KennethBow's Blog

Chapter Eight

8.1-6 the sum: kephalaion-principal thing, main thing. The author now offers the glory of Jesus Christ. He has proclaimed in chapter one Christ’s eternal power and godhead and mediator glory. In the chapters two through seven he presents Christ’s human nature, Christ’s offices, and His priesthood. The author presents that Christ has purged our sins, and has moved to His throne in Glory and sat down having finished the grand plan of eternal salvation for humanity. And now, the author presents the principal thing. He does so in a fashion of words found no where else in Holy Scripture: this is the sum. The whole of revelation is here stated: The person of Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus. In Jesus we have an advocate who hears our prayers always. In Jesus we have everlasting assurance, He will provide. He who was dead and is alive, and now liveth forevermore is on the throne of the majesty on high. He reigns, waiting for His people, waiting to be gracious, clothed in a priestly vesture dipped in blood. This is the sum.

8.7-13 the covenant. The author now introduces one of his most prolific arguments for Christianity being better than Judaism. Thousands of years of history were built on this old covenant with the Jewish nation. He introduces the comparison of the two covenants. Jesus Christ came to rewrite the script for the future. Jesus Christ brought a superior covenant with better promises and this new covenant was without fault. This argument had need to be addressed because of the weight of the Old Testament. The old covenant had been the shield for the Jew against the world for thousands of years. It was their identity in every country of the dispersion. Therefore, it was not easy for these who had been steeped in this life for so long to let it go. The author masterfully addresses this subject. He announces the old, former covenant is palaioo: worn out. This covenant is kainos: new in age, freshness. The author further establishes there are but two covenants. There is an old and a new, a first and a second. There are no more covenants. The old was the blood of animals for the atonement of a soul’s sin. The new covenant is based solely in the blood of Jesus Christ. All attempts to fabricate salvation and atonement outside these two covenants is non Biblical. The law in its morality was blameless-amomos, but in saving us it was defective, and so not faultless, amemptos. The old covenant has faded under the shadow of the cross and vanished away, never to return. It was an apt moment when Jesus on His way to the cross, stopped and wept over Jerusalem and said, “behold, your house is left unto you desolate”. The house of animal sacrifice has been replaced with an upper room and a better covenant. On the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two, when the Jewish world came together to celebrate the giving of the law on Sinai, Jesus Christ gave the first fruits of the New Covenant.

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2 Thessalonians

Introduction 

This second Epistle was probably written shortly after the first. The Apostle appears to have heard of some who claimed to be acting on his authority, and were announcing the immediate coming of the Lord. This had so excited and unsettled the disciples of Thessalonica that they were neglecting their means of livelihood. Writing from Corinth, where he was staying at the time, Paul endeavored to allay that spirit of unrest and to call these disciples back to their everyday employment. This epistle which was sent about half a year after the first, is designed to comfort and support the Thessalonians in their afflictions and persecutions they were enduring for the sake of the Gospel. A secondary purpose was to also to exhort this church to take notice of disorderly persons such as were idle, and busy bodies, and withdraw from them, and remove them from their communion. A third purpose concerned a letter claiming to be from the apostle that was being circulated among them. Paul is writing to clear the air on these matters. Paul instructs them about the conditions that must exist before Jesus Christ returns again. He is admonishing them to return to work, and live Godly lives until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Date of writing~Probably the spring of 53AD

Author~Paul the Apostle

Chapter 1

1.1-12 this letter is Paul’s shortest letter to a church. This second epistle to the church at Thessalonica uses a much sterner note than the previous letter to this same church. Most of the subjects are the same. Paul covers the second coming of Christ, spiritual growth, and people who do not work. The first letter was warm and tender, this time Paul speaks with a stern voice. It appears the Thessalonians failed to listen well the first time. Instead of coaxing, Paul now commands. He commands “stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught” (2.15) The return of Jesus Christ dominates the entire book. Church members were stirred up by a false report that alleged the last days had already arrived. Paul admonishes the saints to be patient and steady. In this first chapter Paul addresses the christians who were undergoing persecution for their faith. He let’s us know life is not fair. Ultimately life will prove to be victorious for the child of God. Verse seven promises rest or release from tribulation and persecution. The world will experience flaming fire and everlasting destruction, while the saint will be glorified! The name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in His saints.

