CAN WE FALL AWAY ? PART TWO

by Doug
(Florida)

PART TWO

The Hebrews are exhorted to remain steadfast in Christ Jesus, who living forever
has an unchangeable priesthood; unlike the Levitical priesthood which had a
succession of priests by reason of death. Christ Jesus, a High priest who needed not to offer sacrifices often; for this he did once by the sacrifice of himself:
"But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate
from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own
sins, and then for the people?s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath,
which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore."
Hebrews 7:24-28

The Hebrews are urged to have full assurance and reliance on Christ Jesus; a High
Priest in the heavens:
"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high
priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;"
Hebrews 8:1

Christ Jesus sitting in the heavenly places is the minister of the true tabernacle, as
opposed to the earthly priests, which are the example. The Hebrews are being
urged to grasp that we have a priest that has obtained a more excellent ministry; a
mediator of a better covenant since the old covenant is ready to vanish away:
"For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that
offer gifts according to the law:
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was
admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he,
that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
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."
Hebrews 8:4-6

The Hebrews are being exhorted to lay hold to the fact that the high priest of the old
covenant had to enter into the holy place of the tabernacle often with the blood of
other sacrifices; but Christ Jesus, by his own blood, entered once into the holy place and obtained eternal redemption for us:
"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the
figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for
us:
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy
place every year with blood of others;
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now
once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of
himself." Hebrews 9:24-26



The Hebrews are again admonished that the law was only a shadow, and not the
image of the good things to come. The Levitical sacrifices could not take away
sins, nor purge the conscience; they only served to purify the pattern of heavenly
things until the efficacious sacrifice of Christ Jesus:
"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; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that
he may establish the second.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ
once for all.
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."
Hebrews 10:8-14

The Hebrews are to stand fast in the new covenant and draw near to God; to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way; and to have full
assurance to hold fast the profession of their faith. Since sins have been forgiven
on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, there is no need for, or acceptance of,
more offerings:
"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."
Hebrews 10:17-18

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

Emphasized once again is the fact that there remains no sacrificial offerings of the
law that will take away sins. The Hebrews are not to regress to the sacrifices of the
Levitical priesthood; by not holding fast to the profession of faith only indignation
can be foretold:
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall
devour the adversaries." Hebrews 10:26-27

The Hebrews are once again warned of despising the blood of the new covenant:
"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?
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." Hebrews 10:29-31

The Hebrews are commanded not to cast away their confidence and lose reward:
but to receive the promises:
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might
receive the promise.
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
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." Hebrews 10:35-39

The Hebrews are urged not to turn away from him that speaketh from heaven and to
serve God:
"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace,
whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
For our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28-29

The Hebrews were counseled to go unto Jesus bearing his reproach, and by him to
offer the only acceptable sacrifice left; praise from our lips:
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the
fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Hebrews 13:15

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is
wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21