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If we understand that the Epistle to the Hebrews speaks, not of salvation, but of the
things which accompany salvation, we shall have no need to defend the truth known as
the final perseverance of the saints. This Epistle addresses those who are already saved
ones and holy brethren. These, and these only, are exhorted to continue stedfast.
Christ has a house made up of those who overcome. This company is known as "the
church of the firstborn" (Heb. 12: 23). They do not merely hold fast the hope (that is
common to all believers in some degree), they go further. They triumph over troubles.
They rise above persecution. They take joyfully the spoiling of possessions. They hold
fast the confidence and the boasting of the hope firm unto the end.
These words indicate the overcomer. They are entirely in line with the theme of
"perfecting". This we shall see more clearly when we have passed the remainder of the
section in review.
#24.
"Whose House are we IF . . . . ." (3: 2-6).
pp. 58 - 60
When the apostle wished to lead the Hebrew believers to appreciate the excellency of
Christ, he first drew attention to the difference that must be realized between God
speaking by the prophets and God speaking "in Son" (see for this expression
Volume VIII, page 183). He then proceeds to speak of the excellent name of Christ as
compared with angels, and again the emphasis is, "Thou art My Son". In chapter 3: the
apostle approaches the tenderest spot in the Hebrew mind, the place and honour of
Moses. In the Jewish hymns for the Sabbath come the words:--
"Thou calledst him Thy faithful servant, and didst put a glorious crown on his head
when he stood before Thee in Mount Sinai, etc."
The Scriptures themselves emphasize the isolated dignity of Moses:--
"I will raise up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and will put My
words in His mouth . . . . . whosoever will not hearken unto My words which He shall
speak in My name, I will require it of him" (Deut. 18: 18, 19).
Deut. 34: 10 adds:--
"There arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face
to face."
When the apostle spoke of the angels he did not hesitate to shew their inferiority to
Christ, but when he speaks of Moses, he is careful to bring forward the highest
commendation which Scripture affords. Christ was faithful, as also Moses was faithful in
all his house. The reference is to Numb. 12: 6-8 where the Lord severely reproves the
attitude of Aaron and Miriam, saying:--