Chapter 2

2.1-6 The church at Thessalonica had become greatly troubled about the subject of the day of the Lord. The word shaken in verse two denotes great anxiety and pain. These saints needed an Apostolic reassurance and instruction. Paul introduces the coming of the man of sin. This is the beast out of the sea of Rev 13.1, the little horn of Dan 7.8, often called the Antichrist. This will be accompanied with a great falling away. (Greek apostasia). This Antichrist will actually sit in the temple of God, verse four. Paul reminds them he spoke of these issues when he was with them. The man of sin will be revealed in his time.

2.7-12 Paul introduces the mystery of iniquity. This is a counterfeit work to the mystery of godliness in 1 Tim 3.16. Mystery in scripture means that which is hidden for a while, but is manifested in due time. Satan will oppose the imminent appearing of Jesus by appearing in the man of sin who is in-dwelt by Satan himself. Satan will attempt to maintain control of the world. At the first coming of Christ, Satan rushed to dwell in as many people as possible, in hopes of keeping many from being filled with the Spirit of God. Before the second coming of Christ, Satan will in dwell a man and this man is noted as the man of sin. Satan always mimics and copies God. In Zech 4.14 there are two who stand by God, so in chap 5 verse 9-10 Satan also has two that hold evil. This is the same spirit of lawlessness Paul speaks of here in chapter two. There must be a great apostasy and the unveiling of the mystery of lawlessness, which even at that time was already at work. First the man of sin, then the Son of man. First He that sets Himself forth as God, then God manifest in the flesh. First the revelation of sin, then the revelation of perfect salvation. In verse 9 the same term is used for the coming of the man of sin as for the coming of Christ, parousia. The coming of Jesus will absolutely destroy this power of Antichrist. For a time Satan’s power will be manifested. Satan will use power and signs and lying wonders. Satan does this because Christ used signs and wonders, Acts 2.22, Heb 2.4 and Satan will attempt to show Himself as God. This will be very effective and many will be deceived, Matt 24.24. The protection against being deceived is to have a love of the truth.

2.13-17 the admonition to stand fast and hold the traditions they had been taught. Tradition: paradosis; par-ad’-os-is from G3860; transmission, that is, (concretely) a precept; specifically the Jewish traditionary law. The new assembly needed to hold on to the teachings of Paul. Paul reminds them they are the beloved of God. Comfort one another with this admonition.

Chapter 3

3.1- 5 finally…Paul prays for free course of the Word, and for the Word to be glorified in them. He further prays that they be delivered from wicked men. He assures them God will keep them from evil. Again, the encouragement to wait patiently for Christ.

3.6 The apostle now proceeds to the last and closing part of the epistle, which respects church discipline, and the removing of disorderly persons from their communion; and introduces it with a request to pray for him, and the rest of his fellow ministers. Paul commands them to withdraw from those who would destroy unity. Unity is the bond of peace in the body of Christ.

3.7-16 Paul leaves the high spiritual revelation of the coming of the Lord and concludes with his final word to them. He speaks of living life until Christ comes. They are to work, even as he worked while he was among them. He speaks against any who would not work and those he calls busybodies. These busybodies simply went around meddling in other peoples business, and not working. Paul clearly tells the church to disassociate from any one like this. Paul uses his Apostolic authority to command such people to to work with quietness, and eat their own bread (mind their own business). He clearly states if any man does not obey this command, then have no company with him. He says to note that man or distinguish that man. They were to have no company with such a one, for they harm the body of Christ. Paul closes with an appeal to the Lord of peace. This is needed because of the confusion brought by those who acted disorderly.

3.17-18 Paul signs off himself to give the proof of authenticity. Grace from the Lord Jesus Christ is entreated upon them.

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Wrath. 

It is sad to find so many people who misunderstand the wrath of God. Some people actually want to apologize for God. It is as though they wish this part of God was not there. It is like they see it as a blemish on his divine character. They are far from regarding it with delight. 

 May I tell you this part of God like all other parts, is his divine perfection. Yes ~it is terrifying. Some go so far as to say his wrath is not consistent with his goodness. God’s wrath is not a blotch on his divine character. They say things like “how can a God of love turn people into hell?” 

