by Jonathan Koehler | Nov 18, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
A key theme, if not THE key theme, in the letter to the Hebrews is that of holding fast, perseverance, endurance-terms that indicate continuing a sometimes difficult and long course for a purpose and with an end, which may not necessarily be in view at present. The warnings are meant to help readers in the first century all the way through today and beyond to hold on to their faith in the work of Christ that one day they might be counted in those who have “loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8) A brief summary of the warnings and the responses to them follows. Pay closer attention to what God has revealed in His Son Jesus and do not drift from it (Hebrews 2:1-3a). The Greek for “pay attention” in a naval context means to “hold one’s course toward a place”. The context is the spoken Word but would also include the written Word. Stay close to the Bible and its proclamation and obey it. There are no shortcuts. Rest from your efforts to gain salvation; instead, work out its evidence within you by your actions (Hebrews 3:7-4:13). Draw near to Jesus and the throne of grace and realize He has done the work of salvation for you (Hebrews 4:14-16), freeing you to walk in the works He has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10). Do not waddle in immaturity by thinking you need to go back to the cross (Hebrews 5:11-6:8). Reminding ourselves of the Cross and our need for it is one thing, but returning back to it for salvation over and over is not possible and a...
by Jonathan Koehler | Nov 5, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
One final appeal is issued to the Hebrews in this fifth warning encapsulated in 12:25-29 with echoes back to vv.15-17. There are admonitions that no one should come short of grace, that bitterness not be allowed to take root and bear the fruit of group defilement, and that there be no one like Esau who sold his birthright as the eldest son for a meal. The mention of bitterness refers to Deuteronomy 29:18ff. in which God warns the Israelites against abandoning the covenant He had made with them and adopting idolatry which results in disastrous consequences. Esau gave way to temporary physical desires and in the process sacrificed his inheritance which included participation in the messianic promises (v17). Esau’s situation is particularly poignant as an illustration that there are certain “trapdoors” through which we traverse with irreversible consequences, for when he sought to regain his birthright, he was refused. The author then uses imagery to illustrate the contrast between the fearful environment associated with Mt. Sinai (smoke, fire, earthquakes, unbearable voice of God), representing the Law and the Mosaic, or Old Covenant (see Exodus chapters 19-24), and the peace of Mt. Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem, representing Grace and the New Covenant. Though Grace revealed in the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis chapter 12) preceded Law (Mosiac Covenant), the Hebrews had retreated back to the perceived safety of the Law to avoid persecution. It is telling that relating to God on the basis of law involves fear associated with performance (what we do) whereas the incredible and unique grace relationship because of Jesus is unconditional, even though God knows what we...
by Jonathan Koehler | Oct 7, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
The author further ratchets up the severity of the language surrounding this fourth warning in the series. The text is found in Hebrews 10:26-31. As is often used in the New Testament, there is an argument from the lesser to the greater to emphasize the severity of the warning. Under the Mosaic Law, multiple eyewitness testimony was required to convict of a capital crime and a resulting merciless sentence which involved the physical and the temporal (v.28). But for the sin referenced in this passage, the author poses more severe consequences, expanding to the spiritual and eternal. There is a terrifying expectation of judgement and a consuming fire (v.27), with the summary that it is terrifying to fall into the hands of the living God (v. 31). The word “terrifying” is the same used in 12:21 by Moses when present on Mt. Sinai in the presence of God, such that he trembled or “quaked” with fear. We who have the revelations of the finished work of Christ and the Word of God have greater responsibility as well as accountability. Verse 26 is another of the verses that makes us squirm and seek for alternatives to the plain reading. Let us again be reminded that loss of salvation for the elect (possessors) is impossible but those who only profess faith in Christ, i.e. non-elect, are in peril. Also, while certainty of one’s status (professor vs possessor) is impossible before death, assurance of salvation is not only possible but encouraged. What does the author mean by “go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth” (NASB)? The author is...
by Jonathan Koehler | Aug 26, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
Of the five warnings in the book of Hebrews, warning #3, found in chapters 5:11-6:8, is one of the most controversial and severe passages in the entire Bible. It is important to remember that eternal security for the possessor *of salvation is a given and therefore loss of salvation is not the issue in this warning. The corollary is also essential for correct understanding: certainty of salvation is not compatible with faith and therefore not in play this side of the grave. However, chapter 6 teaches that legitimate assurance is important, encouraged by God, and hinges on a heart for obedience. The Hebrews referenced in this letter are professors of salvation but are criticized for their immaturity. They have continued holding onto the old and comfortable Judaistic ways as well as not maturing in their new faith in Christ. Chapters 6, vv. 1-2 include practices associated with life under the Mosaic Law. But verses 4 and 5 are marks associated with those who profess new life in Christ. Thus, the author is indicting those Hebrews who are attempting to live under both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. The crux of most controversy is the warning embodied in the term “fall away” in v. 6. It carries the idea of “abandonment”. Consider vs 4-6: “…those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they...
by Jonathan Koehler | Jul 15, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
Warning #2 in Hebrews encompasses 3:7-4:13 and is multi-faceted. The passage examines three perspectives of “rest”: The rest of God on the seventh day after the six days of Creation The rest promised to the nation of Israel after their Exodus from Egyptian captivity The Sabbath rest for the believer. The first “rest” was not because God was tired or needed a break but merely denoted a cessation from His creative activity (4:3). The second rest was found in the land of Canaan, a secure, fertile, and productive land. Except for two, Joshua and Caleb, this promise was not enjoyed by the Israelites who left captivity in Egypt and were older than age 20. This exclusion was due to unbelief, leading to disobedience: the nation’s refusal to engage the inhabitants of Canaan despite the urging and confidence of Joshua and Caleb and, more significantly, the promise of God that the land was theirs to take. The third rest contains the modifier “Sabbath”. The kernel of the second warning is to avoid the example of disobedience of the Israelites in order to enter the Sabbath rest (4:1-3,6,9-11). What are the characteristics of this third (believer’s) rest? It is eternal but available to all, to enjoy today. The Sabbath rest is likened to God’s Creation rest in that His rest started on the seventh day and has not ended; so it is with the Sabbath rest for the possessing* believer. There remains an opportunity for the individual to enter, but the window is limited, its time of closing known only to God. It requires acts of faith in effort and diligence...
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