Presents
pamphlet #2610
Hebrews
chapter 10
The love of of God and His truth and His ways, must come from within, as a sincere desire to know Him, which is to hunger and thirst after righteousness (His Word).
Presents
pamphlet #2610
Hebrews
chapter 10
The love of of God and His truth and His ways, must come from within, as a sincere desire to know Him, which is to hunger and thirst after righteousness (His Word).
Does it make sense to you that just going to church and performing rituals and ceremonies and even doing good deeds cannot "seal up" the Word of God in your mind? The only way that can be accomplished is for one to desire from within his or her soul to drink from that fountain of life and eat daily the true bread of life, the Word of God. "Give us this day our daily bread!" To wit, Paul has been teaching us the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant in that none of those "shadowy things", i.e. going to the temple and tithing and making sacrifices, etc., can "put the laws of God in your heart" and "seal His Word in your mind" whereby you become Christ-like, one with Him. You see, the love of God, the love of His truth and His ways, must come from within, as a sincere desire to know Him, which is to hunger and thirst after righteousness ("His Word").
The key therefore to understanding about the New Covenant begins with understanding what to be "perfect" (teleioo in Greek) means, which is to be "finished", "consummated", "fulfilled", as in "filled up to the full"! In other words, to be "perfect" is to have your heart and mind "filled up" with the precious golden olive oil, the Holy Spirit, meaning that the Word of God is written in your heart and sealed in your mind. Then you are brought to completion! Let's listen to the great teacher and apostle Paul concerning those temporal, shadowy things contained in the Old Covenant as compared to the real thing, which is Christ.
Just as the tabernacle that was "made with hands" was only a model and not the real thing, which is Christ, so it was with the sacrifices and the shedding of the blood of animals. In other words, they too were only an image of the "real sacrifice", the Lamb of God, the only sacrifice who could atone for our sins and take them away... forevermore. Only through Him could those "good things to come" Paul just spoke of come to pass, which "good things" begin with the forgiveness of sins that will be remembered no more... followed by eternal life!Hebrews 10:1
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
[2] For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the
[3] But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
[4] For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
The shadows, all those sacrifices, could not bring us to perfection (teleioo, i.e. completion, fulfilled.) because first of all, the blood and spirit of animals simply cannot purge sin from our conscience. For that reason, they had to be offered year after year continually. It is only through the blood and sacrifice of the One whose spirit is eternal and can return unto us to dwell with us, that our sins can be forgiven and our minds purged.So the question is: If all those sacrifices and shadowy doings could not do the job, i.e. if they could not bring His sons to completion, then what possible pleasure could our Father have in them? The answer is as simple as it should be obvious... none at all (Heb. 10:5)! Then why did He ordained them? That answer is also obvious... if one has eyes to see and ears to hear (Ps. 40:6). It was to teach us by using types and models (shadows) about the true tabernacle and the true sacrifice, the "real thing" which is Jesus Christ. In other words, it was to "Bring us to Christ"! Galatians 3:24 "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." You see, there is no other way to receive forgiveness for sins and receive eternal life for there is no "earthly sacrifice" that can atone for us in the spirit.
Paul is quoting directly from the 40th Psalm... yes... in the Old Testament which is as much a part of the complete Word of God as the New Testament. So if our Father has no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices, what does pleasure Him? Our Father's desire, that which He most wants, is for His children to love Him, to come to Him and love and obey His Word, that He may be able to pour out His blessings upon them... which gives Him great joy. Let's look a little closer at the verses in the 40th Psalm from which Paul quoted.Hebrews 10:5
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: [6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no
pleasure.
