The Letter to the Hebrew Christians
He Asks “What Is Man?”
The Full Gospel of Our So Great A Salvation
The Gospel Always Begins With God
The Priesthood After the Order Of Melchizedek.
March 16, 2018
Heb 2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,
3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,
Heb 2:5 For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking.
6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, "WHAT IS MAN, THAT THOU REMEMBEREST HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT THOU ART CONCERNED ABOUT HIM?
7 "But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. (MAN)
9 But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
Psalms 8:2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes Thou hast established strength, Because of Thine adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.
3 When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained;
4 What is man that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?
5 Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, And dost crown him with glory and majesty!
6 Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
The whole Book of Hebrews is essential to understanding our Eternal Salvation and to understand God’s Eternal Purpose! Even insights into the Kingdom Government of God and the Eternal Priesthood are included. Even Mount Zion and the New Jerusalem are present in this understanding.
One of the mysteries of “why man exists” is this declaration in Psalms 8! Because of Thine adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease. How is this tremendous manifestation of power and authority possible for man? That is because “MAN” has been given dominion over the earth and the things on it. That includes the enemy and the revengeful. Man’s job is to make them cease to function.
For many years we have heard and, also, preached that in Genesis 3 man lost his authority and dominion over the earth. Recently I have looked for the reality of that statement but I have not found when man lost it. If anyone can find where God revoked man’s dominion over the earth I would be grateful if you let me know. Jesus used first Adam’s authority to call the fish and to stop the storm and maybe even feed the thousands. Why? He told the disciples to feed them. He asked them why they didn’t stop the storm. He was disappointed that the disciples didn’t cast out the demons. This was before Calvary, before the New Covenant and before the coming of the Holy Spirit. I think we have just assumed and then accepted that because some preacher said so that man is now without dominion. Of course, we know that Jesus was given authority over BOTH heaven and earth! First Adam only had authority on this earth.
Mat 9:6 "But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--then He *said to the paralytic--"Rise, take up your bed, and go home."
From the 1970's onward we have heard about authority, power and dominion that is promised to the Christian. For the most part that was applied to sickness and demons. Of course, during the Pentecostal and Charismatic renewals we saw a lot of that kind of authority manifested. Nearly all of these manifestations were applied to the “GIFTS of power” rather than “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes Thou hast established strength.” This incredible verse seems to speak of an universal manifestation of “strength, power, authority and dominion.” IF man never lost His dominion upon the earth but just thought he did, this would be a tremendous loss to the church which is His body. But, who could possibly want man to think he was powerless upon this earth and was just a victim of Adam’s sin?
Psalms 8 seems to reconfirm that man (From the mouth of infants and nursing babes) had this “dominion” during David’s time. The fact that few have used that power and dominion does not mean that God revoked that dominion.
Psalms 8:5 Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God (Elohim), And dost crown him with glory and majesty!
6 Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
This does not indicate that God had revoked man’s dominion! Then where did we get the idea that we have NO DOMINION in the New Covenant? In the meetings we attended from 1970 onward these manifestations of “power” were applied to the “ministries of power” included in the Gift of Faith, the Gift of Miracles and the Gifts of Healing. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
However, what we did not experience was the fulfillment of this verse; “Because of Thine adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease.”
What if this “calling” is never understood by the church and no attempt is made to fulfill this calling is ever preached? Maybe we should ask; Is this “dominion” even possible to experience today? Most all groups I have visited will say; Of course not! Our calling is just to be saved. Some say this authority will be restored during the Millennium!
Maybe we shouldn’t ask if this “dominion of man on the earth” must be enforced before the return of the Lord? It seems that we should at very least acknowledge that dominion was, at one time, given to man and still IS part of the reason for this creation and why man exists. This fact is quite clear in scripture! The question today is this: Was that dominion revoked by God or did Jesus use that dominion before Calvary and before the reality of the New Covenant? Did Jesus expect His disciples to use the authority and dominion during their training period? It certainly seems that way.
Possibly, at this time, we should not ask where the church stands in exercising this dominion nor evaluate the degree it has fulfilled God’s Purpose in causing the enemy and the revengeful to cease their activity on the earth! Why? That is because of the pitiful answer we must give! Man appears to be failing in nearly all areas of controlling our natural but hostile environment and causing God’s evil enemies to cease to function.
It can also be pointed out that until the enemies of God are locked up or thrown into the bottomless pit, evil will always be looked upon this earth. Still, it appears that the Church He is Building should have power, authority and dominion over, at very least, a small area of this earth. Maybe, at least, a few square feet where the enemies must avoid. Why? This might be part of our “on the job training” for eternity.
However, neither “MAN” nor “Redeemed Man” (church people) seem to be encouraged to exercise any of the DOMINION that was given to first Adam. I am guessing that part of the “end-time message” will deal with restoring - if it was really lost by man- man’s power, authority and dominion over God’s enemies! At least we know that Jesus exercised authority and dominion that was given to first Adam. He did that as the Son of Man and NOT as the Son of God. Even greater authority, which extends to the heavens, has been recovered by the Last Adam.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
The real question we should be asking is this; Does this “ALL” authority that Jesus restored now extend to His body and the church He is building?
THOU HAST MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; THOU HAST CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAST APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF THY HANDS; 8 THOU HAST PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET." For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him.
