Thank you for sharing Hebrews 4:12. I do agree with you that the word of God is alive today, just as it was back then. But if I may answer your question "Without the Strongs Concordance then how would we know the Word of God is Alive today?"
Do we really need a Strong's Concordance to know that the word of God is alive today? Those words in Hebrews 4:12 were written sometime between 67 and 69 AD. They had no concordance. And even if they did, what language would their concordance be written in if what they had at the time was the Greek text? How would they have known that the word of God was alive back then?
Please know that I am not trying to be argumentative here. I am just trying to understand why we would need a Strong's Concordance to know that the word of God is alive today.
The almond blossoms looked like wood but they were gold, reminding us of Aaron's rod that budded. When Aaron's priestly prerogative was in question, the budding of his almond rod established it. The almond rod, a dead branch, was made to live and to bear fruit. Christ was established as the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead. It did not make Him Son of God, for He was that from the eternal counsels of God. Resurrection only confirmed it. Aaron was the Godappointed high priest, and it was confirmed by resurrection in the dead almond rod. The resurrection of Christ, likewise, established His priesthood. Christ is our great High Priest because He became a man, partook of our nature, and "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" ( Hebrews 4:15). But the primary basis of His priesthood is His deity. The priest represented men before God. Christ is God who became a man, and it is now the God-man who represents man. The resurrection which declared Him to be the Son of God likewise declared His priesthood.
There were no measurements given for the lampstand of pure gold. That which speaks of His deity alone cannot be measured, for deity is beyond the computation of man. Neither can a tape measure be placed along that which speaks of God. Again, the priesthood of Christ, which is conditioned on the fact that He became a man, is made to rest on His deity. There is not recorded any incident in the life of Christ in the Gospels which does not instantly record His deity with every mention of His humanity, yet never confusing or fusing the two. In the shortest verse of the Bible, "Jesus wept" ( John 11:35), there is recorded a perfectly human incident in His life. It is a characteristic of humanity to weep; it is perfectly natural. But the tears were not dry upon His cheeks before He commanded, "Lazarus, come forth" ( John 11:43). And Lazarus came forth. That was perfectly divine - only Deity has the power over death.
Hebrews Chapter 4 speaks of the superiority of Jesus Christ to Joshua. But it also talks about entering into Gods rest. When you get down to Hebrews 4:10, it says "For he that is entered into His rest, has also ceased from his own works, just as God did from His."
So, the writer of Hebrews is going back to creation. He's saying if you surrender to Christ, you will be doing just what God did. You will cease from your own works (your own efforts), at your own salvation, and you will enter into God's rest.
Now here's how it works:
God took 6 days to create all things. And by the way, the Hebrew word Yom for day, it can be either 24-hour days, or it could be like our metaphor when we say, "the day in which we live," meaning the age in which we live. It is important to know that the 6 days were six 24-hour days, as mentioned to us in Exodus Chapter 20.
But we have a problem in the creation account. The Jews don't have a problem. We have a problem as Gentiles understanding the connection here. In 6 days, God created all things. And on the 7th day, He entered into His rest and finished His work.
The number 6 in the bible is the number of man. We know that from the book of Revelation. The number of man is 6, and the man of sin, his number will be 666, not six-hundred and sixty-six, but 6 three times, in contrast to the trinity of God. So, the number 6 represents man, and the number 7 in the scriptures represents completion or perfection. So, man falls short of perfection or completion, therefore he has fallen short, as Paul would say of the glory of God.
Now here's what the writer of Hebrews is trying to get across:
The writer is trying to tell us that God has provided for us salvation. That parallels His 6 days of creation, to the point where He comes to us on the 7th day of His creative works for our salvation, and He says "Enter in to your rest!"
Thank you dear brother Jesse. I fully concur with what you've shared here, on the use of the number 'seven'. As you wrote, it certainly declares a 'fullness or completeness/perfection', but I had not previously considered seriously the 'missing' "evening and the morning was the seventh day" phrase in the Bible.
I think you may have uncovered something precious here, which clearly supports the present sense that I have, that "the seventh day has never ended". We as believers do enjoy that ongoing Sabbath (spiritual) rest ( Hebrews 4:1-6), which was denied to Israel for their wilful state of unbelief & disobedience; & yet our struggles in this life can never find its end, with that complete & perfect rest promised, never coming into our possession while Satan remains loose. Only until the Prince of Peace comes again & the world renewed without any possibility of such a devastating occurrence as before, can all of creation bask in the Glory of God & in His Perfect Rest as He originally planned for us. We just have a taste of it now (the 'evening' of the seventh day), waiting for that promised fruit to come to full maturity (the 'morning'), completing that seventh day of true & complete rest. As you can see, you've expanded my meditations on this considerably, for which I'm very appreciative.
Not a problem at all, brother. This happens to me quite often when someone else's comment is posted while I'm in the process of typing mine out. Anyway, if both comments agree in substance, then the enquirer has further affirmation to his/her question.
You are correct, the church gathered for worship on Sunday since the time of the apostles. This is long before the RC Church emerged in the Holy Roman Empire.
