QT 7/8/2026 Heb 9:11-14, Heaven requires perfection

Hebrews 9:11–14 (ESV) —

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

 

NOTE: Everything before was but a shadow and copy. Everything pointed to the need for a better tent, a better sacrifice, and better blood. Jesus entered into the holy of holies (the one in heaven) by means of his blood and his perfect life. As God-man, he took on the sins of the whole world, and ended the devil's most powerful weapon, death. One would be a fool to replace a perfect sacrifice with imperfect religious rules. We can never do enough good to secure a spot in heaven on our own works. There is left only one sin that is not covered, and that is to not believe in God's only son. Jesus died for the world's sin, but that is not helpful if you have but one sin in your life, disbelief in the finished work of Christ on the cross. It only takes one sin to make you unqualified to enter a perfect and holy heaven.

 

PONDER:

1. Only one sin disqualifies you from heaven. Heaven requires perfection. Jesus' death can make you perfect in God's eyes, but only if you believe in Jesus. Where do you stand?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am amazed at what you have done to attempt to save the world, but so many are in open revolt and continued rebellion to their creator. I pray that you would wake us up. Come Lord Jesus, come.

QT 7/7/2026 Heb 9:6-10, A complete salvation is available

Hebrews 9:6–10 (ESV) —

6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

 

NOTE: The author has already told us that the new covenant makes the old covenant obsolete. His walk-through of the old system is intended to show why it did not work. All of the activities and religious structure could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. The old covenant's only redeeming value was that it reminded us of our sin and our failure to meet God's standard or to be seen by God as righteous. No sooner than an unintentional sin is forgiven, how much time elapses before I sin unintentionally again. How would I even know that since it was unintentional?

 

No, we needed something that can truly clear our conscience and make us righteous in the eyes of the thrice holy God of the universe. Jesus' death makes that possible. He died for the sins of the world. For those who believe, we are sealed with God's Holy Spirit and our bodies become temples of God. In Paul's letter to Corinth, he writes:

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) — For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

Jesus took our sin upon himself and gave us the righteousness of God. The Father now sees Jesus when he looks upon us.

 

These truths are incredibly freeing. I know a lot of my personal sins and struggles, but I don't know it all. I'm sure I do many things unintentionally. But in Jesus, I am clean of willful and of unintentional sins. I am clean!

 

PONDER:

1. Do we appreciate the depths of our salvation, or are we still holding on to religious practices in some vain attempt to please God?

 

PRAYER: Father, I want to live a righteous life before you, not in some vain attempt to please you (since I am perfectly and fully loved) but out of thankfulness for the salvation you have given me.

QT 7/6/2026 Heb 9:1-5, We can have access to the throne room of God

Hebrews 9:1–5 (ESV) —

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

 

NOTE: I suppose, the most obvious question that arises in this passage is the placement of the golden altar of incense. Now, the author could be referring to a censer that was used on the day of atonement so that the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and be protected. But another explanation is the association of the golden altar of incense with the Holy of Holies from an access point of view.

 

Exodus 40:5 (ESV) — And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle.

1 Kings 6:22 (ESV) — And he overlaid the whole house with gold, until all the house was finished. Also the whole altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold.

 

The golden altar of incense which is placed outside of the Holy of Holies and in front of the screen separating the Holy of Holies from the Most Holy Place, and represents the prayers of the saints. To its right and left, are the table of shewbread and the 7-candle menorah light. Those two items represents God's provision for worshippers. The bread is his word and the light is his direction and leading. The scriptures refer to God's word as bread and also as light.

 

But we enter God's presence through prayer. Before, there was a mediator and a very thick curtain that protected the worshipper from God's holiness. At Jesus' death, the curtain was ripped from the top down, emphasizing that Jesus has opened a new way into the presence of God. We exchange our unrighteousness for Jesus' righteousness upon belief, allowing us to enter into the throne room of God.

 

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) — Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19–22 (ESV) — 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

The point of all this is answered in Heb 10. We now have access to God, not through a mediator but directly through the work of Jesus (our new High Priest) on the cross. We can throw away religion and instead experience a true relationship with the most high. There is no greater privilege on earth.

