Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ say that Heb 10:26 is a different salvation program than we have today under grace. Since the verse is in Hebrews, they completely exclude it from anything to do with us. I completely DISAGREE.
Here is my current understanding of that verse, in the context of Hebrews chapter 10.
Sacrifices under the OLD testament could never cleanse the conscience of sins and had to be repeated:
Heb 10:1-4 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
In contrast to the OLD testament, Christ was the sacrifice Himself for the NEW testament:
Heb 10:5-10 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.
He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which (the 2nd, or NEW, testament) will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
To recap, under the OLD covenant, sacrifices had to be repeated, and could never cleanse ....
but under the NEW, Jesus made 1 sacrifice, never to be repeated, that DID cleanse from sins:
Heb 10:11-14 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
God’s Spirit testified in the writings of the NEW covenant:
Heb 10:15-17 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:
God’s Spirit had also prophesied long ago of the NEW (then future) covenant, when Israel was still living under the OLD:
for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Verse 18 is similar to verse 26 .... under the NEW testament .... in Christ’s blood .... there is no more offering for sin .... there is no more sacrifice for sin:
Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Because of Christ’s one blood-sacrifice .... man may now approach God in a ‘new’ way .... directly:
Heb 10:19-21 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
The brethren are encouraged on how to persevere through the last days of great tribulation and persecution, when the physical lives of believers will be threatened, when the time of Christ’s appearing is getting close:
Heb 10:22-25 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (what day? the day of Christ's appearing)
Jesus made one sacrifice for sins. It was sufficient. He will make no more.
If anyone ‘falls away’ or ‘draws back’ from it .... that is all there is or will be .... there is nothing else left for them but God’s judgment and wrath:
Heb 10:26-31 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Jesus told His disciples not to fear man, but to fear God .... which is the beginning of wisdom (Psa 111:10, Prov 9:10) and knowledge (Prov 1:7):
Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Heb 10:26-31 repeated the same principle written earlier in:
Heb 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 10:26-31 and Heb 6:4-6 are talking about the falling away .... before the day of Christ comes .... that Paul also prophesied about:
2 Thess 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means (also Matt 24:4): for that day (what day? the day of Christ) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
God’s Spirit, through Paul, specifically identified the time as being near the end when some fall away:
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
The falling away was also taught by Jesus in the parable of the sower and the seed:
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
When will the time of temptation be? I believe it will be at the end time, during great tribulation, when the man of sin/son of perdition makes war with the saints (Dan 7:21, Rev 13:7) .... and kills them (John 16:2) .... as anyone who will not worship the image of the beast or receive his mark in their right hand or forehead (Rev 13:15-18) will be killed:
Rev 3:10-11 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Maybe they will watch the executions (Rev 20:4) to be persuaded. Maybe they will be allowed 10 days to recant, to deny the Lord Jesus (Matt 10:33, 2 Tim 2:12), to save their physical life in this world (John 12:25) only to lose it eternally as they experience the wrath of God poured out without mixture (Rev 14:9-12):
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Faithful saints encourage others who see them, to also be strong in the Lord:
2 Thess 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: (also keep reading through 2 Thess 1:5-10)
Paul’s writings prepared saints to stand in the evil day (Amos 6:3):
Eph 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Saints will need to be focused on persevering through all the hardships, and enduring to the end (Mark 13:12-13), and waiting patiently for Christ’s appearing (2 Thess 3:5, James 5:7-8), and keeping the faith so they will receive a crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:7-8):
Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
.... when ‘mockers’ (Jude 1:17-24) and ‘scoffers’ (2 Pet 3:3-4) stare and discredit them:
Heb 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions;
.... when they help other saints in need (Matt 25:35-40, James 2:14-18), maybe because they can’t buy or sell:
and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Paul encouraged the saints in the same way:
Rom 12:12-15 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Saints will lose their earthly possessions (Phil 3:8; Matt 6:31-34; Luke 12:15,22-23; James 5:6):
Heb 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Saints will receive the promise of eternal inheritance (Heb 9:15), even as Paul, like the other prophets before him said .... suffering followed by glory:
Rom 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him (also 2 Tim 2:12), that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
It is absolutely necessary that one follow through to the end:
Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (also 1 Cor 15:58, Luke 14:14, Heb 11:26)
The faithful will be rewarded .... but quitters will lose:
Gal 6:7-9 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
You are not singled-out for persecution. It will be world-wide against the saints of the most High God .... as they are worn out for 3-1/2 years (Dan 7:25):
1 Pet 5:8-10 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
When you’re tempted to give up .... take courage from those who went before:
Matt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Saints will need to be both diligent and wise, and not be deceived:
2 John 1:7-8 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (also Col 2:18)
Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Every thing and every one will have to be checked out. Many will be offended and betray one another (Matt 24:13) .... but hang on till Christ comes:
1 Thess 5:21-23 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
.... and keep hanging on:
Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (also Heb 6:12, James 5:10-11)
It will pay off in the end .... and not until then:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
God tested Abraham’s faith with the issue of physical death (Heb 11:17-19).
CAN you do this? DO you do this? WOULD you do this?
James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
These qualities of life go hand-in-hand:
Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
This is where ‘the rubber meets the road’. What would YOU do?
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints:
here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
‘Waiting on the Lord’ will take on a sense of urgency in the end times. How often do you think of it?
Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Physical life and eternal death .... or physical death and eternal life ....
which would YOU choose?
Heb 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith (Hab 2:4, Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11):
but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;
but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Can someone change their mind?
I know I won’t .... what about YOU?
It will be helpful to fasten your eyes on the prize at the END of the race .... as both PAUL and PETER taught:
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter wrote that Paul wrote ‘of these things’ (in the context of 2 Peter chapter 3.
‘These things’ are
*the coming of the Lord,
*the day of the Lord,
*the day of God,
*when the heavens will be on fire,
*when the earth will be burned up,
*when there are new heavens and a new earth).
Paul wrote ‘of these things’ in every one of his epistles, thus, you can read ‘all his epistles’ and see them:
2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Many people who claim to be saved are totally unprepared for the last days ahead:
2 Pet 3:17-18 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
My advice is to study your Bible and get ready .... either way (Phil 1:21)! Be prepared, rather than stick your head in the sand by believing in a ‘pre-tribulation rapture of Paul’s converts!
Rom 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord;
and whether we die, we die unto the Lord:
whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
We know what Jesus did .... what would YOU do?
John 15:13-15 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (also John 3:36, Rom 5:8)
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Would you lay down your life for Him?
Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
