God's Rest- Hebrews 3:7-19

Welcome to all active participants. ! 😬
Welcome to all silent readers. >silent wave<
We are on a grand journey through the Scriptures.
Truly *The Sabbath* is a blessing.
The Roadmap for tonight's journey:
~1. Numbers 13~
~2. Numbers 14~
~3. Psalm 78:22, 35-37, 40-41~
4. Hebrews 3:7-19
5. Hebrews 4.
Pardon the delay.
We begin:
We are at Hebrews 3:7-19.
I hope we used the opportunity of the _delay_ to
_prepare_ (read through these verses).
*I wonder what this talk of _delay_ & _prepare_ applies
to? 🤔
Hebrews 3:17-19 provides us with further clarity &
reinforcement.
In Hebrews 3:6-19 there is a centre verse around which
the others are arranged.
Hebrews 3 is arranged according to a certain _literary
structure_.
There is a _chiasm_ in the passage.

In other words the verses walk in pairs, mirroring each
other.
Did we see that when we read through?
Here are the verse pairs in Hebrews 3:6-19:
A: Heb 3:6
A': Heb 3:14
B: Heb 3:7-8
B': Heb 3:15
C: Heb 3:9-10
C': Heb 3:16-17
Hebrews 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the
provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
D: Heb 3:11
D': Heb 3:18
E: Heb 3:12
E': Heb 3:19
F: Heb 3:13
If you notice _F_ (Heb 3:13) has no pairing verse. As
such it is the centrepiece, the main verse of the
chapter.
*In your own time go through the verse pairings & see the
similarities.
*CENTREPIECE OF HEBREWS 3*
F: Hebrews 3:13
Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is
called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:13 KJV)

Hebrews 3:13 contains a thought that we need to keep in
mind as we read the chapter & as we come into contact
with the Bible: sin _hardens_, *AVOID* it.
Let us look again at Psalm 95:11
Psalm 95:11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they
should not enter into my rest. (Psa 95:11 KJV)
Hebrews 3 walks in the same vein as Psalm 95:7-11.
Let us notice:
Hebrews 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter
into my rest.) (Heb 3:11 KJV)
- _quoting Psalm 95:11_
Hebrews 3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not
enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? (Heb
3:18 KJV)
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of
you an *evil heart of unbelief*, in departing from the
living God. (Heb 3:12 KJV)
Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they *could not enter in
because of unbelief*. (Heb 3:19 KJV)
--
_This is E-E' pairing from the list_
Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is
called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin. (Heb 3:13 KJV)
*Unbelief shuts us out from God's _rest_.*
It prevents us from accepting the invitation of Matthew
11:28-30 and to be comforted by the assurance of Eodus
33:14.
THE INVITATION

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and *I will give you rest*. (Mat 11:28 KJV)
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for
I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto
your souls. (Mat 11:29 KJV)
Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light. (Mat 11:30 KJV)
THE ASSURANCE
Exodus 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee,
and *I will give thee rest*. (Exo 33:14 KJV)
*In contrast *belief/faith* is the _key_ to _enter_ God's
_rest_.*
Faith takes God at His Word, accepting the Word as
reality & trusting that God will do as His Word says.
4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall
not live by bread alone, but *by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God*. (Mat 4:4 KJV)
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, *The just
shall live by faith*. (Rom 1:17 KJV)
"live ... by every word ... of God"
"live by faith"
--
Either there are two ways to live or it is the ONE way
said in two different ways.
"The work of faith means more than we think. It means
genuine reliance upon the naked word of God." {BTS, June
1, 1915 par. 1}
"True faith consists in doing just what God has enjoined,
not manufacturing things He has not enjoined." {BTS, June
1, 1915 par. 3}

*"I will give thee rest"*
Why do I need to accept this as reality, to trust it, to
obey it, to live by it 100%?
Ans: 1 Thessalonians 2:13
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God
without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of
God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word
of men, but *as it is in truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe*. (1Th 2:13
KJV)
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen.11:3 Through faith
we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of
God, so that things which are seen were not made of
things which do appear.
The Word works only for the one who has 100% faith in it.
That is why an atheist can study the Bible & yet be no
closer to God than the man who has never read it.
His _lack of faith_ (unbelief) *limits* the Word from
accomplishing that which it says.
The Bible may be studied as a branch of human science
would be, but its beauty, the evidence of its power to
save the soul that believes, is a lesson that is never
thus learned. {2MR 97.1}
Seventh-day Adventists, are we handling the Word of God
daily but are no closer to tapping into its power because
we *limit* the Word & *limit* God?
1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers
and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul; (1Pe 2:11 KJV)
Is this verse *myth* or *reality*?

1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us
in the flesh, *arm yourselves likewise with the same
mind*: for he that hath *suffered in the flesh hath
ceased from sin*; (1Pe 4:1 KJV)
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do
not war after the flesh: (2Co 10:3 KJV)
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds;) (2Co 10:4 KJV)
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every
high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of
God, and *bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ*; (2Co 10:5 KJV)
Is 2 Cor 10:5 *myth* or *reality*?
Such powerful verse but yet we don't use them..
: 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
*but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,
that ye may be able to bear it*. (1Co 10:13 KJV)
Family understand that the answer lies not only in this
forum. Does my heart pass the 1 Thess 2:13 test? 🤔 😰
Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and
nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, *I
am the Almighty God; walk before Me*, and *be thou
perfect*. (Gen 17:1 KJV)
Matthew 5:48 *Be ye therefore perfect*, even as your
Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Mat 5:48 KJV)
*Myth* or *reality*?

