Hebrews 4:2
The Gospel or New Order
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. (Hebrews 4:2)
Chapter 4 of the book of Hebrews must be read several times before musing on each verse. Each one of us must understand the continuity of this chapter that it is not given in segments, but as a whole, and its grand conclusion and final rest is in the throne of grace in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. We ask three questions: 1, How do we obtain this rest? 2, Can I keep it? And 3, How long does it last?
Question #1: How do we obtain this rest of God?
How does one obtain God’s rest? The answer is: by hearing and believing the gospel of Jesus Christ. But is it that simple? Do we really understand the distance that is placed between us and God by the sin of Adam? When Adam sinned all was given up that was of God, in fact, there is a great canyon of sin between us and God. Man was brought into a paradise, or the garden of God, a place of rest. It was a place of harmony with the divine Person of God, the Creator of heaven and earth, but all that was lost by Adam. He brought sin into the world, and death by sin. The great chasm or canyon of sin created a distance that could not be bridged by man in Adam because Adam was cast out of the garden and completely separated from the presence of God. We find, being his descendants, that this distance could not be bridged by man. Whether it be through religion, or the humanities of man there is no path to God, only through the Lord Jesus Christ and His death upon the cross of Calvary can there be reconciliation with God. As one man brought sin into the world, and death by sin, so Christ being the divine Man went into death to bring newness of life to man and deliver us to God the Father.
The apostle Paul tells us that the gospel was preached to all those who came out of Egypt. They were under the blood of the lamb, and they were purged from the angel of death. This same sacrifice brought them out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. They perished, however, in the wilderness because of unbelief because the gospel that they received was not mingled or mixed with faith. The word of God proclaims that faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God. Is not the written word the voice of God the Holy Spirit? Cannot the call of God be heard in its pages? The Spirit of God calls men unto repentance. It is the Spirit of God through the word of God that delivers the embryo of faith. In the days of Abraham, he was called directly by the voice of God. It was ‘Abraham, Abraham,’ just as Moses was called, ‘Moses, Moses,’ or Samuel called, ‘Samuel, Samuel.’ In the church age it was ‘Saul, Saul,’ all these men experienced the call of God, and were moved by faith to trust the Almighty not only with their eternal salvation, but with every step they took in life.
The call of God can not be separated from faith. Faith cannot be separated from belief. Just as the world was formed by the word of God so He by the word of His power has delivered us into His rest. Christ removed the distance from God by casting away both sin and death. Adam had to be removed and a new divine Man instated. This would be the divine Man who would ascend into heaven and take His place at the right hand of God, the Man — Jesus Christ. There is therefore no distance or condemnation against us, we are before the Almighty God in Jesus Christ the righteous. The Lord Jesus is declared the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Think of the divine favor that we have in Him. For we have found favor in the Father, in the Son, and in the Holy Spirit. All three have brought us to the very center of God ‘s grace. And in Christ, who is the center, we rest our heads on His bosom like John and enter in to His rest. The message of the apostle in verse 2 is for us to believe the gospel that is presented by God the Holy Spirit in the written word of God. The message of the apostle is for us to believe now, and not be as those of old who perished in the wilderness. The word was not mingled or mixed with faith, and faith once more becomes the key of eternity. Jude in seeing corruption all around him stated to those of like faith that they should contend for the faith once delivered to the saints . . . and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3) We see that faith was the object and the substance, it was a particular faith, and in fact, the only faith. It is God’s faith.
Thoughts on Faith
Some thoughts on faith: man expresses himself this way, I have faith in God, but in reality of true faith we would say, We have the faith of God. And it was this faith that was once delivered to the saints. For only God can give faith, it is His to give. It comes from the Person of Christ for He is the possessor of faith. And by faith we believe what God has declared about us that all have sinned, that all have come short of the glory of God, and that only by the man, Jesus Christ, can restitution or redemption be obtained. There is no other name given amongst man whereby we may be saved. So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) The apostle took the opportunity in this verse of Hebrews 4:2 to remind the Hebrews of the importance of the gospel; for it is the gospel of grace in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
The Manifestation — The Result — and The Giver of Faith
In Hebrews Chapter 11 we have the manifestation of faith. In Romans Chapter 8 we have the result of God’s faith. Romans 8:1 and in Galatians 2:20 we have the Giver of faith for, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. This verse from Galatians 2:20 reveals to us that it is Christ who possesses all faith. The apostle through the guidance of the Spirit of God shows us that faith must come from above, and that it must come from the Son of God. When we speak of creation we think only of the tangible things, but this is only a small part of God’s creation. For we have the seen and the unseen, and it goes farther into the very Person of God; for as all things were created by Him, and for Him, He is the minister of the divine qualities that are within Himself: holiness, righteousness, grace, truth, love, and so many more qualities. And faith is one of those qualities that belongs to Him, and He ministers it from His holy throne in heaven. When the Lord Jesus told the Jews that Abraham saw His day and rejoiced in it, He was relating to them that Abraham understood not only faith, but grace by the way of the cross. Abraham knew that God was going to provide HIMSELF a sacrifice for sinners. (Genesis 22) Faith is the gate way to grace. Faith must come from within the heart to secure God’s grace which comes from above. The world has been working for thousands of years to take the mind of the children of God off their heavenly provider. The scripture declares that all things must come from above, that includes all aspects of our salvation. For we are kept by the man in heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Question #2, Can I keep God’s rest?
