The
Book of Hebrews

The book of Hebrews was written by Paul
(disputed by many),
between A.D. 65 and A.D. 85. Many place it after the book of II Timothy, circa
A.D. 68. Some believe that Luke could have been the author of the book, as he
was the scribe for Paul in the book of Acts. The general subject of the epistle
is that the Messiah of the Old Testament Scriptures must suffer as Man
(Incarnate Man), and that Jesus is the Messiah. The primary purpose of the
letter to the Hebrews is to exhort Christians to persevere in the face of
persecution. The central thought of the entire Epistle is the doctrine of the
Person of Christ; His role as mediator between God and humanity, you and
the world.
Hebrews 1
1God,
who at sundry times and in
divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the
prophets.
God spoke many times in many
ways through the prophets.
"Never listen to anyone who
tells you that God didn't write
the bible, man did." It was
written by holy men of God that
were "moved by the Holy Spirit."
(II Peter 1:20-21). No prophecy
ever came from the prophet's own
understanding, nor private
interpretation by man. "It all
came from God through the Holy
Spirit."
2Hath
in these last days spoken unto
us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of all things, by
whom also he made the worlds.
In these final days, God has
spoken to us through His Son.
God promised everything to His
Son as an inheritance, and
through the Son He created the
universe. (Isaiah 45:18, John
1:3, I Corinthians 8:6,
Ephesians 3:9, Colossians
1:16-17).
3Who
being the brightness of his
glory, and the express image of
his person, and upholding all
things by the word of his power,
when he had by himself purged
our sins, sat down on the right
hand of the Majesty on high.
Christ radiates God's own glory.
"The Shekinah Glory," the very
presence and character of God.
He sustains everything by the
mighty power of His command.
When Christ cleansed us from our
sins at the crucifixion, He sat
down in the place of honor at
the right hand of God in heaven.
(I Peter 3:22, Revelation 3:21).
4Being
made so much better than the
angels, as he hath by
inheritance obtained a more
excellent name than they.
The Son being far
greater than the angels and the
name God gave Him is greater
than their names. "All are made
subject unto Him." (I Peter
3:22, Philippians 2:9-11).
5For
unto which of the angels said he
at any time, Thou art my Son,
this day have I begotten thee?
And again, I will be to him a
Father, and he shall be to me a
Son? Never
said by God to any other angels
what He said to Jesus. You are
My Son, I have begotten thee and
I will be your Father. (Psalm
2:7, Acts 13:33).
6And
again, when he bringeth in the
firstbegotten into the world, he
saith, And let all the angels of
God worship him.
Brought Jesus into
the world for all the angels to
worship Him. (Luke 2:9-14, I
Peter 3:22, Revelation 5:9-12).
7And
of the angels he saith, Who
maketh his angels spirits, and
his ministers a flame of fire.
Regarding
the angels, their spirits are
like the winds, and servants like
flames of fire. (Psalm 104:4,
Ezekiel 1:13-14, Zechariah 6:5).
8But
unto the Son he saith, Thy
throne, O God, is for ever and
ever: a sceptre of righteousness
is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
The very
throne of God. Our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ who will
rule forever and ever with the
scepter of justice. This scepter
we are talking about here is the rod of iron at judgment
day. (Psalm 2:9, Revelation
2:27). "Jesus Christ will be
the eternal ruler."
9Thou
hast loved righteousness, and
hated iniquity; therefore God,
even thy God, hath anointed thee
with the oil of gladness above
thy fellows.
He loves only
justice and hates evil. Anointed
by the Heavenly Father with the
Holy Spirit and with power.
(Acts 10:38). To heal the broken
hearted and all who were
oppressed of the devil. (Luke
4:18). (Those in bondage to
false teachings and traditions
of men).
10And,
Thou, Lord, in the beginning
hast laid the foundation of the
earth; and the heavens are the
works of thine hands.
He laid the
foundation of the earth and made
the heavens with His hands.
(Genesis 1:1, Isaiah
51:13, John 1:1-3). Read our
newsletter study topic titled:
"Three Earth Ages," for a better
understanding of what happened
in the past, and what lies ahead.
11They
shall perish; but thou
remainest; and they all shall
wax old as doth a garment.
They will all perish, but the
Word (Our Lord Jesus Christ),
remains forever. (Revelation
1:17-18).
12And
as a vesture shalt thou fold
them up, and they shall be
changed: but thou art the same,
and thy years shall not fail.
This
heaven and earth age or any evil
will be discarded like old
clothing, but the Word will
remain forever. Christ is the
same yesterday, and today.
(Hebrews 13:8).
13But
to which of the angels said he
at any time, Sit on my right
hand, until I make thine enemies
thy footstool?
God never said to the angels,
sit in the place of honor at My
right hand. "He said it to Jesus
Christ." (Matthew 22:44)
14Are
they not all ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of
salvation?
The angels are
only servants of the living God,
sent to care for people who will
inherit salvation. (Psalm
91:11). The prophets and
teachers would have the same
responsibility as the servants
of God.
Unto whom it was revealed, that
not unto themselves, but unto us
they did minister the things,
which are now reported unto you
by them that have preached the
gospel unto you with the Holy
Ghost sent down from heaven;
which things the angels desire
to look into. (I Peter 1:12)
Through the prophets, the
Good News has been announced by
those who preach in the power of
the Holy Spirit, sent from
heaven. Even the angels watch
closely to these things which
are happening.
Hebrews 2
1Therefore
we ought to give the more
earnest heed to the things which
we have heard, lest at any time
we should let them slip.
Listen
carefully to the truth in the
Word. Study the Word so it
becomes clear and set in your
mind; then you will have the
wisdom and knowledge to speak
about it. "Christians should
spread truth not tradition."
2For
if the word spoken by angels was
stedfast, and every
transgression and disobedience
received a just recompence of
reward.
This word angels here is "aggelos"
strong's concordance G32 "a
messenger" by implication a
"pastor." The message of God
delivered through the teachers
of the Word. We had the angels,
the prophets, and the apostles
to bring forth the truth in the
Word. Now we have many good pastors
who bring forth God's Word with
truth and understanding.
3How
shall we escape, if we neglect
so great salvation; which at the
first began to be spoken by the
Lord, and was confirmed unto us
by them that heard him.
Do not neglect preaching salvation through
Jesus Christ. Those who ignore the
"teachings of Christ" have no
truth and are in
trouble.
4God
also bearing them witness, both
with signs and wonders, and with
divers miracles, and gifts of
the Holy Ghost, according to his
own will? God confirmed the message with
signs, wonders, and miracles. He
also gives us the gifts of the
"Holy Spirit" to who ever He
wills to help carry out His
master plan.
5For
unto the angels hath he not put
in subjection the world to come,
whereof we speak.
It is not the
angels who control the future of
this world and the
world to come. "It is Jesus
Christ." King of Kings and Lord
of Lords, who shall reign
forever. (Revelation 11:15).
6But
one in a certain place
testified, saying, What is man,
that thou art mindful of him? or
the son of man that thou
visitest him?
Written in the old testament:
(Psalm 8:4-9). The Son of man
was made lower than the angels;
but crowned with glory and
honor, having dominion over the
works of the Heavenly Fathers
hands.
7Thou
madest him a little lower than
the angels; thou crownedst him
with glory and honour, and didst
set him over the works of thy
hands.
The Son of man was made lower
than the angels (because of the
crucifixion); but crowned with
glory and honor, having dominion
over the works of the Heavenly
Fathers hands. (Hebrews 2:9),
He
defeated death so that every
man, woman and child could have
salvation.
8Thou
hast put all things in
subjection under his feet. For
in that he put all in subjection
under him, he left nothing that
is not put under him. But now we
see not yet all things put under
him. Christ has authority
and dominion over all
things. He
sits at the right hand of God,
and all powers and authorities
being made subject to Him. (I
Peter 3:22), till He has put all
enemies under His feet. (I
Corinthians 15:24-25).
9But
we see Jesus, who was made a
little lower than the angels for
the suffering of death, crowned
with glory and honour; that he
by the grace of God should taste
death for every man.
"The people seen it."
Christ suffered the death for
us, and "He is now crowned with
glory and honor." He tasted and
defeated death for all of us.
(John 3:16), keep it in your
mind,
this is one of the most
important verses in the bible.
10For
it became him, for whom are all
things, and by whom are all
things, in bringing many sons
unto glory, to make the captain
of their salvation perfect
through sufferings.
God chooses whomever He wills to
the ministry and into glory.
Jesus Christ, through His
suffering was the perfect
leader, fit to bring all people into their salvation.
We are all children of God
through faith in Jesus Christ.
(Romans 9:25-26, II Corinthians
6:18, Galatians 3:26).
11For
both he that sanctifieth and
they who are sanctified are all
of one: for which cause he is
not ashamed to call them
brethren.
Jesus and the true believers who
do the will of God all have the same
Heavenly
Father. That is why Jesus calls
them brothers and sisters.
(Matthew 12:48-50).
12Saying,
I will declare thy name unto my
brethren, in the midst of the
church will I sing praise unto
thee. Proclaim the name of God to the
brothers and sisters. Praise Him in the midst of the
assembled people. (Psalm 40:10,
111:1, John 18:20). Christ
always spoke the truth openly to
the world, we should do the same
thing.
13And
again, I will put my trust in
him. And again, Behold I and the
children which God hath given
me. Always
put your trust in the Heavenly
Father just as Christ has. (John
10:29). "God loves when you
trust in Him rather than man."
14Forasmuch
then as the children are
partakers of flesh and blood, he
also himself likewise took part
of the same; that through death
he might destroy him that had
the power of death, that is, the
devil. Just as God's children are human
beings; Christ came in the flesh
so He could die
and break the power of the
devil. (The one who held the power of
death). (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea
13:14, I Corinthians 15:54-55,
II Timothy 1:10). Now death
has been defeated.
15And
deliver them who through fear of
death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage.
This was the only
way He could set free all who
lived their lives as slaves to
the fear of dying. (I
Corinthians 15:50-57, Romans
8:21, II Timothy 1:7).
16For
verily he took not on him the
nature of angels; but he took on
him the seed of Abraham.
Jesus Christ did
not come like the angels to help
them, but rather came to help
the descendants of Abraham.
(Genesis 22:18, Galatians 3:16,
3:29). "He came to help us."
17Wherefore
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.
That is why it
was necessary for Christ to be
made like us in the flesh; so
that He could be our High Priest
before God. He was the sacrifice
that would take away the sins of
the world. (II Corinthians
5:18-21).
