How can we be sure that we will be saved at last?
(Hebrews 3:7 – 4:16; Psa. 95:7-11; Isa. 55:6-7; 2 Cor. 6:2) Blog Jan. 23-29, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In Hebrews, Paul writes to all believers presenting Jesus as One equal with the Father in glory, substance, and power who by himself atoned for our sins and rose to heaven to become our high priest. God appointed him “heir of all things” and chose him to be our prophet, priest, and king. This required Jesus to be divine (Heb. 1), to be human (Heb. 2), and to be a faithful messenger (“apostle” Heb. 3:1-6).
“Today”
1. After Paul shows Jesus to be God’s new prophet in the first six verses of Hebrews 3, how does he begin his exhortation? In Hebrews 3 Paul begins his exhortation by quoting Psalm 95:7-11 (Psa. 95:7-11; Heb. 3:7-11).
2. What word from verse 7 does Paul repeat four times in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4? Paul repeats the word “today” four times in Hebrews 3 & 4 (Heb. 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7).
3. What idea does Paul contrast with the word “today” in Hebrews 3 and 4? Paul contrasts the idea of God’s end-time judgment declaration (“sware,” “the end,” “seem to come short” = be judged, “with whom we have to do” = to whom we must give account) with the idea of “today” in Hebrews 3 & 4. “Today” is the time during which God still hears the sinner’s plea for forgiveness (Heb. 3:11-15; 4:1, 7, 12-13).
4. How does Isaiah express the same idea of a time of human probation? Isaiah says: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near… for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isa. 55:6-7).
5. In Second Corinthians how does Paul express the urgency of coming to God before judgment day? Paul writes: “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2; 5:20).
Heart Hardening
6. What was Paul’s concern for his audience in Hebrews 3? Paul was concerned that the Christians to whom he wrote would lose faith by allowing their hearts to become hard (Heb. 3:6, 12).
7. How is it that hearts become hard? Hearts become hard by allowing unconfessed sins to build up, by slighting God’s mercy, or by rejecting the display of God’s power thus strangling faith (Heb. 3:13).
8. What remedies does Paul give for preventing heart hardening? Paul tells us to take heed to ourselves (examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith), to exhort one another daily, & hold fast our faith (Heb. 3:12-13; 2 Cor. 13:5).
9. By what means does Paul say we can be sure that we will be saved at last? Paul says our eternal salvation is guaranteed if we continue steadfast in faith unto the end (Heb. 3:14; Matt. 24 :13).
10. What illustration of losing salvation does Paul give in Hebrews 3? Paul refers to the children of Israel who were “baptized” with Moses in the Red Sea, drank water from the Rock, & ate manna yet lost faith to enter Canaan as examples of losing one’s salvation (Heb. 3:16-19; 1 Cor. 10:1-5).
Entering God’s Rest
11. With what fear does Paul begin Hebrews 4? Paul admonishes us to be very careful to not let judgment day overtake us without having entered God’s rest (Heb. 4:1).
12. What kind of rest does Paul mention in Hebrews 4:3 and 10? In Hebrews 4:3 & 10 Paul refers to the rest of justification by faith: ceasing to earn acceptance with God by our efforts & resting in Jesus’ perfect obedience (Heb. 4:3, 10; Phil. 3:9).
13. What kind of rest does Paul mention in Hebrews 4:4? In Hebrews 4:4 Paul refers to the weekly Sabbath rest: the observable sign that continually reminds us of all the other rests that God offers (Heb. 4:4).
14. What kind of rest does Paul mention in Hebrews 4:8? In Hebrews 4:8 Paul refers to the historical rest promised to Israel in earthly Canaan (Heb. 4:7-8).
15. What kind of rest does Paul mention in Hebrews 4:9 and 11? In Hebrews 4:9 & 11 Paul refers to the rest of eternal life (Heb. 4:9, 11).
16. Whose rest does God offer to us? God offers us HIS rest for it was he who worked to create our world in six days, it was he who lived a sinless life on earth, it was he who cared for Israel 40 years & drove the Canaanites out of the promised land, & it is he who has gone to prepare for us a place in his Father’s house (Heb. 3:8-11; 4:1, 3-5, 10).
17. How do we enter into God’s rest? We enter God’s rest by faith alone (Heb. 3:18-19; 4:3, 6, 11).
18. Why is it that so many people do not enter into God’s rest? Many people do not enter God’s rest because they don’t believe God’s Word & it is that Word that will judge them & find them wanting in the last day (Heb. 3:18-19; 4:3, 6, 11-13).
19. Why does Paul mention the Gospel in relation to entering God’s rest? Paul brings up the Gospel for it is the account of God’s finished work in Christ that provides the rest found in justification & in eternal life (Heb. 4:2-3; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-8).