One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of Hebrews and we don't even objectively know who the author is other than the fact he was either close to the Apostles or an Apostle himself.
His name is purposely left off which some believe was due to the importance of the message with the intention that no one would get distracted over the name of the author.
I find hope in the certainty of God...
Hebrews 6:13-20
New International Version
The Certainty of God’s Promise
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
An oath was a promise and for God to make an oath was to swear on His very nature of holiness which involves both justice and truth. God is just and in truth, He can not lie.
The promise to the heirs of Abraham would be the birth of the Messiah and with the grafting in of the Gentiles, the promise is extended to all people who put their hope and faith in the Messiah.
Scripture says to “take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.”
Take hold, grasp tightly, and do not let go in times of trouble as the author encourages verse 28 “we who have fled”. Fled what? The rise in persecution of the early church.
Verse 19, we have this hope as an anchor giving us the image of the security and stability that an anchor provides a ship we can equivocally have for the soul.
Our hope is in the one who entered the Holy of Holies as our Great High Priest He became the sacrifice for our sins. The mercy seat was sprinkled with His blood as the sacrificial unblemished (without sin) Lamb of God.
The High Priest was the only one who could enter the Holy of Holies as it was separated by a thick heavy veil or curtain. When Jesus died, that veil was torn in two supernaturally. Why?
To represent that Christ paid the way and made us righteous so that all who are in Christ can enter in the presence of God. For us, spiritually once we are reborn ( faith in Christ) our bodies become the temple and in the inner sanctuary, a tabernacle (dwelling place) for the presence (Holy Spirit of God) to reside.
The blood poured out was to represent the sprinkling upon the mercy seat within the Holy of Holies.
The Greek word for “mercy seat” is hilasterion. Or “that which makes expiation” or “propitiation.” It contains the image of the removal of sin.
Romans 3:24-25
English Standard Version
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
We are redeemed through Christ by His blood the propitiation “removal of sin”. We are justified by His grace, a free gift, we receive by faith in the redeeming work of Christ.
1 Peter 1:19
English Standard Version
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Jesus Christ is named the Lamb of God in reference to the Passover Lamb or sin atonement in general as lambs were sacrificed night and day in the temple for the sins of the people.
The Passover Lamb reminds the reader of the passover event in Exodus 12 where the Israelites were commanded to spread the blood of a lamb over their doorposts as an act of faith in the promise that God would spare them from judgment on Egypt (judgment = reaper or angel of death). As to the overall meaning of blood covering.
Why blood?
Leviticus 17:11
English Standard Version
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Blood represents life. The pagans of ancient history guided by the demonic would corrupt this system and often demand adult to infant sacrifices. God made a statement by Abraham in stopping him from sacrificing Isaac Genesis 22 that He only required animal sacrifices.
Prophetically this also gives the image of Abraham a father's willingness to sacrifice his son. (Jesus is called the Son of God)
But it also represents how God stopped Abraham while He provided a goat, God would ultimately provide our sacrifice for sin by offering His Son in preparation for the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Only by His sacrifice could we ever be freed from the legalistic practices to atone for sin.
The Christmas story (Christ (mas) or gathering reminds us of some very important truths. That God divine out of love would trade in His garments of a King for the swaddling cloth of an infant. The throne for a manger (feeding trough). Heaven for a stable (where animals were kept). To be swaddled in the same cloth used to protect baby lambs from spots or blemishes as the lambs had to have the appearance of perfection.
The lamb would be swaddled and placed in the manger to protect it from harm or blemish. Once the time came, it would be stripped of its cloth and brought into the temple to be sacrificed. The blood would then be used for the atonement.
Like Jesus, born in a stable where lambs would have been, he was swaddled in cloth, laid in a manger, visited by the shepherds, and one day He would be stripped of His garments and be crucified on a cross.
The three magi (wise men or astronomers) probably trained under the remnants of Daniel's prophecies as Daniel had been enslaved centuries prior within their region.
King Nebuchadnezzar put the prophet Daniel in charge of the high office of “chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners” (Dan. 5:11)
These 3 men who came later brought 3 gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The Bible doesn't tell us why they brought these 3 gifts but we can look at the context of how these gifts were used.
Gold- typically offered to kings, the currency that only those of high authority would have, much of the temple objects would be layered in gold as a symbol of purity and holiness.
Frankincense- was a pleasant fragrance when burned as an offering to God. It is highly probable that this was to symbolize how Jesus would be the sacrifice offering for the sins of the world.
Myrhh- was a spice used in embalming and was quite bitter. It was known to symbolize suffering and affliction.
So much more could be said but I think the post makes the case that this by far is the most important historical event that should rightly divide history before Christ (BC) and Anno Domini," which is Latin for "in the year of our Lord." It refers specifically to the years following the birth of Jesus Christ.
It provides light into the fact that the Bible itself was divinely inspired to be written over a span of 6 to 10,000 years while coming together prophetically and in perfect harmony. As evident from archeology, manuscripts, and ancient historical accounts.
We can hope in the certainty of God because God has shown us time and time again that what He says, will come to pass.
We can trust in the one who conquered sin and death when He says that our salvation is in Him and Him alone. We can trust that for all who are covered by His blood, we are atoned of our sins and that spiritual death shall pass over us.
