Hebrews chapter ten

Heb 10:1  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.

Heb 10:2  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

Heb 10:3  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

Heb 10:4  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Heb 10:5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Heb 10:6  In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Heb 10:7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Heb 10:8  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;

Heb 10:9  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Heb 10:10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Heb 10:11  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

Heb 10:12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Heb 10:13  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Heb 10:14  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Heb 10:15  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

Heb 10:16  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;

Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Heb 10:18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;

Heb 10:22  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.

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Heb 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.

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Heb 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Heb 10:28  He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Heb 10:29  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?

Heb 10:30  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.

Heb 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Heb 10:32  But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

Heb 10:33  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

Heb 10:34  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.

Heb 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Heb 10:37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Heb 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Heb 10:39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

The ceremonial law is a shadow cast by the glories of the Son of God to this sin wrecked planet. The Old Testament cannot overshadow the New Testament. As a shadow perfectly conforms to the object casting it, so the law gave the best knowledge of God and of the redemption that He would create on the cross and oversee within the heavenly sanctuary once His Father accepted His offering

As sanctifying to this world of sin that it was, the Old Testament was only the shadow and not the more perfect power to redeem that came with Jesus. Therefore the Old Testament could not produce the perfect redemption of the soul that came with the baptism of the Spirit and fire. With the new covenant came “no more conscience of sins” “that are past, through the forbearance of God.” (Heb. 10:2;Rom. 3:25). This brought new power to reign on earth for the Christians, as it had done for Israel while they remained unpolluted by Baal and Ashtoreth worship. Yet, Israel remained limited of God’s power in them, in comparison to the greater power of the gospel. During the long Old Testament period, every year required a day of atonement because the shadow of Christ in the lambs, baby bulls, and goats, could not make the indelible impression and fear of sin that came with the Messiah, the Prince and Savior.

“A body hast Thou prepared Me.” (Heb. 10:5). This alternative translation came from the Septuagint and communicated most clearly the message from the WoH (writer of Hebrews). “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do Thy will, O God.” (Heb. 10:7).

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10).  The lifeless body of Christ on the cross staunches our will to sin. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:3,4). As the dying ewe lamb did to redeem Abel, so for us does the body of Jesus, traumatized by devils and men, and “roast with fire” of God’s wrath, “His head with His legs, and with the purtenance thereof” (Ex. 12:9). As we see Jesus internal organs turned to jelly under the fierce anger of God toward sin until Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” our conscience is gripped and driven to renounce sin.

So much greater was Christ’s offering than the old covenant. “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Heb. 10:11-14). 

Now the Holy Ghost is a witness to us of God’s acceptance and willingness to forgive our selfish past. “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly” (Ps. 85:8) “and the last state of that man [be] worse than the first.” (Matt. 12:45). “Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Him; that glory may dwell in our land.” (Ps. 85:9). “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; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Heb. 10:16,17).

“Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (Heb. 10:18). There is no continuous confessing and repenting over the same sins because the Holy Ghost communicates to us God’s total forgiveness. “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (Jn. 14:16,17). 

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh.” (Heb. 10:19,20). As we showed in previous chapters, only Greek hagia is used to translate “the holiest”, as opposed to hagia hagion, showing that all of this glorious gospel experience is due to the Holy Place ministry of Jesus, and that His Most Holy Place ministry will be even more abundant than His Holy Place ministry was. This is why the Latter Rain will be greater than the Early Rain of the Holy Spirit. All who teach that Jesus went directly into the Most Holy Place upon ascension will not expect anything greater than what they already have—which is a thousand times less than what the apostolic church had—and they will miss the Latter Rain.

Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 507 (1897). Last Day Events, p. 195.

“By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh” (Heb. 10:20), “through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10). Again, this is not the veil into the Most Holy Place where the sanctuary is cleansed, but in the Holy Place where the “priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices”, “sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin.” (Heb. 10:11,8).

Over the holiest,  “the sanctuary [hagia], … the true tabernacle,” (Heb. 8:2) do we have a High Priest in Jesus. Therefore, let our faith grow in the knowledge of His love and righteousness and purity. “Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands” (Heb. 9:11) “which the Lord pitched, and not man.” (Heb. 8:2). 

With a true heart in full assurance of the new sanctuary made of no earthly devising, let us hold fast that which we have been given from above. As we grasp the magnitude of the improved means of salvation through the true victory that Jesus obtained over Satan, let Jesus sprinkle our hearts from a constantly disturbed consciousness of past sinfulness and wash the old habits of our fallen nature. Jesus and Jesus alone overcame the accuser of the brethren and loved not His eternal life unto eternal death. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised).” (Heb. 10:23).

The one true religion is restored on earth among the children of God. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:9,10). 

Satan spitefully tempts these to unworthiness in order to deceive them away from their exalted “heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). “He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.” (Rev. 13:6).  He seeks to make them feel insignificant by their small numbers and to be overwhelmed by their sins. He tempts them to worthlessness in order to deceive them away from their exalted place as princes and princesses. But they overcome him by the word of their testimony and they love not their lives unto death.

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” (Heb. 10:24). “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Prov. 27:17). “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Prov. 27:6). 

“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.” (Heb. 10:25). The greatest motivation to unite together with other believers is that we walk with Jesus in His heavenly ministry awaiting His return. (For He is faithful that promised.)”

But, “if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” (Heb. 10:26). If we have tasted of the powers of the world to come and yet turn away after knowing the good news of Jesus leaving all of heaven to be destroyed by His Father on our account, then we have only “a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” (Heb. 10:27). We have “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.” (Heb. 10:29).  “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall” we be thought worthy? (Heb. 10:28,29).

“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. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:30,31).

“But, beloved,” the WoH says, “we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Heb. 6:9,10). “Call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 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.” (Heb. 10:32-34). 

The WoH beckons them to hang on to the blessedness of “the promise of eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15), which has been revealed through the Messiah on Calvary, the great fulfillment of 4,000 years of animal sacrifices. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” (Heb. 10:35).

Another admonition that repeats Hebrews 3:14, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Heb. 10:36).  If they will bear the persecution they will fully become partakers of Christ in this life, as he knew they desired.

The only other option is to turn away and go into the world, in which case the WoH, a father to the Hebrew Christians, would leave them and continue on alone following the Messiah, without them. Speaking for Jesus, he says, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Heb. 10:38,39).

“For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” (Heb. 10:37). “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.” (Heb. 10:25). “So, Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Heb. 9:28).