The
Hebrew writer warned his readers to “fear, lest”
they not be allowed to enter into God's “rest”.
He told them, though the “gospel was preached”
unto some, they did not “hear”,
and in chapter four and verse three of Hebrews the writer tells his
readers, “we which have believed do enter into rest”
where we read:
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.
The
verse begins, “For we which have believed do enter into
rest, as he said,...” The
writer began with the words, “For we which have believed”
which means “because, even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then or
therefore the writer of Hebrews and his readers have “committed
unto, put trust in and were persuaded of” “do enter
into rest” or “do come into
or arise to God's calm, resting place”, “as he said”
which means “declared, uttered and proclaimed”. Those who believe
“the gospel” of
Jesus Christ “enter into rest”
with God.
The
verse goes on to say, “ As I have sworn in my wrath, if
they shall enter into my rest:” The
writer continued, “As I have sworn”
which means “As God affirmed and promised with an oath”, “in
my wrath” or “in God's
vengeance, anger and indignation”, “if they shall
enter” which means “whether
or forasmuch as the people would go in, take possession of and make
entrance into” “my rest”
which refers to “God's calm, resting place”. God vowed with
“vengeance” there would be a future “rest”
that may be obtained.
Finally
the verse says, “although the works were finished from
the foundation of the world.” The
writer began, “although the works”
or “yet and nevertheless the deeds, doings and labor” “were
finished” which means “came
to pass, were made and fulfilled” “from the foundation”
or “out of the laying down,
deposition and conception” “of the world”
which refers to “the circle or orderly arrangement and decoration
of the earth”. God saw that the “works”
of “rest” were
“completed” from the very inception of the idea of a created
world.
When
we think through these words in Hebrews, we see the determination of
God to have people “enter into” His “rest”. He
made the plan for “rest” before he made the world and the
people who would live in it. Jesus Christ was sent to let us know the
“good news” that God desired to give us a “future rest”,
and those who believe in Him shall know the full extent of the
intentions of God to “rest” in Him.
Next
time the writer refers to when
“God did rest the seventh
day from all his works.”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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