His rest. Clearly, we need to understand exactly to what the writer refers with this phrase before we can understand this chapter. Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. While the promise of entering his rest still stands…. Let us make no mistake about it, this statement comes completely upon the heels of the Chapter 3 discussion of His heritage and we know that this heritage is based upon the promise of God to Abraham. These are eschatological ideas and refer to redemptive historical context. We enter His rest after we die or on the Day of the Second Coming, whichever comes first. Until that day, we continue to life IN Adam, simultaneously citizens of this present evil age and the Age to Come. That is the tension with which we live as Christians. Therefore, the promise still stands as long as we are alive and before the Second Coming. After either one of those events, it is too late for us.
…let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. The key word here is seem. Why is this the case? First of all, we are not given the job of fruit inspection, and we don’t truly know the fate of anyone else. We only know whether we truly believe. Some may seem to be true believers. They say all the prayers correctly and attend church every Wednesday and Sunday. Others may seem to struggle in their faith, forever tottering in doubt, full of ethical dilemmas and questionable decisions. The mysteries of the Holy Spirit are not made known to us. Who is to say which of those two is saved and which is not. Therefore, let us fear.
This is going to sound like a contradiction in a while when the writer talks about boasting, but you know that it isn’t. When the writer is speaking to the whole congregation, he does not know to which group he is speaking. There is the distinct possibility that there are reprobate present within the congregation. This is not a statement about works, because we can see that he qualifies the comment with seems.
For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. This is a remarkable statement. Remember that the prior passage is about the Jews in the time of Moses. Think about that point in redemptive history. They had just received the Law in written form. And yet, the writer says that good news came to them, also. To what message is the writer referring? Is it the Law? No! Israel was saved at Passover just before the Red Sea events at the beginning of their sojourn across the desert. They were shown the sacrifices. All of the types and shadows of what was to come in Jesus were there for them to see. The message of the good news did not benefit them because they did not believe like those who truly listened. Moses understood the big picture. Abraham certainly understood the big picture. But those Israelites who wandered the desert did not see beyond the promise of earthly Jerusalem to the promise of heavenly Jerusalem.
As you wander through verses 3-6, notice these points. We who have believed entered that rest, in contrast with those who failed to enter because of disobedience. Again, this is a remarkable passage. Salvation is a passive event for the believer. It is based upon the active work of another, Christ Jesus. In contrast, disobedience is an active event by the nonbeliever. The only actions of which fallen man is capable are in disobedience. It is by listening and by faith in the promise that we receive Salvation. Now, in the middle of that passage, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit finished His works from the foundation of the world. And as we will see shortly, after his earthly mission, Jesus finished His works in this incarnation with His death, burial and resurrection. Notice how all these pieces fit nicely together, Old Testament and New Testament.
Watch what happens in verses 8-10. For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. OK, who are the people of God? Are we talking about earthly Israel? Of course not. We are speaking of Heavenly Israel, those native branches and those wild branches alike that are grafted together on the root of Jesse, Jesus Christ. When do we enter into God’s rest? We enter into His rest when we die or on the Last Day, whichever comes first. Thus, we rest from our works when we die or on the Last Day, whichever comes first. Is this about righteousness? No, this is about the reward, Salvation. Righteousness is from belief, from faith in the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross, a faith we receive from the Holy Spirit.
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. This passage is tough and will require careful consideration. Starting from verse 11, is the writer suggesting that our works will profit us in terms of salvation? At first glance, he seems to be doing just that. But then, we realize that he is explaining the purpose of the Law. When we read the phrase the word of God is living and active, remember that this is a double entendre. We receive the Holy Spirit by listening to the Word of God preached into our ears. But also, remember John 1. Jesus Christ is the Word. He is the Word made flesh. He is living and active. He does discern the depths of our hearts. He does pierce our souls. Why the image of the two-edged sword? There are different types of blades. The two edged sword can cut in either direction and can also be used to stab. It is a more direct weapon. But the crux of the imagery is that a two-edged sword cuts both ways. If wielded unskillfully, it is as likely to cut the one who wields it.
Finally, this section ends in judgment. All are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Make no mistake. We will all have to give an account. And what have we learned so far from the writer of Hebrews? Remember from the last chapter:
So, who then, ultimately are the righteous, the upright of heart? We know from Psalms 5, 10, 14 and 36, Isaiah 59 and 64, and Romans 1-3, that no one is righteous, no, not even one. Look at Ecclesiastes 7:20. Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. So, who are the righteous, the upright of heart? No one. No one qualifies. That is the point of the Law. After the Fall, no one is capable of fulfilling the Law.
Therefore, this whole idea of impending Judgment absolutely should put fear into us, fear of the Wrath of God. At the end of chapter 4, though, the writer refers us back to the end of chapter 2. Jesus is the Great High Priest. Next, we will discuss the role of the Great High Priest.
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