Among the most cherished truths revealed in Scripture is God’s holy desire and pleasure to be with His people. The wonder of it can be traced from His initial walk with Adam and Eve to His eternal dwelling with the redeemed from every age. Knowing the local assembly is “a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph 2:22 ESV), where our Lord Jesus Christ is “in the midst” (Mat 18:20), the affection of David must surely fill our hearts – “O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells” (Psa 26:8 ESV).
The Hebrews had either lost or were losing sight of this precious truth. For reasons mentioned previously, their apprehension of Christ’s order and ministry as Great High Priest over the house of God was weak. Their appreciation of the perpetual sanctifying value of His blood was feeble. Their comprehension of being a house for God’s abiding presence was meagre. In this state, they were on the cusp of abandoning the local assembly, the only place on earth where God is pleased to dwell.
They were at a critical juncture. Would they resolutely “hold fast” and make full proof of their position in Christ? Or would they “cast … away” (or repudiate) their “confidence” in Him (Heb 10:35)? Being deeply concerned for their spiritual state, the writer appeals to them with an exhortation (10:19-25), an earnest warning (10:26-31, 38-39), and a word of encouragement (10:32-39).
The terms and consequences of the warning are both severe and alarming (more so than for previous warnings), and have induced various opinions, questions, doubts and fears. Our settled position is that it is addressed to genuine converts (not false professors), with the purpose of cautioning wavering believers against the perilous consequences of apostasy. We will traverse the section over four articles in the hope that, despite what view one takes on the warning, it will condition our hearts towards God’s estimation of the local assembly, the “house of the living God.”
Exhortation (10:19-25)
At this point, the doctrinal argument of the letter is complete. The person of Christ (1:1-4:13) and His eternal priesthood (4:14-10:18) have been set forth in the highest possible terms human language affords. The Hebrews have “received the [full] knowledge of the truth” (10:26).1 Now they must apply it to their lives. And so must we. Specifically, we are to act on the responsibilities associated with the privileges belonging to those who have been (and continue to be) “sanctified” (vv10,14,29).
Profound Privileges Belonging to Saints (10:19–21)
“Having therefore” (v19) stresses that what follows summarises and stands upon all that has been said. Christ has “entered in once [for all] into the holy place,” “into heaven itself” (9:12,24). He entered in because of the efficacy of His blood, which has wholly sanctified us. Since He is in the sanctuary and we have been sanctified, we have present and continuous “boldness” (lit. freedom of speech) to “enter into the holiest.” It is with the same boldness that we are to “come” (lit. draw near) to “the throne of grace” to “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16). We must not cast it away (10:35).
The way into the holiest is “new” in the sense of being recently opened by His death. The old was restrictive (“the high priest alone,” 9:7), repetitive (“every year,” 9:7), and representative (“a figure,” 9:9), whereas the new is open to all (“brethren,” 10:19), ongoing (“once for all,” 10:10), and official (“the true,” 9:24). The way is “living” because of His resurrection life – “He continueth ever” “in the heavens,” “in the presence of God” (7:24; 8:1; 9:24). The expression “through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (10:10) clarifies that the “way” was inaugurated through His death. This glorious truth was introduced by the Lord Himself – “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Joh 14:6 ESV).
We also have a “high priest over the house of God” (See 3:1-6; 4:14). His deity gives us “full assurance of hope unto the end” (6:11) in that His unchangeable priesthood is according to “the power of an endless life” (7:16). The “house” wherein God is pleased to dwell is comprised of “living stones” (1Pe 2:5) – “brethren” who “hold fast [their] profession” (10:23) and “confidence” in Christ (10:35).
Requisite Responsibilities Behoving of Saints (10:22–25)
In light of these truths, the exhortation “let us draw near” beckons us to approach with “a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Our faith must not be insincere or half-hearted. Drawing upon the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood, the terms “sprinkled” and “washed” remind us we have been sanctified to God. Having been set apart at salvation, we have ongoing priestly responsibilities as worshippers in the house of God (1Pe 2:5).
“Let us hold fast the confession of the hope unwavering” (10:23 JND). A believer is one who has confessed their hope in a person, “Jesus the Son of God” (4:14). He is our only hope, and we must not waver in acknowledging Him as such, for “he is faithful” to His promise (see 6:12-19). He will not go back on His Word. It is “impossible for God to lie” (6:18).
The final exhortation calls for a mutual exercise of sacrificial love – “let us consider … not forsaking … but exhorting …” We are to give earnest, thoughtful attention to how we can incite love in each other so that good works may abound (6:10). Of course, to stir one another up, we must be together frequently and in the habit of giving and receiving exhortation (3:13; 13:22). Tragically, some had abandoned assembly gatherings. Abandoning meeting together is a mark of apostasy – it snubs God’s holy desire to dwell among us and spurns His perfect method for stimulating patience, faith, hope and love. (Hence, the reason for the earnest warning.) Dear reader, “the day” of review is at hand (10:25). Privilege not only brings responsibility, but also accountability. Both “reward” and “loss” are at stake (See 1Co 3:12-17; 2Co 5:10).
Assembly fellowship that brings pleasure to God demands faithfulness to the truth we have received. How is it with us? Are we faithful in His house? Hold fast and “continue steadfastly” (Act 2:42).
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.