Just to inform you that "Joshua" and "Jesus" is the same name in Hebrew. It is Yehoshua or Yashua. The first is used in the early chapters of the Old Testament whereas the second in the later when that name was simplified. It means " God is my salvation". The English transformed the first into Joshua and the second into Jesus. But it is the same name in 2 alternative forms. In the verse you mentioned that person is Joshua, not Jesus, this is obvious since Joshua gave them rest by being their leader when they entered and captured the land of promise.
As far as the Sabbath is concerned, apostle Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 asks christians to not let others judge them for not keeping things from the Old Testament, like Sabbath or other holly days. So it wasn't a Catholic invention, it was adopted as the formal day for christian congregation still from the very early time.
Hi Dana. You're referring to Hebrews 4:8: "For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day."
In the Greek language, 'Joshua, or Yehoshua' (from the Hebrew), is translated as 'Jesus, or Iesous'. And we find the translators making the same change in Acts 7:45. So, the KJV translators are correct in understanding this Hebrew to Greek change, though as you wrote, it can be misleading to those unfamiliar with the account or reading through those verses very quickly. We can see from Hebrews 4:8, that the writer is referring back to verse 5 ("And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest": Psalm 95:11), & even all the way back to Hebrews 4:1 when the subject of 'Rest' is brought up.
Even though most Bible translations use the word 'Joshua', they are of course translating it correctly, but not according to the original Greek, which the KJV uses, & this name translates to 'Jesus'. If Greek was spoken in the Old Testament days, by all accounts, Joshua, who took over from Moses' leadership, would have been called 'Iesous, or Jesus'.
As for the RC Church changing the Sabbath to Sunday, I can't comment, not being RC. But the Bible shows that after Jesus died & rose from the dead, the early Church worshiped together on the Lord's Day, the first day of the week ( Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 6:2): Sunday. Sunday, to the Church then & now, never became the new Sabbath Day - Saturday always has been the correct Jewish Sabbath Day.
Why would the commendatore say that Hebrews four is talking about Joshua? There is no way it is talking about Joshua. The whole book is clearly written about the trinity and faith. Why in the middle of a sentence would the writer all of a sudden switch the name of Jesus from Jesus to be someone other than Jesus?
I believe that by saying that it is Joshua and not Jesus, you mislead people from the rest in the Lord and the day! Which it clearer states was never changed from the Sabbath of the Lord our God the creator of the world. (The Catholic church changed the Sabbath to Sunday. They say that is the mark of their ecclesiastical authority. During the reformation the Pope told Martin Luther to follow the Bible and its authority. Although he did not, sadly.)
So, if the Jesus being used in the 'Greek' in Hebrews is Joshua then wouldn't it stand to reason that all the Jesus references would be as well?
Yeshua is the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is "Joshua." Iesous is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is "Jesus." Thus, the names "Joshua" and "Jesus" are essentially the same; both are English pronunciations of the Hebrew and Greek names for our Lord. (For examples of how the two names are interchangeable, see Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8 in the KJV. In both cases, the word Jesus refers to the Old Testament character Joshua.
As for the controversy over the letter J, it is much ado about nothing. It is true that the languages in which the Bible was written had no letter J. But that doesn't mean the Bible never refers to "Jerusalem" or "Judah." And it doesn't mean we cannot use the spelling "Jesus." If a person speaks and reads English, it is acceptable for him to spell things in an English fashion. Spellings can change even within a language: Americans write "Savior," while the British write "Saviour." The addition of a u (or its subtraction, depending on your point of view) has nothing to do with whom we're talking about. Jesus is the Savior, and He is the Saviour. Jesus and Yeshuah and Iesus are all referring to the same Person.
We refer to Him as "Jesus" because, as English-speaking people, we know of Him through English translations of the Greek New Testament. Scripture does not value one language over another, and it gives no indication that we must resort to Hebrew when addressing the Lord. The command is to "call on the name of the Lord," with the promise that we "shall be saved" ( Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32). Whether we call on Him in English, Korean, Hindi, or Hebrew, the result is the same: the Lord is salvation.
The word of God is like a great treasure hunt, one scripture is the key to another scripture, and so on. The scriptures put together are the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM.
Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, HERE A LITTLE, and THERE A LITTLE:
BUT NOTICE; since the spirit of Christ wrote the words, the spirit of Christ must teach your what the words mean.
Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to his people.
Most of God's words are HIDDEN in parables and dark sayings.
Psalms 78:2 I (the spirit of Christ) will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Revelation 19:10 ...for the testimony (words) of Jesus IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
For your questions, has words been twisted by man's carnal mind, YES.
Psalms 56:5 Every day they wrest (twist) my words ........
Are God's words being fulfilled? YES
Psalms 90:9 ...we spend our years as a tale that is told.
Hebrews 4:3 ... the works (WORDS) WERE FINISHED from the foundation of the world.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my words be that goeth forth out of my mouth, they shall not return unto me void, but it MY WORD shall accomplish that which I PLEASE, and IT (the WORD) shall prosper in the thing where unto I sent IT (the WORD)
The four winds of prophecy; a symbol, of the spirit of Christ.
John 3:8 the wind bloweth where it listeth (where God CAUSES it to blow), and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whether it goeth (it's the WORK of God): so is every one that is BORN OF THE SPIRIT.
Daniel 7:2 ....the four winds of heaven strove upon the great SEA (water)( Revelation 17:15) ....