God has made no attempt to conceal the fact of his wrath. He is not one bit ashamed to make it known that vengeance and fury belong to him. Listen to his word on himself; “see now that I even I and he and there is no God with me: I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand….If I whet my glittering sword and mine hand take hold on judgment I will render vengeance to mine enemies and will reward them that hate me”. Deut 32.39-41 

There are more references in scripture to the anger, fury, and wrath of God than there are his love and tenderness. God is holy, he hates sin, therefore his anger burns against the sinner every day. The wrath of God is just as much a divine perfection as faithfulness or power or mercy, for God has no blemish, and he is perfect in all his ways. If in fact God were indifferent to sin, that would be a blemish and wrong. 

God is the sum of all excellence therefore he cannot look on sin and not feel the fury of wrath. How could he who is infinitely holy ignore sin and its horror. The very nature of God makes hell a necessity just like it makes heaven a necessity. A holy God detests sin and unrighteousness. 

It is the holiness of God that is stirred into action against sin. What kind of God would he be if he did not react to sin. What kind of parent would you be if you never corrected your child? Sin is rebellion against God. It is rebellion against his authority in our life. Sin opposes his sovereignty in our life. 

The divine wrath is one of the perfections of God. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven. Rom 1.18. That is why you see judgment at the garden of Eden, Noah’s flood, Sodom and Gomorrah and death upon every person who has ever lived. The whole creation groans and travails because God is holy and sin is rampant. 

Calvary showed the wrath of God more vivid than all those other tokens. Christ sufferings and death were more awful than all those moments. God’s hatred of sin was in full view on that hill outside Jerusalem in April of AD29. Right now wrath and grace stand like sentinels waiting for your choice. 

We must remember God hates sin. We gloss it over and pooh-pooh it, but God sees it as hideous and horrible and heinous. Thus your Bible says let us have grace…for our God is a consuming fire. Heb 12.28. In Psalm 50.21 God says thou thougtest that I was altogether as thyself. Deut 32.43 God does not see sin like we do. God hates it. Rejoice..for he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful to his people. Rev 19-true and righteous are his judgments for he hath judged the great whore… 

 When you see him for the first time, he will be wearing a vesture dipped in blood. Make no mistake the wrath of God is real. God will vindicate his majesty, he will magnify his justice, and overthrow every one of the proud rebels who dare to defy him. Our great God who could speak every rebel into hell tonight is patient. Today he offers mercy and grace, tomorrow he offers wrath. 

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

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Jude 1.13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.(KJV)  wild ocean waves leaving nothing on the beach but the foam of their shame; Lost stars in outer space on their way to the black hole. (MSG)

All backsliding eventually progresses to missing church. All. It progresses to missing church and telling the pastor what you will do, you inform him. You do not seek permission, you tell him what you are doing. You would never do that to your employer. You become comfortable informing the spiritual leader in your life what you are doing. 

Then it progresses to missing and not telling the pastor. In my opinion, at that point you have become your own priest. You make your own decisions. The spiritual leadership fades from your life. You are and have become, the spiritual leader of your own life. You do not have spiritual oversight from another. 

It may take time, but people rarely recover once they have started down this path of pastoring themselves. I am not sure I have ever had one person recover from this drift and go back to being a loyal committed sheep in the flock. I cannot remember one example of recovery from this path of becoming your own spiritual leader, in my 40 years of preaching. 

I have watched many start down this trail and I have grieved knowing they are slowly, inexorably, beginning a journey they will probably never correct. They slowly drift out to the edge of the church, lose contact with the body of Christ, and some where they simply drift away.  

It is truly one of the saddest things in this life. A person who held eternal life in their grasp, exchanging it for control of their own life. Resisting spiritual leadership and taking over their own life when they were safely in the plan of God. 

It is God’s plan for you to have a spiritual leader in your life. I truly believe if you do not trust your pastor, it would be far better for you to go find someone you trust, than for you to take over your own spiritual authority in your life. 

Once you start down the path of making your own spiritual decisions, not seeking counsel from your spiritual overseer, you will probably never reverse that drift. You will become what Jude called a wandering star, forever drifting away from God, farther and farther and farther.

Thanks for reading today.