 

PONDER:

1. Have you experienced the life changing experience of being born again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

PRAYER: Father, nothing has changed my life more than my simple profession of faith so many years ago. I was born again. I felt it, I saw it, I experienced it, and I am experiencing still each day. It was the most consequential decision of life, and I pray that others could experience that same change.

QT 7/3/2026 Heb 10:1-7, A new and better way

Hebrews 10:1–7 (ESV) —

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,

but a body have you prepared for me;

6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings

you have taken no pleasure.

7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,

as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”

 

NOTE: The author continues the argument that the law was ineffective. It was a shadow or even a copy of the realities of heaven. Repeated offerings only temporarily covered a person's sins and need to be continual habit. They did have the positive effect of reminding us of our sins, but they could never take away our sins. At certain points in the history of Israel, God expresses his dismay with Israel and how tired he was with their repeated offerings.

 

Jesus is the new way to God. His sacrificial death pays the penalty of sin completely. It does not remove sin because the human body inherited sin, but it does free us from slavery to sin and promises a new body untainted by sin. At the rapture, God will resurrect the dead in Christ and those believers who are still alive and will give us new bodies that are not tainted with sin. Then we will be truly free of sin. The dead are free of sin, but only because they have no body. But Jesus is the first fruit of the resurrection, new bodies without the stain of sin.

 

I look forward to that day. It is hard to imagine not struggling with temptation, it seems so ingrained in who I am. But I trust God's magnificent power to recreate life.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I been born again? Then I have the hope of resurrection.

 

PRAYER: Father, I prayed that I continue to grow in grace and knowledge of you. Continue to lead me in your paths. It is now approaching three years since I retired. Is there a new thing or a new direction? Lead me and guide me I pray.

QT 7/2/2026 Heb 8:7–13, Seeking the one true God of the bible

Hebrews 8:7–13 (ESV) —

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

8 For he finds fault with them when he says:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,

when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel

and with the house of Judah,

9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers

on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.

For they did not continue in my covenant,

and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws into their minds,

and write them on their hearts,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor

and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’

for they shall all know me,

from the least of them to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,

and I will remember their sins no more.”

13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

 

NOTE: Once again, there is much that can be said about this passage. It was always God's plan to do away with the old covenant. God was not surprised that the people did not obey or that the old covenant did not solve man's sin problem. It was as the book of Galatians teaches, a guardian until a new and better covenant came secured by the blood of the Son of God. Why would God establish a faulty covenant in the first place? I don't think it was faulty. It was a guardian. It provided a temporary covering for sin. Most importantly, it revealed our sin and a need for a savior. In the book of Romans, Paul argues that he would not know that coveting was a sin if the law did not say it was a sin. The old covenant was good but it was preparing us for a better covenant by revealing our need.

 

Today, the temple of God (which was destroyed a few years after Hebrews was written) is in our heart. Paul teaches in Corinthians that our bodies are temples of God where the Holy Spirit indwells. We have the Holy of Holies within us. The law is in our minds and on our hearts. The Holy Spirit speaks to us and reveals truth. We can now know God personally through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The new covenant is a much better covenant.

 

In today's day and age, people are searching for churches and religion that make them feel good, that agree with their concept of God. If you are attending a church for that reason, you are probably worshipping an idol. Whether you like it or not, God is revealed in the bible. If you don't like what the bible says (all of it), then you are probably worshipping an idol of your own making. The new covenant is found in the bible. Seek it with all of your heart -- all of it.

 

PONDER:

1. Where does my concept of God come from, culture or the word of God?

 

PRAYER: Father, this world is falling apart and we search for answers in the wrong places. There is so much pain and anguish. I pray for you to show yourself strong to believers and to help us to seek you with all of our heart.