Do I believe in miracles and wonders? YES, what greater miracle than creation:
Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, THEY ARE CREATED, ( 2 Corinthians 5:17) thou renewest the face of the earth.
The mark of the beast requires a post of its own, I will send a second post.
Hi Ani. GiGi has shared accurately with you and I would like to add some more thoughts for your study & consideration.
I'm unsure where you obtained this particular Bible study book from, as it's clearly slanted towards 'keeping of the Law'. Does your Church support this teaching or are you doing this study by personal choice?
Firstly, the Jewish Sabbath has always been the Saturday (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) & was given to Israel as part of the other commandments for them to observe ( Exodus 20:8-11). Why was this particular Command given? It was the seventh day when the LORD ceased from His Work of creating & it was for a remembrance when God brought out His people "with a mighty hand & a stretched out arm": i.e. from the perennial state of bondage & hard labor in Egypt to a time of liberty & rest. Even when Israel collected their food (Manna) while in the desert, they were not allowed to gather it on the seventh day ( Exodus 16:19-30), indicating the sanctity of the Sabbath Day.
Secondly, the Christian observance of Sunday, is not a redefining of the Jewish Sabbath - it is what is termed, the Lord's Day ( Revelation 1:10), or the First Day of the Week ( Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2) - never the Sabbath.
Thirdly, the Church is not required to observe the Jewish Sabbath as we were never in bondage in Egypt & brought into Canaan. We were however, once in bondage to sin & the flesh & now given a glorious forgiveness & release into the Lord's Rest. See Matthew 11:28-30 and Hebrews 4:1-11. Not only is the Christian given Christ's Peace in his heart, but also a resulting rest that comes only from Him. And yet, there is also a coming rest ( Hebrews 4:9), where the word here is 'sabbatismos', or Sabbath Rest: a rest in God's Presence that will be one continual Sabbath Rest, when our earthly toils & hardships are finally over.
Monica, first you need to recognize that this is spiritual warfare EPHESIANS 6:12. I know this because the Bible says God will not leave you or forsake you.
The devil is the father of lies and he would love you to accuse God and let go of your faith. Remember for example how satan deceived Eve in the garden.
God is merciful and not willing that any should perish. His mercies are brand new every morning, like the sunrise!
If you have not been living right and are being chastised by the Lord that's a good thing. Repent and renew your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rebuke the lies of the enemy. He knows that God will never leave you or forsake you. They are lying spirits. Remember that God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son to save us.
Thank and praise Him for that. He's a good good Father who loves you!
Please do not let satan cause you to declare these accusations against the Lord. Ask God to forgive you.
I went through this too awhile back when I was seeking restoration. I had to encourage myself with scripture. God doesn't give up on His children. That contradicts His character. Think about that.
We're living in the last days and we've got to encourage one another to cling to the Lord with everything we've got.
Here are some scriptures to memorize. Write them on index cards and tape them to your cabinets, walls, etc. Keep them in front of your eyes!
Genesis 3:1-4
John 8:44
Deuteronomy 31:6-8
Ephesians 6:12
Hebrews 13:5
Hebrews 4:16
As for anxiety and depression, they are spiritual. Ask God to show you how to defeat them in the spirit. How to overcome. You are not alone most people have battled with these.
Scripture is how Jesus fought the enemy. Remember Ephesians 6:11, put on your armor daily. You must walk in the spirit.
I say these things with much love and to encourage you, my sister in Christ, in Jesus name. You will overcome. Plead the blood of Jesus.
1Thessalonians 5:23, "spirit" Strongs Exhaustive Concordance - Greek word "pneuma" current of air, breath, a spirit, rational soul (superhuman) life
Thayer's Greek Lexicon ._._ 3. a spirit ' a simple essence, ._._._ possessed the power of knowing, desiring, deciding and acting'
"soul" Greek "psuche" soul, life, self, inner being or life, 2. (literally) breath, 3. The heart's desire, the drive or passion of ones soul,
Same Greek words used for Hebrews 4:12,
Hebrews 5:12,
Ecclesiastes 12:7, "and as it was: and the spirit" translated from one Greek word "ruwach" wind, ._.
Thayer's = breath, wind, spirit, 1. breath of mouth or nostrils
You can study deeper in this website, there were multiple scripture references in the Thayer's Greek Lexicon, if you tap on a scripture, it will open new page, scroll down to "Translation Details" by clicking on any of the separated words or phrases it will bring you to the Concordance references.
Your first question; is there anywhere in the heavens or the earth that God cannot be, Psalm 139:7-10Proverbs 15:3Jeremiah 23:23-24Hebrews 4:13Isaiah 6:3. But is the universe, the earth, and everything on the earth a manifestation of God? NO that is Pantheism and is forbidden in the Bible as idol worship, if everything is God it can be worshiped.
His dwelling place is in heaven that is above heaven (universe) and earth, beyond and outside of the physical universe, 1 Kings 8:301 Kings 8:432 Chr. 20:6Psalm 11:4Daniel 2:28Matt. 5:16Matt. 6:9. God gave His only begotten Son to die for us, John 3:16 God by the Holy Spirit can dwell in us if we accept Jesus as our savior we are cleansed by His blood, Romans 8:9-111 Cor. 3:16
God can see everything and take action anywhere, Prov. 15:3Heb. 4:13 but God is everywhere at once? He is in that he is aware of everything in the physical universe both past, present, and future, and he can turn his attention to anyone or anything at any time.
