We are living in very interesting times. When I was a young person I read history accounts of how things were in the past. I sometimes wished I could go back and live in those times. It was exciting to me at that time.
As I “grew up” I realized that we cannot go back in time and it is a waste of time to try to go back. There are simpler ways to live than the hustle and bustle of our day; however, there are certain things we need to accept as reality and do our best to honour God in the time in which He has placed us on this earth.
That begins with knowing the true God and trusting in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and Lord. As the world steam rolls its way to destruction, it is important to know Who is in charge.
Yesterday, Mr. Netanyahu was invited to speak to a joint session in the U.S. capital. Apparently at least 30 Democrats chose to boycott that meeting. One of them was the current V.P., who wants to be the president. Less than 24 hours later, she had a meeting with Mr. Netanyahu and after the meeting she came out suggesting she was in full support of Israel being able to defend herself and live peacefully in her land. She also stated that the “Palestinians” needed to be able to live at peace. She stated that the war needs to stop. Her plan includes honouring Hamas and no concern for the release of the hostages.
We know that in the past short while, some liberally minded Jews were beginning to have second thoughts about supporting the Democrat party. Who knows what this latest ploy by the Democrats will do for them. There will be people who will flock to the Democrat party and November is not here yet. We know the last U.S. “election” was anything but fair. We can rest assured this one will not be conducted in a fair manner either.
As I have been watching the current events unfolding, it reminded me of the warning that God gives us in His Word regarding the “man of sin”. He is also known as the antichrist. We know that the current V.P. cannot be the antichrist because as far as we know, she is a woman. The antichrist will be a man. He will be a smooth talker and a deceiver. He will gain the trust of humanity when he is brought on the scene by the Lord. That will include the Jews that are left behind after the Lord Jesus Christ comes in the air to take the New Testament saints out of this world.
It is essential to know the true God so as not to be deceived by all the trickery that is taking place at this current time. We need a right foundation in order to avoid the traps that the devil is setting which the Lord is letting him set.
God directed the writer of the book of Hebrews to write many words detailing the importance of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. He is the Great High Priest. He fulfilled the Old Testament law of sacrifices. Jesus Christ cried out “it is finished” on the cross and at that time the vail in the temple was rent in twain. He finished the Work of salvation that God promised in Genesis 3:15.
In our text we are reminded that in Old Testament times, every priest stood and ministered daily in offering the same sacrifices that could never take away sins. The true priests were not wasting their time. They knew that something better was coming and they trusted in God as they were offering those sacrifices day after day. They were not deceiving the people. They taught the people to trust in God, not in the sacrifices. God used those sacrifices for hundreds of years to teach generation after generation the importance of trusting in Him. Jesus Christ came to fulfil the Old Testament law and now through the one sacrifice that He offered, those who truly believe in God are forgiven. After Jesus offered Himself once, He sat down on the right hand of God. He sat down because the work of salvation is completed.
God knows that the devil, the antichrist and the false prophet are defeated foes. He knows they will all be cast into the lake of fire one day. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God knows this as well. His enemies will be made His footstool. I would rather be a servant of the true God than to be His footstool.
Notice in verse 14, that Jesus Christ has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Once again we are reminded that God’s gift of salvation is the gift of eternal life. The Old Testament saints trusted in God’s promises and they were perfected when Jesus presented His blood on their behalf, before His Father. New Testament saints are also perfected through that same blood. At salvation we are forgiven and after that, when we sin, we must confess that sin to God and be forgiven and restored to right fellowship with Him. No sin can enter heaven and when a saint dies, they appear at the judgment seat of Christ to hear their status as a saved person. They learn what their reward or loss of reward is. Their salvation is sure because they trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
In verse 15 we are reminded that the Holy Ghost, the third person of the Godhead, was also a witness unto us. He indwells every true child of God. He is not guilty of the Charismatic heresies. He is the Spirit of Truth. He exalts Jesus Christ. He helps those who are saved to grow and be strong in the Lord.
The last part of verse 15 and into verses 16-17 we are again reminded of Old Testament prophecy that declared that there would be a new covenant which would put God’s laws into the hearts of the Jews and the Gentiles that believe. Those who are saved will also have God’s truth written in their minds. Memorizing Scripture is important. Memorizing Scripture needs to be done with a right heart. It is good for children to memorize Scripture to help them to see their need of salvation. It is important for Christians to memorize Scripture to be reminded of the promises of God as well as the warnings. We need God’s Word written in our hearts and minds.
As we read in verse 17, we need our sins taken out of the way. No amount of money can remove sins. No amount of human effort can remove sins. Sinners need to be punished for sin. There is no amount of punishment that we can face that will ever purge us of our sins. That is why the Bible warns that those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ will spend their eternity in the lake of fire. There is no end to that judgment. Those who trust in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ have the undeserved privilege of spending eternity with the Lord in glory. It is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ alone that can pay for our sins. We are forgiven and saved by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
In verse 18 we are reminded that where remission of sins is, there is no more offering for sin. The Catholic mass is an abomination to the Lord. Penance and other forms of false humility are also an abomination to the Lord. We must trust fully in God’s provision for our forgiveness and salvation. That is found only through repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Bartel