QT 7/1/2026 Heb 8:1-6, A much better belief

Hebrews 8:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

 

NOTE: There is a lot in this passage. The emphasis seems to be on where Jesus is as High Priest. First, he sits on the right hand of the throne of God, making him also royalty. Secondly, he ministers in the true tent (tabernacle) that the Lord set up, not the one on earth which is only a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. Third, it does not say it here, but it has been said, Jesus offered up his perfect life, God-man, as a substitutionary payment for our sins. Jesus did it once, not repeatedly like the earthly high priests, because Jesus' sacrifice was so much greater than any other possible offering. Consequently, Jesus' ministry is "much more excellent" than the old, and it is built upon better promises. Why? Nothing is temporary, but Jesus' work is complete and permanent. This new covenant makes everything permanent. At conversion, we are justified. As we live, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we are in the process of being sanctified, made more like Christ. And at the rapture, we will be given new bodies and be like Christ, in terms of a sinless nature. So there is great hope in this covenant. In fact, one could say that this was the hope of the Old Covenant, a Messiah that would save them from their sins and the oppression of the enemy Satan.

 

PONDER:

1. Are we still clinging to religion and good works? Why?
2. There is no other salvation on earth but belief in Jesus' work on the  cross -- where are you placing your hope?

 

PRAYER: Father, I know that I am far from perfect and to fall into sin far too often. I see you changing me and it is dramatic, but also sometimes discouraging because I still fail. Be gracious and merciful to me, a sinner. Help me to change and honor you.

QT 6/30/2026 Heb 7:23-28, Forgetting what is truly important and real

Hebrews 7:23–28 (ESV) —

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

 

NOTE: I like the summary in verse 28. Jesus is greater and superior to the high priests of the Old Covenant, the law, for three reasons. One, He is the son of God, eternal and immortal, rose from the dead and never will die. The old system had 83 different high priests (Josephus's number) because human men die. Two, Jesus is the more recent appointment, because the previous high priests were weak and ineffective. Three, Jesus was appointed by God by an oath, which I don't think any previous High Priest could say (maybe Aaron or Samuel, but the word used is only "to call," not "to appoint"). And even if you might equate "call" with "appoint," none received an oath, only Jesus.

 

Jesus is an absolutely greater High Priest of a new covenant built on better promises (an oath, a relationship, an eternal future, an indwelling, adoption, and an inheritance).

 

As my country enters our 250th anniversary (a very short time among nations of the world), one can't help but notice the apathy toward the event. Some of that is because of the extreme political culture of our time. Some of it, is that we are spoiled by freedom and riches. We don't realize how great our country has become. Quite frankly, we have become fools. I think the same thing can happen with faith. When times are good, people forget God, and when times are bad, people turn to God. We don't realize what we have until it is gone ("they paved paradise and put up a parking lot"). I pray that would not be our spiritual result.

 

PONDER:

1. Do we realize how great a salvation we have in Jesus?
2. Do we treat with disdain or apathy the immense riches we have in Christ? Our seriousness is the measure of our real faith.

 

PRAYER: Father, it seems the churched move further away from real faith each year. We are satisfied with playing the game as long as life is comfortable, all the while destroying the marks of our faith, a changed life. Reveal to us our sins. Change our hearts. Pour out your grace again.

QT 6/29/2026 Heb 7:18-22, The New Covenant guarantees my salvation

(Hebrews 7:18–22, ESV) 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

“The Lord has sworn

and will not change his mind,

‘You are a priest forever.’ ”

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

 

NOTE: The Greek word for "set aside" in verse 18 means to cancel or abolish, and is the same word used to describe what happens to our sin when we put our faith in Christ. In other words, the law does not apply to us in any way. We are in a new covenant. Technically, the ten commandments do not apply to Christians, but what does apply is Jesus command to love God and love our neighbor because those two commands sums up the whole law. Jesus actually changed the most of the ten commandments. He called adultery looking at a woman lustfully, for example.

 

The thing that most impresses me, is that the old covenant was useless in helping a person draw near to God. And that is the whole purpose of the new covenant, to know God. The barriers are removed and God's Holy Spirit indwells those who have put their faith in Jesus' sacrificial death for our sins. And even better, Jesus is the guarantor of this new covenant. There is no doubt on our salvation, primarily because nothing depends upon us.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I realize how secure my salvation is in Christ?
2. Everything prophesied about Jesus has occurred according to prophesy. Why do some not believe that the end of times will occur according to prophesy?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for my secure salvation. Help me to be intentional in my faith and take advantage of opportunities to share my faith.