Has anyone seen God? Moses came the closest, God showed him His backside, Exodus 33:12-23. No man in the flesh can see God's face and live, John 1:18John 4:121 Tim. 6:16. We will see His face after the resurrection in our immortal and incorruptible body, Rev 22:4.
How can one Know that God exists? The Bible: He has revealed things to us, and the evidence is convincing if anyone is willing to consider the evidence. History also confirms many things that were prophesied in the Bible long before they happened. The word of God is the truth, and the Holy Spirit will reveal it to those with an open mind and open heart who honestly want the truth.
This is my understanding in love may it help, search and pray for yours.
...The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..." That is part of Galatians 2:20. His Spirit also testifies with our spirit that we "are children of God" according to Romans 8:16. Scripture cannot be read alone with mental faculties and understood as God's truth unless these realities exist; namely being Born of the Spirit ( John 3:6-8) makes the Word living and active in our hearts ( Hebrews 4:12).
Scriptural truth also is what separates the God of truth and His angels from the fallen angels and demons that are the ruling principalities and powers of this world in this age ( Ephesians 6:12). Thus; we can experience God whether "in or out of the body" ( 2 Corinthians 12:2) as Paul did and by extension a demonic spiritual "trip" can occur much in the same way.
Anyone realistically wanting to understand 2 Corinthians 5:8 on being absent from the body; present with the Lord will understand that being in His presence as a believer is overwhelming to the extent that John fell at His feet as though dead ( Revelation 1:17). This is all the more telling since he was the disciple who always was closest to Jesus and even in his own testimony most loved ( John 13:23 and apparently in 4 other verses).
If we are NOT truly in Christ then there is only the terror of the Lord and of course immediate judgment and condemnation for those who are goats rather than sheep. Thus; those who promote a false gospel even if they were brain dead and came back to life God allows them to continue here for a while for His purposes. It would seem that it is possible as long as a body can be resuscitated for a few minutes that this can occur; that is a far cry from Lazarus being raised from the dead or the Lord Himself.
In any case, anyone preaching a gospel other than the truth let him be "anathema" ( Galatians 1:8); and that includes angels as well. To know we are hearing from God being saved is a minimum requirement.
What would cause a person to not know that he's lukewarm?
They are lacking gold tried in the fire.
They are naked lacking white raiment.
And apparently don't know it. "and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. Proverbs 17:3.
Gold is purged of dross ( Isaiah 1:25), so by the refining fire of temptations the faithful are cleansed from pride and self-reliance and the pollutions of sin.
When we are self-reliant, we are naked before the Lord.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12-13. (I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
I believe this is blinded by pride, this reminds me of the Pharisees.
Matthew 6:1-5.
John 12:43. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
There is no conviction in a person who is self-sufficient. spreading the gospel is not on the top of their list. Walking in the spirit is only in the church building afterwards everything else is just a discussion forum or a round table or a competition where we compete for first place.
The word of God is handled to loosely. If we have faith in the inerrancy of the word of God, we should display it cautiously.
Don't do it as a hobby, it may not be your calling.
Don't counseling on things you don't understand.
The only barrier to truth is to think we already have it.
We can make every effort to keep focused on Jesus, who brings us to the Father and sends to us the Holy Spirit to live in us, whereby we have the amazingly wonderful favor to have the wholeness of God dwell in us. If we have the Spirit in us, we have the Father and Jesus in us. If we are justified by Jesus, we stand justified before the Father and the Spirit, If we are accepted by the Father, we are accepted by Jesus and the Holy Spirit. All of this is through Jesus, who, by His amazingly sufficient sacrifice, death, and resurrection, has become the perfect High Priest and Mediator before God for us who believe. Our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit made the perfect way for us to no longer be condemned for our sins, but to instead, have eternal life in and with Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit! We are so blessed! Hallelujah to God, the Magestic Glory, Sovereign of all that is.
looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith,who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God
Dear Cheryl, If you are not a born-again Christian this may be your problem and you need to ask Jesus to come into your heart ASAP--
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Paul and Silas's jailer asked them in ACTS 16:30 ..."Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Their answer was as simple as this in ACTS 16:31 ..."Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." Simple as that.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.- Romans 10:9-13.
On the other hand, if you have been saved--don't worry, God is longsuffering and understands what you are going through. Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Pray, read and study your Bible, and have faith and wait upon the Lord for all your needs.
Yes Lord let NO WEAPON formed against Fredrick prosper.
Let us pray for all of the brethren and sistren (:-)) in Christ globally that as we approach Halloween the Lord God Almighty would put up a supernatural hedge of protection and seal upon His servants. His children. And all who are predestined.
In Jesus name, cover us all with Your precious holy blood. Bind up works of darkness and powers/principalities in high places. In Jesus name.
I worship You Lord. I thank You for hearing our hearts cry and answering!
Thank you for sharing Hebrews 4:12. I do agree with you that the word of God is alive today, just as it was back then. But if I may answer your question "Without the Strongs Concordance then how would we know the Word of God is Alive today?"
