing so that Jacob's right hand would be upon Manasseh, his firstborn, and Jacob's left hand would be upon Ephraim, who was the second born. Jacob, however, by faith, crossed his arms, placing his right hand upon Ephraim, to whom he gave the greater blessing (Genesis 48:13–20).

22 By faith Joseph, as he died, made mention of the departing of the sons of Israel, and gave a commandment concerning his bones.

By faith Joseph said to his brethren, I die; but God will surely visit you and bring you out of this land unto the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob (Genesis 50:24–25). Joseph identified with the promised land (with the inheritance promised to his forefathers) and made the sons of Israel swear an oath that they would take his bones with them when they went back (bones represent our foundation and structure).

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents because they saw he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

Moses's parents, who are here in this list of elders who obtained a good report, demonstrated this faith.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,

26 esteeming the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

Moses identified with the people of God and rejected the pleasures of sin. He preferred to suffer reproach for the cause of the Christ (the Messiah). This means that Moses received key revelation from God even before he fled Egypt when he was forty years old.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Him who is invisible is God the Father, and the only one who can reveal the Father is Jesus Christ.

28 By faith he kept the passover and the sprinkling of the blood lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Moses himself was a firstborn son and would have been destroyed (along with all the firstborn of Egypt) had he not kept the Passover by faith.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, which the Egyptians attempted to do and were drowned.

Faith is the key to unlocking the unlimited power of the grace of God.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish together with the disobedient, having received the spies with peace.

The people of God did what God said and marched around Jericho for seven days blowing the trumpets, and by faith the walls fell down on the seventh day, while at the exact same time the harlot Rahab was saved by faith out of the destruction of the city. It is amazing that the harlot Rahab is mentioned here in the list of such outstanding examples of faith and that she is also one of three women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

32 And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon and of Barak and of Samson and of Jephthae, of David also and Samuel and of the prophets,

33 who by faith won kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered from infirmities, were made valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of foreign enemies;

35 women received their dead raised to life again, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection;

What is a better resurrection? There are two resurrections mentioned in Scripture. Those who are selected for the first resurrection shall live and reign with Christ at his return for a thousand years. They shall be priests of God and of the Christ. The rest of the dead shall not live until the thousand years are finished (Revelation 20:4–6) at the time of the final judgment (Revelation 20:12–15). Therefore, the first resurrection is a better resurrection.

36 and others experienced cruel mockings and scourgings, and added to this, bonds and imprisonment;

37 they were stoned; they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; poor, afflicted, mistreated,

Remember that God clothed the nakedness of Adam and Eve with coats of skins at the time of the fall to demonstrate that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission. Throughout the Old Testament the prophets wore leather girdles or undergarments made of sheepskins and goatskins as a sign that they were in a blood covenant with God.

Jesus said, Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11–12).

38 (of whom the world was not worthy); they wandered in deserts and in mountains and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, approved by testimony of faith, received not the promise,

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The promise has to do with a better resurrection.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who sleep in Jesus will God also bring with him. For this, we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede those who are asleep.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:14–18)

In order for us to be made perfect, a transformation or change is required:

Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall all indeed be raised, but we shall not all be changed; in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised without corruption, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the word that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:51–54)

Hebrews 12

1 Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, leaving behind all the weight of the sin which surrounds us, let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

We are exhorted to leave behind all the weight of the sin which surrounds us. We are encouraged not only to walk with God but to run with patience the race that is set before us, for we are in a marathon compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on as we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

2 with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who having been offered joy, endured the cross, despising the shame and was seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied in your souls and faint.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, fighting against sin.

If we are to overcome and win the fight against sin, it will cost us our own life in the flesh (for the victory is in the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus) and the soul (or life) of the flesh is in the blood. In fact, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50). This is why the promise of the first resurrection is so important.

5 And ye have quite forgotten the consolation which speaks unto you as unto sons, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art reproved of him:

6 for whom the Lord loves, he chastens and scourges everyone whom he receives as a son.

God chastens his sons (and daughters) so that we might become chaste (pure and undefiled).

7 If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father does not chasten?

8 But if ye are without chastisement, of which all the sons are partakers, then ye are bastards, and not sons.

There are some who still consider the church to be their mother; unfortunately, God is not their father if they are without chastisement. Therefore, their conscience has not been purged and they attempt to anesthetize the pangs of their guilt by participating in endless religious ritual.

