Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

The Word Preached Did not Profit Them

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Hebrews 4:1-2 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. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 

‘Us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest.’ Let us (holy brethren, Heb. 3:1, 6, 12-14) fear, lest we come short of eternal life. That the promise here is eternal life is clear in Hebrews 4:14; 9:15 and 1John 2:25.

‘Any of you should seem to come short of it.’ If there is no possibility of any of the “holy brethren” (3:1, 6, 12-14) coming short of eternal life, such warnings are vain.

‘Gospel preached’ – The gospel was preached to Abraham, 430 years before the law (Gal. 3:8; Gen. 12:1-3), and to Israel under the law (Rom. 9:6-8; 10:7-21).

‘Mixed’ [Greek: sungkerannumi] to mix together; mingle; to blend together; temper by mixing. Translated mix (4:2) and temper together (1Cor. 12:24). It seems to be an idea taken from the human body which is kept alive by proper mixing of food with the saliva and gastric juices. Should this mixture not take place such food would be a means of death rather than life. So here, the gospel does not profit unless it is properly mixed and blended together with faith. God has obligated Himself to bless only those who believe – and have utter confidence in His Word (Mark 16:15-20; John 3:16; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8).

We are made Partakers of Christ

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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.

Take Heed

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Hebrews 3:9-12 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 

‘Proved’ [Greek: dokimazo] to put to the test; tested Me. Translated as “prove” (3:9; Luke 14:19; Rom. 12:2; 2Cor. 8:8, 22; 13:5; Gal. 6:4; Eph. 5:10; 1Thess. 5:21; 1Tim. 3:10) to assay metals; to prove or test. Also translated as “try” (1Cor. 3:13; 1Thess. 2:4; 1Pet. 1:7; 1Jn. 4:1); “examine” (1Cor. 11:28); “discern” (Luke 12:56); “approve” (Rom. 2:18; 1Cor. 16:3; Php. 1:10); “allow” (Rom. 14:22; 1Thess. 2:4); and “like” (Rom. 1:28).

‘Grieved’ [Greek: prosochthizo] to be angry with; to be offended at (3:17). Used in the Septuagint in Psalms 95:8, from which this is quoted.

‘Take heed, brethren.’ Here Paul again warns brethren – Christians – by the examples of Israel’s failures in the wilderness. They were brought out of Egypt with the fullest assurance of blessing, prosperity, and eternal rest. By their sin and unbelief, they came short of the promised blessings, fell in the wilderness, and were cut off from God. Paul states plainly that Christians – born-again or saved men – can also return to an evil heart of unbelief, departing from the living God, be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, be cut off by God, and be finally lost (3:12-14).

‘Lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.’ Seven stages of apostasy: Refusal to hear God (3:7). Hardness of heart through refusal to hear and obey God (3:8, 13, 15). Unbelief is a consequence of hardening the heart against God (3:12). Departure from the living God (3:12). Open rebellion against God to provoke and tempt Him (3:8-9, 16). Habitual sinning, careless living, and flagrant violation of God’s laws (3:10, 17). Apostasy – all faith in God and His redemptive work thrown overboard – beyond all hope of repentance because of no more faith (3:11, 18-19).

‘Exhort one another daily.’ This is further proof that Christians are referred to. Sinners are not advised to exhort one another daily, neither can they revert to sin and depart from the living God, for they are already estranged from God.

Harden Not Your Hearts – Part 2

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Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost said, To day if you will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness

Twenty-two warnings to Christians (continues): Let us labour to enter into rest, lest any man falls through unbelief (4:11). Let us hold fast to our profession (4:14). If they fall away, to renew them again unto repentance is impossible (6:4-9). Show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end (6:11). Be not slothful, but faithful and patient to inherit the promises (6:12). Lay hold upon the hope of eternal life set before us (6:18-19). Let us hold fast to the profession of our faith without wavering (10:23). If we sin wilfully we will receive judgment and fiery indignation (10:26-31). Cast not away confidence (10:35). If any man draws back from Me, My soul shall have no pleasure in him (10:38-39). Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us (12:1). Make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed (12:13). Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest any become a fornicator and sell his birthright like Esau (12:15-17). See that you refuse not God. For if Israel escaped not God’s wrath when she refused Him, much more shall we not escape His wrath, if we turn away from Him (12:25). Let us have grace and serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, for God will punish by fire (12:28-29).

‘Harden not your hearts.’ If there is no possibility of Christians failing to hear God’s voice, hardening themselves and being cut off from God as Israel was in the wilderness, why did Paul use this as a lesson to Christians (3:1, 6-14)?

‘Provocation’ [Greek: parapikrasmos] to embitter; provoke; cause bitter provocation. Used only in Hebrews 3:8, 15, 16. The provocation, and “the day of temptation in the wilderness” here and in Psalms 95:8-11 refer to the whole wilderness experience of 40 years (3:8-9, 15-17).

