Daily Writing

Sunday, 17 February 2019

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

This takes the reader back to the previous verses. In verse 10:27, it speaks of “a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” who have willfully rejected the knowledge of the truth. In verse 10:30 while citing Scripture, it then said of those who have shamefully treated what God has done in Christ that “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And then in the same verse, again citing Scripture, “The Lord will judge His people.”

With these things still fresh off the author’s pen, he then says the words of this verse. It is “the living God” who is being referred to, and who the author has already mentioned in this way in Hebrews 3:12 –

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.”

It is the living God, who has sent Christ Jesus into the world to restore man to Himself. To reject what He has done leaves only assured condemnation. And this is what is being seen here in the words to the Hebrews. It is calling out to them as a nation, imploring them to not turn from what He has done. Should they presume to do so, only “a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation” will be left.

And this is what came about. Israel rejected Christ, and they went into their extended time of punishment for it. They did, in fact, shamefully treat what God had done in Christ. Now, they are being regathered in the land of Israel, and that same conduct is continuing. They have the witness of believing Jews there in Israel, just as they did in the early days of the faith, but the nation as a whole has rejected this.

In this, they will continue to fall into the hands of the living God. It will be the time known as the tribulation period, and it is prophesied in the book of Zechariah that two-thirds of the nation will perish – all because of their attitude towards Christ. As Vincent’s Word Studies says of this verse, “The living God, revealed in the living Christ, will not suffer his sacrificial gift and his covenant to be slighted and insulted with impunity.” Albert Barnes then explains what this means. He says–

“To fall into his hands, therefore, ‘for the purpose of punishment’ – which is the idea here – is fearful:
(1) because he has all power, and can inflict just what punishment he pleases;
(2) because he is strictly just, and will inflict the punishment which ought to be inflicted;
(3) because he lives forever, and can carry on his purpose of punishment to eternal ages; and

(4) because the actual inflictions of punishment which have occurred show what is to be dreaded.”

Life application: One thing is made perfectly clear in the Bible; there is one God and only one path to that God – Jesus Christ. Throughout history, man has made his god in his image rather than acknowledging that we are made in God’s image. How often people will openly claim “I believe all paths lead to God.” Such a statement shows:

1) a lack of understanding of the nature of God, and
2) a belief (or hidden hope) that they are of more value than they really are in the sight of infinite holiness.

As Jeremiah 10:10 says –

“But the Lord is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble,
And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.”

There is little point in trying to scare people into heaven by promising hell, but there is a place for warning people about the consequences of rejecting God. If “heaven” is real, then a place which isn’t heaven (namely hell) must also be real because the Bible speaks of both. The Bible would not speak of one as a reality and the other as a myth. If the cross has eternal significance for those who believe, then it must – by the very nature of what occurred – have eternal significance for those who reject it. Think it through. Truly, it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

O God, how can one stand in Your infinitely glorious presence and presume to claim a righteousness of his own? But praise be to You, O God, for giving us a righteousness not our own – that of Jesus – to cover over our stains. All praise and glory belong to You! Amen.

Saturday, 16 February 2019

For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” Hebrews 10:30

The word “For” is given to support what was just said concerning those who trample the Son of God underfoot, count the blood of the covenant a common thing, and insult the Spirit of grace. In such conduct, the remedy comes from the Lord. As it says, “For we know Him who said.” From there, the author will cite two thoughts which stem from the Old Testament. The first comes from the Song of Moses as is recorded in Deuteronomy 32:35 –

“Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;
Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.”

As can be seen, the substance of the quote is the same, containing both vengeance and recompense, even if the form is changed. What will come upon those who have so rejected Christ is guaranteed because it comes from a truth which is revealed in the word of God. As the word is an extension of who God is, and as God cannot lie, then vengeance and recompense are assured.

In the author’s loose citing of Deuteronomy, he probably just called the verse to mind from memory to give the general idea of what lies ahead for those who fit the description of the previous verse. Paul also cites this same thought in Romans 12 –

“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.’” Romans 12:19

In both Romans and Hebrews, the exact same words are used in the Greek, but because they don’t match either the Hebrew or the Greek of the Old Testament, there are a few possibilities concerning the quote –

1) There is another common source, apart from the original Hebrew and the Greek OT, which the authors of Romans and Hebrews cite.
2) The words had become a proverbial saying, and so Paul and the author of Hebrews both say it as it had become commonly stated. Or,
3) Paul is the author of both Romans and Hebrews.

The third option is the most likely, as was explained in the introductory comments to the book.

The second citation of the verse is a direct quote from the Greek translation of Deuteronomy 32:36 (cited here from the Hebrew) –

“For the Lord will judge His people
And have compassion on His servants.”

It is also substantially found again in Psalm 135:14 –

“For the Lord will judge His people,
And He will have compassion on His servants.”