18For
in that he himself hath suffered
being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted.
Christ
went through suffering and
testing so that He is able to
help us when we are being
tested. (I Corinthians 10:13, II
Peter 2:9, Revelation 3:10).
Where was Christ tempted?
(Matthew 4:1-10), when Christ
was led up of the spirit into
the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil. Now we have Christ
and the Holy Spirit on our side
to see us through all trials and
tribulations in this world.
Hebrews 3
1Wherefore,
holy brethren, partakers of the
heavenly calling, consider the
Apostle and High Priest of our
profession, Christ Jesus.
We are talking about those called by God to serve.
The apostle (sent one), or
teacher of the faith.
Who
hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began. (2 Timothy 1:9). God calls not according to the works of one, or
because we deserve it; but because that was part of His plan before the world
began to show us His grace through Jesus Christ. You were chosen by God for His purpose and works.
Jesus
Christ being our high priest.
2Who
was faithful to him that
appointed him, as also Moses was
faithful in all his house.
Christ was faithful to the
Heavenly Father who appointed
Him. (John 6:38-40). Just as we
are to be faithful to Christ who
appointed us to the ministry. (I
Timothy 1:12).
3For
this man was counted worthy of
more glory than Moses, inasmuch
as he who hath builded the house
hath more honour than the house.
Christ has all the glory in the
many member body of Christ. He
is the rock that the church
(house of God), is built upon,
not Peter. (Matthew
16:18). Christ is the head of
the body, the church.
(Colossians 1:18). Don't let
anyone tell you that some man
has the authority of God, like
some denominations want you to
believe.
4For
every house is builded by some
man; but he that built all
things is God.
Man may build the
house, but all things are built
by God, both physically
and spiritually.
5And
Moses verily was faithful in all
his house, as a servant, for a
testimony of those things which
were to be spoken after.
Moses was
a faithful servant of God's
house. Moses revealed the truths
God would reveal later. (Acts
3:22-23, 7:37). If you have a
truth, don't be afraid to share
it.
6But
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.
Christ is in charge of God's
entire house; the many member
body of Christ are His faithful
followers. He is in charge of us
as long as we remain faithful
till the end. But
he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
(Matthew 24:13).
7Wherefore
as the Holy Ghost saith, To day
if ye will hear his voice.
Hear what the Holy Spirit has to
say. (John 5:25, 10:3, 10:16,
10:27, Revelation 3:20).
8Harden
not your hearts, as in the
provocation, in the day of
temptation in the wilderness.
Paul is speaking of the old testament
as an example when the
Israelites hardened their hearts
and rebelled against God.
(Numbers 14:22-23).
9When
your fathers tempted me, proved
me, and saw my works forty
years.
They tested and tried Gods
patience, even though they saw
His miracles for forty
years. (Deuteronomy 8:2, Joshua
5:6).
10Wherefore
I was grieved with that
generation, and said, They do
alway err in their heart; and
they have not known my ways.
God
was angry with Israel because
they refused to listen to Him as
usual. (Psalm 78:8). God would
say that they are a little bit
stupid with no understanding.
"Always ready to do evil rather
than good" (Jeremiah 4:22),
as many do today. For this
reason God sends many strong
delusion, so that they will
believe a lie. (II Thessalonians
2:10-12). Why? Because they just
don't care... They wouldn't
do anything with the
truth if they knew it.
11So
I sware in my wrath, They shall
not enter into my rest.
Those who
do not accept the truth in the
Word will never enter Gods place
of rest. (Hebrews 3:18-19, 4:3).
Have you been a little on
edge lately?
12Take
heed, brethren, lest there be in
any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the
living God.
Be careful
brothers and sisters. Make sure
your hearts are not evil and
unbelieving, turning away from
God. "Many will turn away
from the faith in the end times
as we see every day." Take
God out of our nation, and it
will fall.
13But
exhort one another daily, while
it is called To day; lest any of
you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin.
Study and
keep the Words of truth every
day; encourage each other, so that you will not be
deceived and harden your hearts
against God. (James 1:14).
14For
we are made partakers of Christ,
if we hold the beginning of our
confidence stedfast unto the
end.
If we are
faithful till the end, trusting
God as firmly as when we first
believed, then we will share all
that belongs to Christ.
15While
it is said, To day if ye will
hear his voice, harden not your
hearts, as in the provocation.
When you hear His voice through
the Holy Spirit, don't harden
your hearts as Israel did when
they rebelled. (Hebrews 3:7-8).
16For
some, when they had heard, did
provoke: howbeit not all that
came out of Egypt by Moses.
Wasn't it the people Moses led
out of Egypt that rebelled
against God in the wilderness? (Psalm 78:17).
17But
with whom was he grieved forty
years? was it not with them that
had sinned, whose carcases fell
in the wilderness?
They made
God angry for 40 years. "What a
bunch of losers as we would say
today." (Numbers 26:64-65).
"How long will the people of
this world provoke God?" God
is patient, but He has His
limits.
18And
to whom sware he that they
should not enter into his rest,
but to them that believed not?
Speaking of the people who
disobey God. "They will never
enter His rest."
19So
we see that they could not enter
in because of unbelief.
They will
not enter His rest if they are
unbelievers. (Judges 1:5, John
3:18, 3:36). Those who believe
in Christ shall have eternal
life, but those who do not,
"will not have eternal life."
Hebrews 4
1Let
us therefore fear, lest, a
promise being left us of
entering into his rest, any of
you should seem to come short of
it.
God's promise of
rest still stands. (Some of
you may not experience it). This
word rest is "katapausis"
Strong's G2663 "abode." You will
find your rest in Christ through
the Holy Spirit that dwells
within you. "No Holy Spirit,
No rest."
2For
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.
The same Good News that
we preached was given to the
unbelievers. However, it did
them no good because they didn't
share the faith of those who
listened to God. (I
Thessalonians 1:5, 2:13, II
Thessalonians 2:12-13).
You listened when we
brought you the "Good News" and
you listened with great
interest. You saw the proof of
power in the Holy spirit and it
gave you proof that what we were
saying was true. Our very lives became more
proof to you of the truth of our
message. (But they still didn't
believe).
3For
we which have believed do enter
into rest, as he said, As I have
sworn in my wrath, if they shall
enter into my rest: although the
works were finished from the
foundation of the world.
Only the
believers can receive the "Holy
Spirit" and have God
abide in them. As for the
unbelievers, they will never
enter God's place of rest, even
thought it was ready since the
beginning. (Matthew 13:35).
Jesus would open secrets in
parables that were kept since the beginning
of time. (Foundation here is "Themelios"
in the Greek; at a time of the "Katabole,"
or overthrow of Satan in the
first earth age).
4For
he spake in a certain place of
the seventh day on this wise,
And God did rest the seventh day
from all his works.
It was
written in the old testament
about the Sabbath day of rest. (Genesis
2:1-2). However, everyday can be a day
of rest when you are in Christ
and His Spirit is in you.
5And
in this place again, If they
shall enter into my rest.
"In other
places God says, they will never
enter My rest." (Hebrews 3:11,
4:3). Again, we will not have
rest (or abide) with Christ,
unless we are believers and keep
the faith.
6Seeing
therefore it remaineth that some
must enter therein, and they to
whom it was first preached
entered not in because of
unbelief.
If you would
rather listen to man instead of
God like they did, you will
never have rest in Christ.
(Galatians 3:8). God promised
Abraham that all nations would
be blessed and the gentiles
would have salvation. The
condition here is; if they believe in Christ.
7Again,
he limiteth a certain day,
saying in David, To day, after
so long a time; as it is said,
To day if ye will hear his
voice, harden not your hearts.
God
set another time also for
entering His rest, and that time
is today. God announced this
through David, whom Christ would
come through. (Acts 13:20-23). Through
the seed of David, God raised unto
Israel a Savior, Jesus Christ.
"Emmanuel, "God with us."
8For
if Jesus had given them rest,
then would he not afterward have
spoken of another day.
Note:
Jesus here
is Joshua. This should read: If
Joshua had succeeded in giving
them this rest, God would not
have spoken about another day of
rest still to come. (Joshua
22:4, 23:1).
9There
remaineth therefore a rest to
the people of God.
There is still a special
rest waiting for the people of
God. (Revelation 7:14-17).
These are the ones who hang
tough through the tribulation
and are not
deceived by Satan. They did the
work they were supposed to do,
and they washed their robes with
the blood of the Lamb which is
Christ.
10For
he that is entered into his
rest, he also hath ceased from
his own works, as God did from
his.
We will have that
eternal rest when Christ returns
and we inherit the kingdom of
God. (Revelation 14:13).
Your works
are the only things that will go
with you. The
good things that you do in this
life. As stated in Revelation
19:8, the fine linen that makes
up our robes for the wedding
feast of the lamb are
(righteous acts of the saints),
i.e.
our righteous acts.
11Let
us labour therefore to enter
into that rest, lest any man
fall after the same example of
unbelief.
Do your best to enter that rest
as a believer. If we have no
faith and disobey God, we will
fail. (II Peter 1:10-11).
Work hard to
prove that you really are among
those God has called and chosen
and you will not fail.
12For
the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to
the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the
heart.
The Word of God
is like a double edged sword,
cutting between soul and spirit.
It will expose our innermost
thoughts and desires.
(Revelation 1:16).
The sharp
two edged sword represents the
Word of God. The Word can cut
deep into our soul and set
people straight, or it can teach
us and build us up.
13Neither
is there any creature that is
not manifest in his sight: but
all things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of him with whom
we have to do.
You can't con
God, nothing is hidden from Him,
and He is the one we are all
accountable to. (Revelation
20:11-15).
14Seeing
then that we have a great high
priest, that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
Our
High Priest is Jesus Christ who
entered heaven. So we should all
hold firmly to what we believe.
"Keeping The Faith."
(Hebrews
10:23).
15For
we have not an high priest which
cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but
was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin.
Christ understands our
weaknesses and knows what we
need. He faced all of the same
testing we do, and He did not
sin. (Hebrews 2:17-18).
16Let
us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Come
boldly to the throne of God.
There we will receive His mercy
and we will find grace to help
us in time of need. (II
Corinthians 12:9-10). We can
take pleasure in our weaknesses
for Christ's sake. "For when I
am weak, them I am strong in
Christ."
