Tag: Advice

Sanctify the People

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Hebrews 13:10-15 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

‘Altar’ – An altar stood for the benefit of the sacrifices. In Christianity, it stands for the benefits of the death of Christ as well as symbolically being a place to meet God.

‘For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.’ Here a comparison is made of the sacrifice of beasts and that of Christ: the animals being burned outside the camp and Christ being crucified outside the gates of Jerusalem.

‘Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.’ As Christ bore reproach by being led as a criminal outside of Jerusalem to die, let us be willing to bear persecution for Him (2Tim. 3:12).

‘For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.’ The 3rd and last New Testament prophecy in Hebrews (13:14; 11:10, 16; Rev. 21:1-27).

‘By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.’ By Christ let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name, and not daily sacrifices of animals which could never take away sins (10:1-18).

Your Conversation

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Hebrews 13:5-9 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he had said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 

‘Conversation’ [Greek: tropos] manner of life (Jude 1:7; Acts 1:11).

‘Covetousness’ Covetousness is forbidden (Ex. 20:17; Matt. 6:19-21; Rom. 13:9; Eph. 5:3; Heb. 13:5; 1Jn. 2:15-17). It must be removed from our lives entirely (Col. 3:2-6).

‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ This promise was first made to Jacob (Gen. 28:15; Deut. 34:6) and then repeated as a promise to Joshua (Jos. 1:5) and David blessed Solomon with these same words (1Chr. 28:20). When Solomon sinned, he forsaken God and the promise didn’t apply to him anymore as it is for anyone else.

‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.’ Quoted from Psalms 118:6. In Matthew 10:28 we are commanded not to fear men who cannot hurt the soul when they kill the body (Luke 12:4-12).

‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.’ He is immutable – unchanging – He cannot break His laws (Ps. 119:89). He cannot lie (Heb. 6:17-19). He cannot deny Himself (2Tim. 2:13). He cannot have respect of persons (Rom. 2:11; Jas. 2:9-10). He cannot save one soul apart from grace and faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26; John 3:16). He cannot be unrighteous (Rom. 9:14). He cannot bless men apart from faith (Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8). He cannot curse men when they meet His terms (1Jn. 1:9). He cannot do away with or change His eternal plan (Acts 15:18; Eph. 2:7; 3:11). This is to name but a few of the things in which God (thus Christ) is unchangeable. He does not adapt to suit us or change His ways to fit our way of thinking (Isa. 55:8-9). He is trustworthy in everything and worth following and serving! ‘Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.’ We are warned not to heed to doctrines of devils (1Tim. 4:1). To urge departure from the faith is the first work of demons. This results in departure from holy living, and acceptance of doctrines that will damn the soul. Men who pretend inspiration and revelation and false teachers of all kinds are the agents of demons (2Cor. 11:14-15). Every religion that denies the reality of God; Christ; the Holy Spirit; the atonement; the death and the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ; sin; the rapture; judgments of God; sickness; satan; demons; hell; heaven; and the other fundamental doctrines of Scripture are as much of satan and demons as the Bible and Christianity are of God.

In the Body

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Hebrews 13:3-4 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 

‘Body’ – The body of Christ (1Cor. 12:13-30). 1Corinthians 12:13 states: “…by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” This shows how the body of Christ is constituted. The Spirit is the agent that brings one into the body of Christ by the new birth. This is not a baptism into the Spirit, but into the body of Christ. The body here is the element one is baptized into. The Spirit is the agent that does the baptizing into the body. The believer is the candidate. If it were the Spirit baptism, Christ would be the agent and the Holy Spirit would be the element baptized into.

‘In all’ – Including priests and all people.

‘But whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.’ Five classes not to inherit God’s Kingdom: [1] Whoremongers [Greek: pornos] a male prostitute; a sexually immoral man. Translated as “fornicator” (1Cor. 5:9-11; 6:9; Heb. 12:16) and “whoremonger” (Eph. 5:5; 1Tim. 1:10; Heb. 13:4; Rev. 21:8; 22:15). [2] Unclean persons [Greek: akathartos] impure, lewd, or foul, whatever is opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, and all other forms of sexual perversion (Gal. 5:19; Matt. 23:27; Rom. 1:21-32; 6:19; 2Cor. 12:21; Eph. 4:19; 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1Thess. 2:3; 4:7; 2Pet. 2:1-22). [3] Covetous men – covetousness is forbidden (Ex. 20:17; Matt. 6:19-21; Rom. 13:9; Eph. 5:3; Heb. 13:5; 1Jn. 2:15-17). Hatred of it is one qualification of leaders, civil and religious (Ex. 18:21; 1Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7; 1Pet. 5:2). It will damn the soul (1Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:3-5; 1Tim. 6:9-11; 2Pet. 2:3, 2:14). It must be removed out entirely (Col. 3:2-6). [4] Deceivers (Eph. 5:6; 2Tim. 3:13; Tit. 1:10; 3:3; Rev. 12:9; 20:3, 8). [5] Children of disobedience (Eph. 2:2; 5:6; Col. 3:6).

