HEBREWS Chapter 13 "Practical Conclusion." This Bible
Study is written by Roger Christopherson, and it's
transcription/ location is provided by http://www.theseason.org Hebrews 13:1 "Let brotherly love continue." Let that "Philadelphia love" that is given in Revelation 3:7-10 continue. It is one of the two churches that did it Christ way, and he gave his stamp of approval. Revelation 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; `These things saith He That is Holy, He That is True, He That hath the key of David, He That openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth;" The church of Philadelphia was a church that Jesus Christ praised, and it is important for us to understand why He praised this church so much. They had the true wisdom of the Word that unlocked understanding to the entire word of God. That understanding came through knowing the meaning of the "Key of David". The "Key of David is given in Deuteronomy 32:1-43, the "Song of Moses" that describes how we are to know who the Kenites are, so that we can tell the difference between our Rock, who is Christ, and their rock, Satan. Revelation 3:8 "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name." When God opens the door, it is a blessing when you receive the wisdom that only His Word can give. With just a little strength from God, you have strength whereby anything becomes possible. When you know the Word of God you will never be deceived by Satan the Antichrist. Revelation 3:9 "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." The church of Philadelphia would not allow the Kenite mind of deception and confusion to enter into their church, or make void the Word of God. They knew the "parable of the fig tree" that the sin in the garden of Eden between Eve and Satan playing the role of the serpent, produced a son. That son's name was Cain, and the offspring of Cain, are the ones called the Kenites. They knew how the Kenites took over the duties of the Levitical scribes, as given in I Chronicles 2:55, and how the entire priesthood was given over to the Kenites called the "nephinims" in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The church of Philadelphia knew the false doctrine that the Kenites were teaching from the Temple, and that they were the ones that killed our Lord Jesus Christ. The Kenites also claim to be of our brother Judah, and in doing so they are liars, and are out to deceive others by claiming to be of God, when they are of the devil, their father. When the Kenites come into a church in these final days of this earth age, they cause confusion and division. Within those churches that allow them to enter, the Kenites play on Christian's ignorance to inject their false doctrine and traditions to make void the Word of God. Their methods of operation are the same as those used by their father Satan and his son Cain, by misquoting the Scriptures, start gossip within the group, and in the forming of all sorts of traditions that take the church away from the instruction of God's Word. An example of this going on right now is the lies being promoted of a fly away doctrine, when God's Word teaches against it. It is preparing the ignorant within the Christian churches to worship the first Christ, who is Satan in his role as Antichrist. This is probably the most damnable lie in all the Christian church, because it tells the Christian not to prepare himself for the spiritual battle we are about to face in our generation. The people want to believe a lie, and they will die following their false prophets to the false Christ, just like the people in Jeremiah's day died in masses because they would not believe God's true prophet. They wanted their ears tingled, and their minds soothed and entertained, and it caused their physical death, just as it will cause the spiritual death of the Christians that willfully go whoring after the false christ. Revelation 3:10 "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee in that hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." When you strengthen each other like those within the church of Philadelphia, you are all in one body trying to accomplish the same thing. When you are all running in the same race, then your bother is very precious to you. You strengthen one another and give support to each other to reach the final goal. Love is the most binding force in the world and that love that Christians have for one another comes through our love for Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:2 "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." This has a direct reference to Genesis 18:3 where Abraham observes two men near a tree, as the angels appeared to help him. This verse is also used by many so called preachers today to rip off the Christians that aren't to knowledgeable. They claim to be angels [ministers], for a monetary purpose. God's angels will not go against the world of God. There is a time in the near future when supernaturals will appear, and it is important for you to know and identify those angels that you are not to support, and why you are to stay away from them. We know from Revelation 12:7-9 that bad angels will be cast onto the earth right along with Satan, the Antichrist. Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole: he was cast out on the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." This casting of the fallen angels to earth happens at the sixth trumpet, and it is also the time sixth seal that is opened. This is the time of the coming of the Antichrist and his host of fallen angels. Those fallen angels are the "locust army" that is given in the book of Joel, as well as described in in detail in Revelation 9. God's Word promises that this will happen before the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:3 "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." This is talking of those brethren in Christ that are in bonds, persecuted and held captive because of their belief and witnessing for Jesus Christ our Messiah. In fact each of us are held in the same bounds, to the same obligation of witnessing as those that have witnessed and suffered for their work in the Lord's service. This is not addressed to those that rob a bank, murder or some other criminal activity that the law has placed them in bonds as their punishment from defying the laws of God, and the community. Each Christian is a prisoner for the Lord Jesus Christ, and we should expect and accept whatever persecution that comes our way for that witness. Christ was persecuted also when he spoke out against the religious customs of the Jews (some of who say they are Jews but did lie) that ruled from the Temple in His day. Don't forget we are all running the same race and the goal is the same, and each leg of the relay is important in the winning of the race. There will be strong runners, and some not so strong, but what is important is that we do our part in what ever position God has placed us. Hebrews 13:4 "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." This is written to the final generation, and Paul is reminding us that we are all part of the bride of Christ. Our marriage to Christ is more honorable then anything that can be mentioned. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 24:19 "And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!" Meaning that we are to remain virgins spiritually, faithful and undefiled to Christ upon His coming at the end of this earth age. When Christ returns, we are to be found a faithful bride, and not a wife with a suckling child spiritually bound to the wrong husband. Having been taken by Satan the Antichrist, and become a whore to the beast's system. Many Christians will fall off to the false messiah because of their ignorance in the Word and their impatience to wait of the true Christ, Jesus Christ. It is late in the day, and the time is very short, for if you do not know what to expect at the coming of Satan the Antichrist, you will be taken by Him and deceived into believing Satan's lies. Hebrew 13:5 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee God will give you what you can afford and what you should have, and what He gives to you He holds you accountable for. As long as you use God's blessings that He has given to you and follow His Word, He will continue to give you blessings. God will never leave you nor forsake you, even when you fall short at times, but when we see where we have come up short, that is the time to seek repentance and get back into the race. Hebrews 13:6 "So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Once you realize that all things were created by God, and everything that you have was given to you by God, then you can boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." God is the best helper that you could ever have. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him Which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Our Father shall always be with you, and He shall never forsake you. When God is on your side, who can be against you. God will never leave you all alone. Hebrews 13:7 "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." This does not refer to those that feed you the traditions of men and false doctrine, but to the ones that teach you the Word of God as it ought to be taught. Where the advise and instruction is from the Scriptures from one that understands it, your prayers for that one becomes required of you as a member of the body of Christ. Always check out the teacher that is presenting God's Word, from the Word for yourself, and then take that advise and follow it. Listen to them carefully and see how God has blessed them, and then meditate on the advise that the teacher is giving you, and if his message proves out in God's Word it is good. If you find errors in the advise you had better run from it. It doesn't hurt to imitate a righteous person, even though none of us are perfect. The perfection of a teacher comes in when that teacher teaches it as it ought to be taught, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Don't expect a blessing from God if you go against God's Word, and get off on teachings that make void the Word of God. Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." It is easy to check out a teacher, for when he teaches notice how he presents Christ. Jesus Christ never changes with any times. He is the same today as He was in the first earth age, and that is exactly how He will be in the eternal age. Though many times it may appear at first that Christ has changed, however within the Greek text or original writing, Christ is the same in all times. That you can count on. God's Holy Word never contradicts itself, not one place in the entire Scripture. When it appears that it is, it is you the interpreter that is in error in understanding the original text in which it was written. Jesus Christ is the Word, and that Word is constant and will never change. Hebrews 13:9 "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." "Grace" is the unmerited favor with God through Christ. It is the forgiveness that God gives when we repent in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is saying that the health laws will not save your soul. There is nothing wrong with them spiritually, and if you violate any of them, the price you pay is in your poor health, sickness and disease that comes for the eating of foods that were not meant for any man to eat. Certain creatures were created not to be eaten by man, but as scavengers, to clean up the city streets, the dead carcasses in the field, and the filth that is rotting away on the beaches. Knowing those foods that are not to be eaten can save a lot of misery in poor health, when they are left alone. Many Christians get all mixed up on I Timothy 4:4; "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving." In the Greek, Timothy is stating that God is telling us not to allow anybody judge you on any meat that God created for your intake, and the health laws spell out what was created for consumption, and what creatures were created to be garbage cans in the flesh. Hebrews 13:10 "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. Our altar is the cross of Christ. Our altar is on the hill at Golgotha where Christ was crucified, and not in some temple in Jerusalem, Rome, Salt Lake City, London, or any where else. Our only altar is the cross that claimed the blood of Christ at Calvary hill. That altar is not in the temple structure but outside the temple at that old rugged cross where our Lord's blood was shed. Hebrews 13:11 "For the bodies of those beast, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp." Even in the ancient sacrifices for sin, the beast's or sacrificial lambs and offerings were slain outside the camp, and away from the temple. When Christ was slain on the altar of the cross, His sacrifice was also on the mount out side the city gate, and far away from the Temple. Hebrews 13:12 "Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate." "Sanctify" in the Greek text is to purify, or make holy. Man [or woman] can only be made pure in the sight of God, by the covering of the shed blood of Christ. Christ's blood was shed out side the gate of Jerusalem, and on that old rugged cross of Calvary. When we come to the Father, we must believe in His only begotten Son, and accept that shed blood as the covering of our sins. That is the only way any person in this flesh body can approach the throne of God, "in Jesus name". It is your only credentials that is acceptable before the Father. Hebrews 13:13 "Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." When we live our life with and for our Savior, we don't have to be inside that camp made with human hands, nor in the temples with their man made altars, for our altar is Jesus Christ. It is through His name that we approach the very throne of God, and gives us the credentials that The Father will accept. There is no other way nor name that is acceptable to God the Father where by you or any one can be saved and received eternal life. Hebrews 13:14 "For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." There is a better time when Christ Himself will come as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. By believing in your heart in Jesus Christ, and repenting of your sins, you can find that peace in your heart, even though there is turmoil all around you, and confusion is everywhere in the cities of today. Hebrews 13:15 " By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name." This is your offering to God and your love that our Heavenly Father wants from you. Your love, honor and praise is the only thing that you can give to God that is of value to Him. God already owns all property on earth and in the heavens and everything that you have He has allowed you to have. When He desires it, He can shoot holes in your money bag, and allow all your wealth to flee from you. You can be rich in the morning and go to bed at night in poverty, and many people have done just this, yet through it all, God will provide for those that try to please Him. It is important that we understand that Praising God, and giving thanks for all those things that He has blessed us with, is all that counts before the throne of God. That is what you were created for in the first place. Have you bless Him lately, and praised His holy Name? When we go before the throne of God, all communication must be done in Jesus name, for the name of Christ gives us the "title deed" or "faith and credibility" that we do believe in Jesus. Hebrews 13:16 "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." We are to see that we share with other what we have learned from His Word. We are to plant the seeds of truth in the minds of those that God brings us in contact with. By planting seeds, it is to lay the groundwork of thought so that the Holy Spirit of God can make the thought grow to the point where more of the truth is sought and the person will come to seek Christ and repent of their sins. This is how the many membered body of Christ grows. Hebrews 13:17 "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for it is unprofitable for you." This is saying that you are not to go out and save the world, but you are to submit yourselves to the job that is around you. There is a many membered body of Christ, and all members working together and doing their part will get the job done. The joy comes when you are faithful to the task that is set