If I rephrase this it may be clearer. Since all Authority has been restored to Jesus, WE can, therefore, go and finish the work. How? Under His Sovereign Authority and under His Kingdom Government! The question that we really MUST answer is this; Does His Headship and Sovereignty extend to His Body, the church He is Building? I think anyone with insight will say Yes! However, does that mean then that His Body can exercise the full “Authority, Power and Dominion” of the Head? It appears to me that at this present time HIS authority extends over His Kingdom Government! It should be normal and possible for everyone who is actively living under His Kingdom Authority will be able to exercise that Kingdom Authority.
In referring to man the Bible says; Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet.
Eph 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all.
We might add here that His enemies and the revengeful who have been put under His feet must be forced to cease to function. Why? They are not volunteering and neither are they recognizing the authority of His Body, the Church, to force them to cease their deceptions.
Since God has given Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all, surely there should be some sort of evidence to reveal His Sovereignty over His Body. Why?
His body, the church, extends to His Feet and God has put every enemy under His Feet. These scriptures do not seem to be so complicated that the average believer cannot understand what the scriptures clearly say. The Church He is Building is “the fulness of Him who fills all in all.” But does that really mean US? He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His Body!
If we just read the scriptures as they are written, it should be clear that this DOMINION and rulership has been restored by Jesus and that He is now ruling from the throne of heaven (through His Church) and that God has put all things under His feet. His feet are in His Body, which must be “the Church He is Building” and not the visible church. From God’s side His Prototype Son ALREADY has that dominion and is ruling but He seems to be waiting for the church to take her divine position within His body and begin to rule on the earth. Why? He must reign UNTIL HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. This surely means He is ruling through the church! Why is that important? Our Outer Court preparation is within the experience of the Seven Foundations which leads us through the Second Veil to become part of the Lampstand Church. This is the CHURCH He is building!
I am guessing that this “obedience to God’s Purpose” is part of our training for eternity and how our “on the job training” is developing a group of overcomes who are prepared to rule over the works of His Hands.
Since we cannot see this happening in our current experience, someone should ask why has this “purpose” been ignored. Surely, the enemy has not been permitted to influence the current ministries to ignore God’s clear intention and rather to just have “church on Sunday” as usual. That means; welcome everyone, make the announcements, sing some songs, sing a special number, take up the collection, pray for the message, preach something irrelevant, shake hands with ten people and fellowship before you leave. Be sure to remind the people to visit the shut ins, and bring your neighbors next week to hear the Word of God and to do the outreach ministry! There is no expectation of any power or authority to be manifested by the “lay people” because they have not been ordained.
The question (excuse) has been asked about whether this dominion is just for the
Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth. The Answer is NO, this is for the church WHICH IS HIS BODY! Since this is NOT happening in the visible church, or our lives personally, maybe this could just be assigned to the Church He is Building! This Church is in the Holy Place and requires the Outer Court foundations to be laid in our experience! We must (obviously) pass through the Second Veil, the Veil of Truth!
I Cor 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.
23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming,
24 then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.
27 For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him.
When will the end come? When He has abolished all rule and all authority
and power! For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.
Jesus is ruling NOW and He will continue to reign UNTIL every enemy is “experientially” under His feet: (His FEET WHICH ARE IN HIS BODY!) His Body is the Church He is Building! How do we know that? I will build MY CHURCH and the gates of hell cannot withstand the Church He is Building. Maybe we should reevaluate our definition of the Glorious Church to include God’s enemies and the revengeful. Since our Head has ALL authority in heaven and earth, if His Church is one “flesh” with Him, this authority might extend to His functioning body! Then His Functioning Body might be in “apprenticeship training for the Eternal Kingdom.”
Eph 5:25 ---just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;
26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.
28 ----------but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,
30 because we are members of His body.
31 FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
While all this (BECOME ONE FLESH) seems too radical and far beyond our experience and even though this mystery is great; He is speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
We must not overlook the fact that Jesus is building His Kingdom now, during the church age, and when it is finished; then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
The question we are asking is this; Will the end come BEFORE He has put every enemy in subjection under His feet? No! All this (when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power) is part of the Kingdom He is Building. This Kingdom that He is building (which He will turn over to the Father) is also the Church He is Building, which IS His body!
Our purpose in this part of the study is to refocus, “WE the believers”, upon what God says about MAN and specifically about the Church which IS His Body! Why? That is because we should be focused upon what God says rather than upon our shallow doctrines and superficial experiences. We should not think that “preaching some message on Sunday” has anything to do with the Church He is Building or the Kingdom He is preparing to offer up to His Father.
It seems the church should be intent, focused and troubled until they can bring their experience up to God’s expectations and complete His Purpose for the Church rather than use past church history as the normal standard for the status quo. When we read what is actually written, it is clear that what we are experiencing is subnormal and a disgrace to think this is really what God purposed!
We can and should reject this defeatist attitude of always being victims and begin to understand that the Church He is Building will be the OVERCOMERS. Could it be that BOTH He and they (the overcomers) must rule until every enemy is under His feet.
If we ask a large part of the visible church today “WHAT IS MAN” they would answer WE ARE JUST VICTIMS of the enemies of God and victims of the corruption of politics, victims of the corrupt corporations and victims of the degradation of society. Maybe Jesus will soon return and rescue us from this horrible place and take us to the security of heaven.