9 Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence; is it not much better to be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and we shall live?

Our eternal security as sons (and daughters) of God depends upon receiving the discipline and correction and chastening of God. Even if we are unfaithful, yet he remains faithful. God is infinitely more loving and considerate of his sons than any earthly parent.

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us as it seemed good unto them, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Even though chastening may seem very severe at the time, God does this so that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 It is true that no chastening at present seems to be cause for joy, but rather for grief; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised by it.

12 Therefore, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

13 and make straight steps unto your feet, so that which is lame will not turn out of the way, but let it rather be healed.

At the time of the writing of this epistle, the entire Jewish nation was reeling, and unthinkable destruction loomed closer and closer upon their immediate horizon; severe worldwide persecution of Jews and Christians would soon follow. Unfortunately, some of those who were lame did turn out of the way, and Judaizers troubled the gentile believers and attempted to take away their freedom in Christ by putting them back under Jewish ritual and the law (Galatians 2:1–12). This is resurgent today.

This epistle to the Hebrews, even though it contains severe warnings, also offers great encouragement not only to those of the first century as the age of the law closed, but to all the people of God ever since who have fervently desired to inherit the fullness of God's promises. Understanding its content is of is paramount importance now as the age of the church is ending, and the day of the Lord rapidly approaches.

14 Follow peace with everyone and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord:

Remember that Rahab the harlot of Jericho did not perish together with the disobedient because by faith she received the spies with peace. Then she obviously continued into holiness because she married into the tribe of Judah, found herself included in the bloodline of Jesus Christ, and is mentioned here in the New Testament in the list of elders who obtained a good report. By faith she connected with the grace of God, and if God granted such an opportunity to a person like her, truly he is no respecter of persons.

Peace goes along with holiness (with being separated exclusively to please God and for his use and service). Those who enter into holiness (even if it takes some serious chastening) have clean hearts, and their conscience has been purged. They are no longer tormented by guilt, and the power that sin used to wield over them has been vanquished. They are at peace and are able to follow peace with everyone. In fact, the Holy Spirit leads us by putting peace in our hearts when we are secure in the will of God (no matter what external circumstances are raging around us). The peaceable fruit of righteousness is of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

As we have seen, chastening is for the purpose of bringing us into holiness, which is a state of being focused entirely on pleasing God (and cannot be obtained by acquiring a religious vocabulary, submitting to a dress code, enrolling in a religious group or order, or by participating in religious ritual). Without holiness, no one shall see the Lord.

We are to follow peace with everyone and holiness:

15 looking diligently that no one deviate from the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up impede you, and thereby many be defiled,

A root of bitterness can fester and spring up if we refuse to set others free by forgiving them of the debt of any trespass or offense that they may have committed against us. Any root of bitterness can impede us and even defile us (that is, make us unclean) if it is allowed to spring up. Anything like this needs to get nipped in the bud so that we do not deviate from the grace of God. Jesus said that if we refuse to forgive, we will not be forgiven (Mark 11:25–26).

16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, desiring to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

We know that before the twins (Esau and Jacob) were born, God said that the elder would serve the younger (Genesis 25:21–26). Since the line of the promised Messiah would have to go through one or the other, God made the choice before they were born and before either of them had done good or evil (Romans 9:8–13). However, the eldest son was entitled to a double portion of the family inheritance, and the above Scripture clearly holds Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright, responsible for his actions and holds him up as a bad example for everyone else.

It is also worth noting that after Esau despised his birthright, he changed his mind and desired to inherit the blessing, but he was rejected and he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

The opportunity that God presented to Rahab when the spies sought refuge in her house was something that she immediately picked up on. If she would have betrayed the spies, it is very difficult to see how she could have been given a second chance. In fact, God undoubtedly led the spies to her house because he knew her heart.

When God grants us an opportunity to embrace his promises, it behooves us to be like Rahab and not like Esau.