Did you notice that Paul left out "mine ears hast thou opened" in his quote of Ps. 40:6 in Hebrews 10:5-6? The irony in this is that only those who dig deeper into His Word, who sincerely seek to gain a fuller understanding and come to know Him, would even notice the missing phrase.You see, they are the ones whose ears He opens! To wit, they are not the "milk only drinkers" Paul spoke of in Hebrews 5:11-14.Psalm 40:6
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Nevertheless, in Heb. 10:5 Paul is referring to any sacrifice (zebach in Hebrew) of which four are specifically referred to in Ps. 40:6, the verse he quoted. Perhaps it would be worthwhile to take a look at what was involved in making those sacrifices and what they were for (definitions below are taken from appendix 43, pg. 37, in the Companion Bible).
Any sacrifice = Zebach = any offering slain (from No. II. iv, above). The proper word for a victim, slain and offered. The Hebrew name for altar (mizbeah) is derived from the same root, and denotes the place of slaughter. Compare Genesis 22.The point is that none of those sacrifices could make us whole or redeem us. Only the One of whom it was promised by the sworn oath of God, the One who became all those things, could cleanse us and make us white. It was the promise of the New Covenant!The meal offering = Minchah = the Meal offering = a present, assuch. Hence a gift-offering, not necessarily to secure admittance, but to secure favour. It might be sacrifice by blood, or more generally and later, without blood. It is used of the offerings of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3, 4, 5), of Jacob's present to Esau (Genesis 32:13-21), etc. In Exodus and Leviticus it acquires a special limitation, and is the only word rendered "meat", or better (with Revised Version), "meal-offering" (though it has a wider signification than literal "meal").
The burnt offering = 'Olah = the burnt offering: so called from the Hiphil of the verb 'alah, to cause to ascend [as the flame and smoke ascend by burning]. In Greek holocausta, which conveys its meaning as being wholly burnt.
Sin offering (Ps. 22) = Chattath = the Sin offering from chatt'a to sin coming short of, by missing the mark in sins of commission. In the Piel it means to purge from such sin (Psalm 51:7). In the 'Olah (II. ii) the blood went upward, in the chattath it went downward and outward "without the camp". The former was burnt up on the altar, the latter went down on the ground.
Trespass offering (Ps. 69) = 'Asam = the Trespass offering. Relates to sins of omission, while chattath relates to sins of commission = sin in general; 'Asham sin in relation to Mosaic Law; sins of error arising from ignorance or negligence.
I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Do you also delight in doing the will of God or do you delight in following after the traditions of men and doing religious, churchy, things?Psalm 40:7-8
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,[8]I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Again, sacrifices and following after the traditions of men are NOT what our Father wants. Of course, this is nothing new for He has declared it many times through His prophets. Take Hosea for example (Hosea means "salvation" in Hebrew.):Hebrews 10:8
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
Ephraim, the largest of the 10 tribes, is used here to represent the House of Israel, just as America is the largest nation among the tribes of Israel today. God is saying to America and her sister nations, "What am I going to do with you children?" Your love is so fleeting, like the early morning fog and dew that are quickly burned away when the sun comes up. You go to church once a week and sing praises to me but do you ever crack the Book during the week and study my letter which I have written unto you?" The words of Isaiah 29:13 are so true: "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men." All our people know about the love of God is what they have learned through the traditions of men while they ignore His Word, which reveals the very nature and mind of our Father and His Christ as well as His entire Plan of Salvation.Hosea 6:4
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
What this verse is saying is that the entire Plan of God, His Plan of Salvation for His people, is "cut in stone", i.e. hewn! That's right, the whole plan from the beginning is cut out and laid out by the prophets of God through whom He spoke His Words, the words of His mouth! Therefore, His people are WITHOUT EXCUSE! Jesus Christ said it simply and clearly in His own words in Mark 13:23 when He declared that He has foretold us ALL THINGS! "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things (Mark 13:23)." Therefore, as we just read in Hosea 6:5, as SURE AS THE SUN COMES UP (which is what "as the light goeth forth" means) His judgments shall come to pass! YOU CAN COUNT ON IT![5] Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
And you know what? It is really too bad that His cup of wrath must be poured out because all our Father really wants from His children is their LOVE and devotion. He doesn't want their animal sacrifices or their money, etc.! He just desires that they love Him and get to know Him through His Word!