From these few scriptures, it should be clear, that Jesus will never return for “the Firstfruits” that are just a bunch of victims. How do I know that? That is because it is the Overcomers that will inherit all things and NOT those who are the victims of God’s enemies! Still, many in the church only understand their powerlessness and helplessness to resist God’s enemies! After all, we are just sinners saved by grace!
This is the universal excuse; after all, God knows we are only human and certainly no match for God’s enemies so we have become victims of the world orders and its corrupt systems! God knows my heart and I would overcome if I could but I can’t!
In comparison to ; “Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained;” What, really, is man? What IS our calling and why does man even exist and what could possibly be man’s role in all this. Man is so insignificant in comparison to the magnitude of the total creation that man (we all) seems to be irrelevant. Yes! That is certainly how it appears by our actual experience in the visible realms! If we ignored God’s Word that is the best “man” could hope for!
However, God has clearly given “man” a significant calling, and a clear responsibility, relevant to God’s enemies, to complete before the end comes! But, brother, isn’t that only for the Millennial Reign or are you saying it is during this stay of the church on earth? Why is man really here today and what is man’s current responsibility and purpose on this earth? If God has such tremendous plans for man to complete, why did God make man so weak and helpless? That is exactly why God has made a New Covenant and sent the Holy Spirit and prepared a new type of man, who can and will complete God’s Purpose for this earth! This is a whole new species of man, who were born of God and who can now become the Manifested Sons of God!
After reading all these scriptures, I understand that God expects me to rule over God’s enemies and cause them to cease their evil works! This is now clear! Even though it is clear that He demands it, He surely knows that I cannot overcome these enemies!
Well, brother, if we really accept our responsibility, as “redeemed man”, to rule over this whole creation and over this earth realm during this church age, we will surely end in great disappointment and a hapless frustration. In all of past church history, have we ever seen this power and authority manifested? No!
Surely then, brother, you have misunderstood these scriptures and assigned to man an impossible task. Why can’t we just agree that man’s whole purpose on this earth is just to “get saved” and go to heaven. What other purpose could there be for man during this earth age?
Science has pondered, for centuries, over this earth and the skies and the many mysteries concerning man and the existence of the extended universe, for which there is no end! They want to know; How old is the universe? How did it form and from where did it originate? Was it the result of several planets crashing into each other? How long has man been on this earth and from where and how did he originate? Is there life on other planets? Was man the result of Aliens visiting this planet several thousand years ago? Multitudes of other questions have been asked but “scientific” answers are just more speculations that create more questions.
Today, during this “Space Age,” the rockets are shooting men and research rockets into outer space to seek answers to these questions and the mysteries that surround these various inquiries. This research has proven that man can think, plan and do tremendous things in attempting to discover both the origin of the universe and man’s origination.
Few ask what is the real reason this earth exists! Few will acknowledge that God had a definite purpose for this creation and a specific purpose for man to exist! This is beyond the realm of science because they are focused upon the “HOW” rather that upon the “WHY, the WHERE and the WHEN and the WHO.”
To acknowledge that man has dominion over the enemy and the revengeful and “man’s job” is to cause them to cease, is far beyond the parameters considered by science! Many insist that evil can never be controlled and that evil “personified in a person” is ludicrous.
It is assumed that scientists already know “WHAT IS MAN?” Why? We know his chemical makeup and what these chemicals and minerals are worth on the open market, which are just a few cents. Doctors have researched man’s internal organs and produced wonderful diagnosis. We know his average life span and how each generation is born. We can follow his history and his accomplishments and speculate on future generations. We know very much about man but who can really answer this question; WHAT IS MAN? WHAT IS HIS PURPOSE? WHY IS HE HERE?
Of course, natural man, in himself, can never answer these questions but still the research into space and many diverse inquiries concerning man continue. For some reason man has an insatiable curiosity and desire to discover the answers to these questions. However, ONLY God, who created it all, knows the real reason WHY He created the heavens and the earth and placed man here! When man leaves God out of the equation, the only other option is space travel and endless research. Why does natural man have this continuous obsession with the earth and with mankind and with their origin?
John 3:31 "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
32 "What He has seen and heard, of that He bears witness; and no man receives His witness.
33 "He who has received His witness has set his seal to this, that God is true.
34 "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.
Since the natural man, the Adam man, was created from the dirt of earth, his obsession is with the earth and with its origins. He, therefore, speaks from the earth and of the earth and his curiosity is about the earth. He asks “How did this earth get here.”
I have a friend who has a 21 year daughter that has excelled in all areas of education, mathematic and learning. She has been accepted to spend the last summer at SpaceX in California. She is going to college and working there now! This is the research group that sent the rocket into space, this year, and returned the booster back to earth and landed it in a vertical position so it could be reused. This “center of science” has reached tremendous heights in their research of space!
When they interviewed her for this experience they told her “We already know what you know. What we want to discover is what you can do!” For that reason they will give her a spot in their research and design laboratory and let her design something which they will build and try out to understand if it has value.
It seems to me that God has the same type of plan. He already knows what we know but this earth is the laboratory and testing department to discover what we can do, what we can’t do and what we will do! Why? God is building His authority and dominion into “man.” That authority and dominion is called “the Kingdom.”