Harden Not Your Hearts – Part 1

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Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost said, To day if you will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness 

‘Wherefore’ – For this reason – because there is a danger of failing to hold fast the hope of eternal life unto the end (3:6), the Holy Spirit here warns Christians – not sinners – to take heed, seeing to it that they do not fail God as many in Israel did and were cut off (3:7-14).

‘To day if you will hear his voice …’ This is the 11th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (3:7-8; Ps. 95:7-11) and it is fulfilled. These words were originally a warning to Israel not to provoke God, lest they be excluded from the rest He had promised them. Paul quoted the words as a warning to Christians who could, through temptation and sin, fail to receive the eternal rest promised to them.

Twenty-two warnings to Christians: We ought to give the more earnest heed lest we slip away from the truth (2:1). How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? (2:3). Whose house are we, if we hold fast the hope firm unto the end (3:6). Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the Living God (3:12). Exhort one another daily … lest any of you be hardened through sin (3:13). We are made partakers of Christ if we hold steadfast unto the end (3:14). Let us, therefore, fear, lest you come short of the promised rest (4:1-2).

To be continued…

Rejoicing of the Hope – Part 2

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Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 

‘Confidence’ (continues) – From Psalms 66:18 we see that if we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us. Iniquity in the heart is the reason for many unanswered prayers. The writer says, If I had seen iniquity in my heart and encouraged it; if I had pretended to be what I was not; and if I had loved iniquity while I professed to pray and be sorry for my sin, the Lord would not have heard me. I would have been left without His help and support in my time of trouble.

‘Hope’ – The hope here is that of eternal life. Unforfeitable eternal life is now a hope. Hope that is seen is not hope (Rom. 8:24-25). How can it be a hope and a present possession, as stated in John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 10:28-29? Why do we yet hope for it if we have it, as stated in Titus 1:2; 3:7 and 1Timothy 1:1? The simple truth is that it is now given to everyone who is in Christ on condition of remaining in Him (1Jn. 5:11-12; John 15:1-8; Gal. 1:6-8; 4:19; 5:4; etc.).

‘Firm’ [Greek: bebaios] firm (3:6); stedfast (2:2; 3:14; 6:19; 2Cor. 1:7); sure (Rom. 4:16; 2Pet. 1:10, 1:19); and of force (9:17)..

‘End’ – Five things we must do to the end: Endure to the end to be saved (Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13). Hold fast the hope of eternal life to the end (3:6). Hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end (3:14). Show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end (6:11). Overcome and keep Christ’s works to the end (Rev. 2:26).

Rejoicing of the Hope – Part 1

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Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 

‘Whose house are we.’ This is Paul’s explanation of what he means by Christ’s house which He is building. We are that house – if we meet the condition of being a member of it, and “if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

‘Hold fast’ [Greek: katecho] hold fast (3:6; 10:23; 1Thess. 5:21); withhold (2Thess. 2:6); hold (3:14; Rom. 1:18; 7:6); retain (Phm. 1:13); stay (Luke 4:42); let (2Thess. 2:7); keep (Luke 8:15; 1Cor. 11:2); keep in memory (1Cor. 15:2); take (Luke 14:9); seize on (Matt. 21:38); possess (1Cor. 7:30); and make toward (Acts 27:40).

‘Confidence’ – Liberty in prayer [Greek: parrhesia] freedom of speech; liberty of access to God. Translated: Boldness of speech (2Cor. 7:4). Plainness of speech (2Cor. 3:12). Freely (Acts 2:29). Openly (Mark 8:32; John 7:4, 13; 11:54; 18:20; Col. 2:15). Boldly (John 7:26; Eph. 6:19; Heb. 4:16). Boldness (Acts 4:13, 29, 31; Eph. 3:12; Php. 1:20; 1Tim. 3:13; Heb. 10:19; 1Jn. 4:17). Confidence (3:6; 10:35; Acts 28:31; 1Jn. 2:28; 3:21; 5:14) Here it refers to absolute confidence of access to God because all sins which separated from God are removed (Isa. 59:1-2). In Old Testament days men were not permitted to approach God. Even the mountain on which God gave the law was not to be touched by man or beast. Only the high priest was permitted in the holy of holies once a year, and even then he could not approach God without proper atonement. Now we all have free and daily access to God by the blood of Jesus (10:19-23; Eph. 2:18). We are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain help in time of need (4:14-16). As long as we hold fast to this liberty of access to God we are His house (3:6). If sin is in the life we do not and cannot have this liberty of access. God will not hear our prayers (1Jn. 3:20-23; 5:14-15).

