OUR FATHER WHO IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE WITHOUT FAITH

To illustrate the pedigree of faith as the valid predicate for acceptance into God's family.  the writer of the book of Hebrews chapter 11 starts with a definition of what faith actually is. Firstly, faith is called a substance and it is substantiation of the things that are being hoped upon and this substantiation is based on evidence that is not detected by sight but by any other means such as hearing spoken words or by logical deductions or by intuitions that are sensed.

When the planet Uranus was discovered in 1781, observers noticed that it wobbled in a way that defied calculations on what its expected orbit should have been.  This observation led in two direction:  1) Doubt of the reliability of the calculations or 2) That there was another massive celestial body that was distorting the path of Uranus.

While the status quo was in this state, it can be defined as 'faith' because there is evidence other than visual evidence that is indicating the existense of something that is not visible. In this condition, everything can be questioned and even the underlying mathematical assumtions can be brought under scrutiny. The evidence of the existence of a large outer planet was purely calculational but when Neptune was discovered by telescope in 1846 ( sixty years after the discovery of Uranus ), the state of faith collapsed and what was left was confirmed knowledge that we can verify to this day.

So faith is the condition where we are confronted by non-visual evidence and we are able to believe in something sight-unseen but not without evidence.

In fact, this requirement to believe and act based on non-visual evidence is baked into the fabric of the universe itself and into all the formative events in the timeline of the salvation of men.

The universe itself was brought into being by the word of God such that that which is now visible came out of that which was invisible setting a pattern for how men walking in the spirit would relate to the process of stepping into faith based only on words spoken by the Spirit and with no visible evidence that those things spoken would come into being. 

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

The writer of Hebrews then lists the chronology of milestones of the leveraging of faith by the elders.

Abel offered a sacrifice to God that was more excellent than that of Cain by faith wherein he received validation of his righteousness when his gift was accepted by God and his faith was counted to him as righteousness. As a result, his blood still spoke from the ground meaning that he was alive even after being murdered by his brother.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Enoch, who was swept away into heaven by God by-passing death altogether. Of Enoch it was said that he pleased God and because it is impossible to please God without faith, Enoch must have walked in faith and to so, Enoch must have believed in God and understood that diligent pursuit of God would be be rewarded by God. In his faith, Enoch was saved from death in a foreshadowing  of the saving from death by faith.

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Noah, in faith, acted on a divine warning of events that were not visible and built an ark that saved his family and this faith was conferred to him as righteousness.

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith

Abraham was called by a whisper from God to leave his homeland and travel to a place that he did know and in this trusting faith, as he walked in faith on this un-charted journey and when he got to the promised land, he dwelt as a foreigner in the land and he dwelled in tents for the duration of his life as he waited in faith upon the Lord to lead him to a city that was on a solid foundation that was built by God Himself.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.   

Amen.

1

 OUR FATHER WHO TOOK NO PLEASURE IN THE SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS

The writer of the book of Hebrews continues in chapter 10 to emphasize that the law was merely a shadow of better things that were coming. The shadow, could never make anyone perfect because they were temporal and had to be repeated annually. The question arises, if the sacrifices under the law were able to make perfect, was there a point  at which the sacrificers would no longer be able to practice sin? 

Over the generations of those who sacrifices, they had to repeat their sacrifices year upon year for it was simply not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away the sins of men.

1  For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Psalm 10 is pointed out as the prophetic utterance that established that the burden of the sacrifices for the sins of men was being taken off bulls and goats and being placed on a Man who had come into the world and would willingly do what God the Father wanted and the will of the Father was that Christ would die in place of men so that their ransom could be paid and they could be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God who is Christ. 

In this passage, we see a glimpse of the Messiah arriving onto the earth in the body that God had prepared for Him and He realised that the sacrifices and offerings taking place in the temple were not what God actually wanted and so the Messiah spoke up and said to go God, "I have arrived on the earth. I have read what was written of me in the scroll and what was expected of Me and I willingly accept to do Your will".

5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,

But a body You have prepared for Me.

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin

You had no pleasure.

7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book it is written of Me—

To do Your will, O God.’ ”

8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Whereas the shadow of sacrifices established the pattern and consequence of the shedding of blood and bulls, it was declared to be insufficient in prophetic terms in Psalm 40 and the Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself as the perfect and fully sufficient sacrifice for once and for all. 

