TO: All Hebrews
FROM: Jehovah God of the Hebrews
Hebrews Chapters 12 & 13
Hebrews 12:1-2 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses {believers}, let us, too, put aside every impediment - that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement - and keep running with perseverance in the race set before us, 2 Let us fix our eyes on Yeshua, the author and perfector of our faith, who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before Him, endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The prophet Isaiah, in chapters 52 and 53, foretells one account of Yeshua’s crucifixion. Jehovah God is speaking of His only begotten Son, Yeshua.
Isaiah 52:13-15 "See how My servant will succeed! He will be raised up, exalted, highly honored! Just as many were appalled at Him, because He was so disfigured that He didn't even seem human and simply no longer looked like a man, so now He will startle many nations; because of Him, kings will be speechless. For they will see what they had not been told, they will ponder things they had never heard.”
Isaiah 53 1 Who believes our report? To whom is the arm of ADONAI revealed? 2 For before him Yeshua grew up like a young plant, like a root out of dry ground. He was not well-formed or especially handsome; we saw Him, but His appearance did not attract us. 3 People despised and avoided Him, a man of pains, well acquainted with illness. Like someone from whom people turn their faces, He was despised; we did not value Him. 4 In fact, it was our sins He bore, our pains from which He suffered; yet we regarded Yeshua as punished, stricken and afflicted by God. 5 But Yeshua was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on Him, and by His bruises we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, went astray; we turned, each one, to his own way; yet ADONAI laid on His only Son, Yeshua, the sins of us all. In fellowship with God 7 though mistreated, Yeshua was submissive - He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to be slaughtered, like a sheep silent before its shearers, Yeshua did not open his mouth. 8 After forcible arrest, beatings and sentencing, He was taken away; and none of His generation protested His being cut off from the land of the living for the crimes of God’s people, who deserved the punishment themselves. 9 He was given a grave among the wicked; in His death He was laid in a rich man’s tomb. Although Yeshua, being perfect, had done no violence and had said nothing deceptive, 10 yet it pleased ADONAI to crush Him with suffering, to see if He would present Himself as the once-for-all guilt offering. If Yeshua does, He will see His offspring; and He will prolong his days; and at His hand ADONAI's desire will be accomplished. 11 After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life and be fulfilled. "By Yeshua’s knowing pain and sacrifice, My righteous servant makes those who believe in Him righteous; it is for their sins that he suffers. 12 Therefore I will assign Him a share with the great, He will divide the spoil with the mighty, for having exposed Himself to death and being counted among the sinners, while actually bearing the sin of many and interceding for the offenders."
The greatest act of forgiveness came from Yeshua as He was dying on the cross. Yeshua cried out, ”Father, forgive them for they no not what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Why should we ever have trouble forgiving one another?
Read the account of Yeshua’s crucifixion from an earlier blog post "It Is Finished" and from the account found in Luke 23.
Drops of blood splattered the narrow cobblestone pavement in Jerusalem that lead to Golgotha, known as the place of the Skull, on Mt. Calvary.
Yeshua’s flesh was torn to the bone from the scourging. His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness. Those who rejected Him inflicted mental and physical brutalities beyond comprehension upon Yeshua. A crown of thorns pierced His brow, which mocked and ridiculed His answer to Pilot, “My Kingdom does not belong to this world’s order of things.”
Yeshua’s last hours were filled with the deepest depth of sorrow and injustice beyond belief! Innocence, truth, love, and forgiveness were crucified. Yeshua’s blood flowed. Oh, the blood, the precious blood of the Lamb, Jehovah’s Lamb.
There is power in His blood: the power to overcome sin and save us from death and Hell, and the power of love that purifies and redeems. The Lamb is without spot or blemish. The Lamb that laid down His life, once-for-all, for whosoever chooses, so that we may be washed and justified from sin by faith believing.
"Power In The Blood" performed by Nicole C. Mullen
The Lamb was foreshadowed back in Egypt when the Israelites where told by Moses to put the blood of a lamb on the doorpost of their homes so that death would pass over.
Blood is life. The blood of Yeshua has the power of life over death and fills the hearts of those who receive Him with eternal life. The veil, which separated the Holy of Holies, was torn from top to bottom by Jehovah. This act reveals that we have direct access to Him through His Son, Yeshua the Great High Priest. Yeshua is our intercessor having accomplished His mission, given by His Father Jehovah, through fulfilling the law and establishing the new blood Covenant.