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched and that burned with fire nor unto blackness and darkness and tempest

19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, which voice those that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more;

20 (for they could not endure that which was commanded, and if so much as a beast should touch the mountain, it shall be stoned or thrust through with a dart:

21 and so terrible was the sight that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake);

They thought that if they continued to hear the voice of God that they would die and tragically refused a direct relationship with God. The generation that did this all died in the wilderness even while eating manna from heaven, drinking water from the rock, being led by the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire, and wearing clothes and shoes that never wore out. Of those twenty and older who left Egypt, only the two spies with the good report, Caleb and Joshua, lived to enter the promised land.

22 but ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 to the congregation of the called out ones of the firstborn, who are registered in the heavens and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect

24 and to Jesus, the mediator of the new testament and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better than that of Abel.

If we are registered in the heavens, this means that our names are inscribed in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:15) and that we are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem. Since the promises offered to us in the New Testament are much greater than the promises that the unbelieving generation who all died in the wilderness rejected:

25 See that you do not refuse him that speaks. For if those who refused him that spoke on earth did not escape, much less shall we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from the heavens,

26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, saying, Yet even once, I shall shake not the earth only, but also the heaven.

We are fast approaching the time when heaven and earth shall be shaken by the direct voice of God. This will only happen once.

27 And this word, Yet even once, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

When the heavens and the earth are shaken what will not remain? The ungodly and all of their works.

What are things that cannot be shaken and that will remain? This has to do with the work that God has done in and through his people.

28 Therefore, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us hold fast to the grace, by which we serve God, pleasing him with reverence and godly fear:

29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Our salvation is by grace and not by self-works. However, we are admonished here to hold fast to the grace, by which we serve God.

How do we hold fast to the grace of God? By faith, because without faith it is impossible to please God.

Self-righteous works lead to arrogance and religious pride. This will never please God. When it dawns on us that it is by grace that we serve God (and that our God is a consuming fire) this will properly motivate us to please him with reverence and godly fear.

Hebrews 13

1 Let brotherly love continue.

If we are full of the life and love of God, then our attitude and actions will please God. Then we will fulfill Jesus's new commandment that we love one another.

2 Do not forget to show hospitality; for thereby some, having entertained angels, were kept.

Rahab showed hospitality to the spies, and she and her family were kept.

3 Remember those that are in bonds as bound with them and those who suffer adversity as being yourselves also in the body.

As the age of grace (also known as the age of the church) draws to a close, there continue to be members of the body of Christ in bonds (in prison) along with those who one way or another suffer adversity for the cause of Jesus Christ. If we are all members of the same body, then we should feel for them in such a way that we remember them whenever the Holy Spirit brings them to our mind and prompts us to pray for them or to help them in some way.

4 Let marriage be honourable in all and the bed undefiled; but the fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

What is an honorable marriage? It is one in which our vows to God and to one another are honored. This will make sure that the bed is undefiled. If marriage is between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4–6; Mark 10:6–9) then "adultery" is when someone breaks his or her marriage vows. "Fornication" has an even broader meaning that covers any type of illicit relationship even among those who are not married.

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have; for he has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

If our conversation (that is, our words and deeds) is without covetousness (without desiring someone or something that is not ours) then our relationship with God will be clean and undefiled. If Jesus never leaves us or forsakes us, what more could we possibly need? It is only as we are in a right relationship with God that we will ever be content.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

If we sum up this discourse, it indicates that those who please God in reverence and godly fear (always putting him first) will: love one another, show hospitality to whoever the Holy Spirit indicates, remember those who are in bonds and those who suffer adversity, be honorable in marriage, not participate in adultery or fornication, not covet that which is not theirs, be content with what they have. The most important thing that they will have is an unbroken relationship with God, and therefore, they will never fear what man is able to do to them.

7 Remember your pastors, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation:

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and for the ages.

We are to remember our pastors or shepherds who have fed us with the Word of God (not with their own words). We are to follow their faith (that is, their good example) considering the end of their conversation (the end result of their words and deeds), which is to reveal Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday and today and for the ages.

9 Be not taken out of the way with diverse and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with foods which have not profited those that have been occupied with them.

We are to hold fast to the grace, by which we serve God (Hebrews 12:28). Any doctrine that does not center on God and on his grace – that is, on his power to do for us what we are unable to do for ourselves – and any doctrine that does not contribute to our hearts and lives and behavior being changed and transformed has the potential to take us out of the way. We are to feed on the Word of God so that our hearts will be established with grace. We are not to feed on foods (or doctrines) that have not profited those that have been occupied with them.

