Bible Articles

J O H N   W.   M O O R E LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF HEBREWS (PART ONE) Discuss, phrase by phrase, the meaning of Hebrews 4:11-13. "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest." The subjunctive "let us" is hortatory and expresses a command to labour or to earnestly work or be eager in seeking to enter the rest of God. "Therefore" since there remains a rest for God's people, be zealous and endeavor to enter so that you will not fall short of it. All of this denotes that there is something one must do to go to heaven. God's grace does not eliminate human activity or exclude His approved law. Man must endeavor to achieve the goal. "Lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." Because of disobedience (rendered "unbelief" in the KJV), the children of Israel were not allowed to enter the promised land. Their carcasses fell and were destroyed in the wilderness. When one ceases to labor by not working out their salvation, they, like the Israelites, will fail to enter the heavenly home. "For" connects verses eleven and twelve and gets the reader ready for additional exhortation to faithfulness. The Word of God is alive - God's Word is not dead. The lessons recorded in the Old Testament are true. They are written for our admonition (1 Cor. 10:11) and learning (Rom. 15:4). God's Word produces results. It is active and effective. It will not return void, for it shall accomplish that for which it is intended (Isa. 55:11). Just as a sharp sword cuts and penetrates to a fleshly bone, so will God's Word prick the inner core and conscience of man as it did at Pentecost with those who crucified the Lord of glory (Acts 2:37). When heard, good hearts will be convicted of its truth, and so should the readers be convicted and realize that what is being told them in this letter is true. Therefore, hear God's Word today that you may enter His rest. "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight." God knows everything and He sees everything. His eyes are in every place beholding the evil and the good (Prov. 15:3). "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him." Literally, as a sacrificial victim is laid down and head forced back and totally at the mercy of the sacrificer, so everyone is at the mercy of God. We all lay bare and are utterly helpless at the power of God with whom we must reckon on the great and final day. Each one will give an account of himself to God with every transgression and every disobedience receiving a just recompense of reward (2:3,4). Readers are thus warned that they cannot escape the truth, judgment, and certainty of God's Word. Hebrews 6:18-20 is a beautiful passage on Christian hope. Explain this passage. "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: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." After a rather bleak and disparaging rebuke and a view of what happens when one apostatizes (6:8), the author begins to speak of better things which accompany salvation (6:9). I am convinced that these Christians were not yet lost but had become weak and were probably ready to give up. So, the author reminds them of the sweet and precious promises of God. He reminds them of the bright and glorious future when one can take refuge within the tabernacle of God. Behind the veil is where God's presence is found and, at one time, which no man could enter except the High Priest on the day of atonement. However, Jesus entered into the most holy place for us, not just as a symbolic act but as a leader and one who would "blaze the trail" for others. He was the forerunner or the first, which indicates that others will follow. The readers are reminded that because of Jesus they also could anticipate entering within the veil to enjoy the eternal rest.