Hosea 6:6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
[7] But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
Yes, from Adam (like "men") even to this day God's children have broken His covenant and they have been unfaithful (dealt treacherously) against Him. Even as Eve was seduced by the serpent (Satan) His children continue to break their spiritual marriage vows with total disregard as if they meant nothing. Even this very day, though our people have the Written Words of the Living Word right on their coffee tables or book shelves, they ignore His warnings and instructions He gave them through the prophets and the apostles and they have allowed themselves to be hypnotized and seduced by that old serpent, the false messiah, the prince and power of the air. And their "many" preachers of whom Christ warned them to be wary in Mat. 24 and Mk. 13, lead them right down the path to spiritual death.
He wants justice and truth to flow throughout the land as a mighty river. That can only be if His laws are written in the hearts of His children. But it is not, for they have transgressed the covenant and have dealt treacherously (unfaithfully as an harlot) against Him.
Let's hear it from one more of the prophets. Here's Amos, the sheepherder from the town of Tekoa, which means "Trumpet" in Hebrew.
You can offer the best (fattest) sacrifices you can find, but if you do not love His Word, which is His righteousness, and walk in His ways, your sacrifices and even your songs are in vain.Amos 5:22
Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
We have millions and millions of Christians in this nation who have become "tolerant" of iniquity and continually allow perversion and injustice to permeate our society. Then they go to church on Sunday and sing praises and hymns. Do you think our Father is pleased and honors all those songs? No, it hurts Him and angers Him. Again, it is written that our Father wants "Truth" and "Justice" to flow like a mighty river throughout this great nation.[23] Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
[24] But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Let's return to Paul in Hebrews.
Jesus Christ, the true tabernacle, came to this earth as promised and sworn to by the immutable oath of God, to fulfill the loving promise of our Father and establish the New Covenant. God gave His only begotten Son, the perfect Lamb of God, to be our Passover that we may have the victory over death. It is therefore by His perfect sacrifice which He made once and for all time, that we are sanctified. And in His becoming the "true sacrifice", the only sacrifice for sins, He did away with all the shadows and nailed them to the cross (Col. 2:14).Hebrews 10:9
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second.
That's it... period! There is no other sacrifice through which one can be sanctified because there simply is no other sacrifice which can take away sins.[10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Our eternal High Priest sits as our advocate and intercessor at the right hand of God! There is no other priest required or necessary! Why not? Because He can handle it![11] And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:[12] But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
This is the 7th time in the New Testament that the 110th Psalm has been referred to. Do you think perhaps it is important that we understand that 110th Psalm? It sure is! You see, one would think that by our Father sending us the "true tabernacle" to dwell among men and pay the price for all their sins, that that alone would be enough to bring forth love from all His children! But alas! For many it will happen only when their eyes are opened to the shame of their iniquity (as spiritual harlots) whereby they can see the transgressions they have committed by straying from His Word. Then they will become willing to receive Him in their hearts and have His laws engraved in their foreheads... whereby they are sealed forever! Because it is so important to our understanding, let's look one more time at Psalm 110:[13] From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
The "until" is until He returns as King of kings and subdues all nations at the sound of the 7th Trump.Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David.
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
He shall crush His enemies while delivering His people, and shall then rule ALL nations with a rod of iron.[2] The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
When second half of Isa. 61:2 comes to pass at the sound of the 7th Trump and the day of vengeance arrives, and all His enemies are made His footstool, then His people, the true House of Israel, O Ephraim, will be willing (of their own freewill) to have His laws put in their hearts and etched in their minds according to the New Covenant.[3] Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
Note: You will find in Luke 4 that Christ stood up and began reading from the great Book of Isaiah (chapter 61) until He had finished reading the first half of Isa. 61:2, which declared His first advent and the purpose thereof. He then closed the book and sat down because the rest of verse two (quoted above) spoke of His second advent when He comes as King of kings.Isaiah 61:2-3
... and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;[3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.