11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

In contrast to the earthy priests who ministered repeatedly, the Man for whom a body had been prepared, sacrificed Himself and this one offering, was eternal and He was seated at the right hand of God and the Father undertakes to subjugate all those among of humanity who rebel against the perfect One but those who voluntarily repent and cease from their rebellions and believe in the One, this one sacrifice had the power to perfect forever those who are being sanctified.

This ability to perfect those who voluntarily go into a future covenant with God is described in Jeremiah chater 31 which describes the transformation of people by the inscribing of the law of God into their hearts such that the ways of God became their nature rather than having to read it from the stone tablets. 

For those being perfected, their sins and rebellious actions were also to be expunged from God's memory and this rendered the believers justified and not requiring additional offerings for sin 

15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

The writer of the book of Hebrews tells those who believe in Jesus to draw near to God with assurance and boldness because of the sufficiency of the blood of Jesus to consecrate us and cleanse our hearts from our evil conscience via His being subjected to suffering and death in the flesh (on one side of the veil) but now is exalted as the great High Priest in the house of God (having crossed over to the other side of the veil).

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 

In light of what the Lord Jesus Christ endured and accomplished in order to secure salvation for men, the writer of Hebrews adjures us to remain steadfast in our faith in Christ and reciprocate the steadfastness of the one who made the promise of salvation.    We are advised to encourage one another to rise up in love and in good works and to assemble with each other ( with increasing frequency as the great day of the Lord approaches ). 

This assembling together is a safe-guard to help us resist the temptation to sin wilfully and this is important because deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth leaves us with sins for which there are no additional sacrifices but rather judgement and fiery indignation that was meant for the adversaries of God but will ungulf those who acquiesced.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Comparing the fate of those who rejected the law of Moses with those who reject the law of Christ, the writer notes that on the strength of two or three witness, a person could be put to death by stoning under the imperfect law so therefore how much greater a hazard would it be for those who, having tasted of the goodness of God's salvation, trampled the blood of the covenant underfoot and insulted the Spirit of grace. 

We are strongly encouraged to endure in holding fast to the faith that we were given insight into. Even though many contratry events happen to us as we get exposed to reproach and tribulations for even being in the company of those who believed, we are to remain confident in our faith for there is a great reward and it is awarded to those who endure till the end.

32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

37 “For yet a little while,

And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith;

But if anyone draws back,

My soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

As we learn the life of living by faith, we are justified by that faith but if we, having walked in faith retrace our steps back to a faithless life, we depart from God's pleasure because it says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God".

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHOSE OWN SON BECOME OUR HIGH PRIEST

The writer of the book of Hebrews continues in chapter 9  discussing the details of the earthly tabernacle and compared them to the details of the heavenly tabernacle. 

The earth tabernacle had two sections. The first (the sanctuary) was furnished by a lamp stand, a table and the showbread ( 12 loaves of bread continously placed there for a week at a time). 

The second section was behind a veil and was called the Holy of Holies which housed the golden censer, the ark of the covenant which contained a golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod that buddded and the two tablets on which was written the ten commandments.  Above the ark were two sculptures of cherubim whose wings overshadowed the mercy seat.

1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

The writer of Hebrews now describes the activities that were scheduled to be practiced in these two spaces. In the first space, the priest would frequently enter to perform the services while for the second space, only the High Priest was allowed in and even that was only once a year to offer blood for his own sins and for the sins of the people that were commited in ignorance and this activity was designed by the Holy Spirit to express the fact that the access to the Holy of Holies had not been granted and this was during the time that the tabernacle existed in the earth

6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

The tabernacle of Moses symbolized the limited access that was afforded by priests who themselves had limited access to the focal point of the structure but Christ was the ultimate High Priest who not only served in the heavenly tabernale that was not of the creation order we are in but also brought His own blood with which He had obtained eternal redemption. If the sacrifices of bulls and goats and heifers purified the flesh, how much more would the blood of Christ, offered spotless through the eternal Spirit purify the conscience from pursuits of the flesh so as to pursue the service of God.

This qualification of having sacrificed Himself unto death made Christ the mediator of the promised new covenant such that redemtion could be gained by those who were called to inherit the eternal inheritance. 

11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The writer of Hebrews, speaking of the promise of the eternal inheritance, speaks of the necessary conditions that surround the passing down of an inheritance through a will and testament. The written will is unenforceable while the subject is alive but  comes into effect when the owner of the will dies. It is thus death and the shedding of blood that any  testament or covenant between the earthly and the heavenly is dedicated and it through blood that most accoutrements of service on behalf of the earthly people before the Spiritual God are purified and it is through blood that there is a remission of sins.