During the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements we thought authority and dominion were objective things imparted for us to use! We didn’t know that God’s purpose was to build His authority and dominion INTO US, subjectively, as His Laws are obeyed within His functioning Inner Government! At that former time we saw authority and dominion as a gift or as a ministry rather than as a Life! It is this Experiential and Internal Kingdom Government that includes the authority, power and dominion over the enemy and the revengeful. It is His Government within us that causes them to cease! How? By enforcing His Sovereign Authority, now assigned to Christ Jesus, God’s High Priest, and extended to His Body. Why has this authority been extended to man?
It is Redeemed Man’s responsibility to make the enemy and the revengeful to cease to function. Why?
God has intended for the Kingdom to become flesh in us! How do we know that? That is because; the King, our High Priest and the Church, which IS His body, the ONE He is building, is designed to be one. Why? AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. Who? The High Priest and His body! This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
TODAY He is building a Kingdom and a functioning Government for the world yet to come! This will be the Government for the Tabernacle of God and will include the New Earth, the New Heaven and the New Jerusalem! It is the Body of our High Priest that is presently in apprenticeship training for the Eternal Kingdom. It is the Body of Christ (the visible church) that is in preparation for participation in the Body of our High Priest (the Church He is Building). It is Our Great High Priest, who is over the House of God that is walking among the Seven Churches and severely disciplining, correcting, warning and threatening them. (Revelation 2 and 3) Christ Jesus is building His Kingdom Government and His Authority into His Body! Why? That is so His Kingdom Authority can be enforced through His Body.
But, brother, why is that “Kingdom” dominion, authority and power not functioning that way today? That is because man must be living within that Sovereign Kingdom Government of God for His Authority, Power and Dominion to be manifested, openly! Why? That is because His Sovereign Government must first function, experientially, in and then through, the New Covenant believer who is solidly functioning IN CHRIST! Why? That is because, He is now High Priest who is a King / Priest after the Order of Melchizedek. His body is now the Body of the King/ Priest who has been given ALL AUTHORITY over heaven and earth.
Well brother, God knows my heart and I would take dominion if I could, but He knows that I can’t! Even though that is the testimony of the visible church that must be revealed as a lie and proclaimed among the overcomers.
God already knows what the natural man knows and He already knows that the natural man can do nothing to promote God’s Purpose! God knows the natural man is not interested in anything not related to himself and his benefit. Therefore, God has established “seven spiritual and experiential foundations” to eliminate the natural man from God’s Eternal Plan! How? Through death and burial and then by resurrection into a new species called Christian. God appears to have entrusted His expectations and plans to the Christian Church Christ is building!
Who, among us, will take a chance to act upon these facts? Who will step out and say “If I fail, I fail, but the scriptures are still true and God will stand behind His Word!” The Holy Spirit has come to lead me into the experience of this truth.
It is for that reason that in this document we are asking; WHAT IS MAN and why has man failed to take responsibility to complete his primary calling?
We are still just guessing so we just offer a partial answer. That, we are assuming, is only the New Species of Person, Who IS IN CHRIST JESUS, (functioning In His Body, that of the High Priest) that can possibly complete God’s Purpose and bring joy to His heart! This PLAN is what God had in His mind when He created the earth.
But brother, in the light of church history, these theories on our authority seem to be such ridiculous statements? That is because ONLY the New Man can rule over all the works of God’s Hands and administrate His Kingdom. How do you know that? That is because it is obvious that God has No Plan for the natural man! But, brother, is it then only the new man that has this authority and dominion upon this earth? Yes! But let me add this; the New Man that is Outer Court MATURE is part of the Body of Our Great High Priest!
Let me ask you this question; what has the natural man or the barely saved Christian ever accomplished in causing the enemy and the revengeful to cease to function upon this earth for over the last 2000 years? Do you remember our thesis that begins with “so great a salvation?” We are making a distinction between “so little (incomplete) a salvation” to “so Great A Salvation.” Church History and “so small a salvation” must be compared to God’s Design and Expectation for a people that will complete and fulfill His Eternal Purpose! For example;
It appears the enemies are increasing their control over the earth and over the things which move on it. Today, it seems that the “church” which is helpless to do anything except try to survive in this hostile atmosphere. I will ask a question for today; Is it the natural man that must Overcome or can ONLY the New Man Overcome and inherit all things? We are, once again, modifying our answer. Only the New Man, who is living and functioning under God’s Sovereign Government of His Eternal Kingdom, inherent in the Body of our Great High Priest that is a functioning member of the Church He is Building, that will be able to exercise that dominion over God’s enemies. Why? Man must first be under Kingdom Authority BEFORE man can exercise that Kingdom Authority over God’s Enemies. Why?
Luke 7:6 Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof;
7 for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8 "For I, too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."
9 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."
The Centurion knew how real authority works. Since he was functioning under a higher authority, he, himself, had authority to command his troops. The Centurion recognized that Jesus was under authority so he knew that Jesus had authority to just speak and his servant would be healed. This is exactly how Kingdom Authority, Dominion and Power works today.
Don’t think that just because a bishop, prophet, apostle or pastor has a title that he also has a valid Kingdom Authority. Even though a title may afford him a carnal, earthly authority, he may be totally excluded from spiritual or Kingdom Authority and may even be functioning in lawlessness. How could that be?
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Why would these “ministries,” who are doing the work of the Lord, be rejected by Christ Jesus and cast from His presence? This has been a valid question for centuries. The Amish “religion” says “We must never do these things because they will get you rejected by God.” When we leave the Kingdom out of the “ministry” the mystery continues in the visible church!
