Book of Hebrews The Abrahamic Interpretation

Hebrews The Abrahamic Interpretation

Jay Snell

Hebrews The Abrahamic Interpretation Jay Snell Evangelistic Association PO Box 59 Livingston, TX 77351 936-327-3676 Fax: 936-327-6181 [email protected]

Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation Copyright 2001 by Jay Snell. Published by Jay Snell Evangelistic Association, P. O. Box 59, Livingston, Texas 77351 http://jaysnell.org All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher, except as provided by USA copyright law. First Printing 2001 Printed in the United States of America

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Table of Contents

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………….7 Chapter One ……………………………………………………………………………………..15 Chapter Two ……………………………………………………………………………………..19 Chapter Three ……………………………………………………………………………………25 Chapter Four …………………………………………………………………………………….33 Chapter Five ……………………………………………………………………………………. 41 Chapter Six ………………………………………………………………………………………55 Chapter Seven …………………………………………………………………………………...65 Chapter Eight ……………………………………………………………………………………75 Chapter Nine …………………………………………………………………………………….79 Chapter Ten …………………………………….………………………………………………..87 Chapter Eleven ………………………………………….……………………………………….93 Chapter Twelve ………………………………………………….……………………………..101 Chapter Thirteen ………………………………………………………….……………………107 Chapter Fourteen …………………….…………………………………………………………111 Chapter Fifteen ……………………………….………………………………………………...117 Chapter Sixteen……………………………………….………………………………………...127 Chapter Seventeen…… ………………………………………………………………………..133

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Abbreviations Rather than using footnotes in this work, we have selected to insert the following simple form of documentation right into the paragraph in which we allude to, refer to, or quote another authority: (JS3, P147) In the preceding parenthesis, the beginning capital letters, JS, stands for the name of the author quoted or alluded to. The 3 stands for the volume of his work referred to. The P147 stands for the page number where the quote or reference occurs. Consequently, the meaning of the above parenthesis is Jay Snell, Volume 3, Page 147. A glance below tells you the author is Jay Snell and the name of the work cited is The Unbroken Force of Abraham’s Blessings. This is Volume 3 of his work and the quote occurs on page 147. (AC3, Romans to Revelation) = Adam Clarke, Vol 3, Romans to Revelation (ATR5, Hebrews) = A. T. Robertson, Vol 5. Word Pictures in the New Testament (BW) = Brooks and Winbery, Syntax of New Testament Greek (DM) = Dana and Mantey, A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament (GWB) = George W. Buchanan, To the Hebrews; Volume 36 in The Anchor Bible (JHT) = J. H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (JS1) = Jay Snell, What are Abraham’s Blessings Anyway? (JS2) = Jay Snell, What’ve They Done with Abraham’s Blessings? (JS3) = Jay Snell, The Unbroken Force of Abraham’s Blessings (JS4_ = Jay Snell, How to Obtain Abraham’s Blessings (KW2) = Kenneth Wuest, Vol. 2, Hebrews, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament (MFU) = Merrill F. Unger, Unger’s Bible Dictionary (RCHL) = R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Epistle of James (TDNT) = Theological Dictionary of New Testament Theology, One Volume Edition (UVW) = Unger, Vine and White, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

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Introduction

How to Understand the Book of Hebrews Here’s what we show you to make the Book of Hebrews crystal clear for you: 1. We show you to whom the Book of Hebrews was written. 2. We show you how the Abrahamic covenant works. 3. We show you the real purpose of Moses’ law. 4. We show you how Moses’ law worked in conjunction with Abraham’s covenant. 5. We show you the Six Things Jesus did to Moses’ law that changed the Old Testament system forever. 6. We show you the skillful way the author used pronouns in the Book of Hebrews. 7. We give our outline of this book at the end of this introduction. In this Introduction, we briefly explain each of these seven items. They are not complicated. You do not have to remember them. Therefore, you don’t have to memorize them. After the following brief explanation, we will use them and apply them for you in the balance of this commentary. As we use them, you will clearly see and understand how they work. Then, you will remember them. 1) To whom was Hebrews written? First, it was not written to Gentiles. It was not written to Gentile Christians. There is nothing in the Book of Hebrews that was written directly to Gentiles--Christian or otherwise. Lenski said it well. “The recipients of this epistle were not Gentiles although such a view has been advocated. Nor were they a mixed group, partly Jewish, partly Gentile. Hebrews nowhere deals with or addresses Gentile Christian readers; and it is impossible to assume that Hebrews is addressed only to the Jewish members of a mixed group to the exclusion of the Gentile members.” (RCHL, Hebrews, P14) Some things in Hebrews apply to Gentile Christians by grafting, but not one thing applies to Gentiles directly. You Gentile Christians cannot find yourself in Hebrews except those places that God grafted you into the Abrahamic covenant on an equal footing with the Hebrews themselves. (Of course, many practical, devotional, and faith building lessons exist for Gentile Christians in Hebrews.) Consequently, you Gentile Christians are grafted into most of the “positives” in Hebrews. But you are not in the “negatives.” Second, it was written to the Hebrew people. (The original audience might have been a house church.) Even though the original audience might have been a house church, the Author wrote its message to them as a people, a nation. (In this work, we always refer to the Author of Hebrews as “our Author’ or ”the Author.”) Furthermore, he addressed certain groups within the Hebrew nation. Actually, he divided them into three distinct groups and addressed each group separately. Finally, he divided the third group below into three more, distinct groups. Group One: He addressed some of the Book to the Hebrews as a complete entity, that is, as a nation of people. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Introduction Group Two: He addressed some of it to the group (out of the nation) who had accepted Jesus as their Messiah, Savior and final sacrifice for their sin under Moses’ law. Group Three: He addressed some of it to another group of them (out of the nation) who had not accepted Jesus as their Messiah, Savior and final sacrifice for their sin under Moses’ law. He also divided this group into three more distinct groups. Group 3A: This group had absolutely, finally and irrevocably rejected Jesus as the final sacrifice for their sin under Moses’ law. Group 3B: This group was considering accepting Jesus as the final sacrifice for their sin under Moses’ law, but were undecided. Group 3C: This group professed to have accepted Jesus as the final sacrifice for their sin under Moses’ law, but they had never actually done so. They were professors only. They professed but did not possess. We have Group 3C above in the churches today. How many members of the church do you know who talk the talk but do not walk the walk. How many of them profess but do not possess? 2) How the Abrahamic covenant works In Genesis 12, God made a covenant with Abraham that was composed of Sixty Different Promises. Thirteen of these Sixty Promises pertained to Gentiles. See Chapter 1 in our book, What are Abraham’s Blessings Anyway?. for a complete list of the Sixty Promises. (The book is free on the Internet--www.jaysnell.org.) The key term in these Sixty Promises is the word bless. This word contains four basic things that belonged to Abraham, to his physical descendants, and to us Gentile Christians by grafting. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Physical Healing for their body Prosperity for their pocket book Family Well Being Salvation for their soul

In addition to these four things contained in the term bless, this covenant also contained God’s promise of the land. Remember this well: God gave the land in addition to the four things contained in the concept of bless that are listed above. The addition of the land, therefore, gave them these five things: healing, prosperity, family well being, salvation, and land. Later, we shall see that, in addition to these five, He gave them two more, wonderful blessings. The beauty of these four things, plus the land, was that the Hebrews were born with them. They did not have to get them. Because they were born into the Abrahamic covenant, they had them. These blessings were theirs by birthright. They did not have to earn them. They were the givens of the Abrahamic covenant blessing system. Page 8

Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

Introduction Previously, we said that thirteen of these Sixty Promises pertained to Gentiles. As we shall see later, God grafts us Gentiles (who accept Jesus as our personal Savior) into the four blessings listed above, because of these thirteen Promises that pertain to us. The promise of land, however, is exclusively Hebrew. We Gentiles have absolutely no part in the Promise of the land. We do, however, share equally with the Hebrews, the Abrahamic Promise of blessing. Therefore, healing, prosperity, family well-being and salvation belongs to us Christian Gentiles as well as the Hebrews. Dear Reader, as you read through Hebrews, you will discover that its basic message is “how to acquire the fulfillment of the promise God made with Abraham.” (GWB P246) You will discover that the main purpose of the Book of Hebrews was “that Jesus’ self-sacrifice was the perfect gift needed to motivate God to fulfill for them the promise he had made to Abraham.” (GWB P266) 3) The real purpose of Moses’ law God neither gave Moses’ law to enable the Hebrews to work their way into heaven nor obtain by works any of the four things contained in the blessing covenant. In other words, they could not earn healing, prosperity, family well-being or salvation by the works of Moses’ law. This was never its purpose. This was never what God intended for it. Then what was its real purpose? To maintain the Abrahamic blessings for the Hebrew people-even when they sinned--was its purpose. In other words, God gave the Law not only to deal with the Hebrews’ sin problem but also to deal with it in such a way that no Hebrew lost one thing promised him in the Sixty Promises. In other words, the Scriptures declare clearly that the Law of Moses was given to maintain the blessings in the Abrahamic covenant while dealing with the sin problem of these people. The Scriptures below trumpet this truth to us: God gave Moses’ law to maintain the Abrahamic blessings for them even when they sinned. Deut 7:11-12 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: (KJV) In verse 11 above, God commanded the Hebrews to keep the Law of Moses. Then, verse 12 He promised them that if they “keep and do” the commands of Moses’ law, then He would keep the blessings flowing for them without interruption. Of course, the uninterrupted blessings were those that He had already given to them in the Abrahamic covenant. See our book, What are Abraham’s Blessings Anyway?. It’s free on the Internet--www.jaysnell.org. The expression, “the covenant and mercy which he sware unto thy fathers,” is synonymous with the Abrahamic covenant. Verse 9 below demonstrates this for us.


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Introduction Deut 7:9 9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (KJV) In this context, the above Scripture shows that “covenant and mercy” and “the Abrahamic covenant” are one and the same thing. See also Luke I: 54-55 and 72. These three verses also show us that “covenant and mercy” is in fact the Abrahamic covenant. Obviously the keeping of the Law caused God to maintain, or keep, the Abrahamic blessings flowing without interruption for them even when they sinned. Furthermore, He gave them a partial list of these blessings in verses 13 through 15 below. “And,” in verse 13 below, is emphatic and should be translated “even,” “specifically,” or “namely.” To put it differently, God promised in verse 12, to keep the Abrahamic blessings flowing for them because they kept the commands of the Law, which included making the proper sacrifice. Then, in verses 13 through 15, he lists specifically, by name, some of the Abrahamic blessings that He will continue flowing their way. Deut 7:13-15 13 And (even, namely or specifically,) he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee. (Parentheses mine) 14 Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle. 15 And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee. (KJV) Dear Reader, you should make a list of these blessings on a separate sheet of paper and learn them. You should learn them because we Gentile Christians are grafted into them on an equal footing with the Hebrews. Consequently, they belong to us also. 4) How God Made the Abrahamic covenant and Moses’ law function as a unit. Here’s how Abraham’s covenant and Moses’ law worked together. God gave the Hebrews healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation in the Abrahamic covenant. About 430 years later, God determined to deal with their sins in such a way that none of them lost anything He promised them in the covenant. Here’s how He did this. When a Hebrew sinned in the Old Testament, Moses’ law required him to make certain kinds of sacrifices to fit his sins. Keep in mind that the sacrifices were commanded in Moses’ law. It also

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Introduction contained specific directions concerning what kind of sacrifice to make, when to make it, the manner in which it was to be made and where to make it. When a Hebrew sinned, all he had to do was just make the right sacrifice in the right manner. He just had to follow the directions in the Law about making the sacrifices. When he properly made the sacrifices described above, the blessings in the Abrahamic covenant kept flowing for him without interruption. God simply “winked at” his sin. He simply did not see it because it was temporarily covered by the sacrifice the sinning Hebrew made for his specific sin. Acts 17:30 30

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (KJV)

If a Hebrew sinned and did not make the proper Mosaic sacrifice, he lost everything he had by birth in the Abrahamic covenant. He lost his blessings of healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation. This loss continued until the sinning Hebrew repented of his sin and demonstrated his repentance by making the proper sacrifice. In this way, God’s covenant with Abraham worked in conjunction (as a unit) with Moses’ law. The Abrahamic covenant was God’s promise to bless. The Mosaic sacrifices kept the blessings flowing. The Abrahamic covenant defined the blessings and the Mosaic sacrifices maintained them. As the sinning Hebrew sacrificed, God “winked at” his sin, because in the mind and plan of God, it was covered by the sacrifice. To put it differently, the sacrifice temporarily blotted the sin from God’s view. See our book, What’ve They Done with Abraham’s Blessing? Again, this book is free on the Internet. Go to www.jaysnell.org. 5) Jesus did Six Things to Moses’ law that completely eliminated it and changed the entire Old Testament System forever This “unit” system—the combination of the Abrahamic covenant and Moses’ law--continued until Jesus came. Upon His death, Jesus did Six Things to the Law of Moses that changed the Old Testament system forever. (See Ephesians 2:14-16 and Colossians 2:14 below.) These two Scriptures contain the Six Things Jesus did to the Law of Moses. Eph 2:14-16 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (KJV)


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Introduction Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (KJV) From the above Scriptures, we can readily see the Six Things Jesus did to Moses’ law to get it completely out of the way. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

He broke it down. He abolished it. He slew it. He blotted it out. He took it out of the way. He nailed it to his cross.

Having done away with the Moses’ law, Jesus became God’s final sacrifice for sin. Upon Jesus’ death, God no longer accepted the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. Now, He only accepts the blood of Jesus for the Hebrew sin problem. Therefore, beginning with Jesus’ death and continuing throughout this age, each individual Hebrew must make a choice. He can accept Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law and God will continue the flow of blessings He gave him in the Abrahamic covenant. He will continue for him (without interruption) the blessings of healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation. If he refuses to accept Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for sin under the Mosaic system, he instantly loses what he had by birth in the Abrahamic covenant. He loses his healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation. Note this well! He lost the salvation he had by birth; he fell from the grace he was born into. Obviously, the Hebrew who rejected Jesus was as lost (unsaved) as any heathen who ever lived. Previously we said that Gentiles were included in thirteen of the Sixty Promises to Abraham. Those thirteen Promises could not and did not become valid until Jesus eliminated the Law of Moses. Since He eliminated it, Gentiles can be saved. They can accept Jesus as their personal Savior. When they do, they are grafted into the same salvation, healing, prosperity and family well being that the Hebrews have enjoyed since Abraham received the covenant from God, beginning in Genesis 12. See the first three volumes of our books on the Abrahamic covenant: What are Abraham’s Blessings Anyway?; What’ve They Done with Abraham’s Blessings?; and The Unbroken Force of Abraham’s Blessings. They are free on the Internet--www.jaysnell.org. These Hebrews were born into these Abrahamic blessings. Gentiles were not. The Hebrews accept Christ to maintain the Abrahamic blessings. Gentiles accept Christ to obtain the Abrahamic blessings. They obtain them because, simultaneous with accepting Christ, God grafts them (Gentiles) into the Abrahamic blessing system on an absolute equal footing with the Hebrews.

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Introduction Remember this! The Hebrews are born into the Abrahamic blessings. Gentiles are grafted into them. Hebrews accept Christ to maintain the blessings. Gentiles accept Christ and obtain them because God instantly grafts them into the blessings. 6) The Skillful Way the Author Used Pronouns You will be amazed as you see our Author skillfully use pronouns to keep himself out of Scriptures in which he does not belong. This Author was a master of Greek grammar. He directed much of what he said to the Hebrews as a people (nation.) When he addressed any of the groups within the nation, however, his change of pronoun coupled with the context itself, shows that he was not addressing the nation anymore. We shall not explain how he did it in this introduction. Nevertheless, we will show you that he did it as we move through this work. Then you will understand how he did it. Follow the pronouns closely and you will see that the Book of Hebrews does not, in any way, teach that a Christian--Jew or Gentile--can lose his/her healing, prosperity, family well being or salvation! 7) The Simple Outline of this Book 1. All seven Major Warnings in Hebrews are interpreted for you by the guidelines in this Introduction. 2. All eleven Lest Warnings in Hebrews are interpreted for you by the guidelines in this Introduction (see below). 3. The Single Most Important Verse in Hebrews interpreted for you by the guidelines in this Introduction. 4. Proof—interpreted for you by the guidelines in this Introduction--that the people addressed in Hebrews are Hebrews and not Gentile Christians. 5. All thirteen Let Us Exhortations in Hebrews interpreted for you by the guidelines in this Introduction. 6. Proof that one of the Groups addressed by our Author was continuously inheriting the same healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation that Abraham himself obtained and enjoyed. Furthermore, this group was continuously inheriting them for the same reason Abraham had them; they were born into the Abrahamic covenant. Again, this is interpreted for you by the guidelines in this Introduction. (You Gentile Christians are grafted into the “continuous inheriting” in this section.) 7. The “once for all” aspect of the sacrifice, offering, blood, and Great High Priesthood of Jesus demonstrated why they will never be repeated. This, too, is interpreted for you by the guidelines in this Introduction. In the “Lest Warnings” “lest” translates the Greek negative particle ma (many times in combination with other Greek words). Translated into English, “lest” simply means “for fear that”. In other words, if you do (or don’t do) such and such, then certain unpleasant things may (will) happen to you. Hence, a “Lest Warning”. Read this book and build your faith to a fever pitch. You will never again let anyone place you into Scriptures where you do not belong. You will never again believe it is possible for any


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Introduction Christian to lose his/her healing, prosperity, family well being and/or salvation. This book should have been written hundreds of years ago!

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Chapter One

The First Two Major Warnings and the First “Lest” Warning Interpreted In this chapter, we interpret three warnings for you. They are Major Warning #1, Lest Warning #1, and Major Warning #2--in this order. We begin with the Major Warning #1 that concludes with the first of the thirteen Lest Warnings. Then, Lest Warning #1 introduces Major Warning #2. All three warnings are contained in the passage below. Verse 1 below contains both Major Warning #1 and Lest Warning #1 while verses 2-4 contain Major Warning #2. Yet, all three warnings are interrelated, as the following discussion will readily show. Remember, these interpretations follow the guidelines spelled out in the Introduction. Heb 2:1-4 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. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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; 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? (KJV) Major Warning #1 Interpreted

Notice that our Author used the pronouns we and us in the passage above. We simply means “any of us Hebrews.” Us simply means “all of us Hebrews.” In some contexts, our Author will remove himself from the we or us groups. Here, however, he doesn’t because he is addressing the nation as a whole. First, look at the word “ought” in verse one. This translates the Greek word dei. This word is a blockbuster. Our word “ought” doesn’t do it justice. This word means, in everyday English, something like the following: “Given my circumstances, what I do next must be both logical and necessary. In other words, I am in such a compelling set of circumstances that my next move is not left to choice. My next move is dictated by my circumstances. My circumstances are so forceful that, to be logical, I have only these necessary actions open to me. Anything else is insane. What I do next must be logical. What I do next is also necessary if I’m to survive!” We must illustrate the above. Suppose you wake up in the middle of the night and discover your house is on fire. Obviously you only have seconds to react. What you do next must be logical. You must get out of your burning house. Getting out of your burning house is not only logical, but also necessary for you. It is both logical and necessary if you want to live.


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Chapter One From the above explanation, you can see what the Greek word dei in verse 1 above (translated by our English word “ought”) actually means. Next, we will apply this word to the plight of these Hebrews. Here is the set of circumstances these Hebrews faced. They had heard the message that Jesus was the final sacrifice for their sins under Moses’ law. This was the most important message that they had ever heard. This importance, therefore, presented them with a logical necessity. Since Jesus was God’s final sacrifice for sin, for them to maintain the Abrahamic blessings of salvation, healing, prosperity and salvation, they must--Greek word dei--personally accept him as their very own sacrifice. This is the logical move dictated and demanded by their circumstances. (To refresh your memory concerning how the sacrifices maintain these four Abrahamic blessings, see the Introduction again.) Accepting Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for their sins was not only logical, but it was also necessary. It was necessary if they wanted to maintain the salvation, healing, prosperity and family well being they had by birth. Since God no longer accepted the blood of bulls and goats, cows and sheep, they must accept Jesus’ blood or lose it all. Therefore, taking heed to the message that they had heard became very, very necessary for them. Nevertheless, they were slipping away from this vital message. They were flowing right by it. They were drifting past this vital truth just as driftwood flows with the current and is swept past everything on the shore. They seemed not to care about the life and death importance of this Jesus message. Next, we interpret for you the first of the eleven Lest Warnings in Hebrews. Lest Warning #1 Interpreted Remember verse 1 above: “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.” (Italics mine.) Remember that “lest” translates the Greek negative particle ma (many times in combination with other Greek words), which (in English) simply means “for fear that.” In other words, if you do (or don’t do) such and such, then certain unpleasant things may (will) happen to you--hence, a “Lest Warning”. “Let them slip,” in verse I above, translates the Greek word, parareo. This word combines two Greek words. It combines the word para, which means “by the side of.” Our English word “parallel” comes from this word. The second word in the combination is reo (to flow.) The combination, then, means “to flow, slip or drift parallel to” or “to drift by the side of.” In addition, “slip” is in the active voice, which means the Hebrews, like driftwood, had actually, deliberately, actively drifted past the message that Jesus was the final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. The message did not drift past the Hebrews as it indicates in the King James Version. The Hebrews “flowed by” or “drifted past” this great truth they had heard, namely, that Jesus was the final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. The Hebrews became as driftwood flowing downstream with the current. They actively, actually drifted past and away from this Jesus message. Furthermore, “slip” is in the Aorist tense. This tense in Greek views an action as a point. As such, it can describe a finished action. This is how it is used in this verse. In other words, these Hebrews had already finished their drift past the bombshell message that Jesus was the final sacrifice for their sins. They had already drifted by it and away from it. This deliberate drift was Page 16


Chapter One already complete. They had gone right by the most important message from God that they had ever heard. They had already drifted past it. To put it differently, they are being warned, “to give the more earnest heed,” to what they had heard. This expression, “to give the more earnest heed,” means to give the closest attention possible to the message that Jesus was the final sacrifice for their sins. They were being warned not to slip by this vital message “at any time.” This is another way of saying that they must never slip by and drift away from what they had heard so clearly; Jesus was the Christ, their Messiah, and God’s final sacrifice for their sins. These were their circumstances. Jesus was their final sacrifice for sin. God would never again accept the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. It was Jesus’ sacrifice or damnation. There were no other avenues open for them. They had no other choices. They had no other options. No wonder their next move must be logical. It had to be logical because it was absolutely necessary. They had to get out of their burning house, as it were, or perish. They had no other means to maintain the Abrahamic blessings they had by birth. It was Jesus or burn. • • •

They must pay closer attention to the Jesus message that they had heard. They must reverse their slipping past and drifting by the message by accepting Him as their final sacrifice. No other choices were open to them.

Major Warning #2 Interpreted The questions now are, “Why did they not pay the very closest possible attention to such an earth-shattering message that they had plainly heard? Why did they flow past it and by it and drift away from such important information? Why!” This information carried the same importance to them eternally that our burning house illustration carried temporally. Common sense demands that one logically and necessarily flees a burning house. Accepting Jesus is even more important, however, than getting out of a burning house. Why did they not instantly act on the information that God no longer accepted the blood of bulls and goats? Why did they not immediately turn to the blood of Jesus, since God only accepts His blood now? The answer to these astounding questions lies in the meaning of “neglect” in verse 4. “Neglect” translates ameleo. Ameleo combines two Greek words. The first word is a, the Greek negative. The Greek negative is the same as our English “no,” or “not.” The second word in this combination is melo, which means, “to care.” The combination, then, means “no care,” “not caring,” or just plain “careless.” In other words, some of these Hebrews just did not care about the Jesus message that they had heard. They did not care whether or not Jesus was their final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. They just did not care. Consequently, they actively and completely drifted by and away from this message without “getting out of their burning house,” as it were. In a nutshell, they “placed no value” upon what they had heard about Jesus. They “made light” of this information. The following scripture demonstrates this for us.


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Chapter One Matt 22:5 5

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: (KJV) (Italics Mine)

In the preceding verse, “made light of” translates this same Greek word that is translated by “neglect” above. This is exactly how the Hebrews treated the message concerning Jesus’ final sacrifice. They “made light of it.” They placed no value upon it. They actively and completely drifted by it with no thought of alarm. They neglected it because it was of no value to them! They did not understand that they were surrounded by circumstances more compelling than being in a burning house. Our Author, however, used strong language to tip them off to the importance of Jesus’ sacrifice. He used the words of angels as an illustration of stedfastness. In other words, if what angels said could be depended upon to occur without exception, surely the things God said about Jesus could also be depended upon to occur without exception. Furthermore, if every transgression and disobedience was sure to receive its just reward, what God said about Jesus’ sacrifice was just as sure (Heb. 2:2). Although Jesus himself began to speak these things, other people heard him say them. Then, those people who heard Him say these things confirmed what they heard Him say to the rest of the Hebrews. This, however, is not all. God himself bore witness to the truth of what they had heard with signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost (verse 4). Here we have a Four Fold Witness: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Jesus said it. Others heard Him say it. Those who heard Jesus say it confirmed it to the other Hebrews. God bore witness to the truth of it by signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost.