10 We have an altar, of which those who serve the tabernacle have no faculty to eat.

We tend to think of the altar as a place where we make commitments to God (and this is true), but it is also a place where food is provided (under the law the priests received their portion of the meat of the sacrifices). Under the new covenant (under grace) we have access to an altar where those who serve the tabernacle (under the law) have no faculty to eat. Those who consider themselves to be Christians yet continue to be bound by legalism will have no faculty to eat the proper spiritual nourishment necessary in order to come to maturity in Christ. This provision will only be found outside their legalistic religious camp.

11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.

12 Therefore, Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate.

Jesus suffered outside the gate of the camp of religion that was organized and controlled by man. He did this so that he might sanctify the people with his own blood. To be sanctified is to be exclusively set apart for God.

13 Let us go forth, therefore, unto him outside the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one that is coming.

If we are among those sanctified by the blood of Jesus, then we are called to go forth, unto him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. If we follow Jesus outside the camp it will cost us our reputation. We must bear in mind, however, like Abraham, that here we have no continuing city. All of the kingdoms of this world, whether they are religious or secular, will come down at the sound of the seventh trumpet, and our Lord Jesus Christ shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15).

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips confessing his name.

The sacrifice of praise is when we give God all the glory for what he has done in and through us.

16 Do not forget to do good and to fellowship; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

If we are admonished here to not forget to do good and to fellowship, this is because it is entirely possible for such a thing to happen. Note that to do good and to fellowship are listed here as sacrifices, and to sacrifice goes against basic human nature. On the other hand, God's love (or charity) is sacrificial and redemptive by his very nature, and we are to follow Jesus outside the camp so that the full potential of his love and mercy may flow in and through us as we offer sacrifices God is well pleased with.

17 Listen to your pastors, and do not resist them, for they watch for your souls as those that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.

The pastors or shepherds that God has placed must give account for each and every soul under their care. True pastors do not build their own kingdoms. They delight to see the people joined to the Lord, and they watch diligently for any signs of danger. If these pastors are listened to and not resisted, they will fulfill their responsibilities with joy instead of with grief (which is unprofitable for those under their care).

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience in all things desiring to conduct ourselves well.

19 And I beseech you all the more to do this, that I may be restored unto you sooner.

Even though Paul is still in prison and is requesting prayer for himself and for his team, he closes this epistle by saying: for we trust we have a good conscience in all things desiring to conduct ourselves well. It seems that Paul had some moral help and encouragement writing this epistle, which according to the request of the next line – that I may be restored unto you sooner – appears to have been written from prison.

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal testament,

21 make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for the ages of the ages. Amen.

The eternal testament is not only a never-ending testament; the word eternal also signifies that it is of a vastly superior divine quality. Therefore, God, through the blood of the eternal testament, is able to make us perfect in every good work to do his will. Now he is able to actively and continually work in us that which is wellpleasing in his sight. Note that this is now possible through Jesus Christ.

22 And I beseech you, brethren, that ye receive this word of exhortation, that I have written unto you briefly.

Here Paul takes full responsibility for the content of this epistle to the Hebrews and calls it a word of exhortation, that I have written unto you briefly.

23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.

24 Salute all thy pastors and all the saints. The brethren of Italy salute you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

The fact that Timothy has been set at liberty and that the brethren of Italy send their greetings seems to indicate that chronologically this could be Paul's last epistle (and among his writings it is placed last in the New Testament). This means that it is entirely possible (if not probable) that Jerusalem and the temple had already been (or were being) destroyed at the time of the writing of this epistle. Jesus's once-and-for-all sacrifice put an end to animal sacrifice in the temple forever. Almost two thousand years have gone by, and so far no one has been able to rebuild Solomon's Temple. On the other hand, Jesus has been quietly preparing a temple of living stones made without hands (by his grace). At the imminent return of our Lord, this new temple will soon be put on display.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, may your people receive this word of exhortation. Amen.

Meet the Author

At the age of four, while his family was living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Russell Stendal prayed and asked God to call his parents, Chad and Pat, to be missionaries. God answered that prayer and within just a few years the whole family was on the mission field in Colombia, South America. He became an accomplished jungle pilot and married a beautiful Colombian lady named Marina. They have four children, Lisa, Alethia, Russell Jr., and Dylan, plus six grandchildren.

