We are the building stones in His Temple, and Paul is telling us in Hebrews chapter 3 that there is this condition we have to meet to become a building stone that Christ will use in His Temple. You must have confidence to Jesus, that He will maintain each and every promise to the very end. Though dispensations come to an end, life with Christ as our personal Savior has no end. That is our eternal confidence that we have in Christ.
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However, after the scattering they were know as "Hebrews". The word "Hebrew" means "from the other side of the river". Through the years the Euphrates river had become the border and dividing line between God's people, the Israelites and Babylon.
Hebrews 1:1 "God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,"
God, Who at many times throughout the entire scripture, and in many divers ways spoke to our ancestors through His prophets. When we read our Bible and study it, He is also speaking to us through His prophets [teachers]. This letter is written to all of God's children, of Israel, and to the Gentiles also of all generations.
Hebrews 1:2 "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds;"
Jesus Christ the Son of God came to this earth through the womb of the virgin Mary, and He also spoke to us in person. Stop and think on the rest of this verse.
Through His Son He made the worlds! The "worlds" in the Greek text are "the three world ages", that is what it is implied here. It is talking about the "cosmos", [the ages or periods of time]. What do you think that "Spirit of God" was that moved on the waters, even at the beginning of this earth age?
Genesis 1:2 "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
The Massorah text states that the earth "became [not was but became] a waste and without form", "tohu va bohu". Then "God moved upon the face of the waters". Jesus related over and over in the book of John that "I and My Father are one" [John 10:30] "When you have seen Me you have seen the Father", and so on.
The apostle Paul wrote the Book of Hebrews on a higher plain then he wrote his other epistles because he was writing it to proclaiming Christians who IF THEY HAVE BEEN STUDYING THEIR BIBLES would be able to understand what he was telling them. He was concerned about our brothers and sisters who instead of studying to show themselves approved, have become pew potatoes, and are allow themselves to be drawn away by smooth talking so-called Christian preachers who cry Lord, Lord, Praise the Lord, and then teach people that they don't have to worry about "enduring until the end" (hupomeno in Greek) when Satan as the false-christ shows up because Jesus (albeit the "other Jesus" Paul is referring to that is so widely preached today) is going to come and "fly them away" in some rapture! That's not only nonsense and "junk food" dreamed up by a deluded woman named Margaret McDonald in the year 1830 in Glasgow, Scotland, but it is a set-up for the majority of Christians to readily accept the first supernatural entity (to be espoused to the wrong husband) who comes to this earth showing great signs and wonders in the sight of men. It is written! You will find it called the "great falling away", the great apostasy, in 2 Thes. 2 where Paul sets the record straight of who comes when! The simplicity of the matter is that the 6th Trump, the reign of Satan who comes and sits in the temple claiming to be God, comes before the 7th Trump, the return of Christ.Read it for yourself!
That may not be popular to teach since it goes against what is so commonly 'espoused' in the churches today, but then neither was what Jesus Christ taught found to be popular by the "religious community", and you know what they did to Him for speaking the truth! You "see", those who serve God acceptably, who truly love the brethren, teach His Word as it is written regardless of whether or not it pleases men! In other words, they teach not for covetous reasons, neither for money nor for self glory but to the glory of God and of His Christ in bringing their brothers and sisters back home to Father's house.
If you do His will, doing the work which is laid before us, entertaining them by teaching them in His Word as it is written, then there is nothing and no one to fear for He has promised to be with you until the end. Do you believe His promises? Do you trust and have faith in Him to be true to His Word?Hebrews 13:5
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.