We abide in Christ by faith, by *simple childlike trust
in his pledged word*. Perfect faith, and the surrender of
self to God are subjects that should be made very plain
to those who are slow to comprehend spiritual things.
*Faith is not feeling.* {YI, February 10, 1898 par. 4}
*The brand of "faith" that is popular in our world is
nothing short of a glorified self-persuasion.
It is so emotive.
This brand of "faith" is not faith at all.
Holiness is not rapture; it is the result of surrendering
all to God; it is *living by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God*; it is doing the will of our
Heavenly Father; it is trusting in God in trial,
believing in his promise in the darkness as well as in
the light. {YI, February 17, 1898 par. 2}
Faith works by love, and purifies the soul, expelling the
love of sin that leads to rebellion against, and
transgression of, the law of God. {YI, February 17, 1898
par. 4}
BIBLE STUDY 3 may we ALL take heed:
"Having a knowledge of Canaan, singing the songs of
Canaan, rejoicing in the prospect of entering into
Canaan, did not bring the children of Israel into the
vineyards and olive-groves of the promised land. They
could make it theirs in truth only by occupation, by
*complying with the conditions*, by *exercising living
faith in God*, by *appropriating His promises to
themselves*." {YI, February 17, 1898 par. 2}
*Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 11:28-30*
"Christ is the author and finisher of our faith; and when
*we YIELD to His hand*, we shall steadily grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. We shall
make progress until we reach the full stature of men and
women in Christ." {YI, February 17, 1898 par. 3}
Let us touchdown tonight with Hebrews 4:1-3.

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. (Heb 4:1 KJV)
Hebrews 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. (Heb
4:2 KJV)
_Translator's notes:_
1. the word...: Gr. the word of hearing
2. not being...: or, because they were not united by
faith to
Hebrews 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. (Heb 4:3 KJV)
4:1 solemn.
May we take heed. 1 Cor 10:12
4:2
The Gospel was preached to the _children of Israel_.
They heard it. Are we to hear it too.
Matthew 24:14 And *this gospel of the kingdom* shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;
and *then shall the end come*. (Mat 24:14 KJV)
See also Revelation 14:6-7.
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst
of heaven, having the *Everlasting Gospel* to preach unto
them that dwell on the earth, and to *every nation, and
kindred, and tongue, and people*, (Rev 14:6 KJV)
Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and
give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
and *worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the
sea*, and the fountains of waters. (Rev 14:7 KJV)

Hebrews 4:2 shows us that there is a link between the
Gospel and _entering God's rest_.
Do we see that?📝
Tomorrow we will explore the link between the Everlasting
Gospel, The Sabbath & _God's rest_.
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. (Heb 4:3 KJV)
rest*
Contrast Hebrews 4:3 with Hebrews 3:19
Hebrews 4:3 For we which *have believed* do *enter into
rest*
Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they *could not enter* in
because of *unbelief*. (Heb 3:19 KJV)
This business of _entering God's rest_ is serious.
Allow me to repost a quote:
"Having a knowledge of Canaan, singing the songs of
Canaan, rejoicing in the prospect of entering into
Canaan, did not bring the children of Israel into the
vineyards and olive-groves of the promised land." {YI,
February 17, 1898 par. 2}
Amen brother...so keeping the sabbath the way how we have
been viewing it, is radically different from how God
views it
😱 ... this is where things get sticky. Family we need to
change.
Well its d same..but it requires more than just
abstaining from work

We are not to look into our hearts for a joyful emotion
as an evidence of our acceptance with Heaven, but we are
to take God's promises, and say, "They are mine." {ST,
March 25, 1889 par. 4}
By faith I reach within the vail, and lay hold of Christ,
my strength. I thank God that I have a Saviour." {ST,
March 25, 1889 par. 4}
Are you doing this? Are you *taking God at His word*,
planting your feet on the eternal Rock that cannot be
moved? {ST, March 25, 1889 par. 5}
True conversion is simply taking God at His word and it
is following out the teachings of Jesus Christ. {NI Rec,
August 17, 1909 par. 10}
We have got a battle to fight; we have got a heaven to
gain, we have got a crown to gain, and may God help every
one of us. We want to act as though it were a reality
with us. {NI Rec, August 17, 1909 par. 13}
I cannot afford to lose my soul. I want to say to every
one of you, for Christ's sake do what you can. *Not a one
shall enter into that city that is not an overcomer.*
Every one must overcome in this world. {NI Rec, August
17, 1909 par. 13}
Isaiah 27:4 Fury is not in me: who would set the briers
and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them,
I would burn them together. (Isa 27:4 KJV)
Isaiah 27:5 Or let him take hold of my strength, that he
may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.
(Isa 27:5 KJV)
Can I give a little trouble & say "we often think we
have entered _the rest_ when we have only entered _a
rest_.
After all for 40 years hardly any tribe warred with the
_children of Israel_ while they were going around in
circles in the _wilderness_.

God's Rest- Hebrews 3:7-19

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God's Rest- Hebrews 3:7-19