Sacrifices Pleasing to God

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Hebrews 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 

‘Let brotherly love continue.’ Thirteen commands for Christians: Let brotherly love continue (13:1). Remember those in bonds (13:3). Remember the suffering. Be without covetousness. Be content in life. Remember your leaders (13:7). Be not changeable from sound doctrine (13:9). Follow Christ’s example (13:13). Offer a sacrifice of praise (13:15). Forget not to do good (13:16). Forget not to communicate. Yield to your leaders (13:17). Greet [be friendly] your leaders (13:24).

‘Some have entertained angels unawares.’ Appearances of angels to men: Scripture records at least 104 appearances of angels to human beings. They have appeared to: Hagar (2 times, Gen. 16:7-11; 21:17) and Abraham (3 times, Gen. 18:2; 22:11, 15). Lot and Sodomites (Gen. 19:1-22). Jacob (3 times, Gen. 28:12; 31:11; 32:1). Moses (Ex. 3:2). Balaam (Num. 22:22-35). Joshua (Heb. 5:1-14; Ex. 23:20-23; 32:34). Israel (Jdg. 2:1-5). Gideon (Jdg. 6:11-22). Manoah’s wife (Jdg. 13:3-5). Manoah and his wife (Jdg. 13:9-21). David (2Sam. 24:1-25; 1Chron. 21:1-30). Elijah (4 times, 1Kin. 19:5-7; 2Kin. 1:3, 15). Elisha and servant (2Kin. 6:16-17). Assyrians (2Kin. 19:35; Isa. 37:36). Hebrew children (Dan. 3:25-28). Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3:24-25). Daniel (5 times, Heb. 6:1-20; Dan. 8:16; 9:21; 10:5-21; 12:5-7). Zechariah (7 times, Heb. 1:8-19; Zech. 2:3; 3:1-6; 4:1-5; 5:5-10; 6:4-5; 12:8). Joseph (3 times, Matt. 1:20; 2:13, 19). Mary (Luke 1:26-38). Zacharias (Luke 1:20-38). Shepherds (Luke 2:9-14). Jesus (2 times, Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43). Some women (Matt. 28:1-5). The disciples (Acts 1:11). Peter and John (Acts 5:19). Philip (Acts 8:26). Cornelius (Acts 10:3, 30-32). Peter (Acts 12:7-11). Paul (Acts 27:23). John (52 angels in Revelation).

Our God is a Consuming Fire

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Hebrews 12:28-29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. 

‘We receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved.’ We receive the kingdom; that is, we shall be kings and priests of the eternal earthly kingdom (Dan. 7:18, 27; Zech. 14:5; Rom. 8:17-18; 1Cor. 6:2-3; 2Tim. 2:12; Jude 1:14; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 22:5).

‘Reverence’ [Greek: aidos] sense of honour; regard for others; respect; reverence; self-restraint, modesty or bashfulness toward men; not being bold or forward. Translated as “reverence” in Hebrews 12:28.

‘Godly fear’ [Greek: eulabeia] fear of the gods; piety; caution; discretion (5:7).

‘For our God is a consuming fire.’ Quoted from Deuteronomy 4:24. God is provoked to jealousy by sins such as murmuring (Ex. 17:2; 1Cor. 10:10), unbelief (Ex. 17:7; Heb. 4:1-11), rebellion (Num. 14:22; 21:1-9), provoking God (Ps. 78:17-18, 56), backsliding (Ps. 78:41, 56), hardening the heart (Ps. 95:8-9), lust and sin (Ps. 106:14; Ex. 32:1-35), idolatry (1Cor. 10:18-22). When His people, whom He commands to have no other gods, insist on mixing idolatry and demon worship with true worship, as some of the Corinthians did, then God is under obligation to judge them (1Cor. 8:4-13; 10:1-22).