before you, and you have done that work well. You are accountable for what you do and say to those that are placed before you. Hebrews 13:18 "Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly." This says a little more in the Greek than what is translated here in the English. Paul is saying he and those ministering with him to them have a good conscience about those that do serve in the tabernacle and do it the old way. Paul and his helpers know that they are free of of any guilt because of what they had taught, just as all ministers and teachers will be accountable. In other words, we know that we will be judged for what we teach, and we all will give account of what we have said. Paul is saying that his conscience is clean. Hebrews 13:19 "But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner." Paul is asking for prayers for himself that he might be restored sooner. Hebrews 13:20 "Now the God of peace, That brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus , that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant," There is only one God of peace, and He is our Lord Jesus Christ. The "everlasting covenant" is our will that was given to us and it contains all the promises that we have and can claim through the blood of Christ that sealed it. God made His entire Word [will] all part of our inheritance. It is through faith that you have that "title deed" to the inheritance of all the will of God, and makes you a son or daughter of God, and joint heir with Christ in the kingdom. My friend, you can start today, even now in collecting on those promises, but it take the commitment on your part to claim each of those promises. Hebrews 13:21 "Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." It is through our faith in Christ and our desire to please Him that will make us perfect in the work that we do for Him. We are to be doers of the Word, to plant seeds of truth in the minds of other, and use the talents that God has given to each of us. Paul is telling you, "let me see your work, and I will see your faith." God sees you in everything that you do, and say, and what you do pleases Him when it is through Jesus Christ and for the glory of God. You must first study to know the will of God, and then do that will, and the rewards will come then from Him. Jesus Christ is the only perfection that there is in the world, and when we see Him, we see how short we do fall. We must continue to try fulfill His will, and when we fail, then it is important to repent. This is the sacrifice that God wants most from us, our repentance in Jesus name, and then continuing in His Work. This shows the love that you have for Him, when you keep on trying to stay in the Word, and that love will be well rewarded. Hebrews 13:22 "And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words." Paul is saying, don't be afraid to discuss this letter amongst yourselves, and I have written this letter to you for that purpose. This is to allow you to understand what I have written, and so that you can teach it to others. Remember that the teacher is going to be held accountable for what he teaches, and that is why you should teach God's Word chapter by chapter, and verse by verse, to get the continuity of the Word. Then as the Word enters your mind, the Holy Spirit will touch your mind, and you will grow in the Word. Once you start putting that Word into your daily life, you don't need to worry about being judged by this world, for the judgment that God will give will end up being your very reward in eternity. The blessings that the seed planting of this Word will bring to you will start in this flesh life, it will multiply not thirty fold, but hundred fold, and far beyond. Once you start the seed planting there is no limit that the Spirit of God will limit those seeds of truth to grow. Hebrews 13:23 "Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you." Paul is saying that Timothy has just been released, and if he gets there before I do, I will see you through his eyes. Hebrews 13:24 "Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you." Paul still had in his mind his going to Rome. Rome was the birthplace of his father, making Paul a Roman citizen. Hebrews 13:25 "Grace be with you all. Amen." What a beautiful thing to wish upon anyone, that the Grace of God be with them. Grace is the unmerited favor that God forgives for repentance. Grace means that not one of us is worthy, nor do we deserve to acquire the forgiveness that God can give. But when we believe on His only begotten Son, and repent in His name we are given all the promises of God. Upon repentance we are made perfect, because we become worthy by the blood of Christ that has taken away and removed our sins from the record books that are kept at the throne of God in heaven. Praise God, what is left is my name and your name that are recorded in the Lamb's book of life, and Jesus Christ was that sacrificial lamb. It is Jesus Christ that is perfect and worthy of all praise and love that we can give. I hope you have learned from this book of Hebrews, as it will help also as we go into some of the other books written by Paul, and the Spirit of God revealed the truths to him. You can go through this book over and over, and each time there will be some new truth that will be revealed to you, and the Holy Spirit will open up your mind to give you more and more understanding, as you yield to Him.
Home .~ Plough .~ Seeds .~ Vine .~ Potter .~ Seasons .~ Sonshine .~ Rain .~ Field |