16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Thus the facsimilies of the heavenly accoutrements that are on earth were purified by the blood of animals but Christ did not enter the earthly holy place proxies but rather entered that actual holy place and there, He, in the presence of God, represents us eternally for He sacrificed Himself once and for all and thus did not have to repeat His sacrifice and suffering over an over but because it a appointed once for man to dies, His single death in perfect righteousness to cover the sins of many and all those who believe in Him will eagerly see His seacond appearing at the end of the age and will be saved from sin and death.

23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Amen.

2

 OUR FATHER WHO SPOKE OF THE COMING OF A NEW AND BETTER COVENANT 

The book of Hebrews chapter 8 says this:

1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

The writer of the book of Hebrews states the centrality of his point. The Lord Jesus Christ is the One who occupies the pivotal position in heaven who is at the right of God the Father as the chief administrative officer and as well as the High Priest who attends to the original and archetypal sanctuary and the divinely-constructed tabernacle on which the tabernacle build by Moses was based.

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

So the tabernacle and the sanctuary that were governed by the law of Moses were shadows of the spiritual tabernacle and sanctuary which were given to Moses as patterns to follow so that he could build earthly versions. The establishment of the earthly hereditary priesthood provided a shadow of the eternal priestly function that foretold of the appearing of an everlasting figure who would be qualified by righteousness and by proximity to the heavenly altars that would be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that even though the priestly office practiced under the law of Moses appeared to be a universal and permanent institution, it was declared by God ( in the Jeremiah chapter 31 verses 31 - 34), to be imperfect and thus requiring a new covenant to replace it.

Jeremiah details some of the variances that would make the new covenant differrent and even better than the old one:

• A new covenant that would displace the old
• The terms of the covenant would be written in the hearts of its signatories and not on stone tablets
• The orientation to the kingdom of God would not be passed from person to person but would be taught to each one by God directly
• The new covenant would incorporate a familial relationship between God and its signatories
• All signatories would know God directly rather a going through a representaive as it was with Moses.
• Each signatory would be able to access God no matter what their station in life was as Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and free men
• The signatories would obtain the mercy of God
• The sins and unlawful deeds of the signatories of the new covenant would covered by mercy and remembered no more.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO SWORE THAT CHRIST WAS PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK

The book of Hebrews chapter 7 begins with the writer explaining how the mysterious figure named Melchizedek (whose origin and end are undisclosed ) approach  Abraham after he was victorious over the five kings, and having shared bread and wine, was given a tenth of all the spoils of the battle.  Melchizedek, was timeless having no record beinging nor end and had no geneology and the writer of Hebrews likened the Son of God to him who was to remain a priest forever.

This eternal priest was paid a tenth by the patriarch Abraham from whom came the Levitical priests to whom were themselves paid tithes by all their brothers according to the law but Melchizedek was not derived from the geneology of the priesthood to whom the law prescribed the payment of tithes and thus this very great figure had stature beyond that of Abraham such that Melchizedek could bless him.

The presence of this priest made it legally possible for the appearance of another legitimate priest who was not from the family of Aaron the Levitical priest but who exists from another higher plane.

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son ofGod, remains a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

The point being driven at by the writer is that there existed an order of priests provided for by the law but during the time that this priesthood was in force, David prophesied in Psalm 110 that there would a priest who would be in the order of Melkizedek. The case being made is that if the priesthood of the Levites was perfect in an of itself, why would another order of priesthood, that is characterized as eternal, be invoked 

11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:

“You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Whereas the priesthood under the law of Moses was inherited through the lineage of Levi, the promised priesthood was  established by an oath made by God Himself and is thus a better covenant. 

20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn And will not relent,

‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’ ”),

22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

As well, the priests were limited in their service by their mortality but a priest of the order of Melchizedek is a eternal, unchanging and singular High Priest who  is able to save permanently and who continously intercedes for those He has saved. 

Whereas the Levitical priests had to offer sacrifices for their own sins first and then for the people who came to them , this priest who is Christ was appointed to be an ascended High Priest whose perfection made the sacrifice He presented before God absolutely efficacious 

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, whiach came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO AUTHORIZES OUR MOVE INTO ENLIGHTENMENT

The writer of the book of Hebrews continues in chapter 6 telling believers should travel the road of progression from the elementary principles of Christ to the state of enlightenment and the experience of the gifts of heaven and partake of the Holy Spirit and enjoyed the good word of God and been involved in the powers of the age to come.