When Russell was 27 years old, Marxist guerrillas of the FARC kidnapped him for 142 days. The story of his kidnapping is told in the book he wrote titled Rescue the Captors. His reason for the title is because he realized that his captors were more captive than he was. There was a possibility he would be released, but most of his kidnappers were young people who had been taken from their families, given a weapon, and taught to kill. They had little hope of survival.

To reach all the actors of the armed conflict, including his former captors, Russell established a radio ministry to air programs into the dangerous war stricken areas of Colombia with messages of peace and hope. He has also written more than 50 books in English and Spanish.

In 2017, he was awarded the Shahbaz Bhatti Freedom Award, (given to Pope Francis the year before) for his tireless efforts towards spreading peace and reconciliation in Colombia (in the context of promoting religious freedom). Russell travels extensively as a guest speaker in conventions around the world. His speaking is unique in that he is very sensitive to the Lord's voice and does not hesitate to deliver the message imparted to him, no matter how uncomfortable that may be to him or to others. Most of the books he has published were transcribed directly from the radio messages he has preached in Spanish and beamed into virtually all of the war torn areas of the countryside.

Russell is the editor of the Jubilee Bible translation that has been published in English and in Spanish. Well over a million copies of this Bible have been donated and distributed into the most needy areas of Colombia and Venezuela

Connect with Russell's Ministry

For more information on the Stendals Ministry, and to find out the latest news on how to pray for Colombia visit the following websites:

Website

www.cpcsociety.ca

[spiritofmartyrdom.com/](http://spiritofmartyrdom.com/
)

Receive newsletter updates

spiritofmartyrdom.com/application-form/ (Find out more of the Stendals ministry by looking in the Latin America section of the Page)

Visit Russell's website: www.cpcsociety.ca

The Time of Correction – Russell M. Stendal

Copyright © 2020

First edition published 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Jubilee Bible, copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019

by Ransom Press International.

Russell M. Stendal

Cover Painting: Matt Philleo

Editor: Michelle Rayburn

Cover design and layout: Martha Jaramillo R.

Printed in the United States of America

ransompress@outlook.com

Ransom Press International

4918 Roosevelt Street

Hollywood, FL, 33021

RELIGION / Biblical Studies / New Testament /

Paperback: 978-1-64765-006-3

eBook: 978-1-64765-007-0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Available wherever books are sold

* * *

 Terah means "turning" or "wandering."

 Abram means "a high father."

 Ur means "fire;" Chaldees means "spiritism" (having to do with the occult and paganism).

 Canaan means "trader" or "trafficker."

 Haran means "strong, enlightened" (can also refer to a mountaineer).

 Abraham means "father of many gentiles (or nations)."

 Lot means "veil" or "covering."

 Aquilon means "the land of the north wind."

 Negev means "the south desert."

 Mamre means "fatness."

 Hebron means "ford" or "alliance."

 The order of Melchizedek (spelled Melchisedec in the New Testament) seems to be a prophetic reference to a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). This name occurs twice in the Old Testament and nine times in the New Testament (all in the book of Hebrews) for a total of eleven. In Scripture, the number eleven is associated with Christ (the Messiah) and with God's chosen elect. Jesus Christ is the High Priest of the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 5:10), which obviously includes the members of the body of Christ.

 Note that this entire explanation and warning is directed at a corporate group depicted as feminine (an entire congregation), even though Scripture clearly states that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked (Genesis 13:13). As we contemplate our present situation, this deserves some meditation. At the very least this means that we all need to reflect on how much of our sin, iniquity, and perversion is corporate, and if so, where is the call for corporate repentance?

 Unlike in English, in Greek and Hebrew (and Spanish) all nouns are either masculine or feminine. In the original languages of the Scriptures the congregation (or church) is feminine (as is the bride of Christ). Cities and nations (or even denominations) can also be typed as feminine.

 Please note that an important part of the inheritance of the Son consists of people like us that he died to redeem.

 This is a direct quote from Psalm 2:7.

 Seems to be a messianic application of 1 Chronicles 22:10.

 Adam was created from the dust of the earth and was, therefore, corruptible. Jesus is the firstbegotten of the Father and is incorruptible.