No one could see behind the Temple veil except the high priest. Today, only the veil of spiritual blindness stands between one’s seeing and believing Jehovah’s complete truth.
Worthy is the Lamb! In Yeshua, we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins. Ephesians 1:7 Jehovah gave His Son to pay the ultimate price. Yeshua was born to die so that you and I could have eternal life!
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT JEHOVAH GOD AND HIS ONLY SON, YESHUA, DO NOT LOVE YOU!
"Written In Red"
The 12th chapter of Hebrews begins with therefore. What is therefore - there for? It is to bring to a conclusion, from previous chapters, the major highlights of Jehovah’s revelation of truth through warnings {to those who reject Jehovah’s word of truth} and perseverance {those who accept Jehovah’s word of truth} in regard to His Son, Yeshua.
It is imperative that you, the Hebrew people, by faith believing, accept Jehovah’s truth by knowing His Son, Yeshua, as your personal Savior and Lord of your life.
It is evident that Jehovah God presents His truth to His Hebrew people. Let us review by taking a look as some key examples.
1) In the past, Jehovah spoke to your forefathers through His prophets.
2) In the last days, Jehovah spoke through His Son, Yeshua, whom He appointed heir of all things.
3) Yeshua will be King in the Kingdom of Heaven in the New Jerusalem forever and ever.
4) Jehovah’s warning: do not ignore such a great salvation!
5) Yeshua, Jehovah’s Son, was made like His brothers in order to become the merciful and faithful Great High Priest, making atonement for the sins of the people. Amen and Amen!
6) Yeshua is greater than Angels (messengers) or Moses, a servant in Jehovah’s house. Yeshua is the Son over Jehovah’s house.
7) Jehovah’s Holy Spirit speaks another warning: today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. Listen! Seek Jehovah God with all your heart!
8) You have heard the Gospel preached; respond by faith believing in Yeshua Messiah the Christ – while it is today.
9) As a new believer, hold firm to the faith you possess. You know Jehovah’s truth and His truth sets you free.
10) Yeshua paid the price for your sins with His blood in order that you may have everlasting life through Him only.
11) Jehovah’s warning: do not fall away from the truth! Walk in the Holy Spirit and not in the flesh. All things spiritual!
12) Melchizedek foreshadowed Yeshua Messiah, the Christ and the Great High Priest forever and ever! No other priests are needed. Yeshua is your all in all and the only intercessor between you and your heavenly Father God.
13) Jehovah God’s Son, Yeshua, is the mediator of the New Blood Covenant, through His once-for-all blood sacrifice. He set those who choose Him free from sin with His promise of an eternal inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven! Amazing love!
14) Trust in Jehovah God, for His Word is truth and He cannot lie. Exercise your trust in God by faith believing in Yeshua His Son for salvation. Stand firm in the faith.
ALL 14 examples can be summed up into one. Jehovah God warns, do not ignore such a great salvation – Do not ignore My Son, Yeshua.
Stand firm in FAITH.
F is for forgiveness. “In Yeshua we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Ephesians 1:7
A is for available for all. “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, Yeshua, into the world that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
I is for impossible. It is impossible for God to allow sin into Heaven. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
T is for Turn. Turn is to repent from your self and sin and by faith believing, turn to Yeshua for salvation. “If My people, which are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
H is for Heaven. The dwelling place, the eternal home for all believers, called the Kingdom of Heaven, the perfect place without sin, where Yeshua is the King of kings and Lord of lords forever without end! Yeshua told His disciples of this place. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and believe in Me. In My Father's house are many places to live. If there weren't, I would have told you because I am going there to prepare a place for you. Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with Me; so that where I Am, you may be also. Furthermore, you know where I'm going; and you know the way there." John 14:1-4
By FAITH let us see. By FAITH let us believe in Jehovah’s Son, Yeshua. By FAITH let us receive Jehovah’s love gift of salvation through Yeshua, the One who paid the price for my sin and yours, through the shedding of His blood ONCE-FOR-ALL to those, who by FAITH believing in Yeshua, personally receive Him as Savior and Lord of their lives.
God is dealing with you as sons; regard your endurance as discipline.