Hebrews 5
1For
every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining
to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
The high
priest would represent the people and would present their gifts to God and offer
sacrifices. Now we have Christ as our "Sacrificial Lamb" and
the blood and bloodless offerings are no longer needed.
2Who can have
compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he
himself also is compassed with infirmity. They were
able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people, because they were subject
to the same weaknesses. (Having compassion for others). Just as we are to have compassion for
others today. (Especially when teaching the Word). Be bold and to the
point when teaching truth. However, have compassion for others who were like you before you came to the
truth.
3And by reason
hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
That is why they offered sacrifices for their own
sins as well as others. Today we have repentance for the forgiveness of our
sins. "Never repent to any man," but rather directly to the Heavenly Father.
4And no man
taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
You don't become a priest, pastor, or teacher of
the word just for the recognition. You are called by God to serve the
ministry. (John 3:27).
5So also
Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto
him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. Even Christ was chosen by God to become our High Priest. (John 3:16).
6As he saith
also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
A priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
(Genesis 14:18-19, Psalms 110:4).
7Who in the
days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong
crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in
that he feared. Christ offered prayers and supplications to the Heavenly
Father and God heard His prayers. What prayers are we
talking about here? When Christ was hanging on the cross just before He yielded
up the spirit. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a
loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God,
why hast thou forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:46 Mark 15:34),
Christ was not crying for help, and God did not forsake Him.
Christ was quoting from a Psalm of David. (Psalm 22). Written about the
crucifixion 1,000 years before the event took place.
8Though he
were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.
Christ was always obedient to the Heavenly Father. Christ
came to us to fulfill the will of God. (John 4:34, 6:38, 15:10, Philippians 2:8).
9And being
made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey
him. Christ became qualified by the Heavenly Father
to become the perfect High Priest and the main source of eternal salvation for
all those who obey Him.
10Called of
God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. God designated Him to be the
High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews
5:5-6, 6:20).
11Of whom we
have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
We would like to say more on this, but it is
difficult to explain since you are spiritually lazy and don't seem to listen.
(Luke 24:25, Acts 28:27). Most people will not take the time to search deep
into the scriptures.
12For when for
the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be
the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of
milk, and not of strong meat. You have been
believers so long that you should be teaching others, but you need someone to
take you back to the basic teachings of the Word. (Paul explaining to the
Hebrews). You are like babies needing
milk and cannot digest solid food. (I Corinthians 3:1-3, I Peter 2:2).
13For every
one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
If you still live on the milk of the Word, you are
still an infant and don't know how to do what is right. (I Corinthians 13:11,
14:20, Ephesians 4:14). Many people in churches today never get out of the
milk when it comes to learning truth in the word.
14But strong
meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use
have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Solid food (in depth truth of the Word), is for those who are
mature through training, having the skill to recognize the difference between
right and wrong. "It's called discerning the truth." (I Timothy 4:6-7, (I
Corinthians 2:14-15, Philippians 1:9-10, I Thessalonians 5:21).
Test everything that is said to be sure it is true. "Check out everything
with the Word and stay focused on what is good from God."
Hebrews 6
1Therefore
leaving the principles of the
doctrine of Christ, let us go on
unto perfection; not laying
again the foundation of
repentance from dead works, and
of faith toward God.
Get over the basic
teachings about Christ and get
down to the meat of the Word.
Salvation is important, but a
church should not just teach
salvation over and over. They
need to teach chapter by chapter
the full gospel of truth to
bring the meat of the word to
the congregation.
2Of
the doctrine of baptisms, and of
laying on of hands, and of
resurrection of the dead, and of
eternal judgment. You
don't need further instruction
about baptism, laying on of
hands, the resurrection, and
eternal judgment. You should be
beyond all this if you are a
mature Christian.
3And
this will we do, if God permit.
God willing, lets move
forward to further
understanding. (There is much of
the Word that needs to be taught
yet). The majority of the people
haven't a clue to what is going
on. They have been in bondage by
denominational doctrine,
traditions of men, and false
teachings.
4For
it is impossible for those who
were once enlightened, and have
tasted of the heavenly gift, and
were made partakers of the Holy
Ghost. It is impossible
to bring back to repentance
those who were once enlightened
by the Word and who share in the
Holy Spirit.
5And
have tasted the good word of
God, and the powers of the world
to come. Who have tasted
the goodness of the Word and
power of the new world age to come.
6If
they shall fall away, to renew
them again unto repentance;
seeing they crucify to
themselves the Son of God
afresh, and put him to an open
shame. Many turn
away from God by rejecting the
Son of God; they themselves are
nailing Him to the cross once
again. (If you believe that you
are saved by Christ and that
through repentance you will
continue to be saved, there is
no need to keep going over the
things of salvation). Example:
If you are baptized in Christ
and become a believer (a new
person as a Christian), you do
not need to be re-baptized over
and over because of some sin you
might have committed. You just
need to repent to our Heavenly
Father and move on. He doesn't
want to hear about it any
longer, it is gone and you have
a clean slate. "You are still
saved, and a new creature in
Christ." (Keep in mind
that repentance of sin is
between you and God; not you and
some man).
7For
the earth which drinketh in the
rain that cometh oft upon it,
and bringeth forth herbs meet
for them by whom it is dressed,
receiveth blessing from God.
When the ground soaks up
the falling rain and bears a
good crop for the farmer, it has
the blessings of God. The same
goes for a Christian when the
spirit is poured out upon them.
What spirit? The Holy Spirit and
all it's blessings of God.
(Isaiah 44:3). The Holy
Spirit is open to all who will
ask for and except it.
8But
that which beareth thorns and
briers is rejected, and is nigh
unto cursing; whose end is to be
burned. However, if the
field bears thorns and thistles,
it is useless, and the farmer
will condemn that field and burn
it up. "Those who do not follow
the guidance by Christ and the
Holy Spirit of truth, but would
rather listen to man and false
teachings." In other words,
those who do not produce good
fruit. (Matthew 3:10, 7:19,
25:41, John 15:6, Revelation
20:15).
9But,
beloved, we are persuaded better
things of you, and things that
accompany salvation, though we
thus speak.
Even though we
speak on these things, we don't
really think it applies to you.
We believe that you are meant
for better things that come with
salvation. "The fruit of the
Spirit." (Galatians
5:22-23).
When the Holy Spirit controls
our lives we will produce good
fruit. Love, joy, peace,
kindness, patience,
faithfulness.
10For
God is not unrighteous to forget
your work and labour of love,
which ye have shewed toward his
name, in that ye have ministered
to the saints, and do minister.
"God is always fair."
He
does not forget how hard you
work in the ministry and how you
have shown your love to Him by
caring for others.
11And
we desire that every one of you
do shew the same diligence to
the full assurance of hope unto
the end. Our desire is
that you keep loving and
teaching others the truth till
the end. This will make certain
that what you hope for will come
true. (Matthew 24:13, Revelation
2:26).
12That
ye be not slothful, but
followers of them who through
faith and patience inherit the
promises. Then you will
not become spiritually dead
(stupid and lazy), and
indifferent. Instead, you will
follow the example of those who
are going to inherit God's
promises because of their faith
and endurance. (I John 2:25,
Revelation 14:13).
13For
when God made promise to
Abraham, because he could swear
by no greater, he sware by
himself. The same promise
that God made to Abraham. "He
would multiply thy seed as the
stars of heaven and the sands of
the sea." All the nations would
be blessed if they obey the
voice of the Lord. (Genesis
22:15-18). The problem with our
nation today is that they try to
take God out of everything. Look
what happened to other nations
that did the same. "When you
eliminate God you will fall."
14Saying,
Surely blessing I will bless
thee, and multiplying I will
multiply thee. Bless and
multiply your descendants beyond
number. (Genesis 17:2).
15And
so, after he had patiently
endured, he obtained the
promise. Abraham was
patience and waited on the Lord
and received what God had
promised. (Exodus 1:7).
16For
men verily swear by the greater:
and an oath for confirmation is
to them an end of all strife.
When you take an oath,
that oath should be binding, or
don't take the oath at all.
17Wherein
God, willing more abundantly to
shew unto the heirs of promise
the immutability of his counsel,
confirmed it by an oath.
God bound Himself with an oath,
so that those who received the
promise would know that He would
not change His mind. "When our
Heavenly Father says it, it is
true and will come to pass."
18That
by two immutable things, in
which it was impossible for God
to lie, we might have a strong
consolation, who have fled for
refuge to lay hold upon the hope
set before us. When God
gives His promise and oath, it
is unchangeable because it is
impossible for God to lie.
"In hope of eternal
life." (Titus 1:2).
19Which
hope we have as an anchor of the
soul, both sure and stedfast,
and which entereth into that
within the veil. This
hope is a strong and trustworthy
anchor for our souls. "It leads
us into God's inner sanctuary."
When Christ was crucified, the temple veil was rent from
top to bottom at the crucifixion
of Christ. (Matthew 27:51).
"This gave us an open door into
God's house."
20Whither
the forerunner is for us
entered, even Jesus, made an
high priest for ever after the
order of Melchisedec.
Jesus has
gone there for us and He has
become our eternal High Priest
in the order of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 5:10).
The meaning of the name
Melchizedek is "King of
Righteousness." Jesus
Christ will be our most high
Priest and righteous King for
eternity.
Hebrews 7
1For
this Melchisedec, king of Salem,
priest of the most high God, who
met Abraham returning from the
slaughter of the kings, and
blessed him.
The King of Salem
Melchisedec (Melchi=king, sedec=the
just), who was also a
priest of the most high God,
blessed Abraham after winning a
battle against the kings.
(Genesis 14:18-20).
2To
whom also Abraham gave a tenth
part of all; first being by
interpretation King of
righteousness, and after that
also King of Salem, which is,
King of peace.
Abraham gave one
tenth (his tithe), of all he
captured in battle to Melchizedec
(king of justice),
and king of Salem means (king of
peace). Jesus Christ is our
"King of Justice" and "King of
Peace." (Isaiah 9:7-7, Jeremiah
23:5-6).
3Without
father, without mother, without
descent, having neither
beginning of days, nor end of
life; but made like unto the Son
of God; abideth a priest
continually. No genealogy is
recorded about Melchizedec. There is no record
of Melchizedec's father or
mother or any of his ancestors.
(No record of the beginning or
end to his life). The example of
one who lives continually. "He
remains a priest forever,
resembling the Son of God."
4Now
consider how great this man was,
unto whom even the patriarch
Abraham gave the tenth of the
spoils.