Do we really need a Strong's Concordance to know that the word of God is alive today? Those words in Hebrews 4:12 were written sometime between 67 and 69 AD. They had no concordance. And even if they did, what language would their concordance be written in if what they had at the time was the Greek text? How would they have known that the word of God was alive back then?
Please know that I am not trying to be argumentative here. I am just trying to understand why we would need a Strong's Concordance to know that the word of God is alive today.
Part 3.
The almond blossoms looked like wood but they were gold, reminding us of Aaron's rod that budded. When Aaron's priestly prerogative was in question, the budding of his almond rod established it. The almond rod, a dead branch, was made to live and to bear fruit. Christ was established as the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead. It did not make Him Son of God, for He was that from the eternal counsels of God. Resurrection only confirmed it. Aaron was the Godappointed high priest, and it was confirmed by resurrection in the dead almond rod. The resurrection of Christ, likewise, established His priesthood. Christ is our great High Priest because He became a man, partook of our nature, and "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" ( Hebrews 4:15). But the primary basis of His priesthood is His deity. The priest represented men before God. Christ is God who became a man, and it is now the God-man who represents man. The resurrection which declared Him to be the Son of God likewise declared His priesthood.
There were no measurements given for the lampstand of pure gold. That which speaks of His deity alone cannot be measured, for deity is beyond the computation of man. Neither can a tape measure be placed along that which speaks of God. Again, the priesthood of Christ, which is conditioned on the fact that He became a man, is made to rest on His deity. There is not recorded any incident in the life of Christ in the Gospels which does not instantly record His deity with every mention of His humanity, yet never confusing or fusing the two. In the shortest verse of the Bible, "Jesus wept" ( John 11:35), there is recorded a perfectly human incident in His life. It is a characteristic of humanity to weep; it is perfectly natural. But the tears were not dry upon His cheeks before He commanded, "Lazarus, come forth" ( John 11:43). And Lazarus came forth. That was perfectly divine - only Deity has the power over death.
See part 4.
Cindy,
Hebrews Chapter 4 speaks of the superiority of Jesus Christ to Joshua. But it also talks about entering into Gods rest. When you get down to Hebrews 4:10, it says "For he that is entered into His rest, has also ceased from his own works, just as God did from His."
So, the writer of Hebrews is going back to creation. He's saying if you surrender to Christ, you will be doing just what God did. You will cease from your own works (your own efforts), at your own salvation, and you will enter into God's rest.
Now here's how it works:
God took 6 days to create all things. And by the way, the Hebrew word Yom for day, it can be either 24-hour days, or it could be like our metaphor when we say, "the day in which we live," meaning the age in which we live. It is important to know that the 6 days were six 24-hour days, as mentioned to us in Exodus Chapter 20.
But we have a problem in the creation account. The Jews don't have a problem. We have a problem as Gentiles understanding the connection here. In 6 days, God created all things. And on the 7th day, He entered into His rest and finished His work.
The number 6 in the bible is the number of man. We know that from the book of Revelation. The number of man is 6, and the man of sin, his number will be 666, not six-hundred and sixty-six, but 6 three times, in contrast to the trinity of God. So, the number 6 represents man, and the number 7 in the scriptures represents completion or perfection. So, man falls short of perfection or completion, therefore he has fallen short, as Paul would say of the glory of God.
Now here's what the writer of Hebrews is trying to get across:
The writer is trying to tell us that God has provided for us salvation. That parallels His 6 days of creation, to the point where He comes to us on the 7th day of His creative works for our salvation, and He says "Enter in to your rest!"
I think you may have uncovered something precious here, which clearly supports the present sense that I have, that "the seventh day has never ended". We as believers do enjoy that ongoing Sabbath (spiritual) rest ( Hebrews 4:1-6), which was denied to Israel for their wilful state of unbelief & disobedience; & yet our struggles in this life can never find its end, with that complete & perfect rest promised, never coming into our possession while Satan remains loose. Only until the Prince of Peace comes again & the world renewed without any possibility of such a devastating occurrence as before, can all of creation bask in the Glory of God & in His Perfect Rest as He originally planned for us. We just have a taste of it now (the 'evening' of the seventh day), waiting for that promised fruit to come to full maturity (the 'morning'), completing that seventh day of true & complete rest. As you can see, you've expanded my meditations on this considerably, for which I'm very appreciative.
You are correct, the church gathered for worship on Sunday since the time of the apostles. This is long before the RC Church emerged in the Holy Roman Empire.
Just to inform you that "Joshua" and "Jesus" is the same name in Hebrew. It is Yehoshua or Yashua. The first is used in the early chapters of the Old Testament whereas the second in the later when that name was simplified. It means " God is my salvation". The English transformed the first into Joshua and the second into Jesus. But it is the same name in 2 alternative forms. In the verse you mentioned that person is Joshua, not Jesus, this is obvious since Joshua gave them rest by being their leader when they entered and captured the land of promise.
As far as the Sabbath is concerned, apostle Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 asks christians to not let others judge them for not keeping things from the Old Testament, like Sabbath or other holly days. So it wasn't a Catholic invention, it was adopted as the formal day for christian congregation still from the very early time.