Christ fulfilled the promise of the first advent, to open eternal salvation to all who will repent and come to Him for forgiveness and "believe" in Him. And it is our Father's will that all would do so: 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.Psalm 110:4
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
When His wrath is poured out at the sound of the 7th Trump, it is written that every knee shall bow! Romans 14:11: "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (see also Philip. 2:10.)[5] The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
He shall judge all nations, all those spiritually dead people and leaders, and He shall "wound their heads", i.e. take all their crowns.[6] He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
When the glory of Christ is revealed at His coming, then His truth and justice shall flow as a mighty river and His people will turn to Him.[7] He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
When you step out of the shower in the morning, do you still feel dirty? Of course not! Neither should you feel dirty when you wash away your sins, your filthy garments, with the blood of the Lamb...
Let us now return to Hebrews 10:14 where Paul once again is going to show us the beauty of the New Covenant, as compared with all those sacrifices of the Old Covenant which could not sanctify the children of God.
Them that are sanctified" are those who love Him. And again, to be perfected is to be "teleioo" in Greek, which means completed, fulfilled. Are you beginning to understand?Hebrews 10:14
For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Here it is once again:
We learned that the word "write" (epigrapho) means to "engrave upon" (epi = against or upon, grapho = to grave, i.e. engrave). This should help us to understand the second commandment:"We are "complete" in Jesus Christ, which means that we are complete when the laws of God, the Word of God, dwells (lives) in our hearts because it is etched (graven) in our minds."[15] Where of the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,[16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
What on earth or what in heaven's name is engraved upon your mind? What occupies your mind? In other words, what images would one see if he were to look upon the walls of your mind? Material things? A church perhaps? Saints for this day or that? It is the law of God, i.e. His Word, that is to be engraved there. Sadly though, for so many of our brothers and sisters this is not the case, because the fact is we are nation of Biblical illiterates, void of understanding, who have allowed materialism and the traditions of men to creep in and to be engraved where they ought not, in the space where His Word should be written!Exodus 20:4
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
This is profound! We can be forgiven and have peace of mind and serenity (entering into His rest) for evermore, because once forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that's it... it's gone... leaving nothing more to be atoned for!Hebrews 10:17
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
To enter in "boldly" does not mean to be "brazen", but rather to enter in with "full assurance", with complete and utter confidence, knowing with certitude that you are forgiven and made clean by the blood of the Lamb.[18] Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
When you step out of the shower in the morning, do you still feel dirty? Of course not! Neither should you feel dirty when you wash away your sins, your filthy garments, with the blood of the Lamb... that is if you believe God is faithful and true to His Word! Do you have that "full assurance of faith" which comes from knowing Him?If so, Paul just said that when we wash our bodies (cleanse our "garments") with "pure water" ("rain" from heaven) then we should have a clear conscience, knowing that we have been thoroughly cleansed because the blood of the Lamb has been "sprinkled" on us to make us clean and white. (Remember Hebrews 9:22: "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.")[20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;[21] And having an high priest over the house of God;
[22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Therefore, when you repent and ask for forgiveness, do not then walk around depressed all day with a guilty conscience. Otherwise, it is like you took your shower without turning the water on.
We live in perilous times, a time of trials and great temptations, with even greater spiritual tribulation just ahead. Know therefore and understand the reality of what Paul is teaching us in this great Book of Hebrews and "be thou cleansed", and you shall have the victory over death.
Rev. 7:14
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The Book of Hebrews was written and addressed to the dispersed of the true house of Israel in these latter days... you know, the Christian nations of the world today with America as the leader along with her brothers and sisters like Great Britain and Canada, etc.
For that reason the apostle Paul wrote this epistle in a scholarly fashion, a style different than he used in his other writings, so much so that many so-called scholars cast doubts as to whether or not it actually was the apostle Paul who wrote it.