Abraham
considered Melchizedec to be a
very special person. He showed
this by giving him a tenth of
what he had taken in battle.
(Perhaps he knew who he was, or
was the one who would resemble
the Son of God). "A type of Him
who lives forever."
5And
verily they that are of the sons
of Levi, who receive the office
of the priesthood, have a
commandment to take tithes of
the people according to the law,
that is, of their brethren,
though they come out of the
loins of Abraham.
The law of Moses
required that the priests who
were the descendants of Levi, collect a tithe from the
rest of the people of Israel,
who are also descendants of
Abraham.
6But
he whose descent is not counted
from them received tithes of
Abraham, and blessed him that
had the promises.
But Melchizedec, who was not a
descendant of Levi, collected a
tenth from Abraham and gave him
a blessing, even though Abraham
had already received the
promises of God. (Genesis
22:17-18).
7And
without all contradiction the
less is blessed of the better.
The one who gives the blessings
is always greater than the one
who is blessed.
8And
here men that die receive
tithes; but there he receiveth
them, of whom it is witnessed
that he liveth. The
regular priests who collected
tithes are men that died.
However, Melchizedec would be
considered greater than they are
because we are told that he
lives on. Again, a type of the
one who lives forever. (John
14:19, Revelation 1:18).
9And
as I may so say, Levi also, who
receiveth tithes, payed tithes
in Abraham.
The Levites who
collected the tithes, paid a
tithe to Melchizedec when their
ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to
him. (Genesis 14:20).
10For
he was yet in the loins of his
father, when Melchisedec met
him.
Levi wasn't born
yet when Abraham paid the tithe
to Melchizedec. (Genesis 35:11,
Hebrews 7:5).
11If
therefore perfection were by the
Levitical priesthood, (for under
it the people received the law,)
what further need was there that
another priest should rise after
the order of Melchisedec, and
not be called after the order of
Aaron?
If the Levitical
priesthood (where the people
received the law), could have
achieved the perfection God
intended, why would He have
needed to establish a different
priesthood, with a priest in the
order of Melchizedec instead of
the order of Levi and Aaron?
"The
law could not do it." In other
words, you are not going to get
to heaven (under the law),
trying to keep the old laws and
sacrifices. You need salvation
through our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. He died for
our sins so that we would all
have a chance at salvation.
The law did not work as it
should and the people
could not keep the laws. So,
through Jesus Christ and upon
repentance of our sins, we
always have a clean slate and a
chance at salvation through
faith in Him. (Colossians
2:10-17).
12For
the priesthood being changed,
there is made of necessity a
change also of the law.
If the
priesthood is changed, the law
must also be changed to permit
it. (Acts 6:13-14).
13For
he of whom these things are
spoken pertaineth to another
tribe, of which no man gave
attendance at the altar.
The
priests we are talking about
here are from a different tribe
who have never served at the
altar as priests.
14For
it is evident that our Lord
sprang out of Juda; of which
tribe Moses spake nothing
concerning priesthood.
The Lord
came from the tribe of Judah,
and Moses never mentioned
priests coming from that tribe.
(Romans 1:3, Revelation 5:5,
22:16).
15And
it is yet far more evident: for
that after the similitude of
Melchisedec there ariseth
another priest.
It is very clear
that a different priest has
appeared in the order of
Melchisedec. "It is Jesus Christ."
(Psalm 110:4).
16Who
is made, not after the law of a
carnal commandment, but after
the power of an endless life.
Jesus became our priest, not by
the law or meeting the physical
requirements of belonging to the
tribe of Levi, but by the power
of a life that cannot be
destroyed.
17For
he testifieth, Thou art a priest
for ever after the order of
Melchisedec.
Written in (Psalm
110:4).
18For
there is verily a disannulling
of the commandment going before
for the weakness and
unprofitableness thereof.
The old requirement about the
priesthood was set aside because
it was weak and useless. (Acts
13:39, Romans 8:3, Galatians
4:9, I Timothy 4:8).
19For
the law made nothing perfect,
but the bringing in of a better
hope did; by the which we draw
nigh unto God.
The law never
made anything perfect. But now
we have the confidence and hope
through which we draw near to
God. We have a better covenant,
better promises, and a better
resurrection. We now have Jesus
Christ who was better than the
angels and the law. (John 14:6,
Romans 5:2, Ephesians 2:13-18).
20And
inasmuch as not without an oath
he was made priest.
We have
our High Priest (Jesus Christ),
established with a solemn oath.
(Aaron's descendants became
priests without such an oath).
21For
those priests were made without
an oath; but this with an oath
by him that said unto him, The
Lord sware and will not repent,
Thou art a priest for ever after
the order of Melchisedec.
There was an oath regarding
Jesus Christ. God said it
Himself. Where is it written?
(Hebrews 6:16-18, 7:17, Psalm
110:4).
22By
so much was Jesus made a surety
of a better testament.
"Jesus is
the one who guarantees this
better covenant with God."
(Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke
22:20, I Corinthians 11:25).
23And
they truly were many priests,
because they were not suffered
to continue by reason of death.
There were many priests under
the old system because death
prevented them from remaining in
office. (You see the priests of
today come and go, and most of
them are still in bondage under
the traditions and laws of men).
24But
this man, because he continueth
ever, hath an unchangeable
priesthood.
But our High
Priests (Jesus Christ), lives
forever and His priesthood lives
forever. (I Samuel 2:35, Isaiah
9:6-7, John 12:34, Romans 6:9,
Revelation 1:18).
25Wherefore
he is able also to save them to
the uttermost that come unto God
by him, seeing he ever liveth to
make intercession for them.
He
is able to save all those who
come to God through Him. He
lives forever to intercede with
God on their behalf. (Romans
8:34, I Timothy 2:5, I John
2:1-2, Revelation 8:3-4).
26For
such an high priest became us,
who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from
sinners, and made higher than
the heavens.
Our High Priest
that is Holy and blameless,
unstained by sin. He is set
apart from sinners and has been
given the highest place of honor
in heaven. (Mark 16:9, Ephesians
4:8-10, I Peter 3:22).
27Who
needeth not daily, as those high
priests, to offer up sacrifice,
first for his own sins, and then
for the people's: for this he
did once, when he offered up
himself.
The high priests of the old law
had to offer sacrifices every
day for their own sins and for
the sins of the people. "Jesus did it once for all times."
He offered Himself as a
sacrifice for the sins of the
world. (Isaiah 53:10-12, Romans
6:10, Ephesians 2:22, Titus
2:14). We no longer need any
priests to sacrifice for our
sins, or perform any other
ceremonies on our behalf.
"DO NOT BE DECEIVED."
28For
the law maketh men high priests
which have infirmity; but the
word of the oath, which was
since the law, maketh the Son,
who is consecrated for evermore.
Under the law the high priests
were limited by human weakness.
(You can see it in many churches
today). However, after the law, God
appointed His Son with an oath,
and His Son has been made "The
Perfect High Priest" forever.
Jesus Christ is the only one
we need.
Hebrews 8
1Now
of the things which we have
spoken this is the sum: We have
such an high priest, who is set
on the right hand of the throne
of the Majesty in the heavens.
Here is the main
point of what we have spoken.
Our High Priest is Jesus Christ
who sat down in the place of
honor beside the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:2, Revelations 3:21).
2A
minister of the sanctuary, and
of the true tabernacle, which
the Lord pitched, and not man.
He
ministers in the heavenly
tabernacle, the true place of
worship made by God, not by man.
3For
every high priest is ordained to
offer gifts and sacrifices:
wherefore it is of necessity
that this man have somewhat also
to offer.
Every high priest
was required to offer gifts of
sacrifice, and our High Priest
must make an offering also.
(Jesus made the offering). "He gave His life for His
sacrifice." (John 6:51).
4For
if he were on earth, he should
not be a priest, seeing that
there are priests that offer
gifts according to the law.
We have our earthly
priests that are even around
today, but Jesus Christ is
our Heavenly Priest forever. The
sacrificial laws are done away
with so you don't need the
earthly priests to hear you
confess, or give penance for
your sins as many believe. "This
is mans law of tradition, not
God's law." Do not
be deceived!
5Who
serve unto the example and
shadow of heavenly things, as
Moses was admonished of God when
he was about to make the
tabernacle: for, See, saith he,
that thou make all things
according to the pattern shewed
to thee in the mount.
The
earthly priests served in a
system of worship that is only a
copy. "Just a shadow of the real
One
in heaven." Even when Moses was
getting ready to build the
Tabernacle, God gave him a
warning to make everything
according to His plan. (Numbers
8:4, Acts 7:44).
6But
now hath he obtained a more
excellent ministry, by how much
also he is the mediator of a
better covenant, which was
established upon better
promises.
We now have Jesus
Christ as our High Priest, and
He has been given a ministry
that is far superior to the old
priesthood. (Even the priesthood
of today). Christ mediates for
us, a far better covenant and
promise with God. In other
words, you don't need any priest
or man to be a mediator
between you and God. (You
can talk to God directly and
have a personal relationship
with Him).
7For
if that first covenant had been
faultless, then should no place
have been sought for the second.
If
the first covenant had been
faultless (which is wasn't),
there would have been no need
for a second covenant to replace
it. It didn't work then and it
don't work now. Those who think
priests, or any man can
be your mediator between you and
God are being deceived and held
in bondage by their false
religion.
8For
finding fault with them, he
saith, Behold, the days come,
saith the Lord, when I will make
a new covenant with the house of
Israel and with the house of
Judah.
God found fault
with the people and He said that
the day is coming when I will
make a new covenant with the
people of Israel and Judah. (All
the nations Jew and Gentile
alike). (Isaiah 55:3, Matthew
26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, I
Corinthians 11:25).
9Not
according to the covenant that I
made with their fathers in the
day when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of the land of
Egypt; because they continued
not in my covenant, and I
regarded them not, saith the
Lord.
Not like the old
covenant made with their
ancestors when they were led out of
the land of Egypt. They were not
faithful to God and His
covenant, so God turned His back
on them. (Jeremiah 22:8-9,
Ezekiel 16:59).
10For
this is the covenant that I will
make with the house of Israel
after those days, saith the
Lord; I will put my laws into
their mind, and write them in
their hearts: and I will be to
them a God, and they shall be to
me a people.
This is the new
covenant with the people says
the Lord! "I will put My laws in
their minds and in their hearts,
and will be their God and they
will be My people." (Jeremiah
31:33).
