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¶ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the
very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered
year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
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. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. .4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. |
1
- Law ... shadow The "law" here is the books of Moses, particularly
the ceremonial system of understanding the process of salvation. It foreshadowed
the reality of Christ's death.
3 - Remembrance ... every year The sanctuary system went through the symbols, explaining the process from sin to salvation, every year. |
 .5
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering
thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 ¶ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. .10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 9 - Taketh away the first Here we see the principle involved in the change of system when Christ died. "The second" – coming more directly to Christ who made the sacrifice for our sins – was what the sacrificial system had pointed forward to. A new system did not mean a change in the way of salvation. People earlier were saved by the blood of the Lamb of Calvary just as we are today. 10 - Cometh into the world Jesus was born to die! Amazing grace! Also jn1837. Manger
image © goodsalt.com
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| .11
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the
same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
11 - Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices....; 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. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, .16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. |
11
- Every priest standeth Human priests could only represent
the forgiveness and cleansing provided by Christ.
12 - This man ... one sacrifice Christ offered Himself only once. The Catholic Eucharist ceremony presumes, by a human priest, to offer Christ time after time. 12 - Sat down He joined the Father re0321, re05. Compare verse 11 where the earthly priests stood. Christ completed His work as a sacrifice and sits on His throne. 13 - From henceforth This takes us to the end of the thousand years when every knee bows is4523, ph0210, re0513. 16 - Covenant See the note at the bottom of this page. |
| .19
¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by
the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; .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. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: .25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. |
19
- Holiest Or "holy place." See re0401b-vic.
21 - High priest Literally, "Great Priest" confirming the them of the book. Jesus Christ is our mediator as High Priest in the sanctuary of heaven he0217, he0414. 22 - Appeal to us. 25 - Not forsaking the assembling Still good advice. Compare le2304. Is it Okay to clap for sacred music? Not if it a response to sacred performance. Of course we may show appreciation by clapping but even good motives tend to direct praise to musicians instead of to God. Scroll
up a few lines for verse 25 in this column
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| .26
For if we sin wilfully after that we 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. 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? |
26
- Sin willfully after This is not the sin of neglecting our
connection with God and doing wrong in a weak moment. No sin may be justified
but the wrong in a weak moment, if not cherished, may be pardoned. The
sin here is the willful choice of a sinful lifestyle. Also see on mt1231.
27 - Devour The word means just that. When the wages of sin (death ro0623) have been paid the sinner ceases to exist re2009b. |
| .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. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. |
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- Vengeance belongeth de3241,
ro1219.
It is not the work of people, much less the church.
31 - Fearful ... fall into the hands God is just. Those who do not accept and apply the grace of Christ will suffer for their own sins. This verse, however, has been used to misrepresent God who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked sinrs-angrGod, ez1832. |
| .35
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of
reward.
.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. .37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry [delay]. .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. 11:1 ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. |
35
- Cast not away ... confidence This is the reason for the
list of faithful ones in the next chapter. It is the theme of the book
he0306.
37 - Come ... not tarry Compare hk0203. |
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I have found a book that clarifies and relates to all the Bible covenants.
In 2006 I heard some new ideas that clarified our covenant relationship
with God. The concepts from that seminar by Dr. Skip MacCarty are in print
(over 300 pages). He shows that this relationship is an integrated system
of Bible truth. I’ll quote from his introduction:
Does the Bible have contradictory conceptions about God’s law? Serious
Bible students soon notice that God’s law and commandments are described
in these positive ways (page xi):
“for your own good” (Deut. 10:13); “intended to bring life” (Rom 7:10); …. “freedom” (Ps. 119:44-45; James 2:8-12 ……), established by faith (Rom. 3:31), … fulfilled in the life of one who walks according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:14).
But the law and commandments are also described in the negative: as engraved on stone rather than in the heart (2 Cor 3:7); as the power of sin (1 Cor 15:56) a letter that kills … that brought death … that which imprisons…. " (2 Cor 3:9) … Not based on faith (Gal. 3:12), a curse from which Jesus redeemed us (Gal 3:13) and so on.
[MacCarty purchased a book presenting the popular explanation of the covenants]. The new covenant according to this author, reduced the many Old Testament laws to the simpler New Testament law of love with a few ethical principles added to show how love applies…..
According to this argument the seventh-day Sabbath was exclusively a Sinaitic old covenant institution … only for the nation of Israel…. [This conclusion requires ignoring or rejecting many texts on the topic]
A preview of the book
[Continuing to quote, p. xiii] I found that God’s covenant with humankind originated with the covenant that existed among the Trinity from the beginning. God’s everlasting covenant that embraces the whole of His creation… [Although universal it is seen in many ways in various covenants which are glimpses into that eternal covenant among Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.]
[We may have a new covenant experience or an old covenant experience depending on how we relate to it.] When God’s love is responded to with faith, it produces a new covenant experience, which results in loving obedience. But if God' is responded to with legalistic obedience (or with no obedience) it results in an old covenant experience.
I have shared with you a few highlights of this issue. I realize that the relevant texts need to be studied before coming to the conclusions described but I wanted to introduce the topic and to leave with you the idea that studying it can open a beautiful picture of our loving God and the plan He has for our eternal happiness. It lifts the Bible passages from theory to an exciting and rewarding relationship with our Maker.
May we each reach out and grasp the beautiful promises in the Scriptures,
The book, In Granite or Ingrained? has been published by Andrews
University Press, 2007. It is a thorough treatment of the topic and sets
forth an integrated picture of our Loving God and His great plan for our
eternal salvation.