You "see", the reason the Book of Hebrews is "scholarly" is because Paul specifically wrote it to those of the dispersion who are of "strong meat", who have studied their Father's Word and are well founded in the writings of the law and prophets, i.e. the Old Testament, having therefore a deeper understanding which enables them to grasp "hard sayings", like what it means to have an "eternal" High Priest promised "after the order of Melchisedec"!
You "see", Paul is "uttering things"
hard to be understood in this great epistle,
a fact which we documented in Heb. 5:11-14.
Remember he said he could not "relate" the "deeper truths" he desired for them to understand because they were all a bunch of "milk" drinkers who after years and years of going to church (at a time when they should be teachers) they still only knew the very basics of Christianity like salvation and baptism.
In other words, since they were not of strong meat they simply would not be able to "relate" to what he was saying and therefore could not come to a full understanding of those "deeper truths", which is to partake of the rich "hidden manna" (angel's food), i.e. gain "rich" understanding (Rev. 2:9).
This distinction between the "unwise" and unknowledgeable virgins and the "wise" and knowledgeable virgins is important to understand the "depth" of what is contained in today's study.
To that end, we will find that what
Paul is going to teach us in today's study is yet another example of that
disparity, for he is going to "utter" another "hard saying" and explain
to those of strong meat,
those "whose ears He has opened"
(Ps. 40:6), what the "unpardonable sin"
is, a matter which being proprietary to God's
elect, can only be committed by them and they are therefore the only ones
who actually "hear" (understand) what it is!
To that end, Paul has now set the stage for our understanding by showing us and explaining to us the magnitude of God's faithfulness to His Word in sending the promised One to become the one and only sacrifice for our sins and to become our eternal High Priest.
You "see", without faith, i.e. without having the "full (unwavering) assurance", based on concrete evidence, that God is true to His Word, you will simply not have the "patient stedfastness" to endure (hupomeno) unto the end.
Why is that so important?
Because regardless of what the any-moment "fly away" preachers say, it is only those who remain in the field and do not turn back to take up filthy garments (Mk. 13:16), those who "hold fast" faithfully doing His will patiently enduring unto the end of the reign of Satan, who comes first as the false-christ, when the 7th Trump sounds and Yeshua returns as promised with all those "good things" Paul speaks of, who shall "live"!
Don't take my word for it... It is written!
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.Rev. 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Explain to those who can "hear" what the "unpardonable sin" is. Let's recap a little of what we have learned so far in order to set the stage for what he is about to teach us!
Not only that, Paul explained how that Christ was tempted and tried and suffered many things, even taking those "stripes" for us (Isa. 53), that as our High Priest who has entered once into the Holy of Holies, He is able as a result of those sufferings to have compassion on us, for he knows exactly what we are going through.
And so it is, as we learned in Heb. 10:21, that He now sits on the right hand of the throne of His majesty as our High Priest, the only High Priest over the house of God, and furthermore, He shall remain at the right hand of the Father UNTIL He has made His enemies His footstool.
Yes, it is He who shall accomplish that, but it shall be through His elect that He brings it to pass.
What a privilege it is indeed to serve the Most High God in this final generation of the fig tree.
That brings us to where we left off in our last study, which was Heb. 10:22 where Paul explained that because we know God is faithful to His Word and His promises, we can draw near (and dear) to Him with boldness, i.e. with "full assurance" of faith, knowing with certitude that the blood of Christ "sprinkled on our hearts" has made us clean and white.
So GET OFF worrying about your little old fleshly sins, WON'T YOU?
Do you believe God and have that full assurance, or not?
Christ paid the price... claim the sacrifice and quit wasting time, both His and yours.
In other words, repent and have a clear conscience and get to WORK in the field!
So Paul having now prepared our minds, let's get ready for some deep plowing, because he is now going to look ahead to the future, to the "day approaching", the period of the great tribulation just before Christ returns, and explain to those who can "hear" what the "unpardonable sin" is.
Today you'll learn what it means to "blaspheme" the Holy Spirit; "The Unpardonable Sin".
