Scriptural basis for reconciliation. Heb. 2: 14 most surely reveals the absolute necessity

for the Lord to partake of flesh and blood, but it as surely declares the purpose to be:

Or again, in Heb. 10:, if we read in verse 5 of a "body prepared", we read in verse 10

of that body "offered". Not by Incarnation but by His one Sacrifice are we saved and

sanctified. Calvary and not Bethlehem is the place of redemption, and though the crib at

Bethlehem was necessarily the first step, it is the cross of Calvary that is the

consummation. There could be no access into the holiest of all until "the veil, that is to

say His flesh" was rent in twain from top to bottom (Matt. 27: 50, 51).

Let us draw near. Let us hold fast. Let us consider. The true heart with which we are

exhorted to draw near is consonant with the fact that Christ is the minister of the true

Tabernacle (Heb. 8: 2; 9: 24). Instead of external washings, this heart is sprinkled

from an evil conscience. The bodies washed with pure water seems to be a reference to

the washing of the high priest and the Levites (Lev. 16: 4; Numb. 8: 7), which type is

fulfilled in the heart sprinkled from an evil conscience.

Side by side with this three-fold exhortation is seen the abiding three "Faith, hope and

love" (Heb. 10: 22-24). As we see these graces in their context we realize that to the

Hebrews, as to the Corinthians (I Cor. 13:), and to the Thessalonians (I Thess. 1: 3),

"these three" are the true antidote to apostasy.

There is an evident parallel between Heb. 2:-4: and Heb. 10: 19 - 12: 3.  In both

passages we see the evil heart of unbelief that departs from the living God. In both the

true antidote is "Let us draw near". In both there is the holding fast of the "confession".

In chapter 3: we have stressed those who failed to enter in because of unbelief.  In

chapter 11: we have those who "through faith" obtained promises and triumphed. The

two-fold title of Christ, "The Apostle and High Priest of our profession" (Heb. 3: 1) is

parallel with the two-fold title of Heb. 12: 2, "The Captain and Perfecter of faith". The

key to the character of the apostasy that is in view is found in Heb. 10: 30:

These words are a quotation from Deut. 32:, the great prophetic forecast of Israel's

history given by Moses just before his end. This song of forty-three verses traverses the

whole of prophetic times. It reveals the failure of Israel and their setting aside, the

period while they are Lo-ammi, "not My people", and provoked to jealousy, and the

mercy of the Lord that gathers them back again with rejoicing.  Dr. Ginsburg reads

Deut. 32: 34, 35 as follows: