if we hold firmly

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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if we hold firmly

Hebrews 3:1-19 (JDV)

Hebrews 3:1 For that reason – devoted brothers and sisters – who share a sky calling, consider Jesus, the missionary and high priest of our confession.
Hebrews 3:2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was in all God’s household.
Hebrews 3:3 You see, Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house.
Hebrews 3:4 Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God.
Hebrews 3:5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future.
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we take pride.
Hebrews 3:7 Therefore, as the Sacred Breath says: Today if you hear his voice,
Hebrews 3:8 do not harden your hearts like you did in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the open country,
Hebrews 3:9 where your fathers tested me, tried me and saw my works
Hebrews 3:10 for forty years. That is why I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.”
Hebrews 3:11 So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest.”
Hebrews 3:12 Watch out, brothers and sisters so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today so that none of you is hardened by failure’s deception.
Hebrews 3:14 You see, we have become associates with Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start.
Hebrews 3:15 As it is said: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
Hebrews 3:16 You see, who heard and rebelled? Wasn’t it all who came out of Egypt under Moses?
Hebrews 3:17 With whom was God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
Hebrews 3:18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed?
Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

if we hold firmly

Christ was made lower for a short time, was faithful to his call, and prevailed. Now, we will also endure a short time of testing. We have the opportunity for the same glorification — to become associates with Christ in the dawning new age. But we must not become hardened and disobey like the Israelites did. We will have the eternal life we seek if we hold firmly.

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made lower for a short time

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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made lower for a short time

Hebrews 2:5-18 (JDV)

Hebrews 2:5 You see, he has not placed the world to come that we are talking about under agents.
Hebrews 2:6 But someone somewhere has emphatically attested: What is a man that you remember him, or the son of a man that you are concerned about him?
Hebrews 2:7 You made him lower than the agents for a short time; you crowned him with glory and honor
Hebrews 2:8 and placed everything under his feet. You see, in placing everything under him, he left nothing that is not placed under him. As it is, we do not yet see everything placed under him.
Hebrews 2:9 But we do see Jesus – made lower than the agents for a short time so that by God’s favor he might taste death for everyone – crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.
Hebrews 2:10 You see, in order to bring many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God — for whom and through whom all things exist – should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Hebrews 2:11 You see, the one who makes sacred and those who are sacred all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,
Hebrews 2:12 saying: I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; I will sing hymns to you in the congregation.
Hebrews 2:13 Again, I will trust in him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave me.
Hebrews 2:14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might terminate the one holding the power of death – that is, the devil –
Hebrews 2:15 free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.
Hebrews 2:16 You see, of course, he does not reach out to help agents, but to help Abraham’s offspring.
Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in the God’s things, to make atonement for the failures of the people.
Hebrews 2:18 You see, since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

made lower for a short time

There are three reasons that The Son was made lower for a short time. First, he was made lower so that he would be mortal because only he could serve as the atoning sacrifice for humanity’s sins. Second, he was made lower so that his death would break Satan’s hold on humanity, and eventually terminate his existence. Third, he was made lower so that once exalted again, he could serve as high priest for tempted humanity.

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drift

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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drift

Hebrews 2:1-4 (JDV)

Hebrews 2:1 That is why we must pay attention even more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.
Hebrews 2:2 You see, if the message spoken through agents was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a deserved payment,
Hebrews 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
Hebrews 2:4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Sacred Breath as he prefers.

drift

It is possible to drift away from the gospel by disobedience. We are warned to pay attention to the good news because it came from the Lord himself, and was verified by God through the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. With blessing comes responsibility.

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ministering winds

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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ministering winds

Hebrews 1:5-14 (JDV)

Hebrews 1:5 You see, to which of the agents did he 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?
Hebrews 1:6 But when he brings his firstborn into the inhabited world again, he says, and let all God’s agents worship him.
Hebrews 1:7 And about the agents he says: “He makes his agents winds, and his servants a fire flame,”
Hebrews 1:8 but to the Son: “Your throne, O God, is for ages and ages, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.”
Hebrews 1:9 You have cared about righteousness and hated lawlessness; that is why God, your God, has anointed you with the olive oil of exuberant joy in contrast to your associates.
Hebrews 1:10 And: During the beginning, Lord, you established the land, and the sky is the work of your hands;
Hebrews 1:11 they will perish, but you remain. They will all wear out like a coat;
Hebrews 1:12 you will roll them up like a cloak, and they will be changed like a coat. But you are the same, and your years will never give out.
Hebrews 1:13 Now to which of the agents has he ever said: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool?
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering winds sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

ministering winds

Compared to the majesty and permanence of God’s unique Son, the agents are like the winds and fire. God uses them for his purposes — as his ministers — because they are his creations. But there is an eternal throne prepared for the Son.

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God’s unique Son

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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God’s unique Son

Hebrews 1:1-4 (JDV)

Hebrews 1:1 Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at numerous times and in numerous ways.
Hebrews 1:2 During these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the ages.
Hebrews 1:3 The Son radiates God’s glory and expresses his character and reality exactly, supporting all things by his powerful word. After making purification for failures, he took a seated position at the right hand of the Majesty upward.
Hebrews 1:4 He became so far better than the agents, just as the name he inherited is more valuable than theirs.