11And
they shall not teach every man
his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know the Lord:
for all shall know me, from the
least to the greatest.
They will
all know the Lord in the end
times, from the least to the
greatest.
12For
I will be merciful to their
unrighteousness, and their sins
and their iniquities will I
remember no more.
I will forgive
their wickedness, and forget
their sins. (I John 2:1-2,
Revelation 1:5).
13In
that he saith, A new covenant,
he hath made the first old. Now
that which decayeth and waxeth
old is ready to vanish away.
When God speaks of a
new
covenant, the one He made first
is obsolete and out of date. Our
"New Covenant" is with Jesus
Christ. (II Corinthians 5:17).
You’re a new creature, with a
new frame of mind. The old life
is gone and a new life begins.
(Your now a servant of the
living God).
Hebrews 9
1Then
verily the first covenant had
also ordinances of divine
service, and a worldly
sanctuary.
This type of worship was
done in the tabernacle, made by
man. (Exodus 25:8).
2For
there was a tabernacle made; the
first, wherein was the
candlestick, and the table, and
the shewbread; which is called
the sanctuary.
There were two rooms in the
Tabernacle. The first room held
the lamp stand, a table, and the
sacred loves of bread. This was
called the Holy Place. (Exodus
26:33).
3And
after the second veil, the
tabernacle which is called the
Holiest of all.
There was a
curtain separating the rooms and
behind this curtain was called
the Most Holy Place. (Exodus
26:31-33). This curtain (veil),
was the one that was rent from
top to bottom when Christ was
crucified. The earth
violently shook when this was
done.
(Matthew 27:51).
4Which
had the golden censer, and the
ark of the covenant overlaid
round about with gold, wherein
was the golden pot that had
manna, and Aaron's rod that
budded, and the tables of the
covenant.
In this room (the
Most Holy Place), was a gold
incense altar and a wooden chest
called "the Ark of the
Covenant." The Ark was covered
with gold on all sides. Inside
the Ark was a gold jar
containing manna (the angels
food), Aaron's staff, and the
stone tablets (the ten
commandments) of the covenant.
(Deuteronomy 10:2-5).
5And
over it the cherubims of glory
shadowing the mercyseat; of
which we cannot now speak
particularly.
Above the Ark
were the cherubim of divine
glory. There wings stretched out
over the Ark's cover, and the
mercy seat (the place of
atonement). (Exodus 25:17-22).
6Now
when these things were thus
ordained, the priests went
always into the first
tabernacle, accomplishing the
service of God.
The priests
entered the first room regularly
as they performed their
religious duties. (Exodus
30:7-8).
7But
into the second went the high
priest alone once every year,
not without blood, which he
offered for himself, and for the
errors of the people.
Once a
year the high priest entered the
Most Holy Place, and offered
blood for his own sins and the
sins of the people. This word
"errors" here is "agnoema"
Strong's G51 a thing ignored, or
shortcoming error. In other
words, the sins the people
committed in ignorance. (There
are a lot of people today that
are ignorant of the truth in the
Word because they were never
taught the truth). "They listen
to man, false teachings and
traditions of men." (Isaiah
9:16, 28:7, 29:14).
8The
Holy Ghost this signifying, that
the way into the holiest of all
was not yet made manifest, while
as the first tabernacle was yet
standing.
The Holy Spirit
revealed that the entrance to
the "Most High Place" was not
freely open as long as the
Tabernacle and system it
represented were still in use.
"Now we have access to the
Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ and
the Holy Spirit." (John 10:9,
14:6, Ephesians 2:18).
9Which
was a figure for the time then
present, in which were offered
both gifts and sacrifices, that
could not make him that did the
service perfect, as pertaining
to the conscience.
This
illustration pertains to the
present time. The gifts and
sacrifices that the priests
offer are not able to cleanse
the consciences of the people
any longer. (They are no longer
needed and are useless for us
today).
10Which
stood only in meats and drinks,
and divers washings, and carnal
ordinances, imposed on them
until the time of reformation.
The
old system concerning food,
drink, various cleansing
ceremonies, and physical
regulations were only in effect
until a better system could be
established. Now we have that
better system through Christ
Jesus.
11But
Christ being come an high priest
of good things to come, by a
greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands,
that is to say, not of this
building.
Christ is our
High Priest over all good things
that have come. He has entered
the perfect Tabernacle in
Heaven, which is not made by
human hands, and is not part of
this world. (Acts 17:24-25, II
Corinthians 5:1).
12Neither
by the blood of goats and
calves, but by his own blood he
entered in once into the holy
place, having obtained eternal
redemption for us.
Christ
shed His own blood once for all
time, and entered the Most Holy
Place, securing our redemption
forever. (Colossians 1:14,
Revelation 1:5).
13For
if the blood of bulls and of
goats, and the ashes of an
heifer sprinkling the unclean,
sanctifieth to the purifying of
the flesh.
Under the old
system, the blood from animal
sacrifices could cleanse
people's bodies from ceremonial
impurity.
14How
much more shall the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered himself without
spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works to
serve the living God?
Just think
how much more the blood of
Christ will purify our
consciences from sin so that we
can worship the living God.
15And
for this cause he is the
mediator of the new testament,
that by means of death, for the
redemption of the transgressions
that were under the first
testament, they which are called
might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance.
Now Christ
is the one who mediates a new
covenant between God and the
people, so that all who are
called can receive the eternal
inheritance God has promised
them. Notice it says "they which are
called." (Hebrews 3:1, Romans
8:30, II Thessalonians 2:14).
God does the calling, will you
answer.
You as true
Christians were told the Good
News and were called by God to
share the Good News and share in
the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
16For
where a testament is, there must
also of necessity be the death
of the testator.
This word
"testament" is "diatheke"
Strong's G1242 a disposition, a
contract, a "will," covenant. In
other words, when someone leaves
a "will," it is necessary to
prove that the person who made
it is dead.
17For
a testament is of force after
men are dead: otherwise it is of
no strength at all while the
testator liveth.
The will only
goes into effect after the
person is dead.
18Whereupon
neither the first testament was
dedicated without blood.
That is
why the first covenant was put
into effect with the blood of an
animal. (Exodus 24:3-8).
19For
when Moses had spoken every
precept to all the people
according to the law, he took
the blood of calves and of
goats, with water, and scarlet
wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled
both the book, and all the
people.
In the old law,
Moses would read each of the
commandments to the people, and
he would take the blood of the
calves and goats, along with
water, and sprinkle both the
book of God's law and the
people, using hyssop branches
and scarlet wool.
20Saying,
This is the blood of the
testament which God hath
enjoined unto you.
Then he
would say; "This blood confirms
the covenant God has made with
you."
21Moreover
he sprinkled with blood both the
tabernacle, and all the vessels
of the ministry.
Then he would
sprinkle blood on the Tabernacle
and on everything used for
worship.
22And
almost all things are by the law
purged with blood; and without
shedding of blood is no
remission.
According to the
law of Moses, everything was
purified with blood. "Without
the shedding of blood, there
was no forgiveness."
23It
was therefore necessary that the
patterns of things in the
heavens should be purified with
these; but the heavenly things
themselves with better
sacrifices than these.
This is
why the Tabernacle and
everything in it (which were
copies of things in heaven),
were purified by the blood of
animals. The real things in
heaven had to be purified with a
far better sacrifice than the
blood of animals. "That sacrifice
would be Jesus Christ." (I Peter
1:19-21, Revelation 5:9).
24For
Christ is not entered into the
holy places made with hands,
which are the figures of the
true; but into heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of
God for us.
Christ did not
enter into a holy place made by
man, which was only a copy of
the true holy place in heaven.
He entered into heaven itself
and sits on the right hand of
God on our behalf. (I Peter
3:22, I John 2:1-2).
25Nor
yet that he should offer himself
often, as the high priest
entereth into the holy place
every year with blood of others.
He
did not enter heaven to offer
Himself over and over again as a
sacrifice like the high priest
on earth would enter the Holy
Place year after year. (This was
for one and all times).
26For
then must he often have suffered
since the foundation of the
world: but now once in the end
of the world hath he appeared to
put away sin by the sacrifice of
himself.
If that were the
case, Christ would have to die
again and again, since the world
began. He did it "once
for all time," at the end of the
age, to remove sin by His own
death as a one time sacrifice.
(Ephesians 5:2).
27And
as it is appointed unto men once
to die, but after this the
judgment.
Just as each
person is destined to die once,
and after that comes judgment.
(II Corinthians 5:10).
28So
Christ was once offered to bear
the sins of many; and unto them
that look for him shall he
appear the second time without
sin unto salvation.
Christ came "once for all times"
to be a sacrifice for the sins
of the world. He will come again
at the second advent, not to
deal with our sins, but to
take
vengeance on those against God
and those who follow Satan.
(II Peter 3:12, II Thessalonians
1:5-9).
Hebrews 10
1For
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.
The old system
under the law of Moses was just
a shadow of things to come. The
sacrifices repeated again and
again were never able to provide
complete cleansing for those who
came to worship.
2For
then would they not have ceased
to be offered? because that the
worshippers once purged should
have had no more conscience of
sins.
If the old
sacrifices provided perfect
cleansing, they would have
stopped, and the worshippers
would have been purified once
and for all. Their feelings
of guilt would have disappeared.
3But
in those sacrifices there is a
remembrance again made of sins
every year.
Those sacrifices
actually reminded them of their
sins.
4For
it is not possible that the
blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins.
The blood
of bulls and goats will not take
away sin. We are now under the
new covenant. (John 1:29, Romans
11:27).
5Wherefore
when he cometh into the world,
he saith, Sacrifice and offering
thou wouldest not, but a body
hast thou prepared me.
When
Christ came into the world, He
knew that God no longer wanted
animal sacrifices, but rather
Himself as a one time sacrifice
for the sins of the world.
(Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, Luke
1:35, Galatians 4:4).
6In
burnt offerings and sacrifices
for sin thou hast had no
pleasure.
God does not like
burnt offerings or other
offerings for sin. (Malachi
1:10). God does not want your
burnt offerings, rituals, or
repetitious prayer. "He wants
your love." (Mark 12:33, Hosea
6:6).
7Then
said I, Lo, I come (in the
volume of the book it is written
of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Christ would say, "I have come
to do your will Father," as it
is written in the scriptures.
(John 4:34, 5:30, 6:38).
8Above
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.
