The Epistle to the Hebrews
This is a verse by verse Commentary
by
J.W.Weeda
Introduction
Concerning this Epistle we must conclude that we don't know who wrote this Epistle. For sure it is God's Word so God wrote this Epistle. Some people believe that the apostle Paul wrote this Epistle to the Hebrews. It is never proved that he wrote it and why he wrote this Epistle. We can guess who wrote it. We know it is God's Word and He is the Author of this Epistle. Anyway the Epistle is written to the Hebrews and Hebrews are Jewish people. What we know is that this epistle is written for the future when the believing Jews in the Great Tribulation will live and have to read this Epistle.
Hebrews Chapter 1 verse 1
God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets
Verse 1: What does this verse mean? God spoke a lot of times in time past in different manners to the fathers! Who are these fathers? The fathers of the folk Israel like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and others like Salomon, Hezekiah through the prophets like Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and all the other prophets from whom we can read their books in the Prophecy.
Hebrews chapter 1 verse 2
Hath 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.
Verse 2: God hath spoken to the Hebrews, the Jewish people by His Son in the last days. Which last days are spoken here? Personally I believe that these last days were the last days of Acts 2. Acts 2 verse 17 tells us the following verse: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: His Son Jesus Christ is appointed from God the Father heir of all things. In Ephesians 1 verse 20-21 we read:Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: by Whom also He made the worlds. Through Christ He made the worlds or ages. Ages as Epochs of Time Both Testaments speak of "ages" as undefined periods of history over which God rules!
Through Him everything is created/made. In Colossians 1 verse 16 we read: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
Hebrews 1 verse 3
Who 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:
Vers 3: Who=Christ. Christ is the brightness of His glory that is one:
That means that the Lord Jesus exactly represents God for the Jews here in this verse but also for us as members of the Body of Christ. The express image of His person that is second, upholding all things by the Word of His power is three. He purged our sins. Washed away the sins. Also for these Jewish believers because the epistle is written to them. Also for us members of the Body of Christ our sins are washed away. God no longer counts our sins. We have the forgiveness of sins just like these Jewish people here in this verse. Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14. He Christ after He died for mankind, was buried and rose again sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. We can read this also in Ephesians 1: 20-21: Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Still today Christ is on the right hand of the Father in heaven far above all principality and power and might and dominion.
Hebrews 1 verse 4
Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Verse 4: What does this mean: Being made so much better than the angels? Answer: This description of our Lord Jesus Christ in previous verses shows us that He is far superior than any angelic being. Yet this tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ became better than the angels. We could say that He iseternally better than the angels, but He also became better than the angels. By inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they. He is far above all principality and power, might and dominion! This is for us now in this Dispensation of Gods Grace! and this is also for these Hebrews in the future. For them He is the High Priest! Ephesians 1: 20-22: Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church. For us Christ is our Head, the Head of the Body of Christ, the heavenly Church!
Hebrews 1 verse 5
For 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?
Verse 5 Concerning Christ God the Father said: I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to me a Son. And it is said of Christ when God bringeth His First begotten into the world, let all the angesl of God worhip HIm. All the ones who are superior to men that they be inferior to Christ in nature and power. To the angels never God said those things, only to His begotten Son. In verse 8 of this chapter 1 in Hebrews we see a very beautiful Word of God: But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of thy kingdom. God the Father calls His Son God. This let us see that God the Father and the Son are One! Think about this and be still!
Hebrews 1 verse 6
And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Verse 6: When God brought the firstbegotten, His Son into this world and that is the inhabitated earth! When Christ came into the world the angels worshipped Him. God commanded them to do so which proves that our Lord Jesus Christ is God; for none of God's angels would worship a mere creature. Christ is the Firstborn of all creation. We read Colossians 1 verse 15: Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn fo every creature"
Hebrews 1 verse 7
And of the angels He saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.
Verse 7: This verse is taken from Psalm 104 verse 1-4: Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: The Hebrew as the Greek word for spirit is translated wind. Angels are created spirits. Angels have no bodies although they can take the form of a human body when they ministering on earth. They served our Lord when He was on earth. We read in Matthew 4 verse 11 the following verse: Then the devil leaveth him, and behold angels came and ministered unto Him. And in the garden of Gethsemanae in Luke 22 verse 43 we read: And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthened Him.
Hebrews 1 verse 8
But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Verse 8: This is a very special verse special for the future. It is also for us to use against false doctrines which tells us that God the Father and God the Son are not One like the sect Jehovah Witnesses. This sect deny the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. They don't believe that He is God Himself. They believe God have a Son but don't believe that He is God also. In Psalm 45 verses 6 and 7 we read: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. This verse is taken from these verses. For sure God on the throne now in heaven and His Son on the right hand of Him and in the future Christ will be King on earth in the Millenial Kingdom. Now our Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Body of Christ. Ephesians 1 verse 20 tells us: Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places.
Hebrews 1 verse 9
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Verse 9: God loves righteousness and hates iniquity, wickedness. That's why He came to earth because He loved this world, sinners that He gave His life for them (us included my brothers and sisters), for mankind so that men could live because He was buried and He is resurrected from the dead and now sits on the right hand of the Father. God the Father hath anointed Him with the oil of gladness above every men. This happened when Christ ascended and entered the heavenly glory. This verse refers to Psalm 16 verse 10-11: For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew Me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. So a beautiful verse my brothers and sisters to read and to study. Think about it and be still!!!
Hebrews 1 verse 10
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
Verse 10: This is speaking of our Lord Who laid the foundation of the earth. It is that all things is created by God through our Lord Jesus Christ! In Psalm 102 verses 25-27 we read the following verses: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. The angels who God created too didnt found the earth. He, Jesus Christ is the Creator and on one day he will do away with the old creation and bring in a new creation.
Hebrews 1 verse 11
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
Verse 11: Brothers and sisters everything around us changes. The earth perish and we see it. The earth is now warming up and we just saw on TV that on Spitsbergen the temperature is rising fast. The ice is melting at a fast pace there and that's an example that makes you to think. He Jesus Christ remains the Same. He will never change. In Hebrews 13 vers 8 is written: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day and for ever. The creation is like a old garment which will one day be discarded in favor of a new one. God will do this through Jesus Christ my brothers and sisters. It is all in His hand! So let us not be afraid and scaring about things in this world which change.
Hebrews 1 verse 12
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
Verse 12: As a vesture. What does that mean? Something that covers like a garment. God fold them up. They shall be changed. God will change the heaven and the earth. There will be new heavens and a new earth. But thou. God is the same. God is eternal. He is from eternity to eternity. There is no beginning with Him and no end. His years shall not stop. What a wonderful God we have. Think about it and be still! In Revelation 21 verse 1 we read: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Hebrews 1 verse 13
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Verse 13: The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews quotes Psalm 110 verse 1 where is said: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord Jesus Christ is on the right hand of the Father and that is the place of honor. This is many times mentioned in the Bible. Angels are never on the right hand of the Father so He never said this to them but only to His Son.
Hebrews 1 verse 14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Angels are ministering spirits who serve our Lord Who is seated on the throne. It let us see that the Lord Jesus Christ is greater than the angels and He is also greater than the Law which was given to the people of Israel and angels helped to deliver the Law to the people of Israel.
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Hebrews Chapter 2
Hebrews 2 verse 1
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
Verse 1: Here we read a admonishing from the writer to the Hebrews! He said here that the Jewish believers and the writer inclusive had to hold fast the things which they had heard. With this purpose he said that one time or any time they should forget the words. It is to pay attention to God's Word. They have to study the Word of God and obey it and not to stop. We too like them brothers and sisters who live now under this Dispensation of Grace have to study and read God's Word of Grace and rightly dividing the truth. Romans 16:25-26 and 2 Timothy 2:15. Then in that time when this epistle will be read under the Great Tribulation is it that God does not sit idly by and permit His children to rebel against Him. He will not stop to speak to them and when it is necessary chastens His own. The danger here is neglecting their salvation. Let them slip means here lest we drift away from them.
Hebrews 2 verse 2
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward
Verse 2: The Word by angels spoken under the Old Testament was stedfast. They came in the form of a human and what they said to persons like Lot came directly from God. The Word was given them through God! If people did not obey or did not heed the Word they were punished because that was a just recompence of reward from God. Disobedience was sin of omission.
Hebrews 2 verse 3
How 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;
Verse 3: These Jewish people have no excuse when they refuse the Word of God's salvation. The Word they received was first spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son and confirmed to the writer(s) by them that heard Him. Confirmed by apostolic miracles. We read that in het next verse! These miracles were confirmed by the apostles . We can read them in Mark 16 verses 17-20 and Acts 2: 43.
Hebrews 2 verse 4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?
Verse 4: Signs and wonders: Here it refers to the miracles that the Word of God let us see and read and this let us see that it is true. This happened all in the past and through gifts of the Holy Ghost according Gods will. The apostles did these miracles through the Holy Ghost. This is said to these Jewish believers and also for the future when a lot of Jewish believers (and other believers who are proselytes) will believe in Christ and are in the Great Tribulation that this word will be read and studied by them. That this epistle is for the Jews specially and not for us as members of the Body of Christ my brother and sisters we can read this here: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. As long as God was dealing with Israel (Jews as a folk) we hear and read about signs and wonders and miracles!
Hebrews 2 verse 5
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
Verse 5: Angels are ministering spirits without human bodies but our Lord Jesus Christ who had a human body while He ministered on earth. The subjection of the world to come: our Lord Jesus Christ will reign over the whole world later. Never God promised the angels that they would reign in the world to come. One day He will establishes His Kingdom. The Jews who will believe on Him will reign with Him in His Kingdom. In Revelation 1 verses 5 and 6 we read: And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 2 verse 6
But 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?
Verse 6: This verse is taken from Psalm 8 verses 4-6: What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: Here David marveled that God would share His power and glory with man. God had always man in mind. God loves man because He created him after His image. We know before the foundation of the world God had man in mind and love him and had a plan to save man from his sins and quilt, from his eternal death that should came with the fall of man. Romans 5:12: Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Hebrews 2 verse 7
Thou 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:
Verse 7: Man was created by God. He gave him the dominion over His creation Genesis 1: 26-31: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. In fact man has a hard time controlling himself. Because of sin man has fallen. The time before man sinned it was all good.
Hebrews 2 verse 8
Thou 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.
Verse 8: Man was the crown of God's creation with glory crowned and honor but he lost his crown and became the slave of sin. God put all in subjection under man. Through sin we see not yet all things are put under him. In Romans 5 verse 17a we read: For if by one man's offence death reigned by one and one judgment came upon all men to condemnation. verse 18!
Hebrews 2 verse 9
But 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.
Verse 9: It is the Lord Jesus Christ Who was made a little lower than the angels with the purpose to die for mankind on the cross! This is done! This is finished! In I Corinthians 15 verses 3 and 4 we read: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. So He was crucified for mankind, He taste death for every man. Yes for you and me and also for people who live after us and also for the people in the Tribulation period after the rapture of the Church. He, our Lord Jesus Christ is crowned with glory and honour! God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name Philippians 2 verse 9
Hebrews 2 verse 10
For 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
Verse 10: The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the last Adam, He is also the Captain of salvation. This means that He is literally the pioneer: the One Who opens the way for others (men) to follow. The Lord Jesus Christ gave up His glory and became man. He regained His glory when He arose and ascended to heaven to sit on the right hand of the Father. In Philippians 2: 5-11 we read the following verses:Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Also beautiful to see here is is the first part of this verse: for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things! God hath everything created by Him. In Colossians 1 verse 16 and 17 we read: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by him all things consist. He is our Creator and He gave Himself for mankind because He loves men! inclusive us on that cross on Calvary!! He was buried and rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. He lives my brothers and sisters and maketh intercession for us Romans 8 verse 34. Read this verse! Also in the future under the Great Tribulation the Jews who believe in Him will trust this!!
Hebrews 2 verse 11
For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Verse 11: Christ is bringing many sons and daughters to glory, also in the future! He sanctified them (these Hebrews) and they are all one in Him sanctified. Christ is united in them and they united in Him. They are spiritually one and in fact He called them brethren. It is a quation of Psalms 22 verse 22: I will declare Thy Name unto my brethren: in de midst of the congregation will I praise Thee! Christ is referred here in this Psalm to His folk Israel as His brethren. This means that those Jewish people here (believers in Christ) and the Son of God Jesus Christ share the same nature and belong to the same family! Not only are those Jews His brethren but also His children. If the Lord Jesus Christ had not come to earth and become man He couldn't share in His glory. This is also for the Jews, the Hebrew people to whom this letter is addressed. The incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection go together and lead to glory.
Hebrews 2 verse 12
Saying, I will declare Thy Name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee.
Verse 12: What does this verse mean: I will declare Thy Name unto my brethren. This verse is litterally taken from Psalm 22 verse 22 and in verse 25 of this same Psalm we read: My praise shall be of Thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear Him. This Psalm is about the sufferings of Christ and the crucifixion for mankind! He is never ashamed to call them brethren this folk Israel. This is also this church which is spoken here. Again the incarnation, crucifixion, sufferings and resurrection are going together and will lead to glory and praise to God the Father. This will also take place in the future when Christ will return to earth to reign as King over the whole world and all the Jewish believers in Him shall reign with Him on earth.
Hebrews 2 verse 13
And again, I will put my trust in Him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
Verse 13: This is talking about Christ here this verse. Christ fully trusted His Father. He was faithful to Him. Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Again here the children! This is taken from Isaiah 8 verse 18 and we read there: Behold I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. The children are the people of Israel, the believers of Israel in Christ, not all Israel but only a minority who will reign with Christ on earth!
Hebrews 2 verse 14
Forasmuch 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;
Verse 14: The children here are the Hebrews, Jewish people. They were partakers of flesh and blood. They were human beings like we. In the first place this verse is written from them. We as members of the Body of Christ are also partakers of flesh and blood. He here is Christ. He Himself took part of the same. He became Man. Our Creator became Man for one purpose and that is that through death. Through His death He might destroy him (satan) that had the power of death. Until the finished work on the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ that He died for mankind the power of death had the devil in his hand. On Calvary on that cross Christ triumphing over satan and his hosts. We read in Colossians 2 verse 15: And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. The devil is defeated by that cross on Calvary. How wonderful is this my brothers and sisters and this Christ accomplished on Calvary on that cross!!! What a beautiful word this is! Good news my brothers and sisters: The final authority of death is in hte hands of our God
Hebrews 2 verse 15
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Verse 15: Satan used the feath of death as a terrible weapon to gain control over the lives of people. The kingdom of satan is one of darkness and death. Here the Jews who are delivered from satan's authority and from the terrible fear of death. This was the purpose of our Lord Jesus Christ to accomplish on Calvary, His burial and resurrection. We too as members of the Body of Christ are delivered from satan's kingdom of darkness and death. We are alive in Christ just like these Jewish believers here in the book of Hebrews. What a wonderful good news!!
Hebrews 2 verse 16
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Verse 16: Our Lord took not on Himself the nature of angels. Why not? Angels are spirits and have no human bodies. To save men He, our Lord Jesus Christ became Man and He took on Him the seed of Abraham. He our Lord Jesus Christ didn't take on Himself the nature of angels in order to save the fallen angels. Instead of this He became lower than the angels to become Man! That was to save mankind: to suffer and die on the cross for them. And not just man in general but He became a Jew, a part of the seed of Abraham. The Jews were despised and hated of the world and yet our Lord became a Jew. In 2 Peter 2 verse 4 we read the following verse: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Hebrews 2 verse 17
Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Verse 17: In the first place Christ came for His people Israel. Gentiles were in that time without God in this world and had no hope. Ephesians 2 verse 12: That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Christ came only in the first place for His people Israel. He was like them without sin. He was like unto His brethren in that He experienced the sinless infirmities fo human nature. He knew exactly the experience of weariness, hunger and thirst. He knew what it was to be despised and rejected, to be lied about and falsely accused. He experienced physical suffering and death. This was to be High Priest. Through the cross He made reconcilliation for the sins of the people of Israel. Our Lord Jesus Christ is both merciful and faithful. Merciful toward people and faithful toward God. He is the High Priest and can never fail in His Priestly ministry
Hebrews 2 verse 18
For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted.
Verse 18. What a great Word here: He hath suffered when He was tempted by the devil. He could get through this! Why? He is God and He is without sin. He was tempted when He was on earth but no temptation couldn't conquer Him. He has defeated every enemy! To succour here means to bring help when it is needed! Only our Lord can do this, no angels. They only serve God. For Israel He is the High Priest and this He will also be in the future. For us He is our Lord and Head of the Body of Christ. He is also Advocate and represents these Jews before the throne of God and forgives them if they confess their sins. Our sins are forgiven. We can only thank as members of the Body of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14, Ephesians 1:7 through His blood on Calvary!
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Hebrews Chapter 3
In this chapter we can read and study that Jesus Christ is superior to Moses at least three respects.
Hebrews 3 verse 1
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Verse 1: These Hebrews are named holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling. The writer let these Hebrew believers in Christ know that Christ Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest. They partake of the heavenly calling these Hebrews. What does that mean? Partakers is partners according to Luke 5 verse 7a where this is also written: And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them.
In Hebrews 12 verse 8 we read: But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. You can see here that this is conditional! These Hebrew believers in Christ were able to give a confession of their faith in Jesus Christ. To say the same thing. Here we read that Jesus Christ is not only the Apostle, He is also the High Priest. Moses was a prophet and served as a priest but was never a high priest. His brother Aaron was high priest. Our Lord Jesus Christ has the title High Priest! In Hebrews 4 verse 14 we read the following verse: Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold our profession. Profession here means confession. This is for the Jews: Jesus Christ is their Hight Priest and also in the future when God is again dealing with Israel. For us in this Dispensation of Grace Ephesians 3:1-3 whereunder we still live our Lord Jesus Christ is our Head. He is the Head of the Body of Christ, the heavenly Church whereunto we belong as members of this my brothers and sisters!
Hebrews 3 verse 2
Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Verse 2: Again this verse is about our Lord Jesus Christ. He was and is faithful to Him that is His Father. He was faithful and obeyed 100% His Father. He did the will of His Father. In Philippians 2 verse 5-11 we read accectly what He did:Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This was the work God gave Him to do and He was faithful and did this! He did the Work of God and obeyed it: to die for all mankind, for the world and beared all the sins of this world yes the sins from you and me upon Himself on the cross. He was buried and rose from the grave! I Corinthians 15:3-4!
Hebrews 3 verse 3
For this Man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
Verse 3: This verse is talking about Christ. For the Jews in the future He will be again the High Priest and Apostle and is more counted worthy of more glory than Moses. The word house is used here 6 times. It refers to the people of God Israel. Mosed ministered to israel, the people of God under the Old Testament. Moses is the servant in the house while Christ is the Son over the house. Moses was a member of the household but our Lord Jesus Christ is the One Who built the house. God built all things and our Lord Jesus Christ buit God's house, then our Lord Jesus Christ must be God.