This elevated state is hazardous because if a person falls aways after reaching that state, they will not have recourse to repent because there is no sacrifice that can provide those who have trampled the provided salvation.

However, there are guardrails provided by God so that people who are prone to being derailed do not get make the irrecoverable spiritual blunder. In verse 3, we see that God acts as a gatekeeper regulating the passage of believers from infancy to adulthood. Only those who he permits ( having measured their personal nature and strength), advance into maturity where they are able to engage in the mature spiritual life. 

If any believer, having been cleared to grow and from that vantage point choose to pursue other options, they will have no sacrifice available for their redemption because the sacrifice was made for human sinners and not for gods.

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

An analogy is offered of the earth receiving rain and producing herbs that are useful to the one who cutivates the earth but if thorns and briers are produced, the output is rejected and is thrown into the fire. 

In the same way, if the Lord cultivates a person and what emerges as the output is a source of shame to the one who sincerely and righteously provided the only way of salvation to the point where a curse is warranted (like the fig tree that produced nothing and Jesus cursed it), then no remedy can be found for a person beyond that point.

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

The writer of Hebrews acknowledges that the subject matter to this point was rather gloomy and declares that the readers would have a better outcome from their experience with salvation (even though they had to alert them to the potential hazzard) and so the reader is reminded that God is fair and would not forget their work for His name and for their service to their fellow believers. They are counseled to remain diligent ad steadfast in their faith till the end so that they don't drift into lethargic sluggishness but rather, they should follow the example of those who walk in faith and are patient in doing so, inherit the promises and do not incur curses.

9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

To demonstrate how sure the promises of God are, the writer of Hebrews reminds them that God promised a blessing to Abraham (and even though He is the self-existent One), he made an oath to Abraham by swearing upon Himself and binding Himself to the promises He made to Abraham which locked in God's participation in the fulfilment of the promises made to Abraham and those who were to be his progeny through faith. The Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled the requirements of our redemption, made a way through the veil of separation and it is to this our souls can be assured of the efficacy of our salvation and that we have a High Priest standing before the mercy seat on our behalf forever.

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO CALLED JESUS TO BE THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST

In chapter 5, the writer of the book of Hebrews continues the theme from the last chapter related to role of Christ as our eternal priest by pointing out that the appointed levitical priests were subject to all temptation that were common to man, the author tells us that they were able to have compassion for those who were ignorant and continuously going astray because they too were subject to weakness.

1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

“You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.”

6 As He also says in another place:

“You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek”;

In the case of Christ, even though He was appointed to the role as the eternal High Priest, in the days when He lived on earth, out of godly fear, offered up tearful prayers and supplications to the God who could save Him in His status as a Son, yet remained obedient through the suffering that He went through. 

By the proving of His perfection, He became the author of eternal salvation for any and all who obeyed Him. Jesus would be their High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Pivoting to the subject of the condition of those being written to, the writer of Hebrews tells them that they are behind schedule. THey should themselves be teaching others but instead, they need to be re-taught the basics of the things of God and retrograded from being able to ingest the solid food of the word of God back to requiring baby's milk.

In the progression from infanthood to adulthood, believers needs to going from being unskilled in the understanding of the doctrines of righteousness and advancing to being fully exercised in their spiritual senses such that they could spiritually disern the functioning of both good and evil in their midst.

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO INVITES US INTO HIS REST THROUGH THE GOSPEL

The book of Hebrews chapter 4, continuing with the theme of the promise of being invited into the rest of God, tells us to be highly concerned if any in our midst seems to be incapable of reaching a state of rest because it means that they were not able to profit from the hearing of the gospel that, if mixed with faith, produces belief in those who hear it.

1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:

“So I swore in My wrath,

‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ”

although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”

The point is made that the saving works of the gospel were completed from the time of the foundation of the world. Even though those to whom this salvation by faith was first preached  excluded themselves by disobedience, there were others who were designated to enter into the rest of God and this provision was to be accessed by an affirmative ( and timely ) response to the voice of God during the time of the new dispensation of salvation and an affirmative response will qualify one to enter in a state of rest that precludes striving and the performing of works to fulfill righteousness. 

6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts.”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

We are encouraged by the writer of Hebrews to be very attentive to the business of entering the rest of God so that no one falls again into following the  patterns set by the corrupted fallen nature. With that in mind, we are informed that the spiritual anatomy of a Christian includes a junction between the soul and spirit which operated in the same way that a ball and socket joint. The marrow that exists within the bone connected to the joint represents how our spirits are encased in surrounding structures.

