Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

Sorer Punishment – Part 1

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Hebrews 10:28-29 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who had trodden under foot the Son of God, and had counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and had done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 

‘He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy.’ He that rejected and denied the divine authority of the law died without mercy (Num. 15:30; Deut. 17:2-6).

‘Sorer punishment’ – The offences against the law were nothing compared to the seven sins noted below and punishment will be proportioned to the offence. They are to: Sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth (10:26). Renounce Christ as the only sacrifice after we have received Him. Despise the gospel after we have received its knowledge (10:26, 28). Tread under feet the Son of God after knowing Him (10:29). Count Christ’s blood that once sanctified us, an unholy thing. Do despite or blaspheme the Holy Spirit of grace that we have received. Become an adversary after knowing the truth.

‘Trodden underfoot’ [Greek: katapateo] is translated as “tread underfoot” (10:29; Matt. 5:13; Luke 8:5; 12:1); and “trample” (Matt. 7:6). It means to treat the Son of God with the utmost contempt and blasphemy.

To be continued…

Devour the Adversaries

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Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

‘Certain fearful looking for of judgement’ – Seven judgments of apostates – there are seven judgments we shall experience if we do the seven things above: Have no other sacrifice for sins. Certain fearful judgment (10:27). Fiery indignation that will devour all adversaries (10:27). Sorer punishment than being stoned to death under the law (10:28-29). Vengeance from God (10:30). Full judgment and recompense for sins committed (10:30-31). Fearful handling by God.

‘Fearful’ [Greek: phoberos] frightful, that is, (objectively) formidable: – fearful, terrible. (10:31; 12:21).

‘Fiery indignation’ Jealousy; fervour of fire; or zeal of God in punishing apostates. A Hebraism (Ps. 79:5; Ezek. 36:5; 38:19; Zeph. 1:18; 3:8).

‘Devour’ [Greek: esthio] to consume like an eating disease; to vex. Translated as “devour” (10:27); “live of” (1Cor. 9:13); “be eating” (Matt. 26:26); and “eat” 53 times. Here it means eternal punishment for adversaries of God.

‘Adversaries’ [Greek: hupenantios] hostile; opposers.

No More Sacrifice For Sins

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Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins

‘If we sin wilfully …’ Seven things we can do: Sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth (10:26). Renounce Christ as the only sacrifice after we have received Him. Despise the gospel after we have received its knowledge (10:26, 28). Tread under feet the Son of God after knowing Him (10:29). Count Christ’s blood that once sanctified us, an unholy thing. Do despite or blaspheme the Holy Spirit of grace that we have received. Become an adversary after knowing the truth.

‘After that we have received the knowledge of the truth.’ Receiving the knowledge of the truth is the same as tasting “the good Word of God” (6:5). If one receives the truth (knows what is) and despite it, still sins, they fall away from the grace – the sacrifice that was made for them. Those who claim that you cannot out sin God’s grace have corrupted the truth and are under demonic inspiration to mislead others (Romans 6, 1John 3).

‘There remains no more sacrifice for sins.’ The first New Testament prophecy is in Hebrews (10:26-31). There remains no other when one rejects Christ as the only sacrifice for sin. He will have to suffer the punishments of that rejection. Such are willful apostates, not ordinary backsliders. As long as a backslider retains his faith in Christ and His atonement he can be renewed to repentance, but if he totally rejects Christ and His gospel, he becomes hopeless.

The Assembling of Ourselves Together

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Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. 

‘Profession of our faith’ [Greek: homologia] agreement; terms of surrender; confession. Translated as “profession” (3:1; 4:14; 10:23; 1Tim. 6:12; 2Cor. 9:13) and “confession” (1Tim. 6:13).

‘Without wavering’ to waver means to doubt, it is to be without true faith (Jas. 1:4-8; Rom. 4:17; Mark 11:22-24).

‘Consider’[ Greek: katanoeo] Translated as “consider” (10:24; 3:1; Matt. 7:3; Luke 12:24, 27; Acts 11:6; Rom. 4:19); “perceive” (Luke 6:41; 20:23); “discover” (Acts 27:39); and “behold” (Acts 7:31-32; Jas. 1:23-24).

‘Provoke’ [Greek: paroxusmos] to make keen; urge; prick; provoke (10:24) and contention (Acts 15:39).