In these quotes, the author is showing that the Lord’s people, meaning Israel, are not above being singled out for His wrath and punishment. As noted in the previous verse, this is speaking of those of Israel who rejected what Christ has offered, just as someone in the civil war (we used Mr. Wales as an example) might have rejected the amnesty offered to him. In such a case, it was the responsibility of the re-formed union to search out and destroy the unyielding rebels. So also will God search out and destroy those who refuse to come to Christ.

Life application: When it comes right down to it, we can repeat the words of Hebrews 4:13 here, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Despite being perceived as a cosmic pushover who overlooks sin just as we might forget it, God sees every wrong deed and – because of His righteous nature – must judge such offenses. Not only will He judge them, but He will repay them according to His very nature. Without the blood of Christ, an eternal affront to His glory (any sin) demands an eternal separation from that same glory.

Just as the cross has eternal significance for the believer, it also must carry the same eternal significance for the non-believer. Don’t be lulled into a false belief that God doesn’t judge – He does. The question for each soul then is “Are my sins to be judged at the cross in Jesus or at the final judgment in me?” Choose wisely today – choose Jesus.

Lord, that You have given us the choice concerning our relationship with you, it demonstrates the severity of the matter. If Jesus’ cross can pay for every sin, then every sin not laid on it must be judged with condemnation. Thank You for giving us the Gift of Jesus. Thank You that we are freed from eternal punishment because of Him. Help us to get this word out to the world. Amen.

Friday, 15 February 2019

Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:29

The translation of these words makes it sound like the words, “Of how much,” qualify the word, “worse.” But rather, they qualify the whole first clause –

Of how much, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy of worse punishment…?

The verse here contrasts the previous verse which said, “Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” The point being made is that if temporal punishment, including death, was the response to disobedience under the Law of Moses, then how much worse punishment is the person worthy when he rejects the New Covenant which came through the blood of Christ? This is not speaking of saved believers at all. Paul says as much in 1 Timothy 1:8, 9 –

“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, ⁹ knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers.”

Rather, the words of the author now are speaking of the one “who has trampled the Son of God underfoot.” The idea of trampling something underfoot is to show contempt for that thing. When the blood of the Passover was applied to the doorways of the houses in Egypt, the people were instructed to apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel. However, nothing was said to be applied to the base of the doorway. That would have been a mark of contempt for the blood. The idea carries through to the true Passover, Christ.

To treat the blood of Christ with contempt is to have “counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing.” Scholars generally attribute these words as speaking of a saved believer who has apostatized. Such is not the case, and it would be contrary to countless other verses in Scripture which show – very clearly – that a person who is saved by Christ is eternally secure.

Rather, this is not saying that a particular person had been saved and then rejected the word. Instead, it is speaking of those in the corporate body of Israel who Christ had died for, but who rejected what He had done. It is no different than speaking of amnesty for an illegal alien. It may be offered, but he never shows up at the office to collect his citizenship. In this case, the sanctification was available to those who heard and yet was never claimed; it was rejected.

Another example would be a rebel soldier of the civil war. When the war ended, the rebels, through a succession of amnesties and pardons, were granted the right to once again become a part of the union. For some, the condition was to accept the pardon and swear allegiance to the union. However, a true rebel (we will call him Mr. Wales) might refuse to swear allegiance, and he would thus trample underfoot the pardon he had been offered. He would have counted the ink of the offer of cessation of war, and pardon from rebellion, a common thing. He would remain apart from the union and one worthy of being hunted down and destroyed. If they can catch Mr. Wales, he will be terminated.

One must look at the original recipients to understand the context. The letter was written to first century Jews who had accepted Christ, but here they were being instructed as if they (or some Jews) hadn’t. The Son of God had come, He was crucified, and He rose again to life. This was testified to the people at the feast of Pentecost after the resurrection. All men were required to attend this feast as is indicated in Exodus 23:14-17 and so all had heard the word concerning the Messiah.

If someone rejected it, he treated Christ Jesus and His precious sacrifice as “a common thing” and had “insulted the Spirit of grace.” Of this, John Chrysostom says, “He who does not accept the benefit, insults Him who confers it. He hath made thee a son: wilt thou become a slave? He has come to take up His abode with thee; but thou art introducing evil into thyself.” Chrysostom is correct with the exception of saying –

1) “[W]ilt thou become a slave.” Jesus was clear that all are slaves to sin (John 8:34), because “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23).

2) “[T]hou art introducing evil into thyself.” The evil was already present. Such a person was choosing the evil rather than being cleansed of it.

The one who rejects Christ remains a slave to sin and remains under God’s wrath. He has rejected the sanctification he was offered, and he has insulted the Spirit of grace. The Holy Spirit will not take up residence in such an abode. The individual will not be sealed for the day of redemption, and only the darkness of condemnation awaits such a soul.