At this joint is where the soul and spirit transmit thoughts and intentions between themselves and the word of God which is living, active and precise, can penerate into this junction between the soul and the spirit and be able to read the hidden interactions happening in the innermost thoughts and motivations and intentions of the heart which is where the thoughts and and intentions originate from.

Understanding that the inner  lives we lead are laid bare before God to whom we will have to give an account and there is no insincerity or hypo

11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

With that in mind, it is important to remember that even though we are completely transparent before God, our eternal High Priest who is Jesus is one who has lived a human life and is able to identify with our weaknesses having Himself been tempted (though without sinning) by things we are tempted by.

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Our great High Priest made it possible for us to approach the throne of grace from where grace is dispensed ( which is the bank account funded by the riches and glory of Christ that underwrites each believer's life (from Ap. Arome)) to those seek to obtain mercy and find grace in confidence when we need grace. 

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO APPOINTED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The book of Hebrews chapter 3 explains that we must follow the  pattern that was set by  the Lord Jesus Christ in His faithfulness to His Father who had sent Him to fullfil His purposes because it is that pattern of faithfullness in our belief that retains us as part of the House of God. We are adjured not to harden our hearts when we hear the voice of God and remain is the state of rebellion for it is the state of rebellion that excludes us from the rest of God.

 1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,

In the day of trial in the wilderness,

9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,

And saw My works forty years.

10 Therefore I was angry with that generation,

And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart,

And they have not known My ways.’

11 So I swore in My wrath,

‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

The warning to the believers corresponding to what happened to the evil generation that died in the desert for their rebellion is that we be aware of the emergence of an evil heart within ourselves that would depart from faith in the living God. The injuction is that it is ´today´ that the voice of God must be daily which is a daily practice of faith so that sin does not deceive us.

12 Beware, 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 “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO MADE MEN A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS OF GOD

The book of Hebrews, having established the supremacy of Christ in chapter 1, now explains what a special place mankind occupy in the heart of God. 

This chapter starts with the councel to be careful not to lose track of what they had had heard otherwise they could drift away from the truth by simple inattention.

The importance of this is highlighted by the writer of Hebrews using as illustrations the encounters that men had with angles where the messages conveyed were binding and failure to heed the instructions would result in consequences. If the words of angels could carry so much authority, how much more important is it that we heed the words spoken by the Lord God  Himself who provided so great a salvation and further to that, attested to the validity of the message given through signs and wonders and miracles as well as the distribution of supernatural gifts among believers.

1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The reason the stakes are so high on the salvation provided by God is that mankind has been given a position of glory and honor just a little lower than God Himself and the Lord has placed him over all of creation. The writer of Hebrews observes that the human race does not seem to have attained such status but Jesus is seen as the one among humans who was a little lower than God for a while and then was lifted up to glory and honor for He experienced the pain of death which He undertook in order to  suffer death on behalf of mankind.

5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,

    a son of man that you care for him?

7 You made them a little lower than the angels;

    you crowned them with glory and honor

8     and put everything under their feet.”

In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

In the assembling of His family, God brought sons ( and therefore heirs ) to glory and by His absolute mastery of all of existence, made the saviour of men a perfect man whose extreme suffering was a demontration of His perfection and was indeed able to make men holy and through Christ are integrated in one family and are called brothers in the family of God because of the shared bloodline that the Lord Jesus had with mankind.

10 In bringing many sons and daughters ( in this verse, the NIV added "and daughters"  which negates the meaning of the term "sons" which is a very specific role in the spirit that applies to both men and women who have become eligable for an inheritance in God) to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. ( the NIV here adds "and sisters" which follows through on the inclusion of "daughters" in a preceding verse ( the following verse alo  contains the suffix "and sisters" ) which is a distortion of the deliberate meaning of brothers ) 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; 

    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

The Lord Jesus presents Himself and the children God has given Him who the many sons he is bringing to glory. These children, having been taken hostage in the realm of flesh and blood, the Lord joined them in their realm sharing their  humanity and could thus pay the ransom for them by His shedding of blood and His death so that those held in slavery by their fear of death could be freed.

Because it was Abraham's descendants He was saving and not angels, he was made like us humans in everyway in order that from His shared experience with us, He might be a merciful and faithful high priest to God who could make atonement for our sins.

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHO SPOKE BY PROPHETS AND THEN SPOKE TO US BY HIS SON

In this examination of the book of Hebrews of the NIV translation, we will consider the context of every thought that is expressed in each chapter and when studying the next chapter, we will make sure  to trace the continuity of context from the previous chapter.