That is because all lawlessness and independent action is rejected by God. Why? That “ministry” is NOT functioning under Kingdom Authority and, therefore, not according to the Will of God! Why? That is because this “busy work” was outside His Initiative, His Will or within His Kingdom Government! This Government Work must be completed under His subjective Government which first must be built into the minister.
When we began “our ministry” we thought God would be pleased if we just did something! Why? So many believers were doing nothing! Now we know that Jesus is building His Church by first building His Kingdom Government within His Church!
The Ideal Man, The Kingdom Man, who is our High Priest, and who is our example, His Prototype Son, is Christ Jesus! Jesus had Kingdom authority because He was functioning under Kingdom Authority.
We are presenting this Truth as the end time message FOR THE CHURCH.
For the lukewarm and casual believer to overcome during the Great Tribulation is just fantasy. The Church He is Building (the Man Child) will be caught up to the throne of God BEFORE the “woman” (the casual church) falls into the wilderness of earth. (Revelation 12) The Question: Is the End Time message for the church or for the world? I am beginning to believe that the “End Time Message” is to prepare the “End Time Church, the Glorious Church, the New Jerusalem and a People who will ascend to Zion.”
I believe the “End Time Church” will be fully focused upon God’s Plan, His Design, His Purpose and His Expectation for the Body of His High Priest! Why?
Both Psalms 8 and Hebrews 2 confirms a portion of God’s expectation for man and unveils the purpose for this current creation and for mankind and is revealed in Genesis 1 and 2. After we understand God’s Eternal Purpose for man, searching the universe for answers seems ignorant and irrelevant. Also, expecting the natural man to fulfill any of these Eternal Expectations is a big waste of time! In searching out God’s Full Expectations for redeemed man, we must begin with the New Inner Man, who has first passed through death and burial, received Resurrection Life and become a new species of person! Then this new species of person must be grown up and developed to reach the measure and stature of God’s Prototype Son. Why? Kingdom Growth and Stature and Authority must be related to the Kingdom Government and Authority rather than just related to some ministry or the status quo church.
This has been nearly a universal mistake in the visible church for centuries. This hierarchical but carnal authority demonstrated within the Visible Church, including the Charismatic and Shepherding movement, soon became corrupt simply because they left the Sovereign Kingdom Dimension of a functioning internal Government out of their structure. They developed a carnal authority that they attributed to each other and shared among themselves but without first being personally under the Kingdom of God Authority.
Expecting any man to be prepared to participate in God’s Eternal Government and to rule over all the works of His Hands, by just becoming born again or given a church “ministry,” is certainly ignorant and unreasonable! Baby Christians, (that are inherently Lawless Christians), will automatically eliminate themselves from any responsibility or function in the Ultimate Government of God! Why? That ABSOLUTE KINGDOM AND THAT ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY is where everyone does the will of God and obeys their Sovereign Head, Our Great High Priest who holds His Priesthood forever!
Therefore, let us begin this investigation into the Book of Hebrews and continue our study until we can find God’s Full Expectation for the Full Salvation related to the New Inner Man! God’s ultimate goal involves the New Jerusalem and goes on to include Mount Zion! We will assume that it is because of God’s ultimate expectation for man to be like His Prototype Son and for man to complete God’s Eternal Purpose that HE has recorded these FIVE warnings in the Book of Hebrews! As always, God begins with Himself and reasons down to His only begotten Son, whom He appointed heir of all things!
Heb 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,
2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, "THOU ART MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN THEE"? And again, "I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME"?
6 And when He again brings the first-born into the world, He says, "AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM."
7 And of the angels He says, "WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE."
8 But of the Son He says, "THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.
9 "THOU HAST LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, THY GOD, HATH ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE THY COMPANIONS."
10 And, "THOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING DIDST LAY THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF THY HANDS;
11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT THOU REMAINEST; AND THEY ALL WILL BECOME OLD AS A GARMENT,
12 AND AS A MANTLE THOU WILT ROLL THEM UP; AS A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. BUT THOU ART THE SAME, AND THY YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END."
13 But to which of the angels has He ever said, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR THY FEET"?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
As is true of many of the revelations of God, the Father, He begins with Himself and
His Purpose and then reason down to His Son, Christ Jesus! It is then from the throne position of His Son, that He reasons down to mankind and redemption. God reveals His Son in relation to “When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high!” That can only refer to the Throne of God and Ultimate Authority.
Then God explains the good angels’ position in the Plan of God! Why? They are servants and NOT sons. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? The fact that the angels are serving those who are destined to “inherit salvation” means we are still in the process of preparation. This reveals that the Angels are our servants” and not our example. Why?
That is because God presents His Son as the Prototype Son for each of us to see. Why?
It is His Son that is our example for patterning our lives so we, each, fully fit within His Kingdom Government and into God’s Eternal Purpose! At least a portion of the good Angels that exist are identified by their position and function directly as the servants of God! There is another group which is to assist those who are heirs of this “so great a salvation.”
Beginning with God and His prototype Son is exactly opposite of how “natural man” begins his search for reality. Even the redeemed Man begins with himself, his needs, his desires and his expectations and reasons up to God who is expected to meet all of man’s needs! This “man centered philosophy” is the source of several false concepts and doctrines of past generations! Why? It places the focus and emphasis upon man and his descent into sin and death but also focuses upon man’s spiritual and physical needs and prosperity. However, even redeemed man generally ignores God’s Predestined Plan and his Own Responsibility to fulfill God’s Eternal Purpose. Man exists for God and His Purpose! God does not exist for man and his needs. The New Inner Man is designed to fulfill the Plan of God for His Kingdom Government!