‘Assembling’ [Greek: episunagoge] is a gathering together in one place (10:25; 2Thess. 2:1; cp. the verb in Matt. 23:37; 24:31). Christians got together at one another’s homes to pray and read together (the epistles), not in temples or churches as most assume today. The KJV translated the words assemble and congregation into ‘church’ because it was done in the days when the roman catholic church was in control of all access to Scripture. These words never refer to a certain place, but always to the verbal meaning of ‘getting together.’

‘As the manner of some is.’ It would seem here that some had forsaken the Christian gatherings, which occurred at individual’s homes, perhaps because of the persecutions referred to in Hebrews 10:32-33.

‘So much the more, as you see the day approaching.’ Christians should exhort one another to faithfulness, more and more, as the day of Christ draws near (1Cor. 1:8).

With a True Heart

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Hebrews 10:22 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. 

‘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.’ Seven commands for believers: To draw near to God (10:22). To have a pure conscience. To have clean bodies. To have unwavering faith (10:23). To provoke others to good works (10:24). To assemble with other Christians (10:25). To exhort one another daily (10:25; 3:13).

‘Draw near’ – Four ways to draw near to God: By boldness (10:19; 4:14-16); By the blood of Jesus (10:19); By a new and living way (10:20); By the high priesthood of Christ (10:21).

‘A true heart’ – An honest, earnest, sincere heart.

‘Full assurance’ [Greek: plerophoria] full conviction; certain (10:22; 6:11; Col. 2:2; 1Thess. 1:5).

‘Hearts sprinkled’ – Not the body sprinkled by the water of separation, as under the law (Num. 19:2-10), but our hearts—the inner man—sprinkled by the blood of Jesus (10:22; 12:24; 1Pet. 1:2). This is accomplished by faith in the blood (Rom. 3:24-25).

‘Conscience’ [Greek: suneidesis] is joint knowledge of God and man; knowledge of our acts, state, or character as to right and wrong; the faculty, power, or principle which decides the lawfulness of our actions and affections, and approves or condemns them; the moral faculty or sense; consciousness of actions; the eye, judge, and guide of the inner man. Used 32 times. The word “conscience” is not found in the Old Testament.

‘Bodies washed with pure water.’ Our bodies are bathed, referring to the actual cleanliness of the body rather than to baptism (Lev. 15:8-27; 17:15-16).

A New and Living Way

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Hebrews 10:19-21 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he had consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God

‘Boldness’ [Greek: parrhesia] liberty; full access to heaven. The practical teaching of the epistle begins here (Hebrews 10:19-13:25). It is a grand conclusion to the doctrinal arguments of Hebrews 1:1-10:18.

‘Enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.’ The high priest of the law could go only once a year into the holiest place on earth, but by the blood of Christ, the least saint can have daily access to the holiest place in heaven.

‘New and living way.’ It is a newly made way and a living way. It is so-called because Christ was newly slain and because He, being the way to God, is alive forevermore (John 14:6; Rev. 1:18). He is now alive within the veil (7:25).

Remission

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Hebrews 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 

‘Now where remission of these is.’ Where sins are remitted, there is no need for an offering for sins any longer. Thus Paul concludes his argument of the priesthood of Christ, begun in Hebrews 5:1. Christ’s offering is efficacious for all past, present, and future sins, but on condition of proper confession of sin and meeting the terms of continued grace (1Jn. 1:9; Rom. 10:9-10).

‘No more offering for sin.’ Christ is better than Old Testament sacrifices: Christ’s sacrifice ratifies the new covenant based upon better promises (8:6-13; 9:15-22; 10:16). Christ makes a way of personal approach to God (9:8; 10:19-23). Christ makes perfect (9:9; 10:1-14). Christ ministers realities (9:11; 8:5; 10:1). Christ makes entrance to heaven (9:12). Christ obtains eternal redemption (9:12-15). Christ purifies the soul (9:12-14). Christ gives eternal inheritance (9:15). Christ opens a heavenly ministry (9:24). Christ ends the many sacrifices (9:25-28). Christ assures justice (9:27; 10:26-31). Christ abolishes the law of Moses (10:9; Col. 2:14). Christ sanctifies all believers (10:14). Christ takes away sins (10:10-18). Christ makes atonement complete (10:12-14). Christ defeats enemies (10:13; Col. 2:14-17). Christ forgets forgiven sins (10:17). Christ remits confessed sins (10:18). Christ gives boldness of approach to God (10:19-23; 4:14-16). Christ gives man an eternal High Priest (10:25-39; 6:20; 7:11-21).