Him That Spoke On Earth – Part 2

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Hebrews 12:25-27 See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he had promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signified the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Jesus predicted many earthquakes for the last days as a sign of His second coming (Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11). Several are mentioned in Biblical history (Amos 1:1; Zech. 14:5; Matt. 8:24; 27:51; 28:2; Acts 16:25). The greatest earthquake of all will take place at the end of the Millennium (Hag. 2:6-7, 21-22; Heb. 12:25-29; 2Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 20:11). This will result in the renovation of the heavens and earth, making the third perfect earth, and the end of the earth’s second sinful career (Rev. 21-22; Isa. 66:22-24).

‘Yet once more, signified the removing of those things that are shaken …’ This is the 2nd New Testament prophecy in Hebrews (12:27-29) and is unfulfilled This refers to the renovation of the heavens and the earth by fire, as in 2Peter 3:10-13.

‘Removing of those things that are shaken.’ The renovation of the heavens and earth at the end of the Millennium will remove all things of the curse and those that are man-made which need to be taken away, so that the things of God may remain eternally (Heb. 12:27-29).

‘Cannot be shaken may remain.’ Some things cannot be shaken. They will remain eternally. One is the earthly kingdom which cannot be moved (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Zech. 14:1-21; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 22:5).

Jesus the Mediator

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Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that spoke better things than that of Abel. 

‘Jesus the mediator’ – Christ became the mediator of the new covenant, that through His death sins could be remitted and men be given eternal inheritance. He became the Mediator between God and man (1Tim. 2:5), and through His mediation and intercession all blessings of grace shall come to us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25).

He is the mediator of a better covenant based upon better promises (8:6; 9:15; Matt. 26:28). By the atonement and the new covenant we have a personal approach to God which no man had by the law program (7:19; 10:19-23).  

Hebrews 7:22 states Christ was made a surety [Greek: enguos] meaning that He gave surety or bail. Christ became the guarantee that the benefits of the new covenant would be given to all men who meet the terms. In this sense, He is the mediator (8:6; 9:15).

‘Mediator’ [Greek: mesites] is a middle person to reconciles two parties at enmity – God and man.

‘Blood of sprinkling, that spoke better things than that of Abel.’ Only here and in 1Peter 1:2. It refers to the blood of Christ that speaks better things than the blood of Abel’s offering (11:4).

God the Judge of All

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Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church [congregation] of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect

‘God the Judge of all’ Three offices of the Messiah is given in Isaiah 16:5- Judging: giving justice to all people; Seeking judgment: anxious to do and hasting righteousness: quick in equity. Both God the Father (12:23-24; 13:4; Rev. 20:12; 6:10; Rom. 2:12-16) and God the Son (John 5:19-27; Acts 10:42; 2Tim. 4:8; Rev. 19:11) will judge sinners at the White Throne Judgement of Revelations 20:11-15. The Father will decree, and the Son will execute (Acts 10:42; 17:31; Rom. 2:16).

‘Spirits of just men made perfect.’ Another proof of the immortality of the soul (1Pet. 3:4). Twenty-five proofs of the immortality of the soul: The hidden man of the heart is not corruptible (is immortal, 1Pet. 3:4). Hell from beneath is moved to meet thee at thy coming (Isa. 14:9-11). They have eternal life (John 3:15-16; 6:54, 6:58; 17:2-3). They are passed from death unto life (John 5:24; 6:40, 47). He shall live forever (John 6:51). They shall never perish (John 10:28). They shall never die (John 11:25-26). Man is not able to kill the soul (Matt. 10:28; Luke 12:5). There appeared Moses talking with Him (Matt. 17:3; cp. Deut. 34:6). Their worm dieth not (Mark 9:43-49). In hell he lifts up his eyes, being in torment (Luke 16:19-31). All live unto Him (Luke 20:37-38). Though our outward man perishes, yet the inward man is renewed day by day … The things which are not seen (the soul and spirit) are eternal (2Cor. 4:16-18). To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2Cor. 5:8). To depart (die, the inner man leaving the body, Jas. 2:26) is to be with Christ (Php. 1:21-24). Whether we wake (live) or sleep (die), we shall live with Him (1Thess. 5:10). You are come unto the spirits of just men and made perfect (Heb. 12:22-23). The souls of the dead live according to God in the spirit (1Pet. 4:6). He that does the will of God abides forever (1Jn. 2:17). We know we have passed from death unto life because we love (1Jn. 3:14-15). God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (1Jn. 5:11). He that had the Son had life (1Jn. 5:12; 2:24-25). Your heart shall live forever (Ps. 22:26). The path of the just shined more and more unto the perfect day (Pro. 4:18). I saw under the altar the souls . . . they cried, saying (Rev. 6:9-11).