We discover that this Sacrifice of Christ Jesus on Calvary preceded His exaltation to the Throne! It was AFTER He had made purification of sins that He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High! We also discover that Jesus was made lower than the angels but having been perfected by obedience, He became much better than the angels! Why? He has now inherited a more excellent name than they. How do we know that? For to which of the angels did He ever say, "THOU ART MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN THEE"? And again, "I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME"?
This EXCHANGE of position, power, son-ship and authority is also our example! Why? He is the Prototype Son! He did not begin that way! Why? He began by being made lower than the angels, the same as us! However, throughout His life experiences of growing to perfection, He became much greater and higher than any of the angels! Now, He has become the accepted “MAN” as God’s First Born Son (on that specific day in time; today) and thereby, He has become the Heir of all things. Jesus was the first “born of God” but was chosen as the Son of God, by adoption, and given a throne position after His resurrection! This was after He Overcame and became perfected through obedience!
For to which of the angels did He ever say, "THOU ART MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN THEE"? And again, "I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME"?
God always begins with Himself and later includes man! One of the mysteries in the visible church (fundamentalism) is their rejection of the Book of Hebrews, for Christians, because the assembly or church is not mentioned. For that reason, they say, the Book of Hebrews is ONLY for the Hebrews and has nothing to do with us! This “religious dogma” is a great disappointment and can only be explained by the reasoning of natural men interpreting eternal things from the viewpoint of earth! This silly doctrine has hidden both the Tabernacle of Moses and the Tabernacle of God from generations of believers and obscured and confused the Eternal Purpose of God. The result is a “doctrine of salvation” with a goal of going to heaven when we die.
What we need to see in this revelation of Christ Jesus is His Total Preeminence over everything and everybody. We also need to know WHY He has been made the heir of all things!
Psa 89:26 "He will cry to Me, 'Thou art my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.'
27 "I also shall make him My first-born, The highest of the kings of the earth.
28 "My loving-kindness I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall be confirmed to him.
29 "So I will establish his descendants forever, And his throne as the days of heaven.
In this study, our theme is “WHAT IS MAN.” Since Christ Jesus is God’s Ideal Man and the Prototype Son for us, we will always hold Him as our total example while we continue with this study. However, we have just barely touched the reality of Hebrews 1 but we want to focus upon our Divine Calling, in Christ! Still, we cannot understand Hebrews 2 without Hebrews 1. Why? That is because Hebrews 2 in a continuation of Hebrews 1. Why do you say that?
Heb 2:1 For this reason (what we just heard in Hebrews 1) we must pay
much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. (from what is written in Hebrews 1)
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense,
3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,
4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
5 For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking.
6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, "WHAT IS MAN, THAT THOU REMEMBEREST HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT THOU ART CONCERNED ABOUT HIM?
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard (from Hebrews 1) Why? Because of what He just revealed about the Preeminence of Jesus! Why? It is this revelation of God and of His Son, Christ Jesus, which is critical to understanding our SO GREAT A SALVATION! The warning here is about “drifting away from” or “reducing the importance and reality” of this SPECIFIC revelation of God and of His Christ! This revelation of the Man Christ Jesus also sets the correct understanding of the angels and their position in God’s Plan. Why? He was born LOWER that the angels but became Higher than the angels. How much higher? To SON SHIP! You are My Son! God never called any angel His son! Why? They were created beings. Jesus was Born into Son Ship? Today, I have begotten you!
Now the focus of the next section contains one of the warnings and this warning is for all believers! This warning is; “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” These next several verses extend our understanding of what “so great a salvation” really means.
Neglect– ameleo as a negative particle and to be careless of: - make light of, neglect, be negligent, not regard.
Why? That is because we are NOT called to become servants (like the angels) but we are called to become sons! Manifested Sons of God! Why is this important to our great salvation?
We will present this, “So Great a Salvation,” as opposed to “the Gospel of SO SMALL a salvation.” So “small of a salvation” is related to “say these words and believe our doctrine” and go to heaven when you die.
I have read the context of the next several chapters and I have concluded that the rest of the Book Hebrews is focused upon and includes the theme of neglecting “SO GREAT A SALVATION” and what that means to us. The five warnings in the Book of Hebrews are directly related to depreciating the value of this Great Salvation. This is especially important to us who are pressing our way into the Kingdom and are not offended by these five severe warnings. We are not sharing “so great a salvation” as an entitlement or something small but as a tremendous possibility and with tremendous potential for each of us in eternity. There is not “one salvation for all believers.”
We have pointed out for many years that our “great salvation” is directly related “to our potential” for ruling over the World yet to Come.” (That means our eternal function within the Tabernacle of God). This Great Salvation is directly related to the Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek, the New Covenant and the Kingdom of God. The “greater salvation” is summed up in a “Kingdom of Priests.”