GBU
In the Greek language, 'Joshua, or Yehoshua' (from the Hebrew), is translated as 'Jesus, or Iesous'. And we find the translators making the same change in Acts 7:45. So, the KJV translators are correct in understanding this Hebrew to Greek change, though as you wrote, it can be misleading to those unfamiliar with the account or reading through those verses very quickly. We can see from Hebrews 4:8, that the writer is referring back to verse 5 ("And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest": Psalm 95:11), & even all the way back to Hebrews 4:1 when the subject of 'Rest' is brought up.
Even though most Bible translations use the word 'Joshua', they are of course translating it correctly, but not according to the original Greek, which the KJV uses, & this name translates to 'Jesus'. If Greek was spoken in the Old Testament days, by all accounts, Joshua, who took over from Moses' leadership, would have been called 'Iesous, or Jesus'.
As for the RC Church changing the Sabbath to Sunday, I can't comment, not being RC. But the Bible shows that after Jesus died & rose from the dead, the early Church worshiped together on the Lord's Day, the first day of the week ( Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 6:2): Sunday. Sunday, to the Church then & now, never became the new Sabbath Day - Saturday always has been the correct Jewish Sabbath Day.
I believe that by saying that it is Joshua and not Jesus, you mislead people from the rest in the Lord and the day! Which it clearer states was never changed from the Sabbath of the Lord our God the creator of the world. (The Catholic church changed the Sabbath to Sunday. They say that is the mark of their ecclesiastical authority. During the reformation the Pope told Martin Luther to follow the Bible and its authority. Although he did not, sadly.)
So, if the Jesus being used in the 'Greek' in Hebrews is Joshua then wouldn't it stand to reason that all the Jesus references would be as well?
Yeshua is the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is "Joshua." Iesous is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is "Jesus." Thus, the names "Joshua" and "Jesus" are essentially the same; both are English pronunciations of the Hebrew and Greek names for our Lord. (For examples of how the two names are interchangeable, see Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8 in the KJV. In both cases, the word Jesus refers to the Old Testament character Joshua.
As for the controversy over the letter J, it is much ado about nothing. It is true that the languages in which the Bible was written had no letter J. But that doesn't mean the Bible never refers to "Jerusalem" or "Judah." And it doesn't mean we cannot use the spelling "Jesus." If a person speaks and reads English, it is acceptable for him to spell things in an English fashion. Spellings can change even within a language: Americans write "Savior," while the British write "Saviour." The addition of a u (or its subtraction, depending on your point of view) has nothing to do with whom we're talking about. Jesus is the Savior, and He is the Saviour. Jesus and Yeshuah and Iesus are all referring to the same Person.
We refer to Him as "Jesus" because, as English-speaking people, we know of Him through English translations of the Greek New Testament. Scripture does not value one language over another, and it gives no indication that we must resort to Hebrew when addressing the Lord. The command is to "call on the name of the Lord," with the promise that we "shall be saved" ( Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32). Whether we call on Him in English, Korean, Hindi, or Hebrew, the result is the same: the Lord is salvation.
The word of God is like a great treasure hunt, one scripture is the key to another scripture, and so on. The scriptures put together are the KEYS TO THE KINGDOM.
Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, HERE A LITTLE, and THERE A LITTLE:
BUT NOTICE; since the spirit of Christ wrote the words, the spirit of Christ must teach your what the words mean.
Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to his people.
Most of God's words are HIDDEN in parables and dark sayings.
Psalms 78:2 I (the spirit of Christ) will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Revelation 19:10 ...for the testimony (words) of Jesus IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
For your questions, has words been twisted by man's carnal mind, YES.
Psalms 56:5 Every day they wrest (twist) my words ........
Are God's words being fulfilled? YES
Psalms 90:9 ...we spend our years as a tale that is told.
Hebrews 4:3 ... the works (WORDS) WERE FINISHED from the foundation of the world.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my words be that goeth forth out of my mouth, they shall not return unto me void, but it MY WORD shall accomplish that which I PLEASE, and IT (the WORD) shall prosper in the thing where unto I sent IT (the WORD)
The four winds of prophecy; a symbol, of the spirit of Christ.
John 3:8 the wind bloweth where it listeth (where God CAUSES it to blow), and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whether it goeth (it's the WORK of God): so is every one that is BORN OF THE SPIRIT.
Daniel 7:2 ....the four winds of heaven strove upon the great SEA (water)( Revelation 17:15) ....
Do I believe in miracles and wonders? YES, what greater miracle than creation:
Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, THEY ARE CREATED, ( 2 Corinthians 5:17) thou renewest the face of the earth.
The mark of the beast requires a post of its own, I will send a second post.
God Bless YOU!
Hi Ani. GiGi has shared accurately with you and I would like to add some more thoughts for your study & consideration.
I'm unsure where you obtained this particular Bible study book from, as it's clearly slanted towards 'keeping of the Law'. Does your Church support this teaching or are you doing this study by personal choice?
Firstly, the Jewish Sabbath has always been the Saturday (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) & was given to Israel as part of the other commandments for them to observe ( Exodus 20:8-11). Why was this particular Command given? It was the seventh day when the LORD ceased from His Work of creating & it was for a remembrance when God brought out His people "with a mighty hand & a stretched out arm": i.e. from the perennial state of bondage & hard labor in Egypt to a time of liberty & rest. Even when Israel collected their food (Manna) while in the desert, they were not allowed to gather it on the seventh day ( Exodus 16:19-30), indicating the sanctity of the Sabbath Day.
