Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

the truly consecrated to abandon their own works totally in preference for God’s ways and procedures. When God has a peo ple who are unswervingly dedicated to these principles, He will be able to bring the work to a speedy conclusion. Until then, the sad struggle will be prolonged to provide further opportunities for the essential lessons to be learned and applied. It was with the deepest concern for the church’s future that Paul wrote the instruction and appeals contained in the first chapters of Hebrews . He was acutely aware of the danger which threatened God’s people, but he knew how they could be pre served from it. Only if they abandoned the procedures which had ruined the church so many times previously, and accepted God’s ways instead, could they be safe. Paul understood that it was not natural for believers to do this and so he climaxed his appeal with these words, “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:11. The full import of this exhortation cannot be appreciated un less Paul’s instruction and argument, beginning in the first chapter and proceeding through till the fourth, is thoroughly un derstood. Paul has a distinctive style in which he lays down ba sic principles and then draws conclusions from them, prefaced with the word “therefore,” or “wherefore” (KJV). The placement of either of these words indicates that we must refer to the pre ceding words in order to understand what follows. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 all begin with one of these words, by which we know that the contents of each succeeding chapter cannot be truly under stood unless study is given to the previous one. Consequently, the line of argument begins back in chapter 1, and continues in an orderly and powerful progression through chapter 4. What then is the message of these successive chapters? Initially we are introduced to the relative positions of God the Father, Christ the Connector, and the creatures—angels and hu mans. Paul makes it quite clear that God is the limitless Source of everything, Christ is the Connector or Messenger through whom every blessing and ray of light flows, while angels and hu man beings are the dependant receivers. These truths are so ba sic, unchangeable, and vital, that they cannot be disregarded with impunity. Upon the recognition, understanding, and acceptance of