Yes, because it does not depend on you. It is the possession of God’s Christ, and He not only established grace, but also established God’s rest by His death on the cross. For this was truly the fullness of time because Adam died in this sense: that his judgment fell on Jesus Christ. All that was in Adam was removed at the cross, and if we meditate long enough we would see that this was the end of all flesh. God was so satisfied in the death of His beloved Son that He could no longer see the guilt and sin of Adam. It was finished! Christ went into death as the divine Man, Jesus Christ. He came out of the tomb as the heavenly Man, Christ Jesus anointed of the Father with the oil of gladness. This glorified Man, or new man, for of twain He made one new man.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Ephesians 2:14)
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2:15)
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:16)
Now by faith we believe unto salvation. This faith, however, is in the new Man in heaven. He is there for us not only to save us through His wonderful grace, but to keep that grace and minister that grace not only for our entire life here on earth, but for all eternity. We have become a new creation and it is evident that this new creation exists in Christ Jesus. This is due to His power that He claimed in John, Chapter 10, verse 17, Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again, and in verse 18, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. The Lord Jesus made this proclamation before the cross. He was quite aware what was about to come upon Him, but He knew in His divine being that He had the power to lay down His life, as man, and take His life in resurrection glory for He is the power of resurrection. (John 11). In John, Chapter 10 we have the good shepherd giving His life for the sheep. In John, Chapter 11, we have the good shepherd in the power of resurrection giving life to His sheep, and raising them from the dead. Even though Lazarus is just a symbol of future resurrection, which the Lord declared was within Him in John 11, verses 23 through 26 Christ declares that He is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. (John 11:23)
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (John 11:24)
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25)
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:26)
The Lord of glory calls Lazarus from the grip of death, and it is the Lord who gives the command to free him. He simply says, Loose him, and let him go. This shows a relationship to Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians that Christ has overcome the sting of death, and He has been victorious over the grave for us. The command of resurrection will come, but it will come from the sovereign power of the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. Jesus has called us out of death, and given us eternal life, and eternal rest in Himself. Question settled.
Question #3, How long does this rest of God last?
Well . . . measure eternity, come on now all you scholars, your so intelligent, measure eternity and give us the sum. This writer is not even going to try. For the Spirit speaketh expressly or to the point, nothing can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. (Romans 8)
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (Romans 8:38)
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
In eternity we will have no clocks, no wristwatches, no calendar, no iPhones, just eternity with our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ is the qualifier of grace, and the expression of God’s truth. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18) The Lord Jesus was sent by the Father as the embodiment of grace and truth, and through that grace and truth He could declare, And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28) This settled the question.
For Unto Us
Now let us really begin in verse 2 of Hebrews, Chapter 4. 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. Notice: For unto us God gave His Son. For unto us Christ died for the ungodly. For unto us Christ rose from the dead in His glorious power of resurrection. I could go on and on about all the things that have been given to us in Jesus Christ. These three little words, for unto us, cannot be only confined to this one verse in the New Testament without the fuller picture of what God planned and prepared for us in — for unto us. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) It is very interesting that these three little words, for unto us are only found once in the Old Testament in Isaiah 9:6, and only once in the New Testament in Hebrews 4:2.