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7.1-3 the introduction of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. The author introduces again the priesthood of Melchizedek. Caution must be observed to not be distracted by Melchizedek, because the emphasis is on the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Melchizedek is but a shadow and a type of the great ministry of Jesus Christ. The author illustrates Jesus’ conspicuity similar to Melchizedek. Jesus is first of all unlike any other priest ever before. Jesus, like Melchizedek was apator-without father. The meaning is literally one who has no father or whose father has died or who was born after his father died or no recorded paternity. To some Melchizedek was a theophany, a temporary manifestation of God. To others he was a man, the King of Salem (Jerusalem). To the Jews historically he was Shem, the son of Noah who had lived until this time. The opinion given by Josephus, is that he was a pious Canaanitish prince, a person eminently endowed by God, and who acted as the priest of his people. All of this is of interest, but the author is establishing the ministry of Jesus Christ. To lose sight of the author’s goal is to be avoided. This is about Jesus Christ, not Melchizedek. Melchizedek is a type of Christ because he unites righteousness and peace. Melchizedek is a type of Christ because he unites Jew and Gentile. This is the purpose for his typology. Judaism has no monopoly on eternal truths.

7.4-17 Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, and the ancestor of the Levitical priesthood. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, therefore the High Priesthood of Jesus is better that the High Priesthood of Levi. Levi, the ancestor of the whole Levitical priesthood, might be said to have paid tithes in Abraham, and thus to have acknowledged his inferiority to Melchizedek, and consequently to the Son of God, who was of the order of Melchizedek. The author shows that perfection could not arise out of the Levitical priesthood, and that a priesthood that introduced a perfect state must be superior. In the prosecution of this argument, he states that perfection could not be arrived at under the Hebrew economy, and that there was need that a priesthood of another order should be formed. A change of the priesthood involved of necessity a change in the law or administration. The necessity of change of the law also followed from the fact that the great high priest was now of another tribe than that of Levi. Jesus Christ is of the tribe of Judah. The Christian High Priest was constituted not after a commandment pertaining to the flesh and liable to change, but after the power of an endless life and adapted to a life that was never to change or to end. Jesus is after the Homoiotes-resemblance, of Melchizedek. There is a subtle yearning for a better priesthood throughout the history of Judaism. This caused the Jewish people at times to stray to other Gods and religions. Now that is no longer true. The emphasis is again on better. Jesus is a better priest. The priesthood of Jesus is not temporary, but eternal. It is forever, aion-perpetuity, specifically the (Jewish) messianic period, present or future. 

7.18 this verse is interesting. There is a disannulling (athetesis: cancellation). Many times we attempt to fulfill all Old Testament types and shadows. Looking for their completion in the New Testament. In this case the author says it was cancelled, set aside. The new commandment is better.

7.19-21 the oath. The oath begins with a sacerdotal phrase: by the which we draw nigh unto God. This emphasis on the priest drawing nigh to God is presenting Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest. To this God gives His oath. This is the strongest affirmation possible. The immutable God who cannot lie is giving absolute endorsement of himself as our great High Priest. From the beginning any oath given by God was unchangeable. Oaths were given to Abraham, Moses, and David, and all were unchanging. This oath given here is from that same unchanging God. The priests of Judaism were made without an oath, but not so with our High Priest. Why? Because theirs was a changing, temporary priesthood. Jesus Christ is forever our High Priest. The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever. The author again shows Jesus Christ is a better High Priest.

7.22-28 Jesus was made a surety. To guarantee a better testament, Jesus pledges himself as surety. No longer will there be a new High Priest when the former dies. Our High Priest will continue forever as He has an unchangeable priesthood. Our High Priest is able to save to the uttermost because he ever liveth to make intercession. Our High Priest of Christianity is holy, undefiled, and made higher than the heavens. Our High Priest has no need to daily offer up sacrifices as those priests did. The former high priests had to offer up for their own sins as well as the sins of the people. Our High Priest offered himself once for the sins of all mankind. The law made men high priests that had astheneia: feebleness, weakness. But now, by the word of the oath, Our High Priest is forever, throughout all eternity. Therefore, Christianity has a better high priest than Judaism. The High Priesthood of Jesus Christ has an endless duration, it is eternal, and therefore better.

Thanks for reading today…

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This story is about a beautiful, expensively dressed lady who complained to her psychiatrist that she felt that her whole life was empty, it had no meaning.So, the lady went to visit a counselor to seek out happiness.

The counselor called over the old lady who cleaned the office floors.

