HEBREWS 4 THE PROMISE OF REST

Doug

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Israel murmured, and rebelled against the Lord. Israel, in unbelief, did not obey the Lord in regard to entering the land as commanded; and because of this, they fell in the wilderness.

Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Unto the Hebrews, a promise remained for rest; if they believed.

Above we read that the gospel was preached "unto us, as well as unto them".

What gospel was preached to Israel in the wilderness?

Deuteronomy 1:8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.

Above, is the gospel preached to Israel in the wilderness. Israel was to possess the promised land.

The Hebrews in Hebrews 3:8 were not to harden theirs hearts, in departing from God, as they did in the wilderness.

Hebrews 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

In the passage above, the gospel preached to the present Hebrews is conveyed. These Hebrews can enter into the promised rest if they obey their gospel. Their gospel is that they can enter the remaining promised rest, through belief. They were to remain faithful and steadfast until the end (Hebrews 3:6).

The gospel of entering into God's rest through belief in the book of Hebrews is not the same gospel given to Israel in the wilderness to possess the land. It can clearly be seen that there is more than one gospel in the Bible.

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

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.

4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Hebrews were to profess Christ Jesus, their Apostle and High Priest (Hebrews 3:1) and hold fast to their profession (Hebrews 10:23). The Hebrews were to confess Jesus with their mouth (Romans 10:9-10 2 John 1:7) to be saved to enter into the kingdom on earth.

The Hebrews could come boldly unto the throne of grace and find grace by Christ, their High Priest at the mercyseat (Hebrews 9:5 Exodus 25:17-22). It is only by grace and faith that we are able to come to God and find mercy.

Peter spoke of how Israel was saved by grace (Acts 15:11). Jesus died and shed his blood for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament (Hebrews 9:15) so that under the new testament Israel would be forgiven their iniquity at the appearing of Christ Jesus (Jeremiah 31:34 Acts 3:19).
 

Lamb

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The gospel of entering into God's rest through belief in the book of Hebrews is not the same gospel given to Israel in the wilderness to possess the land. It can clearly be seen that there is more than one gospel in the Bible.

I wouldn't use the term gospel when referring to the Israelites receiving the promised land because it was a covenant. The true Gospel has been in place since the beginning when God gave the promise of a Savior to Adam & Eve. Even the Israelites wandering in the desert trusted in that Gospel for their salvation.
 

Doug

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I wouldn't use the term gospel when referring to the Israelites receiving the promised land because it was a covenant. The true Gospel has been in place since the beginning when God gave the promise of a Savior to Adam & Eve. Even the Israelites wandering in the desert trusted in that Gospel for their salvation.

Hebrews 4:2 says gospel and the context of the passages is Israel in the wilderness (3:8) and being faithful and steadfast
 

Lamb

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Hebrews 4:2 says gospel and the context of the passages is Israel in the wilderness (3:8) and being faithful and steadfast

That's because it's referring to the disobeying of disbelief. Disbelief is disobeying and will not get us salvation because salvation has always been by grace through faith for eternal life. Hebrews 4:2 says For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.

Do you see where it speaks about not having faith? That's because it's in reference to the Gospel and not just speaking of the covenant.
 
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