King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024
Chapters: Hebrews 1-5
Message: Many Led, Few Follow
Hello My Friend,
Someone asked this question, “If we are saved by grace through Christ, why does the Bible say we must endure until the end?” referring to this verse, [Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.] Also, I am in a support group for people who have loved ones with dementia, and just about every day someone is saying that their loved one has earned their wings and cringe every time I see it. I am beginning to believe that the only reason why I am in these groups is to show them the truth. There is so much misinformation, not to mention false religion that even those who believe in God are confused. The truth is if they are serious about God then He will lead them to His Son, sadly, many will be led, but few will follow Jesus.
[Hebrews 4:2-3,6,8 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.]
[not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.] The majority of those who have some sort of belief in God or a “higher power” truly believe in an afterlife, but it is all based on hearsay and what they see rather than actual faith. Jesus, said this to Thomas when he needed proof that Jesus arose from the dead, [John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.]
The Book of Hebrews is the nineteenth book of the New Testament, the fifty-eighth book of the Bible, and contains thirteen chapters. The author of this epistle (letter) is unknown, but since it was Timothy who penned it it was likely Paul, and it was written to the Jewish believers, known as Hebrews, around 70AD. The purpose of the letter was to show them that Judaism had come to an end through the fulfillment of the Gospel by Christ, and to present Christ as being supreme over all. What we are to learn from the book is that Christ is the mediator of a better covenant, established on better promises, [Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.]
Many Jews had a superstitious or idolatrous respect for angels, they looked to them as mediators between God and man. Paul, thought it necessary to write them, he begins the letter a little differently than others that he wrote, he just comes right out to the point to let them basically know that Jesus rules.
[Hebrews 1:1-4 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.]
[God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past] [Sundry; In many portions, variously; Divers; Many ways.] In other words, over the centuries God dealt with man in different ways, and used the prophets to convey His message, but all that changed when He sent His Son. Jesus, said it this way, [Matthew 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.]
[Being made so much better than the angels] While angels actually come in several forms as we will see throughout the reading of Hebrews, they do not have any special powers and are God’s messengers. Sometimes that message comes with instruction, protection, or judgment, but the message is clear as to why Jesus is so much better than the angels. Paul, goes on to point out how He differs from the angels.
[Hebrews 1:5-8,13-14 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?]
[sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?] Angels are sent to minister to all of God’s children, those who accept Christ as their Saviour become heirs of salvation. Everything on this earth will perish, but Christ has always been promised from the very beginning and it is through our faith in Him that we are given eternal life to live with Him. As Paul continues his letter, he stresses the importance of their understanding that the Law of Moses was not their salvation, and it never was, not even from the beginning.
[Hebrews 2:1-5 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.]
[give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard,] This is why we do not make light of the Law, while we are not subject to the Law, the Law does point out God’s do’s and don’t’s that we still need to recognize because God has never changed how He feels about sin. God, is merciful, but He is a just God, He is the same God, and He never changes, [Hebrews 13:8-9 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.]
We really do not want our salvation to be based on our own works because if it were then it would never amount to anything as pride will overtake us and boasting about all we did to save ourselves. God, did not send Jesus so that we can glorify ourselves, but that we might be glorified through His sinless sacrifice.
[Hebrews 2:9-11 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,]
[he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.] What Jesus did for us is nothing that we can even compare to nor fully comprehend, the pain, suffering, and not to mention, even if we did hang on the cross for our sin, we would still be in hell because we have sinned. Sin makes us enemies with God, however, God did not bring man to earth only to cast them all into hell, He had a plan from the very beginning to redeem those who believe in Him. The Law was a temporary fix to redeem one who had sinned and wanted to get right with God, but it was not permanent. That is where Jesus comes in.
God, Himself, put on the flesh that we are all made of and became one of us through His Son.
[Hebrews 2:14-18 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.]
[it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren,] [Behove; to be under obligation; subjection; indebted.] In other words, God, subjected Himself to all the pains, sorrows, evils, and even death in the person of Jesus, in order to restore the severed relationship between Him and those who believe in Him. [a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,] Although being tempted just as much as we are, He remained sinless so that He could assist us in overcoming temptation by giving His own life.
[Hebrews 3:1-2,5-6 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.]
[if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.] This is another one of those verses that seems to suggest that someone can lose their salvation, but just like all the others they have the same thought behind it, not everyone proclaims Christ truly believes in the Gospel, which is why they are quick to jump ship the second their faith gets tried. True believers belong to Christ and nothing and no one can ever change that, which is explained right here.
[Hebrews 3:12-16 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.]
[howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.] Not every Hebrew that left Egypt to the promised land made it, in fact, none of the elders except for Joshua and Caleb made it because of their unbelief, even Moses was unable to go, although it was not due to the same unbelief that the others had, [Numbers 14:35,38 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still.
Numbers 20:11-12 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. 12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.]
People die every day thinking that they were saved because lived a certain way or followed a certain religion, but where they end up is hell because they turned their heart from Christ. Jesus, did for us what we cannot nor ever could do ourselves and to be honest the reason why so many reject Him is because He is the Word of God and reveals their true heart.
[Hebrews 4:12,14-16 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.]
[cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;] This is another good reason why we are saved by grace, Jesus, may get angry and more important grieve at our constant sinning, but He will never moved from His faith and faithfulness to us because we are not saved by our works, [John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.]
We will never be sinless while we have this flesh, but we can be faithful, and show our love for Christ by living the rest of our lives in our faith. It is actually the suffering that we faced and endured for sin that taught us that the struggle is real and we need Jesus hour of every day. Jesus, gave us the greatest example of obedience, and yes, He was tempted just as much as we are.
[Hebrews 5:8-12 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. 11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.]
[are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.] [Oracles; The place where the answers were given. The communications, revelations, or messages delivered by God to prophets.] Somehow, the world has crept into the church, in fact, the devil has, there are false prophets everywhere, and they are teaching this false doctrine that is literally sending people to hell. We are too complex in our reasoning to ever comprehend everything that God wants us to learn in His Word, but as we study it for ourselves, through the Holy Spirit, we learn that God really in not that complicated at all, the everlasting covenant that God gives believers of His Son, is by trusting in Him as our Saviour, and we have much to learn, [2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I will never fully understand how I can be saved simply by believing in and accepting You as my Saviour, but I do understand that I am saved by my faith alone in Your finished work. Thank You for saving me, it is not always easy to get through the pains and sorrows, but I know I can endure them through You. Lord, Lead me and guide me, teach me Your truths so that I can teach them to others, and when I start to doubt or feel like things are hopeless, keep me looking to You, my Saviour, my God, my everything. I love You, LORD, and am nothing without You. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Ready To Follow Jesus?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Read Previous Devotions: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Read The Bible: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/welcome/
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readytofollowJesus
Copyright © 2024 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.