The counselor then said to the rich lady “I’m going to ask Mary here to tell u how she found happiness. All I want u to do is listen to her.”

So the old lady put down her broom and sat on a chair and told her story:

“Well, my husband died of malaria and three months later my only son was killed by a car. I had nobody. I had nothing left. I couldn’t sleep, not even with my backrest pillow for bed, I couldn’t eat, I never smiled at anyone, I even thought of taking my own life. Then one evening a little kitten followed me home from work. Somehow I felt sorry for that kitten. It was cold outside, so I decided to let the kitten in. I got some milk, and the kitten licked the plate clean. Then it purred and rubbed against my leg and, for the first time in months, I smiled.

Then I stopped to think, if helping a little kitten could make me smile, may be doing something for people could make me happy.

So, the next day I baked some biscuits and took them to a neighbor who was sick in bed.

Every day I tried to do something nice for someone. It made me so happy to see them happy.

Today, I don’t know of anybody who sleeps and eats better than I do.

I’ve found happiness, by giving it to others.”

When she heard this, the rich lady cried. She had everything that money could buy, but she had lost the things which money cannot buy.

“The beauty of life does not depend on how happy you are; but on how happy others can be because of you…”

Happiness is not a destination, it’s a journey.

Happiness is not tomorrow, it is now.

Happiness is not dependency, it is a decision.

Happiness is what you are, not what you have.

Thanks for reading today….

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Hebrews 6.4-6

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

6.4-6 this short passage may qualify as the most misunderstood passage in the Bible. This short concise concept sheds great enlightenment on enlightenment. True revelation only comes once on a particular subject. These believers had experienced that moment of illumination at salvation. The author is again letting them know there is no more enlightenment available. That is impossible. You have already been enlightened. The impossibility is because a one time moment has already occurred. Much like being born in the natural. It is impossible for that to happen again. If the believer allows the vessel to leak out and become empty, the believer only needs to refill the vessel. There is not another conversion experience for them to experience. That would in essence require another crucifixion of Jesus to replace the crucifixion they have already been blessed by. The author is holding up the cross of Jesus Christ as the ultimate conversion. There is none other. The cross is the final act of propitiation. This they had already experienced.

Thankful for the propitiation today!

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Hebrews 5.11.14

5.11-14 for the first time the author seems to be disappointed in these wavering Christians. He appears to want to say more of Melchizedek and Christ but senses they are dull of hearing and immature. Dull here is nothros and means sluggish or lazy. The author fears their sluggish, lazy approach to Christianity will cause them to go back to Judaism. They could allow the priest in Judaism to make all decisions for them and Christianity demanded they grow into maturity. The author warns those who do that are nepios (an infant, a simple minded person). In the closing verse of this chapter the writer uses the word exercised. The Greek here is gumnazo (to practice, to train). This is the contrast of work and completion of work. The author is again stressing we do not work to earn salvation, but we work, train, practice to enter into this rest Christ has provided. In 1 Corinthians 9.24 the Apostle Paul likens this Christian walk to running a race. This will be the continued ideology in chapter six, we must move forward and grow up in all things in Christ. These Christians must leave the basic doctrines of a Nepios and move on to the knowledge and fullness of Christ

May we all strive to grow up in God to the fullness of the stature of Christ.

Keep growing my friend!

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I read this story recently and enjoyed pondering the meaning.

All of us can choose how to experience the river of life we all travel. We can fight, conquer, and feel dominant, or we can learn to adjust, understand and flow with life. I do not suggest either is better than the other. I only observe the choices that are presented to each of us. We can grapple with life and all it’s challenges, or learn how to find peace with it roaring in our ears. Hope you enjoy. I do not know who the author of the story is. 

By good fortune, I was able to raft down the Motu River in New Zealand twice during the last year. The magnificent four-day journey traverses one of the last wilderness areas in the North Island.

The first expedition was led by “Buzz”, an American guide with a great deal of rafting experience and many stories to tell of mighty rivers such as the Colorado. With a leader like Buzz, there was no reason to fear any of the great rapids on the Motu.

The first half day, in the gentle upper reaches, was spent developing teamwork and co-ordination. Strokes had to be mastered, and the discipline of following commands without question was essential. In the boiling fury of a rapid, there would be no room for any mistake. When Buzz bellowed above the roar of the water, an instant reaction was essential.

