Hebrews 3:14-19 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
‘For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.’ After warning Christians that they can fall into sin and apostasy and be cut off from God by sin, as Israel was, the apostle lays down the condition they must meet to be finally saved. It is to hold the original “confidence stedfast unto the end.”
‘To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.’ This is the 12th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (3:15; Ps. 95:7-8) and it is fulfilled. This is the third time today is used to emphasize it is the present – NOW – when God’s voice is heard (3:7, 13, 15). Make the best of time while you have it; listen to God.
‘Sware he that they should not enter into his rest.’ God still swears that: The soul that sinned, shall surely die (Ezek. 18:4). Whosoever sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book (Ex. 32:32-33; Rev. 3:5; 22:19). When a righteous man sins he will die for his iniquity (Ezek. 18:26; 33:18). The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23; 8:12-13; Gal. 5:21; 6:7-8). If you live after the flesh you will die (Rom. 8:12-13). The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1Cor. 6:9-11). If any man defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy (1Cor. 3:17; 6:9-11; Rom. 8:12-13; Rev. 21:8). They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21). They that commit such things are worthy of death (Rom. 1:21-32). If we deny Him he also will deny us (2Thess. 2:12). Every man will be judged according to his deeds (Rom. 2:6). He that sowed to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption (Gal. 6:7-8). These scriptures and many others like them apply to everybody. God is under oath to enforce these laws regardless of who is guilty, a sinner or a professing Christian.
Living the Word 