To be continued…

More Glory than Moses

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Hebrews 3:1b-5 …Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who has built the house had more honour than the house. For every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after

‘In all his house.’ The house of Moses means the nation of Israel and the house of Christ refers to Christians (2:9-13; 3:6). Moses was not an ordinary prophet, but much more (cp. Deut. 18:18-19): He was a servant over God’s house (Num. 12:7; Heb. 3:1-6). Israel is called God’s house in the same sense as the New Testament congregations (Gal. 6:10; Eph. 2:19; 1Tim. 3:15; Heb. 3:6; 10:21; 1Pet. 2:5; 4:17). He spoke with God “mouth to mouth” (Num. 12:8). God and Moses actually saw each other and spoke face to face with audible voices (Ex. 33:11; Num. 14:14; Deut. 5:4; 34:10; cp. Jos. 6:22; 2Jn. 1:12). He saw God’s actual spirit [heavenly] body (Num. 12:8; Ex. 24:9-11; 33:11, 18-23).

‘More glory than Moses.’ Christ is better than Moses: He has a heavenly calling (3:1). He is the Apostle of our profession (3:1). High Priest of our profession (3:1). Christ is building His own house, consisting of Christian congregations (3:6), but Moses did not build his house, Israel (3:3). Christ as God created all things (3:4; 1:2; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:15-18). Christ is a son over His house, not a servant as Moses was (3:5-6). Moses predicted Christ would be better than himself (3:5; Deut. 18:15-19).

‘For a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after.’ The law of Moses and some of his prophecies testified and typified the sufferings of Christ and other gospel truths, which were to be spoken later when the Messiah should come (Matt. 5:17; 11:13; Luke 16:16; 24:25-27, 44-46).

Partakers of the Heavenly Calling

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Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus

‘Holy brethren’ – Brethren consecrated to God, holy in life and conduct. They who are sanctified or thus consecrated and set apart to the service of God, are all one, in the same family, and called brethren [male and female Gal. 3:28]. All saved people are saints, so there are no grounds for making people saints after death (Acts 9:13, 32, 41; 26:10; Rom. 1:7; 1Cor. 1:2; 6:1-2; 2Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Php. 1:1; Col. 1:2; 2Thess. 1:10; Jude 1:3; Rev. 5:8; 13:7, 10; 17:6).

‘Partakers of the heavenly calling.’ [Greek: metochos] partaker (3:1, 14; 6:4; 12:8); partner (Luke 5:7); and fellow (1:9). All holy brethren are partakers, partners, and fellows in the heavenly calling. Israel had an earthly calling and those who are alive when the Messiah comes will enter an earthly program of replenishing the earth forever. Israel is often spoken of as a woman and as the wife of the Lord (Isa. 54:4-6). This wife of the Lord is the woman of Revelation 12:1-17. Those of both Jews and Gentiles [male and female] who are saved and who will partake of the resurrection will be kings and priests to reign over the earth and all other creations forever. They will help God administer the affairs of the universe in all eternity (Rev. 1:5-6; 5:10; 22:4-5). Their calling is heavenly in that they will not be limited to an earthly program as all people would have been if man had not sinned (Gen. 1:27-31; cp. Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:34-35; Heb. 11:10-16; 12:22-23).

‘The Apostle and High Priest.’ Among the Jews, the high priest was also considered the Apostle of God. This no doubt is the meaning here to Israel. The Mosaic program had ended and there had been a change in the law and the priesthood (7:11-17).

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

The Nature of Angels

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Hebrews 2:16-18 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself had suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 

‘For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.’ Here Paul sums up his argument about Christ being better than angels, declaring He did not take on the nature of angels, but became the natural seed of Abraham. He needed to be made in all things like unto His brethren “that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest” in the things of God, to remit their sins by His own atonement, and to represent them in time of temptation (2:17-18). Thus, Paul shows the Jews that Christ had to be made a human being; that He came from Abraham according to the flesh; that He was one of their own people; that redemption could not have been possible otherwise; that the Messiah had to suffer to redeem; and that He is now able to help and deliver all men who are tempted.

‘Nature of angels’ – They are heavenly spirit beings with (1) Personal spirit bodies with bodily parts, such as hands, feet, eyes, heads, voices, mouths, hair, faces, and other parts which men have (Gen. 18:2, 4, 8; 19:1-22; Jdg. 13:6). (2)  Personal souls with emotions (Luke 15:1-10), passions (Gen. 6:1-4; Jude 1:6-7); appetites (Gen. 18:8; 19:3); anger (Rev. 12:12); enmity (Gen. 3:15); lusts (John 8:44); vengeance (1Pet. 5:8); desires (1Pet. 1:12); pride (Ezek. 28:17; 1Tim. 3:6); and other soul passions, feelings, and desires. (3) Personal spirits with intelligence and wisdom (2Sam. 14:20; 19:27; Matt. 24:36; Eph. 3:10); patience (Num. 22:22-35); meekness (2Pet. 2:11; Jude 1:9); modesty (1Cor. 11:10); holiness (Mark 8:38); obedience (Ps. 103:20; Matt. 6:10); knowledge (Mark 13:32; 1Pet. 1:12); willpower (Isa. 14:12-14); ability to speak languages (1Cor. 13:1); and other spirit faculties.

‘High priest’ – Used of Christ 15 times in Hebrews (2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:1-10; 6:20; 7:1, 26-27; 8:1, 3; 9:11, 25; 10:21; 13:11).