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The Book of Hebrews

In this study I wish to explore the book of Hebrews because it is such a treasure chest of the Kingdom truths that have transformed my life. The Holy Spirit in this epistle is exhorting (Jewish) believers not to fall back into the realm of religious legalism and unbelief by reminding them who Christ is and who we are in Him. We are encouraged to press into maturity in Christ and to appropriate the fullness of the atonement. Many Christians today have begun to receive a revelation of Christ "without sin unto salvation," a revelation that takes them beyond their initial understanding of Jesus as Savior carrying their sin and into a deeper revelation of who we are in Him. At this juncture in their spiritual walk, in the face of tribulation and the trying of their faith, many fall back - not into the world but into a religious spirit of unbelief - just as the Hebrews did in the early church. The consequences, then and now, are serious when we fail to enter into the fullness of what God is revealing:

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Heb 6:4-6

The Kingdom truths in the book of Hebrews are so powerful and the Word is so plain that in this study I have merely organized scripture under themes that summarize the spiritual content. I pray that the Spirit of Truth will open up your understanding as you study these passages.

Heaven as a spiritual dimension not a physical place

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Heb 12-22-24

The unity of Jesus Christ and the believer

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings for both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren…Heb 2:10-11

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus…Heb 3:1

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end…Heb 3:14

Death conquered by Jesus

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Heb 2:9

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb 2:14-15

The central place and power of faith

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Heb 3:12

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Heb 3:18-19

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Heb 4:2

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:12

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Heb 10:38

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Heb 11:1-3

The availability of the fullness of God in the Now

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; while it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Heb 3:14-15

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10:19-22

Deliverance from sin consciousness and the call to perfection in Christ

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high...Heb 1:3

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? Heb 7:11

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Heb 7:19

But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience… It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Heb 9:7-9 & 23-26

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection…Heb 6:1

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. Heb 10:1-2

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Heb 10:14

The communion of saints

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…Heb 11:29-40 & 12:1

One final word, and this probably should be the subject of a study in itself, concerning the apparent contradictions in the Word of God. I say apparent because the author of the Word is the Holy Spirit and He does not contradict himself. A battle goes on in the mind of the Christian who is not fully persuaded of the Kingdom truths being revealed in this day. The enemy uses scripture to create confusion and double-mindedness. Only the Spirit of Truth can reveal the unity of the Word of God and teach us how to study to show ourselves approved and how to rightly divide the Word. The carnal intellect, trained in the doctrines of religion, must yield to the Holy Spirit if we truly desire to know Him and the power of His resurrection.