 

QT 6/26/2026 Heb 7:11–17, A totally new covenant is required

Hebrews 7:11–17 (ESV) —

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

“You are a priest forever,

after the order of Melchizedek.”

 

NOTE: There are three main points in this passage. First, religion based on external works can never save anyone. The law was faulty and needed to be replaced. Second, a new High Priest violates the Old Testament law because under the Law, the high Priest had to be a Levite and a descendant of Aaron. Jesus is our new High Priest and he is from the tribe of Judah. Therefore, under the new Covenant, the old testament law is now invalid. Third, Jesus as a High Priest in the likeness of the story of Melchizedek, illustrates a totally new type of High Priest. Jesus, resurrected from the dead, is eternally our High Priest having offered his body, once for all, for the remission of sins. Our sins are not just covered as the OT law provided, but they are paid for completely. We are redeemed, paid for by Jesus, something religion could never do.

 

But you say Christianity is a religion. To some, that may be true, and it is worthless to those who treat it as such. Christianity is a new birth and a new relationship with God. It is by grace (it could never be earned) and is acquired by the simple act of faith.

 

PONDER:

1. Are you still playing the religion game, or have you been born again?

 

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes before it is too late. The days until you return are quickly passing. I think they are very close, possibly within a decade. Only you know for sure, but I want to be ready. Come Lord Jesus, come.

QT 6/25/2026 Heb 7:1–10, An incredible High Priest

Hebrews 7:1–10 (ESV) —

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

 

NOTE: I have struggled with this passage since I would be accused of spiritualizing the Gen 14 if I had used the same arguments. The author is creating an example "type" to compare to Jesus. First, Melchizedek was real and human. He was a High Priest. He was great since, literally, all of Israel (represented by Abraham's seed) presented him with a tithe. The "typology example" is seen in the fact that his parents are not mentioned, his name is King of Righteousness and his title is King of Peace, and his death is not recorded. The "type" assumption is that he is eternal, just like Jesus. They represent a different type of High Priest, a King-High Priest, who lives eternally. In this sense, Melchizedek resembles the Son of God. But Jesus is even greater than Melchizedek and certainly greater than Aaron as the author will continue to argue in the next few chapters.

 

What does this mean to us, present day believers? We are not in a religion based on works. We are not represented by human and fallible priests. We have a relationship with God himself. We are indwelt by the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. We have direct access to God by Jesus. We are righteous in God the Father's eyes by Jesus. We are adopted into God's family. We are co-heirs with God's son. Wow! Why would anyone want to step back into Judaism or religion?

 

PONDER:

1. Is my faith religion or a relationship with God himself?

 

PRAYER: Father, again I thank you for the incredible gift of Jesus and the adoption into your family. I am unworthy. I want to live in a manner that brings glory to your name. Give me the strength I need for each day.

QT 6/24/2026 Heb 6:13-20, We have what we need, why do we ignore it?

Hebrews 6:13–20 (ESV) —

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

 

NOTE: What are the two unchangeable things, God is unchangeable and His Word is unchangeable. God (the Father) raised Jesus (the Son of God) from the grave as the first fruits of our own resurrection. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus, the word of God, has declared the truths of God.

 

John 14:6 (ESV) — Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 10:9 (ESV) — I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 11:25–26 (ESV) — Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 3:36 (ESV) — Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Mark 16:16 (ESV) — Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Luke 23:43 (ESV) — And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

 

They are many more declarations. It is impossible for God to lie. We have these truths before us. They are testified by the miracles performed before many eyewitnesses and the resurrection, also seen by many who wrote about it and went to a martyr's death rather than deny it.

 

I'm not convinced by martyr's, well at least second generation and greater martyrs who can believe something that is not true. But it is hard to deny first generation eyewitnesses. No one dies for a lie.

 

The message is absolutely true, and every day brings us closer to his return and the rapture of the saints into our resurrection bodies.

 

The danger of apostasy is an emotional response to events that ignore truth. We must remain anchored to the truth of God's word and not the deceitful lies of the culture.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I anchored in the word of God? Daily?
2. Have I traded truth for the emotional and deceitful lies of the world?

