10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest
by the blood of Jesus,
brethren- Those who are God's children by identification with Christ (cp. 2:11-13; 3:1)
boldness- GK=parrhesia, confidence to speak freely without fear.
Not with arrogance (as the English word could imply), but in confidence due to freedom of access & freedom of speech (cp. 4:16).
the holiest- ie., the heavenly Holy of Holies, the immediate presence of God (cp. 9:24).
by the blood of Jesus- Access is available only on the basis of Christ's sacrifice.
Two additional phrases repeat this thought:
10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
by a ... way-
consecrated- ie., initiated, opened.
new- GK=prosphotos, lit., newly slain. "By a road freshly slain and living." [Wuest]
Access is not gained by means of the stale historic fact of His crucifixion.
Each of us must appropriate His sacrifice for himself. "He died for me, for my sin."
living- For the redeemed, His death brings us into newness of life, and into living union with Him. Joh 14:6
through the veil- The veil in the tabernacle separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
It symbolized the barrier which excluded sinful man from the presence of the Holy God. Heb 9:6-8
The rending of that barrier (ie., the sin which separated man from God's presence) was accomplished by the rending of our Savior's flesh by which He entered into God's presence for us. Mat 27:50,51; Heb 9:11,12
Previously (at 9:4), we noted that the writer seemingly mislocated the Golden Altar of Incense
on the 'wrong side' of the veil in the tabernacle. However, compare the context (9:2-4).
The words "wherein was" locate the table & lampstand in the first tabernacle (the Holy Place).
The words "which had" indicate that the Golden Altar 'belonged' to the second tabernacle (ie., the Holy of Holies), although it was physically outside the veil.
This altar of incense symbolized the prayers of God's people rising up toward God.
But their prayer, like the incense smoke, was hindered by the veil enroute to where it 'belonged'. Once a year, symbolic access was opened. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest filled a censer with coals from this altar and then passed through the veil "not without blood". Lev 16:12-14; Psa 141:2
Now, in Christ, the veil is gone. We enjoy such audience with the Father, as belongs to His children. Joh 15:7; 16:25-27
Consider the priestly privelege and responsibility which belongs to us:
10:21 And [having] an high priest over the house of God;
This High Priest -- is uniquely ours. He calls us His brethren. Heb 2:17
-- is unique in power & position. He is God the Son. Heb 3:1-6; Rom 8:34
We have not only Access into God's immediate presence (vs. 19,20),
but, there, in God's presence, our High Priest is our Advocate (v.21). We cannot use "fear" or "uncertainty" (as to what or how to pray) as excuses to stay away.
10:22 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.
let us...- (occurs 3x in v.22,23,24) These three verses outline the christian's priestly service.
It is not "lettuce". "Salad bar" christians pick and choose what appeals to them. [JVMcGee]
But as a kingdom of priests, we are not free to neglect any of these ministries. Ex 19:6; 1Pet 2:9; Rev 1:6
A. Draw near...- The way has been opened into the Holy of Holies (v.19,20) Rom 5:1,2; Jam 4:8
...with a true heart- ie., a genuine, sincere heart; not with lip service. Mat 15:8; Joh 4:23,24
...in full assurance of faith- Assurance does not depend on the strength of our faith, but on the strength of the One in whom we place our faith. We approach God, not because we are full of faith, but because Christ is the Living Way.
...having our hearts sprinkled... our bodies washed-
As the OT priest required ceremonial cleansing, so the NT priest must be cleansed in:
heart- The conscience cleansed by consciousness of the value of the blood of Christ. [GWms] Heb 9:14; 12:24; 1Joh 1:7-9
body- The conduct cleansed by obedience to the Word of Christ applied by the Holy Spirit.[GWms]
10:25 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.
Considering one another requires that we-
not forsake the assembling of ourselves...
forsake- GK=egkataleipo, to let down, to abandon, to leave in straits.
Some believers were "coldly withdrawing" from the fellowship for concern of self, rather than for one another (eg., under threat of persecution, or dissension). Such were to remember that their responsibility was all the greater if some seem to have failed grievously and others are in danger of failure. [HAIronside]
assembling- GK=episunagogue, a gathering together.
The choice of this word may imply that "some members of this community... had persuaded themselves that the relation of Judaism and Christianity, and of the 'synagogue' and the Church, was such as to permit them to avoid close [interaction] with Christians and direct association with Christian assemblies. This neglect was the first step toward apostasy." [CJEllicott] Although some may have been attending the Jewish synagogue, it was an inadequate substitute for the gathering of believers, since it would not be conducive to encouraging one another in Christian doctrine and discipleship.
exhort one another-
exhort- GK=parakaleo, comforting, encouraging. Heb 3:13
It is possible to assemble while forsaking the purpose for assembly.
Some see here a reference to the imminent destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem
in 70 AD. (ie., 'When the place of meeting is destroyed, you will need to gather all the more to encourage one another.') cp. Mat 24:1,2; Acts 5:42
10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
for...- vs.26-32 provide a severe warning (in light of the coming day of judgment, v. 25)
of the serious consequences of neglect of the truth. (vs. 26-32 parallel 6:4-8.)
sin wilfully- The verb form indicates deliberate persistence.
In context, the wilful sin is continuous rejection of Christ's sacrifice, after receiving the knowledge {GK=epignosis, precise, correct, full knowledge} of the way of salvation.
no more sacrifice- The OT Temple sacrifices could not take away sin.
They anticipated Christ's sacrifice for the remission of sin. (cp. 10:4,12,14,17,18)
The man who rejects this sacrifice has no more hope, though he brings lambs without number.
Rather, his future holds judgment:
10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the adversaries. {cp. Isa 26:11; Mal 4:1; Heb 12:29}
Contrast the expectation of God's children- Heb 9:27,28.
10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
This verse alludes to Deu 17:2-7 regarding apostasy from Jehovah to idols.
It is here applied to apostasy from Christ to return to ritualistic Judaism. cp. Heb 2:2,3; 12:25
10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy,
sorer punishment -- punishment under the old covenant was physical & temporal.
-- punishment under the new covenant is spiritual & eternal.
thought worthy - ie., by God on the Day of Judgment.
who hath trodden under foot the Son of God,
ie., by regarding Him (whose Name is above every name, 1:1-4) as dirt, as of no worth.
and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing,
ie., by regarding Christ's blood (which established the new covenant, 9:13-17),
as a common thing (unholy- GK=koinos, common, ordinary, Levitically unclean, defiled)... of no more value than that of any other man.
"'Sanctified' here is positional. Just as all Israel was set apart by the blood of
the old covenant and yet any Israelite lacking faith could turn from the priveleges that were his by the blood, so the entire professing Church is set apart unto God by the blood of the new covenant. But it is possible for a professor to reject Christ's sacrifice and the blessedness which it has purchased." [HAIronside]
and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
ie., by discarding the Holy Spirit's testimony (regarding Christ) as beneath one's intellect.
The original speaks of the 'vision' which will come. In that context, the vision is prophetic of the Messianic Kingdom. Therefore, Christ's second coming is in view here.