Hebrews 3 verse 4
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
Verse 4: The house of Israel God made we know now. Every house which is builded is builded by some man. God built everything. He is the Creator. What a wonderful God we have my dear brothers and sisters!
Hebrews 3 verse 5
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
Verse 5: The writer of the book of Hebrews let those believing Jews know about Moses who was faithful in all his house namely the house of Israel as a servant. Again Moses was a servant for the testimony of thoses things which were to be spoken after. He, Moses spoke of the things which would come but our Lord Jesus Christ brought the fulfillment of these things. The things which were to be spoken after. Moses was a servant or slave. Moses after he gave up his resistance against God he obeyed God out of a heart of love and devotion. A beautiful example also for us brothers and sisters to do things with pleasure instead of resist it.
Hebrews 3 verse 6
But Christ as a Son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Verse 6: Christ the Son of God the Father is over His own house namely Israel en those Jews/Hebrews are part of this house: the house of Israel. These Jews live during the Tribulation period and have to hold fast the confidence= belief that one can have faith in or rely on the Lord Jesus Christ and rejoice of the hope firm unto the end. They have to believe and rejoice in their hope: their hope is the Kingdom on earth and Christ as King. They have to hold this fast otherwise they will be lost. Firm here is to hold fast and not to change.
Hebrews 3 verse 7
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear His voice,
Verse 7 These Jews will be remembered also in the future when they should live in the Tribulation period that the Holy Spirit of God saith to them: Hear His voice! They have to listen to the voice of God the Son Jesus Christ. Take heed. The sad history of the nation Israel is a important lesson for these Jews here. Here this verse and the other verse 8 are a taken from Psalms 95 verses 7-11. Verse 7: For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. to day if ye will hear His voice.
Hebrews 3 verse 8
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Verse 8: The writer here told these Hebrews whereunto this epistle is written: harden not your hearts like your forefathers did. They rebelled against God in the day of temptaion in the wilderness. The problem of every problem is a problem of the heart of man. The people of Israel erred in their hearts which is the meaning that their hearts wandered from God and His Word. When a person has an erring heart and a disbelieving heart the result will also be a hard heart. So hard was the heart of Israel that the people would return to Egypt. And this is a warning to these Jews not going back to disbelieve but believe in Christ and continue therein, to hold fast.
Hebrews 3 verse 9
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
Verse 9: The fathers of those Hebrews here unto this epistle is written were reminded to them. They tempted God, proved God and saw also the works of God for a long time namely forty years. Forty years is a generation my dear brothers and sisters! That generation was condemned to die in the wilderness. Why they hadn't trust God that He would lead them in the promissed land. They only new generation after them would enter the land of Canaan.
Hebrews 3 vers 10
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
Verse 10: Who is speaking here in this verse? Answer God! He was grieved. What does that mean? Feel intense sorrow about. God has feelings my dear brothers and sisters. It grieved Him that He acted with that generation who tempted Him, who proved Him and saw His works forty years in the wilderness. They saw His works and yet their heart was not right. They didn't believe in Him and had not known His ways said the Lord. During the entire forty years this generation of Israel wandered in the wilderness. Not long after they were freed from Egypt they began to provoke God. In Exodus 16 verse 1-4 we read: And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. After he gave them food in the form of bread they complained about the lack of water. We read that in Exodus 17 verses 1-17. That place was called Massah and Meribah and the meaning of this is provocation and trial. The sin of Israel we read in verse 12 of this chapter 3. It is called apostasy. Israel departed from the living God that's why it grieved God.
Hebrews 3 verse 11
So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.
Verse 11: God said I sware in my wrath. What does that mean? Because of My anger I swore said the Lord. The consequence of their rebellion was that they did not enter into God's rest. They couldn't enter the land of Canaan. Canaan land was rest of Israel and that is a picture of the spiritual rest we find in Christ my brother and sister. We have peace with God through Christ Jesus Romans 5 verse 1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Israel had to obey God and doing this they would enter the land of Canaan what God promissed them but they rebelled against Him and didn't believe Him so this whole generation didn't enter into the land of Canaan, did not enter into God's rest.
Hebrews 3 verse 12
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Verse 12: Departing from the living God here is the Greek word apostasy. In fact the writer here tells his brothers to be awake than nobody of them would depart from the living God through an evil heart of unbelief. These brothers will also live in the future and in the Tribulation period and in Mattheuw 13 verse 20 and 21: But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. The writer here is careful to point out that the confidence to have salvation is no excuse for sin. Believers in the Great Tribulation have no certainty in the faith. They must continue to believe and hold fast the faith until the end when our Lord will come on earth as King of kings.
Hebrews 3 verse 13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Verse 13: These believing Hebrews in Christ here in this verse are admonished to exhort one another daily. What does the word exhort mean? To urge, encourage! They have to do this daily. In times of Great Tribulation and persecutions this will be very difficult but they have to do it! Why? That not any of them fell into the deceitfulness of sin. That is the lie of sin. The devil in the time of the Great Tribulation have more power on earth so this is for persons easier to believe the lies of the devil with the AntiChrist and the false Prophet with signs and wonders. So these Hebrew believers in Christ has to continue in the faith of Christ and exhort each other to continue. The writer urged those brothers and sisters here!!
Hebrews 3 verse 14
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Verse 14: Made partakers of Christ. What does that mean partaker? Answer: a person who joins in an activity or action. So the Hebrew inclusive the writer to the Hebrews says that they are made partakers/join Christ. The second thing here in this verse is a requirement: if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end. They have to hold fast their trust in Christ, in God. In Hebrews 10 verses 35 and 36 we read: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. They have to do the will of God and keep trusting Him in Christ so that they might receive God's promise. They have not to fall in sin but believe all the time.
Hebrews 3 verse 15
While it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Verse 15 : Again a admonishing for these Hebrew believers. Again a requirement: If ye will hear His voice! They have not to harden their hearts as their forefathers did in the provocation. They have not to follow this example from the past. If they continue in the faith and hear His voice constantly then they will receive God's promise that they would reign with Him on earth.
Hebrews 3 verse 16
For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
Verse 16: Some Israelites, some Jews in the past after that they heard the voice of God did provoke. They didn't want to listen and didn't do the will of God and hardened their hearts. Not all of them who came out of Egypt by Moses provoke against God like Joshua and Kaleb and many Levites. They believed the Lord and didn't provoke! That's why they later entered the land of Canaan and came in God's rest. There was always a leftover and God dealt with these people.
Hebrews 3 verse 17
But with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
Verse 17: For sure God was grieved forty days with the ones who provoked against Him and through this sinned. They couldn't enter the promised land Canaan and had to die in the desert/wilderness. This whole generation except Joshua and Caleb and other Levites who didn't provoke but listened to the voice of God later entered the land of Canaan. God forbid the people who provoked to enter the land of Canaan, to enter into His rest. Today we have peace with God through Christ and rest in His finished work of Christ. If we don't obey today, if we sin, it has not the consequences as for these Hebrews in the past. We remain sons and daughters of Him through Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2 verse 13 tells us this: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself.
Hebrews 3 verse 18
And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not?
Verse 18: It swared God. As we have seen in verse 10: God was grieved with that generation who didn't believed in Him. Who didn't listen to His voice. Who provoked. Who didn't know His ways. God swared that this generation should not enter His rest: to enter the land of Canaan. In Deuteronomy 1 verse 34 and 35 we read: And the Lord heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware saying. Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers"
Hebrews 3 verse 19
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Verse 19: The writer reminds these believing Jews that their forefathers couldn't enter the Good land, the land of Canaan of milk and honey. They couldn't enter into His rest and that was that land! Because of what? Because of unbelief and rebellion against God and not repenting. This is a part of the History of Israel and always they rebelled and sinned against God as long as God was dealing with them.
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Hebrews 4
This chapter is a better rest for the Jews who believe in God!
Hebrews 4 verse 1
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Verse 1: With the bad example of their forefathers of Israel these Jews are remembered to be therefore to fear and then there will be left to them inclusive the writer who wrote this to enter into His rest. They have to be careful that they will not fail to believe Gods Word and trust Him because Gods Word is mixed with believing it, trusting it. Any of them came short of it. This is what the writer heard of them. That's why he admonish them here in this verse. The rest here what God has for them and they can enter is in Christ. It is believing for them and to enter into His rest.
Hebrews 4 verse 2
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Verse 2: The Gospel of the Kingdom was preached to them in the past, to the leaders of the folk Israel. But the Word of God preached to them did not profit them. Why not. They didn't believe it. They heard it, yes they heard it but it was not mixed with faith. They didn't believe it just like now people in this world under this Dispensation of Grace Ephesians 34:1-3 hear the Good News of the cross and about salvation and eternal life but don't believe it. So this people in the past in Israel didn't believe. It didn't change their hearts because they were stubborn and didn't want it.
Hebrews 4 verse 3
For 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.
Verse 3: The writer of the Hebrew epistle writes here For we which have believed. Who are the we? The writer and these believing Jews to whom he writes here. The ones who believe do enter into rest of God. And God said this through the writer here! God said I have sworn in my wrath if they shall enter into my rest: that is the spiritual rest in Christ! If they come to Christ by faith (also in the future during the Tribulation period) they find rest and salvation in Him. Matthew 11 verse 28 tells us this: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Our Lord Jesus Christ told the people that when He was on earth and it is also a general verse here because this works! The works of God were finished from the foundation of the world. It is obeying God through faith if they will dot that and let His will work in them that they have rest in Him. It is continueing to believe in Him and not to stop believing. That is that if!
Hebrews 4 verse 4
For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works.
Verse 4: God did rest on the seventh day from all His works.In Genesis 2 verse 2 and 3 we read: And on the seventh day God ended His work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all His work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.
Hebrews 4 verse 5
And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Verse 5: In this place again speaks God. If means it is a condition: if they (the Jews, Israel) sahll enter into my rest and that is Christ. We as members of the Body of Christ unlike these Hebrew believers in Christ have uncontional the rest in Christ. We have peace with God. We rest in the finished Work of Christ. We have not to work for it anymore. Romans 5 verse 1 tells us: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have this already and not as these Jews here to enter it, to reach it. For them it is a must. For us not. So here the Jews has to believe and work for their salvation.
Hebrews 4 verse 6
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Verse 6: There remain some people, a little flock from which our Lord spoke when He was on earth, some Jews/Hebrews who will enter into His rest and that is Christ. They to whom it was first preached. That was Israel in the wilderness who didn't trust God to enter the land of Canaan. Canaan was a type of Christ. They were afraid because of the giants who lived there in that land, they were afraid to fight and conquer the land and forgot in their unbelief that God would fight for them. That's why they didn't enter the land of Canaan and died in the desert. It was forbidden from God for that generation to enter the land of Canaan.
Hebrews 4 verse 7
Again, 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.
Verse 7: God limiteth a certain day for Israel. Through David the King He said this. This was after a long time. God said Today if ye will hear His voice, My voice harden not your hearts as your fathers and forefathers but listen to My Word, to My voice. Don't delay the Lord will say to these Jews which the writer of the Hebrews letter called them and he use this verse from the past when God was calling the Jews through David. This will be the call also for the future when the Jews will undergo the Great Tribulation. They have not to harden their hearts like their fathers because they will with such a attitude of refusing not enter the Kingdom of Heaven on earth and will not reign with Christ on earth 1000 years.
Hebrews 4 verse 8
For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day.
Verse 8: They will not have rest until that day and that's why our Lord Jesus Christ speaks about another day. The day in the future will be the day that they will enter into His rest. That He will be King on earth and reign 1000 years. That He will return on earth as a thief in the night. The day of the Lord. This is what the writer to the Hebrews is telling them. This is that day, that certain day which the Lord is speaking of.
Hebrews 4 verse 9
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Verse 9: Very important for the Jews who believe in Christ also in the future that there remain therefore a rest for them in Christ. In that day, the day of the Lord who believe in Him, will have the rest in Him.
Hebrews 4 verse 10
For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Verse 10: He that entered into His rest. This is refering here to our Lord Jesus Christ. God rested when He finished the work of Creation. God's Son rested when He completed the work The person here may enter into His rest by trusting His Word and obeying His will and do the works God which God give him to do and will continue till and stop at the moment he or she will enter into His rest when the Lord will come on earth on the Day of the Lord. The person will enter into the Millenium Kingdom and will reign with Christ. We as members of the Body of Christ rest in the finished work of the cross. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh so beautiful to see. We as believers have not like these Jews here in this verse to believe and work and on a certain day rest in Him. We already have the rest in Him the moment we believed in Him. Let us read Romans 5 verse 1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4 verse 11
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Verse 11: My dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ. This is exactly what those Jews, Hebrews has to do in the future, in the Great Tribulation they undergo: they have to labour before enter into that rest of God, to enter the Kingdom on earth on the day of the Lord. They have not to fall after the same example as their fathers in the past through unbelief but believe and labour. Believe and work they have to do to enter the rest which God will give them in Christ in the Kingdom. We brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ under this Dispensation of Grace have already this rest, this peace with God. We have not to labour for it. We are saved by His Grace through His Faith in Christ alone Ephesians 2:8-9. We have this position in Christ which God freely have given us! What a wonderful God we have my dear brothers and sisters!!!
Hebrews 4 vese 12
For 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.
Verse 12: This is what the Word of God does and what effect it has on a person and what the Word of God, the Bible is. The Word of God is sharper than any twodedged sword. This means it is very, very sharp. The writer of the Hebrew epistle suggest not that God uses His Word to slaughter the saints. The truth is that the Word of God cuts the heart of sinners with conviction and that the Word of God defeats satan. In Acts 5 verse 33 we read about the Pharisees and leaders of the folk Israel this: When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay. them" And in Acts 7 verse 54 with Stephen: When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth". The Greek word translated sword means a short sword or dagger. The Word of God is a discerner or critic. The Israelites in the past criticized Gods Word instead of allowing the Word to judge them. They lost their inheritance. God knows our hearts Hebrews 4 verse 13. But we as human beings know not always what is there Jeremiah 17:9. Through Gods Word God let us see the sin and unbelief in our hearts. The Word of God exposes our hearts and then if we trust God the Word enables our hearts to obey God and claim His promises.
Hebrews 4 verse 13
Neither 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.
Verse 13: No human person, no animal on this earth, nor trees etc is not manifest in His sight. God sees everything!!! All things are naked and opened for His eyes. You cannot hide yourself for Him because He sees you and knows your heart. All things are naked and opened.
Hebrews 4 verse 14
Seeing 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.
Verse 14: These believing Jews have in the future just before the Day of the Lord under the Tribulation period a great High Priest. That is not a high priest they had on earth like Aaron but the Lord Jesus Christ Who is in heaven and He is the Son of God. Let us hold fast our profession. Let us hold fast our faith in Him, in Christ this means here in this verse. For them He is the High Priest. For us He is our Head, Jesus Christ and our Savior under this Dispensation of Grace my brothers and sisters! He is now not named the High Priest. That He is for Israel and in the future!
Hebrews 4 verse 15
For 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.
Verse 15: The we are the Jews here. The High Priest Jesus Christ. He cannot be touched with the feeling of the infirmities of the believing Jews here. And also our infirmities my brothers and sisters although He is our Head and we are the members of His Body. He was in all tempted just like we. We are sinners and everyday we are tempted but He was tempted without sin. He didn't sin. Why not? He is 100% Man and 100% God. God cannot sin. That is impossible.
Hebrews 4 verse 16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Verse 16: The way to the throne of Grace of God is free through the Lord Jesus Chrst Who is also their High Priest and for them it is to come boldly to this throne of Grace of God that they may obtain mercy and find Grace of God to help them in time of need. In Ephesians 2 verse 18 we read the following verse: For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. For us members of the Body of Christ the way is always open to God. Here people of the Jews are asked to come boldly unto the throne of Grace of God that they may obtain mercy. We have the mercy of God everyday. We have not to reach that like these Jews here.
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Hebrews chapter 5
Most of the part of this chapter is about Christ Who is the High Priest for the Jews/Hebrews and the
human high priest and what his task was.
Hebrews 5 verse 1
For 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:
Verse 1: Aaron was the first high priest of Israel and chosen by God. He was duly ordained and installed in office. This we read in Exodus 28! He was chosen from men to minister for men. His main task was this: to offer sacrifices God had appointed. The sacrifices were offered in the right place by the right person like Aaron otherwise they weren't accepted by God. Once a year the high priest sacrificed for himself and made a sacrifice to God for all the people of Israel for their sins. In Hebrews 8 verse 3 we read: For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Hebrews 5 verse 2
Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
Verse 2: The high priest under the Old Testament had to minister to people who were ignorant and out of the way. God made no provision but judgment fro high handed sins of rebellion. A example we read in Exodus 21-12-14, Numbers 15, 27-31. God did make provision when people sinned through ignorance or weakness. An Old Testament priest could identify himself with the sinners since he himself was a sinner. On the day of Atonement the high priest had to offer first for himself before he could offer one for the nation. We read this in Leviticus 16 en Hebrews 9:7: But 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.
Hebrews 5 verse 3
And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
Verse 3: Aaron and the high priests of Israel who followed Aaron in this function were all weak, sinners and had to offer for sins for the folk and for themselves because they were also sinners. In Leviticus 9 verse 7 and 8 we read the following verses: And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the Lord commanded. Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
Hebrews 5 verse 4
And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Verse 4: No man taketh this honour unto himself. This is to become a high priest. Everyone who was a high priest was called of God as was Aaron. All of these high priests were sinners and were no better than another person of the folk Israel. God called them these high priests as Aaron We read in Exodus 28 verse 1: And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Hebrews 5 verse 5
So 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.
Verse 5: Even not our Lord Jesus Christ glorified Himself to be made an High Priest. God the Father made Him a High Priest because He ordained Him and said also Thou art my Son, today have I begotten Thee! Ths let you see the Lord Jesus Christ was obeying His Father and never gloried in Himself. Why not? He was and is without sin because He couldn't and cannot sin because He is God Himself. He did not appoint Himself as High Priest. He was appointed by God the Father. In Psalm 2 verse 7 we already see there: I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; thi day have I begotten thee. These words refer not to the birth of Christ at Bethlehem, but to His ressurection from the dead. The son of God was begotten into a glorious new life in His ressurection! He ascended to heaven in a glorified body to become the High Priest at the throne of Grace!