My Laws Into Their Hearts

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Hebrews 10:15-17 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, said the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 

‘This is the covenant that I will make …’ This is the 21st Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (10:16-17; Jer. 31:33-34). The new covenant was not to be the same as the old, but an entirely new contract to take the place of the law of Moses. To say that the new is the same as the old covenant, the only difference being that the one was written on tables of stone while the other was written on tables of the heart, is erroneous to the extreme. An old contract written anew on some other material does not make it a new contract. It is the contents that make a difference, not the place where it is written. Jeremiah 31:33-34 states that the new contract was not to be the same as the old one made by Moses—”Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them … out of Egypt.” The two contracts could never be the same because of the differences in their terms, conditions, and blessings.

‘I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.’ The nature of the gospel system: I will put My laws in their mind (8:10). They will be fully enlightened and have perfect knowledge of truth. I will write them in their hearts (8:10). All their affections, passions, and appetites shall be purified so that they shall willingly obey My Word. I will be their God, and they shall be My people (8:10). I will make them new creatures and unite them to Me forever (2Cor. 5:17). They shall all know Me from the least to the greatest of them (8:11). I will be merciful when they commit injustices against God or man (8:12). I will forgive their sins and lawlessness, remembering them no more (8:12). All this implies genuine repentance and forsaking of sin (Zech. 12:10-13:1; Rom. 11:25-29).  

Them That are Sanctified

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Hebrews 10:13-14 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he had perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 

‘From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.’ By His sacrifice, Christ defeated all satanic powers (Col. 2:14-17). Now He needs only to await the time of their complete submission and punishment (1Cor. 15:24-28; Heb. 2:5-15; Eph. 1:10). In the meantime He is calling out a heavenly people whom He will make kings and priests to reign over all coming generations in the Millennium and the new and eternal earth (Acts 15:13-18; Rev. 1:5-6; 5:8-10; 20:4-6; 22:4-5).

Many religions of today declare men [husbands] as the wife’s king, priest – and sometimes even prophet – of their homes. This is unscriptural and testifies of great vanity for no one was called apart from others (Gal. 3:26-28) in this era, except for all to serve God through Christ by living as He did on earth (1Pet. 2:21-23). We are called to SERVE (Matt. 20:27-28; 23:11; 24:45-48; 25:21-30; Mark 9:35; 10:44; Luke 12:37; 22:26; John 12:26; 13:16) not to rule or be worshipped and obeyed in all things (except in relations as commanded by Scripture and God) as some claim from various Scriptures that they apply to themselves. Saints will reign as kings and prophets during the Millennium (Rev. 19:11-20:7); as Revelation clearly states and to claim those titles now is ungodly. The qualification is to be a born-again Christian – the only kind of Christian that the Word mentions – and live up to Biblical standards (Matt. 13:38-49; 18:3; John 3:3-5; 2Cor. 5:17-18; Rom. 6:7, 18, 22; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:19-24; Eph. 4:24; 1Jn. 2:29; 3:8-10; 5:1-4, 18; Heb. 12:14). The kingdom of heaven is the coming (still outstanding) kingdom of the 1000 years (a Millennium) and it will be on earth and saints will reign on earth, not in heaven: “the kingdom UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN shall be given to the saints … The Lord shall be king OVER ALL THE EARTH … we shall reign ON THE EARTH” (Dan. 2:35, 44-45; 7:13-14, 18, 26-27; Zech. 14:1-21; Matt. 25:31-46; Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 11:15; 20:1-10).

One Sacrifice For Sins For Ever

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Hebrews 10:11-12 And every priest stood daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God

‘And every priest stood daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.’ In summing up his arguments for the abolishment of the law and the establishment of the new covenant, Paul emphasizes two things: The utter helplessness and emptiness of the earthly priests standing daily to minister sacrifices that can never take away sins. The infinite power of the one sacrifice of Christ that cleanses from all sin, defeats the enemies of God and perfects all believers forever (10:12-14).

‘Sat down on the right hand of God’ – After Christ made His supreme sacrifice His work for sins was finished. He could then sit down and wait to see His work completed in the lives of believers who would be freed from sin and delivered from their enemies (10:12-14; 1:3; 12:2; Ps. 110:4). The continual daily sacrifices proved the imperfection of such sacrifices. Christ’s one sacrifice proved its completeness, hence He could sit down, instead of continuing to offer Himself as the priests of the law who offered sacrifices daily (10:12-14).