Finally, our Author asks a sobering question, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” The way this question is asked requires no answer. A. T. Robertson says this is a Rhetorical Question. In this construction, the answer is built in. To say it differently, the built in answer here is this; they can’t escape! Why can they not escape? To place no value upon Jesus’ sacrifice makes escape impossible. (Remember that the sacrifices were their escape hatch when they sinned under Moses’ law.) Escape is impossible for them now, because God no longer accepts the blood of bulls, goat’s cows, and sheep. Now, he only accepts the blood of Jesus Christ. To place no value upon God’s final sacrifice for sin means there is no escape hatch for them. They have lost the healing, prosperity, family well being, and salvation they were born with in the Abrahamic covenant. In the next chapter, we look at the impact Psalm 95 has upon the Book of Hebrews. This is one of many Old Testament quotes in Hebrews. The way our Author used this Psalm will startle you. He demonstrates parallels between those Hebrews in the wilderness, those in David’s day and those in his own day. These parallels are unsettling. Page 18


Chapter Two

Major Warning #3 Interpreted Hebrews draws heavily on Psalm 95. Actually, Major Warning #3 is based upon Psalms 95. In this Psalm, David compared the people to whom he was writing to the people who came out of the wilderness wanderings. Likewise, our Author compares his own audience to David’s illustration of those people. The key words David used in the comparison of his audience with those of the wilderness experience are “Today, hear, harden not,” and “unbelief.” In using these key words, David pleads with them for three things: 1. He pleads for them to Hear the voice of God, Today. 2. He pleads for them to Harden not their hearts when they hear His voice, Today. 3. He pleads for them to believe the word of God and act upon what He said, Today. Unfortunately, they did not believe God (unbelief) when He told them that they could take the Abrahamic land away from the heathen. Because they did not believe what He said (unbelief), they did not act upon what He said. They did not even attempt to take the land and remove the heathen from it. Ps 95:7-11 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, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. (KJV) In Hebrews, our Author quotes this Psalm once and paraphrases it once to completely capture the meaning of it. Through these two uses of the same Psalm, like David of old, he gravely warns the Hebrews to whom he is writing. He warns them that the calamity of those in the wilderness is about to happen to them for the very same identical reason. In the wilderness, they did not believe what God said about their ability to take the land. In Hebrews, they do not believe God’s message that Jesus is His final sacrifice for their sins. Here is his quote. Heb 3:7-11 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) (KJV) Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Two Here is his paraphrase: Heb 3:15-19 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (KJV) In other words, in the wilderness wanderings, God had promised them a rest. (The rest in Moses’ day consisted of peacefully dwelling in the land promised to them in the Abrahamic covenant.) When the time came for them to possess the land, seven heathen nations occupied it and trespassed upon it. Because of unbelief, these Hebrews perceived these seven nations to be giants. God said they could overthrow them and take the land. They did not, however, believe what He said. Instead, they believed the opposite. They believed they could not overthrow the giants and take the land. Even in the face of Joshua and Caleb, these Hebrews did not believe God. They just did not believe that they could overthrow the present occupants (giants) of the land. Consequently, they refused to act upon God’s message that they could conquer the giants and occupy their promised inheritance of a restful land. Because of their unbelief, they were forced to wander forty years in the wilderness until that entire generation of doubters died off. What a tragedy. God said it. They did not believe him. Consequently, they were forced to forfeit the rest God promised to them. Two amazing historic events 1. This was an amazing, historic event. In the Abrahamic covenant, God promised them a land. In Psalm 95, He attempted to lead them into it. They were about to see one of the most important pieces of the Abrahamic covenant fulfilled before their very eyes. But because they did not believe God and “partner with him” by following him into the land, their entire generation lost this promise. 2. In like manner, the generation of Hebrews, to whom our Author wrote, faced another momentous event. This event was the fulfillment of the most important piece of the Abrahamic covenant to that time in history. In the wilderness saga, the time to receive their Abrahamic land loomed in their face. But here they faced another historic event that was even more extra-ordinary. The Seed to whom the Abrahamic promises were made was upon the scene. He was Jesus, the Seed of the Sixtieth Promise God made to Abraham. This Promise #60 is stated in Gen. 22:18 below. Page 20


Chapter Two Gen 22:18 18 And in thy Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. (KJV) The Author of Hebrews drew a parallel, just as David in Psalm 95, between the people in the wilderness and the people to whom he wrote. In the wilderness, they were at a crossroads. They were about to receive the fulfillment of that stunning promise of the Abrahamic land. Here, they experienced an even more important crossroads than they did in the wilderness. Here, they stared right into the face of the fulfillment of the Seed promise. Here they looked squarely at God’s final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. Here they faced the supreme Seed of Abraham. Here they looked directly at the Person who, by His death, both terminated Moses’ law and confirmed the Abrahamic promises made to the fathers. Dear Reader, see the heartbreak here. The Author saw the Hebrews to whom he wrote, about to do the very same thing they did to the Land promise in the wilderness. Here, they were about to forfeit the realization and fulfillment of the Seed promise for the very same reason, unbelief. They had a promise from God, and they did not believe it. They did not “partner with God” and act upon his promise that Jesus was the Seed. They did not “partner with God” and act upon his promise that Jesus was the final sacrifice for their sins. Therefore, they must forfeit the Seed promise, here, just as they forfeited the Land promise in the wilderness. This forfeiture, however, carried far, far greater consequences. In the wilderness, they lost the historic fulfillment of their Land promise for a generation. Here, however, those who reject Jesus lost the spectacular fulfillment of their Seed promise for all eternity. They forfeited it for all eternity because they did not believe God. They just did not believe God’s word. They did not “partner with Him” and act upon Jesus as the fulfillment of his Seed promise. They did not “partner with God” and act upon his promise that Jesus was His final sacrifice for their sins. Lest Warning #2 Interpreted Next, we interpret the second of the eleven Lest Warnings for you. See verse 12 below. Our Author commands (Greek imperative) them to “Take heed.” “Heed” translates the Greek word blepo (to see). Here, it means to “give something an intense look,” hence, to take heed. Notice, also, that our Author calls them “brethren.” “Brethren” was one of nearly one hundred names, terms and phrases that the Hebrews were called in the Old Testament. Since they are the same people in the New Testament, it was sensible and fitting that they be called by the same names, terms and phrases in the New Testament also. See our book, The Unbroken Force of Abraham’s Blessings. It is free on the Internet--www.jaysnell.org. Heb 3:12 12

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (KJV) (Italics mine)

This second Lest Warning warned them against an evil heart of unbelief. The Author saw unbelief in the wilderness experience as the reason they forfeited the land rest. He saw the same Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Two unbelieving heart as the reason his readers must forfeit their great salvation also. An evil heart of unbelief caused their rejection of Jesus as their final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. Consequently, this rejection of Jesus also caused them to depart from the living God. How did a Hebrew “depart from the living God”? This evil heart of unbelief resulted in their rejection of Jesus, and this rejection caused them to “depart from the living God.” Did this “departing from the living God,” mean that these were Christian Jews who lost their salvation? If not, how can it be said they departed from God unless they were first with him? No! This Scripture did not say that these Hebrews were Christians. Absolutely not! It said the very opposite! Nowhere did this Lest Warning even hint that they were Christians. Had they been, they could not have departed from God--in this manner--to the point of being irrevocably lost (unsaved.) We shall see this as we progress in this commentary. You remember what we have learned so far. When a Hebrew sinned in the Old Testament era during the time of Moses’ law, he just had to “partner with God” by making the proper sacrifice. By so doing, he maintained, even when he sinned, what he had by birth in the Abrahamic covenant. He maintained his salvation, healing, prosperity and family well being. Remember also that if he did not make the proper sacrifice in the proper manner, he lost it all. Dear Reader, get this down into the depths of your being! If the Hebrew did not sacrifice properly, according to Moses’ law, he lost his place in the Abrahamic covenant! Losing his place in the Abrahamic covenant was his “departing from the living God.” Apart from being in this covenant, no one had any part with God or in God! In this way, the Hebrew “departed from the living God.” This is how any and all Hebrews “departed from the living God.” Yes, these Hebrews were in fact with God by birth in the Abrahamic covenant. They had all the blessings going for them. They were his people and he was their God. They maintained this close relationship with God by sacrificing properly when they sinned. In this way, they stayed close with God. But they lost this position when they sinned and did not sacrifice properly. Now, in the context of Hebrews, our Author showed them that their rejection of Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins, caused their departure from the living God. Their rejection of Jesus caused their departure from the living God because apart from Jesus, they can no longer sacrifice properly. They rejected Him because they did not believe that he was their final sacrifice. In other words, they refused to “partner with God” in this matter. God provided the sacrifice but they refused it. “To partner with” God in this matter, they must accept Jesus, his final sacrifice for their sins. What a loss! What a tragedy! For these reasons, the Author isolates two more excerpts from Psalm 95. He uses these brief quotes to plead with the people to take advantage of “Today!” He challenges them, now (Today,) to exhort one another on a daily basis. He wants them to witness to one another, each and every day. Then he introduces Lest Warning #3 Page 22


Chapter Two “Lest” Warning #3 Interpreted Heb 3:13 13

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (KJV) (Italics Mine)

In Lest Warning #3, the Author warns each of them to encourage one another daily, lest any of them be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. In what way did sin deceive these Hebrews that resulted in the hardening of their hearts? It deceived them in more ways than we can count. We shall only list three of the least obvious ways below. First, sin deceived them when it convinced them that it was socially acceptable to reject Jesus, their final sacrifice for sin. We see this effect of sin today. How many of our youth believe it is now socially acceptable to do things that the Bible plainly declares are wicked, heinous sins? Second, sin deceived them when it convinced them that their rejection of their final sacrifice was so very right that it did not affect their conscience at all. It does not bother a Hebrew’s conscience to reject Jesus to this very hour. Again, we have this with us in our churches today also. How many of our youth and adults can sin right in the face of God and Scripture and never have a twinge of conscience? Third, sin deceived them when it convinced them to adopt this rejection of Jesus as their very lifestyle. Now they walk it out and never look back. When they adopted this rejection as their lifestyle, they became comfortable with it. The entire process just adds to the hardness of their hearts that lasts to this day. The Author warned them against this very thing. History has shown that he was right in his warning. Finally, our Author pleads with them, again, to “harden not their hearts,” against Jesus. This hardening results in rejection of Jesus. When they rejected him, they can no longer sacrifice properly when they sin. Consequently, by rejecting Jesus, they departed from the living God since He is God’s last sacrifice for their sins. Therefore, no hope remains for them. They are lost. They without God and without hope in this world. Heb 4:7 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. (KJV)

In the next chapter, get ready to feel your heart swell with faith. You will see false, misleading and faith destroying views shattered. You will experience their total destruction. You will see Group 3C (those who professed Jesus but did not possess him) addressed. This will remove some faith paralyzing and faith destroying interpretations. Your faith will explode.


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Chapter Two

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Chapter Three

Two Warnings to those who profess but do not possess: False and Misleading Interpretations Corrected The first verse listed below (Heb. 3:6) appears to show that it is possible for a Christian to lose his place “in Christ’s house.” This supposedly occurs if he fails to firmly maintain his confidence and rejoicing in the hope firm unto the end. This is another way, however, of saying that “he lost his salvation.” The second verse below (Heb. 3:14) appears to show that it is possible for a Christian to cease being a “partaker of Christ.” This also supposedly occurs if he fails to steadfastly hold the beginning of his confidence unto the end. This is also just another way of saying “he lost his salvation.” Even more unfortunate, those who do not understand that the Book of Hebrew was written to the Hebrews make the sad mistake of teaching that these verses declare that a Gentile Christian can lose his salvation. As a matter of fact, neither of the above Scriptures teaches that a Christian (Hebrew or Gentile) can lose his salvation. Neither of these two verses have anything at all to do with any Christian (Hebrew or Gentile) losing his salvation. They deal with an entirely different subject. They ask, “Did the Group 3A Hebrews in these two verses ever have salvation at all?” (Remember, Group 3A are the “undecided.” Refer again to the Introduction.) Put differently, these two verses ask, “Were these Group 3A Hebrews ever saved to start with?” The following discussion will demonstrate this for you. You will be startled but your faith will be increased. Heb 3:6 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. (KJV) Heb 3:14 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (KJV) Again, these verses have nothing to do with any Christian losing his salvation. There is no way on earth that anyone can accurately believe that these Scriptures teach one thing about any Christian losing his salvation. The reason is that the Greek construction used in these two verses prohibits it. Here’s how. In Greek, there are Four Classes of Conditional Sentences. These Conditional Sentences are sentences that contain “if-then” constructions. That is, they contain a condition and a conclusion. The condition is the “if clause,” while the conclusion is the “then clause.”


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Chapter Three Now, the two verses listed above are Third Class Conditional Sentences. This class has to do with the future only. Consequently, the Third Class Conditional Sentence is a sentence in which the conclusion (then clause) will become reality in the future only if and when the condition(s) in the “if clause” has been fully met. In the Third Class Condition, the probability is high that the if clause will in fact be fulfilled. Remember, though, the conclusion or then clause will be fulfilled only if and when the condition(s) in the if clause is fulfilled. Let us illustrate this Third Class Condition with Three Scripture examples or illustrations. The examples shown below will make the Third Class Condition as plain to you as the nose on your face. Scripture Example #1 Matt 9:21 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, (then,) I shall be whole. (KJV) (Parenthesis and italics mine) This woman believed that she would be healed if only she could touch Jesus. She touched him and was instantly healed. In other words, her healing was contingent upon her touching Him. When the if clause (touching his garment) was fulfilled, the conclusion or then clause, (healing) followed instantly. Conversely, had she not touched him, she would not have been healed. Scripture Example #2 Rom 7:2 2

For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the Law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, (then,) she is loosed from the Law of her husband. (KJV) (Parenthesis and italics mine)

In this verse, being loosed from the Law of her husband (the conclusion or then clause) was contingent upon the death of her husband (the if clause). Once the husband died, she was instantly loosed. Put differently, the conclusion followed immediately upon the condition being met. On the other hand, had the husband not died, she would not have been loosed. Scripture Example #3 Rom 10:9 9

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That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, (then) thou shalt be saved. (KJV) (Parenthesis and italics mine)


Chapter Three Being saved, here, (the conclusion or then clause) is contingent upon confessing with the mouth and believing with the heart (the condition or if clause). In other words, the very moment anyone confesses and believes, he/she is instantly saved. But if these conditions, confessing and believing, are not met, no salvation follows. These verses demonstrate and clarify the Greek Third Class Condition. Nothing happens in the conclusion or then clause until the condition(s) in the if clause has been literally and actually fulfilled. In addition to the above Bible illustrations of the Third Class Condition, Greek Grammarians define it for you the very same way. They say the very same things about it. Two of them define it for you in the following footnote. 1 Leading Commentators also declare that the Author employs the Third Class Condition in Hebrews 3:6 and 14. Two of them confirm this for you in the following footnote. 2 What Heb. 3:6 and 14 Really Said About Salvation From the above discussion, we easily see that no one can ever determine if the people in verses 6 and 14 ever possessed salvation at all until the very end of their lives. Here’s why! The condition (the if clause in verse 6) contains a time element for its fulfillment. That time element is unto the end. The time element, unto the end, prevents the fulfillment of the if clause before the very end of a person’s life. In other words, for anyone to determine for sure whether or not one of these Hebrews in verse 6 was ever really in Christ’s house (the conclusion or then clause), he/she will have to wait until the very end of that Hebrew’s life. Why? They will have to wait to the end of that Hebrew’s life because that is the only time the if clause can finally be realized. Please remember our Greek rule above: the conclusion can only occur when the condition has been completely fulfilled. In verse 6, the condition can only be fulfilled at the end of their lives. Verse 14 also has a time element that limits when the if clause can be fulfilled. That time element is also the end of these Hebrews’ lives. Therefore, no one can say for sure whether or not these Hebrews were “partakers of Christ” until the very end of their lives. Only at that time can the condition of being “a partaker” be fulfilled. Both verses have the same basic condition that can only be fulfilled at their death. Verse 6 declares that they must hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of hope firm unto the end. Verse 14 states that they must hold the beginning of their confidence stedfast unto the end. These two Scriptures do not and cannot teach that a Christian (Hebrew or Gentile) had salvation and lost it! Had our Author meant to say this, he would never have used the Third Class Conditional Sentence here. There is no way anyone could ever use the Greek Third Class Conditional Sentence, in this context or anywhere else, to teach that these people had salvation and lost it. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Three Yes, the English translation of these two verses does appear to teach that a Christian (Hebrew or Gentile) can lose his salvation by a crisis of confidence. Applying the above rule concerning the Third Class Condition from the Greek text, however, we can readily see that this is impossible! These two verses absolutely do not teach that a Christian can cease being “in Christ’s house” or cease being “a partaker of Christ” by any kind of crisis in his confidence level. For this to happen, the “if clause” in both verses must have a total fulfillment. In this context this total fulfillment cannot occur until the very end of their lives! In other words, it cannot be known whether or not they were in Christ’s house (in verse 6) until and unless the condition or “if clause,” (the holding fast both the confidence and rejoicing of the hope) has been completely and totally fulfilled! According to this rule, then, it cannot be determined whether or not the people in verse 6 were part of Christ’s house until the very end of their lives. Only at that time and not before, can anyone accurately determine whether or not they held fast to their confidence level! The same thing holds true for verse 14. Therefore, in these two verses above, it was not at all a matter of these Hebrews being part of Christ’s house and losing it. It was a matter of being there to start with. Kenneth Wuest, applying the rules for the Greek Third Class Conditional Sentence, says that this verse has nothing to do with the retention of salvation. He said that it has to do with the possession of salvation. Remember, the “if clause” must be fulfilled before the “then clause” becomes actual reality.3 (KW2-Hebrews-P72) This Greek construction demands the interpretation that for any one to have ever been “in Christ’s house,” or a “partaker of Christ,” he will never have this crisis of confidence. Should a crisis of confidence ever occur, he was never “in Christ’s house” from the beginning. Neither was he ever “a partaker of Christ” at all. This is the exact meaning of the Third Class Condition. Obviously, this verse is aimed at those who profess but do not possess. This is Group 3C we mentioned in the Introduction of this Commentary. Therefore, this verse has nothing to do with any Christian losing his salvation. On the other hand, this verse proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that they never possessed salvation at all. Their confidence level getting shook to the core provides the proof that they never possessed salvation at all. Let me emphasize again, Verse 14 says nothing about a Christian (Hebrew or Gentile) being a present “partaker of Christ” and then losing it based upon a crisis of confidence. A believer is a “partaker of Christ,” in the final analysis, only when the “if clause” has been completely fulfilled. Again, this condition will only be fulfilled at the very end of his/ her life. Therefore, verse 14 says nothing about any Christian presently “partaking of Christ.” In this Greek construction, it cannot be determined whether or not he/she was a partaker of Christ until the end of his/her life and it was found to be true of him/her that he/she maintained his/her confidence level up to the end. In other words, these verses absolutely do not teach that any person (Jew or Gentile) who has salvation now, can lose it by a crisis in his confidence level. Theses verses teach the exact opposite. They demonstrate from the hard and fast rules of Greek grammar this absolute truth: Page 28


Chapter Three the people who were the subjects of these verses never possessed salvation at all if they waver in their confidence level! Yes, they professed that they had accepted Christ as their final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law, but did they mean it? Was it real? Did they really have salvation to begin with? Did they profess what they did not have? If they lost their confidence, according to the Greek Third Class Condition, they never had salvation at all. These two Scriptures have absolutely nothing to do with possessing salvation and then losing it. It has everything to do with whether or not they ever had salvation to begin with. The only test will be at the end of their lives as evidenced by the continued maintenance of their confidence level. Wuest, again, said it well. He said that it is not a matter of “retention of salvation based upon a persistence of faith, but of the possession of salvation as evidenced by a continuation of faith. 4 Who are The Fathers and what difference does it make? The answers to these questions are absolutely necessary for you to understand, not only this Commentary, but also the entire New Testament. It is very easy to demonstrate that “the Fathers” are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The verses below go back in the Bible to some of the first uses of the expression, “the Fathers.” Exod 3:13-15 13

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

14

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

15

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. (KJV) (Italics mine)

Exod 4:5 5

That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. (KJV) (Italics mine)

From these verses we may conclude this hard and fast rule: unless the context absolutely dictates otherwise, the expression, “the Fathers,” include Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is so because Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Three God made the Abrahamic covenant with Abraham, confirmed it with Isaac and finally reconfirmed it with Jacob. Furthermore, in verse 8 below, God calls His covenant with Abraham the oath which he had sworn to your fathers. We now know who the fathers are. Deut 7:7-9 8

But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (KJV) (Italics mine)

Now notice that in verse 9, He calls his covenant with Abraham both covenant and mercy. 9

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (KJV) (Italics mine)

Now, Dear Reader, you can easily see that the keeping of the Law of Moses enabled the Old Testament Abrahamic Seed Group to maintain the blessings given them by birth in the Abrahamic covenant. Verse 11 below contains God’s command for them to keep the commandments of Moses while verse 12 shows what God does for them if they do, in fact, keep Moses’ commandments. 11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. 12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: Here, we see that the Law of Moses was given to maintain the blessings the Hebrews had been born with in the Abrahamic covenant. Observe closely, here, that the Abrahamic covenant is called the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers. Keep in mind that the Law of Moses was never intended to enable the Old Testament Abrahamic Seed Group to obtain salvation and blessings by the works of the Law. Instead, it was given to enable them to maintain the Abrahamic blessings they had by birth in the Abrahamic covenant. In the next chapter, you will see God’s rest replacing their many, many works of sacrificing. This is also a real faith builder. Many of these Hebrews just couldn’t get it out of their minds that God had done it all for them in the Abrahamic covenant and ratified and perpetuated it through the blood of Jesus. You will never be the same after reading just this one chapter.

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Chapter Three

1

The following Greek Grammars define precisely the Third Class Condition. (In Greek grammars, the condition or “if clause” is called the protasis and the conclusion or “then clause” is called the apodosis.)

Books and Winbery in Syntax of New Testament Greek, Page 164, states, “The statement in the apodasis (the conclusion or “then clause”) becomes a reality only when the conditions stated in the protasis (the condition or “if clause”) are met.” (Parentheses mine) In other words, the conclusion follows immediately upon the heels of the fulfillment of the conditional part, the “if clause” of the sentence. James Allen Hewett, in his New Testament Greek, A Beginning and Intermediate Grammar, Page 170, uses Bible illustrations to define the Third Class Condition. Citing John 13:17, he says that the conclusion or then clause will occur “only upon the fulfillment” of the “if clause.” He then cites John 8:36 and says concerning it that “Given it’s (the condition or “if clause”) future fulfillment…the apodosis (the conclusion) is sure to follow.” (Parentheses mine) Finally, he cites Romans 10:9. He emphatically declares that if one confesses and believes (the conditions or “if clause”) then “the conclusion will follow without question.” (Parenthesis mine) 2

A. T. Robertson in his famous Word Studies in the New Testament, Volume 5, Pages 355 and 358, asserts that both these verses use the Third Class Condition. Kenneth S. Wuest in Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, Vol. 2,, Page 72, does not call it a Third Class Condition, he just describes it. He says, “The writer is proposing a condition as yet unfulfilled. If these Jews, to whom he is writing, hold fast their confidence and the rejoicing of their professed hope in Messiah firm to the end of their lives, that fact shows that they belong to the house of God, in other words, are saved.” 3

Wuest, cited above, says concerning verse 6 that, “The subject of the security of the believer is not in view here.” He further states that if the Jews being addressed in this passage do not maintain their confidence until the very end of their lives, this fact “shows that they never were saved.” Again, we repeat with Wuest. “It is not the retention of salvation that is in question here, but the possession of salvation.”

4

Concerning verse 14, Wuest says, “If these first-century Jews would maintain their faith in Messiah to the end of their lives, that would show that they had become in the past partakers of Messiah, and that as a present result they are partakers of Him. Again as in verse 6, the question is not one of the retention of salvation based upon a persistence of faith, but of the possession of salvation as evidenced by a continuation of faith.”


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Chapter Four

Let Us Exhortation #1, Lest Warning #4, Let Us Exhortation #2, and Lest Warning #4 Interpreted In verse 1 below, our Author introduces us to the first of the Let Us Exhortations. There are thirteen of these Let Us Exhortations in Hebrews. These are specific Greek constructions. In Greek grammar, they are named Hortatory Subjunctives. In translation, all thirteen of them start with “let us.” For this reason, we refer to them as the Let Us Exhortations in this work. These Hortatory Subjunctives, Let Us Exhortations, are Greek devices in which a speaker or writer exhorts one or more people to join in with him in an action. He could exhort them to join in with him to start an action that has not begun yet. Or, he could exhort them to join in with him in an action that is already in progress and in which he, the exhorter, is already engaged. In verse 1 below, the Author is exhorting his Hebrew readers to join with him in starting an action that has not begun yet. In other words, the Hebrews have not yet begun fearing that they are about to miss out on God’s rest. They do not realize that they are in the same danger as those in the wilderness experience for the same reason; they do not believe God. Consequently, our Author begins this chapter with the words, “Let us therefore fear. . . .” Heb 4:1-3 1 2 3

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. 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. 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. (KJV)

“Lest Warning” #4 Interpreted In addition, the Author brings us to his fourth Lest Warning in verse 1. He declares his reason for his Let Us Exhortation to fear; he doesn’t want any of them to seem to come short of obtaining God’s promised rest. Notice how he couples his Let us Exhortation and his Lest Warning together: He is so very direct; He uses no any connecting words; He runs the two right together; He states his exhortation for them to join with him in fearing for the Hebrews as a people; He closes the verse with, “..lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” At the end of this chapter we show you how a Hebrew came short of obtaining the promise of rest. To put it differently, we answer this question: “What does a Hebrew have to do or not do to come short of entering God’s promised rest?” Next, in verses 2 and 3, our Author includes himself in a group of Hebrews that not only had the gospel of rest preached to them but also profited from the gospel-of-rest-message, because they Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Four accepted it by faith. In other words, they believed the message. Finally they proved that they believed the message because they acted upon it. Consequently, once they acted upon it, they had what they acted upon. They entered God’s rest. For clarity, see these things in list form below. 1. These Hebrews had the gospel-rest-message preached to them. 2. Some profited from it because they accepted the message as having come from God. 3. Out Author included himself in this group. 4. This group of Hebrews believed (acted upon) this message. 5. Immediately when they acted upon it, they entered God’s promised rest. We must briefly define for you, here, the two Bible words, faith and believe. First, we define the term faith: “Faith is information we receive from God for us to act upon. This information enables us to know in advance the will of God on a given matter. This information enables us to know in advance what God plans to do about something before he does it. This advance information is what the Bible calls faith.” Many times this information we get from God contains instructions for us to walk out. In other words, this information shows us in advance what our part is in what God is about to do. This advance information is what the Bible calls faith. We get this information from the Scriptures, from sermons, from radio and TV messages, from Sunday School lessons, from prophetic words, a “knowing in your spirit” and any other way God wishes to give it to you. This advance information is what the Bible calls faith. Just remember this! The Bible is Check Point Charlie. Any “word” you get from any source that contradicts the Scripture, in any place and in any way, is not from God. God will never communicate any message to you that contradicts his written Word. Believe, in the Biblical sense, does not reside just between your ears. “Rather, believe means to act upon the information (your faith) you received from God.” This is what the Bible calls believe. It can never be said that anyone “believes God until and unless he acts upon what God said for him to do.” For a thorough, complete explanation of this subject, faith and believe, read our book, How to Obtain Abraham’s Blessings. It is free on the Internet--www.jaysnell.org. Now the “rest gospel” did not profit those in the wilderness who heard the message from God. Why? Because they did not mix it with faith! But what does the statement mean, “not being mixed with faith in them that heard it”? Look at the words, “mixed with.” This is the translation of one Greek word. This Greek word, however, is composed of two Greek words combined. It combines the Greek preposition, sun, which means “together with” and karannumi, which means “to mingle or mix.” The Page 34


Chapter Four combination, then, means “to mix or to mingle together with.” Now we shall apply this definition for you in the following paragraphs and all this will become crystal clear for you. Previously we said that faith is information we get from God for us to act upon. The Hebrews in the wilderness already had information from God that they had accepted as having come from God. They had the Abrahamic covenant. In that same covenant, they had God’s promise that he would deliver them from bondage in Egypt. (He gave this promise about four hundred years in advance.) They not only had this information but also accepted it as having come from God. As such, this body of information became their faith. Remember this well, dear reader! They had information from God, which they acknowledged and accepted as being from God. This acknowledgment and acceptance made this information their faith! Therefore, the Hebrews in the wilderness had faith! Now, the time came to possess the land God promised them, but “giants” occupied it. God, however, sent information through Moses that they could uproot the “giants” living in the land God gave them by Abrahamic promise. But they refused to believe it. They refused to believe that they could, indeed, uproot the giants and conquer the land. They refused to mix or mingle this new information with the information they already had that they considered as being from God. They absolutely would not mix this “rest message” into their reservoir of information they had already received from God that they were to act upon. Over the centuries, they had previously received information from God that they accepted as having come from God. Their acceptance of it made this information their faith. They would not, however, mix this new gospel-rest-message-information with the information they had already received and accepted over the centuries. They rejected it and therefore, would not and did not act upon it. Now we know what our Author meant when he said they did not mix their “restgospel-message-information” with the other information God had already said to them. They refused to “mix this new-rest-message-information with their faith information.” Since they did not consider it to be from God (faith), they did not accept it. Since they did not accept it, they did not act upon it (unbelief) and therefore, they did not occupy the land. That generation died off without realizing the great land promise in the covenant with Abraham. Their unbelief did them in. Their entire generation died in the wilderness. Heb 4:6 6

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (KJV)

