One of the most precious treasures possessed by the believer in Christ is the
Book of Hebrews, yet often neglected. It's like a casket of jewels. Seven of
the most prominent are:
(1) Chapter one details how Christ is eternally pre-existent, one with the
Father, equal, the Source of all life, as is said, "original, unborrowed,
underived."
(2) Chapter two details His real humanity, "made like unto His brethren," "in
all points tempted like as we are yet without sin" 2:17, 18; 4:15).
(3) Chapter three introduces Him, in consequence of His identification with us
in chapter 2, as our great High Priest, our attention to Him being invited
("consider Him").
(4) Chapters four to six detail the tragic results of hard-hearted unbelief
(the terrible danger all of us face in this time of unprecedented worldly
prosperity).
(5) Chapters seven and eight develop further the core idea of "Christian
perfection of character" which like a silver thread runs throughout the Book of
Hebrews. Ministering the Good News of such "perfection" is the work of the High
Priest, who is "able to save to the uttermost (perfectly) those who come unto
God by Him." Warnings are seen all through the book to us to cooperate with
Him, but we cannot save or perfect ourselves. (Cleansing the Hebrew sanctuary
was always the work of the high priest, never the work of the people; but they
were to let him do it, to cooperate with him to gather around the sanctuary on
the day of atonement.)
(6) Chapters nine and ten make clear that there are two phases of our great
High Priest's heavenly ministry: (a) the antitypical ministry in the first
apartment of the sanctuary (ta hagia in the Greek) where He began to minister
at His ascension, and (b) His closing ministry in the second apartment, the
Most Holy (hagia hagion, Greek) on the antitypical Day of Atonement. It seems
obvious even to a child that Christ's ministry in the first apartment is to
prepare His people to die--a wonderful work indeed; but His ministry in the
second apartment is intended to prepare a people to meet the final tests of the
mark of the beast, the seal of God, the final time of trouble, and translation
at the second coming of Christ--all of which the Bible has much to say.
(7) Finally, Hebrews leaves us with the assurance that all the power of the
Father who brought Jesus from the dead is directed now to the unprecedented
work of preparing a people, to "make you perfect in every good work to do His
will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight" (13:21). Good
News!
--Robert J. Wieland
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