We mastered the Motu. In every rapid we fought against the river and we overcame it. The screamed commands of Buzz were matched only by the fury of our paddles, as we took the raft exactly where Buzz wanted it to go.

At the end of the journey, there was a great feeling of triumph. We had won. We proved that we were superior. We knew that we could do it. We felt powerful and good. The mystery and majesty of the Motu had been overcome.

The second time I went down the Motu, the experience I had gained should have been invaluable, but the guide on this journey was a very softly spoken Kiwi. It seemed that it would not even be possible to hear his voice above the noise of the rapids.

As we approached the first rapid, he never even raised his voice. He did not attempt to take command of us or the river. Gently and quietly he felt the mood of the river and watched every little whirlpool. There was no drama and no shouting. There was no contest to be won. He loved the river.

We sped through each rapid with grace and beauty and, after a day, the river had become our friend, not our enemy. The quiet Kiwi was not our leader, but only the person whose sensitivity was more developed than our own. Laughter replaced the tension of achievement.

Soon the quiet Kiwi was able to lean back and let all of us take turns as leader. A quiet nod was enough to draw attention to the things our lack of experience prevented us from seeing. If we made a mistake, then we laughed and it was the next person’s turn.

We began to penetrate the mystery of the Motu. Now, like the quiet Kiwi, we listened to the river and we looked carefully for all those things we had not even noticed the first time.

At the end of the journey, we had overcome nothing except ourselves. We did not want to leave behind our friend, the river. There was no contest, and so nothing had been won. Rather we had become one with the river.

It remains difficult to believe that the external circumstances of the two journeys were similar. The difference was in an attitude and a frame of mind. At the end of the journey, it seemed that there could be no other way. Given the opportunity to choose a leader, everyone would have chosen someone like Buzz. At the end of the second journey, we had glimpsed a very different vision and we felt humble – and intensely happy.

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4.1-8 the incomplete rest of the Old Testament. The author presents the case for the failure of the rest in the Old Testament. It is evident the rest is ensconced in the gospel. The rest and the gospel are indivisible. When you receive the gospel, you receive the rest. (3) when you believe you enter into this rest. God did rest, not from fatigue, but from completion. We rest today because the gospel completed the “work” of salvation. The door to rest is belief. Unbelief closed the door for the Old Testament people, and it still closes the door today. The author reminds us if we will hear His voice, and not harden our heart, we will enter His rest. (8) clear admonition this is not about a literal day, but about the rest Christ gives through the Holy Ghost. The author fears that these wavering saints may have lost sight of the fact that the whole way of salvation is through faith. This faith in Jesus Christ promises the rest that accompanies the gospel. This rest is eternal. God did not begin work again on day 8. God has been at rest since that moment he finished creation! This is accented by the fact Moses noted the end of the first six days but does not mention the seventh day ending.

4.9-13 the complete rest of Jesus Christ. As God ceased from his works when he entered the rest, so now the people of God rest concerning their own works. Salvation’s work is finished! The only labor the child of God needs to do now is labor to enter into that rest where salvation is complete. In verses 1-8 the word rest is katapausis-reposing down, abode, rest. Here in verse 9 the author uses another word sabbatismos- the repose of Christianity, as a type of heaven. The former rest was never a type of heaven. It was simply intermittent rest from physical labor. The rest of Jesus Christ is a type of heaven. It is a repose we enter into and never leave. The rest (peace) is inside us through the power of the Holy Ghost! We no longer have katapausis, we have sabbatismos. In verse 8 the author boldly proclaims if Jesus had given them katapauo, He would not have spoken of another day! Jesus Christ replaced Katapauo, (temorary repose) with sabbatismos (permanent repose). Therefore the rest of Christianity is better than the rest of the former covenant. The rest of Christianity, (sabbatismos), is the rest when a work is finished! Death is no longer the gate to eternal rest, now that door is faith in Jesus Christ.

4.14-16 the closing admonition on rest in Jesus Christ. Our High Priest hath passed into the heavens where he intercedes for us continually. The lamb has been slain, the sacrifice complete, we rest in his all sufficient priesthood. Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace (getting the things we do not deserve) that we may obtain mercy ( not getting what we deserve: judgment), so we can find grace ( the good things we do not deserve), to help in time of need. Christ’s rest is better.

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