Heb 4:9-11 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Four 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV) In the wilderness, “the rest” was the land. “The rest” in the Book of Hebrews was (among other things) “the rest” from the many sacrifices required by Moses’ law. In other words, those Hebrews in the wilderness did not enter into God’s rest. They could not enter into it because they refused to act upon the information (unbelief) that God gave them through Moses. How, then, are we to interpret Lest Warning #4, here? How did a Hebrew, in this context, “come short of God’s rest?” The following paragraphs will clearly answer this for you. A rest remained for God’s people then and it remains for them until this day. Our Author said this twice. In verse 9 above, he said, “there remaineth a rest for the people of God.” In verse 6 above, he said, “it remaineth that some must enter” God’s rest. Those (in both ages) who accept the “rest-gospel-message” as information from God and act upon it (believe), enter God’s rest. Those (in both ages) who do not accept the “rest-gospel-message” as information from God and act upon it (unbelief), do not enter God’s rest. Obviously, those who enter God’s rest cease from their own labors (verse 10 above). In other words, the Hebrews to whom our Author wrote still labored under the multiple bull and goat sacrifices required by Moses’ law. They sacrificed here and they sacrificed there. They never get through sacrificing. They sacrificed for each and every individual sin. They never get through sacrificing. They worked, worked and worked! But now, God no longer accepts the sacrifices of bulls and goats. He only accepts the one time sacrifice of the Son of God. Jesus shed his blood and it was and is so complete and so powerful that no sacrifice will ever be required again. His sacrifice blots out all sins, past, present and future. (More on this subject later.) Compare this with the sacrifices required by Moses’ law. Many times they had to sacrifice. They had to sacrifice as each sin was committed. They had to sacrifice as it happened. They worked, worked, and worked. They labored, labored, and labored. Then, if all this was not enough, they had an annual sacrifice, the National Day of Atonement. Labor! Labor! Labor! Work! Work! Work! Sacrifice! Sacrifice! Sacrifice! No wonder our Author emphatically declared in verse 10, “ For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” They “come short” of God’s rest simply by (1) refusing to act upon God’s information concerning Jesus, the last sacrifice for their sins, and (2) by attempting to stay with the sacrifices of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep! “Come short,” here, has nothing to do with any Christian losing his healing, prosperity, family well being or salvation. This is strictly aimed at those Hebrews who attempted to stay under the Mosaic sacrifices. Let Us Exhortation #2 Then, we come to the second Let Us Exhortation and the Fifth Lest Warning in Hebrews. Verse 10 above says, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest. . . .” Remember the Let Us Page 36


Chapter Four Exhortations? The writer or speaker exhorts his hearers or listeners to join with him in an action that is either already in progress or has not started yet. In this passage, our Author exhorts his readers to join with him to start an action. Obviously, his readers had not yet started laboring to enter God’s rest in the way prescribed by God. They frantically attempted to establish their own righteousness by the works of the Law. Work! Work! Work! Labour! Labour! Labour! They did not realize that by the works of the Law absolutely no flesh--Jew or Gentile--could ever be justified (cleared of the guilt of all their sins). (The words justified, just, justify, righteousness and righteous all translate the same basic Greek root, which means “to clear of all guilt.” These five translations above mean that one has been cleared from the guilt of all his sins.) Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified. (KJV) You see, Dear Reader, their works were in vain. They could never be cleared of all the guilt of all their sins by the works of the Law, because the Law of Moses was never given for this purpose. It was given to maintain the blessings contained in the Abrahamic covenant. Remember, they were born with the blessings of healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation. These Hebrews--addressed by our Author--attempted to earn, by the works of Moses” law, what they already possessed. They already possessed them because of their place (by birth) in the Abrahamic covenant. They had forgotten, however, that they possessed these blessings by birth. They had forgotten that they did not have to earn them. By trying to work for them, they forfeited them. They forfeited them because they did not tap into them by faith. Therefore, they lost everything they were born with in God’s covenant with Abraham. Why? They lost all the Abrahamic blessings listed above because the Abrahamic blessings could only be appropriated by faith. They had to accept the provisions of that covenant as “information from God (faith) that they must act upon.” Next, they had to act upon it (believing). Then they obtained what they acted upon. (Remember the discussion above. Faith is information from God. Believing is acting upon that information.) By now it should be crystal clear to you, Dear Reader. The Hebrews could never obtain by the works of Moses’ law the blessings (listed above) that God gave them in the Abrahamic covenant. For these Hebrews to attempt to earn the blessings of Abraham (which they already possessed) by the works of the Moses’ law is equivalent to trying to go to the moon in a Volkswagen! A Volkswagen, as cute as it is, will never take you to the moon. It was not designed to do this. Never. Neither was Moses’ law designed to enable the Hebrews or anyone else to earn the blessings of Abraham. It was designed to maintain the Abrahamic blessings. It was never designed to earn Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Four them. As the Volkswagen will never take you to the moon, Moses’ law will never earn the Abrahamic blessings listed above. All four of the Abrahamic blessings were contained in the Sixty Promises of the Abrahamic covenant, and Moses’ law maintained them. This was their information from God. Once they acted upon the promises, they obtained what they acted upon. Finally, making the proper sacrifice, maintained the blessings for them. Thank God! Gentile Christians are grafted into these four things also. These four things belong to us as Gentile Christians on an absolute equal footing with these Hebrews. Remember, Gentiles are included in thirteen of the Sixty Promises in the Abrahamic covenant. When is the Gentile grafted in? God grafts him in immediately when he receives Jesus as his personal savior. To thoroughly understand the “the grafting,” see our book, The Unbroken Force of Abraham’s Blessings. It is free on the Internet. Go to www.jaysnell.org. Lest Warning #5 Interpreted Look again at verse 11 above. Our Author exhorted his readers to join in with him and start the action of laboring to enter God’s rest. He exhorted them to do it God’s way, by faith and not by works. Then he warned them with Lest Warning #5. He said that unless they labor to enter God’s rest in God’s way (by faith) that any one of them could fall after the same example of unbelief that caused them to fall in the wilderness. Of course, this unbelief in the wilderness experience cost them. It cost them the immediate realization (fulfillment) of the Land Promise. It also cost them their lives. That entire generation died in the wilderness. Only a handful of Faith People survived. To put it differently, the Works People in the wilderness experience were the example of unbelief to the audience our Author addressed here. He warned his readers not to mimic them. He said that if they mimicked them, they too would fall just like they did in the wilderness and for the same reason; they refused to act upon God’s information. They made no attempt to conquer the land. Likewise, many of the Hebrews here refused to act upon God’s information. They did not accept Jesus, even though God said that He was the final sacrifice for their sins. Because they did not act upon this information, they lost everything they had by birth in the Covenant. How, then, are we to interpret Lest Warning” #5? What does our Author mean by “fall after the same example of unbelief?” In other words, how did a Hebrew fall in this context? Remember that he was born with healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation in the Abrahamic covenant. If he sacrificed properly when he sinned, he maintained all the above. Conversely, if he did not sacrifice properly when he sinned, he lost all the above. Now, the proper sacrifice is Jesus. His blood is now all that God will accept for their sins. He is now the only sacrifice for their sins. Nothing else will suffice for them anymore. Therefore, had these Hebrews just accepted God’s final sacrifice, Jesus, they would forever maintain everything they had by birth in the Abrahamic covenant. Since they did not accept Jesus, they “fall out of” everything above. They fall! They lose it all.

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Chapter Four Furthermore, this warning applies to everyone. There are no exceptions. Anyone who substitutes religious works in place of faith and believing (acting upon God’s information) will fall. He is lost. He is doomed. He has had it! Dear Reader! Let our Author’s warning sound loudly in your ears! If you substitute works for faith acted upon, you too will fall for the same reason they fell in the wilderness. You will fall for the same reason they fell in our Author’s day! You will not make it. You will wake up in hell. There are no exceptions! The Abrahamic blessings are given in the Abrahamic covenant. You do not have to work to get or maintain them. They are a given! In the next chapter, we begin a series of chapters that demonstrate with rock solid proof that the people addressed are indeed Hebrews, not Gentiles. This section is the most faith building and startling of all that we say in this work. Read it and grow into a spiritual giant!


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Chapter Four

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Chapter Five

These People are Hebrews, not Gentile Christians In this chapter, we shall depart from the warnings (in the order our Author gives them). Instead, we look very closely at Heb. 5:12 through Heb. 6:3. We prove for you that the people to whom our Author spoke, in this context, are two of the Groups out of the Hebrew nation that we explained to you in the Introduction. Specifically, they are Group Two and Group 3B. (See the Introduction to refresh yourself about Group Two and Group 3B.) When we finish, you will know that Gentile Christians are not in here at all. Remember, Group Two were those Hebrews who had accepted Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins. Group 3B are those Hebrews who were “undecided” about Jesus. They had not rejected Him, but neither had they accepted Him. They were, in a word, “undecided.” The people addressed in Heb. 5:12-13 and Heb. 6:1a were not, absolutely not, Christians. They were neither Jew nor Gentile Christians. They were not Christians at all. Therefore, Dear Gentile Christian Reader, you are not in view here at all! Furthermore, you make a horrible mistake if you attempt to place yourself anywhere in Heb. 5:12 through Heb. 6:3. Now see the Scriptures that demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that the people addressed in this passage is Group Two and Group 3A Hebrews exclusively. Watch the bold words and parentheses in the verses below. This will help identify these two Groups for you. Heb 5:12-6:3 12 For when for the time ye (Group 3B) ought to be teachers, ye (Group 3B) have need that one teach you (Group 3B) 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. 13 For every one (in Group 3B) that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he (Group 3B) is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them (Group Two) that are of full age, even those (Group Two) who by reason of use have their (Group Two) senses exercised to discern both good and evil. CHAPTER 6 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us (Group Two) go on unto perfection; (Group 3B starting here through verse 3) not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we (all of us) do, if God permit. (KJV) (Bold words and italics mine) From the above Scriptures, we must look closely at Group 3B. This group, you remember from the Introduction, are those Hebrews who were considering the claims about Jesus, but were still “undecided.” By “undecided,” we mean that they had neither accepted Him yet, nor had they made a final rejection of Him yet. In a word, they were “undecided.” Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Five Now, this “undecided” Group 3B are characterized by the following Seven Things: 1. They should be teachers but they are not. 2. They still need someone to teach them. 3. They still need the ABC’s of the Old Testament (the First Principles of the Oracles of God). 4. They still need milk. 5. They can’t yet handle the strong meat of the Word. 6. They are unskillful in the Word. 7. They are babes. Next, we must answer the following questions: What are the first principles of the oracles of God in Heb 5: 12 above? What are the principles of the doctrine of Christ in Hebrews 6:1? Are these two things really the same? If so, what are they? If so, to what do they refer? The First Principles of the Oracles of God in Heb. 5: 12 and the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ in Heb. 6:1 Refer to the Same Thing The “first principles of the oracles of God” and “the principles of the doctrine of Christ” are just different ways of saying the same thing. They are just two different expressions that refer to the very same thing. Now, we must determine just exactly what our Author meant by these two expressions, the first principles of the oracles of God in 5: 12 and the principles of the doctrine of Christ in 6:1. In other words, what is this “same thing” to which both these expressions refer? We shall begin with Heb. 5:12. “Principles” in verse 12 above, translates the Greek word stoicheio, which means “rudiments” or “primary elements.” “Oracles,” in verse 12, translates logion (from logos), which means “a brief, divine utterance.” When considered together, they simply mean God’s “brief, divine utterances about the elementary rudiments concerning Christ.” Adam Clarke says that logion (from logos) “signifies a divine speech or answer from a deity to a proposed question.” Then, he says that it signifies both the Law received from God by Moses plus the Old Testament in general. (AC3, Hebrews, P721) Furthermore, he is emphatic concerning Heb 5:12. He unequivocally declares that the first principles of the oracles of God undoubtedly mean the writings of the Old Testament. (AC3, Hebrews, P720) Marvin Vincent joins forces with Adam Clarke above. He declares that these “first principles of the oracles of God” in Heb. 5: 12 refer to those Old Testament sayings that “point to Christ.” Notice that Vincent states, with no hesitation, that the “principle elements of the oracles of God” are those Old Testament sayings that point to Christ. (MV4, P 435) According then, to Clarke and Vincent, the first principles of the oracles of God in Heb. 5: 12 above, emphatically pertain to those Old Testament passages that point to the beginning teachings concerning Jesus the Christ.

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Chapter Five Next, we consider the statement concerning “the principles of the doctrine of Christ,” in Heb. 6:1. Before explaining this statement, however, we must give you the exact wording of it from the Greek text. This will make it very easy for you to understand. The Greek text places the words in this order: “Wherefore, leaving the beginning word of the Christ, on to completion let us be borne and carried.” In the above word order from the Greek text, “word” translates logos. This is the same basic root word that was translated “principles” in Heb. 5:12 above. To simplify this for you, this verse actually says that there was “a beginning word about the Christ.” In addition, we saw, above, that both Clarke and Vincent hold that this “beginning word” comes from the Old Testament. Furthermore, A.T. Robertson, the great Greek grammarian, joins both Clarke and Vincent. Robertson says that these two verses say basically the same thing. He said that the expression, “the beginning word about the Christ” is just repeating the expression, “the first principles of the oracles of God.” (ATR5 P 373) Marvin Vincent also believes that Heb. 5:12 and 6:1 say the same thing and refer to the same thing. Moreover, he is just as emphatic about it as Robertson above. Concerning 6:1, he says, “The word of the beginning of Christ is practically=the rudiments of the beginning, ch.v.12…” (MV4 P441) In other words, these two expressions refer to the same, identical, Old Testament, beginning ABC’s concerning Jesus. Additionally, Kenneth Wuest, concerning this expression in Heb 6:1, declares, “the beginning word of the Christ refers to that teaching concerning Him which is first presented in the Bible. And what is that but the truth concerning His Person and work found in the symbolism of the Levitical sacrifices. The tabernacle, priesthood, and offerings all speak of Him in His Person and work. And this interpretation is in exact accord with the argument of the book.” (KW2, Hebrews, P110) In other words, both Heb. 5:12 and Heb. 6:1 say the same thing. They both refer to the same thing. They both refer to the beginning ABC’s about Jesus in the Old Testament. Next, the same group (Group 3B) described by the Seven Characteristics in 5:12-14, is commanded in Heb. 6:1, to “leave” these first teachings from the Old Testament. They must “forsake” them. They must “abandon” them. They must “completely separate themselves” from these Old Testament, beginning ABC’s of Jesus the Christ. A deeper look at the meaning of “leaving” in Heb. 6:1 “Leaving” translates aphiemi, which means “to leave, to abandon, to separate, to sever and to forsake.” Aphiemi combines two Greek words. It combines the preposition apo with the verb hiemi. Hiemi means “to send.” Apo means “away” or more exactly, “away from.” The combination, aphieme, means “to send away from.” More completely, aphiemi means “to leave off, to abandon, go away from or to separate completely from someone or something.” Next, we must understand Three More Things about this word aphiemi. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Five 1. The preposition Apo is only used with the “ablative case” in Greek. The root idea of the ablative is “separation.” It declares “point of departure.” It shows origin. When separation occurs, the ablative declares the source of it. In a word, the ablative shows, not only source and origin, it also shows separation from the source or origin. Simply put, the ablative shows from what something or someone was separated. The Greek grammarians, Dana and Mantey, describe the ablative. “Its basal significance is point of departure. This idea may be elemental in various conceptions. It is involved not only in the literal removal of one object from the vicinity of another, but in any idea which implies departure from antecedent relations, such as derivation, cause, origin, and the like. It contemplates an alteration in state from the viewpoint of the original situation. . . . The use of the ablative comprehends an original situation from which the idea expressed is in some way removed. Hence, in simplest terms we may say that its root idea is separation.” (DM P81) Therefore, aphiemi means, in this context, “to send away from oneself, to forsake, to separate, and to abandon.” Consequently, these Group 3B Hebrews are commanded, “to forsake, to abandon, to separate from, to sever themselves from and send away” these first, Old Testament ABC’s that pointed to Jesus the Christ. But there is more. Aphiemi is also an “aorist participle.” 2. The “aorist tense” describes a certain kind of action. It regularly speaks of an action completed in one act. It describes something that occurred in one “fell swoop.” In our present context then, “leaving” must be done in one act. It must be completed all at once. In other words, Group 3B must leave the Old Testament ABC’s of Christ in one, decisive, final blow. As Such, “leaving” should be translated by “having left in one act.” 3. According to Kenneth Wuest, aphiemi is an “imperative” participle. (KW2, Hebrews, P109) If he is right, we must note the following thoughts. The imperative in Greek, as in English, is the command device. In other words, these Hebrews are commanded to leave off, forsake and abandon the Old Testament sacrifices. Our Author gives them no choice. He did not give them the option to draw straws. He gave them no right to vote on it. He did not assign it to a committee. He commanded them to get completely away from the Old Testament ABC sacrifices and move on to completion. Other New Testament examples of imperative participles are: Eph.4: 2; 5: 2; Rom. 12: 9; 2 Cor. 9: 11; Col. 3: 16; Heb. 13: 5; 1 Pet. 2: 12, 18; 3: 1, 7, 9 and 16. Are you, Dear Reader, beginning to get the picture? Our Author is telling them to overthrow, to discard, to reject and repudiate the entire Old Testament, Mosaic system. This is radical! It is revolutionary. Yet, anything less won’t get it. They must leave off, separate from, abandon and forsake the Old Testament sacrifices forever. They are history. God no longer accepts them. Marvin Vincent said concerning this thought, “The more difficult point, which it will require matured perception to grasp, is that Christ’s priesthood involves the entire abolition of the old covenant.” By “old covenant,” he means the Mosaic system. Why viewing these people as “Baby Christians” is absurd Many commentators and teachers want us to believe that these people in 5:12-14 are baby Christians--Jew or Gentile. They tell us that they are just immature Christians. As such, they must leave off those elementary, early Christian teachings they received in the Toddler, Primary Page 44


Chapter Five and Junior departments. They are stuck (they say) in the “baby talk” section of the Christian church. They just need to move on to the strong meat of the word. In other words, the people in this context (according to these teachers and commentators) are immature Christians who must leave and abandon the ABC’s of the Christian religion that they received in the Toddler Department. According to these teachers, they just need to grow up! This is nonsense! This is absolutely false! Here’s why! If these teachers are right and the group in this context is just a bunch of immature, baby Christians, they (these teachers) have an insurmountable problem! Here’s why! If the people in this context are Christians already, why did our Author command them to leave these first, ABC teachings of Christ that they received in the Toddler Department? Why must any Christian (Jew or Gentile) leave these basics of Christian teaching that he received in the Toddler section? Why must any Christian (Jew or Gentile) leave the basics of Christian doctrine that he received in the Toddler group? Why must any Christian (Jew or Gentile) leave the basics of the Christian church that he received while a Toddler? Why must any Christian (Jew or Gentile) leave the basics of the Christian faith that he received while a Toddler? They must never leave them at all! Never! Never! Never! Had these people, here, just been immature Christians, our Author would never, never, never have commanded them to leave the ABC’s of Christ that he received in the Toddlers! Can you imagine a pastor teaching his flock to leave off, to forsake, to separate themselves from, to sever himself from the early ABC’s about Christ that he received in the Toddler Department? He would have the teachers in the Toddler section come down on his head. Rightfully so! They should come down on his head. Can you imagine a Sunday School teacher telling his/her class to leave, to forsake, to abandon, to put away from themselves those early ABC’s that they were taught in the Toddlers? No, you can’t! This, however, is what those who believe that these people are just baby Christians would have us do. How can these teachers and commentators unravel this knot? How can they unravel this knot? Every Christian knows that we must never leave the basic principles (ABC’s) of the Christian faith. If these Hebrews had accepted Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law, then they maintained the salvation that they were born with. If they maintained it then they were still saved. But herein lies their problem. If they were saved, why would the Author command them to leave, to forsake, to abandon, to sever, to separate from and to put away the first teachings or principles (ABC’s) of the doctrine of Christ? He would not. Had these Hebrews accepted God’s final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law, the Author would never have commanded them to leave, either the Old Testament or the New Testament ABC’s of Christ. Since they (Group 3B above) were indeed commanded to leave the Old Testament ABC’s about Jesus, we must logically conclude that these Hebrews (Group 3B) had never accepted Jesus as their final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. Therefore, they were not saved Hebrews at all! They were not Christians at all! Otherwise, they would have never been commanded to leave the Old Testament teachings (ABC’s) about Christ. To put it differently, the Group 3B Hebrews in this passage were still dependent upon the Levitical sacrifices of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. They were still depending upon the Mosaic system. Consequently, they had lost the salvation they were born with since God no longer Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Five accepted the blood of bulls and goats and cows and sheep. He only accepts, now, the blood of His Son. These Hebrews were commanded to leave their dependence upon these Levitical sacrifices and see them only as pointing to Christ. As such, Jesus Christ, His sacrifice, His blood and His priesthood were perfect and complete. They were “perfection” and “completion.” “Perfection” translates teleios that means “completion, fulfillment, end of a process or the accomplishment of an end.” Put differently, they were commanded to completely abandon their dependence on those things that only pointed to Jesus. Instead, they were commanded to “allow themselves to be borne along” to that which is complete, finished and perfect. In other words, they were “to be borne along” to the perfection and completion, which includes not only Jesus himself, but also his sacrifice, his blood, and his priesthood. Clarke said that he is inclined to view all the terms in Heb. 6:1 and 2 as belonging “to the Levitical law and are to be explained on that ground.” (AC3, Romans to Revelation, P723) Kenneth Wuest also referred Heb. 6:1-2 to the teaching of the First Testament. By “First Testament,” he means, of course, Moses’ law and the Levitical System. (KW2, Hebrews, P111112) Finally, there is one more devastating blow to the view that these were just baby, immature Christians. To support this view, those who hold to it are forced to say that “leaving” simply means to leave the ABC’s as a builder leaves the foundation he has built when he is ready to build the rest of the house. They say that the foundation is still there. The builder just leaves off building on the foundation; he just builds the rest of the house on top of the foundation he has already laid or built. This is a terrible mistake. There is no power on earth that can stretch the borders of aphiemi wide enough or broad enough to cover such a thought. This word can never mean to build upon. It means to sever. It means to get away from. It means to separate. It means to abandon. It means to forsake. To apply this word to the building of a house, the builder must completely sever the house he builds from the foundation. In other words, he must build the house in mid-air. He must suspend it in space. This is ridiculous. Aphiemi does not mean, “to build upon.” It means “to put away from.” It means “to sever.” It means “to separate.” It means “to forsake.” It means “to abandon.” Can you imagine a house “put away from” its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house “severed” from its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house “separated from” its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house that “forsakes” its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house that “abandoned” its foundation? No! Can you imagine a house build in mid air? No! Can you imagine a house suspended in space? No! A thousand times no! Aphiemi absolutely does not mean, “to build upon!” To sum up, the Hebrews in this group were not saved at all. They were Group 3B. They were still undecided. A deeper look at the meaning of “let us go on” in 6:1 “Let us go on” translates phero. This word means “to carry or to bear.” Furthermore, in this passage, phero is in the passive voice. The passive translation, therefore, is “ let us be carried or borne.” Page 46


Chapter Five In the Greek active voice, as well as in the English, the subject does the acting. The way phero is translated in the KJV appears to be an active voice verb. “Let us go” seems to be something the subject is doing. But this is not the case here. Phero is not in the active voice. Phero is in the passive voice. Compare “let us go on” with “let us be carried and borne.” “Let us go” is active. “Let us be carried or borne” is passive. Does this make a difference? Absolutely! It makes a gigantic difference. When these Hebrews (Group 3B) accept Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for their sins, immediately, they become God’s responsibility to a greater degree than ever before. Consequently, they do not have to work at sacrificing anymore. Remember their work versus God’s rest? Jesus’ sacrifice finished the work of God to maintain their salvation. Once they accept Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins, they never need to sacrifice again. God now takes over and “bears and carries them on” to perfection. “Let us be carried and borne,” effortlessly, is radically different from “going on” by their own efforts. Again, God’s rest versus their works. It is God’s rest or their work. It can never be both ways. Jesus did it for them or He did not. God’s rest versus their works. “Let us be carried and borne” was God’s rest. “Let us go on” was their work. Let Us Exhortation #3 In 6: 1 above, we have the third Let Us Exhortation. Here, the Author exhorts them to join him in an action in which he is already engaged. (In the first two Let Us Exhortations, the Author exhorted them to join him in starting an action. Beginning here and continuing throughout the rest of these Let Us Exhortations in Hebrews, our Author exhorts them to join with him in an action already in progress and in which he is already engaged.) In Heb. 6:1 above, he commanded these Group 3B Hebrews to leave the Old Testament ABC’s and join him in letting God carry and bear them (along with the Author) right on to maturity and completion. Watch the pronouns! Here, the pronouns are vitally important. Notice in 5:12-13, he addresses Group 3B with the pronouns “ye” and “you.” Note well, however, that in addressing them by “ye” and “you,” he excluded himself from their group. Do you get this? Our Author did not include himself in Group 3B! Had he included himself, he would have used the pronoun “we” and/or “us.” But our Author was part of another Group, an entirely differently Group. We shall see the group in which he included himself next. When our Author changed pronouns from “ye” and” you” to “us” in Heb. 5:14 and 6:1a above, he changed groups completely. He was exhorting Group 3B to join in with him in his group. He is in Group Two. He has already accepted Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for his sins. Now, he encourages, challenges and exhorts those in Group 3B to change groups. He wants them to join in with him in his Group 2. Study the Scriptures below. We identify the Groups for you by our bold words and parentheses. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Five Heb 5:12-6:1 12 For when for the time ye (Group 3B) ought to be teachers, ye (Group 3B) have need that one teach you (Group 3B) 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. 13 For every one (of you in Group 3B) that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he (Group 3B) is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them (in Group Two) that are of full age, even those who (Group Two) by reason of use have their (Group Two) senses exercised to discern both good and evil. CHAPTER 6 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us (Group Two) go on unto perfection; (Group 3B starting here to end of verse 2,) not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (KJV) (Parentheses and bold words and letters mine) Dear Reader, you must watch the pronouns or you will include yourself in a group where you do not belong. Consequently, you will apply Scriptures to yourself from the wrong group and have nothing but a foolish mess. You will try to use the Scriptures from this context to view yourself, as a Gentile Christian, “falling from grace and losing your salvation.” This would be absurd for you to do. Furthermore, you should note, in Heb. 6:4, that our Author changed pronouns again, signifying that he had another, Third Group in mind. We shall say much more about this other, Third Group later that will blow your socks off and build your faith to the shouting point! Since the “principles” in Heb. 5:12 and Heb. 6:1 are one and the same, of what do they consist? They consist of the following Six Things. Our Author calls these Six Things “The Foundation.” Our Author commanded these Group 3B Hebrews not to lay “this foundation” again. Instead, they must “allow themselves to be born along to “perfection” or “completion” (passive voice). Here, in list form, are the Six Principles that make up The Foundation. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Repentance from dead works Faith towards God Doctrine of baptisms Laying on of hands The resurrection of the dead Eternal judgment

Now, we can now answer the following questions about “The Foundation.” Remember, these Hebrews were not to lay this Six Fold Foundation again. Page 48


Chapter Five What do these Six Principles or Foundation mean to these Hebrews? To answer the question, “What do these six principles mean to these Hebrews,” we phrase each of the Six Principles into a series of questions below. Then, we answer each question for you in the balance of this chapter. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What does repentance from dead works mean to these Hebrews? What does faith towards God mean to these Hebrews? What does the doctrine of baptisms mean to these Hebrews? What does the doctrine of the laying on of hands mean to these Hebrews? What does the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead mean to these Hebrews? What does the doctrine of the eternal judgment mean to these Hebrews? 1. What does “repentance from dead works” mean to these Hebrews?

These dead works were as Jewish as you can get. Remember what we said in the introduction. God gave the Law of Moses to maintain the blessings the Hebrew nation possessed by birth, because of their place in the Abrahamic covenant. As the centuries rolled by, however, they forgot God’s original purpose for the Law. Instead, they viewed the Law as a means of working to obtain what they already had, namely, healing, prosperity and family well being in addition to salvation. They forgot that they already possessed these blessings. Consequently, they tried to work for them. These “works” had neither power nor life to produce the Abrahamic blessings. Since they lacked both life and power, they were “dead.” The problem for them is the same as flying to the moon in our Volkswagen. As cute as a Volkswagen is, it will not get you to the moon. It was not designed for such a task. And neither was Moses’ law designed to earn these Hebrews anything from God, especially a ticket to heaven. It was given solely to maintain the Abrahamic blessings. Remember that when they sinned, they must make the proper sacrifice in the right spirit. Then, the Abrahamic blessings continued for them without interruption. Now, we can understand why our Author referred to their religious works as dead. They lack the life and ability to earn any of God’s blessings. They are just dead. They can’t get them “to the moon,” as it were. They can’t get one thing from God. They are just dead works. No wonder our Author wanted them to repent concerning these dead works. They would never accomplish what they are trying to make them accomplish. They would never earn one thing from God. Never! “Repentance” is the noun form of metanoeo. This word combines two Greek words, meta (to change) and noeo (to perceive.) The resulting word means to change ones mind. In other words, ”repentance” means to perceive something to such a point that it not only changes ones mind, but also changes his direction. Consequently, it means do a 180-degree turnabout. It means go the other way.


