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CHAPTER 8
Christ's Complete Career as seen
in the Book of Hebrews
God, who in ancient days spoke to our forefathers in many distinct messages
and by various methods through the Prophets, has at the end of these days spoken
to us through a Son, who is the pre-destined Lord of the universe, and through
whom he made the ages. He brightly reflects God's glory and is the exact
representation of his being, and upholds the universe by his all-powerful word.
After securing man's purification from sin he took his seat at the right hand of
the Majesty on high, waiting from that time onward until his enemies be put as a
footstool under his feet.
For this reason we ought to pay the more earnest heed to the things which we
have heard, for fear we should drift away from them. For how shall we escape if
we are indifferent to a salvation as great as that now offered to us? This,
after having first of all been announced by the Lord Himself, had its truth made
sure to us by those who heard him, while God corroborated their testimony by
signs and marvels and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit
distributed in accordance with his own will.
Since all alike are sharers in perishable human nature, he himself also, in
the same way, took on him a share of it, in order that through death he might
render powerless him who had authority over death, that is, the devil.
Therefore, holy brethren, sharers in a heavenly invitation, fix your thoughts on
Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest whose followers we profess to be. How
faithful he was to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all
God's house!
Therefore, let us fling aside every encumbrance and the sin that so readily
entangles our feet. And let us run with patient endurance the race that lies
before us, fixing our gaze upon Jesus, our Prince Leader in the faith, who will
also award us the prize. He, for the sake of the joy which lay before him,
patiently endured the cross, looking with contempt upon its shame, and
afterwards seated himself - where he still sits - at the right hand of the
throne of God. Therefore, if you would escape becoming weary and faint-hearted,
compare your own sufferings with those of him who endured such hostility
directed against him by sinners. In your struggle against sin you have not yet
resisted so as to endanger your lives.
He, because he continues for ever, has a priesthood which does not pass to
any successor. Hence too he is able to save to the uttermost those who come to
God through him, seeing that he ever lives to plead for them. For we have not a
high priest who is unable to feel for us in our weaknesses, but one who was
tempted in every respect just as we are tempted, and yet did not sin. Therefore
let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find
grace to help us in our times of need.
Since it is reserved for all mankind once to die, and afterwards to be
judged, so the Christ also, having been once offered in sacrifice in order that
he might bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, separated from sin,
to those who are eagerly expecting him, to make their salvation complete.
You stand in need of patient endurance, so that, as the result of having done
the will of God, you may receive the promised blessing. For there is still but
a short time and then "The coming One will come and will not delay. But it is
by faith that my righteous servant shall live; and if he shrinks back, my soul
takes no pleasure in him.” But we are not people who shrink back and perish,
but are among those who believe and gain possession of their souls.
You have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the ever-living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem, to countless hosts of angels, to the great festal gathering
and Church of the first-born ones, whose names are recorded in Heaven, and to a
Judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and
to Jesus the mediator of a new Covenant
Now may God who gives peace, and brought Jesus, our Lord, up again from among
the dead - even him who, by virtue of the blood of the eternal covenant, is the
great Shepherd of the sheep - fully equip you with every grace that you may need
for the doing of his will, producing that which will truly please him through
Jesus Christ. To him be the glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.
Verses used to construct this history:
Chapter 8: Hebrews 1:1-3; 10:13; 2:1-4,14; 3:1-2; 12:1-3; 7:24,25; 4:15.16;
9:27-28; 10:36-39; 12:22-24; 13:20,21.
> Click on Next to move on to Chapter 9 or Back to go to
Chapter 7.
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