You entertain them and fully immerse (baptize) whosoever will in His Word, whereby they become sealed in their minds with His truth.Matthew 28:19-20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
The duty of God's elect is the same now as it shall be in the Millennium, which is to "teach His people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean (Ezekiel 44:23)". And they do it with confidence and with boldness (frankness), with godly fear and reverence... not fearing what man might do unto them.[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
That is the type of assuredness that a man or woman possesses who has his or her faith founded upon the Rock, which is the faith of substance Paul described in chapter 11. They fear not those who can harm only the flesh for they love and revere their Father who has ALL power in both heaven and earth. Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him Which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."Hebrews 13:6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
The connection with the next verse shows us that Paul is not talking here about present day teachers who walk in the flesh at this time. He will address them later on in verse 17. What he is telling us here is to remember, to be mindful of, those men and women of faith who have led you and spoken unto you the pure Word of God. That would be Moses and David and all the prophets and the disciples too! You stick with the those men of faith and follow in their footsteps, considering the victory they all obtained in Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of their faith. Remember that Paul took the entire 11th chapter of this Book of Hebrews to remind us of many of them and show us the "end of their conversation (i.e. conduct)"! So "follow" their examples of faith, i.e. mimos which means to "mimic" or "imitate" them, and you will NEVER go wrong. That's right! We have their testimonies that they all trusted and believed in the promises of God, that He was faithful to His Word and you know what? He is just as faithful today as He was yesterday to them, and He will be just as faithful when tomorrow comes no matter what may befall us in these last days.Hebrews 13:7
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
That same Rock that was with our forefathers in the wilderness is with us today! 1 Cor. 10:4 "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." And He is with you now and He will be with you 'till the end of this age if you do His will and keep His Word.[8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
So be "Rock solid" and do not be shaken by men's words with their fancy talk and their fairy tale traditions of apples and snakes and Ishtar bunnies, etc. Study God's Word and don't be like a weed shaken in the wind and carried about with divers and strange doctrines, lest others see your unbelief and follow after you as you race down the wrong path.
[9] Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Do you understand why Jesus Christ was slain on the cross outside the city gate, away from the temple?
You "see", you are complete in Jesus Christ (Col. 2:10) who did away with all the shadows, the earthly tabernacle and all the meat (animal) sacrifices and all other religious ceremonies, etc., etc. So grow and mature in the Word of God and be ESTABLISHED by His grace, His Spirit, for it is by that Word that you are strengthened, remember? The vain (empty) traditions of men and being busy bodies will not profit you one iota! Read again in Mat. 7:21-23 what churchianity will get you... the door to the wedding feast slammed in your face. Then read what follows concerning those who are wise and built their houses upon the Rock, i.e. who established their faith in His Word.Ephes. 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
What Paul is doing here is drawing a comparison of the Old Covenant and the earthly tabernacle where priests made sacrifices and the high priest entered into the Holy of Holies, etc., to the New Covenant where there are no earthly priests who mediate between you and God. 1 Tim. 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." If you do not think that many churches do not want you to fully understand that verse, then you need to obtain a copy of the "Letter to the Reader" which the translators of the King James Bible wrote to you, the English reader. The fact that the churches and publishers have succeeded in having it removed from the pages of the Bibles you purchase today ought to be sufficient evidence to cause to you ask some questions and seek some answers.Hebrews 13:10
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Here is an excerpt from that "Letter to the Reader*" which used to appear in all 1611 King James Bibles:
"Now the Church of Rome would seem at the length to bear a motherly affection towards her children, and to allow them the Scriptures in their mother tongue: but indeed it is a gift, not deserving to be called a gift, an unprofitable gift: [Sophecles] they must first get a License in writing before they may use them, and to get that, they must approve themselves to their Confessor, that is, to be such as are, if not frozen in the dregs, yet soured with the leaven of their superstition. Howbeit, it seemed too much to Clement the Eighth that there should be any License granted to have them in the vulgar tongue, and therefore he overruleth and frustrateth the grant of Pius the Fourth. [See the observation (set forth by Clemen. His authority) upon the 4. rule of Pius the 4. his making in the index, lib. prohib. pag. 15. ver. 5.] So much are they afraid of the light of the Scripture, (Lucifugae Scripturarum, as Tertulian speaketh) that they will not trust the people with it, no not as it is set forth by their own sworn men, no not with the License of their own Bishops and Inquisitors. Yea, so unwilling they are to communicate the Scriptures to the people's understanding in any sort, that they are not ashamed to confess, that we forced them to translate it into English against their wills. This seemeth to argue a bad cause, or a bad conscience, or both. Sure we are, that it is not he that hath good gold, that is afraid to bring it to the touchstone, but he that hath the counterfeit; [Tertul. de resur. carnis.] neither is it the true man that shunneth the light, but the malefactor, lest his deeds should be reproved [John 3:20]: neither is it the plain dealing Merchant that is unwilling to have the weights, or the meteyard brought in place, but he that useth deceit. But we will let them alone for this fault, and return to translation."
The sacrificial animals (beasts) were slain outside the camp, away from the temple, just as Jesus Christ was slain on the cross outside the city gate, away from the temple. In other words, there is no altar in the church . The true church, the true temple, is the many membered body of Christ. Are you part of that temple? Did you know that the brothers and sisters who overcome in this final generation will be made pillars in that temple? Rev. 3:12 "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."[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.