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Chapter Five The Author is screaming to these people that their works are just dead religion. Go the other way! Now! Before it’s too late! They were to leave off these Old Testament ABC’s and “be carried and borne on to the perfection and completion” in Jesus. 2. What does “faith towards God” mean to these Hebrews? Adam Clarke said this “faith towards God” stems from the Levitical Law. (AC3, Romans to Revelation, P723) Wuest said it “is First Testament teaching and is contrasted to the New Testament teaching of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21.)” (KW2, Hebrews, P12) By “First Testament teaching,” he means, of course, Moses and the Levitical system of sacrifice. In other words, the New Testament emphasizes “faith in Christ,” not “faith towards God.” “Faith in Christ” is New Testament teaching. “Faith towards God” is Old Testament Judaism. They were to leave these Old Testament ABC’s and “be carried and borne on to the completion.” For those who want to view these people as Gentile Christians who are just “babes in Christ,” you put yourself in the untenable position of telling baby Christians to leave off and abandon the faith he was taught in the Toddlers. Can you imagine anyone encouraging, even a baby Christian, to “leave off” faith? God forbid. 3. What does the “doctrine of baptisms” mean to these Hebrews? “Baptisms” were also Old Testament Judaism to the core. Baptisms were the ceremonial ablutions, washings and purifications of the priests, persons, clothes, utensils and furniture. Merrill F. Unger lists the following Scriptures to demonstrate this truth. (MFU P 122) Exod 19:10 10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, (KJV) (Italics mine) Exod 19:14 14

And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. (KJV) Italics mine)

In both verses above, wash and washed are ceremonial baptisms according to Unger and many other commentators. The doctrine of baptisms was absolutely Old Testament Judaism. Unger also list Leviticus 8:6; Mark 7:3,4 and Heb. 9:10 to demonstrate Old Testament baptisms. The following Scriptures in The Septuagint (LXX) also demonstrate that baptism is Old Testament Judaism: 2 Kings 5:14; Judg. 2:14; Josh. 3:15; Lev. 4:6 and 11:32. The doctrine of baptisms in Heb. 6:1 is Old Testament Judaism and this is how Group 3B understood this remark. Group 3B were commanded to leave the Old Testament ABC’s and “be carried and borne on to maturity.” For those who want to view these people here as Gentile Christians who are just “babes in Christ,” you are telling baby Christians to leave off baptism. Can you imagine anyone Page 50


Chapter Five encouraging even a baby Christian to “leave off” baptism? How could that ever be possible? The very first thing we are told to do upon accepting Christ is be baptized. Can you imagine someone telling any Christian to leave this off? God forbid. Yet, this is exactly what those people do who believe that this context pertains to baby Christians. 4. What does “the doctrine of the laying on of hands” mean to these Hebrews? The doctrine of the laying on of hands is also Old Testament Judaism. First, we look at the scapegoat. Aaron laid his hands upon him and confessed the sins of all the people over him. Then, they led the scapegoat away to die in the wilderness for the sins of the people. Lev 16:21-22 21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: 22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. (KJV) This Scapegoat scenario is not all in Old Testament Judaism concerning the laying on of hands. Look up the following Scriptures we list for you below. In Leviticus 1:4, the priest laid the hand upon the bull and goat sacrifices to transfer the sins of the people to it. In Gen. 48:14, Israel laid both his hands upon the heads of both his sons to transfer their inherited blessings. In Num. 27:18-23, Moses laid hands upon Joshua to sanction his new appointment. In 2 Kings 4:34, Elisha performed a miracle when he laid his hand upon the dead child and restored him. The doctrine of the laying on of hands was Old Testament Judaism. These Hebrews, here, understood it this way. Consequently, the Author commanded them to leave the Old Testament ABC’s and “be carried and borne on to maturity.” For those who wish to view these people here as baby Christians, can you imagine counseling any Christian, especially a baby Christian, to leave off laying on of hands? You do just that if you really believe that the people here are baby Christians. Through laying on of hands, the sick are healed. Through it, we pass on the mantle in ordinations. Can you imagine telling any Christian to leave it off? 5. What does “the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead” mean to these Hebrews? The resurrection of the dead is very definitely Old Testament Judaism. Both Isaiah and Daniel teach it. Isaiah declared that the resurrection of the saved would occur prior to the TribulationHebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Five 12th Day of the Lord-Daniel’s 70th Week. Daniel, however, trumpeted forth that the resurrection of the Tribulation saints will occur after the Tribulation-12th Day of the Lord-Daniel’s 70th Week. He also thundered out that the resurrection of the unsaved dead will occur after the millennium. See the Scriptures printed out for you below. Pre-tribulation resurrection for the dead in Christ and living Saints Isa 26:19-21 19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. 20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. (KJV) Post-tribulation Rapture for the Tribulation Saints Dan 12:1-2 1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, Post Millennial Resurrection of the Unsaved Dead Only Verse 2b.

and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (KJV)

For a complete explanation of the Scriptures shown above, see Chapters 1 and 2 of our book, No Thief Gives Warning Signs. This is the only book on the Resurrections that is based entirely upon the Abrahamic covenant. Go to www.jaysnell.org. Although carried over into the New Testament, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is absolutely Old Testament Judaism. These Hebrews understood that the resurrection of the dead was, in fact, Old Testament. Again, they must “be borne on.” For those who wish to view these people as baby Gentile Christians, you teach Christians to leave off the resurrection. Can you imagine teaching any Christian to leave off the resurrection? How silly. Page 52


Chapter Five 6. What does “the doctrine of the eternal judgment” mean to these Hebrews? The Hebrews understood full well the doctrine of the judgments of God upon their Nation. They also knew that when God passed judgment, it was a forever judgment. See Ezekiel 20: 33-45; Ez. 37:1-14 and Joel 3:11-15 for demonstrations of this. Compare these Old Testament concepts of eternal judgment upon the Hebrews with “the no judgment now” doctrine for Christians in Rom. 8:1. Rom 8:1 1

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV)

The doctrine of God’s eternal judgment was Old Testament Judaism. These Hebrews, still attempting to live under Moses’ law, understood this completely. Again, the Author commanded them to “be carried and borne on to maturity.” Again, how foolish to view these people as baby Gentile Christians. Can you imagine in your wildest dreams, teaching any Christian to leave off the Bible truth concerning the eternal judgment of God? Of course, you can’t! In the next chapter, we show you amazing things: (1) The expression, “If they shall fall away,” is not in the Bible at all. (2) We demonstrate that the people in Heb. 6: 4-6 were Hebrews who had “already fallen away in the past.” (3) We show you how they fell away in the past. (4) We show you why there is no power in heaven or on earth to renew them to repentance. This chapter clears up one of the greatest misunderstandings in all Scripture. You will agree that this chapter, indeed this book, should have been written hundreds of years ago.


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Chapter Five

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Chapter Six

Major Warning #4: the most misunderstood warning in the all the Bible In the last chapter, we saw a group of Hebrews (Group 3B) characterized by the Seven Characteristics found in Heb. 5:12-14: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

They should be teachers but they are not. They still need someone to teach them. They still need the Old Testament ABC’s (the First Principles of the Oracles of God). They still need milk. They still can’t yet handle the strong meat of the Word. They are still unskillful in the Word. They are still babes.

Then, in Heb. 6:1-3, the Author described the six, Old Testament ABC’s they clung to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Repentance from dead works Faith towards God Doctrine of baptisms Laying on of hands The resurrection of the dead Eternal judgment

Additionally, we saw the Author’s skillful use of pronouns. In 5:12-13, he used ye and you. All these pronouns in this passage are second person plural. Then, in 6:1, the Author changes from second person plural to first person plural. Obviously, when he spoke in the second person plural in 5:12-13, he excluded himself from Group 3B. But when he changed to the first person plural in 6:1a, he obviously included himself in Group Two. (If you need a refresher on the identity of the Groups, see the Introduction again.) Remember: when he changed to first person plural, he exhorted his readers to join in with both him and those in Group Two in an action already in progress. Remember also, the following four things: 1. Both the Author and those in Group Two had already abandoned and forsaken the Old Testament ABC’s. 2.

Both the Author and those in Group Two had already accepted Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for their sins.

3. Then, he exhorted those in Group 3B to join in with him and those in Group Two in accepting Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for their sins. 4. Finally, he exhorts them to stop working, join with him, and let God “ bear and carry them on to maturity also.” Now, in this chapter, we look two bombshell things. Both of them are absolutely “bolts from the blue.” You will be shocked but your faith will increase tremendously. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Six First, we see our Author switch pronouns again. In so doing, he switches to another group entirely. Second, we look at the most misunderstood warning in Hebrews. This warning has caused as much confusion to the body of Christ as any other thing. We shall give you the proper interpretation to it in this chapter. This will eliminate this traditional confusion. Now we must look at his change of pronouns that introduces another group entirely. This new group is Group 3A. This group is irrevocably lost forever. There is no more hope for them. In your English Bible, notice closely the pronouns in the passage below. Our Author addresses them by those, they, them and themselves. All these pronouns are in the third person plural. Again, our Author excludes both himself and those in Group Two from those represented by those, they, them and themselves. In the Scriptures printed below, watch closely the bold pronouns and the parentheses. These will show you to whom these pronouns refer. Heb 6:4-6 4 For it is impossible for those (Group 3A) who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they (Group 3A) shall fall away, to renew them (Group 3A) again unto repentance; seeing they (Group 3A) crucify to themselves (Group 3A) the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV) (Bold words and parentheses mine) Now, see the word” for” in verse 4 above. In Greek, this preposition “for” gives the reason for a previous assertion or series of statements. Here, the previous series of statements are contained in Heb. 5:12-6:3. These statements showed us that Group 3B were babes who still were dependant upon the Old Testament ABC sacrifices. Then, the Author exhorted them to get out of that group and join in with him because God was continuously ”carrying him and all the others in Group 2 on to maturity and completion.” This series of previous statements form the reasons for what the Author said next. He said that within the Hebrew nation, there existed Group 3A, who had deliberately, finally and irrevocably rejected Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for their sins. This group had no hope forever. They had crossed a line beyond which they could never come back. Our Author exhorts his readers to leave the “undecided ones” and get in his Group Two before it was eternally too late. If they put off long enough accepting Jesus, they could end up in Group 3A. This was the last place our Author wanted them to be. Having made the remarks about the pronouns above, we can now deal with Major Warning #4 in Heb. 4:4-6. There are three things we must do to this warning to make it understandable for you. Without these three things, you will always have difficulty with it. 1) The first thing we must do to eliminate the confusion surrounding this passage is to rearrange it for you. In other words, we must put it in the proper word order and paraphrase it for you. In so doing, we show you the Five Characteristics of the group. 2) Next, we must demonstrate that these Five Characteristics all pertain to the same group of people.

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Chapter Six 3) Finally, we must demonstrate that the Five Characteristics of the Hebrews in this group (including the falling away) have already happened. They are all in the past tense. The Greek Aorist Participle accomplishes this for us. (Hang on! This is very simple and will become plain for you shortly.) The First Thing We Must Do to Eliminate The Confusion We must rearrange the order of the words in the sentence. Then, it will look like the following: Heb 6:4-6 For those 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

having been once and for all enlightened, and having tasted of the heavenly gift, and having become partakers of the Holy Ghost, and having tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, and having fallen away,

it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV) You can readily see that we moved “it is impossible” away from the front of the sentence. Why is this rearrangement necessary? It is necessary for the English reader, because a Greek had a strange way (to us) of emphasizing certain things in his sentence. For instance, in English, if we wanted to emphasize certain words or concepts, we would underline it, place it in quotation marks, put it in parentheses or brackets or we would put it in italics. (Remember, the New Testament was written in Greek and translated into English for us.) But not a Greek. Instead of the ways shown above to emphasize things in an English sentence, he would simply move to the very front of his sentence that which he wished to emphasize. In our rearrangement above, you can readily see that the Author changed the location of the expression, “it is impossible.” Our Author, being an excellent Greek grammarian, did what all excellent Greek grammarians would do for emphasis. He moved what he meant to emphasize to the very front of his sentence. In this case, he wanted to emphasize the bombshell truth that repentance is absolutely impossible for these Hebrews who have done the one thing that can cause them to fall away. Therefore, he moved “it is impossible” to the very front of his sentence. Keep in mind here that our Author is not emphasizing the possibility of falling away but the impossibility of coming back when they have done the one thing that could cause a Hebrew to fall away! The Second Thing We Must Do to Eliminate The Confusion We must prove that these Five Characteristics all pertain to the same group of people. In other words, one characteristic does not pertain to one group while another characteristic pertains to a different group while another characteristic pertains to yet another group. Only one group of Hebrews (Group 3A) is in view here. To say it differently, all Five Characteristics pertain to this entire, one group (Group 3A). Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Six In plain English that you can easily understand, we can prove this for you by the hard and fast rules of Greek grammar. You see, the Greek language was the most precise language the world has ever known. Very little was left to conjecture. This is no exception. All these characteristics pertain to one group of Hebrews and one group of Hebrews only--Group 3A! For a complete explanation that proves the above, see Sharp’s rule, cited by Brooks and Winbery. (BW P70) Actually, you can consult any Greek grammar. In our Scriptures here, all Five Characteristics apply to this one group of Hebrews, Group 3A. The Third Thing We Must Do to Eliminate The Confusion Finally, we must show you that all the Five Characteristics are not something that may happen to Group 3A in the future. All Five Characteristics have already happened (in the past) to them. In other words, all of these Five Characteristics, in the Greek text, are all aorist participles. This makes each Characteristic a finished, completed thing. For these reasons, each of the Five Characteristics should be translated with the prefix “having,” as you see them below. This is the literal translation of each aorist participle for each of the Five Characteristics. Moreover, to make this even plainer for you, we add “in the past” to each of the Five Characteristics below. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

having been enlightened--in the past and having tasted--in the past and having become partners with the Holy Ghost--in the past and having tasted--in the past and having fallen away--in the past

When we get to the section on “having fallen away,” we will go into much greater detail. We will see that “if they shall fall away” does not exist in the Greek text. “If” leaves the impression that they have not fallen away yet, but they might fall away sometime in the future. This, however, is absolutely not what the Greek text says. It boldly declares that this group of Hebrews (Group 3A) had already fallen away. They had already done that which damns them forever. Another thing to note, in the Greek text, neither “It” nor “is” actually occurs in this sentence. Both of them had to be supplied for a smooth, understandable translation. Nevertheless, “is” functions as our main verb. Therefore, here is how the paraphrase of our passage actually looks. For those individuals in Group 3A, 1. 2. 3. 4.

having been once for all enlightened in the past, and having tasted of the heavenly gift in the past, and having become partakers of the Holy Ghost in the past, and having tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come in the past, 5. and having fallen away in the past, there is no power (it is impossible) to renew them (the above Group 3A) again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV) (Parenthesis Mine)

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Chapter Six We shall now look at Three Things in the above Scriptures. 1. We look very closely at the Five Characteristics of this group of people. These Five Characteristics identify them for us as Group 3A. 2. Then, we identify the one thing this group did that resulted in their falling away. 3. Finally, we determine why it is not possible to ever renew them to repentance, since they crossed the line from which they can never return. Characteristic #1: Having been once and for all enlightened First, consider the word once. This translates the Greek word hapax. This word means once as in one time. But it also means once as in once for all time. W. E. Vine says that this word describes that which is perpetually valid (never requires repetition). (UVW P445) Then, in addition to Heb. 6:4, Vine lists the following verses which prove the perpetual validity (once for all) aspect of this word. In all these verses, the Italics are mine. Heb 9:28 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. (KJV)

Obviously, Christ was crucified only one time. His crucifixion was a once for all act that is perpetually valid. Heb 10:2 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. (KJV) Because of the perpetual validity of Christ’s crucifixion, the purging or cleansing effect of it is of perpetual validity. Therefore, the purging is once for all. 1 Pet 3:18 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (KJV) Christ’s suffering was tied up with his crucifixion. Just as His crucifixion was once and for all and perpetually valid, so was his suffering; they, too, are perpetually valid. Consequently, he will never have to suffer again. Jude 1:3 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (KJV) The faith Jude spoke of here was perpetually valid. Therefore, it did not have to be delivered again to the saints. The Revised Version translates once above as once for all.


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Chapter Six Jude 1:5 5

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. (KJV)

Again, the Revised Version translates once above with the expression, once for all. They knew, once for all, that God had saved his people out of Egypt. In other words, their knowledge of this great event was perpetually valid. As you can plainly see from the Scriptures above, hapax describes those situations that are perpetually valid. In each instance like this (including Heb. 6:4), once for all time is the only way to describe it. These Hebrews had been enlightened to such an extent and in such ways that it was perpetually valid for them. Therefore, to repeat the things that enlightened them was unnecessary. Next, we need to look at the word translated by our English word enlightened, which translates the Greek word photos (light). The verb form, enlightened, is used in this verse. In other words, these Hebrews had the lights turned on for them in such a way that it was perpetually valid. This light was the knowledge of who they were: it was the knowledge of what belonged to them; and it was the knowledge of the rights God granted them in the covenant with Abraham. Beginning way back in Gen. 12:3, they knew that through their father Abraham, they would be blessed (Promise #8 in the Abrahamic covenant). They knew that blessed included healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation for their souls. They knew these things in depth. Therefore, to repeat these things was unnecessary for them. For them, this enlightenment--this knowledge--was perpetually valid. They knew they were God’s special people. They knew that no one else on this planet had a similar relationship with God. In the heart of God, there was no one like them on the face of this earth and they knew it. This knowledge was perpetually valid. Deut 14:2 2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (KJV) Deut 26:18-19 18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; 19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken. (KJV) Now they had another, even deeper level of light. The Seed to whom the Abrahamic promises were made had appeared. The mighty Son of God had dotted the human landscape. He had made known his identity and openly laid out his spectacular claims.

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Chapter Six

They knew who he claimed to be. They knew what he claimed to do. They knew he was presented as their Messiah. They knew he was presented as the Supreme Seed of Abraham. They knew he was presented as the final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. They knew miracles, signs and wonders attested the claims about him. They knew trustworthy eyewitnesses testified to His words and verified his works. They knew all about Him. They had this light. They had been enlightened once and for all time. Their enlightment was perpetually valid. Characteristic #2: Having tasted of the heavenly gift Tasted translates the Greek word geuo. This word has basically three meanings in Scripture. 1. It means literally to taste without eating. This is the meaning in the Matt. 27: 34 below. Matt 27:34 34

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. (KJV) (Italics Mine)

2. It means not only to taste but also to actually eat. As you can plainly see, this is the meaning in Acts 20:11 below. Acts 20:11 11

When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. (KJV) (Italics mine)

3. It means to personally experience something. This is its meaning in the two verses listed below. In Heb. 2:9 Jesus tasted death for every man. Heb 2:9 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. (KJV) (Italics mine)

In 1 Peter 2:3, those who lay aside evil dispositions and then, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of God’s word, experience how gracious the Lord really is. 1 Pet 2:3 30 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (KJV) (Italics mine) In Heb. 6:4 above, have tasted emphatically means to have experienced. In other words, these Hebrews have experienced some things our Author says came out of (originated in) “the heavenly gift.” (The Author used a grammatical device here, the ablative case, that lets us know that what the Hebrews experienced in this verse originated in something that our Author calls the heavenly gift.) Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Six What is this heavenly gift? Marvin Vincent pointed out there are so many different views concerning the identity of this heavenly gift that it is bewildering. He is absolutely right. (MV4 P445) Nevertheless, there is one heavenly gift from which springs all the other blessings and gifts from God, including the unspeakable gift of his Son. In other words, all the spiritual blessings Paul mentioned in Eph. 1:3 have their source in this one gift from heaven. This gift is the Abrahamic covenant. In this amazing covenant, God included anything and everything that his new people, the Hebrews, will ever need. (Remember: there were no Hebrews until God made this covenant with Abraham; this covenant called the Hebrews into being.) This covenant included the blessings of healing for their bodies, prosperity for their pocket books, well being for their families and salvation for their souls. When God added Moses’ law to it, he graciously provided a sacrificial system so that they could maintain their Abrahamic blessings--even when they sinned. They would never lose even a single one of their Abrahamic blessings! This is amazing. Every thing that man will ever need is contained in the covenant God made with Abraham. Is there anything that anyone could ever need that is not included in it? Even the mercy of God is in it. Have you ever felt like you needed God’s mercy? Have you ever asked God for mercy? The Abrahamic covenant is God’s mercy covenantized. Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, equated the Abrahamic covenant with God’s mercy. She gave this as the reason God helped Israel. Luke 1:54-55 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. (KJV) In addition to Mary, Zecharias also related what God did--the birth of Jesus and the birth of his own son, John the Baptist--to the promises and the oath God made to Abraham. Then he equated the whole business with God’s mercy. Luke 1:72-73 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, (KJV) Put another way, Mary and Zecharias viewed the Abrahamic covenant as God’s mercy. We must agree with them. We must see it the way they saw it. God left a written covenant (backed by His oath) that promised healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation for their souls. If this isn’t God’s mercy, then what would qualify as God’s mercy? Can you possibly think of one Page 62


Chapter Six thing anyone would ever need in addition to the four astonishing provisions above? They had these four blessings given to them: healing, prosperity, family well being in this life and a saved soul for the next. These Hebrews had experienced this heavenly gift. This was the mercy of God covenantized. This was the mercy of God written out. This was the most fantastic document ever produced anywhere. They had experienced these four blessings, beginning in Gen. 12:3. Thank God, he also included us Gentile Christians (by grafting) in this very same Abrahamic blessing system. When we Gentiles accept Jesus as our personal Savior, God grafts us into the four mind-blowing provisions above on an absolute equal footing with the Hebrews themselves. We must conclude that the heavenly gift out of which they had these many centuries of marvelous experiences was the blessing covenant that God made with Father Abraham. In the next chapter, we look at the characteristic of “partaking” of the Holy Ghost. The popular interpretation of “partaking” is as wrong as anything this author has seen in theological interpretations. The popular view is that these people in Hebrews are Gentile and Jewish Christians who are indwelt by the Holy Ghost. This seems, to those who hold this erroneous view, to be the only way everyone can “partake” of the Holy Ghost at the same time. In this chapter, however, we shall see three things: these people aren’t Christians at all; they were not indwelt by the Holy Ghost as Christians are indwelt today; and they did not “partake” of the Holy Ghost. You will grow here. You will build yourselves up on your most holy faith here. You are in for the time of your life in the next chapter.


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What does “partakers of the Holy Ghost” mean? Characteristic #3: Having become partakers of the Holy Ghost The translation, “partakers,” has caused great misunderstanding in rightly dividing this verse of Scripture. This translation makes it appear that those who “partake” actually divide up the person they “partake” of so that all “partakers” get a little piece of him. For each “partaker” to get a little piece of him reduces the whole thing to cannibalism. This is absolutely not what this word means, as we shall shortly see. “Partakers” translates the Greek word metochos, an adjective used as a noun. The verb form of this word (meteko) is composed of two Greek words. First, it combines the preposition meta (with) to the Greek verb eko (to have.) The combination, then, means “to have with.” This adjective-noun form of the word used here, means “to partner with, co-operate with, participate with, be an accomplice with, be a fellow with, join with, compact with, covenant with, share with or be a companion with.” This is what the word means. Yet, to translate it by “partaker” smacks of cannibalism. The choice of “partaker” is extremely unfortunate. Here are the guidelines concerning how this word should be translated. 1. This word should be translated partner with when the emphasis is upon co-operation with one or more persons. 2. It should be translated participant when the emphasis is upon sharing in an activity. 3. It should be translated partake when the emphasis is upon sharing a thing. Let us illustrate with the following Scriptures. This word primarily means to partner with or cooperate with one or more person(s). In other words, when the emphasis is upon the cooperation between one or more people, a more understandable translation of metochoi is “partner with.” See Luke 5:7 below. Luke 5:7 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. (KJV) (Italics mine) Notice, they did not beckon to their “partakers.” They beckoned to those they were “partnering with.” Nevertheless, when the emphasis is upon the thing shared, the most understandable translation is “partaker. See below. Heb 3:1 1

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (KJV) (Italics mine) Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Seven Of course, the heavenly calling is a thing. They do not “partner” with a thing. They “partake” of a thing. On the other hand, when the emphasis is upon the activity shared between one or more people, a more understandable translation is “participant in.” See below. Heb 12:8 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, (PARTICIPANTS) then are ye bastards, and not sons. (KJV) (Parenthesis, capitals, and italics mine) Obviously, chastisement in the preceding verse is an activity. And yes, they are all “participants in it.” Otherwise, they are bastards. They are not saved. To be sure that you, Dear Reader, fully understand this misunderstood word, we enclose one more example and explanation of it below. Go over it carefully. 2 Cor 6:14 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (KJV) (Italics mine) In the verse above, “fellowship” is just another way to say “co-operation.” In other words, how can there be cooperation between righteousness unrighteousness? It cannot. Next, we show the remaining verses in Hebrews that uses this word. These verses clear it up: “partner with” expresses co-operation with people, “participate in” expresses the sharing of an activity, and “partake” describes the sharing of a thing. Heb 1:9 9

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (KJV) (Italics mine)

In the above verse, “fellows” placed the emphasis upon the “co-operation” between one or more people. Of course, in this context, the angels are the “ones” who are “partnering with” and “cooperating with” the Lord to carry out God’s scheme of things for His Holy People. Heb 3:14 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (KJV) (Italics mine) This is clearly misleading. We “partner with” a person. We “partake” of a thing. Christ is not a thing. He is the blessed Son of God. A. T. Robertson said that “partners with” Christ should have been the translation here. (ATR5 P358) Heb 6:4 4

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For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of (PARTNERS WITH) the Holy Ghost, (KJV) (Italics, capitals and parenthesis mine) Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

Chapter Seven Again, “partners with” should have been the translation here. Actually, “associate, colleague or companion” (among many other word choices) would be accurate here. Nevertheless, the cannibalistic “partaker” is not only inaccurate, but also misleading. Remember: we “partner” with a person, we “participate in” an activity, and we “partake” of a thing. But The Holy Ghost is not a thing. He is the blessed Third Person of the Godhead. You must understand this: we “partake” of a thing; we “co-operate with” our partners who are persons, and we “participate” in an activity. Until you fully understand this, you will make two serious mistakes that render Heb. 6:4 meaningless! 1. You will turn into cannibals those who are “partakers” of the Holy Ghost. 2. You will attempt to force Group 3A above into a Christian mold. You will try to view them as Christians. Why? Because you will interpret “partakers of the Holy Ghost” to mean that these people were Christians who were indwelt by Him. You will view them as Christians who were indwelt by the Holy Ghost because this is the only way you can understand how they could all possibly “partake of Him” at the same time. You will be totally mistaken and absolutely wrong on both counts. These Hebrews belong to Group 3A. The Holy Ghost did not indwell them as we Christians are indwelt. Without printing out any more verses for you, let us just list the way this word, metochoi is translated in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament). Note that the KJV translates metochoi the same way in some of these same Old Testament verses. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

1 Kings 20:30 translates metochoi by accomplice with. Ps. 44:7 translates it fellows. This is quoted in Heb. 1:9. Ps. 118:63 translates it companion. Ps. 121:3 translates it compact. Hos. 4:7 translates it joined with. Eccles. 4:10 translates it fellows.