Hebrews 5 verse 6
As He saith also in another place, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Verse 6: What does it mean Melchisedec? This is King of Justice, righteousness. Christ is the Priest after the order of Melchisedec. For the believing Jews in the future after the Rapture of the Church, Christ is the High Priest and the Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Melchisedec was King of Salem. In Genesis 14 verse 18 we read about Him: As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. When Christ is King over the earth and reign from Jerusalem, Zion, then He is High Priest and King of righteousness, justice. For us my dear brothers and sisters, we who live under the Dispensation of Grace, our Lord Jesus Christ is our Head and we are the members of His Body I Corinthians 12: 27: Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Hebrews 5 verse 7
Who 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;
Verse 7: This verse is about our Lord Jesus Christ in the garden of Gethsemane just before His capture and crucifixion. He knew very well what kind of death He would die on the cross! We read in Matthew 26 verses 36-46 the following verses: Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. Our Lord said to His Father in heaven: Thy will be done!! Sure He feared it but He trusted 100% His Father in heaven so He was obedient to the death on the cross for mankind! He knew before the cross what would follow, His death and resurrection and exaltation!
Hebrews 5 verse 8
Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered;
Verse 8: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 100% Man and 100% God. When He was on earth in the appearance of Man He learned to be obedient through the things He suffered. In Philippians 2 verse 5-10 we read the following verses: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; In these verses we read what He did and what He has done for us mankind, yes for you and me! He was obedient and became obedient to His Father unto death, the death of the cross. He died on the cross for us mankind, in our place because we couldn't pay for our sins that's why He without sin died for us there on Calvary.
Hebrews 5 verse 9
And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;
Verse 9: The Lord Jesus Christ is perfect: 100% Man without sin en 100% God without sin. He is sinless, eternal Son of God and because he offered a perfect sacrifice, Himself a sacrifice for mankind is He the Author of eternal salvation. No Old Testament priest could offer eternal salvation to anyone but that is exactly what we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. Being made perfect here in this verse does not mean that our Lord was imperfect. The word means made complete by means of His earthly sufferings. The Lord Jesus Christ was equipped for His heavenly ministry as the High Priest here. He is able to save, keep and strengthen His people Israel. What doe it mean this last phrase unto all them that obey Him? To obey here means is the same as to trust God. That are the ones who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 5 verse 10
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Verse 10: Our Lord Jesus Christ is called from God the Father an High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Who was Melchisedec? In Hebrews 7 verse 1,2, 3 and 4 we read over Melchisedec : For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To 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; Without 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. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. In Psalm 110 verse 1-7 we read also about the order of Melchizedek. This whole Psalm we know is about Christ: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Hebrews 5 verse 11
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
Verse 11: The writer to the Hebrew believers says that about Melchisedec there are so many things to say. For these Hebrew believers so difficult to understand because they are so slow to hear. Because they were like children. They had to be teachers as we see in the next verse: ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God. The impression of the writer of this epistle was right: they were like children and they were no adults in knowledge and walk.
Hebrews 5 verse 12
For 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.
Verse 12: These Hebrews, ought to be teachers. That they teach other people from the Word of God but they were babes in knowledge like the Corinth believers. They need to be teached from someone else and teached first the principles of the oracles of God. What are those principles of the oracles of God? Answer: The Doctrine of Christ, Repentance from Dead Works, Faith toward God, The Doctrine of Baptisms, Laying on of Hands, Resurrection of the Dead. They needed the milt and not strong meat because they were spiritual babies and not adults in knowledge and walk. They were new, inexperienced, babes, so they had to be teached from persons who could teach them first the milk and later on the strong meat.
Hebrews 5 verse 13
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Verse 13: Brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ. This verse is a general Word of God. If you use only milk and can only bear milk you are a babe in Christ. A example we see with the Corinthian believers. In I Corinthians 2 verses 1-3 we read the following verses: And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? This is what the apostle Paul said to the brothers and sisters in the church at Corinth. They were babes. They were not able to bear strong meat and this is the same with the Jewish believers here in this epistle to the Hebrews! And now under this Dispensation of Grace there are thousands of people who are babes in Christ and want not to grow and cannot bear strong meat. A question for you dear reader: do you want to grow in the spiritual life or do you want remain a babe in Christ? The ones who are babes in Christ they are unskinful in the Word of righteousness. This is now at this moment and this will be also in the future when this epistle shall be read and studied under the Great Tribulation. Unskinful because he or she is a babe.
Hebrews 5 verse 14
But 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.
Verse 14: The strong meat is for them that are of full age. Who are growing and are grown up in the spiritual life. It depends on the will of the person. He or she can choose. They have exercised and experienced and have a will to grow and know exactly and very well what is good and what is evil, what is the Word of God for them and what not and what is sin/evil. This is also valid for this Dispensation whereunder we live now: the Dispensation of the Grace of God. For us as members who have the strong meat of the Body of Christ. This is also valid for these Jews here where this epistle is addressed to.
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Hebrews Chapter 6
Hebrews 6 verse 1
Therefore 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.
Verse 1: What does this verse mean? The writer to the Hebrews exhort them to leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ. Doctrine of Christ! Yes the doctrine which Christ told on earth in His earthly ministry and what followed until Acts chapter 8. He admonish them to go unto perfection and not go to the teachings which they knew very well like repentance from dead works , from faith toward God. Now they heard from the perfection and that was the purpose on that moment. Dead works here means: rules and rituals is not what saved them and also not in the future under the Great Tribulation. It is the Law of Moses under which they were imperfect those Jewish believers. Now the perfection was available to reach. We know under this Dispensation of Grace under which we live brothers and sisters from Colossians 2 verse 10 that we are perfect, made whole in Christ Who is our Head and we are the Body, the Body of Christ. God sees us perfect. We have not to reach it. We are perfect in Christ. They, these Hebrew believers, have to reach it and have on that moment the writer wrote it still not reached!
Hebrews 6 verse 2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Verse 2: In the future these Jews, Hebrews, circumcised people shall leave this: doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead , eternal judgment. Baptisms and laying on of hands: the baptisms is plural and has to do with washings. Hebrews 9 verse 10. While water itself can never cleanse sin of men I Peter 3 verse 21. The laying on of hands symbolized the sharing fo some blessing or setting apart of a person for ministry. The resurrection of the dead and the final judgment have to do with the future. The ressurection of the saved and the ressurection of the lost.
Hebrews 6 verse 3
And this will we do, if God permit.
Verse 3: If God permit. They will leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment. If the time is there and this is not necessary anymore they will leave this. God will determine this in the future for them these believing Jews, Hebrews.
Hebrews 6 verse 4
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Verse 4: What does this mean: for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. They fall away and this is the sin of apostasy. This is dreadful. They may taste of the Good Word of God and hear the Word of God with pleasure and talked about it and yet never have it dwelling richly in them, so they fall in apostasy and that is sin.
Hebrews 6 verse 5
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Verse 5: These people which are spoken of have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come: the Kingdom which would come. But they fall in apostasy and left it! This will happen also in the Great Tribulation!
Hebrews 6 verse 6
If 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.
Verse 6: If those people shall fall away what will happen? What are the consequences of their falling away. They can never turn to God again! This is the great misery of the apostates. They declare than that they approve fo what the Jews did in crucifying Christ and that they would be glad to do the same thing again. Think about this my brothers and sisters. And praise God that we live not in the same situation now under the Dispensation of Grace. Whatever sin we do God has forgiven us through the blood of Christ on Calvary Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14
Hebrews 6 verse 7
For 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:
Vers 7: The writer tells us here in verse 7 and 8 about the believer in God and the unbeliever without God. Believers do not only taste of the Word of God, they drink it in like the earth drinketh in the rain taht cometh oft upon it. And this good ground bringeth forth fruit. This fruit field or the garden receives blessings from God. God is working there!!
Hebrews 6 verse 8
But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Verse 8: But the one who beareth thorns and briers is rejected, condemnable. It is believing and also working for the believers in Christ. The fruit he or she has to let see. The one here is the unbeliever and he is nigh unto cursing. The end is terrible: to be burned. Thats the final destination of the unbeliever. He beareth thorns and briers and those things are rejected by God.
Hebrews 6 verse 9
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Verse 9: The writer is convinced here of these believers of better things of them. Not every believer bears the same amount of fruit what we can read in Matthew 13 verse 23: But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Every believer bears the same kind of fruit as proof that he is a child of God. We read Matthew 7:15-20: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. These fruits accompany salvation. You can recognize on the fruits if someone is saved.
Hebrews 6 verse 10
For 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.
Verse 10: God is righteous. He knows everything and never forget things. So He forget not the work and labour of these believing Hebrews who did this in Gods love. With this they had shewed it toward His Name, towards God's Name. With this love of God in them they ministered to the saints with work and labour and on the moment the writer of the Hebrews wrote to them they still ministered. These work and labour of love are things that accompany salvation. From this you can see that someone under this prophecy is saved.
Hebrews 6 verse 11
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
Verse 11: The writer and probably co workers desire something from these Hebrew believers namely that everyone of them shew the same zeal of diligence to the full assurance of hope. What does that mean? The hope is the Kingdom on earth and that they will reign with Jesus Christ on earth and Christ as their King. They have to show this unto the end till the Lord will come on earth. This is what the writer desires from them.
Hebrews 6 verse 12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Verse 12: What does it mean that ye be not slothful? Be not lazy of inactive but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Man from nature is slothful we know and this is a admonishing of the writer to these Hebrews to follow Abrahams example through faith and patience inherit the promises of God. And like the other fathers of Israel did. This example they have to follow and sure in the Tribulation period. They have to exercise faith and patientce and claim these promises for themselves like Caleb and Joshua who believe to claim the land Canaan. Here for them is to look to the Kingdom on earth and Christ as their King 1000 years and that they will reign with Him.
Hebrews 6 verse 13
For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself,
Verse 13: God made a promise to Abraham. Over which promise we are talking about here? The answer is in Genesis 22:16-17: And said, By myself have I sworn, saith theLord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; In spite of Abraham's failures and sins God kept His promise and Isaac was born. Many of God's promises depend not on our character but on His faithfulness. God is faithful and men unfaithful from nature. There is no greater person than God Himself so He sware by Himself. God is without sin. Man not, man is a sinner by nature Romans 5 verse 12.
Hebrews 6 verse 14
Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Verse 14: This is exactly what is written in Genesis 22:16-17. What God promissed Abraham. His seed shall be as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is upon the sea shore and Abrahams seed shall possess the gate of hsi enemies. God would bless Abraham. Abraham believed God and this was counted for righteousness. Read Romans 4 verse 3.
Hebrews 6 verse 15
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Verse 15: Abraham endured patiently this! What did he patiently endured? The promise of God. He believed God at His Word. So after a long time Abraham obtained the promise of the son God gave him and that He would multiply his seed as the stars of heaven. What a example! This man Abraham believed God at His Word and waited patiently. Abraham wasn't impatient in this!
Hebrews 6 verse 16
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Verse 16: Men swear by the greater: That is God. Other swearings or oaths are condemned by Gods Word. We read in Deuteronomy 6 verse 13 the following verse: Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve Him, and shalt swear by His Name and in Jeremiah 4 verse 2: And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness, and the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory. Only God knows the hearts of men! God not only gave Abraham a promise, but He also confirmed that promise with an oath. When a witness takes an oath in court, he is confronted with the words so help me God. None is greater than God so He swore by Himself. God did not do this only for Abraham He has also given His promise and oath to the heirs of promise.
Hebrews 6 verse 17
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath
Verse 17: God did not only this for Abraham. He has also given His promise and oath to the heirs of promise. Abraham and his descendants are the first of these heirs. We read in Hebrews 11 verse 9 the following verse: By 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. God confirmed it by an oath.
Hebrews 6 verse 18
That 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:
Verse 18: Two immutable things! By this they, these Hebrew believers, might have a strong consolation. What are those two immutable things? First the promise and second God's oath by which He comfirmed the promise. God we see here cannot lie. In 2 Timothy 2 verse 13 we read the following verse: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself. God cannot lie, it is and was impossible for Him to lie. Why not? He cannot deny Himself. He is God and without sin. How can He lie? They fled for refuge, these Hebrews and hold upon the hope that is before them. What is that hope? The Kingdom on earth and that Christ will be their King and that they will reign with Him on earth. Their hope will be on this earth. This the hope for Israel. For the little flock which Christ called them.
Hebrews 6 verse 19
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Verse 19: These Hebrew believers have this hope as an anchor of the soul. This earthly hope: the Kingdom of Heaven on earth and Christ the King reigning 1000 years. This hope is for them sure and stedfast. They will enter this Kingdom on earth through Christ and that is the veil. He made it possible that they can enter this Kingdom on earth. Our hope is not like these Hebrew believers my brother and sister! We have a heavenly hope. Read I Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Hebrews 6 verse 20
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Verse 20: The Forerunner entered and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what we can read in Hebrews 10 verse 19 and 20: Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh. He entered first our Lord Jesus Christ through the veil and that is His flesh into the holiest. He gave His life for them and also for us and that's why He is an High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Christ is the High Priest forever!
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Hebrews Chapter 7
Hebrews 7 verse 1
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Verse 1: This Melchisedec. The Name Melchisedec: the name is composed from the two elements: melek (h), "king", and sedeq, which means either "righteousness" or the proper name Zedek. The writer goes on to explain to them who Melchisedec was. Melchisedec was King of Salem and priest of the most high God. He was priest of God. We go back to Genesis 14 verse 18-20: And Melchisedec king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And He blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And He gave him tithes of all. King of Salem. This name is from Shalem (Hebrew) and this is the same as complete, full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect, quiet, whole. Shalem is an early name of Jerus. This Melchisedec met Abraham when Abraham had defeated the kings and blessed him what we have read. Abrham give this King of Salem tithes of all he had. This we read in the following verse 2
Hebrews 7 verse 2
To 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;
Verse 2: Abraham gave a tenth part of all he had to Melchisedec. The Name of Melchisedec is significant. In the Bible names and their meanings are often important. The Name of Melchizedek means king of righteousness. Salem what we already in verse 1 said is peace and the Hebrew word is shalom. So Melchisedec is kig of peace and king of righteousness. In Psalm 85 verse 10 we read this. God's purpose of His folk Israel is that they bear the peaceable fruit of righteousness Hebrews 12:10-11. Through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross it is only that righteousness and peace could have kissed each other. Under the Jewish law the Jewish were commanded to give God one tenth of their crops, herds and flocks. We read in Leviticus 27: 30-32: And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto theLord. Tithes were brought to the Levites at the tabernacle and later at the temple Deuteronium 12:5. Tithing did not originate with Moses. Abraham practized tithing long before the Law was given. But what Abraham gave this was the spoils of war, not the legalistic tithe of the land what later was asked under Moses law.
Hebrews 7 verse 3
Without 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.
Verse 3: Here we read that Melchisedec was and is without father, without mother, without descent, have no beginning nor end of life. From eternity to eternity He lives. Is priest of the most High God. Is made like unto the Son of God. He is a priest continually. Abraham (Abram) met Melchisedec before there were any Israelites or Jews, even before Jacob was born, even several years before uncircumcised Abram became circumcised Abraham. We should be interested to learn all we can about Melchisedec because Christ is a Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Melchisedec is something mysterious. Under the Old Testament made with Israel the priests of God presented man to God. Only Christ in this Dispensation of Grace can do this. Christ without beginning of days, nor end of life, is a Priest after the order of Melchisedec and not after the order of Aaron. Aaron and his successors died but Christ has an unchageable Priesthood. Hebrews 7:23 and 24
Hebrews 7 verse 4
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Verse 4: This Melchisedec came suddenly and disappeared also suddenly. It is written here how great this man was. Again Abram gave tenth of the spoils. Abram gave the spoils of war, not the legalistic tithe of the land what later was asked under Moses law.
Hebrews 7 verse 5
And 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:
verse 5: The sons of Levi, the Levites had to receive the office of the priesthood and got the commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law. The tiths came from Abraham from his loins. So when their father Abraham acknowledged the greatness of Melchizedek, the tribe of Levi was also involved. The paying of the tithes involved not just the patriarch Abraham but also the unborn generations in his loins. Jesus Christ cmae of the seed of Abraham but He is the eternal Son of god. His identification with Abraham was for the days of His flesh Hebrews 5 verse 7. He was before Abraham, He existed before Abraham John 8 verse 58. He couldn't have been in Abraham as were Aaron and his family.
Hebrews 7 verse 6
But He whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Verse 6: The He is Melchizedek. His descent is not counted from them. That is not counted from Aaron's descendents. This Melchizedec took tithes from Abraham. In Genesis 14 verse 20: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. Who had the promises? Abraham is the answer. Melchizedec blessed Abram (later Abraham). In Verse 14 verse 19 we read: And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth"
Hebrews 7 verse 7
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Verse 7: The less is blessed of the better. The better is the superior. Melchisedec is here the superior. The less is Abram. Abram was blessed from Melchisedec. Beautiful to see this that Abram was blessed by Melchisedec, priest of the most High God, our God!! We read in Ephesians 1 verse 3 a very important verse what is for us:Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ!!! Thank God for this and we have to give everyday thank to God our Father!
Hebrews 7 vers 8
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Verse 8: Here the levites receive tithes of the folk and give it to the (high) priests. But there He receiveth them: This Melchisedec received tithes from Whom it is witnessed that He lives because He is Priest in all eternity.
Hebrews 7 verse 9
And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Verse 9: Levi received tithes. From whom he receiveth tithes? That must be from the folk. He, Levi payed tithes in Abraham? What does this mean? Aaron and the tribe of Levi were in the loins of Abraham, not born yet. So when their father Abraham acknowledged the greatness of Mechisedec the tribe of Levi and Levi inclusive was also involved . The Jewish people believe strongly in racial solidarity. The paying of the tithes involved not just the patriarch Abraham, but also the unborn generations in his loins.
Hebrews 7 verse 10
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Verse 10: The writer of this epistle to the Hebrews is here in this verse speaking of Levi who receiveth tithes. He was yet in the loins of his father. The paying of the tithes involved not just the patriarch Abraham but also the unborn generations in his loins, after him like Levi.
Hebrews 7 verse 11
If 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?
Verse 11: The answer for this is that Melchisedec is greater than Aaron. It is no longer the order of Aaron or the order of Levi but it is forever the order of Melchisedec. Why have God changed this? The answer is that the priesthood and the law were imperfect. Perfect and perfection are keywords in the epistle to the Hebrews. They mean completed or fulfilled. The Old Testament priests couldn't by their ministry complete the work of God in the heart of the worshipper. Because the Law was imperfect We read this in verse 19 of this chapter. Animal sacrifices couldn't give any worshiper a perfect standing before God. The Law was not a permanent system. It was given to learn sin and it was a schoolmaster to prepare the way for the coming of Christ.