The blood of Christ was not sprinkled inside the earthly tabernacle, was it? And did He not suffer outside the gate of the city?[12] Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
We expect persecution outside the camp, but nevertheless we will gladly bear His reproach in pleasing our Father, holding fast to His Word and doing His will.[13] Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
We seek the same city our father Abraham sought, the heavenly city of Jerusalem.[14] For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
It is your love for your Father, which you do show by serving Him acceptably, by keeping His Word and bearing fruit among the brethren, that pleases Him. He does not want nor need your "sacrifices" of material things, etc. He wants you to love Him and walk in His ways. Hosea 6:6 "For I desired mercy [love] and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."[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.
The fruit of our lips is what grows as a result of the seeds we plant with them. So don't forget to fellowship, be hospitable, and communicate the Word of God to others and bring forth fruit. It pleases your Father very much!
Plant seeds and be hospitable to those who need strengthening, entertaining whosoever will with the Word of God. Also, be supportive of good teachers who labor in the Word and teach His truth as it is written, chapter by chapter and line by line.[16] But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
[17] Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
We are one body serving Christ in these last days and we must all "run the race which is set before us" helping to lift up and strengthen each other along the way. "Obey" doesn't mean to believe or follow every word of some man or woman. God forbid we should believe someone, even a good teacher, without first checking him or her out in the Word of God. Rather give assurance to, be agreeable with, by helping and being supportive of each other as well as those who lead (teach) others in the Word of God by rightly dividing the Word of truth. We all have responsibilities and gifts and duties but teachers are foremost accountable to God for what they teach and those teachers who mislead His children down the wrong path after the traditions of men and false doctrines and cause them to stumble and fall when the flood of lies and deception sweep the world during the reign of the Instead-of-Jesus shall pay dearly. Just wait until they hear His thundering voice. May God have mercy on those who lead His children astray.May God have mercy on those who lead His children astray.
Again, the point is, we are all of one body so when we help each other and support good works and good teachers who bring forth the truth of His Word, thereby declaring His righteousness, we also help ourselves and others who are brought in by all sharing in the same reward. To "watch out for your soul" means they help "keep souls awake" so they do not fall asleep and slumber.
Paul said "pray for us" meaning himself and others who know they a have a good conscience in teaching the truth of God's Word, even in teaching that those who follow after shadows (according to the old way) and the traditions men, do so in vain![18] Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
This is an example of brotherly love, of brother helping brother. As one of the brethren, Paul asked them to pray for him that he might be restored to them sooner, to continue the work of God. Then he closed with a prayer for them, which is for you also in these last days, that through the grace of God made possible by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, you might also be able to "run the race set before you", to do the "good and acceptable work" of the churches of Philadelphia and Smyrna, that it may be pleasing in His sight. What a beautiful and touching prayer this is indeed which shows the deep abiding love Paul had for Christ and the brethren.[19] But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
[20] Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
[21]Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Again, if your goal as a son or daughter is to glorify God by serving Him "acceptably", doing the "work" according to His will by loving our brothers and sisters, then whatsoever you ask in Christ's name to further that work, He will see to it that you have it, i.e. that you have a part in His plan. May God grant you all you need in fulfilling your destiny.John 14:12-14
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.[13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Again, the condition (IF) means you ask "in His name", for His name's sake in bringing forth the glory of the Father in Christ. In other words, do you "see" that you are really asking Him for the sake of your brethren, not for yourself? Jesus Christ works in these last days by and through those who have the faith that pleases Him, i.e. who love and serve Him according to His will! What a privilege and honor it is to serve Him acceptably, for a crown awaits those who "endure" and give testimony in declaring His righteousness, by "calling upon His name (authority)" and asking for those things to accomplish the work according to His will. Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Here are Paul's final words of exhortation to the brethren, the brothers and sisters, the sons and daughters of this final generation:
One more time! If you are one of God's elect then you are of part of that church of brotherly love, Philadelphia! So pay real close attention to what Paul has written in this great Book of Hebrews to those who are spiritually rich in God's Word and understand the labor which is yet to be done. God has given us all a part helping set at liberty all those who are in bonds that one day soon we may all join together with Christ as one big happy reunited family! What a glorious reunion that will be!Hebrew 13:22
And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
[23] Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.[24] Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
[25] Grace be with you all. Amen
Christian, please read all of Hebrews, The Apostle Paul wrote it especially for you.
Live Link to>>> Hebrews Table of Contents
"Human Dung Cakes" Most all so-called Christian Churches are going to eat these dung cakes when Jesus Christ returns?
Visit Live Link to> Study #4168 and read all about it!
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