Finally, we cite Moulton and Milligan’s Lexicon. They show how secular Greek writers translate metochoi. They use "associate, colleagues, joint-owner, take part and partakers” to translate it. (MM P406) From the above discussion, we can see that the Hebrews as a nation did not “partake” of the Holy Ghost. They “co-operated with” the Holy Ghost. He led and they followed. As long as they “co-operated with” Him, they always succeeded. Nothing in this passage even hints that Group 3A possessed the Holy Ghost, either as a Christian indwelling, or as a Christian baptism of the Holy Ghost, or as any other Christian thing. To view any of this as Christian adds things into this Scripture that it does not contain. Group 3A had previously come up to the trough, but did not drink. They had previously, deliberately, finally and irrevocably refused to accept Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for their sins under Moses’ law. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Seven Had they accepted Him, they would have maintained their Abrahamic blessings of healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation without interruption. Simultaneously with their acceptance of Jesus, they would have instantly been indwelt with the Holy Ghost. They could also have been baptized in the Holy Ghost. These people, however, did not accept Jesus. They were enlightened Hebrews who had come to the trough but did not drink from it. They had stepped up to it, but they had irrevocably refused it. How, then, can we understand this “partnering with” the Holy Ghost? We can understand it by seeing how and where it began. This partnership, this co-operation began with Abraham himself in Genesis 12. When God made the covenant with him, He told him to get out of his homeland and go to a land that He would show him (Gen.12:3). Notice the co-operating partnership here. Abraham co-operated with the Holy Ghost by leaving home. The Holy Ghost partnered with Abraham by showing him, a step at a time, the way to that Promised Land. Abraham did not cannibalize the Holy Ghost. He followed the Holy Ghost as the Holy Ghost guided him. This is “partnering with” the Holy Ghost, who is a person. This “partnering with” the Holy Ghost continued under Moses. When the time came to conquer the land God promised them in his covenant with Abraham, God told the people three things: (1) they must take the present occupants of the land, (2) they must smite them, (3) and they must destroy them. In a word, they were to take, smite and destroy the present occupants of the land. They were to contend with these usurpers in battle. Nevertheless, the Lord would do the delivering. They must enter the battle before God can give victory. Read the following Scriptures very, very carefully. Deut 2:24 24

Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. (KJV) (Italics mine)

The people had to start (begin) the fight. God did nothing until the people began to possess it. They had to start the fight. Then they had to continue the fight. They had to contend. Now see our comments below. Note it well: they had to begin and they had to contend. Deut 2:31-34 31 And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land. 32

Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.

33

And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people.

34

And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain: (KJV)

In verse 31 above, when the people started the fight, God also started giving the disputed land to them. They began to possess it. God began to give it to them. (This is the exact order God followed with Abraham). He had to start the process. He had to leave home. Then God guided him a step at a time toward the land. Page 68


Chapter Seven Then, in verses 32-34 above, as they carried the battle into the front lines of those heathen trespassers, God delivered them completely into the hands of his people. They smote the heathen, they took their cities and they utterly destroyed them, of all ages and both sexes, leaving none to remain. They “co-operated” or “partnered with” the Holy Ghost. He also “partnered with” them. He delivered the enemy into their hands as they engaged them in a fight to the death. They were “partners with” the Holy Ghost. They never possessed him as we do in the New Birth. He never indwelt them as he does us Christians. Nevertheless, they “partnered with” Him, but they did not cannibalize him. From the above, we plainly see that we “partner with” someone, we “participate in” an activity, and we “partake of” a thing. We “partner with” Jesus in that he died for our sins and we accept what he did. We “participate in” the activity of healing since we lay hands on the sick and God, through the Holy Spirit, causes them to recover. We “partake of” a thing, as in the Lord’s Supper. Understand this! “Partake of the Holy Ghost” does not mean that He indwelt them as He does us Christians in the Christian era. But although He indwells us, we do not cannibalize the Holy Ghost. Characteristic #4: Having tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come The word for “tasted” here is geuo, the same word used, above, to describe their “experience” of the heavenly gift. It means to “experience” here also. Now, we learn that these Hebrews experienced the “good word of God and the powers of the world to come.” Rehma translates “word” here. Rehma is in contrast to logos that also translates “word.” Logos means “the word of God in its entirety,” whereas rehma usually means “God’s specific word concerning a specific thing.” What, then, are the specific rehma words these Hebrews had experienced. Both the Old and New Testaments tell us what they were. We shall cite only Four Examples to demonstrate this for you. (1) Consider their deliverance from Egyptian bondage through the power of the Holy Ghost. In the Abrahamic covenant, God told Abraham that his people would go into slavery in Egypt. He also promised him (Promise #21 in that same covenant) that He would deliver them. He did. This was good rehma. Gen 15:13-14 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. (KJV) Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Seven These Hebrews experienced this good rehma of God because He kept his word. He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. Simultaneously with this tasting, they also experienced the powers of the world to come. You see the power God exercised during their deliverance is the same power He will exercise in the next world. You remember that God sent Moses to deliver them from this awful bondage. Moses had to “partner with” the Holy Ghost by following his lead. This meant he had to make God’s demands thunder in the ears of Pharaoh. Then God “partnered with” Moses by having the Holy Ghost bring the plagues down upon Pharaoh, forcing him to let his people go. (The power God exercised in Egypt is the same power he will exercise in the coming age.) In fact, every time they experienced God’s good rehma word, they “partnered with” the Holy Ghost who made the rehma word come to pass. As the Holy Ghost made the rehma words come to pass, they experienced God’s powers. What they experienced of God’s powers then--as God made his word come to pass--are the same powers God will exercise in the coming world or age. (2) Look at how the Hebrews of old passed through the Red Sea. God told Moses to hold up his rod and he would open it up. Consequently, they could pass through it on dry land. This was also good rehma. Heb 11:29 28

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (KJV)

They experienced God’s good rehma. Furthermore, this power that made the sea open and the land to instantly dry is the same power God will exercise in the coming world or age. Moses “partnered with” the Holy Ghost. He held his hands up at His command. The Holy Ghost “partnered with” him by removing the water and drying up the seabed. The people “partnered with” the Holy Ghost as they followed Moses. God told Moses and his people what to do to get across this seabed on dry land. They did what he said. Then, He did what He said he would do for them. They started the process. God made it all happen. This is “partnering with” the Holy Ghost. (3) Consider the saga of the fall of Jericho. God told them to march around the city and He would make it fall flat for them. Then He gave it into their hands. This, too, was good rehma.

Heb 11:30 29

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. (KJV)

Again, they experienced his good rehma, because God turned His rehma into reality for them. They “partnered with” the Holy Ghost, because they marched. They followed--to the letter-God’s instructions for them. Then, and not before, did God flatten the city of Jericho. Only the power of almighty God could make a city fall in this manner. He will exercise this same power in the coming age. Page 70


Chapter Seven (4) Finally, consider the case of Jesus. He is the supreme Seed of Abraham to whom the covenant promises were made. This was really good rehma. Gen 22:18 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. (KJV) Remember, there are 60 Promises in the Abrahamic covenant. Gen. 22: 18 above is Promise #60. This is the last promise God made to Abraham in His covenant with him. It is by far the most important. This promise speaks of the coming Jesus. Gal 3:16 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (KJV) (Italics mine) Gal 3:19 19

Wherefore then serveth the Law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (KJV) (Italics mine)

These Group 3A Hebrews that were alive when our Author wrote had been face to face with the greatest good rehma word of all time. Here, the good word was fulfilled right before their eyes. Jesus, the seed of Promise #60, had been with them. God not only exercised his mighty power to bring Jesus on the scene to fulfill his covenant, He also exercised his power in His virgin birth, His life, His miracles, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension. To show the many ways God manifested His power in the first advent of Jesus would require too much space here. Nevertheless, we must make the point that the power God exercised in the Seed fulfillment is the same identical power he will exercise in the coming age. Nevertheless, Group 3A--after considering the evidence--made the fatal decision to esteem Him as worthless. They still esteem Jesus, the Son of God, as worthless. They decided He was nothing but a fraud. He was a usurper. To them, He was a common criminal, a liar, a cheat, and a thief. Because of their low estimation of Him, they rejected God’s final sacrifice for their sins. When they rejected this final sacrifice, God had no other way to bring them to repentance. Remember, when a Hebrew sinned under Moses’ law, he must show his repentance by sacrificing properly. These people in Group 3A rejected God’s final sacrifice for their sins. Now they can never show their repentance because there is no sacrifice left for them that God will accept. God have mercy on them. They lost their place in the covenant with Abraham. Group 3A is irrevocably lost. Characteristic #5: Having fallen away “Having fallen away” translates the Greek word parapipto. This word combines the Greek preposition para (parallel) with the verb pipto (to fall). The combination means “to fall aside,” hence “to fall away.” First, “if they shall fall away” seems to indicate that a future possibility exists for them “to fall away.” Furthermore, “if they shall fall away” indicates that they have not fallen away yet, but that they might fall away sometime in the future. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Seven

But this is not the way the Greek text states it. Instead, the Greek text has “having fallen away.” The word “if” is not in the Greek text at all. In other words, having fallen away is a past tense statement that declares that these Group 3A Hebrews have already fallen away!! They have already fallen away! The Greek text declares that the Group 3A Hebrews in verse 4 have already fallen away! The Greek text does not say, “if they shall fall away.” . . . The Greek is emphatic! It says that they have already fallen away. Their fallen condition was an existing fact then. No future possibility was in view in this verse. They have already fallen away. This characteristic identified these people for us. Fallen away was not presented as a future possibility. It was declared as an established fact; they have already fallen away! Again, let us go over the only way these Hebrews could have already fallen away. Remember, when a Hebrew sinned under Moses’ law, he must sacrifice properly. Then the Abrahamic blessings continued for him with no interruption. If he did not sacrifice properly, he lost everything he had by birth. The proper sacrifice was Jesus. His blood was the only blood God accepted anymore. By refusing to accept Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for their sins, they fell away. They lost it all. They lost their Abrahamic blessings of salvation, healing, prosperity and family well being. This is Group 3A. Their rejection of Him seems to be irrevocable. There is no turning back for them. They have already fallen away. God have mercy upon them. It is impossible Now we come to this phrase in the order in which it should have appeared in the translation. “Impossible” translates the Greek adjective, adunaton, the combination of a plus dunaton. A is the Greek negative, roughly equivalent to our English “no.” Dunaton is akin to dunamis, which means “power.” (Our English word “dynamite” comes from dunamis.) The combination, then, means “impossible” or just simply “no power.” By rejecting Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins, no power exists to enable them to keep their Abrahamic blessings--including salvation. To renew them again unto repentance In other words, when a Hebrew refuses to accept Jesus as God’s last sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law, there was absolutely no power left on earth, under the earth or in heaven that could bring that Christ rejecting Hebrew to a place of repentance. Having fallen away, having rejected Jesus as the final sacrifice for their sin(s), placed them into an impossible position. It was a position where no other sacrifice for their sins existed, because God no longer accepted any other form of sacrifice. He would never again accept blood from bulls and goats. He would only accept the blood of his son Jesus. This was the only blood that contained the power necessary to maintain their birthright, the Abrahamic blessings of salvation, healing, prosperity and family well being. Truly, there was and is power in the blood of Jesus. All they had to do to maintain their Abrahamic blessings was accept Jesus’ blood as God’s last sacrifice. This blood had the power necessary to maintain their birthright blessings. Apart from Page 72


Chapter Seven Jesus’ blood, there was no power to maintain them. It had become impossible for these Group 3A Hebrews to maintain them apart from the powerful blood of Jesus. Impossible! No power! Compare their powerless impossibility to the powerful blood of the mighty Son of God. There is power in the blood of Jesus. There is power in the blood of Jesus. Hallelujah! There is power in the blood of Jesus! Remember, they must show their repentance by sacrificing properly. Apart from Jesus’ blood, though, there was no proper sacrifice. No proper sacrifice means no Abrahamic blessings. They have fallen aside, they have fallen out of, and they have fallen away from all they had by birth. Seeing they crucify afresh the Son of God “Crucify” translates the Greek word anastauroo, a regular word for “crucify.” Another regular word for “crucify” is just stauroo, without the ana prefix. Is this significant? Perhaps. You see, ana has two primary meanings. It means “up’ and it also means “again.” Now this word, ana, is significant here because attached to stauroo it must be viewed as meaning “again.” Hence, the translation “they crucify afresh,” means “they crucify Jesus over again.” Some commentators and teachers, however, maintain that in Classical Greek, there was no such meaning of “again” or “afresh” associated with anastauroo. They maintain that anastauroo simply meant, “crucify,” not crucify “afresh” or “again.” According to these commentators, anastauroo did not mean that these Group 3A Hebrews crucified Jesus over again and again and again. I could not differ more completely with these commentators and teachers, since these Group 3A people absolutely did crucify Jesus over and over, again and again. Look closer at anastauroo, the word translated “crucify.” This word is a “present participle” in the Greek text. In Greek grammar, the most common use of the present tense is “to describe continuous action occurring in present time.” Therefore, in this context, anastauroo (crucify) means that the Group 3A Hebrews who deliberately and finally rejected God’s final sacrifice, crucify and keep on keeping on, keeping on, keeping on crucifying the Son of God. Now you can see why the King James translators rightfully and accurately inserted “afresh” into their translation. W.E. Vine said the word here does, in fact, mean to crucify again. (UVW P138) Furthermore, J. Schneider maintains that, by aligning themselves with the people who actually carried out Jesus’ crucifixion, they crucified him afresh. (TDNT P1073) To themselves “To themselves” would be easier to understand had it been translated “for themselves.” In this context, “for themselves,” is in the “dative case.” The dative case in Greek is the device used to Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Seven describe personal interest. Hence, it declares “to whom” or “for whom” something is done. In other words, Group 3A believed it was in their personal interest to continue crucifying Jesus again and again. They felt that continuously crucifying Him over and over again and continuously putting Him to an open shame personally benefited them. Put him to an open shame “Put,” here, is another present participle. Remember, the most common use of the Greek present tense describes “continuous action in present time.” Our Author employs this common use here. Therefore, the translation should read, “continuously keeping on keeping on keeping on putting him to an open shame.” “Open shame” here translates paradeigmatidzo, which combines two different Greek words. The first word of the combination is the Greek preposition para (by the side of). The second word in the combination is the Greek word deiknumi (to show). The combination means to “show openly or publicly.” Paradeigmatidzo, then, means they openly showed Jesus as a public example of contempt, shame, infamy, and worthlessness. His person and his claims were worthless to them. To them, there was no value to Jesus at all. By continuously keeping on, keeping on, keeping on crucifying Jesus, these Christ rejecting Hebrews kept on keeping on, keeping on, keeping on putting Him to an open shame. By continuously keeping Him on the cross, they continuously exposed him to the shame of being a liar, a fraud, a deceiver, a cheat and a thief. To them, He was worthless. Here is the verse (below) paraphrased according to its exact meaning. Heb 6:6 Having already fallen away in the past, there is no power—impossible--on earth, under the earth, or in heaven, to renew them (Group 3A) again unto repentance; seeing they continuously keep on keeping on keeping on crucifying for themselves the Son of God afresh (again and again and again,) and continuously keep on keeping on keeping on keeping on putting him to an open, public shame. (KJV) Parentheses mine) In the next chapter, we begin a series of chapters to straighten out another wild interpretation concerning the willful sin that begins in Heb. 10: 26. You will see for yourself that this willful sin is Old Testament Judaism to the very core. It has nothing to do with Gentile Christians. We are not in this section at all. Again, you will reach the shouting point quickly. Your faith will soar like an eagle. You will be in the upper realms, never to come down after reading this section. Page 74


Chapter Eight

Major Warning #5: the second most misunderstood warning in all the Bible In this chapter, we look at another misunderstood warning that comes directly from Old Testament Judaism. This is the warning of the Willful Sin. When an Old Testament Hebrew committed a willful sin, no sacrifice could get him off the hook. This sin immediately drew the death penalty. Heb 10:26-31 26 For if we (any of us Hebrew people) sin wilfully after that we (any of us Hebrew people) have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (KJV) (Parentheses and bold words mine) Because this warning is very misunderstood, as all the warnings in Hebrews are misunderstood, Gentile Christians attempt to place themselves into these Scriptures. No Gentile Christian, however, is in view in this warning. It is Old Testament Judaism to the very core. (Pay close attention to the pronouns and our bold parentheses above to easily understand this Scripture. In the Old Testament, willful meant presumptuous. It meant premeditated. It meant that one knew precisely the Law of God concerning certain things and certain actions. Nevertheless, he chose to go against God’s Law and violated it anyway. It was willful, presumptuous and premeditated because he knew in advance that he would violate God’s Law. In spite of this advance knowledge, he commited the violation (sin) anyway. These presumptuous, willful, premeditated sins are called, in the Old Testament, “sins of the high hand” or “highhanded sins.” Scriptures abound which show this warning to be Old Testament Judaism. We will give you enough here to demonstrate beyond any doubt that this willful sin pertains only to the Hebrews who are trying to remain under Old Testament Judaism. Num 15:30-36 30 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, (italics mine) whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. 32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. 34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Eight 36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses. (KJV) In the Scriptures above, the presumptuous sin was willful and premeditated because one had to know the commandments of the Lord before he could despise them and break them. Furthermore, their despising and braking them was a reproach to the Lord. The penalty for this sin (in verse 30 above) declared, “. . . that soul shall be cut off from among his people.” Moses restated it even stronger in verse 31. He said, “. . . that soul shall utterly be cut off:” In the mind of God, “his iniquity shall be upon him,” that is, it could never be transferred to a sacrifice. In other words, there would never be a sacrifice to cover this category of sin. This included both natural born Hebrews and absolute strangers. There was no way out. Willful sins carried the immediate death penalty. In verses 32-36 above, a man knowingly violated the Law of the Sabbath; he gathered sticks on that day. He performed “work” on the Sabbath, knowing full well that God prohibited it. Make note of three things here: First, he was sentenced to death by stoning. Second, he was immediately taken without the camp. Third, the people carried out the death sentence upon him. They stoned him with stones until he was dead. There remained no more sacrifice for him. Next, we see two reasons why the death penalty is always the remedy for this willful, deliberate, premeditated, and presumptuous category of sins. The first reason is because it is God’s way of getting evil away from his people. Deut 17:12-13 12 And the man that will do presumptuously, (italics mine) and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. Italics mine) 13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously (Italics mine) (KJV) The second reason is in verse 13 above. God used the severity of the death penalty to warn the people and make them fear to commit the same kind of sins. In other words, the death penalty accomplished three things: 1. It dealt with the person(s) who committed the violation. 2. Since God considered both the person and the act evil, the death penalty effectively and decisively removed evil from among his people. 3. Finally, it was a vivid, graphic, life-changing example to His people. It caused them to fear. Therefore, they would never engage in this category of sins themselves. Page 76


Chapter Eight In the Scriptures below, two different sexual sins are shown that draw the immediate death penalty. Deut 22:20-22 20 But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: 21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you. 22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. (KJV) Verses 20-21, above, contain the first sin. If a man married a young woman and discovered that she was not a virgin, the men of the city stoned here to death at the door of her father’s house. Her sin wrought folly in the whole nation of Israel. What she had done contaminated the whole. By her death, the people put away evil from among themselves. No more sacrifice remained for her. Verse 22, above, contained the second sin. The Law demanded the death penalty for a man lying with a married woman. It also demanded the death penalty for the woman. They both must be stoned to death. Again, by executing them both, the people put away evil from all Israel. No more sacrifice remained for either or both of them. What a lesson for this generation! If God hated adultery this much in the Old Testament, could he hate it any less today? Of course not! Therefore, how can people today be so flippant about it? Can we make God like it now (when he hated it so much then) simply by changing its name from adultery to affair? Can it be less heinous to God if we call it by the socially acceptable name of affair rather than the old, outmoded name of adultery? Absolutely not! No matter what you call it, God still hates it. Can it be that our day of judgment will come? Yes it will! Verse 13 below, declared that the willful sin was so feared in Israel, that even David asked God to keep him back from any hint of committing it. Then he asked Him to not let them (willful sins) ever get the upper hand in his life. He did not want any sin of the high hand to dominate him. Ps 19:13 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous (italics mine) sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. (KJV) Finally, David asserted that if he could just stay clear of the sins of the high hand, then he would be upright. He also declared that he would be innocent of any violation concerning this category of sin. Notice that he called this kind of sin, “the great transgression.” He considered it “the great transgression,” because once a person crossed this line, he could never come back. He could Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Eight never come back because there remained no more sacrifice to cover it. Unger’s Bible Dictionary has an excellent article on this subject. He listed the various sins that absolutely demanded the death penalty. The following list gives them all. (MFU P902)

1. Striking or reviling a parent 2. Blasphemy 3. Breaking the Sabbath 4. Witch craft and falsely claiming the ability to prophecy 5. Adultery 6. Unchastity 7. Rape 8. Incest and unnatural connections 9. Man stealing 10. Idolatry in any form 11. Certain cases of false witness

All willful sins demanded the death penalty. Even breaking the Laws of purification (not cleansing themselves after touching a dead body) and rituals (not keeping the Sabbath) drew the death penalty. There remained no sacrifice to cover these sins.

Willful, premeditated, deliberate, highhanded sin is Old Testament Judaism. No Scripture in the New Testament teaches such a thing for any Christian, Jew or Gentile. This is Judaism. This is the Mosaic law. This is the Levitical system. This belongs exclusively to the Hebrews. The willful sin does not, in any way, pertain to Gentile Christians.

In the next chapter, we shall answer the question, “What is the willful sin in Heb. 10:26 that the Hebrews commit for which there remains no more sacrifice?” More well meaning, but foolish interpretations, are exposed and corrected. We build your faith even more in the next chapter. Page 78


Chapter Nine

What is the Willful Sin in Heb. 10:26? What is this willful sin in verse 26 below? Throughout Hebrews, the sin of unbelief and consequent rejection of Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law, has been the issue. This is still the issue here. Remember what we have learned. When a Jew sinned under Moses’ law, he made the proper sacrifice and maintained the blessings in the Abrahamic covenant. A deliberate, willful sin, however, could not be covered by any sacrifice. In this context, then, the willful sin is simply rejecting Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for sin. Remember something else we have learned. Only someone who fully knew in advance what God’s law demanded about a certain action could commit a willful sin. In other words, a willful sin could not be committed in ignorance. There had to be advance knowledge about God’s will. Heb 10:26-31 26 For if we (any of us Hebrew people) sin wilfully after that we (any of us Hebrew people) have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Parentheses and bold words mine) Therefore notice, in verse 26 above, that the willful sin occurs after they had received the knowledge of the truth. In other words, they knew in advance the message that Jesus was being preached as God’s last sacrifice for sin. Furthermore, this message was presented as the very truth of God. What does “lambano” mean in this context? Pay close attention to the word translated “received.” What does this word “received,” mean in this context? What did they do when they “received the knowledge of the truth?” “Received” translates the Greek word lambano. The King James Version translated Lambano by “accept, be amazed, assay, attain, bring, when I call, catch, come on (unto), forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (after) and take (away, up.)” Two of these translations--accept and take away-apply in this context. First, lambano means simply “to receive or to accept.” To say these Hebrews “received the knowledge of the truth” means they acknowledged that this Jesus message was presented as truth. Now, these Hebrews had heard the message that Jesus was God’s final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. They accepted the fact that this message was presented as the truth. This message had been preached with power in the known world. God himself had confirmed it with signs, miracles and wonders. These Hebrews heard it and accepted—acknowledged--that this message was presented as truth. They did not like it. They did not believe it. They did not act upon it. But they had heard it, and they accepted—acknowledged--the fact that it was presented Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Nine as truth. They did not believe it was truth but they accepted--acknowledged--the fact that it was presented as truth. In other words, “received or accepted” here means they acknowledged that this Jesus message was presented as truth. Remember, a willful sin could not occur without a prior knowledge of God’s will concerning an action. This is the kind of knowledge they had heard and received. Look closely, now, at the above word translated by “knowledge.” This is not the regular Greek word (gnosis) for “knowledge.” This is the word epignosis that means “full knowledge.” In other words, these Hebrews had it all preached to them. They had a knowledge base, not of partial, skimpy information about Jesus but they had the complete, full information about Him. They knew it all. This is the information that was presented to them as truth. Notice, the Scripture does not say they received the truth. They only received the full knowledge of what was presented as truth. Jesus was the truth, but they did not receive him. Instead, they received information (full knowledge) about him. Regardless of this complete, full knowledge or information, they did not mix this information (full knowledge) with the store of knowledge (information) they had already received from God. They did not accept this information as being from God. Consequently, they did not place it in their reservoir of faith. Second, The King James Version also translates lambano by “take away.” Thayer concurs. He said that lambano means “to remove” or “to take away.” He gives Matt: 8:17 as an example. (JHT P370) Matt 8:17 17

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (KJV)

“Took,” in the preceding verse, translates lambano. Since Matthew said that Jesus took our infirmities, the question is, “Where did he take them?” Obviously, Jesus took our infirmities away. Here’s another Scripture for you. This one, however, actually translates lambano by “take away.” Matt 5:40 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away (italics mine) thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. (KJV) As we said, lambano, in verse 40 above, means to “take away.” Furthermore, in many, many Scriptures, lambano means to “take away.” It is not always translated by “take away” but this is its obvious meaning. Although there are many of these Scriptures, we cite only three of them for you here.