Christ said, "You
did not want, and were not
pleased with the sacrifices and
offerings of the old law of
Moses, even though they were
required."
9Then
said he, Lo, I come to do thy
will, O God. He taketh away the
first, that he may establish the
second.
Christ would go
on to say, "I have come to do
your will." The first
covenant would be cancelled, in order to put the
second into effect.
10By
the which will we are sanctified
through the offering of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all.
It
is God's will that we are made
holy by the sacrifice of the
body of Jesus Christ, once for
all time. (I Corinthians 6:11).
11And
every priest standeth daily
ministering and offering
oftentimes the same sacrifices,
which can never take away sins.
Under the old covenant, the
priests ministered before the
alter day after day, offering
the same sacrifices over and
over, but could never take away
sins. "The same goes for today,
no priest, pastor, or minister
can take away, or give penance
for your sins." Only God can
forgive your sins upon
repentance to Him and Him only.
"Never confess your sins to any
man or woman." (Unless you want
your business spread around).
12But
this man, after he had offered
one sacrifice for sins for ever,
sat down on the right hand of
God.
Our High Priest;
Jesus Christ, offered Himself to
God as a single sacrifice for
the sins of the world. "Good for
all time." Then He sat in the
place of honor at the right hand
of God. (Acts 2:33-34, Romans
8:34, Colossians 3:1).
13From
henceforth expecting till his
enemies be made his footstool.
There He waits until His enemies
are humbled and made a footstool
under His feet. (Psalm 110:1,
Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36).
14For
by one offering he hath
perfected for ever them that are
sanctified.
By that one
offering He made perfect those
who are being made holy. (Romans
15:16).
15Whereof
the Holy Ghost also is a witness
to us: for after that he had
said before.
The Holy Spirit
is a witness to this. (John
15:26, I Peter 1:11-12, II Peter
1:21).
16This
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.
A
new covenant for the people
(those who believe), will be
made. "The laws will now be in their
hearts and in their minds."
(Jeremiah 31:33-34, Romans
11:27).
17And
their sins and iniquities will I
remember no more.
Your sins will be
erased (blotted out),
upon repentance. God will never
remember them again.
18Now
where remission of these is,
there is no more offering for
sin.
When your sins are forgiven,
there is no need to offer any
more sacrifice, or penance.
When God forgives you, That's
That.
19Having
therefore, brethren, boldness to
enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus.
We can enter
heaven's Most Holy Place because
of the blood of Christ. (I John
2:1-2).
20By
a new and living way, which he
hath consecrated for us, through
the veil, that is to say, his
flesh.
When Christ was
crucified, the veil in the
temple of the Most Holy Place
was rent from top to bottom. Now
we can enter the Most Holy Place
as believers through Christ. (I
Peter 3:18, I John 4:2).
21And
having an high priest over the
house of God.
We have our High
Priest (Jesus Christ), who rules
over the house of God. (II
Corinthians 6:16-17, Ephesians
2:19-22). "No need for a
priest, or pastor to be your
intercessor." (You can speak
directly to the Heavenly
Father).
22Let
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.
We
can go into the very presence of
God with sincere hearts as
believers. Fully trusting Him,
because our guilty consciences
have been sprinkled clean with
the blood of Christ. We have
been washed
(baptized), with pure water.
(Matthew 3:11, Ephesians 5:26, I
Peter 3:21).
23Let
us hold fast the profession of
our faith without wavering; (for
he is faithful that promised).
Hold tightly without wavering,
God can be trusted to keep His
promise. (I Corinthians 10:13).
24And
let us consider one another to
provoke unto love and to good
works.
Motivate and
build up each other to acts of
love and good works.
25Not
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.
Lets not neglect
meeting together as some people
do. Encourage one another as the
days of Christ return is near.
26For
if we sin wilfully after that we
have received the knowledge of
the truth, there remaineth no
more sacrifice for sins.
If we deliberately
continue to sin after we have
received the knowledge of the
truth, there is no longer any
sacrifice that will cover these
sins. In other words, if you
come to the truth in the word
and continue to ignore the truth, following false teachings,
traditions of men, and the ways
of the world, you may be in
trouble. (II Peter
2:20-22).
When you
escape the ways of the world by
coming to know Jesus Christ and
then become tangled up and
enslaved by sin again; you are
worse off than before.
27But
a certain fearful looking for of
judgment and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the
adversaries.
When you ignore the truth, you
can only look forward to the
judgment of God who will consume
His enemies. (II Thessalonians
1:8, Revelation 20:15).
There will be vengeance on those against God
and those who follow Satan.
28He
that despised Moses' law died
without mercy under two or three
witnesses.
Those who refused
to obey the law of Moses were
put to death on the testimony of
two or three witnesses.
29Of
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?
Just think how
worse the punishment will be for
those who trampled on the Son of
God. Those who treat the blood
of the covenant common and
unholy, insulting the Holy
Spirit who brings God's
mercy to us. (I Corinthians
11:27, 11:29).
If you believe
Christ was an unworthy sacrifice, then you
are guilty of sinning. You must
believe that Christ was worthy
and that He paid the price for
you on the cross.
30For
we know him that hath said,
Vengeance belongeth unto me, I
will recompense, saith the Lord.
And again, The Lord shall judge
his people.
Vengeance belongs
to the Lord and He will judge
His people soon enough. (Romans 12:19,
Deuteronomy 32:35-36).
31It
is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the living God.
You
don't want to be on the bad side
of the living God.
32But
call to remembrance the former
days, in which, after ye were
illuminated, ye endured a great
fight of afflictions.
Think back
on how you were when you first
came to know Christ. Trying your
best to be faithful even though
you had some suffering. (II
Timothy 4:7-8). "We need to
remain faithful."
33Partly,
whilst ye were made a
gazingstock both by reproaches
and afflictions; and partly,
whilst ye became companions of
them that were so used.
Sometimes
you were ridiculed, and
sometimes you helped others who
suffered the same thing. "Let
them make fun of you, it will
only make you stronger." (II
Corinthians 12:10).
34For
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.
You suffered with
those who were put into jail;
then you lost all your goods,
but you
accepted it with joy. You knew that there were better
things coming. (Matthew 5:11-12).
35Cast
not away therefore your
confidence, which hath great
recompence of reward.
Stay
confident and trust in the Lord,
for a great reward is coming.
Stay steadfast and unmovable in
the work of the Lord. (I
Corinthians 15:58).
Take a stand when
you work for the Lord.
(Revelation 14:13, 19:7-8).
Keep in mind that your works in
this life are the only
things you can take with you.
36For
ye have need of patience, that,
after ye have done the will of
God, ye might receive the
promise.
Patient endurance
is what you need now, so you
will continue to do God's will.
Then you will receive all the
promises of God. (Colossians
3:24).
37For
yet a little while, and he that
shall come will come, and will
not tarry.
The time is close
for the return of Jesus Christ
and He will not delay.
(Revelation 22:20).
38Now
the just shall live by faith:
but if any man draw back, my
soul shall have no pleasure in
him.
God's righteous
ones (true Christians), will
live by faith. However, He will
take no pleasure in those who
turn away. (Psalm 5:4).
39But
we are not of them who draw back
unto perdition; but of them that
believe to the saving of the
soul.
Don't be like
those who turn away from God and
follow the ways of the world. Be
faithful till the end and
your soul will be saved. (Romans
10:9-10, I Thessalonians 5:9).
God
has not chosen to pour out His
anger upon His believers, but
rather save them through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Hebrews 11
1Now
faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen.
Faith gives us
confidence that what we hope for
will really happen and assurance
about things we cannot see.
(Romans 8:24-25, II Corinthians
4:18).
2For
by it the elders obtained a good
report.
Through faith, the prophets and
men of God from
long ago earned a good
reputation.
3Through
faith we understand that the
worlds were framed by the word
of God, so that things which are
seen were not made of things
which do appear.
By faith we
understand that the entire
universe was formed at God's
command. Referring to the
dispensations of time ordered by
God and how they came into
being. (II Peter 3:5). Read our
newsletter study topic titled
"Three Earth Ages" for a better
understanding of the
dispensations in time.
4By
faith Abel offered unto God a
more excellent sacrifice than
Cain, by which he obtained
witness that he was righteous,
God testifying of his gifts: and
by it he being dead yet speaketh.
It
was by faith that Abel brought a
more acceptable offering to God
than Cain did. This proved that
Abel was a righteous man. His
example of faith still speaks to
us today through the scriptures.
(Matthew 23:35, Luke 11:51, I
John 3:11-12).
5By
faith Enoch was translated that
he should not see death; and was
not found, because God had
translated him: for before his
translation he had this
testimony, that he pleased God.
Enoch pleased God (by
faith), and was taken
up by God to heaven without
dying. (Genesis 5:22-24).
6But
without faith it is impossible
to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder
of them that diligently seek
him.
It is impossible
to please God without faith. If
you want to come to God, you
must believe that He exists, and
He will reward those who seek
Him. Seek the kingdom of God and
He will add to you daily.
(Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31). "The
King and His Dominion." Take
action and seek the truth of His
Word and make Him first in your
life, and He will always take care of
you.
7By
faith Noah, being warned of God
of things not seen as yet, moved
with fear, prepared an ark to
the saving of his house; by the
which he condemned the world,
and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith.
"Look at the faith that Noah
had." He built a large boat to
save his family and the
righteous from the flood.
He
obeyed God and received the
righteousness that comes by
faith.
8By
faith Abraham, when he was
called to go out into a place
which he should after receive
for an inheritance, obeyed; and
he went out, not knowing whither
he went.
It was by faith
that Abraham listened to God and
went to another land that God
would give him as his
inheritance. (Genesis 22:18).
9By
faith he sojourned in the land
of promise, as in a strange
country, dwelling in tabernacles
with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs
with him of the same promise.
It
was by faith that Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob lived as
foreigners in a strange land to
inherit the same promise.
(Genesis 28:13-14). The promise
that the seed
(offspring), of all these
families that flourished the
earth, would be blessed.
10For
he looked for a city which hath
foundations, whose builder and
maker is God.
Abraham looked
forward by faith to the
foundation of the eternal city
built by God. (Revelation
21:14-22).
11Through
faith also Sara herself received
strength to conceive seed, and
was delivered of a child when
she was past age, because she
judged him faithful who had
promised.
Sarah had faith
in the Lord that she could have
a child at her old age, even
though she was surprised and
kind of laughed at it. (Genesis
18:11-14).