 

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes. I pray we would read your word daily. Nothing has the power to open our eyes like the word of God. It is a sword that digs deep into the soul. It is a fire that burns away lies. It is a lamp that guides us along the right path.

QT 6/23/2026 Heb 6:7-12, What are we doing with our lives?

Hebrews 6:7–12 (ESV) —

7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 

NOTE: Even though the author has spoken very harshly and even mentioned their end as burning (Jerusalem in 70 AD, Christians escaped because of Jesus' command at the first encirclement), He feels that it will not be the case. When we are saved, we are given the Holy Spirit. The Spirit urges us on to do what is right and pleasing in God's eyes. But verse 7 is a warning to believers. The rain that falls on the land is the refreshing word of God. We should grow as a result, but if we fail, we are in danger of believers judgment.

 

John 15:6 (ESV) — If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

1 Corinthians 3:13 (ESV) — each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

 

Let me quote one commentary:

 

“Although this might appear to be a reference to hades or to the lake of fire, it really points to the judgment seat of Christ where a fruitless, wasted life will be examined by fire. (Gromacki, 1984)

 

I feel the fire is the destruction of Jerusalem, but Gromacki could be right. Either way, there is a judgment.

 

What are we doing with our lives? Our salvation was not an opportunity to live comfortable fruitless lives. Our salvation was accomplished that we might live for God and not for our selfish lives.

 

When we die, we lose the opportunity we have now to glorify God in our new found faith. It is a privilege to live for the Lord on earth. Paul was hard pressed between the two, and he had lived a life worthy of God after salvation. He reasoned that it was more necessary for the church to remain. God has put us here for a purpose (Phil 2:19-26).

 

PONDER:

1. What are we doing with our Christian lives?

 

PRAYER: Father, some believers have been deceived by the evil one and have committed themselves to causes of Satan. They have turned from the word of God and are leading others in a hell of their own making with no peace or hope. I pray we might repent and return to you before it is too late.

 

QT 6/22/2026 Heb 6:1-6, The world is Satan's place, don't leave God's word to sit in it

Hebrews 6:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

 

NOTE: This is truly one of the most difficult passages of the New Testament to interpret. Let me first say that interpretation of the bible is not arbitrary nor do we read in what we want it to say. Rather we read out using scientific rules of logic and grammar. The problem is some of the wording seems less than precise. One commentator argues that the vs 4-6 clearly refer to a believer, another argues that they could refer to someone associated with the church but not a believer. Another view holds that verses 1-3 emphasize the need for spiritual maturity, the promised earthly rest of a believer, and that verses 4-6 argue that some Christians who apostate themselves will never reach spiritual maturity, much like those in the desert who rebelled against God and were never allowed to enter the promise land.

 

I do know Christians who have essentially left the faith; unfortunately more than I would like to know. They have replaced solid biblical teaching with the views of the world. They now sit physically in the camp of Satan. Psalm 1:1 describes those who start walking with sinners, then standing with them in the road, and finally sitting with them and scoffing at those who hold to the truths of the bible. They have committed apostasy. Can they return? The plain reading of these verses says no. Have they lost their salvation? The plain reading of the bible says that you cannot lose your salvation. But they have lost a lot. They live in a sort of hell that will never satisfy until they repent, and can never be completely restored in this life. They will never experience the promised rest until death takes them home. They won't receive a crown or rewards for their witness or service, but they are still saved.

 

PONDER:

1. Where am I -- standing on the truth of scripture or seated with the scoffers who view biblical truth with disgust?

 

PRAYER: Father, it seems as if a wave of demonic possession has overtaken many. The anger, the bitterness, the evil that many in my country possess is frightening. God wake us up! Help us to see it! I cannot even say this it hurts so much, but when two homosexual men adopt and then abuse a baby boy to death, we are so guilty of sin. My nation is sick. We are sick. I don't even want to pray for mercy. Come Lord Jesus, come.

