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[Hebrews 4:1] "Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it." Because the Israelites refused to believe God’s promise, they failed to enter God’s rest of the Promised Land. Unbelief can block God’s promises. The Greek word rest can mean the peace of God, or it can refer to the Israelites (who wandered in the wilderness for forty years) and then enjoyed a Sabbath rest when they reached the Promised Land. The word can also refer to God resting after the six days of creation. Not trusting God is something to be feared above all. Jesus gave that same warning (Matthew 10:28), "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Only God has the power to commit a person to the lake of fire, so He alone is to be feared. [Hebrews 4:2] "For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith." Hearing the gospel is essential because, "faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ," (Romans 10:17), but the hearing must be combined with believing (and then acting on what was heard and believed). Hearing God’s Word must be combined with an acting faith in God’s Son. [Hebrews 4:3] "Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’" And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world." The lake of fire is overpopulated with the unbelieving and those who just say, "‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ [practice lawlessness; NKJV] (Matthew 7:22-23; Luke 13:26-27). The Jews had a knowledge of God but they did not combine that knowledge with actions of faith. They prided themselves in having the Law, performing ceremonies, following rituals, and being descendants of Abraham, but Jesus warned (John 8:39), "If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do the things Abraham did." Those who believe (and then act in faith) enter God’s rest, receive His promises, and enjoy all other good things from His mercy, love, and grace. Those who have believed and entered that rest, are those who acted in faith on God’s Word. Belief and unbelief are serious things. Belief in the gospel message of Christ will save us, but unbelief (no matter what else we may have accumulated or accomplished in this life) will condemn us to the lake of fire forever. When asked what God requires, Jesus made that all-important statement (John 6:29): "To believe in the one he has sent." [Hebrews 4:4-5] "For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work. 5 And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest." God has finished His salvation plan, and all who want to share in that plan may do so because it is available by faith (in His Son). When God finished creation, He said [paraphrase; Genesis 2], ‘I have completed a perfect world for man and woman. They have everything they need for a beautiful and satisfying life, and this includes a close, personal relationship with Me (if they will love Me with all their heart, soul, and mind).’ They walked and talked with God as with each other. They were at peace with God because they relied on Him for everything. They were not anxious, had no worries, no pain, and no trouble of any kind. Something terrible happened, then, that changed this perfect environment. Satan convinced them to doubt God’s integrity and to believe his lie. They trusted what Satan said rather than what God said. When they lost their trust in God, they lost their rest in Him. From that time, all humans have been sinful and restless and enemies with God. The entire message of Scripture is that God wants us to come back to Him. The barrier was removed when God sent His Son to die on the cross. His perfect rest is possible if we will trust, serve, and have faith in Him. Those who sinned in the wilderness not only forfeited the Promised Land, but forfeited their salvation (if they would not repent, believe, turn back to God, and live by faith). [Hebrews 4:6] "It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. The promise remains because God cannot revoke any of His promises of rest, health, healing, provisions, and salvation. (Malachi 3:6) "I the LORD do not change." All the atonement promises cannot be revoked because, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever," (Hebrews 13:8). God’s Sabbath rest still remains, so some will enter (by faith), and others will not (because of no faith). The way to God’s rest has always been narrow and only a few ever find it. Some enter because God’s Word says a remnant will believe. Salvation consists of two things: God’s will (expressed by sending His Son to save us), and our will (expressed in our faith in God’s Son to save us). We can be saved because God wanted to save us before creation. (John 6:44) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." A personal and enduring faith is necessary, however, before God can apply His redemption to us. Because God wants us to be saved, we can be saved, but our willful disobedience can cancel our salvation. (Hebrews 4:6) ‘They did not go in because of unbelief.’[Hebrews 4:7] "Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." The opportunity for God’s rest remains, but will not remain indefinitely. For each individual it will end when their life is over, and for all humanity it will end on the Last Day. The age of grace is only while life continues. "Now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation," (2 Corinthians 6:2). God said (Genesis 6:3) "My Spirit will not contend with man forever," so today is the only day we can be sure of the salvation opportunity. [Hebrews 4:8-10] "For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." Those who followed Joshua (in his belief in God), entered God’s rest. True Sabbath rest does not come through Moses (or Joshua or any angel), but through Jesus Christ alone. Trusting God for the fulfillment of His promises is a position of peace and rest. Today is still God’s today and His power is just as available as it ever was. The people of God are those who rely on God. It is specifically referring to Israel, but God’s salvation rest is for everyone. The gospel message (Romans 1:16), "is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." Those who enter God’s rest cease from work and referring to heaven. On the island of Patmos, the Apostle John heard the words (Revelation 14:13), "Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from all their toils and trials; for their good deeds follow them!" (NLT). It is the time when we enter into the very presence of God. [Hebrews 4:11] "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience." We are to fight the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 1:18), and diligently seek God’s rest by trusting in the work of Christ and putting the Word into practice. [Hebrews 4:12] "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." The Jews thought that words included a power which went forth and did things. God says (Isaiah 55:11), "My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." The Word of God cannot be ignored. God’s Word is a living Word that includes a living promise. If the words of government leaders have rallied people to accomplish great things, then much more should the living Word of God accomplish great things in the believer’s life. God’s Word is something everyone must face sooner or later, and everyone will eventually accept it (for the saving of their soul) or reject it (for the forfeiting of their soul). If we diligently seek God’s truth, we will soon realize that His Word is not only to be read and accepted, but it is to be practiced! God’s Word will test our heart and bring to light what our real intentions (or attitudes) have been. The Word of God is for our nourishment, comfort, healing, conviction, and salvation. [Hebrews 4:13] "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Even though we often hide things from others, God knows every intention and thought in our heart. Nothing we say or do is hidden from Him. (Psalm 33:13-14), "From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth." Romans 14:12 says, "each of us will give an account of himself to God." [Hebrews 4:14] "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." His task is to bring God’s voice to us and then take us personally to Him. In Hebrews 1, Jesus made purification of sins. In chapter 2 He is a "merciful and faithful high priest." Then in chapter 3 He is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. Jesus has passed through the first heaven (the atmosphere), the second heaven (outer space), and into the third heaven (where God dwells). This is the holiest of all holy places. The sacrifice of Christ was perfect because He is perfect. Jesus said, "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do," (John 17:4). Our confession is proven true, by our enduring in the faith. [Hebrews 4:15] "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin." Jesus went through every trial, temptation, and test anyone ever went through and more, and remained sinless. The fact that Jesus was without sin means He knew the greatest depth of every temptation because we have all given in before the temptation reached its peak. Since everyone has given in to temptation, no one has experienced the worst level of temptation. Christ did, however, and never sinned (so He can sympathize as no one else could). [Hebrews 4:16] "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." The One who understands what we are going through perfectly, will provide everything we need perfectly. God will always be faithful in not allowing us to be tempted beyond our ability to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13), and He also provides a way of escape. By the sacrifice of Christ, God’s throne of judgment is turned into a throne of grace (for all who trust in Him). As the high priests of the Old Testament sprinkled blood (for centuries) on the mercy seat for the people’s sins, Jesus shed His blood once for all time for the sins of everyone (who will believe in Him). If God were only just and not also gracious, we would have no hope. As sinners, we all deserve death (the sentence of justice), but we are offered salvation (the gift of grace). The Holy Spirit says come to God’s throne of grace, and be bold in asking for the mercy we need (before it is too late and the opportunity pass by). Jesus is our faithful high priest who faithfully serves, sympathizes, and saves. For what more could anyone ask! † ††
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