Hebrews 7 verse 12
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Verse 12: The priesthood being changed: from the order of Aaron to the order of Melchisedec. If this change is forever this shall also be changed in the Law. This is necessary! This is a Priest Who is without sin namely Jesus Christ. Let us read in Hebrews 5 verse 5 and 6: So 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. As He saith also in another place, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 7 verse 13
For He of Whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Verse 13: Here is spoken in this verse about our Lord Jesus Christ Who is the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Our Lord came from the tribe of Judah we read in the next verse 14. No man of this tribe gave attendance at the altar. That means that nobody of this tribe of Judah was busy like the Levites in the tabernacle or later temple.
Hebrews 7 verse 14
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Vers 14: Our Lord Jesus Christ came of the tribe of Juda according to the incarnation. He sprang out of Judah. Moses didn't spoke that people from the tribe of Judah would be priests or hath something to do with the priesthood, to serve as priests in the temple. Ah but our Lord will be King forever in the future. From the tribe of Judah the Kings came out of this. If this was so also the kings take care that the priests duly served their office as in David, Salomon, Hiskiah, Josia and others. Our Lord Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and when God will again dealing with Israel in the future He will be King of Kings and also High Priest according the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 7 vers 15
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Vers 15: It is now more clear. Beside Melchisedec after the order of Him there will appear a another priest and that is Jesus Christ. He is the High priest after the order of Melchisedec. Also under the Great Tribulation the believing Jews, the people from the circumcision can depend on Him.
Hebrews 7 vers 16
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Vers 16: The writer to the Hebrews is speaking about Christ Who is the High priest and Jesus Christ was not after the law of a carnal commandment. The Law of Moses. This couldn't be because He is God and without sin. He is the Son of man because He never sinned and died for mankind on that cruel cross on Calvary. He is after the power of an endless life. No begin and no end. From eternity to eternity.
Hebrews 7 vers 17
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Verse 17: This is a fact and is testified from that Jesus Christ, our Lord, is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. In Psalm 110 verse 4 we see it very clear my brothers and sisters: The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. This is also written in Hebrews 5 verse 6. In Zechariah 6 verse 12 and 13 we read the following verses: And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord Even He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
Hebrews 7 verse 18
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Verse 18: There is a great contrast between the profitless Law or commandments of God and an endless life! Jesus Christ is Priest forever and He has a nature to match that eternal priesthood. He can never be replaced. The disannulling of the Law here in this verse meant the abolishing of the priesthood. Nobody can annul the power of an endless life. So Jesus Christ is is the Priest forever. The priestood was weak and unprofitable because of men who are sinners and of the law of God which was temperal but men (priests) couldn't be justified by this.
Hebrews 7 verse 19
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Verse 19: Through the law men knew what is sin. The law was far from perfect. Jesus Christ has accomplished what the Law could never accomplish: He brought a better hope and He enables them (these Hebrews) here to draw them near to God. Also for us as members of the Body of Christ this is also reality my brothers and sisters! He is the only hope: Christ. For Judaism the only hope was the coming of Christ. He is the end of the Law Romans 10 vers 4: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Hebrews 7 verse 20
And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
Verse 20: No priest after the order of Aaron was ordained en established on the basis of Gods personal oath. The priests ministered under the law of commandments. They were carnal. Their moral and spiritual usefulness was not examined because they were sinners. The most important was that the priest belonged to the right tribe. In Leviticus 21 verses 16-21 we read the following verses: And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. Our Lord Jesus Christ heavenly priesthood is established on the basis of His work on the cross, His character and the oath of God. We read Hebrews 2 verse 10: For 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. We already read in Hebrews 5 verses 5-10 about this. Read this for yourselves!. God hath said to His only begotten Son Jesus Christ in Psalm 110 verse 4 : The Lord hath sworn and will not repent Thou are a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7 verse 21
(For 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:)
Verse 21: The priests after the order of Aaron were never established as priests with an oath. Only our Lord Jesus Christ was made a Priest with an oath by Him God that hath said this. God will not repent. What does this mean? God will not change His mind!! The matter is finally settled and it cannot be changed! The oath gives to the priesthood of our Lord a greater degree of permanence and assurance
Hebrews 7 verse 22
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Verse 22: The oath given to the Priesthood of our Lord is a greater degree of permanence and assurance. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the surety of a better testament or covenant. Surety means guarantees that the terms of an agreement will be carried out. Jesus Christ is the Mediator between God and man that's why our Lord Jesus Christ is God's great Surety. In Hebrews 8 verse 6 we read:But 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. Our risen Lord Jesus Christ and Saviour guarantees that the terms of God's covenant will be fulfilled completely.
Hebrews 7 verse 23
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Verse 23: The priesthood which were many and imperfect. But it was also interrupted by death. There were many high priests but nobody from them could live forever. Jesus Christ is perfect and is also the High Priest forever because He is God Himself. He is alive and lives forever!!! He never died His own death. He died for mankind. It was for everyone inclusive us too my dear brothers and sisters!
Hebrews 7 verse 24
But this Man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Verse 24: Our Lord Jesus Christ is this Man. He lives forever and ever through all eternity! He hath an unchangeable priesthood. What does that mean? The priesthood will not change, it is changeles. Fact is that the unchanging Christ because He is God Himself continues as High Priest means, logically that hter is an unchangeable priesthood . It is the idea of valid and unalterable. It will nog change! His Priesthood in heaven is valid and unaltarable!
Hebrews 7 verse 25
Wherefore 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.
Verse 25: The conclusion: He is ever living and unchanging High Priest and is able to save them to the uttermost thus completely, forever to everyone who come unto God by Him! He ever liveth to make intercession for them. It is sure that our Lord Jesus Christ can save any sinner from any condition. The most important here in this verse is that He saves completely, forever all who put their faith in Him. He is the High Priest forever and can save forever.
Hebrews 7 verse 26
For such an High Priest became us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Verse 26: For such an High Priest became us. Jesus Christ perfectly meets all of our needs. He was suited to us. He meets our needs completely! He is holy, sinless. He is perfect! He is made higher than the heavens. He is able to exercise a perfect ministry. The priests of the Old Testament were unable to serve but actually abused them. This could never happen with Jesus Christ and His people.
Hebrews 7 verse 27
Who 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.
Verse 27: He is separate from sinners because He is sinless because of His position made higher than the heavens. He is not separate from His people Israel to whom He ministers here. He is always available to them at His throne of Grace. There were under the Old Testament daily sacrifices offered as a part of the temple ritual. The priests had first to offer up sacrifice for his own sins because he was a sinner Exodus 29:38-46. Our Lord Jesus Christ offered just one sacrifice for our sins and settled the matter forever Hebrews 9:23-28. This is the kind of High Priest they need
Hebrews 7 verse 28
For 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.
Verse 28: Jesus Christ is the High Priest. What more can you find in any other person then He? The priests, men, who served under the law of Moses under the Old Testament had human infirmities and were weak and often failed because they were sinners like you and me. Jesus Christ the High Priest after the order of Melchisedec perfected forevermore! There is no spot or blemish in Him. He suits us perfectly. He is blessed forever!! With these words this chapter ends here!
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Hebrews 8 verse 1
Now 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.
Verse 1: We have seen in the last chapter that our Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest and this is the sum. He is God's superior High Priest. He is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. This statement here in this verse refers us back to Hebrews 7 verses 22-28. The fact is that our Lord Jesus Christ is morally perfect and yet identified with us in our needs and temptations and also for these Hebrews in the future here in this verse. This makes Him superior to any other human priest in the past. Today our Lord Jesus Christ is seated on the throne on the right hand of the Father because His work is finished. Under the Old Testament there were never chairs in the tabernacle and temple because the work of the priests was never finished. The blood of animals didn't wash away sin of men. It covered for a while until the day that our Lord Jesus Christ died on that cross on calvary for mankind John 1:29
Hebrews 8 verse 2
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Verse 2: Our Lord Jesus Christ is in the heavens. He is ascended and He is exalted. Through His ascension and exaltation He passed through the heavens. He is now exalted as high as anyone coule be. The fact that our Lord Jesus Christ ministers in a heavenly sanctuary is important: He ministers on the basis of a superior covenant. He ministers also of the true tabernacle. This true tabernacle is in heaven! Our Lord had pitched this, our God had pitched this and not man. Man couldn't do this. Only our God did this and made this!!
Hebrews 8 verse 3
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this Man have somewhat also to offer.
Verse 3: Each high priest was appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. These sacrifices must not be offered just anywhere. They had to be offered in God's appointed place. That place is the sanctuary. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest and He offers gifts and sacrifices in the sanctuary in heaven because our Lord is in heaven. Somewhat here means once for all offer and that my brothers and sisters was on the cross on Calvary because He offered Himself once for all sacrifice for the sinners like you and me, for mankind. He has not to offer and offer over and over because that is unnecessary. In Hebrews 9 verse 24 we read:For 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: Us that are the Hebrew believers in the context.
Hebrews 8 verse 4
For if He were on earth, He should not be a Priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Verse 4: Our Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth was from the tribe of Judah. God had promised that the Messiah would come from the kingly tribe and that was the tribe of Judah. The priests came from the tribe of Levi. When our Lord Jesus Christ was on earth He could not function as Priest but He is the High Priest and serves in heaven because in heaven the order of Melchizedek governs the ministry and not the order of Aaron.
Hebrews 8 verse 5
Who 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.
Verse 5: The true and full light came in Jesus Christ. He served on earth in His earthly ministry unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. He did it 100%. No man could do this and never will do it because our Lord is God Himself without sin. The heavenly sancturary. God admonished Moses to make a tabernacle like the heavenly tabernacle. This became a copy of the real tabernacle. Moses had to make all things according to the pattern what was showed from God to him on the mount Sinai!
Hebrews 8 verse 6
But 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.
Verse 6: Our Lord Jesus Christ is now the Mediator of the New Testament, a new Covenant which is establish upon better promises from God. Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant and he gave the law of God to Israel. The people of Israel were so afraid of God that they asked earnestly to speak to them so that they had not to hear God. This we can read in Exodus 20:18-21:And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. The fear of God was not for a long time because soon the people of Israel disobeyed the Law which they said we will keep it. Now the Mediator of the New Covenant is Jesus Christ and He is the only Mediator. In I Timothy 2 verse 5 and 6 we read:For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" The better Covenant was also said from the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 31 verses 31-34:Behold, the days come, saith theLord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith theLord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith theLord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith theLord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. This promise of a better Covenant was given under the prophecy at assured the Jews of future restoration. Before our Lord Jesus Christ went to Calvary He celebrated the Passover with His disciples in the upper room. There He instituted what we call the Lord's Supper. He said take the cup: This cup is the New Testament or covenant in My blood which is shed for you. We can read thi in Mark 14: 22-24 and Luke 22:20. The apostle Paul received these words and applied them to the Body of Christ which is the Church. I Corinthians 11: 23-27. Jesus Christ our Lord is the Mediator here in this verse of the New Covenant and it will be repeated in Hebrews 12 verse 24.
Hebrews 8 verse 7
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Verse 7: The first Covenant made with Israel was not faultless. It it was there was no need for a second Covenant. The emphasis in the New Covenant is wholly of God's Grace. No sinner can become a part of this New Covenant without in Jesus Christ. The New Covenant does not depend on man's faithfulness to God but on God's faithful promise to man.
Hebrews 8 verse 8
For 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:
Verse 8: Israel was with faults because they were sinners. The first Covenant what God made with them was not perfect. This sinful people need a new heart and a new disposition within and this is just what the New Covenant provides. That's Why He saith that the days will come that He will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel en and the house of Judah. Jeremiah 31:31-34 A New covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah! He, God will unite these two houses under one New Covenant.
Hebrews 8 verse 9
Not 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.
Verse 9: The first Covenant the Lord made with Israel when He took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt: from slavery to freedom was imperfect because of sin. Israel continued not in His covenant and God took not heed of them because they did not His will. They didn't obey Him and they soon after Egypt left the Lord and went after strange gods and serve these gods or idols. Think about the golden Calf. Later this was always the case with Israel. This you read in the whole history of Israel. So through Jesus Christ finished work and that He is exalted in heaven God will make a New Covenant with Israel.
Hebrews 8 verse 10
For 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:
Verse 10: This is the purpose of God with His folk Israel in the future when He will deal again with Israel as His folk. The New Covenant He will make with the house of Israel. What will happen then? He will put His laws into their mind and write them in their hearts. This you read also in Jeremiah 31 verse 33-34: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know theLord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith theLord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Israel shall be again Gods people in those days. This shall be taken place after the rapture of the Church, the Body of Christ. See Romans 11:25-27
Hebrews 8 verse 11
And 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.
Verse 11: This is a quotation from Jeremiah 31 verse 34:And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know theLord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith theLord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. This will be as Israel will be reunited with Judah and shall rejoice in the coming Kingdom on earth. In that day nobody has to teach each other or know the Lord because everyone of them shall know God from the smallest to the biggest person that at that moment exists. Until that day these Hebrews had to share the Gospel of the Kingdom with the lost in the world.
Hebrews 8 verse 12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Verse 12: In that day when Christ will return to earth and the 1000 years of reign will start and Christ will be the King God will be merciful to Israel's unrighteousness. He wil not remember their sins and iniquities because on the basis of the cross of Christ it is forgiven and forgotten in God's eyes. For us as believers in Christ now under this Dispensation of Grace God already deals with us on basis of His Grace and mercy. Our sins are already forgiven through the blood that was shed for us on the cross of Calvary where Christ died our death there. To forget here is not to hold it against a person who wronged us. On basis of this we can also forgive others.
Hebrews 8 verse 13
In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Verse 13: What does this verse mean? He made a new covenant with Israel and this will work when the Lord Jesus Christ will be King on earth. The Old Covenant with Israel He made in the past in the time of Moses is called by God old. It exist no more for God and is what we here see in this verse neaby the disappearing. It is ready to disappear. Only the New Covenant will exist in the future with Israel! God will do it!
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Hebrews chapter 9
Hebrews 9 verse 1
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Verse 1: The first covenant which God made with Israel had ordinances of Godly service. Ordinances or commands were given by God and He gave these rules first to Moses. It was a manner to serve God. The purpose of levites and the priests in the tabernacle first and later in the temple was to serve God. This was the real and only religion which came from God. There was in this first Covenant a worldly sanctuary. The Holy in the tabernacle and later temple in Jerusalem.
Hebrews 9 verse 2
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
Verse 2: The Tabernacle existed about a court tabernacle, a sanctuary and the Holy of Holiest. In this verse we read that the candlestick, the table and the shewbread were in the place called the sanctuary.
The tabernacle was the house of God. The tabernacle that God called home was nothing more than a tent, and could easily be carried by Israel when they journeyed through the desert. Especially when you consider that “the most holy place” Read Exodus 26: 33 and 34, the place within the “holy place” of the tabernacle was God’s actual dwelling place. We know that the tabernacle was small enough to be a mobile home, for God’s people carried it through the wilderness for forty years.
Hebrews 9 verse 3
And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Verse 3: In verse 2 we read about the sanctuary and what you saw there: the candlestick, the table and the shewbread. This was after the first veil. Now in this vers we read over which was after the second veil in the tabernacle. The veil distinguished the Holy, the Sanctuary from the Holy of Holiest
This was called the Holiest of all or the Holy of Holies. What this contained we can read in the next verse! In this only the High Priest was allowed to enter once a year.
Hebrews 9 verse 4
Which 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;
Verse 4: Here in this verse we read what was in the Holy of Holies: the golden censer, the ark of the covenant overlaid with gold, the golden pot with the manna therein, Aaron's rod and the tables of the covenant. In this part of the tabernacle once a year the high priest has to enter. It was the house of God.
Hebrews 9 verse 5
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Verse 5: The Ark of the Covenant: On top of this chest was a beautiful mercyseat and this was made by gold with a cherub at eacht end. This was the throne of God in the tabernacle. We read this in Exodus 25: 10-22: The two cherubims shall stretch forrth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be Exodus 25 verse 20. On the day of atonement the blood was sprinkled on this mercy seat to cover the tables of Law in the ark. God didn't look to the broken Law but He saw on the blood. Now Christ is our mercy seat or propitiation. We read in Romans 3 verse 25 the following verse: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. The blood of Christ shed on the cross on Calvary does not just cover sin; it takes away sin. The service under the first covenant was symbolism and not the spiritual reality what we have now. That's why the tabernacle of the Old Covenant was inferior or not complete.
Hebrews 9 verse 6
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always
into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
Verse 6: We see here in this verse that God is a God of order. He had ordained everything and specialy here about the tabernacle and later the temple. Who could serve in the tabernacle? The priests! These priests went always into the first tabernacle. The first which was called the sanctuary, the holy place. They served God everyday to fulfil the service of God. Only the priests and the levites were permitted into the tabernacle. So the priestst ministered everyday in the holy place. Not the people from the other tribes of Israel.
Hebrews 9 verse 7
But 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:
Verse 7: The second of the tabernacle is the holy of holiest: the holiest of all where the ark of the covenant was. In Exodus 30 verse 10 we read: And Aaron (the first high priest) shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the Lord. Following up on Aaron the high priests after him went once every year in the second tabernacle: the holy of holiest. With blood: first offering for himself, for his own sins and then for the sins of the people of Israel. In Exodus 16 verse 2 we read: And theLordsaid unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. And in verse 34 we read: And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as theLordcommanded Moses.
Hebrews 9 verse 8
The 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:
Verse 8: This was a sign of the Holy Ghost that the way to God was not open in that time as long as Israel were living under the first covenant and as long the first tabernacle was standing yet. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life and He is the Way to God. In John 14 verse 6 we read: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Indeed He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In I Corinthians 15 verse 3 and 4 we read: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. The fact is that our Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself, He gave Himself for you and me! Where? On the cross on Calvary. He took the sins of the whole world upon Himself and died on that cross. He bore the sins of you and me and shed His blood for us. He was buried in the grave and rose after 3 days from the grave. He is alive and He is exalted and sits on the right hand of the Father and is above all things! He will everyone in this world give life, eternal life. He offered once Himself, His life, to make the way open to God so that every man could have everlasting life. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou my friend shall be saved forever.
Hebrews 9 verse 9
Which 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;
Verse 9: The sacrifices which were offered in the tabernacle and the blood applied to the mercy seat couldn't change the heart or the conscience of the one who did the service. All of the ceremonies associated with the tabernacle was the ceremorial purity and not moral purity. It was far from perfection. It was temperal.
Hebrews 9 verse 10
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal
ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Verse 10: The ordinances were carnal: meats, drinks and divers washings. It pertained to the outer man but couldn't change the inner man. This let you see that this was temperal until the time of reformation. The time of reformation is the time when the Lord Jesus Christ will be the High Priest!