Many Be Defiled

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Hebrews 12:15-17 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 there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For you know how that afterwards, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 

‘Looking’ [Greek: episkopeo] means to look at; inspect; examine; pay regard to (1Pet. 5:2).

‘Fail’ [Greek: hustereo] means to come late for. Translated as “fail” or “fall from” (Heb. 12:15); “be behind” (2Cor. 11:5; 12:11); “come short of” (Heb. 4:1); “lack” (Matt. 19:20; Mark 10:21; Luke 22:35); “want” (John 2:3); “part which lacked” (1Cor. 12:24); “come behind” (1Cor. 1:7); “come short of” (Rom. 3:23); “be destitute” (Heb. 11:37); “be in want” (Luke 15:14; 2Cor. 11:9); “suffer need” (Php. 4:12); and “be the worse” (1Cor. 8:8).

Eight proofs Paul is warning Christians: They are instructed to: To follow the faith heroes of Hebrews 11:1-40 who surround them (12:1). To lay aside every weight. To lay aside the besetting sin. To run with patience the Christian race. To consider and look to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith (12:2-4). To recognize and submit to God’s chastening as true sons in order to partake of His holiness (12:5-11). To follow peace and holiness and meet other terms of blessing lest they fail of the grace of God (12:12-17). The whole book is for Christians and to them, as proved by: (1) We – the Christians (2:3; 3:6, 14; 4:14; 6:9, 19; 10:10, 26; 12:1; 13:10, 14). (2) Let us – the Christians (4:1, 11, 14, 16; 6:1; 10:22-24; 12:1, 28; 13:13, 15). (3) Their salvation (2:10). (4) They were sanctified (2:11; 10:10, 29). (5) Holy brethren (2:11-12; 3:1, 12; 10:19). (6) Them – the saints (2:15, 18). (7) Many other terms in all chapters are used which prove Christians are referred to, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

‘Bitterness’ [Greek: pikria] means bitterness (12:15; Acts 8:23; Rom. 3:14; Eph. 4:31).

‘Fornicator’ [Greek: pornos] means male prostitute, fornicator.

‘Profane person’ [Greek: bebelos] a despiser of sacred things; an irreligious man (12:16; 1Tim. 1:9; 4:7; 6:20; 2Tim. 2:16).

‘For he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.’ He sought to change his father’s mind.

Follow Peace

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Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

‘Follow peace with all men.’ Romans 12:18 teaches that if it is possible, as much as lies in us, we must live peaceably with all men. 

‘Holiness’ [Greek: hagiasmos] means consecration. Translated as “holiness” (Rom. 6:19, 22; 1Thess. 4:7; 1Tim. 2:15; Heb. 12:14) and “sanctification” (1Cor. 1:30; 1Thess. 4:3-4; 2Thess. 2:13; 1Pet. 1:2).

Fourteen requirements of the will of God and of sanctification (1Thess. 4:3-18): Abstain from fornication or all kinds of sexual sins (1Thess. 4:3). Know how to possess the vessel in sanctification and honour (1Thess. 4:4). Not in the lust of concupiscence or strong sexual desire (1Thess. 4:5). Here it means excessive sexual lust like that of the Gentiles who knew no bounds. No man defraud his brother by seducing his wife to corrupt her and break up a home (1Thess. 4:6). This still refers to sexual sins and not to cheating, for it deals with sexual uncleanness down to 1Thessalonians 4:7. Every type of perversion was practised among the heathen. Their gods, their rulers, and their teachers were examples of impurity. They had no system of ethics that forbade these practices. The Christian religion forbade them as worthy of death and hell and this has preserved the world from complete ruin to this day. Walk in holiness, not in the uncleanness of sexual perversion (1Thess. 4:7; Rom. 1:24). Do not despise men (1Thess. 4:8). Love one another (1Thess. 4:9; 1Cor. 13:1-13). Increase in love (1Thess. 4:10; 3:12). Study to be quiet (1Thess. 4:11; 2Tim. 2:15). Be diligent in business (1Thess. 4:11). Work with your hands (1Thess. 4:11; 1Cor. 4:12; Eph. 4:28; 2Thess. 3:10). Walk honestly before men (1Thess. 4:12). Have a bright hope (1Thess. 4:13-17). Comfort one another (1Thess. 4:18).