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Chapter Nine Acts 9:25 25 Then the disciples took (italics mine) him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. (KJV) Yes, the disciples took Paul by night, but where did they take him? Obviously, they took him away so he could escape. John 19:6 6

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take (italics mine) ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. (KJV)

Yes, Pilate told them to take Jesus, but where did they take him? Again! They took him away to crucify him. John 19:40 40

Then took (italics mine) they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. (KJV)

Yes, they took the body of Jesus, but where did they take it? They took it away for burial. (See also Rev. 3:11; Rev. 5:7; and Rev. 6:4. In each Scripture, the meaning of lambano is “take away.” Now, in the wilderness experience, they refused to act (believe) upon God’s information (faith) that they could subdue the giants and occupy the land promised to them in the Abrahamic covenant. They either did not believe that God had said this, or if He had said this information, He did not know what He was talking about. One way or the other, they did not act upon this information. They had the full knowledge of what He said, but they refused to act upon this full knowledge. Consequently, they deprived themselves of the fulfillment of the land promise. Here, they were about to deprive themselves of the Seed Promise. Here, they refused to act upon this full knowledge that Jesus was the final sacrifice for sin. They refused to accept that this message was from God. When they refused to act upon it, they took it away. In other words, they received the information concerning the truth about Jesus, but they would not “mix” it in with their faith information. When they refused to mix it with faith, they disposed of it. They “took it away” when they rejected it and refused to act upon it. They made light of the claims made concerning Jesus’ blood. Consequently, they preferred to stay with the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. They slipped away from it and drifted by it. They neglected it as meaningless. Because of all the above, they committed the most severe of all the willful sins. They rejected Jesus, the truth. Of course, no sacrifice remained for them. Moreover, there is this to consider. The willful sins in the Old Testament demanded the death penalty. Here, the penalty is even greater. It involves eternity. All that these Group 3A Hebrews who reject God’s final sacrifice for sin can expect is the everlasting judgment and fiery indignation that devours. This is contained in verse 27 above. In addition, they can expect God to Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Nine take vengeance on them and recompense them for placing more value upon the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep than upon the blood of Jesus. Consequently, they will know the fear of falling into his hands (verses 30-31). Carefully watch the bold parentheses below. They give you an accurate guide to understand how our Author used pronouns here. We have much more to say about this in the next two chapters also. Once we finish Chapter Ten, you will have a complete understanding of the message of the willful sin in Hebrews 10: 26 following. 28 (In the Old Testament,) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 (Now,) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye (in Group Two,) shall he (Group 3A) be thought worthy, who (Group 3A) hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he (in Group 3A) was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we (all of us Hebrew people in Group One) know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (KJV) (Parentheses, bold words and italics mine) Previously, we said that their rejection of Jesus, God’s final sacrifice, was the most heinous of all the willful sins. Remember that we are not considering just any willful sin. We are considering the most heinous willful sin in history. We are considering the rejection of the Son of God. Even Moses’ law required two or three witnesses (verse 28) to impose the death sentence when anyone committed the willful sin. Here, we still have The Three Witnesses demanded by Moses’ law. Here is a case in which The Three Witnesses are also the victims. These Three Witnesses testify against the Group 3A Hebrews concerning their treatment of God’s final sacrifice and their only hope. The Three Witnesses are: 1. The Son of God 2. The blood of Jesus 3. The Holy Spirit The Witness of The Son of God against the Group 3A Hebrews At this time, let us look at each of these witnesses separately and discover just what these Group 3A Hebrews did to each of them. First we consider the Son of God. The above Scripture, verse 29, declares that they had trodden him under their feet. To them, the sinless, spotless Son of God was so worthless, that he was no more than a doormat. He was no more than the dirt on the ground. He was useless and worthless. Does this surprise us? After all, He owned nothing of this world’s goods. He was spat upon. His beard was jerked from his face. He was beaten with a Roman cat-o-nine–tails until he no longer Page 82


Chapter Nine resembled human flesh. He hung upon the cruel cross. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Yes, to them he was less than the dirt under their feet. No wonder they trod him down under their feet. The Witness of the Blood of Jesus against the Group 3A Hebrews Verse 29 above shouts it out! They counted his blood to be an unholy thing! “Counted” translates the Greek word hegeomai, which means “to lead before the mind and draw a conclusion.” Again, we must remember that no willful sin could ever be committed without these two things: (1) one had to be fully informed as to what was required (2) and he/she made a deliberate decision to violate what he/she knew was required. Now, these Hebrews were absolutely fully informed (epignosis). Not only were they fully informed but also led this information before their minds. In other words, they considered it from every angle. Finally, see their deliberate decision: They estimated the blood of Jesus to be an “unholy thing.” “Unholy” translates the neuter form of the Greek word koinos, which means “common.” Rather than view his blood as the blood of God himself, they viewed it as just common, ordinary blood. The Scriptures, however, boldly declare that the blood that pumped in Jesus’ veins was none other than the blood of God. Acts 20:28 28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he (GOD) hath purchased with his own blood. (KJV) (Parentheses, capitals and italics mine)

Get this well, Dear Reader. The Apostle Paul declared that God purchased the church with His own blood. These Hebrews, after leading it before their minds and reaching a decision, declared the blood of Jesus to be just common or ordinary. They found no value in it. It was just “everyday.” They found nothing special about it. Consequently, by their deliberate decision, they rejected His blood as valueless and continued to place the greatest value upon the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. What an insult! They valued the blood of ordinary animals over the blood of the holy Son of God. They just would not turn from the Old Testament, Levitical sacrifices. They just would not believe that God no longer accepted the blood of bulls and goats. But God only accepts his own blood now. He only accepts the blood of Jesus, his final sacrifice for sins under Moses’ law. Next, we must consider two more expressions here. First, we must look at the expression, “the blood of the covenant.” Second, we must look at the expression, “ wherewith he was sanctified.” To put it differently, what does “the blood of the covenant” mean? What covenant does our Author have in mind here? Second, what does our Author mean by his statement that this blood of the covenant had already sanctified these Hebrews, even though they rejected the powerful, holy blood of Jesus? First, the covenant in view here is the Abrahamic covenant. You remember that God framed his covenant with Abraham in the form of a Blood Covenant of Friendship. Now, in a Blood Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Nine Covenant of Friendship (as this one between God and Abraham), both parties involved in the covenant must ratify it with their own blood. (The parties could shed their own blood to ratify it or they could agree to substitute the blood of animals.) In Gen. 15: 9-21, Abraham asked God how he might know that he would inherit the land God promised him in the covenant. To answer this, God utilized a very solemn ceremony. He caused some animals and birds to be gathered. Next, He caused their bodies to be divided (carved) up. Then he caused a deep sleep to fall on Abraham. Through this ceremony, God ratified this covenant, from His side, with the substitute blood of the animals and birds. But nothing at all was said about Abraham ratifying the covenant with blood, either his own or the blood of a substitute. In Gen. 17: 9-14, however, God required Abraham to ratify his end of the covenant with his own blood as well as the blood of all his male descendants. To satisfy Abraham’s requirement of blood ratification, God instituted the rite of circumcision. Gen 17:9-14 9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. (KJV) Afterwards, through the rite of circumcision, the blood of Abraham and his male descendants ratified the Blood Covenant of Friendship from their side. Note this well! Circumcision required the very blood of Abraham and all his male descendants. This lasted until Jesus came the first time. In other words, the many, many acts of circumcision carried the Abrahamic covenant from the Abrahamic side (including Abraham’s male descendants) until Jesus came. Now, since Jesus is the supreme seed of Abraham, His blood ratifies it permanently for them from their side. Jesus was not only the Seed of Abraham, but also the Son of God. As the Seed of Abraham, He ratifies the covenant for Abraham and his male descendants. As the Son of God, he ratifies the covenant from God’s side. To put it differently, the substitute blood of birds and animals carried the Abrahamic covenant for God until Jesus came. The blood of circumcision carried it for Abraham. Now, the blood of Jesus eternally ratifies it for both God and Abraham.

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Chapter Nine In a Blood Covenant of Friendship such as this, the blood--whether their own blood or that of a substitute--set apart each participant in the covenant for the benefit of the other party. This extension of benefits to the other member also included their respective families. They were literally “set apart” for each other. They would also give up their very lives for each other. In the next chapter, we must look at the sanctification or this setting apart aspect of the blood of Jesus. We must determine just how they were sanctified (set apart) by Jesus’ blood, even though they had already rejected it. These Hebrews were born, not only with healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation, but also with holiness and sanctification. Think of this for a moment! These people were born holy and sanctified! You will be surprised to discover just how Jesus’ blood relates to their holiness and sanctification. See all this in the next chapter.


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Chapter Nine

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Chapter Ten

The Hebrews were born Holy and Sanctified In the previous chapter, we determined that all the participants in a Blood Covenant of Friendship must ratify it with blood. We also discovered that God ratified the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 17 with the blood of birds and animals. We also learned in Genesis 17 that God required Abraham and his descendants to ratify it with their own blood via the rite of circumcision. You remember that circumcision required the personal blood of Abraham as well as the personal blood of his descendants. You also remember that God spent none of His own blood to ratify the Abrahamic covenant until Jesus came. We also learned that God finally ratified it with the blood of Jesus. Furthermore, we discovered in Acts 20:28 that Jesus’ blood was the blood of God himself. Therefore, the blood of God himself presently ratifies the Abrahamic covenant. Acts 20:28 28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (KJV)

Now, where does all this take us? What does all this have to do with these Hebrews? Remember that most of these Hebrews refused to accept the blood of Jesus. They refused to accept it as the final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law, and they refused to accept it as God’s ratification of the Abrahamic Friendship Covenant. What does all this have to do with these Hebrews? It has everything to do with them. You see the blood of Jesus was not only their final sacrifice under Moses, it was also God’s final ratification and perpetuation of the entire Abrahamic System. This will become clear as we progress. Now we must understand that the sanctification our Author mentioned in Heb 10: 28-29 is Old Testament Judaism to the core. Heb 10:28-29 28

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

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? (Italics mine) (KJV)

You remember by now that these Hebrews were born with all the blessings contained in the Abrahamic covenant. You also remember that God added Moses’ law so that they could maintain their Abrahamic blessings even when they sinned. You remember that all a Hebrew had to do when he sinned was make the proper Mosaic sacrifice and his blessings continued for him without interruption. You also remember that if he failed to sacrifice properly, he lost every blessing he possessed by birth. He became as the heathen. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Ten You remember that the Hebrews were born with healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation. In addition, they were born with more than these four blessings. They were also born holy and sanctified because of their place in the Abrahamic covenant. Wow! They were born holy and sanctified. We must note here that the words “holy” and “sanctified” translate the same basic Hebrew root. Consequently, many times “holy” and “sanctified” are used almost interchangeably. In our context here, these words “holy” and “sanctified” mean “to dedicate for a specific purpose” or “to set apart for a specific use.” The Scriptures below demonstrate this for us. Dear Reader, the following word study removes most of the mystery from these two misunderstood words. Study the following three Scriptures carefully. In all three of them, the words “holy” and “sanctify” translate the same Hebrew root. As such, these words are almost synonymous of each other. Exod 29:37 37 Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy. (Italics mine) (KJV) Exod 30:29 29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. (Italics mine) (KJV) Exod 40:10 10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. (Italics mine) (KJV) In all three Scriptures above, “holy” and “sanctified” translate the same Hebrew root and in some instances the same identical Hebrew word itself. Next, we let Vine, Unger and White verify the above statement that the Hebrews were born “holy” or “sanctified.” Then we shall let the Scriptures demonstrate to you (beyond a doubt) that the Old Testament Hebrews were, indeed, born “holy and sanctified.” To put it differently, God decreed them to be holy and sanctified. The most startling thing is that their faith or obedience had nothing to do with it. God decreed it and it was so! Vine, Unger, and White declare, “God has dedicated Israel as His people. They are ‘holy’ by their relationship to the ‘holy’ God. All of the people are in a sense ‘holy,’ as members of the covenant community, irrespective of their faith and obedience.” (Italics mine) (VUW Page113) They also said, “All Israel is holy, separated to God’s service. . . .” (Italics mine) (UVW Page 212) Then, Vine, Unger and White give the following Scripture (Num. 16:3) to demonstrate that all the Hebrews are holy irrespective of their faith and obedience.

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Chapter Ten Num 16:3 3

And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? (KJV) (Italics mine)

In the verse above, “holy” is translated “sanctified” in many, many other Scriptures. In other words, God dedicated them to be His exclusive people. As such He separated or set them apart for such. This “setting apart” is their sanctification. This is their holiness. Their faith and obedience had nothing to do with any of this. Now, the Scriptures below demonstrate that God actually dedicated, separated and set apart the Hebrews for His very own people and inheritance. In other words, God separated the Hebrews— for Himself--from the balance of the human race. Exod 33:16 16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. (Italics mine) (KJV) Lev 20:24 24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. (Italics mine) (KJV) In the verse below, the word used is not separated, but severed. God literally severed or cut the Hebrews right out of the fabric of humanity for His very own. Lev 20:26 26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. (Italics mine) (KJV) Can’t you see it? These Hebrews are God’s special people. He dedicated them to be His. He set them apart. He separated them from all others. He severed them from the cloth of the human race. He cut them out by personal selection from the fabric of humanity. He sanctified them. He declared them holy. They are His holy, sanctified people to this very hour. But where did all this start? It started in the Abrahamic covenant. You remember that the covenant contained Sixty Promises to Abraham and his Seed Group. Here we look briefly at 3 of them--Promises # 35, 36 and 37. In these three Promises, God declared and decreed three things: (1) He declared that the Abrahamic covenant would be eternal. (2) He declared that He would be God to Abraham. (3) He declared that He would also be God to his seed. Gen. 17:7 below contains these Three Promises.


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Chapter Ten Gen 17:7 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. (KJV) In the preceding verse, Promise #35 states that the Abrahamic covenant is an everlasting covenant. In Promise #36, God declares to be Abraham’s God during the everlasting duration of the covenant. Finally, in Promise #37, God vows to be God to Abraham’s seed during the everlasting duration of the covenant. Now, when He promised to be God to these people during the everlasting duration of the Abrahamic covenant, He literally selected, severed and separated them from the rest of humanity. You see, He never promised to be the God of any other group of people anywhere in this world. In all the history of the human race, He promised to be God only for the Abrahamic Seed Group. Nowhere, at no time since creation, has God ever declared to be God for any group except the Abrahamic Seed Group. They are God’s exclusive people. They are set apart for Him. They are separated from the rest of humankind for Him. They are severed from all others for Him. Consequently, they are holy. They are sanctified. They are exclusively His! By now, Dear Reader, you can certainly see that the sanctification of the Hebrews is Old Testament Judaism. Of old, God decreed them separated, severed, set apart and dedicated for Him. He declared them to be holy and sanctified. In the next chapter, we shall consider the blood of Jesus as the covenant blood that sanctified them. Before we leave this chapter, study carefully the Scriptures below, which sets it in concrete: God decreed the Abrahamic Seed Group to be holy and sanctified. Deut 7:6-8 6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (KJV) Deut 14:2 2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (KJV)

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Chapter Ten Deut 26:18-19 18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; 19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken. (KJV) Deut 28:9 9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. (KJV) In the next chapter, your faith will soar and you will thrill as you see how Jesus’ blood sanctified the Hebrew people.


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Chapter Ten

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Chapter Eleven

The dual purpose of Jesus’ Blood In the last chapter, we learned that God declared the Hebrews holy and sanctified. We begin this chapter by showing you the relationship of Jesus’ blood to the eternal ratification of this Abrahamic Friendship covenant from God’s side. You remember that the blood of Abraham and the blood of his Seed Group (through circumcision) ratified this Friendship Covenant from their side. Remember also that God ratified his end of it with the blood of birds and animals but He shed not one drop of his own blood. You also remember that 430 years after God made the covenant with Abraham, which gave the Hebrews healing, prosperity, family well being as well as salvation, He gave the Law through Moses. Furthermore, He attached the Abrahamic Friendship Covenant to Moses’ law so that the two functioned as one. You remember that when a Hebrew sinned under Moses’ law, he just had to make the proper Mosaic sacrifice in the proper manner and he maintained everything he was born with in the Abrahamic Friendship Covenant. You also remember that if he sinned and did not sacrifice properly, he lost everything he had by birth in the covenant. The first purpose of Jesus’ blood At the death of Jesus, the shedding of His blood had a dual purpose. The first purpose was to replace the sacrificial blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. You know by now that the blood of the sacrifices in the Old Testament maintained the Abrahamic blessings. Now, however, the blood of Jesus replaced the blood of bulls, goats, cows and sheep. Now, His blood does what the animal sacrifices did in the Old Testament. There was, however, a radical difference between the blood of Jesus and the blood of animals: Jesus blood contained such power; He only had to shed it “once for all time.” The blood of animals had to be repeated for every sin committed. This “once for all time” shedding of Jesus’ blood was the first of the dual roles discharged by His blood. This “once for all” shedding of Jesus’ blood continued the Hebrews’ eternal sanctification and holiness. It also continued their healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation. All they had to do to maintain everything they had by birth was accept His blood: they must accept it for the final sacrifice for their sins; they must accept it as God’s ratification of his covenant with Abraham. Heb 10:10 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (KJV) Heb 10:14 14

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (KJV) Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Eleven “Once for all,” meant that they never had to sacrifice again to maintain anything they possessed by birth in the Abrahamic covenant. This included sanctification and holiness. This “once for all” shedding of Jesus’ blood maintained the Hebrew’s eternal sanctification and holiness. Remember again that when they sinned and made the proper Mosaic sacrifice, they maintained what they were born with. We’ve already learned they were born with healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation. In addition, we’ve learned they were also born sanctified and holy by the decree of God in the Abrahamic Friendship Covenant. Since Jesus’ blood replaced the blood of bulls, goats, cows and sheep, it and it alone now maintains all of these for them. The second purpose of Jesus’ blood The second purpose of Jesus’ blood was the ratification (from God’s side) of the Abrahamic Friendship covenant. When Jesus came the first time, God stopped utilizing the blood of animals to ratify His covenant with Abraham. Now and forever, He ratified His covenant with His own eternal, all-powerful blood. Oh, the precious blood of Jesus! The blood of animals just won’t do anymore. Now the Hebrews have the precious, powerful, eternal blood of God to perpetuate their eternal holiness and sanctification. Glory to the Lamb of God. Remember, they counted this blood as common, ordinary, even less than the blood of an animal. The very blood of the very God! Worthless! Common! Everyday! Ordinary! Remember also, counting His blood as common was a premeditated, deliberate, willful act. After considering the claims concerning Jesus, after having “led this message before their minds,” they deliberately and willfully made a decision: They rejected the blood of Jesus, God’s ratification of the Abrahamic covenant and His final sacrifice for their sins under Moses’ law. They committed this willful sin for which there was and is no more sacrifice. The Witness of The Holy Ghost against the Group 3A Hebrews The Group 3A Hebrews had done despite unto the Spirit of Grace. “Despite” translates the Greek word, enubridzo (insult). These Group 3A Hebrews actually insulted the Holy Ghost. Can you imagine this? They insulted the Holy Ghost. When they trod Jesus under their feet, they insulted the Holy Ghost. When they rejected Jesus’ blood, they insulted the Holy Ghost. When they called His blood common, they insulted the Holy Ghost. When they rejected His sacrifice, they insulted the Holy Ghost. When they rejected his Great High Priesthood, they insulted the Holy Ghost. They have eternally insulted the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost presses the claims of Jesus upon the human heart. Each time He pressed these claims upon the hearts of these Group 3A Hebrews, they rejected them. Each time they rejected them, they insulted the Holy Ghost. Since Jesus’ blood replaced the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep and they rejected it, is it any wonder there is no more sacrifice for their sins? Now, all that Group 3A has left is the awful, dreaded anticipation of judgment and fiery indignation, because God will recompense them for what they have done to Jesus. He will pay them back in full. He will judge them. They will indeed fall into the hands of the living God. They will experience the unspeakable fear associated with all the above. Page 94


Chapter Eleven More Brilliant Uses of Pronouns Next, we come to another of our Author’s brilliant use of pronouns. Having finished what he wanted to say (in Heb. 10: 26-31) about the willful sin of Group 3A, he changed pronouns in verse 32. This change of pronouns signaled that he had a different group of Hebrews in mind now. Even the context declares that a different group is in view here. The previous group had deliberately, willfully, and premeditatedly rejected Jesus. They had committed the willful sin that left them with no sacrifice. The group of Hebrews below, however, had accepted Jesus. Our Author was part of this group. He wrote to encourage them. Watch the bold words, below, and you will easily understand the following Scripture. Heb 10:32-37 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye (Group 2) were illuminated, ye (Group Two) endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye (Group 2) were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye (Group 2) became companions of them (Author and others of Group 2 who had suffered so) that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me (the Author who is part of Group 2) in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your (Group 2) goods, knowing in yourselves (Group 2) that ye (Group 2) have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your (Group 2) confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye (Group 2) have need of patience, that, after ye (Group 2) have done the will of God, ye (Group 2) might receive the promise. 37

For yet a little while, and he (Jesus) that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (KJV) (Parentheses and bold words mine)

Notice the pronouns in the above Scriptures. They are ye, your and yourselves. Remember, in the previous section, our Author dealt with them by using the we pronoun. Remember, too, this we pronoun meant “any of us Hebrew people.” By changing pronouns, our Author alerted his readers that he was addressing an entirely different group of Hebrews (Group Two) out of the nation as a whole. By changing pronouns to ye and you, the Author lets us know that he was addressing those Hebrews who have accepted Christ as their final sacrifice for sin. Remember, verses 32-37 above were addressed to Group Two. Actually, the Author referred to you right in the middle of his Willful Sin Warning. In Heb. 10: 29, the Author asked for the opinion of you, in Group Two, about the he in Group 3A who trampled Jesus under his feet, counted His blood unholy, and insulted the Holy Ghost. Heb 10:29 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye (Group Two,) shall he (the one in Group 3A) be thought worthy, who (Group 3A) hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he (Group 3A) was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (KJV) (Parentheses and bold words mine) Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Eleven

Our Author wanted these Group Two Hebrews to know that the Christian experience is a battle rom start to finish. He reminds them that they had endured a great fight of afflictions, they were made a gazingstock, and they were companions of others who experienced reproaches and afflictions. Then he reminds them that they had been compassionate even towards him--the Author-- while he endured bonds. He reminded them that they knew their substance in heaven was better than here and that it endured there. He reminded them of all this. Then, in verse 35, he encourages them “not to cast away” their confidence because it carries with it the “great recompense of reward.” “Cast not away” translates the Greek negative, a, plus the combined words, apo (back or away), plus ballo (to throw). This combination, therefore, means “do not throw away.” In other words, “Do not throw back or throw away your confidence,” he told them. “Recompense of reward” translates three Greek words rolled into one. The first Greek word is misthos (wages). The second Greek word is apo (back). The third Greek word in this combination is didomi, which means “to give.” The resulting word, then, means “to give back wages.” To put it differently, God will give you wages just for maintaining your confidence. Think of this for just a moment. What an incentive to faith. God will pay wages to you for your confidence! Next, our Author encourages these Christians Hebrews to be “patient” because they will receive God’s promise after they have done the will of God. “Patience” translates a Greek word that combines two Greek words. It combines hupo, which means “under,” with meno, which means “to remain” or “to abide.” The combination means “to remain under.” Putting this differently, when these saved, Group Two Hebrews have a promise from God, they must stay under that promise no matter what happens. When God promises, things happen. Stay the course. Stay under the promise. Remember, many of God’s promises contain an “if clause” and a “then clause.” In other words, there is a part for us to do in God’s promises. Do that. Just do it! This is God’s will for us. Then, once we have done the will of God as revealed in His promise, we will receive what God promised. Is there a specific promise He is talking about in this context? Yes. What is it? Here it is; “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Our Author is encouraging these saved, Group Two Hebrews to keep up their confidence in the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. The promise, then, in this context, is the promise of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Our Author is telling them to “stay under” this promise. Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming. Praise God. Stay the course. Jesus is coming. He will not tarry! Next we look at Major Warning #6. As you read the Scripture below, carefully watch the groups we placed in the bold parentheses for you, and this Scripture will clear up for you. Major Warning #6 Page 96


Chapter Eleven Heb 10:38-39 38 Now the just (Group Two) shall live by faith: but if any man (Group 3A) draw back, my soul (Group 2) shall have no pleasure in him (Group 3A.) 38

But we (Group 2) are not of them (Group 3A) who draw back unto perdition; but of them (Group 2) that believe to the saving of the soul. (KJV) (Parentheses and bold words mine)

Remember what we learned about the words translated by our English words just, justified, justify, sanctification, sanctify, sanctified, righteous and righteousness? All these words can translate the same Greek root that means “cleared of all guilt.” Now in verse 38 above, “just” means “one who has been cleared of all the guilt of all his sins.” This can only pertain to those Hebrews (Group Two) who have accepted Jesus as the final sacrifice for all his sins. This acceptance takes away all the guilt for his sins. They can stand before God with no guilt at all, because God accepted the blood of Jesus as the final sacrifice for the sins of all Hebrews for all time. Because they accepted Jesus’ blood, they are “just.” They are not guilty. They stand before God as though they had never sinned at all in their entire lifetime. Furthermore, these justified Hebrews in Group Two must also live by faith. In your Bible, mark the word “by” out of verse 38 above and change it to “out of.” The Greek word, ek, translated “by,” is a proposition that means “out of.” This word designates “source.” In other words, these Group Two Hebrews who had accepted Jesus as their final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law, must live, from that day on, “out of” their faith. What did our Author mean? What does “live out of their faith” mean? You must remember that faith means “information we get from God for us to act upon.” Now, the information our Author hammers home in the Book of Hebrews is just this: Jesus is the final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. As such, God no longer accepts the blood of bulls, goats, sheep, and cows. In other words, all Hebrews must now act upon this information. They must accept Jesus or perish. There is no other way. It is Jesus or hell. Only Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. This is the information (faith) “out of” which they must live. Next, our Author issues another stern, major warning. He said that if any of these Hebrews should “draw back,” his soul would have no pleasure in him. This emphatically means that a Hebrew, born saved because of his place in the Abrahamic family, could come to the trough of Jesus’ sacrifice but not drink from it. He could draw back from accepting Jesus, God’s last and final sacrifice for his sins. One more time! How, just exactly, did a Hebrew “draw back” from living “out of his faith?” To answer this, we must state that God had given them the information that Jesus was His final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. He gave this information for the benefit of the entire Hebrew nation. Putting it differently, this information applied to every Hebrew. There were no exceptions. Therefore, for any Hebrew to remain saved, he must accept Jesus as God’s final sacrifice. If he did, he not only remained saved but also maintained the other Abrahamic blessings of healing, Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Eleven prosperity, family well being, sanctification and holiness. If he did not accept Jesus, he lost all his Abrahamic blessings mentioned above, including salvation. Now, we must get back to our question. How did a Hebrew “draw back?” He “drew back” by doing two things. First, he “drew back” by bringing before his mind the information that Jesus was God’s final sacrifice for sin under Moses’ law. Second, he “drew back” by refusing to act on this information. He “drew back” by refusing to accept Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for sin. This “drawing back” resulted in his losing every blessing he was born with. His “drawing back” caused him to lose every blessing that God gave him in the Abrahamic covenant. Let us remind our Readers once again that our Author skillfully used pronouns to extract himself from those contexts that pertain to those Hebrews who rejected Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for sin. Consequently, he does it here. He said, “We are not part of them who draw back unto perdition.” “Perdition” translates the Greek word apoleia, which means “loss of well being.” This word means utter destruction of well-being. Thayer shows the ways it is translated in the King James Version: “damnable, destruction, die, perdition, perish, pernicious ways and waste.” Putting it differently, this word means “ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal.)” (JHT P70, 71) Please note that our Author is not part of this “draw back” group. He was part of the group who believed (acted upon the information that Jesus was God’s final sacrifice for sin) to the saving of his soul. The “draw back group” failed to act upon God’s information and lost their soul. Those Hebrews who make up Group 3A have gone to hell by the millions from the time of the Cross of Christ until this present hour. Two groups of Hebrews are in view in Heb. 10: 38-39. One group (Group Two) believed (acted upon the information) and maintained all their Abrahamic blessings. They kept everything they had as their birthright in the Abrahamic covenant. The other group (Group Three) came to the very edge of accepting God’s final sacrifice for sin, but did not. They drew back. They backed off the very Son of God. They refused to accept Jesus. They rejected him outright. They brought the information before their minds and deliberately, willfully rejected him. There remaineth no more sacrifice for their sins. They committed the willful sin. Here is a very simple, abbreviated outline to help you understand the groups in Heb. 10: 26-39. 1. Heb. 10: 26-27 pertains to “any of us Hebrew people.” The pronoun used is “we” for “any of us Hebrews.” 2. Heb. 10: 28-31 pertains to Group 3A. They had absolutely and totally rejected Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins. 3. Heb. 10: 32-37 pertains to Group Two, those Hebrews who had accepted Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins. 4. Heb. 10: 38-39 pertains first, to Group 3A who drew back and did not accept Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for sin, and second, to Group Two who had accepted Jesus. Group Two believed to the saving of their soul.

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Chapter Eleven

Final Major Warning #7 We come now to the Final Major Warning in Hebrews. Surely by now, no Gentile Christian will place herself into any of these warnings. She simply does not belong in any of them. They are strictly for the Hebrews. Here, then, are the Scriptures for this all-important final warning. Heb 12:25 25 See that ye (Group 3A) refuse not him that speaketh. For if they (Old Testament Hebrew people) escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we (any of us Hebrew people) escape, if we (any of us Hebrew people) turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (KJV) (Parentheses and bold words mine) In this Scripture, we see a contrast between God’s speaking to them (through Moses) from Mt. Sinai on earth and Jesus’ speaking to them from heaven. When God spoke through Moses from Sinai, everything happened to them just as He said it would. They escaped not one word of what He said then. Furthermore, since Jesus speaks from heaven now, there is no way for them to escape from what He says either. How foolish they were to turn away from what He said. “Refuse” translates paraiteomai. This combines two Greek words. It combines para that means “by the side of” with aiteo, which means to “ask forcefully.” The combination then means to “forcefully ask aside.” In other words, it means to “beg off,” to “forcefully ask to be exempted,” to “avoid,” to “be excused,” to “refuse,” or to “reject.” Here, they are told not to attempt this at all, because it would not work: they couldn’t get away with it and escape when God spoke from Sinai; they can’t get away with it and escape now that Jesus speaks from heaven. “Escaped” translated the Greek word ekphuego. This word combines two Greek words. It joins the preposition ek, which means “out of,” to the verb pheugo, which means “to flee.” The resultant word means to “flee out of.” The context here shows the impossibility of “fleeing out of” the judgment of God after they refused Jesus’ blood, God’s final sacrifice for sin and personal ratification of Abraham’s covenant. The warning is this: since they could not escape when God spoke on earth through Moses, much more does the impossibility loom before them that what they attempted here was inescapable! To refuse Jesus’ speech is much, much more important than what they heard at Sinai. Therefore, “much more shall we (any of us Hebrew people) not escape if we turn away from Jesus when he speaks from heaven.” (Parenthesis mine) In the next chapter, we interpret (for you) the balance of the “Lest Warnings” contained in the Book of Hebrews.