The point is, the test of your faith is coming and you better know with "full assurance" that God is faithful in His promise when He says He will never leave you nor forsake you and that He will be with you always, even unto the end. To wit, the subject Paul is going to discuss in the remainder of this chapter is "holding fast" to your FAITH without "wavering". It is imperative therefore that we understand what "wavering" means, especially as it relates to understanding what the unpardonable sin is. Here is Strong's definition of "wavering":Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)
A-klines is the negative, or opposite of, "klino".wavering = aklineôs ak-lee-nace'Strong's #G186
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G2827; notleaning, (that is, (figuratively) firm:—without wavering.
In other words, Paul is going to talk about "enduring unto the end" (holding fast) and not "flying away" and "bowing down" to the abominable one" (i.e. wavering)! First though, he gives us some positive instruction to make sure we "consider" our brothers and sisters and encourage them and love them as we do God's will, which is what "good works" are.G2827 = klinoô klee'-no
A primary verb; to slant or slope, that is, incline or recline (literally or figuratively):—bow (down), be far spent, lay, turn to flight, wear away.
To "provoke" means to "incite to good", to "sharpen alongside". In other words, we seek to encourage and "build up" each other in the unity of the faith, not make it our business to go around tearing down other's beliefs. That is why we never single out denominations, or ministries, or individuals and "tear them down" by making personal accusations, etc. We are to simply teach our Father's Word to show forth and declare His righteousness (not their unrighteousness), and let the chips fall where they may! Psalm 22:31 "They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this."[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
This is not speaking of going to some church building, as it is so often used to lay guilt upon people or teach them that God's Word says they must go to church every week. Paul is speaking of our fellowshipping in the Word whenever we come together, in our homes or Bible studies or even electronically through TV and radio or on the phone or online, etc.. We are one body, the body of Christ, and we need be mindful (to consider) each other and exhort one another, ESPECIALLY as we see the day approaching, which is all but upon us! Wake up! The watchmen know the season and they know the season has grown long and so we see "the day" soon approaching". Take Heed![25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
I'm not even going to address how the "milk drinkers" are told by their blind leaders that this means once they become Christians they will no longer commit sins. The reality is that as long as we are in the flesh, we will fall short at times... and some... more times than others! But no matter, Christ died for us! The reality of the moment is the fact that the "day is fast approaching" and what Paul is saying is that... IF, AFTER, you have been sanctified, i.e. IF you are one of God's elect having had your eyes and ears opened whereby you have received the knowledge of the truth, and THEN you WILLFULLY sin, which is to NOT holdfast but rather to waver, the subject being discussed here, then you are in BIG TROUBLE![26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
You "see", God's elect know full well that most Christians have not received the knowledge of the truth. Most of our brothers and sisters follow after the traditions of men, being blinded and asleep in a stupor as per Romans chapter 11. Therefore... since they have NOT received the knowledge of the truth in the first place, they are not able to turn back, i.e. to turn away from the truth! Surely that makes sense to you! It is akin to the fact that if you have never been somewhere then you cannot go back there. Yes, they will fall in the great apostasy and bow down to the false messiah, but they will do so in ignorance, not willfully after having come to a full knowledge of the truth.
However, if you are one of God's elect and you turn back and worship the abomination of desolation (Satan, the false-christ), then this is what you have to look forward to:
You certainly do not want to be among those numbered with His adversaries for they shall be consumed by the fire of His indignation. Again, Paul is speaking about the "approaching day", the time just before the return of Christ known as the great apostasy, the great falling away, when the son of perdition comes first and sits in the temple claiming to be God (2 Thes. 2).[27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Remember that Paul was an Hebrew scholar who studied under the renown doctor of law, Gamaliel. So knowing God's Word very well he makes reference to Deut. 17:2-7 regarding those who worship the abomination, i.e. go and serve other gods such as Satan and his angels. This explains the "unpardonable sin", the sin worthy of death![28] He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
This really needs no commentary for those with eyes to see!Deut. 17:2-7
If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing His covenant,[3] And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
[4] And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:
The worship of abomination is an unpardonable sin unto death, if you are within the gates, i.e. one of God's chosen, one of the elect![5] Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
Now having gained an understanding of what Paul was referring to in Heb. 10:28, "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses", "listen" to the comparison he makes to the time of the "approaching day".[6] At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.[7] The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.