The “Gospel of Minimum Salvation” is related to our beginning and introduction to our Savior and our forgiveness of sins. The “Gospel of Maximum Salvation” is related to our overcoming and ruling over all the works of His Hands1 It also relates us to “His bringing His MANY SONS to a much higher glory.” (Exercising dominion over God’s Enemies must be included in So great a Salvation.) Christ Jesus, our Great High Priest, is also related to this “Greater Salvation.” The “transition we are referring to is from “Savior” (forgiveness of our sins){Passover} to the functioning of Our High Priest {Day of Atonement}( The Mercy Seat and the propitiation of our sins.)” [The Feast of Tabernacles]
Heb 2:17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
When we study the other Chapters of Hebrews, we will understand how our “Great Salvation” relates us to the higher Priesthood After the Order of Melchizedek and to the functioning of our Great High Priest in the affairs of the Church He is Building! This transition is from our “Savior” to our “Great High Priest.” Savior is related to the shedding of blood at Calvary! However, functioning in Priesthood is when He made, by a definition, the “propitiation for our sins!” This was Not just the blood shed on Calvary but reveals the next dimension of Salvation. This was when He “made propitiation” by carrying His own blood into the Most Holy Place and sprinkled it seven times on the “propitiatory,” that is called the Mercy Seat! Why is this action essential to “include in our salvation?”
ONLY our great High Priest is authorized to do that within the New Covenant requirements and provisions! Aaron was the type who carried the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place (made by hands) once each year!
However, when Christ Jesus, carried His own Blood, into the Most Holy Place in heaven that is the reality. Why is this different? This is applied as not as forgiveness of sins at Calvary but is applied as PROPITIATION (Atonement) for the corporate sins of Israel!
propitiate >verb win or regain the favor of; appease. ORIGIN Latin propitiare 'make favorable', from propitius 'favorable, gracious'.
While the difference may not be evident, visibly, the act was quite important to “Our So Great a Salvation.”
Many OTHER spiritual realities can be explained by understanding the TYPE of the Day of Atonement revealed by Aaron’s priesthood? The Blood at Calvary relates us to Passover and the Passover Lamb. The Blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat by our Great High Priest relates us to the Feast of Seventh Month; Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. The explanation of Christ’s Propitiation comes from the type within the Tabernacle! Aaron provides the type but what he did, they way he did it and the response of the people offers the explanation of propitiation (Leviticus 23) which should be investigated. (By each of us!)
Heb 13:10 We have an altar, from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.
12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
13 Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
It appears that, for obvious reasons, we are including this verse in this study because this relates us to the City Yet to Come! (the New Jerusalem) Within the context of Hebrews 2 we see it also relates us to our “So Great of a Salvation.” This should be obvious to you but, if not, you should seek out the reason for the New Jerusalem. Why? That is because this is promise of entering the Holy Place is personal for you.
Heb 2:16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.
17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Heb 9:11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 nor was it that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood not his own.
Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
The point we are making is this “so great a salvation” relates us directly to Our Great High Priest and a New Covenant Priesthood, the Most Holy Place, the sprinkled blood, the Mercy Seat that is related to the Throne of God, where Jesus is presently ruling! It is because the New Covenant Priesthood is related to the New Jerusalem (the Most Holy Place) that the Priesthood can ONLY be after the Order of Melchizedek! Why?
That is because this Priesthood is both King and Priest! The priesthood after the order of Aaron could only be priests and NOT kings! Jesus has become our Great High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek. Jesus is now functioning as the King / Priest over the House of God! He is now RULING UNTIL EVERY ENEMY IS PUT UNDER HS FEET. His feet is in His body! This need for ruling (under Jesus’ feet but with dominion) SHOULD BE obvious to every believer! The “doctrine of ruling” is one thing but ”Actually Ruling” is quite another. I am speculating this “Actual Ruling” relates us back to Psalm 8: 2. That means to take dominion over God’s adversaries and To make the enemy and the revengeful cease. Is this a suggestion or is it a calling?
I am guessing that if we are raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places, this becomes our calling! It is our position with Christ and the throne of God that we claim our dominion to rule over God’s Enemies. “Raised up” means into the Kingdom Realm and into its authority.
Psalms 8:2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes Thou hast established strength, Because of Thine adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.
Heb 10:19 Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 7:11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?
12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.
13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
This Priesthood, after the Order of Melchizedek, is the ONLY Priesthood that
exists today and is the Order of Priesthood that is directly related to the Kingdom of Priests! It is for that reason that we emphasize the fact that Our Great Salvation relates us to the Kingdom of God that is made up of a Kingdom of Priests after the Divine Order of Melchizedek. Many acknowledge that Jesus Crist is the King of Glory but the existence of a KINGDOM made up of Priests who are ruling, is too often rejected as false doctrine.
Of course “ruling over His enemies and the revengeful” is considered quite too extreme and much too radical and ridiculous!
We want to be clear that part of God’s Eternal Purpose is to have a Kingdom made up of priests (plural) who will rule as kings with Christ! Otherwise “priesthood” can become just be another cliché like “the word Kingdom that has no experiential laws nor internal government.”
Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood,
6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Rev 5:10 "And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
When we share about the Kingdom and its Priests, who will reign with Christ, we want to be certain that this is received as experiential reality and NOT as just “another doctrine!” Why is this essential? That is because we are sharing the Kingdom and its Priests as related to that “so great a salvation.”
Our calling and purpose is to preach the “Gospel of Maximum Salvation” which is directly related to the “Gospel of the Kingdom of God.” If others have been called to “Preach the Gospel of Minimum Salvation,” which is related to forgiveness of sins and going to heaven when we die, they should fulfill their calling. However, that is Not my calling!