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Chapter Eleven

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Chapter Twelve

The Final Six Lest Warnings in Hebrews In this chapter, we interpret, for you, the balance of the “Lest Warnings” in Hebrews. We look at the final six of these warnings in this chapter. Remember that “lest” translates the Greek negative particle ma (many times in combination with other Greek words), which simply means “for fear that.” In other words, if you do (or don’t do) such and such, then certain unpleasant things may (will) happen to you, hence, a Lest Warning. Heb 12:15-17 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; (Italics mine) 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (Italics mine) 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. (KJV) “Looking diligently” in verse 15 above simply means to stay alert, to stay awake, to stay on top of it. Our Author admonished these Hebrews to get on top of it and stay there to prevent three things from happening: (1) Lest any man fail of the grace of God in verse 15. (2) Lest any root of bitterness spring up, trouble them and defile many in verse 15. (3) Lest there be any fornicator or profane person who sells his birthright for practically nothing in verse 16. “Lest Warning” #6 Verse 15 warns them to look diligently “lest any man fail of the grace of God.” First, what does “failing of the grace of God” mean to these Hebrews? “Failing” translates hustereo, which means “to fall short, to fall behind or to miss.” Remember, they were born into the complete grace of the Abrahamic covenant. This grace included healing, prosperity, family well being, salvation, holiness and sanctification. Remember, to maintain this grace and these six blessings, all they had to do was to sacrifice properly under Moses’ law when they sinned. Remember too that God no longer accepts the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. He will only accept now the blood of Jesus. By accepting Him as their final sacrifice, they maintain all the Abrahamic blessings they had by birth in the covenant. Therefore, they did not “fail of the grace of God.” They maintained their birthright blessings through Jesus’ blood. Of course, those who rejected His final sacrifice lost all six birthright blessings. To “fail” or “come short,” then, simply meant that they refused to accept Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins. “Lest Warning” #7 Verse 15 also warns them to look diligently, “lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” They must be alert so that no root of bitterness could crop up. But what does “root of bitterness” mean in verse 15? Could it not mean that they were being required Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Twelve to completely ditch the Mosaic system of sacrifice? This would be a hard pill for them to swallow. They had great difficulty with this. Those who chose to stay with the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep were extremely bitter towards those who chose the blood of Christ. Consequently, this deep, bitter division rose up and troubled them. Not only did it trouble them, this bitter division defiled many. “Defile” translates the Greek word miaino, which means “to dye another color.” Hence, it means to tinge or stain. From the above meaning, “defile” here simply meant, “to tarnish, stain, discolor and even blemish.” These Hebrews were divided by Jesus’ blood. Their relationship with each other was forever stained and strained as a result of it. They were defiled as a unified people. Their bitterness concerning the blood of Jesus did it. Till this day, when a Hebrew accepts Jesus, his family disowns him. This is bitterness! “Lest Warning” #8 Verse 16 warns them to look diligently “lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” In other words, they must stay alert so that no one (fornicator or profane person) could sell out his birthright for something worthless. Remember, we learned that they neglected the message of Jesus because they considered it a worthless message. They placed no value upon it. They deemed the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep to be more valuable than the blood of Jesus. What an insult. What a loss for them. Compare this to the case of Esau--the firstborn--who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. The rights of the firstborn in ancient times were invaluable. Esau, however, considered a bowl of soup to be more valuable than his birthright. What a foolish value judgment for him to make. How tragic! How could he have been so foolish? Yet this is exactly what Group 3A did. They sold their birthright for the blood of common animals. Remember, the blood of Jesus is actually the blood of God himself. Remember also that Esau later tried to repent, to back up and do it all over in a much different way. It was, however, too late for him to do this. He shed bitter tears but found no place to go back and do it differently. The same thing is true of Group 3A. The absolute, ultimate rejection of Jesus is eternal. There is no time or place to go back and do it over. Every Hebrew in Group 3A has had it! He is lost forever. There is no going back. There is no place for repentance. They may seek it carefully with bitter tears but they will still find no place of repentance. The lesson to be learned here is very simple. Receive Jesus now! There may be no tomorrow. Do it now. Dear Reader, this applies to everyone, not just to the Hebrew. Do it now. Remember the Psalms 95 warnings? Ps 95:7-11 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, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 Page 102

When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

Chapter Twelve 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11

Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. (KJV)

In other words, harden not your hearts today. Today! Today is the day of salvation. Do it now! Receive Jesus today! This was their right. This was their place. This was their time. Do it now, here, today. Next, we look at the last three Lest Warnings. They primarily contain practical lessons for the Hebrews. Some of them even contain practical lessons for us Gentiles because we are grafted into their Abrahamic system.

“Lest Warning” #9 Heb 11:28 28

Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (KJV) Italics mine)

Moses took God at His word. He acted upon what God said. Moses knew that if the blood was not sprinkled over the doorpost, the death angel would kill the first born of Israel as well as the first born of the Egyptians. So Moses did what any sensible believer would do. He sprinkled the blood over the doorpost. He did this to stop any occasion for the death angel to touch any of them. (What a lesson for Gentiles as well as Hebrews. When God speaks, He always does what He said He would do.) For these Hebrews, they should act upon the Jesus message because He was, from henceforth, God’s final sacrifice for sin. Without accepting His final sacrifice, these Hebrews had no hope at all. There was the certain looking for of fiery judgment. Remember the aftermath and consequences of the willful sin? Learn from Moses dear Hebrew friend! He took God at His word. You must do the same! You must accept God’s final sacrifice for your sins or perish in hell. You have no other choice. Do it now. Receive the loving Son of God. He loves you. He will not hurt you. Do it now.

Lest Warning #10 Heb 12:3-4 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Italics mine) 4

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (KJV)

Jesus endured great contradiction of sinners against himself. Consequently, our Author encouraged his Hebrew audience to consider this Jesus. He encouraged them to consider Jesus lest they become wearied and faint in their minds. “Minds” translates the Greek word psyche that is the regular Greek word for “soul.” In Hebrews alone, we find psyche translated “soul” five times and “mind” only once. Actually, psyche is translated by heart, heartily, life, mind and soul. The primary translations, however, are “soul” and “life.” Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Twelve “Wearied” translates kamno, a Greek word for sickness. This word, however, means sickness that is caused and sustained by fatigue. In other words, kamno designates a sickness brought on by constant work. “Faint” translates ekluo, which means to “loose out of.” Vine used a bowstring as an illustration of this word. If one should loose a bowstring, he would “relax” it. Applying this illustration to Heb. 12: 3 above, we see that two things had happened to these Hebrews. First, they had strived against sin with animal sacrifices to the point that they had “relaxed” their view towards the sacrifices. They had sacrificed and sacrificed and sacrificed until they were “sick and tired” of it. They were “sick and tired” of doing it. They were “sick and tired” of the whole repetitive Mosaic sacrificial system. “Sick and tired” is an excellent way to describe the meaning of kamno, a sickness born out of constant work, resulting in “weariness.” Finally, note this fact well: this weary, fainting sickness—kamno--affected their very soul and their very life--psyche. Now in opposition to this bleak state of affairs, our Author encouraged them to consider Jesus. He had already battled against sin and beat it. Now they don’t have to “beat it.” They simply have to accept His sacrifice. Consequently, they will never have to sacrifice an animal again as long as they live. Remember that His blood sacrifice sanctified them “once and for all.” Heb 10:10-14 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

14

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (KJV)

Now they can enter into His rest by simply accepting His final sacrifice, which sanctified them “once and for all.” Now they can come under the blood of the Son of God, whose “once for all” sacrifice for sins not only lasts forever but also enables Him to sit down at the right hand of God. Now they can be “perfected forever” by His one offering. What a joy! No more striving against sin! No more sacrificing and sacrificing until they are in a “sick and tired” delirium. No more battling it out by themselves. Instead, they are admonished to consider Jesus who has done it all for them in a once for all way. No wonder Jesus said that He was the way, the truth and the life. Praise God.

“Lest Warning” #11 Heb 12:13 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. (KJV) (Italics mine)

What can “straight paths for your feet” mean? This expression must refer to a person’s walk with God. The gist of this expression is not at all uncommon. All their lives, these Hebrews had been told to walk the “straight and narrow.” So understanding this expression is not difficult. Page 104


Chapter Twelve Notice, however, that “walking the straight and narrow” is tied up with their ability to be healed. This must mean that they can be healed much easier and quicker when their walk is right. For these Hebrews, their walk must start with accepting God’s final sacrifice for their sins. Apart from this, not only is healing out the window, so is prosperity and family well being as well as salvation. Apart from accepting Jesus, there will be no healing, prosperity, family well being, holiness, sanctification or salvation. No wonder our Author said for them to make straight paths for their feet. If they don’t, that which is lame will be turned out of the way of the Abrahamic blessing of healing. Note well, however, that our Author wants it to “rather be healed,” which is their birthright. In the next chapter, we look at the Key Verse in Hebrews. This verse forms the bridge between Group Two and Group Three. In this verse, our Author pleads with Group Three to mimic those in Group Two and shows what their benefits will be if they do. This is a most enlightening and faith building chapter.


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Chapter Thirteen

The Key Verses in Hebrews In this chapter, we show you the “Bridge Section” in the Book of Hebrews. The three verses below form a bridge between Group Two and Group Three. Group Two had accepted God’s final sacrifice and Group Three had not. The three subdivisions in Group Three, remember, were 3A, 3B and 3C. You remember that Group 3A had totally and finally rejected Jesus; Group 3B was thinking about it but as yet had not accepted Him; Group 3C professed Him but did not possess Him. In this Bridge, our Author pleads with the “rejecters” of Group 3A, the “undecided ones” in Group 3B, and the “phonies” in group 3C to “mimic” those in Group Two who had accepted Jesus, God’s final sacrifice. In the next chapter, we shall see why our Author wanted them to “mimic” Group Two, who had already accepted Christ as their final sacrifice. His reasons will both astonish you and build your faith in the miraculous things God has for us Gentile Christians. When we get into the next chapter, remember that we Gentile Christians are grafted into the Abrahamic blessings. Consequently, these miraculous blessings belong to us as well as to the Hebrews. Why? Because when we accept Christ as out Savior, we are grafted into those same blessings on an equal footing with them. Now, look at this Bridge Section that contains the Three Key Verses in Hebrews. Heb 6:10-12 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. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (KJV) “Slothful,” in verse 12 above, translates nothrus, which means “slow, dull, indolent or sluggish.” In a word, nothrus can mean just plain lazy. Here, our Author pleads with his readers not to be lazy in their consideration of Jesus. He is, after all, God’s final sacrifice for their sins. Nevertheless, they had “drifted by” this great eternal truth. Therefore, he screamed out to them, “Sharpen up!” He screamed out, “Give heed!” He screamed out, “Get serious!” Since God no longer accepted the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep, they, henceforth, had no way to escape if they persisted in being slothful concerning Jesus. He is God’s only way. They must get serious! “Followers,” in verse 12 above, translates mimatas, which means “one who mimics” or simply a “mimic.” To put it differently, the verb form of mimatas means “to mimic.” Many scholars think our English word “mimic” comes from mimatas. With this one word, mimatas, our Author told his readers to stop being lazy. He told them to get on the ball and “mimic” (copy) those who have already accepted Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for their sins under Moses’ law. He wanted them to do what Group Two did, since they were continuously inheriting the Abrahamic blessings. Hebrews The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Thirteen “Inherit” translates kleronomeo, the combination of two Greek words, kleros and nemomai. Kleros means “a lot,” and nemomai means to “possess.” The combination--kleronomeo--means “to obtain and possess your allotment.” “Inherit,” therefore, means “to possess the allotment promised you.” In addition, “inherit” contains two more faith-building things for us. 1. Our Author renders “inherit” as a “present tense participle.” Right now, dear Reader, this “present tense participle” means nothing to you, but it will in a matter of seconds. Therefore, read on! The most common use of the Greek present tense describes continuous action in present time. In other words, our Author, by his use of the Greek present here, blasted out to his readers that Group Two were “continuously inheriting” the Abrahamic promises. Think of this for just a moment! Even as our Author penned these words, Group Two was continuously inheriting the Abrahamic blessings of healing, prosperity, family well being, holiness, sanctification as well as salvation. No wonder he pleaded for his readers to mimic them. 2. He also casts “inherit’ in the active voice. In Greek, as well as English, the active voice declares that the subject of the verb performs the action portrayed by the verb. In other words, Group Two was actually inheriting in present time the Abrahamic promises even as the Author wrote these words. They were really, actually possessing what Abraham was promised way back in Genesis. How did Group Two inherit these promises? They inherited them through “faith and patience.” We have already learned what constitutes “faith.” It is information we get from God for us to act upon and which shows us (in advance) His will. This information usually contains instructions for us, which enables us to know (in advance) what God wants us to do. In other words, we know what to do by the instructions in the information. We demonstrate and prove our belief that this information came from God by walking it out, by acting on it. We do what the information said that God wanted us to do. If we do not act upon the information (our faith), we simply did not believe that God was the source of it. Now, Group Two was actively, presently, continuously inheriting, and possessing the blessings of Abraham. They acted upon the information that Jesus was God’s final sacrifice for their sins under Moses’ law. In so doing, they maintained their inheritance. Contrast this with those Hebrews in Groups 3A, 3B and 3C who tried to stay with the blood of bulls, goats, cows and sheep. They lost it all. They lost their entire Abrahamic inheritance. They were lost. They were doomed. They were damned. Jesus (and no other) was and is God’s final sacrifice for sin. No wonder, therefore, Jesus said that “No man cometh to the Father but by me!” “Patience” above translates the Greek word, makrothumeo, which combines two Greek words. It combines makro (long) with thumeo (temper.) This combined word simply means, then, “long tempered.” That is, they had a temperament that enabled them to wait a “long time” to possess what they were promised. Hence, “patience” was essential to obtain what Page 108

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Chapter Thirteen God promised them. In addition, “patience” is also essential for us Gentile Christians to obtain what God promised us. No wonder our Author exhorted his readers to “mimic” (copy) those in Group Two who were still in possession of what they had by birth. They were born with Abrahamic healing, prosperity, family well being, holiness, sanctification as well as salvation and were still in possession of these birthright blessings. Therefore, our Author simply wants them all to maintain what was rightfully theirs by birth. To maintain their Abrahamic inheritance, all they had to do was “mimic” (copy) those in Group Two who had accepted Jesus, God’s final sacrifice for them. That was all there was to it. That was all they had to do. They were not being asked, over thirty years after Jesus resurrection, to do something that no other Hebrew had done. They were being asked to “mimic” something that many Hebrews, by that time, had already done. Our Author simply said to them, “Do what they did and keep your Abrahamic inheritance. In the next chapter, we prove for you that Group Two was continuously inheriting and obtaining the same healing, prosperity, family well being, and salvation that Abraham himself obtained. This shows, demonstrates, and proves that the Bible does not contain two separate blessing systems, one for the Old Testament and one for the New Testament. There is only one blessing system in both Testaments: the Abrahamic covenant. You will see that Group Two was continuously inheriting the same identical blessings that Abraham himself had. Hang on. Your faith is about to fly.

Hebrews The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Thirteen

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Chapter Fourteen

They were Continuously Inheriting Healing, Prosperity, Family Well-being and Salvation In this chapter, we demonstrate that Group Two was continuously, actively, presently inheriting the very same blessings of healing, prosperity, family well being, and salvation that Abraham himself inherited and enjoyed while he was alive. Study closely the following Scriptures. Heb 6:13-15 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14

Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

15

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. (KJV)

In the above passage, God backed two of the promises He made to Abraham with His oath. (Remember, there are Sixty Promises in the Abrahamic covenant.) Here, God swore to it that He would deliver on the two promises that were the most staggering to Abraham. These are Promises #3 and #28. These were, of course, the promises to bless and multiply Abraham. For our purposes, we are interested in God’s Promise #3--to “bless” Abraham. You remember that “bless” contained at least four things. It contained healing, prosperity, family well being, and salvation. Now get this well: God’s word was good enough; if God said something, His word demanded that He do it. But here, God issued an oath to back up His Word. A double whammy, if you will. God gave his Word in the form of a Blood Covenant of Friendship. Then, he swore by Himself to perform what He said in His Promises. Wow! Now, Abraham had some information (faith). This information contained Sixty Promises. Remember, we saw in the last chapter that Group Two was presently, continuously, actively maintaining possession of the Abrahamic promises. We saw this in Heb. 6:12. Heb 6:12 12

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (KJV)

Look at the expression, “the promises,” in verse 12 above. Observe closely that our English word “the” precedes the word “promises.” This signifies that the “promises” here are not just any promise(s), but very definite, specific promise(s). Now, look deeply into verse 15 above: It states that Abraham obtained “the promise(s).” Again, “the” precedes the word “promise(s).” (In the Scriptures, the terms “promise” and “promises” are used interchangeably when discussing the Abrahamic covenant.) Now, “the” preceding “promise(s)” in both verses 12 and 15, indicates that the “promise(s)” are the same in both verses. In other words, the promise(s) Group Two was inheriting in verse 12 were the same identical promise(s) that Abraham obtained in verse 15. In Greek grammar, this is known as the Anaphoric use of the article “the.” To put this differently, in the Anaphoric use, the article “the” will appear before a word that has been used Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Fourteen before in a given context. Used this way, “the” refers back to the previous time the same word was used in the same context. When “the” refers back to a previous word, as it does here, it simply means that the second use of the same word means the same as it did the first time the word was used. To simplify this for you, the “promises(s)” (in verse 15) that Abraham obtained are the same identical “promise(s)” that Group Two (in verse 12) are continuously, actively inheriting. Think about this! Let it soak in deeply! The Hebrews (Group Two) in Heb. 6:12 were continuously, actively, presently possessing the very same blessings that Abraham himself obtained. Remember what these blessings were? They were healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation! For the most complete, faith building treatment of Heb 6: 11-20 that we know about, see pages 64-73 in our book, What are Abraham’s Blessings, Anyway? and pages 75-136 in our book, The Unbroken Force of Abraham’s Blessings. They are both free on the Internet. (If you prefer a first class printed copy of any of our books, you may order them from us from the Internet.) These two books contain the most complete exposition of these Scriptures you will find in print. They will build your faith to a fever pitch. You will never be the same. Go to www.jaysnell.org. Since Group Two was continuously inheriting the same identical blessings that Abraham himself obtained, we look next at some Scriptures that show us exactly and specifically, what Abraham obtained. Then we will precisely know exactly what Group Two was actively, continuously, presently possessing. You, Dear Reader, are about to see that Abraham, in his lifetime, possessed healing, prosperity, and family well being, as well as salvation. Abraham Obtained Health Concerning healing, there is no evidence at all in the Scriptures that Abraham was ever sick. He may have been ill from time to time, but it was of no consequence. As a matter of fact, the Scriptures are very plain that he was still very healthy at the very end of his life. Gen 24:1 1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. (KJV) Gen 25:7-8 7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. 8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. (KJV) Gen 15:15 15

And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

(KJV) In the preceding verses, we plainly see that Abraham had a peaceful old age and a peaceful death. He died in a good old age. This must mean that no debilitating disease cut him down. He was full of years. They were good years. Though he had ups and downs, they were peaceful years. Page 112


Chapter Fourteen Abraham Obtained Prosperity Furthermore, they were very prosperous years. Abraham prospered during his lifetime and he was very prosperous at his death. We plainly see the proof of this from the Scriptures below. Gen 24:35 35

And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. (KJV)

While seeking a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s servant made the above assertion about his master’s wealth. Obviously, the above verse proves beyond a shadow of doubt that Abraham was very wealthy. Most importantly, the servant attributed his great wealth to “the Lord.” He also linked this great wealth to the word bless. Dear Reader, you really must read our Four Volumes on the Abrahamic blessings. All this is explained in depth. They are free on the Internet. Again, all our books are available in first class printed copies. You may order them on the Internet. Abraham Obtained Family Well Being Having seen that Abraham possessed prosperity, a healthy life, a healthy old age, and a peaceful death, what about family well being? He had this also. We shall now look at the case of Sarah-his wife, Lot--his nephew, and Isaac--his son. We shall see that Abraham possessed and enjoyed family well being also. First, consider the case of Sarah, his wife. Although she was past the flower of her life, she maintained her youthful beauty. She was so pretty that kings wanted her. Look at the Scriptures below. Gen 12:11-17 11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. 13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. 14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. 17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. (KJV) Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Fourteen Abraham was willing for Pharaoh to have Sarah to save his own skin. He feared that the Egyptians would kill him if they thought she was his wife. He believed that if they thought that she was only his sister, they would let him live. Twice, he told the kings that she was his sister. Both times, however, God delivered her before they had her. This was family well being. (For the second instance, see Gen. 20: 1-20.) God gave Sarah not only her youthful beauty when she was old but also her ability to bear children. You remember that she gave birth to Isaac when she was ninety years old and Abraham was one hundred years old. This was family well being. Now, take the case of Isaac, the son born to them when they were old. Upon the death of Abraham, Isaac inherited everything that Abraham owned. This was family well being. Gen 24:36 36 And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath. (KJV) Gen 25:5 5

And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. (KJV)

In addition to the wealth Isaac inherited from Abraham, God blessed him individually; He gave him wealth that is difficult to imagine. As a matter of fact, Isaac was extremely wealthy, because of what God did for him. Gen 26:3-5 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. (KJV) Gen 26:12-14 12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. 13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: 13

For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. (KJV)

This was family well being. Dear Reader, you must fully understand how Abraham’s blessing covenant works. Get all my books free on the Internet—especially the first four volumes. You will be enlightened greatly. Again, if you choose a first class printed copy, you may order it (them) on the Internet. Concerning healing for Isaac, no Scripture indicates he was ever sick. As his father Abraham, he lived a full, rich, prosperous life. This was family well being. Page 114


Chapter Fourteen God even included Abraham’s nephew, Lot, in his family well being. You remember that during the slaughter of the kings, they captured Lot and all his goods. Abraham counterattacked, freed Lot and recaptured all his goods. See Gen 14: 11-16. This was family well being. When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He spared Lot’s life and the life of Lot’s family (excluding his wife) because of Abraham. This was family well being. We can readily see from the above comments and Scriptures that Abraham obtained (Heb. 6:15) healing, prosperity and family well being as well as salvation. (In this volume, we do not cover salvation because everyone knows it. They are not clear at all, however, about the other three Abrahamic blessings.) Why is this important to you? Why is this so important? It is important to know that Group Two was continuously, actively possessing the same things that Abraham obtained. This proves that Jesus’ sacrifice, when acted upon, was God’s way for all Hebrews to maintain the Abrahamic blessings. Get this well, Dear Reader: Jesus’ sacrifice delivered the Abrahamic blessings to the Group 2 Hebrews, not the blood of bulls, goats, cows and sheep! It is important to you, Dear Gentile Christian, for the following reasons: you are grafted into this same Abrahamic blessing covenant, side by side, with the Hebrews; you are now on an equal footing with them in the Abrahamic inheritance; you are now equal with them in every way since you are also the seed of Abraham. What Abraham obtained in verse 15 belongs to us Gentile Christians (now) by grafting. This is revelation knowledge. What a joy! Many people declare that our book, The Unbroken Force of Abraham’s Blessings, contains the most complete, faith building exposition of our Gentile grafting into the Abrahamic blessings of healing, prosperity and family well being. It’s free on the Internet. Go to www.jaysnell.org. In the next chapter, we interpret the balance of the “Let Us Exhortations” in Hebrews. As you read this chapter, get set for your faith to rise up. You’ll be glad we include this faith builder.


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Chapter Fifteen

The Balance of the Let Us Exhortations Interpreted In this chapter, we interpret the last eleven of the thirteen Let Us Exhortations in Hebrews. We interpreted the first two, Heb. 4:1 & 11, in Chapter Four. Remember the definition we gave you? A Let Us Exhortation (hortatory subjunctive) is a Greek grammatical device used to exhort other(s) to join in with the writer or speaker in an action. This action could be one that had not yet started. In this case, the speaker or writer exhorts other(s) to join him and start the action. Remember that Heb. 4:1 & 11 was this type. The action could also be in progress, with the speaker or writer already engaged in it. If so, the speaker or writer would exhort other(s) to join her in the ongoing activity in which she is already engaged. The balance of the Let Us Exhortations (Hortatory Subjunctives) in Hebrews exhorts these Hebrew readers to join in with our Author in actions that are already in progress and in which he is already engaged. We consider Let Us Exhortation #3 first. This introduces the doctrine of Jesus, God’s final Great High Priest, who ministers in heaven itself.

Let Us Exhortation #3 Heb 4:14 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. (KJV) (Italics mine)

“Passed” translates dierchomai. This word combines the Greek preposition die with the Greek verb erchomai. Die means “through” and erchomai means “to come, to go, or to pass.” The combination, then, means “to pass through or to go through.” Jesus “passed through” the created heavens and is now at the throne of God in the very heaven itself. Furthermore, “passed” is a Greek perfect tense participle. In Greek, the perfect signifies two things: First, the perfect shows that an action occurred in the past. Second, the perfect shows that the result of that past action is still standing. In other words, the result of that past action is still valid in the present time. Now, two thousand years ago, Jesus passed through the heavens and arrived at the throne of God. This is the finished action. The results of it, however, are still with us, still standing, still valid, and still functioning. Jesus is still in heaven at the right hand of God; He is still functioning as the last Great High Priest that God will ever have. “Hold fast” translates krateo. Vine said that this word means “to be strong, to be mighty, to prevail.” In this verse, then, krateo means to hold (maintain) our profession with all our might. We must hold (maintain) our profession as strongly as we can. We must prevail in holding (maintaining) our profession “that Jesus was and is God’s final Great High Priest in heaven itself.” Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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In the Scripture above, our Author made a bold assertion with neither warning nor introduction. He openly declared that the Hebrew people now have a Great High Priest in heaven; He is none other than Jesus, the Son of God. He had already informed them (Heb. 2:17 and Heb. 3:1) that Jesus was their high priest. In Heb. 4:14, however, our Author dropped a bombshell on them; he informed them not only that Jesus was already in heaven ministering there on their behalf but also that He was ministering there as God’s final Great High Priest. (He was more than their high priest; He was their Great High Priest.) God will never again change Great High Priests because this one (Jesus) will never die. Therefore, Jesus is the last Great High Priest that God will ever have. Then, the Author exhorted these Hebrews to join in with him in an activity in progress. He was continuously, progressively, boldly, acknowledging out loud (professing) two things: Jesus was already in heaven at the right hand of God; He was functioning there as his Great High Priest. He exhorted his readers to join in with him as he continuously professed and kept on holding fast to his profession that Jesus was--and is--God’s final, Great High Priest for the Hebrew people. This Exhortation, in various ways, could have been applied to any of the Groups of Hebrews. They all have Jesus as their Great High Priest in heaven. He only profits those, however, who avail themselves of it by faith. Nonetheless, He is still the Great High Priest in heaven for all the Hebrews since God accepts no other Great High Priest now. In other words, Jesus was still God’s final Great High Priest for them, even for those who permanently rejected Him. Their unbelief did not change the eternal truth that Jesus was—and is—the last Great High Priest that God will ever have.