The Greek word for "trodden under" is "katapateo", which means to reject . Again, Paul is specifically addressing those who have truly been "sanctified". If they deny Christ and do not allow the Holy Spirit to speak through them, but rather turn away to the abominable one, the "unholy thing" (unholy means "profane") then they have "blasphemed" the Holy Spirit, i.e. done despite unto the Spirit of grace. Now you know what it means to "blaspheme" the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Grace.(You can look up the word "despite" for yourself in your Greek dictionary or Strong's Concordance.)Hebrews 10:29
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
So what is the answer to the question, "How much sorer will their punishment be?" The answer is instead of being stoned to death in the flesh they shall experience "eternal death" from the Rock! Did you know all this is contained in the Song of Moses, the 32nd chapter of Deuteronomy which speaks all about this final generation of the fig tree? To wit, Paul is now going to quote from the Song of Moses, which is also the song that the "overcomers" will be singing at the victory celebration over the beast as documented in Rev. 15.
Do you know how to say "King of the saints (just ones)" in Hebrew? Melchi-sedec!Rev. 15:3-4
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
That should definitely cause those who have eyes to see and ears to hear to know both the season and the time whereof Paul speaks. It is the time when our people shall stumble and fall in the great apostasy and worship the false rock instead of the true Rock of our salvation. Again, if you are a "sanctified one" and you turn back and worship along with them, you are in big trouble![4] Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Here now is Paul quoting from Deut. 32, the Song of Moses!
This speaks of the day of Vengeance, the second advent, the 7th Trump when Yeshua returns as King of kings and Lord of lords. However, do you remember when we noticed that Paul left out the phrase "mine ears hast thou opened" when he quoted Ps. 40:6? You should now always remember to go check referenced scriptures to gain a fuller understanding of that which is being "uttered", i.e. related to. So let's check out Deut. 32:31-36 that Paul is quoting from. Pay close attention, those of you whose ears He has opened, to that which is written between the words Paul quoted above.Hebrews 10:30
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Their vine is not our vine and the field they plow is not the Word of God. Therefore, the fruit that they produce is vile and bitter. In fact, it is so spiritually poisonous it will kill you (spiritually) because it comes straight from the old dragon himself.Deut. 32:31-36
For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. [32] For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:
Paul quotes the first part of the next verse:[33] Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.[34] Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?
"Their foot shall slide" is the great falling away, the great apostasy Paul speaks of in 2 Thes. 2, the great bending and bowing to the false messiah, the great "carrying away" into the arms of the abominable one, i.e. the great seduction by the serpent. It shall come upon them suddenly, i.e. when they least expect it. You see, they are watching for the return of Christ, which happens at the sound of the 7th Trump. But the 6th Trump shall sound FIRST and they will all fall to the abominable one, Satan claiming to be Christ. The truth of the matter is that their preachers are sounding the alarm of the wrong Trump. They should know that the number "6" comes before the number "7" in the chronological order of things, like trumps![35] To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Here is the definition of "slide":
Paul also quotes from the next verse, vs. 36:slide = mote' Strong's # H4131
A primitive root; to waver; by implication to slip, shake, fall:—be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, X exceedingly, fall (-ing down), be (re-) moved, be ready shake, slide, slip.
Their "power" is Jesus Christ. Their "power" shall be GONE for they shall have all been swept away in the great flood of deception to befall this generation. Then... He who promised He will come, SHALL COME. (And you wonder where Paul got the chronological order of events he told us of in 2 Thes. 2 concerning the abominable one, the son of perdition. It has been right here in the Song of Moses all along.)[36] For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when He seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.