 

QT 6/19/2026 Heb 5:11–14, Seeking the real Jesus

Hebrews 5:11–14 (ESV) —

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

 

NOTE: The problem is clearly not just about trusting in Jesus' completed work on the cross. These believers are again babes in Christ. They were saved a while ago and now need the basic principles retaught to them. There are babes drinking milk, not solid food. The have not invested themselves in the word of righteousness. Their problem is spiritual immaturity, not a new way of viewing their salvation. They have missed the rest because they have not grown in their walk with God. There is no spiritual maturity and none of the fruits of spiritual maturity. Unfortunately, they remind me too much of the many who sit in the pews on Sunday or attend bible studies on Wednesday, and their lives are characterized by jealousy, discontent, and a lack of love for others. They church today is a mess in many places. Wake us up O Lord.

 

PONDER:

1. Where do I fall? Still a spiritual baby or a mature believer who lives like Jesus did on earth?

 

PRAYER: Father, we are so blinded by our own sin. We think our good works proves our faith, but the heart is not behind it. We go through the motions without ever understanding the real relationship with Christ that comes to those who truly seek him through his word.

QT 6/18/2026 Heb 5:7–10, Who is Jesus to you?

Hebrews 5:7–10 (ESV) —

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

 

NOTE: Jewish Christian were suffering for their faith in Christ. But Jesus also suffered and far worse on the cross than any one suffered for believing in him. Three times scripture records that Jesus wept -- once at Lazarus's tomb, once as he was approaching Jerusalem the last time, and once in the garden of Gethsemane as he prepared for the crucifixion.

 

I think it is interesting that Jesus was of the order of Melchizedek. There was no "order," Melchizedek appears and is not mentioned again. Jesus appeared and now he is the eternal High Priest. I wonder if Melchizedek is the reason that David sought Jerusalem.

 

Whatever the reason, we now have a priest-king, Jesus. He is our King (physical savior) and he is our spiritual savior, and he will be the judge over all people. He fulfills all the roles of government because he is God.

 

PONDER:

1. A lot of different thoughts here, but who is Jesus to you? A good man (wrong), a king (partly correct), a priest (partly correct), a future judge (partly correct)? Jesus is the perfect man. Jesus is God, Jesus is King of Kings. Jesus is our High Priest who died once for all. Jesus will judge the living and the dead.

 

PRAYER: Lord, I am unworthy to be a part of the family. I am humbled beyond words to have salvation. I am undeserving of your love. I pray I would live in such a way that at least my life would be an expression of thankfulness.

QT 6/17/2026 Heb 5:1–6, Wake up Church

Hebrews 5:1–6 (ESV) —

1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”;

6 as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

after the order of Melchizedek.”

 

NOTE: There is a lot to digest in this passage. High priests are appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God. They understand man's weakness as they are weak themselves. They are called to the job by God. Jesus also was a man, one might say he was weak (he prayed in agony; he wept) and yet he was without sin. As a man, he understands our weaknesses. He is God's Son and he was our perfect Passover sacrifice. He becomes our High Priest by the giving of his life as a substitute for us.

 

But his role as a High Priest invalidates the law. He is a member of the tribe of Judah. He is not a Levi nor a descendant of Aaron. His role as High Priest means another Law must be put into effect, the law of Christ. These things will be discussed in greater depth in later chapters.

 

What does it mean to us? It is another example of the OT Law being a shadow of the good things to come. The OT Law exposed us as sinners, the New Covenant redeems us as adopted sons. The sacrifice for our sins is over, it does not need to be repeated. Our standing is assured by our adoption into God's family. Our life should now be characterized by good works befitting our new name, and out of thankfulness for our salvation which required nothing but faith on our part.

 

And yet, the church is plagued by people who look no different than the world. Wake up O sleepers, wake up! We are greatly loved. We have been saved by the grace and mercy of God. It should make ever difference in our lives.

 

PONDER:

1. Does my faith impact every aspect of my life or does it just impact Sunday / Wednesday?

 

PRAYER: Father, continue to changes us from one degree of glory to another in the life of Jesus. I pray we would not be satisfied with the world, but only with a deep and abiding relationship with our savior.