Let Us Exhortation #4 Next, the Author introduces Let Us Exhortation #4 in verses 15 & 16 below. Actually, this is still in the context of the Great High Priesthood of Jesus from verse 14 above. In verse 15, the Author explained how Jesus felt their infirmities because he was tempted in all their same points. In spite of these common temptations that gave him empathy with their feelings, He never sinned. Heb 4:15 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. (KJV) Now, because Jesus had been “where they were” in the “feelings department” but did not sin, He was someone they could approach. He was someone they would never be timid around, because He understood them. They could approach Him and talk to Him, because he had known and felt their same points of infirmity (weakness). To put this differently, they could approach Him and talk to Him because He had “been there.” He had been where they were. “Infirmity” translates asthenias. This Greek word combines the Greek negative a, with the Greek word sthenos. The negative a means “no,” “not” or “none, while sthenos means “strength.” The Page 118


Chapter Fifteen combination then means “absence of strength” or “no strength,” hence “weakness” or “infirmity.” Based upon this, the Author exhorted them to join with him in an action already in progress and in which he was already engaged. He exhorted them to come boldly to the throne of grace with him. In other words, the Author was already going boldly to the throne of grace. Now he wants them to go there with him. Heb 4:16 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. (KJV) (Italics mine) To which of the Groups does this Exhortation apply? First, it can apply to Group One, the Nation as a whole. Until they receive Jesus, they need to come to the throne for mercy and grace to help them maintain what they had by birth. Second, it can apply to Group Two, those who have accepted Jesus. They always need grace, mercy and help in their daily lives. Third, it can apply to Group Three. They stand greatly in the need of grace, mercy and help, because they have not accepted Jesus, God’s last sacrifice for their sins. Let Us Exhortation #5 We saw this verse previously. The Hebrews were told to leave the beginning teachings in the Old Testament that only pointed to Christ. They were told to leave the beginning teachings about the Levitical sacrifices; they were exhorted to go on to the perfection of the sacrifice of Christ himself. Heb 6:1 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, (KJV) (Italics mine) “Perfection,” here, translates the Greek word teleotas, which means “having reached the end of a process.” In other words, the first teaching of the Christ in Leviticus was the beginning of a process. When Jesus was born, lived and died, however, he was the “completion” or the “perfection” of everything that began in the Levitical process. He was the “completion.” He was the “perfect conclusion” to everything Levitical. Jesus was the final sacrifice toward which the Levitical sacrifices pointed. He was the end of the Old Testament process. We saw in Chapter Six that the Hebrews must leave these ABC’s about Christ found in Leviticus. Instead they were exhorted to be borne along to this perfect conclusion of all things Levitical. They were exhorted to be borne along and carried to Christ himself. Of course our Author had already left the Levitical baby talk about Jesus. In addition, he had already been borne on to Jesus, the “perfect conclusion” to those ancient ABC’s. Now he exhorted his readers to join with him in this action in which he was already engaged. He wanted Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Fifteen them to join in with him, leave the ABC’s, and be borne and carried on to “the perfection,” which is Christ. Let Us Exhortation #6 Let Us Exhortation #6 is introduced by Heb. 10: 21, in which our Author returned to the subject of Jesus’ Great High Priesthood. He told them that all the Hebrew people had this unique, Great High Priest, the Son of God himself. Therefore, he exhorted his readers to join in with him and do the same things he did in verses 22, 23 and 24 below. Heb 10:22 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. (KJV) (Italics mine) We saw previously (Heb. 4:14-16) that they could approach Jesus for two reasons: they could approach him because he felt, by his own experience, their common temptations; they could approach him because, in spite of the common temptations, he never sinned. In Let Us Exhortation #6 above, the Author assured them, again, of Jesus’ approachableness. He told his readers that he himself (with a true or genuine heart) drew near to Him. He told them that, as he drew near to Jesus (God’s final Great High Priest in heaven) his heart was filled with the assurance that this Great High Priest information really came from God. This information, therefore, became his faith and he had full assurance in it. Now he can act upon it in full confidence. Consequently, he exhorted them to join in with him in this action in progress. He was already drawing near and he exhorted them to join in with him as he continued to draw near. Let Us Exhortation #7 Heb 10:23 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (KJV) (Italics mine) “Hold fast” in this verse translates katecho. This word combines the Greek word kata, meaning “down” with the Greek word echo, meaning “to have.” The combination means literally “to have down.” Consequently, it is translated by “hold fast.” “Hold down” would be more literal. To put this differently, the Author exhorted these Hebrews to join in with him in “holding down” the profession that Jesus was the Great High Priest of their faith. This was God’s information for them all to act upon. The Author acted upon it and declared it out loud. Then, he exhorted them all to join him in making Jesus their Great High Priest also. Then he exhorted them to make the same profession right along with him. Page 120


Chapter Fifteen “Profession” translates the Greek word homologeo. This combines homo, which means “the same,” with logeo, which means “to say” or “to speak.” The combined word means literally “to say the same thing.” In this context, the Author professed that Jesus was God’s final Great High Priest in heaven. Therefore, he exhorted them to join with him and say the same thing about Jesus’ Great High Priesthood that he himself said about it. “Wavering” translates the Greek word aklinas. This word combines the Greek negative, a, with klinas (to bend.) The combination means “not to bend,” and is translated “without wavering.” Put differently, the Author did not “bend” one bit in saying the same thing with his mouth that God said about Jesus. He said Jesus was God’s final Great High Priest who ministers in heaven for the Hebrew people. Next, he exhorted them to join with him and say with their mouths the same thing that both he and God said about Jesus’ Great High Priesthood in heaven. In addition, he also exhorted them to join with him in being absolutely “unbending” or “without wavering” in this profession. Now that they have joined him in being unbending, he wanted no let up in their approach to one another concerning the claims of Jesus. See the next exhortation below. Let Us Exhortation #8 Heb 10:24 24

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (KJV)

“Consider” translates katanoeo. Vine says that this word means “to perceive clearly, to understand fully, to consider closely.” To put it another way, katanoeo means “to think something through very carefully.” “Provoke” translates paroxusmos. Again, this word combines two Greek words. It combines para (by the side of) with oxus (sharp.) This combination means “an irritation, a gouging, a sharpening, an excitement, and a stimulation.” The verb form of this word simply means “to irritate, to gouge, to sharpen, to excite, and to stimulate.” In other words, the Author wanted them to join with him in an ongoing activity, which consisted of two things: First, it consisted of becoming fully aware of the spiritual condition of each other. Second, it consisted of causing such a sharp irritation to each other that each of them was “provoked” to love and good works. The Author was already provoking them. He wanted the others to join him in the same thing. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Fifteen Let Us Exhortation #9 Heb 12:1 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, (KJV) (Italics mine) Technically and grammatically, the expression “let us lay aside every weight etc.,” is not a Hortatory Subjunctive. Nevertheless, our Author exhorted his readers to join with him in laying aside the weights and sins that so easily besets them all. Consequently, we shall discuss it here. “Lay aside” translates apotithemi that combines two Greek words. It combines the Greek preposition apo with tithemi. Apo means “from or away from” and tithemi means “to put, place, set or lay”. The combination, then, means “to put away from oneself.” “Weight” translates ogkos, which means “a bulk, a mass, something heavy.” It is used here as something massive and heavy that has to be carried. To carry something massive and heavy is always a hindrance. Consequently, if at all possible, this hindering weight should be put away from oneself, especially in the spiritual arena. “Beset” is an interesting word. It translates uperistatos that combines three Greek words: First, it uses the Greek word eu, which means “well.” Second, it employs the Greek preposition peri, which means “around.” Finally, it includes statos, which means “standing.” The combined three words, therefore, literally mean “standing well around.” It means “easily encompassing.” In other words, sin has a distinct advantage because it can easily prevail. It can stand well in any environment. It can wrap itself around anyone or anything. Furthermore, it can accomplish any and all of the above very easily. Simply put, the Author was already engaged in the continuous action of laying aside everything that impeded his relationship with Jesus. He was actively engaged in disrupting the sin that could so easily prevail. Now he exhorted these Hebrews to join with him in this ongoing life of selfdenial. We repeat the same verse below because there is another exhortation in it. Unlike the exhortation that we just considered above, this next exhortation is another Hortatory Subjunctive. Let Us Exhortation #10 Heb 12:1 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, (KJV) (Italics mine) Although the argument rages about who wrote Hebrews, this expression, “let us run,” sounds Pauline. You see, Paul was an avid sports fan. We know this from his many illustrations from the sports world. Here is another one. He exhorted his readers to join in with him in running the race that God had set before them. Page 122


Chapter Fifteen “Run” translates trecho. This is the same word to describe running the track. Trecho means, then, simply to run. Here, of course, it is used metaphorically to describe running the race of the spiritual life. The author, in this section of the verse, exhorted them to join in with him in a course of action in which he is already engaged. Previously, he exhorted them to join him in laying aside all hindrances--whether they are sins or weights. Now he exhorted them to join with him in patiently running the race of the spiritual life. Let Us Exhortation #11 The Author declared (Heb: 12:27) two things: some things cannot be shaken; these things will remain. Then, using the word, “wherefore,” he coupled these two things to an immovable kingdom that the Hebrews were continuously receiving. Heb 12:28 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: (KJV) (Italics mine) “Receiving” translates paralambano. This word combines the Greek preposition para with the verb lambano. Para means “by the side of.” Lambano means “to take or to receive.” The combination, therefore, means “to receive or to take from along side of.” In the New Testament, paralambano literally means “to take or receive from another.” In addition, they were receiving an unmovable kingdom. Furthermore, they are also continuously receiving or accepting it. You see “receiving” is a present active participle. Dear Reader, don’t let the term, “present active participle” confuse you. The next paragraph will clearly explain it for you and build your faith. In Greek, the present tense conveys continuous action in present time. In other words, the Greek present shows that the action or state of the verbal idea in question is continuous. Applied to our verse above, this very simply means that these Hebrews were keeping on, keeping on, keeping on, continuously accepting God’s unmovable kingdom. Next, the Author attributed this ability to continuously accept the unmovable kingdom to the grace of God. In other words, for the Author, the grace of God was that which enabled them to accept the unmovable kingdom. Therefore, he exhorted them, not only to have this grace of God, but also to continuously keep on, keeping on, keeping on having this grace. “Have” translates the Greek verb echo. This is the regular Greek word for “have” or “possess.” In addition, “have” is in the Greek present. Again, this means continuous action or continuous state of being.


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Chapter Fifteen Remember, our Author and the other Hebrews in Group Two have already accepted Jesus as their final sacrifice. Consequently, they are presently, continuously possessing this enabling grace of God. Then, he exhorted the other Hebrews, who have not accepted Jesus, to join with them in this action of accepting Jesus. Then they will also have the grace to accept this unmovable kingdom also. By accepting Jesus, they will be continuously having the grace necessary to serve God acceptably. Let Us Exhortation #12 Heb 13:13 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (KJV) (Italics mine) Before we consider this exhortation, we must do two things: First, we must give you the preceding two verses and explain them to you. Without an understanding of them, the exhortation in verse 13 above will not be clear. Second, we must show you some of the Old Testament Scriptures upon which the above exhortation is based. Now consider the following two verses.

Heb 13:11-12 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. 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (KJV) There is no argument from believers that Jesus was and is God’s final sin offering for the Hebrew people. As their final sin offering, Jesus was forced outside the gate or camp in order to sanctify them. This is Old Testament Judaism to the core. The Hebrews who read these words knew full well what the Author meant. They knew what he meant, because they knew the Old Testament said their sin offering must go outside the camp. The Old Testament Scriptures below demonstrate that the Old Testament sin offering was always forced outside the camp. Exod 29:14 14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering. (KJV) (Italics mine)

Lev 4:11-12 11 And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung, Page 124


Chapter Fifteen 12 Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt. (KJV) (Italics mine) Lev 4:21 21 And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it is a sin offering for the congregation. (KJV) (Italics mine) Lev 9:11 11 And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp. (KJV) (Italics mine) Lev 16:27 27

And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung. (KJV) (Italics mine)

Since Jesus was and is their final sacrifice for sin, He was forced outside the camp (Heb. 13:13 above). Therefore, those who accept His final sacrifice were encouraged to go out there with him. In so doing, they were bearing his reproach. “Bearing” translates the Greek word phero. This is the regular Greek word to describe “carrying, bearing or supporting a load.” “Reproach” translates oneidos, the regular Greek word for “disgrace, shame, rejection and suffering.” Obviously, our Author was already engaged in this activity. He was already going outside the camp where Jesus went. He is already bearing his shame and disgrace. Now he exhorts them to join in with him in going without the camp and supporting His shame and disgrace. Let Us Exhortation #13 Heb 13:15 14 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. (KJV) (Italics mine) Of course, the Author has been continuously engaged in offering praise to God through Jesus. His lips always give thanks to his name. Now he exhorts his readers to join in with him in doing the same thing. He encourages them to continually give the fruit of their lips to God also. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Fifteen In the next chapter, we show you the “once for all time” aspect of Jesus’ blood, sacrifice and priesthood. This will change the way many of you think about these subjects. This chapter will leave you on shouting ground.

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Chapter Sixteen

Once for All Time In this chapter, we look at Six Scriptures that employ two Greek words that mean “once for all.” These words are used in twelve different verses in Hebrews but we shall only discuss six of them. The six we discuss below all pertain to three things: the “once for all” aspect of Jesus’ offering and sacrifice; the “once for all” aspect of His blood; and the “once for all” aspect of His Great High Priesthood in heaven. The first Greek word translated by “once for all” is hapax. (We looked at this word in a previous chapter.) Vine said this word can describe something that never has to be repeated. He also said that this word can describe something of perpetual, permanent, everlasting and eternal validity. Put differently, this word can describe something that is valid forever, something that will never have to be repeated. The second Greek word translated by “once for all” is ephapax. Actually, this is the same word as above, but the Greek preposition epi is added to the beginning of it. This addition of epi simply strengthens and intensifies hapax, the original word,. Put differently, since hapax meant everlastingly, perpetually valid, ephapax means ultimately, intensively, mightily, everlastingly valid. These two words, hapax and ephapax, are powerhouses when we see them used in our Six Scriptures concerning Jesus offering, sacrifice, blood and priesthood. All the following Versions of these Six Scriptures translate these two words by “once for all.” Here is a list of these Translations and their abbreviations. In the discussions that follow, we show you the abbreviations for these Versions that translated these two words by “once for all.” This is a real faith builder for you. List of Versions and their Abbreviations that translated the two Greek words above by “once for all” 1. ABUV The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, American Bible Union Version (John A Broadus et al) 2. Ber The Berkley Version of the New Testament (Gerrit Verkuyl) 3. Con The Epistles of Paul (W. J. Conybeare) 4. Gspd The New Testament: An American Translation (Edgar J. Goodspeed 5. Mof

The New Testament: A New Translation (James Moffat)

6. Mon The Centenary Translation: The New Testament in Modern English (Helen Barrett Montgomery) 7. Rhm

The Emphasized New Testament: A New Translation (J. B. Rotherham)

8. TCNT

The Twentieth Century New Testament

9. Wms The New Testament: A Translation in the Language of the People (Charles B. Williams)


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Chapter Sixteen Prepare to get your faith built. These Six Scriptures will change the way many of you think about many things. We discuss them in the order they occur in the Book of Hebrews. Before we discuss the Six Scriptures, however, we must learn some things about Jesus’ Great High Priesthood that distinguish it from all other priesthoods that ever existed. In the Book of Hebrews, the Author demonstrates the superiority of Jesus’ Great High Priesthood over the earthly, Hebrew high priesthood. Two great, superior differences between them follows: (1) Jesus was made a high priest by an oath from God (2) God patterned Jesus’ Great High Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. The earthly, Mosaic high priest had neither. Ps 110:4 4

The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (KJV)

Our Author quotes or alludes to Ps. 110:4 in Heb. 5:5-6 and 10; Heb. 6:20; Heb.7:11-17 and 7: 20-22. Dear Reader, you must read these quotes and allusions. In these quotes and referrals to Ps. 110:4 above, the Author emphasized two things: he emphasized that God’s oath is what authorized Jesus’ priesthood; he emphasized the “Melchizedek aspect” of Jesus’ priesthood. This “Melchizedek aspect” is the basis of several of his statements about Jesus and His priesthood. Since Melchizedek “abideth a priest continually” (Heb. 7:3) because he had no “end of life,” Jesus must have the same, since the oath made Him a priest after the order of Melchizedek. He, too, must have life that does not end so he can abide continually as the Great High Priest in heaven. Now we can clearly see the two sharp contrasts between the two priesthoods. Jesus’ priesthood was established and authorized by a separate oath of God. The earthly, Mosaic priesthood was not. Second, the Mosaic priests died and had to be replaced. Jesus did not! Since He will never die, he will never need to be replaced. They died. Jesus will not. They were changed because of death. Since Jesus will never die again, his Great High Priesthood will never be changed or taken from him. He has an unchangeable priesthood. Since he will live evermore, he continuously makes intercession for the Hebrew people. Consequently, He can “save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” (Heb. 7:23-25). “Uttermost” in Heb. 7: 25 translates panteles. This word means “complete,” “perfect,” “fullended,” “entire” and “completion.” Hence, the translation “uttermost.” Because of God’s oath and Jesus’ Melchizedek kind of endless life, those who come to God by Him encounter a powerful salvation that the Mosaic priests could never deliver; Jesus could save them “to completion.” He could save them “to perfection.” He could save them “full-ended.” He can save them “entirely.” He could save them “to the uttermost.” No Mosaic priest could do this!

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Chapter Sixteen In addition to having a priesthood that was superior to the Mosaic priests, Jesus had two other superior things: (1) He had a superior sacrifice (offering). His sacrifice (offering) was Himself; (2) He offered superior blood. Remember, the blood He offered was not just His own blood. The blood that flowed in His veins was the blood of God himself. No wonder the blood He offered was superior to anything available to the Mosaic priests. Jesus offered God’s blood. The Mosaic priests only offered the blood of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. All Six “Once for all” Scriptures we examine below pertain to the Great High Priesthood, the offering, the sacrifice, and the blood of Jesus. All Six Scriptures show the superiority of these things over the same things in the Mosaic system. “Once for all” Scripture #1 Heb 7:27 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 (for all), when he offered up himself. (KJV) (Parenthesis mine)

“Once” is the translation of ephapax. Rhm, Mof, Mon, Wms and Vine all translate ephapax by “once for all” in this verse. The Mosaic priests had to sacrifice many, many times for the different sins of the people. The necessity for repeating the sacrifices was simple. Their sacrifices lacked staying power. The offering of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep would work for them on a temporary basis only. By their many sacrifices, the Hebrews could maintain what they had by birth. By sacrificing and sacrificing and sacrificing, they could keep what they were born with in Abraham’s covenant. Now, God no longer accepts the blood of animals. He only accepts the blood of the Son of God. The beautiful thing about His new sacrificial offering is this; it does not have to be repeated. It packs such a wallop that it has perpetual validity. It only had to be done “once for all” since it handles all sins, past, present, and future. “Once for all!” “Once for all” Scripture #2 Heb 9:12 12

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once (for all) into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (KJV) (Parenthesis mine)

“Once“ translates ephapax, the stronger of the two words. Abuv, Con and Vine all translate this word as “once for all.” In the Mosaic system, the earthly high priest must enter the Holy Place once a year, because the blood and sacrifices he offered lacked staying power. They had to be offered up again each year on the National Day of Atonement. This annual offering took care of the sins of the entire Hebrew nation for one year. The redemption it secured was annual, temporary.


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Chapter Sixteen Jesus’ blood, however, enabled Him to enter the Holy of Holies in heaven itself just once. That was all it took. He entered it “once for all” because the blood he sprinkled there was eternal blood. It will never lose its power. After all, it was and is the blood of God. Unlike the temporary, Old Testament redemption, it secured an eternal redemption. “Once for all!” “Once for all” Scripture #3 Heb 9:26 26

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once (for all) in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (KJV) (Parenthesis mine)

“Once” translates hapax in verse 26. Rhm, TCNT, Gspd and Vine all translate it “once for all.” In the Old Testament, the high priest had to make many offerings. Jesus didn’t, because his sacrifice had staying power. It only had to be done once. If this were not the case, He would have to die over and over and over again each time a Hebrew sinned. He would have to die for each individual sin committed by each individual Hebrew! Having to die for each individual sin would have forced Him to suffer since the foundation of the world. He would still be suffering even now because if His sacrifice was not “once for all time,” He would still have to die for each individual sin committed by each individual Christian, whether Jew or Gentile. But this is not the case. Our Author is emphatic. He said that Jesus sacrifice was a “once for all” thing. It has perpetual validity. It never has to be repeated. His offering “put away sin” by the “once for all” sacrifice of himself! Praise God! “Put away” translates atithemi that combines two Greek words: it combines the Greek negative, a, which means “no” or “not,” with tithemi, which means “to place, to put, to position.” The resultant meaning, then, is “to displace, to unplace, to set aside, to annul, to negate, negative setting, to unset, to deprive of position and to get rid of.” Therefore, Jesus’ once for all sacrifice, displaced, unplaced, set aside, annulled, negated, unset, deprived sin of its place, and got rid of it! Prior to Jesus “once for all sacrifice,” sin reigned supreme. Not any more! It has been absolutely set aside by the “once for all” sacrifice of Jesus. His death does not have to be repeated every time an individual Christian commits an individual sin. His offering packs perpetual validity! “Once for all!” “Once for all” Scripture #4 Heb 9:28 28

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So Christ was once (for all) offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (KJV) (Parenthesis mine)


Chapter Sixteen “Once” translates hapax in verse 28 above. Rhm, TCNT and Vine all translate it “once for all.” Again, Jesus was offered “once for all.” Remember that the Old Testament high priests had to offer over and over and over again. Not Jesus! His offering of himself had staying power. It had eternal, perpetual validity. It will never have to be repeated. He was offered “once for all” to bear their sins. Now the Hebrews can maintain their healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation by accepting Jesus as God’s final sacrifice for their sins. “Once for all” Scripture #5 Heb 10:2 2

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once (for all) purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (KJV) (Parenthesis mine)

“Once” translates hapax in verse 2 above. Vine defines hapax here as “once for all.” In this simple verse, we see another glaring difference between Jesus’ offering of Himself and the Old Testament priests’ offering of bulls, goats, cows, and sheep. Animal blood could not and did not thoroughly cleanse away sins and they knew it. If animal blood had cleansed their sins properly, then their conscience would have been clear. It was not. Their conscience still bothered them, because they knew animal blood could never completely do the job. Jesus’ blood, however, purged their sins “once for all.” Since his offering was “once for all,” our consciences as Christians are clear. We have no more conscience of sin. More of us need to study this subject more thoroughly. Once we see the perpetual validity of Jesus sacrifice, we will have no more conscience of sin. Sure, both past and present sins will bother us from time to time, but we will know that we have a sacrifice that cleanses them “once for all.” Therefore, we can shove those past and present sins under the blood of the Son of God and forget them. “Once and for all!” Praise God! “Once for all” Scripture #6 Heb 10:10 10

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (KJV)

“Once” translates ephapax, the stronger of the two words. The King James Version plus Rhm, Ber, RTCNT and Vine all translate it by “once for all.” Again, Jesus body was offered once for all. His offering had staying power. It had perpetual validity. It will never need repeating. Look what this “once for all” offering of Jesus’ body accomplished for these Hebrews. They were eternally “sanctified” because of it. “Sanctified” translates hagiadzo, the regular Greek Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Sixteen word for “holy” and “sanctify.” Hagiadzo means “to set apart for God.” Furthermore, in this verse, hagiadzo is in the Greek perfect tense. The Greek perfect denotes not only an action that occurred in the past but also that the results of that past action are still standing. In other words, in the past, Jesus sacrifice of himself “set the Hebrews apart for God.” The results of Jesus’ past action are still standing. The Hebrews are still set apart for God. They must, however, appropriate it by faith for it to be valid for them individually and personally. In the next chapter, we print a list of every Scripture in every category that we have interpreted for you in this work. For your convenience, you will have a thumb nail view, by category, of this entire work. May God richly bless each of you. May you grow spiritually and may your faith soar because of this study.

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This chapter contains the Complete List of Scriptures that we interpreted in Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation. It also contains All the Old Testament Quotes in the Book of Hebrews. In addition, either the Holy Spirit or God himself wrote all the Old Testament Scriptures according to the Author of Hebrews. Here are all the Scriptures we interpreted in their proper category.

All the Major Warnings in Hebrews Major Warning #1 Heb 2:1 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. (KJV) Major Warning #2 Heb 2:2-4 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 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; 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? (KJV) Major Warning #3 Heb 3:7-11 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) (KJV) Major Warning #4 Heb 6:4-6 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, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 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. (KJV) Major Warning #5 Heb 10:26-31 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Chapter Seventeen 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 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? 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. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (KJV) Major Warning #6 Heb 10:38-39 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (KJV) Major Warning #7 Heb 12:25 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: (KJV)

All the “Lest” Warnings in Hebrews Heb 2:1 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. (KJV) Heb 3:12 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (KJV) Heb 3:13 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (KJV) Heb 4:1 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. (KJV) Heb 4:11 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV) Page 134


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Heb 11:28 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (KJV) Heb 12:3 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (KJV) Heb 12:13 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. (KJV) Heb 12:15 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; (KJV) Heb 12:15 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; (KJV) Heb 12:16 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (KJV)

All the “Let Us” Exhortations in Hebrews Heb 4:1 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. (KJV) Heb 4:11 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV) Heb 4:14 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. (KJV) Heb 4:16 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. (KJV) Heb 6:1 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, (KJV) Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Heb 10:22 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. (KJV) Heb 10:23 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (KJV) Heb 10:24 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (KJV) Heb 12:1 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, (KJV) Heb 12:1 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, (KJV) Heb 12:1 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, (KJV) Heb 12:28 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: (KJV) Heb 13:13 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (KJV) Heb 13:15 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. (KJV)

All the Old Testament Quotes in Hebrews The following Old Testament Quotes in Hebrews have been drawn from so many sources, it is just not possible to give credit from the one(s) I relied upon the most. Just let me say thanks to all of the commentators who have a list similar to this one in their commentaries. About one third of the Old Testament Quotes are from the Psalms. The Author used The Old Testament, in some way, (either quoted it or referred to it) in the Book of Hebrews more than any other author in any other book in the New Testament. Page 136


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Old Testament

Book of Hebrews

1. Ps. 2:7 2. 2 Samuel 7:14 3. Dt. 32:34 4. Ps. 104:4 5. Ps. 45:6-7 6. Ps. 102:25-27 7. Ps. 110:1 8. Ps. 8:4-6 9. Ps. 22:22 10. Is. 8:17 11. Is. 8:18 12. Nu. 12:7 13. Ps. 95:7-11 14. Gen. 2:2 15. Ps. 110:4 16. Gen. 22:17 17. Gen. 14:17-20 18. Ex. 25:40 19. Jer. 31:31-34 20. Ex. 24:8 21. Ps. 40:6-8 22. Dt. 32:35a 23. Dt. 32:36a; Ps. 135:14a 24. Is. 26:20; Hab. 2:3-4 25. Gen. 21:12 26. Pr. 3:11-12 27. Ex. 19:12-13 28. Dt. 9:19 29. Hag. 2:6 30. Dt. 31:6 31. Ps. 118:6

Heb. 1: 5a; 5:5 Heb. 1:5b Heb. 1:6b Heb. 1:7 Heb. 1:8-9 Heb. 1:10-12 Heb. 1:13 Heb. 2:6-8a Heb. 2:12 Heb. 2:13a Heb. 2:13b Heb. 3:2,5 Heb. 7-11 Heb. 4:4 Heb. 5:5; 7:17,21 Heb. 6:14 Heb. 7:1-2 Heb. 8:5 Heb. 8:8-12 Heb. 9:20 Heb. 10:5-7 Heb. 10:30a Heb. 10:30b Heb. 10: 37-38 Heb. 11:18 Heb. 12:5-6 Heb. 12:20 Heb. 12:21 Heb. 12:26 Heb. 13:5 Heb. 13:6

For the Author of Hebrews, all Old Testament Scripture was written either by God himself or by the Holy Spirit Study the following Scriptures carefully and see for yourself. Even when our Author knew that a known person, like David, wrote a Scripture, he still attributed the Scripture to God himself or to His agent, the Holy Spirit. Hebrews: The Abrahamic Interpretation

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Heb 1:5 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? (KJV) Heb 1:6 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (KJV) Heb 1:7 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. (KJV) Heb 1:8 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. (KJV) Heb 1:13 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? (KJV) Heb 2:12 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (KJV) Heb 2:13 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (KJV) Heb 3:7 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, (KJV) Heb 4:3 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.(KJV) Heb 5:5 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. (KJV) Heb 5:6 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (KJV)

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Heb 7:21 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:) (KJV)

Heb 8:8 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: (KJV)

Heb 10:5 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (KJV)

Heb 10:15 15

Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, (KJV)

Heb 10:17 17

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (KJV)

Heb 13:5 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. (KJV)


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Book of Hebrews The Abrahamic Interpretation

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