Why is it a fearful [formidable] thing? Because you "see", God can destroy not only your flesh body, but your very soul. He is the one you should fear, as in revere! Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear [revere] Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."Hebrews 10:31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
"Call to remembrance" means to "keep ever in mind". You not only remember what it was like when you first came to the knowledge of the truth (were illuminated) and all the things some of you went through, but on a deeper level this too refers to the Song of Moses, Deut. 32:7, for it has to do with your FAITH. "Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee."[32] But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
In the next chapter Paul will give us a great lesson concerning those who have gone before us and how that relates to our faith.
Though at times it may have been difficult, you had no problem dealing with coming out of Babylon (confusion).[33] Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Keep focused on the eternal reward and that great city of God! How much faith do you have? Do you wilt when someone calls you weak or labels you because of the Christ in you? The question is, are you willing to take a stand for what you believe or are you "intimidated" by the beast already?[34] For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Do not "cast your faith" away and turn back to the abomination. Christ told His watchmen to stay out of his (the abominable one's) house, because their is nothing in there but filthy garments and death! (Mark 13:15 "And let him that is on the housetop [the watchman] not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house."[35] Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Again, you hang in there (hupomeno) and keep your eyes focused on your crown and that same great city our father Abraham saw! God has promised that He will never forsake you and He has promised to deliver you and "God is faithful" to His EVERY WORD!
As we said before, your faith is going to be tested so remember what James has to say: James 1:3 "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." You need to have "patient endurance" knowing with certitude that God will reward you for doing the right thing, for doing His will, which is staying in the field and working His plan. We KNOW we have the victory and the promise of eternal life and all the "good things" Paul spoke of because Christ paid the price and in doing so He defeated death, that old serpent, the son of perdition.[36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Time is short in this final generation, but you should know the reason why God is longsuffering. It is because He loves His children and is giving them more time than ever in this final generation to turn to Him... "TO DAY"... with all their hearts and minds. To wit, the bridegroom tarries and we have had a great wake-up call (9-11) to both the "wise" and the "unwise virgins" (Mat. 25). What are you doing about it? Have you awakened to answer the call? Have you gone out to get to know the bridegroom, to draw near unto Him and study His Word so as to fill your lamp with that precious oil of His Spirit whereby you can make it through the darkest hour of the night?[37] For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
For yet a little while, and He that shall come WILL COME, and will not tarry (Heb. 10:37).2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
If you are going to "live", as in make it to the end and receive life (eternal life), you are going to have to have faith! Do not turn back to the abominable one when he comes and sits in the temple claiming to be God! Again, Christ gave us stern warning in Mat. 24 and Mark 13. Do not go into his house. Stay in the field and keep your righteous garments on, the gospel armor of light. Romans 13:12 "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
You see, if you are one of His sanctified ones and you "draw back" and deny the true Christ by worshipping the abomination of desolation along with your deceived brothers and sisters, then as Paul just stated... your Father will have NO PLEASURE in you (Heb. 10:38).
Remember, God is faithful to His promises, to His Word, so put on the shield of faith and the whole armor of God and be ready to take a stand and please Him regardless of what man, or angels, or principalities or powers might do or say. If you are one of God's elect and He has opened your eyes and ears, then you are not among those who shall "draw back" unto the son of "perdition". We have the victory and no one is going to take our crown!
If you are one "whose ears He has opened" then you are a child of light and not of darkness. The night is far spent and you are awake to the truth of His Word and what is happening in this final generation. Only those who sleep in the night are going to "draw back", i.e. fall in the great apostasy and bow before the son of perdition! They already cower before the first beast of Rev. 1 and are intimidated by the bite of the asps and sting of the scorpions! Here is the Greek word for "draw back":[39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
In chapter 11 Paul is going to "Remember the Days of Old" and show us the substance of what real faith is made of!draw back = Strong's #G5289 hupostoleô hoop-os-tol-ay'
From G5288; shrinkage (timidity), that is, (by implication) apostasy:—draw back.
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