Lesson 4961

 (Lesson 4961) (08-31-25) Hebrews 10:31-39 

   “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” 

 

   Today’s quote both warns and encourages believers. It begins with the reminder that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The author urged the faithful Jews to remember their earlier endurance when they suffered hardships, and afflictions for the sake of Christ, even showing compassion to prisoners and joyfully accepting the loss of their possessions, knowing that, through faith, they had a better, eternal inheritance. The lesson relates the reassurance that we are counted among those who believe in Jesus Christ to the saving of the eternal soul. ~ 

Lesson 4960

 (Lesson 4960) (08-30-25) Hebrews 10:18-30 

   “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 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. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.” 

  In today’s quote, the author explains the results of Christ’s one sacrifice and the responsibility of those who believe in Him. It begins by stating that where sins are forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice. Believers now enter the holiest place through the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way He opened through His own flesh.  Today’s lesson stresses the importance of Christian fellowship, urging believers to to be considerate of one another, therethrough stirring up love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, but uplifting and encouraging each other even more as the day of the Lord approaches. A warning is then given: if someone willfully turns his/her back on Christ after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for their sins, only a fearful expectation of judgment. Rejecting Christ’s sacrifice is far worse than rejecting the law of Moses, for it is trampling underfoot the Son of God and insulting God’s amazing saving grace. In summary, the lesson teaches that Christ’s single offering of His body and blood fully secured forgiveness and justification. It calls believers to maintain their faith and perseverance and warns against willful rejection of God’s plan of salvation. ~ 

Lesson 4959

 (Lesson 4959) (08-29-25) Hebrews 10:5-17 

   “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” 

 

    Today’s quote shows that Jesus came to fulfill what the sacrifices made under the law of Moses could not. Christ said that God did not want burnt offerings or animal sacrifices, but a body prepared for Him. In that body, Jesus came to do God’s will, taking away the old sacrificial system to establish the new covenant. By this new covenant, those of us who trust in Jesus are sanctified through the offering of the His body once for all. Unlike priests who stood daily offering the same sacrifices that could never take away sins, Jesus offered one perfect sacrifice and then sat down at God’s right hand, showing His work was finished. Jesus is awaiting a time when His enemies are made His footstool, for by one offering He has perfected forever those of us who are sanctified. The Holy Spirit also testifies to this truth, declaring that under the new covenant God writes His laws on the hearts and minds of His people, and their sins and iniquities He remembers no more. ~ 

 

Lesson 4958

 (Lesson 4958) (08-28-25) Hebrews 10:1-4 

   “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. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” 

 

   Today’s quote teaches that the old Hebrew law, with its often-repeated sacrifices year after year, could never make sinners perfect in the sight of God. If those sacrifices could have truly removed sin, sin would have ceased, because worshipers would no longer have been conscious of thier sins. Instead, those offerings served as a continual reminder of sin. Paul said, in Romans 7:7, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN SIN, BUT BY THE LAW: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Today’s lesson makes clear that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins, showing that no sacrifice other than Jesus Christ can justify sin. ~