12Therefore
sprang there even of one, and
him as good as dead, so many as
the stars of the sky in
multitude, and as the sand which
is by the sea shore innumerable.
Abraham being called the father
of many nations. (Genesis 22:17,
32:12)
13These
all died in faith, not having
received the promises, but
having seen them afar off, and
were persuaded of them, and
embraced them, and confessed
that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth.
All these people died
having faith in God and what He
promised them, even though they
did not receive what was
promised. But, they seen it all
from a distance as foreigners on
earth and welcomed it. (I Peter
1:1).
Peter was
a missionary, an apostle, (one
sent forth), by Jesus Christ to
the twelve tribes of Israel
scattered abroad. (James 1:1).
Many of which went north over
the Caucus Mountains and settled
in Europe and the Americas.
14For
they that say such things
declare plainly that they seek a
country.
Looking forward
to a country they can call their
own.
15And
truly, if they had been mindful
of that country from whence they
came out, they might have had
opportunity to have returned.
If
they longed for a country they
came from, they could have gone
back.
16But
now they desire a better
country, that is, an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed to
be called their God: for he hath
prepared for them a city.
They were
looking for a better place, a
heavenly homeland, and God has
prepared a place for them.
(Matthew 25:34).
17By
faith Abraham, when he was
tried, offered up Isaac: and he
that had received the promises
offered up his only begotten
son.
It was by faith
that Abraham offered Isaac as a
sacrifice when God was testing
him. "Abraham already received God's
promise." But, he was still
willing to offer his son.
(Genesis 22:1-12).
18Of
whom it was said, That in Isaac
shall thy seed be called.
God told him, "Isaac is the son
through whom your descendants
will be counted." (Genesis
17:19).
19Accounting
that God was able to raise him
up, even from the dead; from
whence also he received him in a
figure.
Abraham was
thinking, if I offered my son as
a sacrifice, God was able to
bring him back to life again.
(Romans 4:17-21).
20By
faith Isaac blessed Jacob and
Esau concerning things to come.
By
faith, Isaac promised blessings
for the future of his two sons.
(Genesis 27:27-40). Isaac shows
us faith overcoming the will of
the flesh, in that he blessed
Jacob instead of Esau.
21By
faith Jacob, when he was a
dying, blessed both the sons of
Joseph; and worshipped, leaning
upon the top of his staff.
It
was by faith that Jacob, when he
was old and dying, blessed each
of Joseph's sons. (Genesis
47:31, 48:5-22).
22By
faith Joseph, when he died, made
mention of the departing of the
children of Israel; and gave
commandment concerning his
bones.
It was by faith
that Joseph (when he was about
to die), said that the people of
Israel would leave Egypt. "He
even told the people to take his bones
with them." (Joshua 24:32).
23By
faith Moses, when he was born,
was hid three months of his
parents, because they saw he was
a proper child; and they were
not afraid of the king's
commandment.
It was by faith
that the parents of Moses hid
him for three months when he was
born. They knew God had given
them a special child, and they
were not afraid to disobey the
king's command. (Exodus 1:16,
1:22).
24By
faith Moses, when he was come to
years, refused to be called the
son of Pharaoh's daughter.
Moses had the faith to stand,
and refused to be called the son
of Pharaoh's daughter. (Acts
7:21-24).
25Choosing
rather to suffer affliction with
the people of God, than to enjoy
the pleasures of sin for a
season.
Moses chose to
share the oppression of God's
people, instead of enjoying the
pleasures of sin.
26Esteeming
the reproach of Christ greater
riches than the treasures in
Egypt: for he had respect unto
the recompence of the reward.
Moses was looking to the future.
He knew it as better to suffer
for the sake of Christ, than to
own the treasures of Egypt.
27By
faith he forsook Egypt, not
fearing the wrath of the king:
for he endured, as seeing him
who is invisible.
Moses didn't
leave the land of Egypt because
he feared the king. It was by
faith in God, keeping his
eyes on the one who is
invisible. (I Peter 1:8).
(As true Christians, even
though we cannot see Him, we still
believe). God loves that kind of
faith, and you can feel His
presence through the Holy
Spirit.
28Through
faith he kept the passover, and
the sprinkling of blood, lest he
that destroyed the firstborn
should touch them.
It was by
faith that Moses commanded the
people of Israel to keep
Passover and sprinkle blood on
the doorposts so that the angel
of death would not kill their
firstborn sons. (Exodus
12:21-30).
29By
faith they passed through the
Red sea as by dry land: which
the Egyptians assaying to do
were drowned.
It was by faith
that the people of Israel passed
through the red sea and the
Egyptians were all drowned.
(Exodus 14:13-31).
30By
faith the walls of Jericho fell
down, after they were compassed
about seven days.
It was by faith
that the people of Israel
marched around Jericho and the
walls came crashing down.
(Joshua 6:3-20).
31By
faith the harlot Rahab perished
not with them that believed not,
when she had received the spies
with peace.
It was by faith
that Rahab was not destroyed
with the other people in her
city. She welcomed the spies
into her house to hide them.
(Joshua 2:1-22).
32And
what shall I more say? for the
time would fail me to tell of
Gedeon, and of Barak, and of
Samson, and of Jephthae; of
David also, and Samuel, and of
the prophets.
How much more do
I have to tell you about these
people of faith? Gideon, Barak,
Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel,
and all the prophets. "The
numbers go on and on."
33Who
through faith subdued kingdoms,
wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of
lions.
They did all
these things by their faith.
34Quenched
the violence of fire, escaped
the edge of the sword, out of
weakness were made strong, waxed
valiant in fight, turned to
flight the armies of the aliens.
They quenched flames of fire,
escaped death by the sword.
Their weakness was turned to
strength, and they became strong
in battle against armies they
fought.
35Women
received their dead raised to
life again: and others were
tortured, not accepting
deliverance; that they might
obtain a better resurrection.
Woman seen their loved ones come
back again from death, but
others were tortured for their
faith, and refused to turn from
their God, to be set free. They
had the faith that their was a
better life after the
resurrection.
36And
others had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and
imprisonment.
Many were mocked and whipped and
others were chained in prison.
37They
were stoned, they were sawn
asunder, were tempted, were
slain with the sword: they
wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins; being destitute,
afflicted, tormented.
Some were
stoned to death and some were
sawed in half for their belief.
Many were destitute and
oppressed and mistreated.
38(Of
whom the world was not worthy:)
they wandered in deserts, and in
mountains, and in dens and caves
of the earth.
Many of them were just to good
for this world, and had to hide
in caves of the earth. (I Kings
18:4, 18:13).
39And
these all, having obtained a
good report through faith,
received not the promise.
All these people had a good
reputation because of their
faith, but none of them received
all that God had promised.
(Hebrews 11:13, Luke 10:23-24).
40God
having provided some better
thing for us, that they without
us should not be made perfect.
God
had something better in mind for
us, so that they would not reach
perfection without us. Jesus
Christ, whom God has sent forth
to be a propitiation through
faith, in His blood for the
remission of sins. A better hope
that the law could not
accomplish. (Hebrews 5:9,
7:19, 7:22, 8:6, 9:23,
12:23-24). White robes will be given to
every one who had the true faith. And white robes were given unto every one of
them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season,
until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as
they were, should be fulfilled. (Revelation 6:11). This also refers to the ones who remain on
earth till this day. Many will still be persecuted for their faith. Many will be
delivered up before Satan at the hour of temptation. (Mark 13:9-12). Again,
Christ has foretold us all things. (Mark 13:13-23). Those who remain faithful
till the end, not one hair on our heads will be touched. (Luke 21:18). Do
not fear; Do not be deceived.
Keep The Faith!
Hebrews 12
1Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed
about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which
doth so easily beset us, and let
us run with patience the race
that is set before us.
We are surrounded
by a huge crowd of witnesses to
the life of faith. Strip away
the sin that may slow us down,
so that we can run the race set
before us by God with endurance.
"We are to endure till the end."
(Hebrews 6:15, Matthew 10:22,
24:13).
2Looking
unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith; who for
the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
Endure till the end by keeping
your eyes on Jesus, the one who
endured the cross, and is now
sitting at the right hand of
God.
3For
consider him that endured such
contradiction of sinners against
himself, lest ye be wearied and
faint in your minds.
Remember
all the hostility Christ endured
from the sinful people. "This
should keep you from being so
weary."
4Ye
have not yet resisted unto
blood, striving against sin.
You
haven't given your life yet in
your struggle against sin. "However,
many
have." (Revelation 18:24).
5And
ye have forgotten the
exhortation which speaketh unto
you as unto children, My son,
despise not thou the chastening
of the Lord, nor faint when thou
art rebuked of him.
God always
encourages His children with
discipline, so don't give up
when He corrects you.
6For
whom the Lord loveth he
chasteneth, and scourgeth every
son whom he receiveth.
The Lord
disciplines who He loves as His
children. "Just as parents
should discipline their children
if they truly love them."
(Revelation 3:9).
7If
ye endure chastening, God
dealeth with you as with sons;
for what son is he whom the
father chasteneth not?
When God disciplines you,
He is treating you as His own
children. What father would not
discipline his child who needs it?
To many
"time outs, redirects" and not enough
"slaps on the butt" in today's
world. That is why the youth of
today are so spoiled,
disrespectful, and get their way
with parents and elders.
(Ephesians 6:1-4).
8But
if ye be without chastisement,
whereof all are partakers, then
are ye bastards, and not sons.
If
God does not discipline you when
you need it, it means that you
are not one of His chosen
children at all.
9Furthermore
we have had fathers of our flesh
which corrected us, and we gave
them reverence: shall we not
much rather be in subjection
unto the Father of spirits, and
live?
If we respect our
earthly father when he
disciplines us, we should
respect our Heavenly Father even
more when we are disciplined.
(James 4:10).
10For
they verily for a few days
chastened us after their own
pleasure; but he for our profit,
that we might be partakers of
his holiness.
Our earthly
father can only discipline us
till we grow up, but our
Heavenly Father can discipline
us till we die, so that we might
share in His holiness. (I Peter
2:9, II Peter 1:4). "You
better watch out, He is
watching."
11Now
no chastening for the present
seemeth to be joyous, but
grievous: nevertheless afterward
it yieldeth the peaceable fruit
of righteousness unto them which
are exercised thereby.
Discipline
can be painful at times, but
afterward it gives you peaceful
living the right way. (Isaiah
32:17).
12Wherefore
lift up the hands which hang
down, and the feeble knees.