Up till now, we have used the New King James version as our text but in this study, we will be cognisant of translational variances that the NIV translators may have included.

Starting with chapter 1, the writer of Hebrews exalts the Son of God as being the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being. 

This is an important scriptural anchor related to the divinity of Jesus because it clearly declares that the Lord Jesus is the exact represention of God's being and that it is Jesus who sustains all things by His powerful word.

To make clear the distinction between the angels of heaven and the Son of God, the writer of Hebrews makes references to the scriptures that clearly show the divine status of the Son of God who came to earth as a man. 

God the Father, in speaking of the Lord Jesus, calls Him His Son and declares that He is Jesus' Father.

Further to that, God the Father tells all the angels to worship the  Son and He describes an eternal throne occupied by the Son of God from where His scepter of justice would rule a righteous kingdom. The Lord Jesus will occupy this throne seated at the right hand of God the Father who declared that He would ensure that all of Jesus' enemies would be brought into subjugation.

The Lord Jesus is described as the one who laid the foundations of the earth and even when the fabric of existence wears out, Jesus will roll it up and replace it yet He will continue to be forever. 

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

          “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,  and he will be my Son”?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”

8 But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; 

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

    by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, 

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 They will perish, but you remain;

    they will all wear out like a garment.

12 You will roll them up like a robe;

    like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

    and your years will never end.”

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand

    until I make your enemies

    a footstool for your feet”?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Here, the writer of Hebrews highlights the fact that the angels of heaven are made to be spirits ( or wind ) and are also made to be  flames of fire 

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER IN WHOM WE SHOULD BE STRONG AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT

The last chapter of the Apostle Paulś letter to the Ephesians  ( Chapter 6 ), he continues giving spiritual counsel pertaining to the relationships that occur in our households because their relationships are metaphors for the relationships within the household of God. 

Starting with children, Paul advises them to obey their parents in the same way that the children of God should assidously obey their Father in heaven.

Similarly, Paul advises parents to have a dispostion of  forebearance towards their children taking the time to train them in the way they should go. In the same way, God is longsuffering with us His children and he patiently teaches us the way we should go.

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Addressing those who were servants in a household, Paul instructs them to be obedient towards their masters with the understanding that their service should be done as unto Christ with sincerity towards God knowing that goodness will be repaid by God whether slave or free.

Towards the masters, Paul instructs them to give up using fear tactics to control their servants with the knowledge that they are under a master in heaven who does not berate us but is impartial and therefore, mistreatment of servants would be met with judgement. 

5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

The Apostle Paul then moves onto the subject of spiritual contention where  the enemy of our souls  continously schemes to gain spiritual advantage over believers. Paul advises believers to derive their spiritual strength from the Lord and from the power of His might. 

He also gives guidance that believers are not in a battle against the physical world of beings but rather pertaining to spiritual heirachy arrayed against them and he advises the use of protective clothing that we should wear and that is the full body armour of God that protects against the enemy's attempts to derail us. To give us an idea as who would be trying to derail us from our Christian calling, Paul lists the spiritual  hierarchy of ranking as:

• Principalities
• Powers
• Rulers of darkness of this age
• Spiritul hosts of wickedness in heavenly places

In this battle, Paul tells us that wearing the armour of God is what can enable believers to stand in the evil day and that we should expend every possible effort to stand firmly against the spiritual attempts to ruin us.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The apostle tells us to be strong and ensconced in God's mighty power and he gives us specific spiritual virtues and the articles of body armour they represent that would sheild us from the onslaught of the enemy:

• Truth and transparency - Waist and groin protection belt
• Assurance of righteousness - Breast plate over the heart
• Practice in spreading the gospel of peace - Boots
• Faith -  Shield that protects against fiery darts sent by those involved in wickedness
• Knowledge of salvation - Helmet that protects the mind from disinformation
• Knowledge of the word of God - Sword of the Spirit
• Continual watchful prayer in the Spirit with perserverence to protect the saints including Paul who requested prayer for boldness to reveal to men the mysteries of the Gospel. 

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The apostle Paul then concludes his monumental letter to the Ephesians with a promise to send one of his beloved and faithful brothers named Tychicus would bring the Ephesians up to date on what Paul was involved with and as well as to comfort them.

Paul then prays for peace, love and faith over the Ephesians from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul finalizes his letter with a prayer of grace towards those who sincerly love the Lord Jesus Christ.

21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Amen.

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