 This may have to do with Psalm 97:7 and Luke 2:13–14.

 Psalm 104:4

 Psalm 45:6–7

 This is a direct quote from messianic Psalm 102:25–27.

 The word angel is also a bit misunderstood because it can refer to the celestial beings of the heavenly host (such as cherubim and seraphim) or it can also apply to anyone (even a human) whom God chooses to use as his representative or messenger (depending on the context). However, the book of Hebrews differentiates between the celestial beings known as angels and the seed of Abraham and makes it clear that God did not use the angels to bring about the redemption of the fallen human race. Instead, he chose the seed of Abraham.

 Psalm 110:1

 This promise in Psalm 91:11 is conditional, since this Psalm begins by stating: He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).

 This is a direct quote of Psalm 8:4.

 Note that man was made a little lower than the angels. Therefore, men are not angels that fell from heaven. Adam (unlike Lucifer) did not fall from heaven. Adam and Eve were created here upon the earth and were of the earth (1 Corinthians 15:47).

 Psalm 8:4–6

 The original word translated perfect in this verse also has to do with maturity and completion. The sufferings were necessary to bring God's plan of redemption to fruition and to set the example for us to follow.

 Psalm 22:22

 This appears to be a quote of Job 13:15.

 Isaiah 8:18

 Isaiah 54:13

 There is great similarity between this Scripture describing some among the children of Israel of whom God said, They do always err from their heart, and they have not known my ways and the words of Jesus to those claiming to have prophesied and to have cast out devils and to have done wonderful works in his name: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:21–23). Since those represented by the "tares" will continue to grow together among those represented by the "wheat" in the same "field" until the time of the harvest, it behooves all of us to pay close attention not only to the great promises of safety, security, and salvation in Christ, but also to the great warnings to those who would continue to tempt and to provoke God.

 Psalm 95:7b–11

 Some may ask, What will happen on the final judgment day to those who failed to enter into God's rest and whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? (What about those who fail to enter into God's rest "today"?) I don't know. I am, however, confident that each person will receive a fair trial before the throne of God. Some of them may make it into eternity by the skin of their teeth, but I would be surprised if any of that generation will be selected to reign and rule with Christ. We also know for sure that anyone not found written in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). God knows, maybe some of them repented as they wandered around in the wilderness for decades until they died, and they are listed in the Book of Life. We do know for sure, however, that none of them entered into God's rest. There is a strong parallel here with those who have "died in the wilderness" during the church age and therefore, may not qualify for the "first resurrection" (Revelation 20:4–6). See The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Russell Stendal, Ransom Press International, Hollywood, FL.

 Genesis 2:2–3

 This is the fifth mention of the word today in the book of Hebrews.

 This undoubtedly refers to Psalm 95:7–11, which is anonymous in the Old Testament: For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart, as in the provocation and as in the day of trials in the wilderness when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long I was grieved with this generation and said, It is a people that err from the heart, who have not known my ways; unto whom I swore in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

 The New Testament Greek literally says "Jesus." Joshua in Hebrew is the same name as Jesus in Greek. The rest that Joshua provided for the people of God when they entered into the promised land was not complete. It was a prophetic parable. Likewise, Jesus, at his first coming, provided a way for us as individuals to enter into God's rest, but the promised rest for the corporate people of God is linked to his second coming after the "tares" are removed from among the "wheat" (Matthew 13:36–43).

. There is a prophetic parallel when the staves of cedar wood overlaid with gold were removed from the ark of the covenant after the completion of Solomon's Temple (2 Chronicles 5:9). While the tabernacle of Moses was in effect, the law was very clear: The staves shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it (Exodus 25:15). The Levites bore the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves through the wilderness into the promised land while it was in the tabernacle of Moses and also into Jerusalem to the tabernacle of David (1 Chronicles 15:15), but when the ark came to its resting place in the completed temple, the staves were drawn out. This happened some five hundred years after Joshua and the sons of Israel entered the promised land. This is symbolic of what will happen after Jesus returns and puts his completed temple of living stones on display where God will tabernacle, or dwell, with his people forever.

 Gr. Sabbatismos.

 Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9

 Psalm 2:7

 Psalm 110:4

 This is what it means to dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This is where he shall cover us with his feathers, and under his wings we shall be secure, and his truth shall be our shield and buckler (Psalm 91:1, 4).