Secondly, the Christian observance of Sunday, is not a redefining of the Jewish Sabbath - it is what is termed, the Lord's Day ( Revelation 1:10), or the First Day of the Week ( Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2) - never the Sabbath.
Thirdly, the Church is not required to observe the Jewish Sabbath as we were never in bondage in Egypt & brought into Canaan. We were however, once in bondage to sin & the flesh & now given a glorious forgiveness & release into the Lord's Rest. See Matthew 11:28-30 and Hebrews 4:1-11. Not only is the Christian given Christ's Peace in his heart, but also a resulting rest that comes only from Him. And yet, there is also a coming rest ( Hebrews 4:9), where the word here is 'sabbatismos', or Sabbath Rest: a rest in God's Presence that will be one continual Sabbath Rest, when our earthly toils & hardships are finally over.
I agree with ever word you spoke in your comment.
I have a question, and would like your to meditate on that question?
All the scriptures you quoted about being born again now; instead of later, at the death of this body, were written 1900 years ago.
You were not born as of yet but your were already born again.
God always speaks as if it has already happen, in his eyes the works are finished.
Psalms 90:9 .....we spend our years as a tale that is (already) told.
Hebrews 4:3 ..... the works were finished from the foundations of the world.
1 Timothy 4:10 ....who is the saviour of ALL MEN, specially those that BELIEVE.
God Bless You!
The devil is the father of lies and he would love you to accuse God and let go of your faith. Remember for example how satan deceived Eve in the garden.
God is merciful and not willing that any should perish. His mercies are brand new every morning, like the sunrise!
If you have not been living right and are being chastised by the Lord that's a good thing. Repent and renew your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rebuke the lies of the enemy. He knows that God will never leave you or forsake you. They are lying spirits. Remember that God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son to save us.
Thank and praise Him for that. He's a good good Father who loves you!
Please do not let satan cause you to declare these accusations against the Lord. Ask God to forgive you.
I went through this too awhile back when I was seeking restoration. I had to encourage myself with scripture. God doesn't give up on His children. That contradicts His character. Think about that.
We're living in the last days and we've got to encourage one another to cling to the Lord with everything we've got.
Here are some scriptures to memorize. Write them on index cards and tape them to your cabinets, walls, etc. Keep them in front of your eyes!
Genesis 3:1-4
John 8:44
Deuteronomy 31:6-8
Ephesians 6:12
Hebrews 13:5
Hebrews 4:16
As for anxiety and depression, they are spiritual. Ask God to show you how to defeat them in the spirit. How to overcome. You are not alone most people have battled with these.
Scripture is how Jesus fought the enemy. Remember Ephesians 6:11, put on your armor daily. You must walk in the spirit.
I say these things with much love and to encourage you, my sister in Christ, in Jesus name. You will overcome. Plead the blood of Jesus.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon ._._ 3. a spirit ' a simple essence, ._._._ possessed the power of knowing, desiring, deciding and acting'
"soul" Greek "psuche" soul, life, self, inner being or life, 2. (literally) breath, 3. The heart's desire, the drive or passion of ones soul,
Same Greek words used for Hebrews 4:12,
Hebrews 5:12,
Ecclesiastes 12:7, "and as it was: and the spirit" translated from one Greek word "ruwach" wind, ._.
Thayer's = breath, wind, spirit, 1. breath of mouth or nostrils
You can study deeper in this website, there were multiple scripture references in the Thayer's Greek Lexicon, if you tap on a scripture, it will open new page, scroll down to "Translation Details" by clicking on any of the separated words or phrases it will bring you to the Concordance references.
Hopefully these are helpful
James 2:13, Luke 9:58, Matthew 8:20, Luke 2:7, Hebrews 4:15-16
Hopefully this is encouraging
I will give my understanding,
Your first question; is there anywhere in the heavens or the earth that God cannot be, Psalm 139:7-10 Proverbs 15:3 Jeremiah 23:23-24 Hebrews 4:13 Isaiah 6:3. But is the universe, the earth, and everything on the earth a manifestation of God? NO that is Pantheism and is forbidden in the Bible as idol worship, if everything is God it can be worshiped.
His dwelling place is in heaven that is above heaven (universe) and earth, beyond and outside of the physical universe, 1 Kings 8:30 1 Kings 8:43 2 Chr. 20:6 Psalm 11:4 Daniel 2:28 Matt. 5:16 Matt. 6:9. God gave His only begotten Son to die for us, John 3:16 God by the Holy Spirit can dwell in us if we accept Jesus as our savior we are cleansed by His blood, Romans 8:9-11 1 Cor. 3:16
God can see everything and take action anywhere, Prov. 15:3 Heb. 4:13 but God is everywhere at once? He is in that he is aware of everything in the physical universe both past, present, and future, and he can turn his attention to anyone or anything at any time.
Has anyone seen God? Moses came the closest, God showed him His backside, Exodus 33:12-23. No man in the flesh can see God's face and live, John 1:18 John 4:12 1 Tim. 6:16. We will see His face after the resurrection in our immortal and incorruptible body, Rev 22:4.