His name is purposely left off which some believe was due to the importance of the message with the intention that no one would get distracted over the name of the author.
I find hope in the certainty of God...
Hebrews 6:13-20
New International Version
The Certainty of God’s Promise
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
An oath was a promise and for God to make an oath was to swear on His very nature of holiness which involves both justice and truth. God is just and in truth, He can not lie.
The promise to the heirs of Abraham would be the birth of the Messiah and with the grafting in of the Gentiles, the promise is extended to all people who put their hope and faith in the Messiah.
Scripture says to “take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.”
Take hold, grasp tightly, and do not let go in times of trouble as the author encourages verse 28 “we who have fled”. Fled what? The rise in persecution of the early church.
Verse 19, we have this hope as an anchor giving us the image of the security and stability that an anchor provides a ship we can equivocally have for the soul.
Our hope is in the one who entered the Holy of Holies as our Great High Priest He became the sacrifice for our sins. The mercy seat was sprinkled with His blood as the sacrificial unblemished (without sin) Lamb of God.
The High Priest was the only one who could enter the Holy of Holies as it was separated by a thick heavy veil or curtain. When Jesus died, that veil was torn in two supernaturally. Why?
To represent that Christ paid the way and made us righteous so that all who are in Christ can enter in the presence of God. For us, spiritually once we are reborn ( faith in Christ) our bodies become the temple and in the inner sanctuary, a tabernacle (dwelling place) for the presence (Holy Spirit of God) to reside.
The blood poured out was to represent the sprinkling upon the mercy seat within the Holy of Holies.
The Greek word for “mercy seat” is hilasterion. Or “that which makes expiation” or “propitiation.” It contains the image of the removal of sin.
Romans 3:24-25
English Standard Version
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
We are redeemed through Christ by His blood the propitiation “removal of sin”. We are justified by His grace, a free gift, we receive by faith in the redeeming work of Christ.
1 Peter 1:19
English Standard Version
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Jesus Christ is named the Lamb of God in reference to the Passover Lamb or sin atonement in general as lambs were sacrificed night and day in the temple for the sins of the people.
The Passover Lamb reminds the reader of the passover event in Exodus 12 where the Israelites were commanded to spread the blood of a lamb over their doorposts as an act of faith in the promise that God would spare them from judgment on Egypt (judgment = reaper or angel of death). As to the overall meaning of blood covering.
Why blood?
Leviticus 17:11
English Standard Version
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
Blood represents life. The pagans of ancient history guided by the demonic would corrupt this system and often demand adult to infant sacrifices. God made a statement by Abraham in stopping him from sacrificing Isaac Genesis 22 that He only required animal sacrifices.
Prophetically this also gives the image of Abraham a father's willingness to sacrifice his son. (Jesus is called the Son of God)
But it also represents how God stopped Abraham while He provided a goat, God would ultimately provide our sacrifice for sin by offering His Son in preparation for the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Only by His sacrifice could we ever be freed from the legalistic practices to atone for sin.
The Christmas story (Christ (mas) or gathering reminds us of some very important truths. That God divine out of love would trade in His garments of a King for the swaddling cloth of an infant. The throne for a manger (feeding trough). Heaven for a stable (where animals were kept). To be swaddled in the same cloth used to protect baby lambs from spots or blemishes as the lambs had to have the appearance of perfection.
The lamb would be swaddled and placed in the manger to protect it from harm or blemish. Once the time came, it would be stripped of its cloth and brought into the temple to be sacrificed. The blood would then be used for the atonement.
Like Jesus, born in a stable where lambs would have been, he was swaddled in cloth, laid in a manger, visited by the shepherds, and one day He would be stripped of His garments and be crucified on a cross.
The three magi (wise men or astronomers) probably trained under the remnants of Daniel's prophecies as Daniel had been enslaved centuries prior within their region.
King Nebuchadnezzar put the prophet Daniel in charge of the high office of “chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners” (Dan. 5:11)
These 3 men who came later brought 3 gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The Bible doesn't tell us why they brought these 3 gifts but we can look at the context of how these gifts were used.
Gold- typically offered to kings, the currency that only those of high authority would have, much of the temple objects would be layered in gold as a symbol of purity and holiness.
Frankincense- was a pleasant fragrance when burned as an offering to God. It is highly probable that this was to symbolize how Jesus would be the sacrifice offering for the sins of the world.
Myrhh- was a spice used in embalming and was quite bitter. It was known to symbolize suffering and affliction.
So much more could be said but I think the post makes the case that this by far is the most important historical event that should rightly divide history before Christ (BC) and Anno Domini," which is Latin for "in the year of our Lord." It refers specifically to the years following the birth of Jesus Christ.
It provides light into the fact that the Bible itself was divinely inspired to be written over a span of 6 to 10,000 years while coming together prophetically and in perfect harmony. As evident from archeology, manuscripts, and ancient historical accounts.
We can hope in the certainty of God because God has shown us time and time again that what He says, will come to pass.
We can trust in the one who conquered sin and death when He says that our salvation is in Him and Him alone. We can trust that for all who are covered by His blood, we are atoned of our sins and that spiritual death shall pass over us.
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