Page 25 - February 2025 - Truth & Tidings

mong the most cherished truths doubts and fears. Our settled position is
revealed in Scripture is God’s that it is addressed to genuine converts
Aholy desire and pleasure to be (not false professors), with the purpose
with His people. The wonder of it can be of cautioning wavering believers against
traced from His initial walk with Adam the perilous consequences of apostasy. We
and Eve to His eternal dwelling with the will traverse the section over four articles
redeemed from every age. Knowing the in the hope that, despite what view one
local assembly is “a dwelling place for takes on the warning, it will condition
God by the Spirit” (Eph 2:22 ESV), where our hearts towards God’s estimation of
our Lord Jesus Christ is “in the midst” the local assembly, the “house of the liv-
(Mat 18:20), the affection of David must ing God.”
surely fill our hearts – “O LORD, I love
the habitation of your house and the place Exhortation (10:19-25)
where your glory dwells” (Psa 26:8 ESV). At this point, the doctrinal argument of
The Hebrews had either lost or were los- the letter is complete. The person of Christ
ing sight of this precious truth. For reasons (1:1-4:13) and His eternal priesthood (4:14-
mentioned previously, their apprehension 10:18) have been set forth in the highest
of Christ’s order and ministry as Great possible terms human language affords.
High Priest over the house of God was The Hebrews have “received the [full]
weak. Their appreciation of the perpetual knowledge of the truth” (10:26). Now
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sanctifying value of His blood was feeble. they must apply it to their lives. And so
Their comprehension of being a house for must we. Specifically, we are to act on
God’s abiding presence was meagre. In the responsibilities associated with the
this state, they were on the cusp of aban- privileges belonging to those who have
doning the local assembly, the only place been (and continue to be) “sanctified”
on earth where God is pleased to dwell. (vv10,14,29).
They were at a critical juncture. Would Profound Privileges Belonging to
they resolutely “hold fast” and make Saints (10:19–21)
full proof of their position in Christ? Or “Having therefore” (v19) stresses that
would they “cast … away” (or repudiate) what follows summarises and stands
their “confidence” in Him (Heb 10:35)? upon all that has been said. Christ has “en-
Being deeply concerned for their spiritual tered in once [for all] into the holy place,”
state, the writer appeals to them with an “into heaven itself” (9:12,24). He entered
exhortation (10:19-25), an earnest warning
(10:26-31, 38-39), and a word of encourage- in because of the efficacy of His blood,
ment (10:32-39). which has wholly sanctified us. Since
He is in the sanctuary and we have been
The terms and consequences of the sanctified, we have present and continu-
warning are both severe and alarming
(more so than for previous warnings), and 1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
have induced various opinions, questions, unless otherwise noted.
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