Paul wants us not only to examine ourselves, but to understand the depth of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He wants everyone to be those who are sown in fertile soil, that the evidence of their salvation is in the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. In humility, Paul included himself when he said, Unto us. — 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. Now the Spirit of God wants us to include ourselves, the gospel has been preached unto you, anyone who has spent anytime on this website is quite aware of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is up to you to know if you have the evidence of the Spirit of God working in you. There is no child of God who does not know the Spirit of God. For it is the Spirit of God who draws the heart, soul, and spirit to the divine Man in heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul had complete authority within himself. No man was going to turn him from his message. For it was this man, Paul, who in Christ Jesus ascended into the third heaven. He was not worried about his salvation, but he was burdened for the salvation of his brethren. Paul had gone where no man had gone before. He is perfectly qualified after many revelations from His savior, Jesus Christ, to express the sincerity of the gospel to his brethren in Hebrews 4:2. Once again, Paul, uses the example of those who perished in the wilderness. It was God who came down to deliver them out of Egypt. The exodus was to lead them into a promised land, and a place of rest. When God came down to deliver them from Pharaoh He was calling a people out of the land of Egypt, or out of the world for Himself.
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. (Exodus 19:4)
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:(Exodus 19:5)
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:6)
From the moment that the children of Israel shed the blood of the paschal lamb, they were under a relationship with Jehovah from Jehovah’s side. He was going to provide for them a path, or salvation, from Egypt. In this process, however, the heart of the Israelite was not mingled or mixed with faith. When the angel of death came God recognized the blood on the door posts and the lintel, and preserved the first born of Israel. For those who had not applied the blood, their first born was destroyed, all the way to Pharaoh’s house. Do you not see God vengeance on Cain, the first born of Adam and Eve because of the vicious murder of his brother, Abel. This is only a suggestion, you can take it or leave it.
The Gospel in the Paschal Lamb
Before the children of Israel left Egypt, the gospel was preached unto them in the blood of the paschal lamb. Paul, once again, takes the mind and heart of the Hebrews back to the wanderings of the nation of Israel. He is preaching the gospel of salvation, not only for the forgiveness of sins, but deliverance from the world to God’s rest. The frightful thing is that so many fell in the wilderness. This was the burden of Paul’s heart that now when so much is revealed to man the Hebrews could come short of the glory of God in Jesus Christ. Paul was concerned that the Spirit of God was not mingled with faith. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Romans 8:9) Paul was aware that there were many claiming the gospel and yet, there was no faith mixed or mingled with the gospel that they had received. We should remember that many came to gather collectively under a mixture of Judaism and Christianity. All through this epistle, Paul is using the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to weed the legalistic Jew away from Judaism to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Many still held Moses in preeminence over the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul continually tried to reverse this and show them the pure grace that was in Jesus Christ. And that the covenant that Christ had ministered unto them was far greater than the covenant with Moses. We have come a long way from Paul’s day, we have seen a conglomeration of man’s doctrines, man’s teachings that have razed havoc in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, some groups have absolutely no witness of Christ in the midst; yet, they claim the gifts of the Spirit, they have no life in them, they play and deceive, and worship golden calves and not the Person of Jesus Christ. Any means that is used to take glory away from the Lord Jesus Christ is a golden calf or an idol. Even biblical knowledge can become an idol or a stumbling block to a man seeking preeminence above his brethren, and above the Christ of God. All who came out of Egypt knew the paschal lamb had been slain, and that they were brought out of Egypt under the blood of that sacrifice, yet, there was not saving faith mingled with their experience. These all perished in the wilderness (except two) and this is where Paul wanted to put the Hebrew Christian professors. He wanted them to make a decision, Are you going to believe or not? If you do not believe then you will perish in your sin as those who perished in the wilderness. Verse 1 of Hebrews Chapter 4 is the preliminary, verse 2 is the result. One either enters into God’s rest by belief in Jesus Christ, or is forever damned in the lake of fire. With God there is no grey area, God only discerns with light or darkness, black or white, there is no middle road of salvation. One is either forever saved, or forever lost. Paul gives us the Spirit’s voice that God’s rest can only be reached by belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that belief must be by faith. The apostle stated the same thing to the Galatians when he told them he was in doubt of them.
I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. (Galatians 4:20)
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (Galatians 4:16)
This was a hard part of Paul’s ministry. He so valued the souls of men that he would not swerve from the truth. This is a hard part of the service of God. One only wants the truth for others, and yet, too often the servant of God is made an enemy to the very ones he is trying to help. Not only has the cross separated us, but the call of God divides us from those who walk in error in more ways than we wish to think. Remember, grace is not without truth, and truth is not without grace; for grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) Amen.
© Copyright 2017, Michael Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)