Life application: As has been seen several times in the book of Hebrews, verses which – on the surface – seem to point to a loss of individual salvation actually speak of something entirely different. Scripture will never contradict itself. As God has shown that individual salvation is eternal, then any verse which seems to contradict this must be thoughtfully considered. In that careful consideration, there is always a reasonable explanation which is waiting to be drawn out. Remember, context is king. Keep things in context, and difficult passages will become clear.

Thank You, O God, for the precious blood of Jesus which has the potential to sanctify all men, and which actually sanctifies any and all who come to You through faith in Him. Help us to be faithful witnesses of this glorious covenant by which men might be saved – all to Your honor and Your glory alone! Amen.

Thursday, 14 February 2019

Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Hebrews 10:28

Here, the author cites a combination of Deuteronomy 13 and Deuteronomy 17 –

“…you shall not consent to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him or conceal him. Deuteronomy 13:8

&

“Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.” Deuteronomy 17:6

In rejecting the law, there was to be no mercy; but for capital punishment, there were to be two or three witnesses. In this, the author is citing the law itself for one who rejects that law. As the Law of Moses actually anticipated the coming of Christ (Deuteronomy 18:15), and as recognized prophets under the law prophesied of a New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31), then for the person who is determined to reject the New Covenant and the Prophet who was prophesied by Moses to come, how much more serious is the matter concerning him! If such a person wants to remain under the Old, he has actually rejected Moses’ law and the punishment for such an act is already written within that law.

But, the punishment under the law is a temporal punishment. The punishment for rejecting the New Covenant then must be more severe than even that. The author will continue to explain this in the verses ahead.

Life application: As the Law of Moses could not bring about salvation, and as the Law of Moses – and prophets under that law – prophesied of a coming New Covenant, if man is to be saved, it has to come through this New Covenant. To reject what Christ has done, and to go back under the Law of Moses, is a self-condemning act. Be sure to pursue Christ and only Christ. Come to the cross, be reconciled to God, and enter into the surety of the salvation of your soul.

Lord, we are without excuse as to what choice we make in regards to the message of peace and reconciliation which is found in Christ Jesus. Likewise, those who haven’t heard of it stand condemned already and will face an unpleasant eternity. Therefore, turn our hearts to the need and priority of spreading Your glorious gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Wednesday, 13 February 2019

…but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:27

As noted in the previous verse, the thought being presented speaks of a willful rejection of Jesus Christ by those who are then not saved by Christ, not a willful sin after being saved by Christ. For those of Israel who hear the word, fail to accept it, and draw back to temple worship instead of going forward to Christ, there is only “a certain fearful expectation of judgment.”

The word, “fearful,” is used for the first of three times here. All will be in Hebrews. It is the Greek word phoberos, and it signifies “fearful” or “terrifying,” thus prompting someone to withdraw. One can see the root of the word “phobia” there. Instead of coming near to God through Christ (Hebrews 7:19), there will be a recoiling away from Him as judgment looms.

The word translated as “judgment” is ekdokhé. It signifies a sentence coming out from a judge which is then passed on to the one who is judged; thus, getting what one deserves. This is exactly what can be expected for the one who rejects Christ’s sacrifice. The point of Christ’s cross is that He has received the judgment of God for man’s sin in Himself. If that is accepted, then the expectation of judgment is behind. For those who expect atonement from an animal which only looked forward to Christ, their judgment remains.

In such judgment then there can only be expected “fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.” The mental picture takes the reader back as far as Numbers where the people failed to trust in the Lord. In Numbers 11, at a place called Taberah (which means Burning), the fire of the Lord came out and burned some in the camp. Again, at the time of Korah’s rebellion, fire came out from the Lord and consumed two hundred and fifty offenders who failed to believe the word of the Lord concerning the leadership of Moses and Aaron.

Such incidents were given to Israel to show them the consequences of unbelief. The fire is a demonstration of the Lord’s punishment, and that is to be the expectation of anyone who rejects the Lord’s offer of mercy and forgiveness which the Old Testament continuously pointed to.

Life application: To apply this verse to believers would be wholly inappropriate. It is being addressed 1) in judgment; 2) in expectation of the Lake of Fire (of which the Old Testament types foreshadowed); and 3) to the enemies of God. But the Bible says those who believe in Christ are safe from these things through the blood of Christ. Christian judgment is not for destruction, but for the granting or loss of rewards. Remember to always think through the purpose and intent of passages – what is being addressed and under what circumstances.

Thank You Lord that through the cross of Jesus we can be reconciled to You, and in that reconciliation, You are not counting men’s sins against them. Instead of the fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire, we look forward to a judgment based on our lives as Christians. May we be found worthy of reward and not loss on that day! Amen.