Christ the True and Better
The True and Better Prophet
Hebrews 4:1-13 pt.4
READ: Hebrews 3:16-19
God’s rest comes through only the Gospel. Rest is only given, given to a person through a promise and given by Christ through the Cross.
Hebrews 4:1-2 - “Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest (ka ta pow sis) still stands, let us fear (fa beh o) lest any of you should seem to have failed (be devoid, lack in worth) to reach it (rest in Christ). 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.
(ka ta pow sis - a resting place - metaph. the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells, and of which he has promised to make persevering believers in Christ partakers after the toils and trials of life on earth are ended
(fa beh o - to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience)
All who believe in Christ have true rest in HIM! Rest comes by faith alone in Christ alone.
Hebrews 4:3 - “For we who have believed enter that rest (in Christ), as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not (those who did not believe) enter my rest,’” although his (Christ’s) works were finished from the foundation of the world. (complete works of salvation in and through Christ were done since the beginning of creation, Revelation 13:8)
True Rest can never be found in a day, can never be found in a law, and can never be found in a place. Rest is not a ceasing of work but by repentance and belief in the Promised One.
Hebrews 4:4-5 - “For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works (act, deed, tec) .” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.”’
Isaiah 30:15 - For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Rest is only given to God’s people. Now is the time for your rest. Rest from the toil of sin. Today is your rest, Jesus said “...The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15
Hebrews 4:6-7 - “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.”’
Rest comes from no other person, doesn’t come from a pastor, nor of leader, not from a doctor, nor a government, and not a constitutional document. Rest is not in a political party, nor from what it promises. Rest is not found or given by a political candidate, nor the promises they make. Rest and hope is never found in a president. Rest and hope are only given by Jesus Christ, the King of all KINGS and the LORD of all lords. Rest will not come by a political election,
Hebrews 4:8-10 - “For if Joshua had given them rest, (by leading them into the promise) God would not have spoken of another day (the great day of our salvation, that perfect day of Christ’s sacrifice) later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath (saba tees mos) 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.” (What works? But the salvific work of Christ through the cross and our being brought and forgiven through Him. He is the end of our toil and suffering of sin, final and true rest.)
(saba tees mos - the blessed rest from toils and troubles looked for in the age to come by the true worshippers of God and true Christians)
Matthew 11:27-30 - “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Rest can be found in His word through the gift of faith on the wings of the Gospel : “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” - Romans 10:17
Hebrews 4:11-13 - “Let us therefore strive (give diligence) to enter that rest, so that no one may fall (come under condemnation) by the same sort of disobedience (a pie thi a). 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper (cut by single stroke) than any two-edged sword, piercing (penetrate) to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning (fit and skilled to judge) the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature (anything created) is hidden from his sight, but all are naked (lay bare, open, no covering) and exposed (expose by bending the neck) to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
(a pie thi a - obstinacy, obstinate opposition to the divine will)
Psalm 95:7-8a - For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts,
Romans 10:17 - “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Hebrews 11:1 - “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Mark 1:15 - “...The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
God’s works are the works of soteriology (salvation), He (Christ) is our rest from all toil and suffering of sin, We come to Rest in Christ’s Work and works through believing (faith) which He gives, thus through obedience brought by the Good News (the Gospel) we repent and believe in Him who brings and is our Rest.