Hebrews 9 verse 11
But 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;
Verse 11: The present tabernacle under the second Covenant now is much greater and perfect and superior! It is a heavenly sanctuary. In the time the writer wrote this it has to come. The Jewish temple was beautiful but is destroyed. There is no temple anymore. The heavenly realities would endure forever. The Old Covenant tabernacle was made by the hands of men. In Exodus 35 verses 30-35 we read: And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And He hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work. By the wisdom of God men could build that tabernacle which what Gods plan was to be build. God filled man like Bezaleel in wisdom, understanding and knowledge and in all manner of workmanship! The New Covenant sanctuary was not made with hands. Not of this building means here not of this creation. The heavenly tabernacle needed no such materials as the earthly tabernacle under the First Covenant. The good things to come are reality now because of Christ's priestly ministry in heaven. We have now the eternal reality!
Hebrews 9 verse 12
Neither 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.
Verse 12: The blood of goats and calves could never solve the problem of human sins! Jesus Christ became Man that He might be bable to die for people's sins. His death was voluntary. Christ presented Himself in the presence of God as the final and complete sacrifice for sins. He offered Himself once . The blood of goats and calves could only cover sin until the time when Christ's blood would took away sin! We my brothers and sisters have eternal redempton!! This eternal redemption is not conditioned on our merit of good works: it is secured once and for all by the finished work of Jesus Christ!!
Hebrews 9 verse 13
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling
the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Verse 13: We know now that the Old Covenant rituals couldn't change the person's heart. It was purifying of the flesh we see here but not the cleansing of the conscience. Cleansing the consciences of men cannot be done by some external ceremony because it demands an internal power. In Numbers 19 verse 2-4: This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face: And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn.
Hebrews 9 verse 14
How 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?
Verse 14: Christ had paid for our sins and also for the sins of this Hebrews! Christ through the eternal Spirit offered once Himself without spot. This is without blemish to God! He was able to offer the perfect sacrifice! Purge the consciences from these Hebrews! From dead works to serve the living God. Dead works: these were the works according to God's Law under the Old Testament, Covenant. Also the temperal service in the tabernacle: from that works to serve the living God. We my brothers and sisters under this Dispensation of Grace serve God also in the Spirit through the Gospel of Gods Grace and through rightly dividing the Word of truth! Acts 20:24, II Timothy 2:15
Hebrews 9 verse 15
And 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.
Verse 15: Christ is the Mediator between God and men. The Mediator of the New Testament because He gave His life for you and me. Israel inheritance involved material blessings. There were more transgressions under the first Testament under which Israel was. Now the people, Hebrews will live under the New Testament and Christ is the Mediator because of His death on the cross and the redemption of sins/transgressions through His blood. Now the ones here that believe this are called and receive the promise of God through Christ and that is a eternal inheritance. This is a spiritual inheritance and is eternal and not temporal. I Timothy 2 verse 5: For there is one God and one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus. And Hebrews 8 verse 6 we read : But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is Mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
Hebrews 9 verse 16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator.
Verse 16: The word covenant is more than a agreement: it geives us the idea of a last will and testament. If men write their will, that will is not in force until men are passed away. It was necessary for our Lord Jesus Christ to die so that the terms of the New Covenant might be enforced. In Luke 22 verse 20 we read the following verse: Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. The Old Testament was also established on the basis of blood. The Book of the Law was sprinkled with blood and the people and the tabernacle and its furnish. In Exodus 24 verses 3-8 we read this: And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do. And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the Lord. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words. The blood is very important for God because His principle is that blood must be shed before sin can be forgiven Leviticus 17 verse 11: For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. That's why it is necessery that a Testator first died before the testament might be enforced.
Hebrews 9 verse 17
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Verse 17: Again as long as the testator lives the testament has no strength because it works after the testator died. Under the Old Covenant the people of Israel and objects were purified by blood, water or fire. We read this in Numbers 31 verses 21-24: And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which theLordcommanded Moses; Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead, Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp. This we read is a ceremonial purification. This means that the objects and the persons were not accaptable to God. The blood was more important Leviticus 17:11. Purification comes through the sprinkling of blood. The blood was necessary be shed and applied if the New Covenant is to be in force and our Lord Jesus Christ gave His blood on Calvary and with this purifies the concience of the believer and also purifies the heavenly things .
Hebrews 9 verse 18
Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Verse 18: The Old Testament was dedicated by blood. It was made of God and through Moses given to the people of Israel. It was the blood of animals who were sacrificed for this on basis of Leviticus 17 verse 11. In the following verses 19 until 22 we read about this. Verse 22 also based on Leviticus 17 verse 11: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Hebrews 9 verse 19
For 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,
Verse 19: With the first testament the whole Law was spoken to the people of Israel. All the 613 commandments inclusive the 10 on the 2 tables were spoken to the people of Israel. After that Moses took the blood of calves and of goats and with water and scarlet wool and hyssop. This all for the purification for the book and all the people of Israel: again it was meant that the persons and objects were now acceptable to God. It didn't alter the nature of the person of object. The patterns of the Old Covenant tabernacle were purified by the sprinkling of the blood.
Hebrews 9 verse 20
Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Verse 20: Moses confirmed here by saying to all the folk of Israel that the blood by which they were sprinkled the blood was of the testament which God hath commanded you people. We read in Exodus 24 verse 8 the following verse: And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.
Hebrews 9 verse 21
Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Verse 21 Besides sprinkling the book and all the people with blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool and hyssop Moses sprinkled with the blood the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry in the tabernacle. Everything had to be sprinkled: the book of the Law, people, vessels of the ministry and the tabernacle (building) because it has to be purified. Because we read in the next verse the following:
Hebrews 9 verse 22
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Verse 22: Almost all things are through the Law of God cleansed with blood. According to Leviticus 17 verse 11:For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Because the life of the flesh is in the blood that's why without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. This is what God requires!
Hebrews 9 verse 23
It 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.
Verse 23: It was necessary that the patterns were purified through the blood of animals, but the original sanctuary was purified through the blood of the Son of God Jesus Christ. This is a better sacrifice than these sacrifices who were repeated and covered sin temporary.
Hebrews 9 verse 24
For 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:
Verse 24: Christ entered heaven itself to appear in the presence of God for us and these Hebrews here. He didn't entered intho the holy places made with hands under the first Covenant. These Hebrews believers here aren't depending on a high priest on earth who annully visits the holy of holies in a temporary sanctuary. They are depending on Christ Who is the High Priest and entered once and for all into the eternal sanctuary. There He represents them before God and also us as members of the Body of Christ. And this He always will. The things that are made with hands are perishable but the things not made with hands are eternal.
Hebrews 9 verse 25
Nor yet that He should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth
into the holy place every year with blood of others;
Verse 25: Our Lord Jesus Christ entered not into the holy places made with hands. Why not. Then He should offer Himself often like the high priest in that time entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others (animal blood) There is a contrast between the Old covenant with the holy place made with hands and the New Covenant eternal in heaven made without hands!
Under the Old Covenant: repeated sacrifices, we have the blood of others, sin was covered, it was only for the folk Israel, the high priest entered once a year and left the holy of holies.
Under the New Covenant: there is one sacrifice, It is the Lord's Own blood, With this He put away sin, it is for all sinners, Our Lord entered heaven and remains there.
We see that the work of Christ is a completed work. It is final and eternal. Our Lord is now ministering in heaven on our behalf and also in the future for these Hebrew believers under the Great Tribulation.
Hebrews 9 verse 26
For 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.
Verse 26: Our Lord didn't enter the holy of holies made with hands because He was no high priest according to the order of Aaron. He is the High Priest to the order of Melchizedek. Otherwise He often had suffered since the foundation of the world. In the end of the world He appeared to put away sin. Through what? By the sacrifice of Himself on Calvary and He shed there His blood for mankind, for sinners!! Sinners like you and me and also for these Hebrew believers here in this epistle.
Hebrews 9 verse 27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Verse 27: For the natural man this is reality. He is born in sin, he is a sinner Romans 12:5 and once he died physically. He left this earthly tabernacle, this earthly body. Every thinking person in this world knows that one day he or she will die. Without God in his or her life this will be reality that he or she will be judged by Gods righteous judgment. For you my dear friend who don't know God there is hope now. You are a sinner and no matter if you do so named good works or be good for others this will not help you to accepted by God. God loves you and do you know what He did for you? He died your death on the cross through Jesus Christ. He took your sins upon Himself. He, the Just for you the unjust paid the price for you, dying your death on that cross. He was buried and rose again from the grave and is now in heaven on the Fathers hand. His will is that you will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior for you life. He wants you to be saved. Will you be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved forever and will not undergo this judgment for eternal death! Acts 16 verse 31. I Corinthians 15:3-4. Believe this today my friend. Tomorrow can be to late. You can believe, accept this wherever you are. It's just one step away from God, from eternal life!!
Hebrews 9 verse 28
So 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.
Verse 28: Christ was once offered to bear the sins of mankind on that cross. God gives in Christ the possibility for every man to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved for eternity now. Here we read that He will appear the second time. This is His second coming on earth. Then Jesus Christ shall not again bear the sins of mankind because that He did once when He was the first time on earth
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Hebrews 10 verse 1
For 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.
Verse 1: The law was only a shadow of good things to come but never the reality itself. The sacrifices which were offered year by year was a type or picture of the Work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord accomplished this on hte cross. The system was temporary and couldn't accomplish nothing permanent. The system was weak because of the repetion of sacrifices day after day and once a year the Day of Atonement. Animal sacrifices couldn't completely deal with the guilt of men. God said that He forgave the believing worshippers. We can read this in Leviticus 4 verse 20, 26, 31 and 35: And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them. And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him. And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto theLord; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto theLord: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him. This was a judicial forgiveness which God gave and not the removal of guilt of men.
Hebrews 10 verse 2
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
Verse 2: Under the first covenant God had not yet removed the guilt of men. If this was so then the priests and levites could stop to offer animal sacrifices to God. People in that time were not cleansed. The sins were temporary covered. Otherwise these men in the tabernacle who served God there had no more conscience of sins. We see clear that it was a shadow which came later the perfect sacrifice through Christ Himself, the perfect Lamb of God!
Hebrews 10 verse 3
But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
Verse 3: Every year there were sacrifices and in these sacrifices there was a remembrance of sins. Only the sins were covered. It was temporary and not eternal. The anual Day of Atonement didn't accomplish remission of sin but only reminder of sin. The sins of the people of Israel were not cleansed. The people of Israel hadn't God's inward witness of forgiveness and acceptance.
Hebrews 10 verse 4
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Verse 4: There was a need for a better sacrifice because the blood of bulls and of goats couldn't take away sins. It covered sin and postponed judgment but it couldn't effect a once and for all redemption. Only the better sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God could do that. And He did this and gave Himself a perfect sacrifice: a rdemption once for all!
Hebrews 10 verse 5
Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Verse 5: He came into this world Jesus Christ because the sacrifice of bulls and goats never took away sins of the world. God wouldn't have this. This wasn't enough for the solution of sins. That's why He send His Son Jesus Christ to this world to sacrifice Himself for this world. Christ could do the will of God the Father. In Philippians 2 verse 6-9 we read the following verses: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. He became Men to save men through the death on the cross, through His blood that flowed from the cross. This was enough to save the world! Thats why He said here: but a body hast thou prepared me! It was God Who provided the sacrifice and not man. This verse is taken from Psalm 40 verses 6-8 and this is applied to our Lord Jesus Christ in His incarnation. He is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant sacrifices: Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Our Lord Jesus Christ was prepared to do the will of the Father and He did this: to sacrifice Himself for mankind and to fulfill the Old Covenant sacrifices. He is the Lamb of God , the perfect Lamb who died in the place of men on the cross of Calvary. Listen it didn't stop there. He was buried rose from the dead the third day! I Corinthians 15:3-4 according to the Scriptures! And now He lives and sits on the right hand of the Father. Now under this Dispensation of Grace whereunder we live He is the Head of the Body, the Body of Christ, the Church whereunto we my brother and sister are members of. For Israel in the future He is the High Priest what we here read in the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 10 verse 6
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Verse 6: Again God the Father had no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. Sacrifice refers here in this verse to any of the animal sacrifices. Offerings in general covers the meal offerings and the drink offerings. The tresspass offering would be covered in the word sacrifice. They typified the sacrifice of Christ and revealed some aspect of His work on the cross. God gave His Son a prepared body that the Son of God might serve God and fulfill His will on earth: Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work. John 4:34. This is a very beautiful verse my dear brothers and sisters!! God had no pleasure in the burnt offerings and sacrifices. This doesn't mean that the old covenant sacrifices were wrong. It means that He had no delight in sacrifices as such. No amount of sacrifices could substitute for obedience. Isaiah 1 verse 11: To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
Hebrews 10 verse 7
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Verse 7: The Lord Jesus Christ came to do the Father's will. This will is the New Covenant that has replaced the Old Covenant. Through His death and ressurection has He taken way the first covenant and established the second. The message to these Hebrews from God is why go back to a covenant that has been taken away? Why go back to sacrifices that are inferior?
Hebrews 10 verse 8
Above 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;
Verse 8: Again. The Son Jesus Christ said to His Father in heaven this that sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offerings for sin it was not the will of God neither that He had pleasure in this which was offered under the Law He had given to Moses. Why not? Because these offerings and sacrifices were not complete. It was never from perfect. In His mind the perfect Lamb was His Son Jesus Christ and to send Him to this earth to be the perfect Lamb for this world. The solution for sin. He was and is the answer to this!!! Twice you see this verse in this chapter. God had no delight in sacrifices as such, apart from the obedient hearts of the worshippers.
Hebrews 10 verse 9
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Verse 9: The Lord Jesus Christ here in this verse (again) came to do the will of the Father. This will is the New Covenant: He replaced the Old Covenant. Again through His death on the cross and resurrection from the death our Lord Jesus Christ has taken away the first Covenant and established the second. These verses are repeated because to prove the Jews that they believe that they through the finished Work of Christ are living under the Second Covenant by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10 verse 10
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Verse 10: Through the offering of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself on the cross that He gave His life, His body also for these Hebrews here the writer tells these Hebrew believers that they are sanctified by this. Also us as believers in Christ under the Dispensation of Grace are sanctified by the finished Work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10 verse 11
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes
the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Verse 11: Every day the priests were busy in the tabernacle to offer oftentimes the same sacrifices. In these sacrifices and offerings God had no pleasure in it. And we read here that it never took the sins away. It covered only the sins but to take away is another thing. That's why God had no pleasure in it. It was never perfect.
Hebrews 10 verse 12
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Verse 12: Our Lord accomplished with one sacrifice for the sins of this world forever. He gave Himself a sacrifice on that cross on Calvary and paid the prize for mankind. After that He was buried and was resurrected from death and sat down on the right hand of God. This is also where He now is on the right hand of God the Father. This sat down comes from Psalm 110 verse 1 where we read the following: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies Thy footstool.
Hebrews 10 verse 13
From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool.
Verse 13: God the Father is making His (the Son )enemies His footstool. Our Lord Jesus Christ is on the right hand of the Father in the place of exaltation and victory. When He shall return on earth as King He shall overcome every enemy and will establish His Kingdom on earth. In Psalm 132 verse 7 and 8 we read what a footstool is namely: We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest; thou, and the ark of Thy strength. It is the dwelling place of God.
Hebrews 10 verse 14
For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Verse 14: Them that are sanctified are the ones who have trusted Him as Savior (now and also in the future) when those believing Jews here in this epistle will live forever. They need not to fear for they have been perfected forever. We brothers and sisters under the Dispensation of Grace wherunder we live know that we are complete in Him Colossians 2 verse 10. We are just like those believing Jews here perfected and sanctified by God. Let us rejoice in this Philippians 4 verse 4: Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say Rejoice!
Hebrews 10 verse 15
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that He had said before,
Verse 15: The Holy Ghost witness also. This is based on the work of our Lord Jesus Christ and is through the Word of God: what is written before this verse. The Holy Ghost is also God Himself and works with His Word. Through the Word of God wich works with the Holy Spirit wherewith we are sealed Ephesians 1:13-14 my dear brothers and sisters we can understand the Bible. In Romans 8 verse 16 we read: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Children here are teknon one born. Greek huios. Adopted as sons and daughters by God through the Lord Jesus Christ. What a blessing my dear brothers and sisters. Through this Spirit we can understand God's Word. In Romans 10 verse 17 we read: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. This also applies to these Hebrew believers here in this verse.
Hebrews 10 verse 16
This 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;
Verse 16: This is a quotation from Jeremiah 31 verse 33 and 34: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith theLord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith theLord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Under this New Covenant the believers (Jews) can say that his sins and inquities are no more remembered. There is no more offering for sin too.
Hebrews 10 verse 17
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Verse 17: This is taken from Jeremiah 31 verse 34: For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. God will not remember the sins and iniquities of His folk Israel in the future when He will make the New Covenant with the house of Israel. Then the iniquities and sins are forgiven and forgotten. This will take place when our Lord Jesus Christ will be King on earth in the Millenium Kingdom.
Hebrews 10 verse 18
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Verse 18: God had pardoned the sins and iniquities not only our sins my dear brothers and sisters. Also of these Hebrews here who will believe in the future. He will not remember them anymore. Christ is the perfect Lamb that died for mankind and that's why there is no more offering for sin. Also no offering for sin for the folk Israel. They will not live in the Millenium Kingdom under the Old Covenant but under the New Covenant. Christ once offered Himself for the sin of this world inclusive Israel. For all mankind. He gave His blood on Calvary for men. He died, was buried and rose again from the grave I Corinthians 15:3-4. Also for Israel there is no need in the future anymore for offering for sin because God will forgive their iniquities and will not remember their sin. What a blessing they will also have what we already have today under the Dispensation of God's Grace wherunder we live now! Praise God for this!!!
Hebrews 10 verse 19
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Verse 19: Under the Old Covenant the high priest was bold enough once in the year to enter the holy of holies in the Tabernacle. The vil that separated the holy place form the holy of holies was a barrier between man and God. The death of Jesus Christ hath tear that veil Mark 15:38 and open the way into the heavenly sanctuary where God dwells. This is now a invitation to these Hebrew believers with boldness to enter this heavenly sanctuary through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This boldness rests on the finished work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The entrance into God's presence is not because of animals blood but because of the blood Christ shed for us and for them (these Jews). This open way into God's presence is new for these believing Jews in the future when they will do this boldly.
Hebrews 10 verse 20
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Verse 20: It is new and living way. Why? because Christ ever liveth to make intercession not only for us, also for them Hebrews 7:25. When He died there on the cross of Calvary His flesh was torn on the corss and His life sacrificed. God tore the wil in the temple. This symbolize the new and living way opened to God for all who believe. Also for these believing Jews here in the future!
Hebrews 10 verse 21
And having an high priest over the house of God;
Verse 21: This High Priest is our Lord Jesus Christ Who is over the house of God. This is the Sanctuary where God dwells. He made the way free to God so that these Jews could with boldness enter through the blood of Christ shed also for them on the cross of Calvary! What wonderful!!!
