This is another amazing discovery of the truth of His word. I came from the teaching of using the “Double-Edged Sword” to pierce and cut Satan in unwanted situations for my deliverance.
However, as I commerce the topical study of “ENTER INTO HIS REST”, the purpose of DOUBLE EDGED SWORD is not to pierce through Satan for deliverance.
Before looking into the supporting verses, the entire study of Sabbath Rest can be found at:-
Part 1:- Rest (Psalm 95/ Hebrews 3)
Part 2:- Rest And Creation
Part 3:- Rest And Canaan
Part 4:- Rest And Double Edged Sword
Let’s read:-
| Hebrews 4:8-16 NASB (1995) |
| 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there REMAINS a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, AS GOD DID from His. |
| 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will FALL, through following the SAME EXAMPLE of disobedience. |
| 12 For the WORD OF GOD is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS OF THE HEART. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. |
| 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. |
| 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. |
| 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. |
(A) EXPLANATION
In the context of and as I continue on Hebrews 4, the author is saying, yes, Joshua did bring His people into the Canaan. But that is not the promised land of REST, if it did, there wouldn’t be another calling of “TODAY” for REST.
In verses 11 to 13, according to AMPC Translation, the scripture encourages His people to be zealous, exert, and strive diligently to enter that rest that no one may fall, PERISH by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience just like people in the wilderness.
In this context, those Christians who do not enter His rest shall PERISH just like the Old Covenant people.
Because the word of God is alive and powerful. It is not just sharper than the sharpest TWO-EDGED SWORD, that can cut between believers’ soul and spirit, between their joints and marrow. But it can even expose believers’ INNERMOST THOUGHTS, and desires of their unbelieving and disobedience.
Ultimately everything is naked before Him. And everyone shall be ACCOUNTABLE for what they did in this world before Him.
Wow! Everyone shall be accountable to Him for those who are not able to “Enter Into His Rest”. That’s right, the context here is talking about “Entering into His REST.” Which means those not entering into His Sabbath Rest shall perish.
Most of the translations use the word “Account or accountable” in verse 13 except AMPC and NASB (1995) use the word “DO”. However, it seems that a newer translation from NASB is also using the word “Must Answer” (before Him).
Within the context, I believe everyone has to be accountable before Him for not being able to enter into His Sabbath Rest is the right interpretation. Christians are being examined before Him even with their “Thoughts And Intentions Of Their Hearts”.
(B) TEN OCCASIONS OF TESTING GOD
Hebrews chapter 3 talks about Old Israelites who were testing and trying God TEN (10) times for 40 years. The reference is in Numbers 14:22:-
| Numbers 14:22 NASB (1935) |
| 22 Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these TEN TIMES and have not listened to My voice, |
Before this study, I never heard about these testing and rebelling against God on TEN different occasions. I only heard from puppets about 10 plagues in the exodus from the Egypt land.
Google suggests Ten testing and trialing God below:-
1) Lack of faith before crossing into the Red Sea (Exodus 14:11–12)
2) Complaining over the bitter water at Marah (Exodus 15:24)
3) Complaining in the Desert of Sin (Exodus 16:3)
4) Disobeying God on manna collection (Exodus 16:20)
5) Collecting manna on the Sabbath (Exodus 16:27–29)
6) Complaining over the lack of water at Rephidim (Exodus 17:2–3)
7) Creating and worshiping Golden Calf (Exodus 32:7–10)
8) Complaining at Taberah (Numbers 11:1–2)
9) Complaining for lack of food (Numbers 11:4)
10) Distrusting God in entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:1–4)
I have yet to verify these 10 disobedience events. Maybe I shall examine this in a separate study.
(C) SUMMARY
The greatest difference and consolation between the Old Testament and New Testament’s people are that, the New Covenant people have a great high priest; the meditator who can forgive and help them, should they draw near to His throne of unmerited grace, for the clearing of sins, to enter into His rest.
The footnote of Biblegateway’s ESAY translation of Hebrews 4:16 says:-
“Jesus died to save us from our sins. Now he is with God in heaven. So we can come to God and we can pray to him. We do not need to be afraid, because Jesus is there. We can ask God to help us. We can be sure that he will help us when we ask him.”
Again, the scripture doesn’t say that Jesus has already entered into the Sabbath Rest on behalf of Christians.
In closing, I would like to re-emphasize that there is one thing for Adamic’s sins and the other sin of the believers walking with Him. Details can be found in “No Condemnation: For Sin Shall Not Have Dominion Over You”.
In a nutshell, Christ’s death gives people hope to wash them clean for His “Right Standing” so that they can “Do rightly” for eternal hope. It is about “Right Standing and Right Doing”. Clarification on this can be found in “Righteousness (Part 1)”.
If “Once saved always saved‘, the whole Book of Hebrews Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 can be thrown away.
The throne of God is in the Holy of Holies, and Christians have to enter into His throne of grace to ask for His forgiveness again, then (Hebrews 4:16), so that they can obtain His Rest, ceasing from sins.
Hence, one of the famous teachings that says that the day Christians are born again, they are born again in the “Holy of Holies” is invalid.
In summary, The Sabbath Rest is the resting from, and ceasing of sinful, dark living. It is not just resting from employment laboring. It is also not just lounging into Sunday’s praise and worship.
Certainly, it is not “Praying in Tongues” to enter into His Rest as sermoned by modern teaching. It is about holy living. For He is holy. Amenbible
CONTINUE ON SABBATH REST:-
Part 1:- Rest (Psalm 95/ Hebrews 3)
Part 2:- Rest And Creation
Part 3:- Rest And Canaan
Part 4:- Rest And Double Edged Sword
RELATED READING:-
Righteousness (Part 1)
No Condemnation: For Sin Shall Not Have Dominion Over You
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Full Armor Of God Part 1
Full Armor Of God – Part 2
Full Armor Of God – Part 3
STUDIES ON GOLDEN CALF
Golden Calf (Intercession 1)
Golden Calf (Names Remove)
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