Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. A man who disregards Moses' law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance belongs to me," says the Lord, "I will repay." Again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(Heb 10:24-31)
These verses used to give me the willies. All of those horrible tortures in hell awaiting those who sin willfully (yep, I was screwed) after receiving the knowledge of the truth. A worse punishment by far than anything Moses law spoke about.
We can take heart though, for he is not speaking about any future judgment, nor of any hell. In context, this is an historical event that took place in their day specifically and is tied directly to his admonishment to not forsake being together and instead heading back to the old Judaism which they had left.
We have the history of Josephus, Philo, and others who give us much information as to how these verses did indeed happen during their time. Unfortunately, as is much of scripture, people have twisted these in an effort to get people to conform to what they want, namely, in this case, being part of THEIR group or church.
Did not want to give any details yet as to why I believe it has nothing to do with our day or any other period of time outside of the first century, but do any of you see it the same way?
Ron
Quote from: gregoryfl on December 10, 2009, 03:08:21 PM
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. A man who disregards Moses' law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance belongs to me," says the Lord, "I will repay." Again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(Heb 10:24-31)
These verses used to give me the willies. All of those horrible tortures in hell awaiting those who sin willfully (yep, I was screwed) after receiving the knowledge of the truth. A worse punishment by far than anything Moses law spoke about.
We can take heart though, for he is not speaking about any future judgment, nor of any hell. In context, this is an historical event that took place in their day specifically and is tied directly to his admonishment to not forsake being together and instead heading back to the old Judaism which they had left.
We have the history of Josephus, Philo, and others who give us much information as to how these verses did indeed happen during their time. Unfortunately, as is much of scripture, people have twisted these in an effort to get people to conform to what they want, namely, in this case, being part of THEIR group or church.
Did not want to give any details yet as to why I believe it has nothing to do with our day or any other period of time outside of the first century, but do any of you see it the same way?
Ron
yes, i do.
Well that's good to hear. :)
Hbr 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall (3195 about to) be heirs of salvation?
Hbr 2:5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to (3195 about to) come, whereof we speak.
Hbr 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to (3195 about to) come,
Hbr 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Hbr 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to (3195 about to) come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Hbr 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to (3195 about 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.
Hbr 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which (3195 about to) shall devour the adversaries.
Hbr 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one (3195 about to) to come.
Hbr 8:13 In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.
Hbr 9:8 (ASV) the Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing;
Hbr 10:25 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.
Hbr 10:37 (Youngs literal) for yet a very very little, He who is coming will come, and will not tarry;
Barry
That is one of the points that I have come to see as well, Barry. The writer gives us a concise time statement helping us see that whatever this awaited judgment and fire was, it was not very far off. Those who read it back then would have been in expectation of it happening in their lifetime. And I believe it did, to the tee.
When I compare this with Matthew 23 as well as Revelation 18, I see a beautiful completion of these same thoughts, all adding their own pieces of detail by means of the spirit.
Ron