How can one Know that God exists? The Bible: He has revealed things to us, and the evidence is convincing if anyone is willing to consider the evidence. History also confirms many things that were prophesied in the Bible long before they happened. The word of God is the truth, and the Holy Spirit will reveal it to those with an open mind and open heart who honestly want the truth.
This is my understanding in love may it help, search and pray for yours.
God bless,
RLW
...The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..." That is part of Galatians 2:20. His Spirit also testifies with our spirit that we "are children of God" according to Romans 8:16. Scripture cannot be read alone with mental faculties and understood as God's truth unless these realities exist; namely being Born of the Spirit ( John 3:6-8) makes the Word living and active in our hearts ( Hebrews 4:12).
Scriptural truth also is what separates the God of truth and His angels from the fallen angels and demons that are the ruling principalities and powers of this world in this age ( Ephesians 6:12). Thus; we can experience God whether "in or out of the body" ( 2 Corinthians 12:2) as Paul did and by extension a demonic spiritual "trip" can occur much in the same way.
Anyone realistically wanting to understand 2 Corinthians 5:8 on being absent from the body; present with the Lord will understand that being in His presence as a believer is overwhelming to the extent that John fell at His feet as though dead ( Revelation 1:17). This is all the more telling since he was the disciple who always was closest to Jesus and even in his own testimony most loved ( John 13:23 and apparently in 4 other verses).
If we are NOT truly in Christ then there is only the terror of the Lord and of course immediate judgment and condemnation for those who are goats rather than sheep. Thus; those who promote a false gospel even if they were brain dead and came back to life God allows them to continue here for a while for His purposes. It would seem that it is possible as long as a body can be resuscitated for a few minutes that this can occur; that is a far cry from Lazarus being raised from the dead or the Lord Himself.
In any case, anyone preaching a gospel other than the truth let him be "anathema" ( Galatians 1:8); and that includes angels as well. To know we are hearing from God being saved is a minimum requirement.
1st pray for wisdom James 1:5-7,
2nd in your spirit you already had a leading to what the beast was
3rd To clarify GOD does still speak through dreams, visions, prophecy : Matthew 2:13, Acts 2:17, Malachi 3:6,
4th The Holy Spirit will teach you: 1John 2:27,
5th The Sword of the Spirit = The WORD of GOD, (as you declared in your dream) Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12,
6th if You're struggling with addiction & fear of it returning; continue to turn to GOD 'deny the flesh' : Matthew 17:20-21, Romans 8, Psalms 139,
Hopefully these are all helpful & I've prayed for you also as you've asked
What does lukewarm looks like in a believer?
What would cause a person to not know that he's lukewarm?
They are lacking gold tried in the fire.
They are naked lacking white raiment.
And apparently don't know it. "and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. Proverbs 17:3.
Gold is purged of dross ( Isaiah 1:25), so by the refining fire of temptations the faithful are cleansed from pride and self-reliance and the pollutions of sin.
When we are self-reliant, we are naked before the Lord.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12-13. (I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
I believe this is blinded by pride, this reminds me of the Pharisees.
Matthew 6:1-5.
John 12:43. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
There is no conviction in a person who is self-sufficient. spreading the gospel is not on the top of their list. Walking in the spirit is only in the church building afterwards everything else is just a discussion forum or a round table or a competition where we compete for first place.
The word of God is handled to loosely. If we have faith in the inerrancy of the word of God, we should display it cautiously.
Don't do it as a hobby, it may not be your calling.
Don't counseling on things you don't understand.
The only barrier to truth is to think we already have it.
We can make every effort to keep focused on Jesus, who brings us to the Father and sends to us the Holy Spirit to live in us, whereby we have the amazingly wonderful favor to have the wholeness of God dwell in us. If we have the Spirit in us, we have the Father and Jesus in us. If we are justified by Jesus, we stand justified before the Father and the Spirit, If we are accepted by the Father, we are accepted by Jesus and the Holy Spirit. All of this is through Jesus, who, by His amazingly sufficient sacrifice, death, and resurrection, has become the perfect High Priest and Mediator before God for us who believe. Our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit made the perfect way for us to no longer be condemned for our sins, but to instead, have eternal life in and with Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit! We are so blessed! Hallelujah to God, the Magestic Glory, Sovereign of all that is.
looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith,who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Paul and Silas's jailer asked them in ACTS 16:30 ..."Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Their answer was as simple as this in ACTS 16:31 ..."Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." Simple as that.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.- Romans 10:9-13.
On the other hand, if you have been saved--don't worry, God is longsuffering and understands what you are going through. Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Pray, read and study your Bible, and have faith and wait upon the Lord for all your needs.
God Bless!
Let us pray for all of the brethren and sistren (:-)) in Christ globally that as we approach Halloween the Lord God Almighty would put up a supernatural hedge of protection and seal upon His servants. His children. And all who are predestined.
In Jesus name, cover us all with Your precious holy blood. Bind up works of darkness and powers/principalities in high places. In Jesus name.
I worship You Lord. I thank You for hearing our hearts cry and answering!
Help him to stay close to You and seek You always.
I ask it in the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.