Stand up and get a new grip on
life. "You have God on your
side." (Job 4:3-4, Isaiah 35:3).
13And
make straight paths for your
feet, lest that which is lame be
turned out of the way; but let
it rather be healed.
Follow the straight path as an
example to others, so they can
become strong. (Galatians 6:1,
Jude 1:22-23).
14Follow
peace with all men, and
holiness, without which no man
shall see the Lord.
Be at peace with everyone
when possible. Work at living
a holy
life. Listen to the teachings of
Christ and try your best to live
by them. (I John 3:2, Ephesians
5:5, II Corinthians 7:1, Matthew
5:8).
15Looking
diligently lest any man fail of
the grace of God; lest any root
of bitterness springing up
trouble you, and thereby many be
defiled.
Look after each
other so that none of you fail
to receive the grace of God.
Beware of false teachings and
traditions of men that will
corrupt many. (II Peter 2:1-2).
16Lest
there be any fornicator, or
profane person, as Esau, who for
one morsel of meat sold his
birthright.
Make sure no one
is immoral or godless like Esau,
who sold his birthright as the
firstborn son for a meal.
(Genesis 25:31-34).
17For
ye know how that afterward, when
he would have inherited the
blessing, he was rejected: for
he found no place of repentance,
though he sought it carefully
with tears.
He begged his
father for his blessing, but he
was rejected. (To late for
repentance now). "This applies to
us in the end times." Once the
Lord shuts the door, it will be
to late to enter the kingdom of
God. (Luke 13:24-27).
18For
ye are not come unto the mount
that might be touched, and that
burned with fire, nor unto
blackness, and darkness, and
tempest.
You haven't come
to the physical mountain of
flaming fire, darkness and
gloom, and whirlwind, as the
Israelites did at Mount Sinai.
(Exodus 20:18).
19And
the sound of a trumpet, and the
voice of words; which voice they
that heard intreated that the
word should not be spoken to
them any more.
They heard the
trumpet blast and begged God to
stop speaking. (Exodus 20:18-19,
Deuteronomy 5:24-27).
20For
they could not endure that which
was commanded, And if so much as
a beast touch the mountain, it
shall be stoned, or thrust
through with a dart.
They could
not bear what God commanded.
"Even if an animal touched the
mountain of God, it must be stoned to
death." (Exodus 19:13).
21And
so terrible was the sight, that
Moses said, I exceedingly fear
and quake.
"Even Moses was
terrified and trembling."
(Exodus 19:16, 19:19).
22But
ye are come unto mount Sion, and
unto the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem, and to
an innumerable company of
angels.
Now under the new
covenant, we can come to Mount
Zion, to
the city of the living God. The
heavenly Jerusalem and the
gathering of thousands of
angels. "The messengers of God."
(Romans 9:26, I Thessalonians
1:9, Revelation 5:11-12).
23To
the general assembly and church
of the firstborn, which are
written in heaven, and to God
the Judge of all, and to the
spirits of just men made
perfect.
The assembly of
the prophets and the apostles (God's messengers),
and the many
member body of Christ, who's
names are written in the book of
life. You all have come to God, who
is the judge over all things.
(Luke 10:20, Philippians 4:3,
Revelation 7:14-17).
24And
to Jesus the mediator of the new
covenant, and to the blood of
sprinkling, that speaketh better
things than that of Abel.
When you come to Christ you are
under the new covenant and He
mediates between you and God, and
you and the world. "Christ shed
His blood for you." (Matthew
26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20).
25See
that ye refuse not him that
speaketh. For if they escaped
not who refused him that spake
on earth, much more shall not we
escape, if we turn away from him
that speaketh from heaven.
The
people of Israel did not escape
when they refused to listen to
Moses (an earthly messenger).
So, you will certainly not
escape if you reject the One who
speaks from heaven. "Listen to
your Heavenly Father when He
speaks to you through the Word."
26Whose
voice then shook the earth: but
now he hath promised, saying,
Yet once more I shake not the
earth only, but also heaven.
He will not only shake the earth
in the end times, but will shake
the heavens also. (Isaiah 13:13,
Joel 3:16, Haggai 2:6-7).
27And
this word, Yet once more,
signifieth the removing of those
things that are shaken, as of
things that are made, that those
things which cannot be shaken
may remain.
All earthly things since
creation will be shaken and
removed, and only the unshakable
things will remain. "The Word
remains forever." (Matthew
24:35, II Peter 3:10-11). All
evil will be gone and only good
will remain.
28Wherefore
we receiving a kingdom which
cannot be moved, let us have
grace, whereby we may serve God
acceptably with reverence and
godly fear.
Stick to the Word
of God and receive the kingdom
that is unshakable. "All God
wants is your love." (Hosea 6:6).
29For
our God is a consuming fire.
God
is a consuming fire that will
warm the hearts of those who
love Him, but will take
vengeance on those who do not
know Him and follow Satan. (II
Thessalonians 1:8).
Hebrews 13
1Let
brotherly love continue.
Love your
neighbor as yourself. (II John
1:5-6). When all possible, get
along with your family members,
co-workers, neighbors, friends
and other Christians. If not
possible, just stay away from
them.
2Be
not forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares.
Show hospitality towards
strangers and treat them with
respect. Many have entertained
angels without realizing it. (I
Peter 4:9).
3Remember
them that are in bonds, as bound
with them; and them which suffer
adversity, as being yourselves
also in the body.
Remember those
who have been put in prison for
teaching the Word, and also
those who have been mistreated
by others as if you felt their
pain yourself. (I Corinthians
12:26, I Peter 3:8).
4Marriage
is honourable in all, and the
bed undefiled: but whoremongers
and adulterers God will judge.
Honor your husband or wife as a
man and woman and remain
faithful to one another. God
will judge the immoral people
and those who commit adultery.
(I Corinthians 6:9, II
Corinthians 5:10).
5Let
your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye have: for
he hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee.
Don't be a
lover of money and material
things of the world. Be
satisfied with what you have.
God is always there to take care
of you. He has said, "I will
never fail you, and never
abandon you." (Matthew 6:25,
6:34, Isaiah 41:10, 41:17).
6So
that we may boldly say, The Lord
is my helper, and I will not
fear what man shall do unto me.
We
can be confident that the Lord
is our helper and have no fear.
When the Lord is on your side,
what can people do to you. This
should bring our attention to
(Matthew 10:28). Don't fear them
that can kill the body, but
rather fear Him that can destroy
both the body and the soul.
7Remember
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.
Remember
those who have taught you the
Word of God. If good has come
from their lives, follow the
example of their faith. (II
Thessalonians 3:9).
8Jesus
Christ the same yesterday, and
to day, and for ever.
He is the
same from the beginning and till
the end. (Revelation 1:8).
9Be
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.
Don't follow new
and strange doctrines or
traditions of men. Stick to the
Word of God as it is
written. (Titus 1:14-15).
10We
have an altar, whereof they have
no right to eat which serve the
tabernacle.
We have the alter
of God from which no priests
have the right to eat. (I
Corinthians 10:17).
One body in Christ; Christ was
the bread of life. (He took the
stripes on the cross).
11For
the bodies of those beasts,
whose blood is brought into the
sanctuary by the high priest for
sin, are burned without the
camp.
Under the old
system the priest brought the
blood of animals to the Holy
Place as a sacrifice for sin.
Then the bodies of the animal
were burned outside the camp.
(Leviticus 4:16-21).
12Wherefore
Jesus also, that he might
sanctify the people with his own
blood, suffered without the
gate.
Jesus suffered
and died outside the city gates
by shedding His blood for the
sins of the world. (John 19:17).
13Let
us go forth therefore unto him
without the camp, bearing his
reproach.
Keep your eyes of Jesus, outside
the camp, and bear the disgrace
He bore. (II Corinthians 12:10,
I Peter 4:14-16).
If you are made
fun of or insulted for being a
Christian; don't let it get you
down, for then the glorious
Spirit of God rests upon you.
14For
here have we no continuing city,
but we seek one to come.
This world
is not our permanent home, but
rather look forward to our home
with God yet to come. (II Peter
3:13-14).
15By
him therefore let us offer the
sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit
of our lips giving thanks to his
name.
Give all the
glory to God in everything you
do and give thanks in Jesus
name. "Christ always thanked the
Father." (Matthew 11:25).
16But
to do good and to communicate
forget not: for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.
Always try to do good and share
the truth with those in need,
and you will always please God.
(Galatians 6:6).
17Obey
them that have the rule over
you, and submit yourselves: for
they watch for your souls, as
they that must give account,
that they may do it with joy,
and not with grief: for that is
unprofitable for you.
Listen to a good teacher of the
Word and learn. Their work is to
watch over the children of God,
and they are accountable to God
for what they teach you.
Remember, if you want to be a
priest, pastor, or teacher of
the Word, you have a great
responsibility to the
congregation and God will hold
you responsible. (Judgment
begins at the pulpit)!
18Pray
for us: for we trust we have a
good conscience, in all things
willing to live honestly.
Pray for
your pastor if you have a good
one, so that they can live
honorably in everything they do.
(Ephesians 6:19-20, Colossians
4:3).
19But
I beseech you the rather to do
this, that I may be restored to
you the sooner.
The apostle Paul wanted to
return to them soon and asked
them to pray for him.
20Now
the God of peace, that brought
again from the dead our Lord
Jesus, that great shepherd of
the sheep, through the blood of
the everlasting covenant.
It was God
who brought Jesus back from the
dead, "the great Shepherd of the
sheep," who shed His blood of
the everlasting covenant.
(Matthew 26:28).
21Make
you perfect in every good work
to do his will, working in you
that which is wellpleasing in
his sight, through Jesus Christ;
to whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
May God equip you
with all you need to do His will
through the power of Jesus
Christ and the Holy Spirit. "All
the glory going to God the
Father." (Matthew 28:20).
22And
I beseech you, brethren, suffer
the word of exhortation: for I
have written a letter unto you
in few words.
Paul was
instructing them to pay
attention to what he has written
to them.
23Know
ye that our brother Timothy is
set at liberty; with whom, if he
come shortly, I will see you.
Paul was letting them know that
Timothy was released from
prison, and that if possible, he
would bring him to visit them.
24Salute
all them that have the rule over
you, and all the saints. They of
Italy salute you.
Greet all your
leaders and all the believers
there. The believers form Italy
send you their greetings.
25Grace
be with you all. Amen.
May God's
grace be with you all.
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