Hebrews 10 verse 22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Verse 22: The writer to the Hebrews admonishes here these believing Jews to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Which faith? The faith of our Lord and High Priest Jesus Christ. Their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. What does that mean their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience? The Old Testament priest had to go through various washings and the applying of blood on the Day of Atonement. The Hebrew believers has to come with a clean conscience. How they are clean? Through the blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary shed also for them!! Here we see that in a day when God required water baptism for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4; 16:16; Acts 2:38; I Pet. 3:21), Hebrews could not enjoy “full assurance of faith” unless their bodies were “washed with pure water.” Of course! While men have always been saved by faith, when God required certain works as an expression of that faith, there could be no salvation without a performance of whatever work He required (except when this was impossible, as with the thief on the cross), and no assurance apart from that expression of faith.
Hebrews 10 verse 23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)
Verse 23: The believing Jews here are admonished here because they were being tempted to forsake their confession of Jesus Christ by going back to the Old Covenant worship. The writer exhort them to hold on to their salvation because their security was and is in Christ and not in themselves. The writer invited them to hold fast the profession or the confession of hope. The believer if he relies on the faithfulness of God shall not waver.
Hebrews 10 verse 24
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Verse 24: The writer urges here (himself inclusive) and these believing Jews to provoke unto love and to good works. Faithfulness plays a role here in the fellowship between those believing Jews. It is not only that they have to love each other but also to do good works. It is not only believing but also the deeds are very important to do for these believing Jews.
Hebrews 10 verse 25
Not 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.
Verse 25: This is verse is special for these Jews for the time they are before the Lord is coming on earth. This has nothing to do with the Body of Christ. Yet this will be used to let us as individuals in Christ that we need a local church and going to that regular. Well it is important to have spiritual fellowship with other believers under this Dispensation of Grace but for us as brothers and sisters it is not a must to come together. For these believing Jews in the future this is very important. Some of the believing Jews saw not the need to do this so the writer exhorts them to exhort each other to do this. And more as they see the day approaching. Of which day is spoken here? This day will be the day that the Lord Jesus Christ will return on earth, that His feet shall again stand on the Mount of Olives.
Hebrews 10 verse 26
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Verse 26: Sin willful go on sinning. This is a attitude that leads to repeated disobedience. This after they received the knowledge of the truth according the Gospel of the Kingdom. Under the Old Covenant there were no sacrifices for wilfull sins. Exodus 21:12-14. Under the Law of Moses sinners who despised Moses Law and broke it were executed.
Hebrews 10 verse 27
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Verse 27: For the people here under the Great Tribulation who wilfully sin the future for such persons is judgment and a certain fearful looking for that judgment and fiery indignation. Then there is no mercy for people anymore from God. What we have seen in the last verse was that people who despised Moses law and broke it were executed. This explains why David prayed in Psalm 51 verse 2-4: Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. He had wilfully sinned against the Law of God
Hebrews 10 verse 28
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Verse 28: Under the Law of Moses when people despised this they died without mercy under two of three witnesses. There was no mercy from God. Thank God that we live now under His Grace because we are no better than David of others who lived under the Law. In 2 Timothy 2 verse 13 we read: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Now it is under this Dispensation of Grace that once a son or daughter of God through Christ always a son and daughter. Our sins are paid for by Christ our Lord on the cross. Sins from past, now and future and they are forgiven and forgotten through God.
Hebrews 10 verse 29
Of 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?
Verse 29: The attitude of some in that time affect the believers relationship with God. He trods Jesus Christ, the Son of God underfoot and deminish the precious blood that saved these persons. Unholy is this and this is also a common thing. The weaken believers lives through the actions and attitudes who will bring disgrace to the name of Christ. He can expect sorer punishment from God. Just like all the ones who were saved out of Egypt by the blood of the lamb died in the wilderness. There is a sin unto death. We can read that in I John 5 verse 16: If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. In that time under the Great Tribulation these Jews not only must believe but also have a good attitude and work for their salvation.
Hebrews 10 verse 30
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense,
saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Verse 30: Not always our God take the life of a rebellious believer but He always deals with him. This verse says: Vengeance belongeth to me said the Lord . This is taken from Deuteronomy 32 verse 35: To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. The Lord shall judge His people.
Hebrews 10 verse 31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Verse 31: David had despised the commandment of the Lord. The Lord forgave Davids sins but David suffered the sad consequences of forgiven sins. We read that in 2 Samuel 12:7-15. It is then a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God for chastening but it is a wonderful thing to fall into His hands for cleansing and restoration. In I Chronicles 21 verse 13 we read: And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of theLord; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man. So this verse is taken from this verse here in the book of Chronicles.
Hebrews 10 verse 32
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
Verse 32: They, these believing Jews had to remember when they were enlightened by God that they endured a great fight of afflictions. Some of them I personally think became weak in their believe in God. The writer would bring them back to those days. The secret of victory was in their faith and patience. They were now in danger because some of them would go back to their old religion that was under the Old Covenant. You see in this verse the weakness of the flesh my dear brothers and sisters. This has consequences for these believing Jews.
Hebrews 10 verse 33
Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions;
and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Verse 33: These Jews here the writer is writing them knew a lot of them. Partly they had a great fight of afflictions and became a gazingstock through these afflictions and partly became one of them who were also persecuted and endured afflictions. They were identified with the ones who were persecuted and sharing their bonds They had a great confidence and hope.
Hebrews 10 verse 34
For 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.
Verse 34: The writer to the Hebrews knew them very well and they knew him also very well because they had heard that he was in prison and they had compassion on him in his bonds. Their hope was much greater in heaven because there is an enduring substance. The secret of victory was in their faith and patience because heaven is a better place then on earth. Which is striking that the writer had been imprisoned. It must be that this writer knew the apostel Paul and also Timothy because of the last chapter, chapter 13!
Hebrews 10 verse 35
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Verse 35: Their confidence. What does this mean? Faith in God, certainty and assurance and assurance of one's relationship with God. With other words: don't give up your belief in God. This confidence has the effect of great recompence of reward. God will reward the persons who cast not away their confidence in Him. They have to continue in the faith what they have in God.
Hebrews 10 verse 36
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Verse 36: These Hebrew believers here need to be patient in the time of the Great Tribulation. God will give them the promise of the Kingdom, the Millenium Kingdom and Christ as King over them and they can serve Him 100%. First they have to do His will, keeping the faith in Him till the day that Christ will come back on earth. After that they will get the promise of God.
Hebrews 10 vere 37
For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Verse 37: A little while the writer to these Hebrew believers writes this to them. Of whom he is writing them? He is writing this of our Lord Jesus Christ. He that shall come will come. He will come as a thief in the night when people will not expect this. I Thessalonians 5 verse 2 and 3. People will not escape His coming on earth. He will not tarry. That means He will not delay. He comes and will stand with His feet on the Mount of Olives with His coming on earth again the second time. These Hebrew believers are admonished and warned here in this verse about this: His coming won't take much longer.
Hebrews 10 verse 38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Verse 38: The righteous person shall live by faith. Galatians 3 verse 11. This is the faith of our Lord Jesus that saves and gives life. But if any man withdraw from God in that time of the Great Tribulation the consequences are very great what we read here. What does it mean My Soul shall have no pleasure in him? The people, these Jews must also live by faith. Draw back is unto perdition here and will perish, die, destruction damnation This is what it means.
Hebrews 10 verse 39
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Verse 39: But, there is a but. The writer has good news for these Jewish believers. He is saying here: we are not of them who draw back unto perdition or damnation. The saving of the soul is the opposite of waste. To walk by faith means to obey God's Word and live for Jesus Christ. They will lose their lives for His sake but they save them. This is taken from Matthew 16 verse 25-27: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
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Hebrews 11
This chapter is about faith, the faith or believe in God.
Hebrews 11 verse 1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Verse 1: Faith is the solid ground of things hoped for. Our hope is Christ and His faith is what us saves we know. Faith is not to see but a evidence of things not seen. This is the definition of faith. This is how God learns us what faith is.
Hebrews 11 verse 2
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Verse 2: For by it! By faith the elders obtained a good report. Elders here are the persons who are mentioned in this chapter like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and others in this chapter 11
Hebrews 11 verse 3
Through 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.
Verse 3: Through faith. Through the faith of God we can understand my brother and sister. Otherwise we cannot understand it that the worlds were framed by the Word of God. Without the Spirit of God which is in ourselves on the moment we believe in God through Jesus Christ our Savior we can understand things of God. Without the Spirit of God a person cannot understand God. In Romans 8 verse 8 we read: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God and in I Corinthians 2 verse 14 we read the following verse: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them because they are spirituallly discerned. So only if we are sealed with the Holy Spirit namely God's Spirit in us whereby we are sealed Ephesians 1:13, 14 we can understand it through God's Word. Framed is here created. God created it by His Word. In Genesis 1 verse 1 we read: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. He created or framed all this through His Son Jesus Christ. Romans 11 verse 36 tells us this: For of Him and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen. And in the book to the Colossians chapter 1 verse 16 we read: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him. The writer of the book of Hebrews makes it clear to us that faith is a very practical thing. Faith enables us and also these Hebrew believers to understand what God does. Faith enables us brothers and sisters and them to see what others cannot see and it enables us and these Hebrew believers what others cannot do! Faith enables us, believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen. The best way to grow in faith my dear brother and sister is to walk with the faithful, with a faithful brother or sister in the Lord Jesus Christ and this is the same for these Hebrew believers here.
Hebrews 11 verse 4
By 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.
Verse 4: Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. What kind of sacrifice God asked from Cain and Abel? For this we go back to the book of Genesis. In Genesis chapter 4 verse 4 we read the following verse:And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And theLord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. What do we read in verse 5? But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Why not? The answer is in verse 3: And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto theLord. The Lord asked a animal sacrifice. Not a sacrifice from the ground! So the sacrifice of Abel by faith, by obedience to God was more excellent. Through this Abel obtained witness that he was rightous towards God. Why. God testifying of his gifts. In verse 8 we read that Cain slew his brother Abel because of this dead. He murdered his brother Abel. Through his death Abel is yet speaking through faith, his obedience to God. He did what God asked from him and this was right.
Hebrews 11 verse 5
By 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.
Verse 5: Enoch. Who was Enoch? He believed in God. He was the one who had a son named Methusalah. All the years Enoch lived on earth was 365 years. In Genesis 5 verse 22-24 we read: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. God took Enoch that he should not see death. His corpse was not found because God took him away from this earth. Before God took him away from this earth Enoch had this testimony that he pleased God, that he walked with God. That he was obedient to God. He did the things God asked from him willing.
Hebrews 11 verse 6
But 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.
Verse 6: Without faith it is impossible to please Him, God. This is what the writer writes to these Jewish believers here. This also applies to us my dear brothers and sisters! The ones here who trust in God through the Lord Jesus Christ they can pleas God. The unbelievers cannot, it is impossible to them to do. In Romans 8 verse 8 we read: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Why not? They have not believed in God and are still in their flesh. The Jewish believers in that time must believe this: if a person of them cometh to God must believe that God is and that God is a rewarder of them that dillegently seek Him. Dilegently is earnestly. They will be rewarded by God and for these believing Jews they will receive a reward in the Millenium Kingdom when Christ will come back to earth to sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem and will be King of Kings then.
Hebrews 11 verse 7
By 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.
Verse 7: Noah trusted God, he believed God what God said to him. He had to build an ark for the saving of his house and animals. Noah's trust in God involved the whole person. He was warned of God and builded the ark. God would destroy the earth with water. The water was yet not on earth when Noah must build an ark. God condemned the world , the people. We read in 2 Peter 2 verse 5 the following verse: And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eight person , a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. Noah we read here was a preacher of righteouness and he became a heir of that righteousness by faith. People in that time of Noah were involved in innocent everyday activities and completely ignored Noah's witness: his preachings to them about God what he knew from God. Brothers and sisters Noah didn't stop believing in God! Nowadays the days wherein we live now and I believe personally we are in the last days of this Dispensation of Grace whereunder we live it looks that we go back to the days wherein Noah lived: violence, wars, murder everyday a lot, jealousy. quarrels etc. It became more and more because there are more people here on earth. But also people are in general not interested in the Bible Gods Word to read His Word. Most people in this world live for themselves and are careless. For us as ambassadors we have to tell the people what we can read in 2 Corinthians 5: 19-21: be ye reconciled to God!
Hebrews 11 verse 8
By 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.
Verse 8: The nation Israel began with the call of Abraham. Abraham is the patriarch. God called him and said to him that had to go ro the place, the land of milk and honey, which Abraham should after receive for an inheritance. He obeyed God and went to that land and he didn't know where he was going to. God promised him this land, He promised him later a son and a nation. Abraham believed God and God counted Abraham righteous. Abraham became a heir of the world through faith. In Romans 4 verse 13 we read: For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Through God's faith it was.
Hebrews 11 verse 9
By 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:
Verse 9: By faith! Abraham believed God, he trusted in God! That's why is a example not only for the folk Israel, also for the whole world. We know this in Romans 4 verse 2 and 3 we read: For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Abraham knew more than Noah but didn't know about the cross. He lived far before the cross of Christ. He knew that God promised him and his family that he would be heirs of the land of Canaan. He simple accepted what God said, what God promised to him and his wife. He was in a strange country. He dwelled as a stranger, as a pilgrim. The tabernacles were tents. He lived like a nomad. He obeyed God when he did not know how God's will would be accomplished. As we have seen is that the nation Israel began with the call of Abraham. God promised Abraham and Sarah a son. They however had to wait to that fulfillment of this son 25 years. The promised son came 25 years later. That is a long time if you think about it. In the end Isaac was born and that was the promised son and through him also Jacob. Here we read that Abraham lived in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob his grandson. Abraham's son and grandson were the heirs of that same promise namely the folk Israel and Christ later as King and Messiah of that folk in the land of Canaan. We as members of the Body of Christ, the heavenly Church my dear brothers and sisters are also strangers and pilgrims in this world. We have the same position like our father Abraham, we feel the same and have the same experience in our lives now. Our position and citizenship is in Christ in heaven!
Hebrews 11 verse 10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Verse 10: Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations. Which city he was looking for? It was the heavenly city and Abraham lived in the future tense. The builder and maker is God of that city! This will be the Jerusalem from above, the heavenly Jerusalem which will on one day be on earth. We my brothers and sisters our hope is this in Philippians 3 verse 20 and 21! We read there the following verses: For our conversation, our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
Hebrews 11 verse 11
Through 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.
Verse 11: Through faith also Sara got after 25 years of promise the son when she was very old. 90 years old Sara was. On such an age it is natural impossible to conceive seed and to deliver a child on earth. Sara was past age when Isaac, the promised son was born. She trusted in the Lord because God is faithful and what He promised He does. So Abraham and Sara were very old people when Isaac was born. It was promised to Abraham in Genesis 17 verse 19: And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Abraham trusted in the Lord, he was almost 100 years old when God told him this.
Hebrews 11 verse 12
Therefore 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.
Verse 12: Both Abraham and Sarah were old to have children. Abraham believed and obeyed God when he didn't know when God would fulfill His promises. The folk Israel which would come from Abraham was many as the stars of the sky in multitude and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. Let us read Genesis 15 verse 5-6! There we read this: And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. This is the seed of Abraham! Abraham was very old namely 100 years old when he received Isaac his son from the Lord. He was almost dead or as good as dead when he got these promises from God.
Hebrews 11 verse 13
These 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.
Verse 13: All those persons like Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham they believed God what God promised them. None of them saw the complete fulfillment of God's promises but saw from afar off what God was doing. They were convinced of these promises and believed them and embraced them. They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. And we too brothers and sisters. We are ambassadors for Christ now on this earth and like these patriarchs strangers and pilgrims on the earth now! They lived far before the cross of Christ and we are living after the cross for 2000 years and still we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth upon we live here. They trusted in the hope which God gave them to see afar off and we have our hope as members of the Body of Christ, the Church Philippians 3:20-21. Read this my dear brothers and sisters!
Hebrews 11 verse 14
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Verse 14: They that say such things. What do they say? They say that they were strangers and pilgrims. They confessed this and in general they were looking for a country. A better place which God would give them. That place for these patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph was the land Canaan. The country of milk and honey which God promised them. Not Egypt where Joseph died as governor over Egypt. When the Isralites left Egypt, when they were saved from slavery by God's hand they took the body of Joseph out of Egypt to Canaan. Exodus 13:19 and Joshua 24:32.
Hebrews 11 verse 15
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out,
they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Verse 15: These patriarchs lived in tents, tabernacles. They knew a heavenly city awaited, a heavenly country awaited. If they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out they might have had oppertunity to have returned like Abraham could go back to the country he once lived. But he was searching for that place God promised him.
Hebrews 11 verse 16
But 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.
Verse 16: Again these patriarchs as Abraham and also men and women of fiath lived in tents but desired a better country, and heavenly. This heavenly city (Jerusalem) awaited them. God always fulfills His promises to His ones, His believing people. Immediately or ultimately. God hath prepared this city for them. And they believed it!
Hebrews 11 verse 17
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he
that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Verse 17: Abraham obeyed God. Abraham was tried from God. God tested his obedience to Him. He offered his only begotten son Isaac. Ismael the other son was the son of the slave and Ismael was not the heir but Isaac. Isaac was free born. Abraham offered him up. Abraham was willing to offer his son and trusted in the Lord that the Lord also had a solution for this: that God can do everything, also to wake up his son from death after offering him! We can read this in Genesis 22 verse 10-13: And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Hebrews 11 verse 18
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Verse 18: God promised Abraham a son Isaac and Isaac shall be called Abraham's seed! This is the line of the folk Israel later! So the future nation's promises enfolded in Isaac. Not only Abraham was obedient to God, also Isaac was obedient to his father and God. God gave the solution when Abraham was tested. We read in Genesis 22 verse 13 and 14: And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of theLordit shall be seen. In Genesis 21 verse 12 we read in connection with this verse: And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Hebrews 11 verse 19
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead;
from whence also he received him in a figure.
Verse 19: Abraham believed God. He trusted God 100% and he reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac up, even from the dead! And Abraham received his son Isaac back. Abraham trusted in the Lord and the Lord had promised him this son and hath said that in Isaac shall his seed be called. In Isaac the line for the nation of Israel was a fact. Abraham was not afraid because he believed God is God Who is allmighty and can do everything. What God promised He does! What a example is Abraham for us and to think about it for this moment!!!