God’s unique Son

Jesus is the world’s Savior, but he is also the unique Son of God.

Because he is God’s sinless Son, he was able to make purification for our failures by the sacrifice of his life on the cross.

Because he is God’s revealing Son, he has spoken God’s words to us. Because of him, we know what God wants from us.

Because he is God’s royal Son, he radiates God’s glory and expresses his character and reality exactly. Because of him, we know what God is like.

Because he is God’s covenant Son, he has been appointed heir of all things, and has inherited a name more valuable than the names of the agent (angels).

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loose ends

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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loose ends

Daniel 12:5-13 (JDV)

Daniel 12:5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other.
Daniel 12:6 One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the water of the river, “How long until the end of these extraordinary things?”
Daniel 12:7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the water of the river. He raised both his hands toward the sky and swore by him who lives permanently that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed.
Daniel 12:8 I heard but did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?”
Daniel 12:9 He said, “Go on your way, Daniel because the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end.
Daniel 12:10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
Daniel 12:11 From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination which makes it desolate is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
Daniel 12:12 Happy is the one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days.
Daniel 12:13 But as for you, walk on to the end; and you will rest, and then you will stand up to receive your allotted inheritance at the end of the days.”

loose ends

The great wise man Daniel would not be around to see the fulfillment of his last vision. He was told that he would rest in the sleep of death, but at the end of the days, he would stand to receive his allotted inheritance. Like Daniel, we will not have the time to square away all the loose ends of our lives. Death will come to us unwelcomed and unplanned. Fortunately, death is not permanent. Everyone will rise to receive their inheritance at the return of Christ. Seek the inheritance of permanent life!

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the many and the all

Posted on August 5, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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the many and the all

Daniel 12:1-4 (JDV)

Daniel 12:1 At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over the children of your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never having occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.
Daniel 12:2 Many who sleep in the dust of the land will awake, some to permanent life, and some to disgrace and permanent contempt.
Daniel 12:3 Those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars permanently and always.
Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will rove around, and knowledge will increase.”

the many and the all

The prophecy here is of a revival of within Israel — the children of Daniel’s people. It uses the language of a resurrection — waking of those who sleep in the dust. But the prophecy is about the nation of Israel coming back from its exile and captivity.

Yet that resurrection language does reflect what will happen globally as well. The “many” of Israel who will take part in that revival match the “all” who are in their graves and will wake at Christ’s second coming (John 5:28-29). The two destinies are the same as well: permanent life or the permanent disgrace and contempt of destruction.

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he will meet his end

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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he will meet his end

Daniel 11:40-45 (JDV)

Daniel 11:40 “At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships. He will invade countries and sweep through them like a flood.
Daniel 11:41 He will also invade the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his power: Edom, Moab, and the first of the Ammonites.
Daniel 11:42 He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape.
Daniel 11:43 He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission.
Daniel 11:44 But reports from the east and the north will terrify him out of his senses, and he will go out with great fury to annihilate and completely destroy many.
Daniel 11:45 He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.

he will meet his end

It was a terrible knowledge that this evil king (Antiochus IV) would seek to annihilate so many, including the inhabitants of the beautiful land itself (Israel). But it was a comfort that even his reign of deadly terror would come to an end.

We are not guaranteed much in this life. There may be suffering ahead for us. But if we trust in God, even times of unimaginable suffering can be endured — because they will always be temporary.

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successful until

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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successful until

Daniel 11:36-39 (JDV)

Daniel 11:36 “Then the king will do whatever he wants. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will say outrageous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed because what has been decreed will be accomplished.
Daniel 11:37 He will not show regard for the gods of his fathers, the god desired by women, or for any other god because he will magnify himself above all.
Daniel 11:38 Instead, he will honor a god of fortresses – a god his fathers did not know – with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches.
Daniel 11:39 He will deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. He will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing land as a favor.

successful until

The story of Antiochus IV reminds us that success is no measure of character or blessing. His success was due to God’s plan to pour out his wrath on unbelieving Jews. He was “successful until the time of wrath (was) completed.”

Do you consider yourself a success? Don’t rely on your temporary situation. Seek the blessing of the eternal God. Success in a relationship with Him is the only success that stays.

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the power of knowing God

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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the power of knowing God

Daniel 11:29-35 (JDV)

Daniel 11:29 “At the appointed time he will turn and come again to the South, but this time will not be like the first.
Daniel 11:30 Ships of Kittim will come against him, and being startled, he will withdraw. Then he will rage against the holy covenant and take action. On his return, he will favor those who abandon the holy covenant.
Daniel 11:31 His strong forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the regular sacrifice and set up the abomination, making it desolate.
Daniel 11:32 With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly regarding the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action.
Daniel 11:33 Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to many, yet they will still fall by the sword and flame, and be captured and plundered for a time.
Daniel 11:34 When they fall, they will be partnered by some, but many others will join them hypocritically.
Daniel 11:35 Some of those who have insight will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed until the time of the end because it will still come at the appointed time.

The evil king Antiochus IV caused many Jews to renounce their faith. But the true believers stayed strong despite their deaths by sword and flame, bondage, and loss of property. Knowing God gave them the power to face all loss.

Staying strong does not guarantee immediate victory over the forces of evil. But the permanent success to come will be worth the struggle.

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