QT 6/16/2026 Hebrews 4:12–16, Comfort is the enemy of spiritual rest

Hebrews 4:12–16 (ESV) —

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

NOTE: Verses 14-16 get to the heart of the problem. They were not holding fast to their confession. They were weak and were having a difficult time standing in their community with the outbreak against Christianity and the uprising against Rome. They were not in the word regularly, if at all. They were not fellowshipping (Heb 10:24-25). And they were losing their confidence. Soon the city would be surrounded. Jesus had warned believers about what to do when the city is surrounded -- they were to flee to the mountains. The Romans would retreat the first time and the Christians did leave (according to Josephus). The Romans returned a year later and again surrounded the city, burning it to the ground and killing 1+ million Jews. The references to burning in the book of Hebrews are not hell but physical death by the Romans.

 

When we begin to value comfort more than service to God, we are on the same road as these Christian Hebrews. We begin to miss attending church. We are not in God's word daily. We don't pray. We are embarrassed to witness. We are no different from these Christian Hebrews.

 

PONDER:

1. What is more important to me, comfort or the message of the gospel going forth?

 

PRAYER: Father, rescue the church from its pursuit of comfort. We are not any better than the recipients of the letter when we live just like them. Open our eyes to our false hopes and desires. May we seek your will and your kingdom.

QT 6/15/2026 Heb 4:6-12, What is the rest?

Hebrews 4:6–12 (ESV) —

6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,

“Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts.”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 

NOTE: Each generation gets its own chance to enter into God's rest. Each has to decide to obey or ignore God. What is this rest? Is it the millennial kingdom or our future in heaven? Those are guaranteed by saving faith, not by what appears to be walking faith, the day-to-day life with God. We are to strive to enter this rest, and it is affected by our disobedience. This doesn't seem to be salvation, which cannot be lost because of disobedience. There is no striving but rather simple trust in our savior. And additionally, we know the Hebrews were not growing in their faith but falling back into Judaism and needed to relearn the basics all over again (Heb 5:11-12).

 

A Christian does strive to live out the Christian life, by obedience to God's word, not out of fear of hell, but out of joy and thanksgiving for our eternal salvation.

Ephesians 4:1 (ESV) — I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

Colossians 1:9–10 (ESV) — 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 (ESV) — 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

When we live in such a way, we not only glorify God but there is a peace and joy (a rest to use another word) that comes through our spiritual maturity in Christ. This type of rest can come here and now, even despite the pains and circumstances of life.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I living in the rest that comes by a deep walk with God?

 

PRAYER: Father, this is hard passage, and it is certainly possible that I have misunderstood the author's point, and yet it makes so much more sense. Help me to continue to grow in my faith, and to continue to grow in rest (total trust in your deliverance).

QT 6/11/2026 Heb 4:1–5, What is spiritual rest for the believer?

Hebrews 4:1–5 (ESV) —

1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,

“As I swore in my wrath,

‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ”

although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,

“They shall not enter my rest.”

 

NOTE: What is the rest to which the author tells us to fear lest we seem to have failed to reach it? It can’t be heaven since all believers have the promise of heaven. It has to be prior to our death. It could be rest in the millennial kingdom, but that would be our reward, not our rest. I think the rest is something one experiences here on earth prior to death. It is the rest which allowed Paul to sing songs while in Jail in Philippi. It is the rest which allowed Paul to say that it did not matter if he died in Rome or he was released and continued his evangelical ministry. It is what the Hebrews were missing. What do we know of them? They have retreated from the faith. They are immature babies in Christ, they need the basics all over again. They don't meet together for Christian fellowship. And they are in danger of still being inside Jerusalem when the city is burned down. They are not growing in their faith. They are not experiencing the peace that spiritual maturity brings to the soul. They are still fighting the world, living in the world, and seeking peace and comfort from the world. I don't believe the problem is that they are not trusting in Jesus for their salvation and believing they have to work harder -- they are not doing anything spiritually.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I experiencing the peace that only a deep faith in Jesus can bring to the soul -- one that can survive despite circumstances?

 

PRAYER: Father, I continue to cast my anxieties upon you. I pray for my children. I pray for your provision. I believe you care deeply for them and you are working your good in their life. Help them to seek you and grow in you.