Hebrews 11 verse 20
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Verse 20: Isaac blessed his sons. He first blessed Jacob. Esau was the oldest one and when you are the oldest you get the first blessing from your father. We read in Genesis 25: 30-34 the following verses: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. We see here Esau despised his birthright and give it to Jacob. Esau gave his birthright to Jacob because he thought he was at the point to die. He didn't care about the birthright. It meant nothing to him and it had no profit for him he said to Jacob. Jacob was blessed before Esau. Jacob got the first blessing from his father Isaac and Isaac said to Jacob but he didn't know that it was Jacob because he was blind and Jacob cheated his father to get the first blessing the following in Genesis 27:26-29: And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed: Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
Later Esau came to his father and was angry that his brother took the first blessing from Esau away. Isaac gave also Esau in Genesis 27 verse 38-40 the following: And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck. This is what Isaac did. He blessed them both with different blessings. He foretold them their future what God had told him.
Hebrews 11 verse 21
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph;
and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Verse 21: Also Jacob blessed his seed after him and that were the sons of Joseph. They were named Efraim and Manasse and this just before he died. In Genesis 48 verse 11-15 we read the following verses: And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed. And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him. And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
Jacob by faith worshipped God and leaned upon the top of his staff. Jacob was old and he trusted 100% in the Lord. Jacob fully leaned on this because it was for consolation.
Hebrews 11 verse 22
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the
children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Verse 22: By faith Joseph forsaw that the children of Israel would depart from Egypt because he made mention of it. We can read this in Genesis 50 verse 24 and 25: And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. God told Joseph about this otherwise he never could say this to his brethren and the sons of Israel. Joseph trusted in God and knew that what God promised to his forefathers He would do. Joseph is another example of a person who trusted God 100%. He believed God. So ended the book of Genesis.
Hebrews 11 verse 23
By 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.
Verse 23: By faith when Moses was born. His parents hid him because of this and we can read in Exodus 1 verse 22:And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. In Exodus 2 verse 2 and 3: And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.
Hebrews 11 verse 24
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Verse 24: Later by faith Moses when he was come to years. When was this? When he was 40 years of age. In Acts 7 verse 23. There we read: And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. He murdered a Egyptian and saved a Jewish slave and the next day he fleed on these words of another Jewish man in Acts 7 verse 26-28: And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday? He fled to the land of Midian. He was no longer anymore called to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter.
Hebrews 11 verse 25
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Verse 25: Moses choose rather to suffer affliction! He didn't wish anymore to have the pleasures of sin in the palace of the Egyptian pharaoh where he was brought up by the daughter of Pharaoh. He came on the age of 40 years that this was a way that a dead end road. He was tired of this road which leaded to a dead end road. He rather choose with the people of God, his people. He was one of the Hebrews and he knew this and choose for God and bear the consequences of this and that is to suffer affliction. For us as members of the Body of Christ we can also choose like Moses in faith did. We can serve God through His Word of Grace and suffer also affliction or we can serve all our life our flesh and pleasures of this life. Moses is really a example in this! After he had killed the Egyptian and this was known by Pharaoh and Pharaoh was behind Moses to find him and would punish him for this, Moses fled into the desert to Median.
Hebrews 11 verse 26
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:
for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Verse 26: Moses served God rather than the treasures in Egypt. He rather served God and trusted God then the sins of this world. He knew that God would recompense him with the reward and that is in Christ. Moses was looking to that so he fled into the wilderness and after 40 years he was called by God there in the desert to be the leader of the folk Israel and that God through him would save His people out of the slavery of Egypt. The biggest motivation was that Moses, and this also for us it is that we will receive a reward. Moses knew it and that's what motivated him the rest of his life which was for him also a new life with God. The reward of God is always for the one who 100% trusted in Him. And Moses saw the recompense of the reward!
Hebrews 11 verse 27
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible.
Verse 27: By faith Moses left Egypt. He fled into the desert. He trusted God 100%. Moses chose the everlasting, ageless, he saw the invisible and that is God. God is invisible. Who wants to serve God must serve Him in the spirit because God is Spirit. In John 4 verse 24 we read: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. And this was exactly what Moses did. He did not fear the wrath of Pharaoh who was king of Egypt. Moses held on God and not on the circumstances or situation he was in. Because he was in danger of his life but he trusted God for 100% that God could save him from this situation. In this he is a very good example for us as believers in Christ. A question for us is do we trust God for 100%? Or do we look to the situation now whereunder we live here on earth? In 2 Timothy 2 verse 13 we read: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny himself. God is faithful and we can trust Him 100%. We are just as weak as Moses was. God can use us too like Moses to preach the Gospel of the Grace of God to everyone who wants to listen! Acts 20:24.
Hebrews 11 verse 28
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Verse 28: Again Moses trusted in God and held the passover. For this we went to Exodus 12 verse 21-23. We read there: Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For theLordwill pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, theLordwill pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And this they did in faith 100% trusting in God that He would give the solution namely to save them out of Egypt and that happened.
Hebrews 11 verse 29
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land:
which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Verse 29: By faith. Believe in God, that Israel trusted God. They went after Moses through the Red Sea as by dry land. Because of a wonder of God that the folk Israel passed through the Red Sea on the dry way! In I Corinthians 10 we read in verse 1 and 2 the following words: Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. The Egyptians who went after them and wanted to slay them were all drowned in the sea. In Genesis 14 verse 15-18 we read: And theLord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And in verse 21 and 22 we read: And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. In 27 and 28 we read what happened with the Egyptians who went after Israel: And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. God saved His people Israel and they believed in Him and saw that God was and is mighty and powerful to slay the people who were against them. God is 100% to trust and He is faithful and it is His faith which saved Israel and He had saved us through His Son Jesus Christ Romans 4:25! We are saved forever in His Son Jesus Christ and that is wonderful news my brothers and sisters!! Let us thank God for this every day!!!
Hebrews 11 verse 30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Verse 30: For this we go back to Joshua 6 verse 20. We read there: So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. This was after they, Israel, were compassed about seven days (round that city of Jericho). Think about it. The walls of Jericho were very strong and big and thick but God's power is much more stronger than this so that the walls of Jericho fell down. God is faithful and to trust Him is the best a man can do!!!
Hebrews 11 verse 31
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Verse 31: By faith. God is 100% to trust because He is faithful! Rahab believed in God, she trusted God rather than man. She received the spies in her house with peace. In Joshua 2 verse 1 we read the following words: And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. The Lord spared the life of Rahab of this when Israel intake the city of Jericho because Rahab believed in God.
Hebrews 11 verse 32
And 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:
Verse 32: The writer to the Hebrews here writes them first about Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David and Samuel and all the prophets who trusted 100% God in their lives. The Lord was with them and this worked! They did the will of God what God asked them to do. Faith operated in their lives and it can operate in the life of any person who will dare to listen to God's Word the Bible and listen to God's will. Gedeon, Barak, Samson and Jephthae. We find them all in the book of Judges. David and Samuel were also great men of faith. They are examples of the Old Testament!
Hebrews 11 verse 33
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
Verse 33: Through faith. Through trusting 100% in God these men written here before in verse 32 conquered with the help of God kingdoms in their time when they lived, wrought righeousness, obtained promises of God, killed lions like David did when he was a shepherd of his flock, before he was king of Israel. Daniel's faith stopped the mouths of lions. We read that in Daniel 6You see my brothers and sisters if you 100% trust in God you can do a lot through His faith! In the next verse we read the following words
Hebrews 11 verse 34
Quenched 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.
Verse 34: Quenched the violence of fire. We read that in Daniel 3 verse 25: He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. That were Daniel's friends who were in the midst of the fire and the fire didn't hurt them. Escaped the edge of the sword like David of the sword of king Saul and Eliah of the sword of Achab. OUt of weakness were made strong like Job in Job chapter 42, David in Psalm 6 en Hezekajah in Isaah 38. Waxed valiant in fight: namely a lot of judges and kings. Turned to flight the armies of the aliens: this did Jonathan and this we can read in I Samuel 14, I Kings 17 verse 23 and 2 Kings 4 verse 36
Hebrews 11 verse 35
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured,
not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Verse 35: Not all men and women (here in this verse) experienced miraculous deliverance. ButtThey had faith in God that He would give them a better ressurection. We read in I Kings 17: 17-24 the following verses as example for this:
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto theLord, and said, OLordmy God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto theLord, and said, OLordmy God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. And theLordheard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of theLordin thy mouth is truth. Another passage in the Bible we can find in 2 Kings 4 verses 18-37
Hebrews 11: 36
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Verse 36: A lot of prophets and men of God underwent these cruel mockings and scourgings. Jeremiah was also in prison for his 100% trusting the Lord. In Jeremiah 20 verse 2 we read this: Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of theLord.
Hebrews 11 verse 37
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Verse 37: In I Kings 21 verse 13 we read the following verse: And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. This happened under the reign of king Achab and his wife Jezebel. Eliah had these sheepskins and goatskins on. In 2 Kings 1 verse 8 we read:And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite. Also John the Baptist wear such things. We read this in Matthew 3 verse 4: And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. More prophets of men of God were being destitute, afflicted, tormented.
Hebrews 11 verse 38
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts,
and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Verse 38: All those men of God (prophets) the world didn't care about them. They were not worthy to live. That's why most of them were persecuted, slain with the sword, tormented. A lot of them like David were in dens and caves of the earth. David hiding himself for king Saul. Others wandered in deserts and in mountains to hid themselves for the danger of people: the chance to be killed. They were despised like Paul. Read 2 Corinthians 11 verse 26!
Hebrews 11 verse 39
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Verse 39: All those men of God (inclusive prophets) obtained a good report through faith. Faith in what? In our God and Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. They trusted the Lord 100% but received not the promise. But they had God's witness to their faith or trust in Him that one day they would be rewarded. If the saints under the Old Testament had not trusted God 100% and obeyed His wil, the Messiah would not have been born. We see here that without faith is it impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11 verse 40
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Verse 40: God have provided a better thing for Israel, for the Jews namely that they will be in His Kingdom on earth and that Christ will be the King and that there will be peace on earth for 1000 years. Also those Jews and the men of God from the past will be perfect in the future Millenium Kingdom when Christ will be King and reign. They will reign with Him. The last is that those who believed in the past will not be perfect without the believing Jews who will enter the Kingdom in the future.
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Hebrews 12 verse 1
Wherefore 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,
Verse 1: For these Jews a lot of persons under the Old Testament/Prophecy were a cloud of witnesses. Witnesses from what? The fact that they trust God 100% and this worked in their lives with faith. They were a example of these Jews here where the writer is writing to them. Now the action/deed has to come for these Jews believers in Christ: let them (these Jewish believers) lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset them. With other words let them not serve sin but run with patience the race that is set before them. Also these believing Jews has to run the race. This is another race than we have to run as believers in Christ. They have to obey God's Law (rules) and believe till the end of the Tribulation period and hold on the faith in Christ. Otherwise they lose their salvation. In I Corinthians 9 verse 24-25 we read: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. The difference between us and these believing Jews is that we cannot lose our salvation. In 2 Timothy 2 verse 13 we read: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. You see our salvation depends not on how we walk. It remains. Once saved always saved because God is faithful and abideth this!
Hebrews 12 verse 2
Looking 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.
Verse 2: The writer wants that the believing Jews in this epistle to look unto our Lord Jesus Christ. He speaks only about Jesus because he writes them about Jesus in His first coming to earth. When our Lord was born under the Law. He is the author and finisher of their faith. He is the Guide and finisher of their faith. He was the only One Who could bear all the sin of this world! Here we read that it was for Him a joy to do it because He knew what came behind this. He endured the cross, despising the shame. In Philippians 2 verse 6-10 we read the admonishing and remembering the apostle Paul would us to think about it by the following verses: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; These words match what is written here in this verse. He endured the cross, despising the shame. He did it willingly for you and me and for the whole world, also for Israel( for these Jews in the future!) In this verse we read that He still is on the right hand of the throne of God the Father.
Hebrews 12 verse 3
For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Verse 3: Our Lord Jesus Christ endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself. It was His faith that enabled Him to endure. He endured it because He had to die on that cross upon Calvary for sinners, mankind. It was for Him to do the will of His Father: to die for sinners. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners I Timothy 1 verse 15. He knew that He would come out of the tomb alive. He knew that He would be exalted to heaven in glory. And after this we read the admonishing that those saints here, these Jewish believers should not to be tired and become weak. The Jewish believers here also has to endure things what our Lord Jesus Christ did when He was on earth. To follow His example. To endure till the end of the Tribulation period, till the Lord will come on earth: the day of the Lord. The writer emphasized the importance of the futured hope.
Hebrews 12 verse 4
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Verse 4: The believing Jews here want to go back but the writer encouraged them to follow Christ's example and look ahead by faith. They haven't resist unto blood and have strive against sin. They have to look and follow Christ example and look ahead by faith. Christ is the exemplar and the enabler! He increases also their faith and enables us ro run the race.
Hebrews 12 verse 5
And 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:
Verse 5: These believing Jews had forgotten the exhortation of God unto them. Despise not the chastening of the Lord. Chastening here means child training or instruction, discipline. We can find this from Proverbs 3: 11-12. Exhortation here is a encouragement. Chastening is the evidence of the Father's love. The warning is here for these Jews not to faint when they will be rebuked of God.
Hebrews 12 verse 6
For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.
Verse 6: The ones the Lord loves He chasteneth. Disciplined them. The writer tells these Hebrew believers the trials of their life with God as spiritual discipline that could help them to grow. Every son of God he the writer said God scourgeth him, the one He receiveth as son. Chastening is the evidence of the Father's love for these Hebrew believers. This is to see in His rebukes from the Word or from circumstances. Scourgeth here is punishing sons by physical suffering. He wants them to grow as mature sons and daughters who can be trusted with the responsibilities of life.
Hebrews 12 verse 7
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Verse 7: If a son or daughter of God endured chastening of Him then God dealeth with him or her as with sons. This is conditional. Under this Dispensation of Grace wherunder we live as sons and daughters of God God is now working differently. He is not chastening us. Our salvation stand fast. This is now unconditional and in the daily life we learn from His word how to walk. 2 Timothy 2 verse 13. A son is always chasteneth by the father. The father in this manner disciplined his son so that the son may grow to maturity. A general rule is this that when a child is left himself, he grows up to become a selfish tyrant.
Hebrews 12 verse 8
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Verse 8: You see my brothers and sisters: for these Jewish believers in the near future after the Rapture of the Church, persons who are without chastisement they are bastards and not sons of God. So in that time it is very omportant to have chastening of God. Without chastening from God a person is without God and lost. This is conditional.
Hebrews 12 verse 9
Furthermore 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?
Verse 9: All those believing Jews in the future were corrected , chasteneth and admonished them when they were kids by their natural fathers and these believers gave their fathers reverence. That means they respected them. By this they learned to be subject and to respect authority over them. Now the question: if they had this why not to be under subjection unto God the Father and live? To live forever. He is the Father of the souls. They, these Jewish believers under the Great Tribulation have to do this otherwise they are lost, then they are no sons but bastards and lost forever. They have to believe to the end of this period the matter it costs.
Hebrews 12 verse 10
For 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.
Verse 10: For they: That are the fathers of these believing Jews. These fathers corrected them for a time. They thought that this was good to do because they would receive from these believing Jews who were their children at that time would respect them. But this means that the time under the fathers is past and now (that is but) He and that is God chasten these believing Jews for their best will so that they may grow in the spiritual life and that they might be partakers of His holiness. That is the purpose of this chastening. The apostle Paul in his epistles never wrote to us as members of the Body of Christ that we may be chastened by God. This is only for these believing Jews, Hebrews for in the future after the Rapture of the Church during the Tribulation period.
Hebrews 12 verse 11
Now 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.
Verse 11: Chastening at the time is pleasant, joyous for the father or to his son. The benefits are profitable. What are the benefits of chastening? This there is the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Instead of doing wrong things (sins) children strives to do what is right. The rebellion of a child against his father stops and a child is in loving fellowship with the father. Chastening is voor encouragement. The child learns to exercise in spiritual matters and learn from the Word of God to pray, meditate and witnessing. This may lead to a new joy. These Jews in the future can respond to this chastening: they can respond to chastening of God or despise it or faint under it which is wrong to do. Hebrews 12 verse 5.
Hebrews 12 verse 12
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Verse 12: So having said that before the writer admonish these Jewish believers he writing to: lift up your hands and strenghten your knees. He had taken this from Isaiah 35 verse 3: Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees. So these Jewish believers have to do this. With other words get those lazy feet on the track! In Proverbs 4 verse 26 we read this: Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established
Hebrews 12 verse 13
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Verse 13: Those Jewish believers here in this verse had to make straight paths for their feet. It is on their mark, get set and go! They have also like us to ran the race. They have to believe to the end of the Tribulation period. They have to hold this while we sometimes as members of the Body of Christ, the heavenly CHURCH are sometimes weak and can sin and aren't trustful 2 Timothy 2 verse 13 tells us this: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself. God is faithful and now under this Dispensation of Gods Grace it depends not on our faith but it is His faith and faithfulness that saved us forever. He will never leave us!! What a wonderful loving God we have brothers and sisters!
Hebrews 12 verse 14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Verse 14: Those Hebrew believers here are in this verse again admonished, instructed how to deal with all men in the world on that moment (Tribulation period). They ran the race in in that race they have to follow peace with all men and holiness. This means to walk apart from other persons with peace. This is what they have to do in that difficult time they will live in. Also in that time no man can see the Lord like now under this Dispensation of Grace. Ephesians 3:1-3. In Romans 12:18: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. This is a little bit different now under this Dispensation of Grace. Much lieth on us, our responbility: as much as lieth in us! Sometimes the above verse is not possible in the practice to do. It is not a must it is a request. For these Jewish believers they have to go on with this and not stop.
Hebrews 12 verse 15
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled
Verse 15: It requires dilengently to ran the race successfully that these Jews will not fail of the grace of God. God's Grace doesn't fail , but these Jews here can fail to take advantage of His Grace. Then any root of bitterness springing up to trouble them and a lot of them can be defiled. These Jews must depend onn the Grace of God and the writer urge them to look by faith.
Hebrews 12 verse 16
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Verse 16: That nobody of them is a fornicator or a profane person as Esau. He was a common person. A person who lived for the world and not for God. Esau despised his birthright and sold it to Jacob and he missed the blessing because it was given to Jacob. Now the question what sins rob these Jews of the enabling of God's Grace?
Hebrews 12 verse 17
For 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.
Verse 17: The writer is talking again about Esau. Esau would have inherited the blessing but the blessing was given to Jacob by Isaac his father and Esau was rejected. Esau found no place of repentance and he sought this carefully with tears. In Genesis 25: 19-26 we can read almost the whole story. Afterward Esau tried to convince Isaac to change to his mind but this was to late. Even Esau's tears availed nothing. In Genesis 27 verses 32-38: And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau. And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed. And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing. And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
Hebrews 12 verse 18
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
Verse 18: The writer to the Hebrews is writing them that they, the Hebrew believers weren't come to the mount which might be touched which that burned with fire like in the time when Moses was called by God. Nor that they had come to blackness, darkness and tempest. The writer contrasts these believing Jews with Mt Sinai, the giving of the Law with the heavenly Mt Zion and the blessings from it.