The Priesthood after the Order of the Catholic Church, the Greek Church, the Church of England or the Orthodox Russian Church should not be accepted today as a valid ministry! Why? Only one priesthood remains which is Christian. That is the Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek simply because NO other Priesthood exists in the New Covenant. Why? No other Priesthood is able to bring the church to perfection. Therefore, all the former priesthoods were eliminated and no other priesthood is valid nor are they authorized in the New Covenant. For that reason the Kingdom of Priests must be after the order of Melchizedek.
Even the visible church has rejected the term “Priesthood” because of these counterfeit natural priesthood systems patterned after the priesthood order of Aaron. Consequently the Evangelicals ordain Pastors or maybe Teachers and reject the Priesthood function that is related to the Kingdom of God!
Insisting upon Jesus being the Savior is OK, in one dimension, but in the Book of Hebrews, Jesus is presented as our High Priest who is a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. To die as Savior on Calvary is one thing but to then carry His own blood into the “propitiatory” (the Mercy Seat) to make “propitiation for the sins of the people” is quite another!
Just to be permitted to do that, Jesus had to be our Great High Priest at that time! Jesus IS NOW our High Priest and will always be our High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek, because He holds His Priesthood Forever.
We need to adjust our thinking to begin to receive, adjust and obey Jesus as our Great High Priest who is also the King of Glory and Ruler over all the works of God’s Hands. In that dimension of Eternal Priesthood, Jesus also must accept us! Why? That is because each of us must become king/priests and be counted Worthy of the Kingdom. Hebrews 3 also continues this theme that begins in Hebrews 2.
Heb 2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense,
3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard.
I will add the complete context of Hebrews 3 and the New Covenant Priesthood to include this next warning. Why? That is because it is still part of the same context.
Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.
2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house.
3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house.
4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later;
6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
8 DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,
9 WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED Me BY TESTING Me, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS.
10 "THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, 'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART; AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS';
11 AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, 'THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.'"
12 Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God.
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end;
15 while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME."
16 For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?
17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom did He swear that they should not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient?
19 And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
Of course, not all church groups can accept the Book of Hebrews as relevant for the church because, they say, it was only written to the Hebrews. Even a casual reading of Hebrews should convince most all true believers that the context and the warnings are for the Holy Brethren and related to our theme of so great a salvation. Why is it rejected by some? That is because of all these warnings to the believers, which they say, cannot be for the church because “We are already saved.”
As the end time approaches we will discover many past doctrines, concepts and dogmas that must be rejected and deleted. Having these real Life experiences will be the key to our success.
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.
This revelation and understanding of Jesus, as our High Priest and Apostle, is still in the context of our “so Great a Salvation” and staying faithful to our calling and not falling away from the truth we have heard.
Heb 3:12 Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God.
Those who preach “once saved always saved” (and it is impossible to lose your salvation) must, necessarily, reject these warnings of falling away and still hold to their doctrine of a “once for all time salvation.” Of course these warnings are within the context of our “so great a Salvation” and holding fast to what we have heard that is applied to believers who share in the heavenly calling!
For example; The same warnings that applied to Israel when she refused to go into and possess the land now applies to us, the believers, lest we follow that same example of hardening our hearts and failing to enter into the Kingdom, the Priesthood, the New Covenant or so Great a Salvation. Why? If we fail to enter we are “falling away from the living God.”
Let us review some of the positive topics we find in the Book of Hebrews.
(1) The Tabernacle of Moses
(2) The New Covenant
(3) The Better Promises
(4) The Kingdom of God
(5) The Priesthood of Aaron (its failures)
(6) The Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek
(7) The High Priest (and His body.)
(8) The Kingdom of Priests
(9) The Kings and Priests
(10) Ruling over all the works of His Hands
(11) All Authority is under His Feet
(12) The Five Warnings
“Our so Great a Salvation” obviously involves these 12 things. But are they our actual experiences or do we just hold them as “good doctrines?” The “visible church” seems to concentrate upon the “doctrine” and not the experience of the scripture as being Christian. However, we concentrate upon the EXPERIENCE of RECEIVING the “Scriptures as Life” for our being fully Christian. Our focus upon the Experience of Receiving a Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek, as being the Essential Part of Becoming a Kingdom Of Priests. Jesus IS our Great High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was Both a King and a Priest! Jesus Christ holds that High Priest Hood forever. He took on that Priesthood, EXPERIENTIALLY. Do we also have to take on that Priesthood experientially? Do we have to do that now during the Church Age or are we just preparing to do that? Or can those who belong to the Body of Our Great High Priest just be believers!
We saw that Romans 6 chapter has several verses that can become our actual EXPERIENCE. The “doctrine” of Romans 6 without the experience of Romans 6 is just good doctrine. The Death, Burial and Resurrection must become our experience before the Foundation of Baptism is complete. There are 7 actual experiences in the laying of the Outer Court Foundations for the Christian Life. Unless these become our 7 actual experiences we cannot “mature” to experience the Holy Place Life and the Church He is Building. Christian Maturity involves our receiving several actual experiences. It is these experiences that then become LIFE IN US! Just to accept the scriptures concerning Jesus Christ is not real So Great a Salvation. We must ACCEPT THE EXPERIENCES OF SO GREAT A SALVATION.
This is some of the meaning of the Book of Hebrews.