In Hebrews 10:19 we learn that through Christ's sacrifice we may enter heaven. Verse 20 refers to this as a new and living way opened to us when Christ died. Christ is the way (Jn. 14:6). The tabernacle and its priesthood is gone, but we have Christ as our great High Priest over his house - the church (1 Tim. 3:15). Since these things just stated are undeniably true:

1. Let us draw near to God (Heb. 10:22). We do this with a sincere heart (one which manifests the proper attitude toward God), in full assurance of faith (our confidence and trust is in our High Priest). Our hearts are sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. This is accomplished by the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:14) when we are baptized (see Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:21; Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5).

2. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope (Heb. 10:23). The hope we profess is found in Christ Jesus and we are not to swerve from it (see Eph. 2:11-22). He is saying, "you remain true to your confession, and rest assured the promises will finally be realized." The reason the promises will be realized is because "God, who has called you into fellowship with his son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful" (1 Cor. 1:9).

3. Let us spur one another on (Heb. 10:24). We need to be genuinely concerned about our brethren and not just our own selfish interests (Phil. 2:4). We are to "provoke," "stimulate," or "spur one another on." We all need to be stirred up. At the same time, care must be exercised that we are "stirred up" to the right things. We need stimulation toward "love and good deeds." Hence, we must be "eager to do what is good" (Tit. 2:14).

4. Let us not give up meeting together (Heb. 10:25). But rather, "let us encourage one another." When we meet together (assemble) we draw near to God, hold unswervingly to the hope, spur one another on and encourage each other. But, when we give up meeting (forsake assembling), look what great harm we do to our brethren and to ourselves!

In view of these things, brethren, be faithful in meeting together. Don't throw away your confidence, but rather persevere in doing God's will. If you will, God promises you will be richly rewarded.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one (the just) will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved (Heb. 10:35-39).

Please brethren, don't shrink back and be destroyed, but believe, be faithful, and be saved!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 18, p. 547
September 19, 1991