 This is the third mention of Melchisedec in the New Testament out of a total of nine (all in the book of Hebrews). He is mentioned twice in the Old Testament (spelled Melchizedec).

 Genesis 14:18–20

 Salem means "peace."

 If God became Jesus's father at the time of the incarnation (when the Word was made flesh) this would solve a major part of the enigma and the Scripture that states: I will declare the decree; the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day I have begotten thee (Psalm 2:7) might shed some light on the fact that Melchisedec, at the time of his interaction with Abraham, did not yet have a father, and nevertheless Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father (if Melchisedec and Jesus are indeed one and the same). At any rate, the fact that God has a Son, who is also God and who participated in every aspect of the creation from the beginning (John 1:1-3), and that God would send his Son as a man of the lineage of Abraham and of David to die for the sins of the world was a carefully veiled secret in the Old Testament.

 Melchisedec lives.

 If the Holy Spirit who inspired this Scripture witnesses that Melchisedec still lives, then doesn't it follow that he and Jesus are one and the same? If this is the case, then Abraham (and even Levi) paid tithes to Jesus!

. Jesus told the Jews: Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad. Then the Jews said unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM (John 8:56–58).

 To hearken is to hear and obey.

 Exodus 25:9, 40

 1 Timothy 2:5

 Undoubtedly one of the ten times mentioned above that they refused to hearken unto God's voice.

 Jeremiah 31:31–34

 Even what is referred to as the "first tabernacle" is veiled to the natural man who must be "born again" in order to enter the priesthood of all believers and perceive the realm represented by the Holy Place. There is, however, a "second veil" separating us from the direct presence of God and from the full revelation of Jesus Christ. When the apostle John, who was very close to Jesus during his time here on earth, entered that realm, he fell at his feet as though dead (Revelation 1:17).

 The ark of the covenant represents Jesus Christ who became the reconciliation for our sins. Inside the ark (symbolic of the treasures that are in Christ) were: the golden urn that had the manna (this is the hidden manna that Jesus promised to those who overcome Revelation 2:17); Aaron's rod that budded, blossomed, and produced almonds (symbolic of the protection, discipline, and even chastisement of God upon his sons, whom he loves, to bring them into fruitfulness in his kingdom), and the tables of the testament (containing the Ten Commandments that the children of Israel were unable to keep in their own strength under the law, but that are given into our soul and written on our hearts if we are in Christ under the new covenant.

 It is thought by some that the depiction of the cherubim on the second veil included the flaming sword described in Genesis 3:24. It is the second veil that was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died, showing that the way was now open for humankind to return to the presence of God in Christ (Matthew 27:51). The Jewish priests, however, apparently lost no time in repairing the veil and so it is with religion manipulated by man.

 The book of Revelation shows what will happen when God removes what is symbolized by the veil (Revelation 6:14–17, 11:19).

 This could be a hint that the book of Hebrews was written after the temple was destroyed.

 When Jesus returns, how much of our present-day religious structure will remain standing?

 The gold joining the stones of the temple is symbolic of the real temple made of living stones that are joined together by the very nature of God.

 It certainly looks like Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 have both a near and a far application to the end of the age of the law in AD 66–70 and also to the end of the age of grace at the present time. Therefore, the message and warning of the book of Hebrews is of vital importance today because we are also fast approaching another time of correction.

 If the first coming of Jesus Christ triggered an awesome time of correction, bringing about an end of animal sacrifice, of the Levitical priesthood, and even of the temple itself, what will be the effects of his second coming?

 Jesus's death opened the way for us to be justified and reconciled with God. However, we are to identify in his death and by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 6:5, 8:13).

 For flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50) and the life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11).

 Matthew 27:50–51; Mark 15:37–38; Luke 23:45–46

 The old covenant or old testament.

 The animal sacrifice system of the Old Testament was designed so that those who knew that they deserved to die for their sin could offer a substitute animal sacrifice instead of paying with their own life. This, however, was only a temporary solution until Jesus was offered as a once-and-for-all sacrifice for the sins of the world, and in the meantime the souls of the righteous who died were held by death in hades (Sheol in Hebrew) awaiting redemption (Enoch, Moses, and Elijah were exceptions and for special reasons that we will not explore now).

 Romans 2:28–29; Colossians 2:11

 The Greek word translated as sin is hamartia, which means "to intentionally shoot at the wrong target."

 This a slightly paraphrased rendition of Psalm 40:6–8a.

 Jeremiah 31:31–34

 Here is a hint confirming that Paul is definitely the author of this epistle to the Hebrews (most of them still living in or around Judea at the time). If the bonds he is referring to are when he was prisoner at Caesarea for almost two years, then this writing would have taken place after that while Paul was on the way to Rome or after he arrived at Rome. Thus, the earliest possible date for this writing would be about AD 64 or later, as the Jewish wars began to really heat up about AD 66, ending in total destruction by AD 70.

 Habakkuk 2:4

 See Ecclesiastes 5:4.

 Jesus called Judas Iscariot the son of perdition (John 17:12) and this phrase is also applied to the man of sin (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The word perdition occurs twelve times in the Jubilee Bible translation and this is the eighth. Perdition has to do with eternal death; it is the exact opposite of eternal life.

 We can only understand that the ages were framed by the word of God (in the highest sense, Jesus is the living Word) through faith. In fact, it is the faith of Jesus Christ that made possible the new testament age. It is by faith that we may understand that our present age of grace is ending and that we must heed the clear warnings of Scripture if we are to partake of the age to come.

 John 1:18; 1 John 4:12

 Genesis 18

 In the Jubilee Bible translation the name Sarah in the Old Testament is spelled Sara in the New Testament.

 After careful examination of Scriptures such as Revelation 21:24–27 along with the prophetic representations in the Old Testament, it appears that not all of those who are redeemed and saved will reside in the Holy City during eternity in the midst of the new heavens and the new earth.

 Note that Isaac, not Ishmael, is listed here in Scripture as Abraham´s only begotten son. This is food for thought. God had said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called and this has to do with Isaac being Abraham´s only heir. Jesus is referred to as God the Father´s only begotten son in five Scriptures (John 1:14,18; 3:16,18; 1 John 4:9). Jesus is also identified as the first begotten of the dead (Revelation 1:5) indicating that there will be more who will follow in his footsteps and become joint-heirs to the promise. Remember that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50).

 With Joseph receiving a double portion when Jacob, by faith, took Ephraim and Manasseh as his sons (to become full-fledged tribes of Israel) this set the stage for God to take the tribe of Levi for himself and not count the sons of Levi among the inheritance of their brethren (who now made up twelve tribes without counting Levi) because the Lord is their inheritance.

 Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 1:17–18, 6:46

 Note that here in the list of "elders" that gave a good report there are three women: Sara, Moses's mother, and Rahab.

 Rahab married Salmon (apparently one of Joshua's two spies) and became the mother of Boaz (who redeemed Ruth) and the great, great grandmother of King David. Jesus Christ was also known as the Son of David.

 Prophets are those who speak Gods words instead of their own words, no matter what the consequences.

 The last trumpet is the seventh trumpet (Revelation 10:7, 11:15).

 The word that is written has to do with the promise.

 The prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus has to do with the first resurrection.

 Gr. stauros – stake.

 Romans 8:1–2

 Leviticus 17:11

 See Proverbs 3:11–12.

 The word son in this context is not an indication of gender.

 2 Timothy 2:11–13

 Remember that in the mid first century, Christianity was called, "the way" (Acts 19:23, 24:14).

 The word angels could refer to celestial beings such as cherubim or seraphim, but this word can also refer to humans who have been sent as messengers or representatives of God.

 At the time of the early church, Christianity was referred to as "the way" (Acts 19:9, 23; 24:14).

 This is the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).

 The phrase "sacrifice(s) of praise" occurs six times in Scripture. This is the last instance.

 Names that come to mind include: Timothy, Aquila, Priscilla, and maybe even Luke (as this epistle to the Hebrews appears to have been written about the time that Luke closes the book of Acts).

 Contrast this with the dire situation described in Genesis 6:5–7.

Contenido

Overview 5

Chapter 1

Today If Ye Will Hear His Voice 13

Chapter 2

Who is Melchisedec? 33

Chapter 3

The True Tabernacle 47

Chapter 4

The Heirs of the Promise 69