Hebrews 12 verse 19
And 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:
Verse 19: The writer of the Hebrew epistle reminds those Hebrew believers to time of Moses when Moses with the folk Israel was on the mount Sinai. In Exodus 20 verse 18 and 19 we read the following verses: And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. Sure they, the folk Israel, was afraid of God. What they heard was terrifying. It frightened them!
Hebrews 12 verse 20
(For 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:
Verse 20: These Jews in the time of Moses in the wilderness on mount Sinai couldn't endure whih was commanded. This we can read in Exodus 19 verse 12 and 13: And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.
Hebrews 12 verse 21
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake
Verse 21: The people were afraid to hear God's voice, and even Moses feared and trembled. God set boundaries around the mount Sinai. Even if an animal trespassed, it was slain with a spear. God had to impress on His people the seriousness of His Law.
Hebrews 12 verse 22
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Verse 22: The writer of the Hebrews tell them that they come unto mount Sion. Mount Zion represents the New Covenant of Grace in Jesus Christ, the heavenly Jerusalem! Mount Sinai represents the Old Covenant of Law. Now they come to mount Zion. That is new! And to an innumerable company of angels . In that area in heaven, the heavenly Jerusalem are much angels! Innumerable. This means it is not to count!!! In Galatians 4 verse 25 and 26 we read this: For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Jerusalem above, the heavenly Jerusalem, is free and is the city of the living God.
Hebrews 12 verse 23
To 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,
Verse 23: The writer is talking here about the assembly and church of the firstborn which are written in heaven. This is the assembly and church of the folk Israel, the little flock named by our Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth. Firstborn is the title of dignity and rank. These firstborn are written in heaven and there is God the Judge of all. And there are the spirits of just men made perfect. These are the Old Testament saints and they are there in the form of the spirits of just men made perfect by God.
Hebrews 12 verse 24
And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Verse 24: Our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Mediator and the One who shed His blood for mankind. Also for these believing Jews here. Not only for us. We have allready learned from verse 4 of this chapter this: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain his brother, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ speaketh better things than that of Abel. Why is this so? The blood of Abel speaks from the earth and cried for justice. We read that in Genesis 4 verse 10:And He said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. God asked Cain what he hast done and this deed had to be judged. We see that in Genesis 4 the next verses. (read it!) Christ's blood speaks from heaven and made known this: mercy for sinners! Christ's blood make's a person free from guilt and opened the way into the presence of God!
Hebrews 12 verse 25
See 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:
Verse 25: This is warning to these believing Jews here in this verse: not to refuse Him that speaketh to them but listen and obey Him. God judged on mount Sinai those who refused Him and He shook things there! Now these Jews here are under the New Covenant and experience the blessing of this New Covenant. They have now more to listen and have not to escape. They have now more responsibility. The fathers of these believing Jews refused Him, Christ when He was on earth and spoke Godly Words to them. Now is Christ is heaven and the call is now not to turn away from Him or refuse His Words now. They will not escape if they reject Him because they will be judged by Him.
Hebrews 12 verse 26
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Verse 26: God shook the earth at Sinai and the ones who refused to hear to God were judged. The word but means there is a change! God promised saying: Yet once more I shake not the earth only but also heaven. The shaking here comes from the book of Haggai. In Haggai 2 verse 6 we read the following verse: For thus saith theLordof hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith theLordof hosts. This is as the Lord will return on earth and will fill His house of glory. When this draw nearer with events the people (these believing Jews here) who at that time will live see more shaking in this world.
Hebrews 12 verse 27
And 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.
Verse 27: We know now that God will shake! Yet once more! This let us see that He remove things that are shaken of things that are made. Made of human hands. The things which cannot be shaken will remain. These things are the New heaven and the new earth which God will make Isaiah 65 verse 17 and also the Kingdom which we read in the next verse!
Hebrews 12 verse 28
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace,
whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Verse 28: The hope for these believing Jews, Hebrews: receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, which cannot be shaken by God. This will remain. This is the hope of Israel, a earthly hope. The Kingdom of heaven on earth my dear brothers and sisters! In this Kingdom there will be no war, no pain, no deseases and Christ will be King over it. In Daniel 2 verse 44 we read this:And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. And in the book of Revelation 11 verse 15 we read:And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. These Jews , believing Hebrews may serve God in this Kingdom with reverence and godly fear! This will be their future: a earthly forever Kingdom, Christ will reign as King forever and ever!!
Hebrews 12 verse 29
For our God is a consuming fire.
Verse 29: What does this mean: our God is a consuming fire? God is identified as a “consuming fire”. In Deuteronomy 4 verse 24 and in Deuteromy 9 verse 3 we read at first about this: For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. And in 9 verse 3 we read: Understand therefore this day, that the Lord thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the Lord hath said unto thee.
To these believing Hebrews here, the writer warns them to worship God with reverence and awe because “for our God is a consuming fire.” There is nothing mysterious about the Hebrew and Greek words translated “consuming fire.” They mean exactly that—a fire that utterly consumes or destroys. How can a loving and merciful God also be a consuming fire that utterly destroys? Moses here in Deuteromy 4 and 9 is speaking first to warn the Israelites against idolatry! Isaiah writes and trembled before God “Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?" Isaiah answered this by saying that only the righteous can withstand the consuming fire of God’s wrath against sin, because sin is an offense to God’s holiness. But Isaiah also assures us that no amount of our own righteousness is sufficient . This we read in Isaiah 64 verse 6
God has provided the righteousness they (and we as believers now) need by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of all who would ever believe in Him. In that one act, Christ reduced God’s wrath, exchanging His perfect righteousness for sinful men that He took all punishment upon Himself on the cross and died for all mankind.
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Hebrews 13 verse 1
Let brotherly love continue.
Verse 1: A similar verse we find in I Peter 1 verse 22: Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: These believing Jews had to love each other and not stop this. It is for them not only believing but also doing works for their salvation. And in I Peter 2 verse 17 we read: Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. This is what these believing Jews must do and the writer of the Hebrews admonishes them. The basis for fellowship is brotherly love. In the time that they lived and shall live in the future they will be rejected by friends and family so the close relationship with each other through love is very important.
Hebrews 13 verse 2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Verse 2: Be not forgetful. With other words don't forget. Hospitality is the true love that these believing Jews can do. Hospital to strangers. That means that they invited strangers in their homes. To give strangers food and drink and a place to sleep. This was an important thing in the early church in Jerusalem because persecution drove many believers away from their homes. Some have entertained angels unawares. A good example for this is written in Genesis 18 where Abraham showd generous hospitality to our Lord Jesus Christ and two of His angels. Abraham didn't know when he welcomed them. Only later he discovered the identities of his guests.
Hebrews 13 verse 3
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which
suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Verse 3: The love of God expresses itself in concern. A lot of believers in the first century especially the believers from the church of Jerusalem (Jewish believers) were arrested and imprisoned for the faith in Christ. Also in the future Jewish believers under the Great Tribulation shall suffer the same fate. To identify with these prisoners might be dangerous but Christ's love here demanded them a ministry to do that. To minister to a believer in bonds (prisoner) in the Name of Christ is to minister to Christ . We read in Matthew 25 verse 36 and 40 the following verses: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. This speaks about the future when this shall happen. Now under this Dispensation of Grace in a lot of countries are our brothers and sisters in prison because they believe in Christ. How we need to pray for them and if there is a possibility we have to share with them the Word of God to encourage them.
Hebrews 13 verse 4
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Verse 4: The marriage is the first place where love should be practiced by these believing Jews here. This means that there will be loyalty and purity: the bed undefiled. But sex outside the marriage, fornication is real a sin and this leads to destruction and we see here in this verse that whoremongers and aduterers God will judge. When will God judge them? He will judge them at the final judgment. In the book of Revelation in chapter 21 verse 8 we read: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And we read in Revelation 22 verse 15 the following verse: For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. But they are sometimes judged in their own bodies. We read in Romans 1 verse 24-27 the following verses: Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Hebrews 13 verse 5
Let 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.
Verse 5: Your conversation: that means your daily walk with God what the writer of the Hebrews admonished these believing Jews. Without covetousness. What is covetousness. Another word for this is greediness. To have more and more and that is the nature of man because man is a sinner. So they are warned here these Jews. They have to learn to be content with the things they have because the Lord will never leave them or forsake them. For them this is really something to think of it because this gives them to hold on to believe in God!
Hebrews 13 verse 6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Verse 6: The Lord hath said: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. This is for these believing Jews a hold on and they can after this boldly say: the Lord is my helper. They will not fear what man shall do unto them. They have not to be afraid, also not in the Great Tribulation period in the future when these Jews there shall read this epistle to them because God is their helper. The Word here comes from Psalm 118 verse 5 and 6 where we read allready what the Psalmist said: I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Hebrews 13 verse 7
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Verse 7: This here in this verse is about the spiritual leaders of the local assemblies. They spoke the Word of God to them. This is past! These believing Jews has to follow their faith, their believe, their trust in God. It could be because the writer is saying here remember them which have the rule over you, that those leaders are already dead or martyred and should not to be forgotten of them. These are the leaders who probably led them to our Lord Jesus Christ. To have also to consider the end of those leaders conversation. It is the outcome of their way of life. If they were examples then these Jewish believers could imitate their faith and consider its outcome or end. This is how they died. It could be that they died as martyrs. Personally I remember very well some pastors in the past I had contact with and they are now with the Lord. For me they were examples how to live with God and not only that: also the Word of God they brought with a lot of courage and enthousiasm. So this will be also for these Jewish believers.
Hebrews 13 verse 8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Verse 8: Jesus Christ our Lord and also the Lord for these believing Jews is the same yesterday, today and forever. What does that mean. He, our Lord Jesus Christ is always the same. He will not change. So these believing Jews have to trust Him 100% because He never changes! He is God and cannot lie, He is love. This verse is a lot used by satan through persons to tell us that God is always the same so there is in the Bible one Gospel. But this isn't my dear brothers and sisters: God is the same but His dealing with men is in every Dispensation (Ephesians 3:1-3) different. Under the Dispensation of the Law, the former Dispensation God was in a different way dealing with people, His people the folk Israel through the Law. Now He is dealing with indiduals like you and me and we have under this Dispensation of Grace that God deals with us by His Grace.
Hebrews 13 verse 9
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart
be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Verse 9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. This is a real warning from the writer here to these Jewish believers! The purpose is to stablish those Jewish believers with the right Gospel, the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is very important that these Jewish believers will be established. If they be carried away with divers and strange doctrines they aren't stablished and cannot stand for what God had given to them the Gospel of God's Kingdom. This will be in His Grace to them. And this does not work with meats which profit them not. The meats will withhold them from the good doctrine they have already heard from God through His Word. Some Hebrews were considering to back to the Jewish Law with all the rules for meats etc. These dietary laws impressed these Jewish people as being spiritual but they are the shadows fo the reality that they have in Christ.
Hebrews 13 verse 10
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Verse 10: The writer here is speaking about having an altar. This is not an altar from material that was and is on earth. Under the Old Testament in the tabernacle there was a place for offering blood sacrifices and the golden altar just before the veil was the place for burnt sacrifices. Under the New Testament Jesus Christ is the altar because through Him they have their spiritual sacrifices to God. He is the perfect sin offering. Why to stay in Jerusalem asked the writer here in this verse. Why to identify yourself with the Old Covenant Law when it has been done away with in Christ?
Hebrews 13 verse 11
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by
the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Verse 11: The sin offering under the Old Covenant was taken outside the camp and burned completely. We read ths in Leviticus 16:27. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect sin offering and suffered and died outside the gate of Jerusalem. The readers of this epistle, the believing Jews, were in the past looking for a wasy to continue to believe so they escape from persecution and fled to other countries. All true believers here (Jews) must go out to Him spiritually speaking to the place of reproach and rejection and not to stay in Jerusalem.
Hebrews 13 verse 12
Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.
Verse 12: The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross outside the centre of Jerusalem that He might sanctify the people of Israel with His own blood. He sufferend and died outside the gate of Jerusalem. The mount Calvary was outside the city and this mount or hill still exists in Jerusalem. It was on that moment not known that our Lord Jesus Christ died for all mankind, for the whole world on that cross.
Hebrews 13 verse 13
Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.
Verse 12: The writer to the Hebrews urges himself and these believing Jews to go to Him. That is Christ because Christ died to sanctify them with His own blood. Bearing His reproach. What does this mean? Because Christ has borne the reproach. This is like a criminal who get the punishment. Criminals were punished outside the city. At the time of the crucifixion Christ was considered a criminal so He was crucified outside the gate, the camp. Not in the city of Jerusalem just like the animals who were for the sanctuary and were burned withtout the camp.
Hebrews 13 verse 14
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Verse 14: The writer writes these believing Jews that Jerusalem where they live on that moment is no continuing city. This he writes we cannot stay for eternity. They are seeking the city who will come. The heavenly Jerusalem which will come to earth and then Christ will be their King on earth forever. Christ is their hope just like you my brothers and sisters! The earthly Jerusalem is doomed the writer tells them. So get out of the Jewish religious system and identify with the Savior who died for you Jews.
Hebrews 13 verse 15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.
Verse 15: We have already seen and read that the New Covenant under which these believing Jews are Jesus Christ the altar is! In I Peter 2 verse 5 we read: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. This is for these believing Jews: they are the lively stones and built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood. They have to offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually which are acceptable in the sight of God through Jesus Christ. This not because of any earthly altar but because of the heavenly altar Jesus Christ!
Hebrews 13 verse 16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Verse 16: The first spiritual sacrifice is continually praise God and words of praise of their lips and that this comes form their hearts. And the second we read this here in this verse: This is doing good works os sharing. Communication is very important. Doing good can cover several of ministries like sharing food with the poor or starving people, giving money to the poor, a helpful neigbor etc. With this God is well pleased. For us as believers under this Dispensation of Grace we walk in the works which God had made for us. Ephesians 2 verse 10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Hebrews 13 verse 17
Obey 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.
Verse 17: This is again a admonishing to these believing Jews. Probably there were persons in this group of believers who didn't obey about the authority over them. That is the reason the writer writes them this that have to submit and obey themselves to the authority, the ones who ruled over them! These are the elders and pastors! They watch over their souls. They take care about them spiritualy and bring them the Word of God so that they may grow in the spiritual life. They have the responsibility and have to give account. To whom they may do this? To God. That they may do it with joy and not with grief the writer tells here. So listening and obeying and have respect to the elders who rules over them was very important otherwise these elders couldn't do it with joy and enthousiasm. If it is with grief then says the writer here and this is unprofitable to these Jewish believers. This will not work for these Jewish believers if it is grief. This is a general rule my dear brothers and sisters: this will work for these Jews in the future and also for us, members of the Body of Christ: if we will walk in the works what God hath ordained then joy and peace will work. Ephesians 2 verse 10.
Hebrews 13 verse 18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
Verse 18: Here the writer urges the believers who are Jewish to pray. The prayer is also important to do, als that they may do it and pray for him. Probably the writer was unable to visit them all. He trusted himself that he had a good conscience and in all things willing to live honestly. That he not lied to anybody. Maybe the writer was accused for something from somebody and he needed their prayer for him and others who were with the writer of the Hebrews.
Hebrews 13 verse 19
But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Verse 19: He, the writer, beseeched these Jewish believers the rather to do this! What to do? To pray for the writer and the ones who were with him. For what exactly they had to pray? That the writer be restored to them the sooner! What does this mean: to be restored to them? It could mean to health again. Maybe it is that he would be released from prison if we see further on in this chapter that Timothy is set at liberty!
Hebrews 13 verse 20
Now 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,
Verse 20: The God of peace. Sure God is God of peace. He knows only what is peace. We human people has no peace from nature and don't know what is peace. Because of sin we see so much war in the world. This God, our God brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus. Our Lord Jesus Christ is resurrected. God raised Him from the dead! The Lord Jesus Which is our Head. Here He is the Great Spepherd of the sheep. The sheep are Israel. He, Christ is their Great Shepherd and He will come for His sheep at His return on earth! We read in I Peter 5 verse 4 we read: And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. When the chief Shepherd or the Great Shepherd, our Lord shall appear on earth again as King these Jews who continued to believe in Him receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Hebrews 13 verse 21
Make 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.
Verse 21: Make you perfect the writer is telling these believing Jews. This comes from the Greek word katartidzo. To soldiers it means: to equip an army for battle. These believing Jews had to walk straight and run their life races successfully. In every good work to do His will. Doing Gods will in every good work you do. So works are very important and wellpleasing God through Jesus Christ. In Him is the glory for ever and ever Amen. It is for them salvation and works and hold on to believe in Christ till the end of the Great Tribulation.
Hebrews 13 verse 22
And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
Verse 22: He, the writer beseech those believing Jews whom he said brethren. In other words he said to them: accept the word of exhortation, to bear it. This letter is a letter of encouragement for them. For us it is a long epistle Hebrews but for the writer it were few words he wrote them. There were some who saw this epistle and read it and responded negatively to this epistle/letter while others receivet it and acted on it.
Hebrews 13 verse 23
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Verse 23: Remarkable! The writer in this verse is speaking about our brother Timothy. Apparently Timothy was in prison in Rome, but now he was set at liberty again as before his prisonment. We don't know what's Timothy relationship was to these group of believing Jews. We know that Timothy's mother was Jewish and his father was a Greek. We know that Timothy was the pastor and minister of Ephesus. Anyway this verse remind us and those Jewish believers that God is interested in individuals and not in groups of people. Timothy should visit them, these Jewish believers. The exact location where those Jewish believers in Christ lived we don't know. Not only Timothy should visit them, also the writer to the Hebrews should visit them.
Hebrews 13 verse 24
Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
Verse 24: For sure we know that the writer is writing this letter/epistle from Rome or Italy. This verse represent the last words of the writer to the Hebrews. He said salute or do greetings to all who have the rule over these believing Jews. The ones who have the authority over them and the end responsibility: the elders and pastor. And all the saints in Christ. A believer in Christ is a saint! They of Italy salute you. They, the believers of Italy who were with the writer greet them.
Hebrews 13 verse 25
Grace be with you all. Amen.
Verse 25: Grace! God's Grace be with them all. Amen. How these believing Jews will stand firm ( in that time when this letter was written? ) and in the future during the Great Tribulation? It will be shaking all around them. The answer is know the superior Person Jesus Christ, trust His superior Priesthood and do His will and hold on to believe in Him till the end of this Great Tribulation.