1 So then, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us, too, put aside every impediment - that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement - and keep running with endurance in the contest set before us, 2 looking away to the Initiator and Completer of that trusting Yeshua, who in exchange for obtaining the joy set before Him, endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning the shame, and He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Yes, think about Yeshua who endured such hostility against Himself from sinners, so that you won't grow tired or become despondent. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in the battle against sin. 5 Also you have forgotten the counsel, which speaks with you as sons: "My son, don't despise the discipline of ADONAI or become despondent when he corrects you. 6 For ADONAI disciplines those he loves and whips everyone He accepts as a son." 7 Regard your endurance as discipline; God is dealing with you as sons. For what son goes undisciplined by his father? 8 All legitimate sons undergo discipline; so if you don't, you're a mamzer and not a son! 9 Furthermore, we had physical fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them; how much more should we submit to our spiritual Father and live! 10 For they disciplined us only for a short time and only as best they could; but God disciplines us in a way that provides genuine benefit to us and enables us to share in His holiness. 11 Now, all discipline, while it is happening, does indeed seem painful, not enjoyable; but for those who have been trained by it, it later produces its peaceful fruit, which is righteousness. 12 So, strengthen your drooping arms, and steady your tottering knees; 13 and make a level path for your feet; so that what has been injured will not get wrenched out of joint but rather will be healed. 14 Keep pursuing shalom with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses out on God's grace, that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and thus contaminates many, 16 and that no one is sexually immoral, or godless like Esav, who in exchange for a single meal gave up his rights as the firstborn. 17 For you know that afterwards, when he wanted to obtain his father's blessing, he was rejected; indeed, even though he sought it with tears, his change of heart was to no avail. 18 For you have not come to a tangible mountain, to an ignited fire, to darkness, to murk, to a whirlwind, 19 to the sound of a shofar, and to a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further message be given to them - 20 for they couldn't bear what was being commanded them, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it is to be stoned to death"; 21 and so terrifying was the sight that Moshe said, "I am quaking with dread." 22 On the contrary, you have come to Mount Tziyon, that is, the city of the living God, heavenly Yerushalayim; to myriads of angels in festive assembly; 23 to a community of the firstborn whose names have been recorded in heaven; to a Judge who is God of everyone; to spirits of righteous people who have been brought to the goal; 24 to Yeshua the mediator of the New Covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better things than that of Hevel (Abel). 25 See that you don't reject Jehovah God who speaks! For if those did not escape who rejected God when He gave divine warning on earth (Mount Sinai) think how much less we will escape if we turn away from Him when He warns from heaven (Mount Zion). 26 Even then, God’s voice shook the earth (Mt. Sinai); but now, God has made this promise: "One more time I will shake not only the earth, but the heaven too (Mount Zion)!" 27 And this phrase, "one more time," makes clear that the things shaken are removed, since they are created things, so that the things not shaken may remain (eternal). 28 Therefore, since we have received an unshakeable Kingdom, let us have grace, through which we may offer service that will please God, with reverence and fear. 29 For indeed, "Our God is a consuming fire!"
"A Mighty Fortress" performed by Christy Nockels
Exhortations for all believers
1 Let brotherly friendship continue; 2 but don't forget to be friendly to outsiders; for in so doing, some people, without knowing it, have entertained angels. 3 Remember those in prison and being mistreated, as if you were in prison with them and undergoing their torture yourselves. 4 Marriage is honorable in every respect; and the marriage bed kept pure for God will indeed punish fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money; and be satisfied with what you have; for God himself has said, "I will never fail you or abandon you." 6 Therefore, we say with confidence, "ADONAI is my helper; I will not be afraid what can a human being do to me?" 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke God's message to you. Reflect on the results of their way of life, and imitate their trust - 8 Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by various strange teachings; for what is good is for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods. People who have made these the focus of their lives have not benefited thereby. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve in the Tent are not permitted to eat. 11 For the cohen hagadol brings the blood of animals into the Holiest Place as a sin offering, but their bodies are burned outside the camp.p 12 So too Yeshua suffered death outside the gate, in order to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Therefore, let us go out to Him who is outside the camp and share His disgrace. 14 For we have no permanent city here; on the contrary, we seek the one to come. 15 Through Yeshua, therefore, let us offer God a sacrifice of praise continually. For this is the natural product of lips that acknowledge His name. 16 But don't forget doing good and sharing with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your lives, as people who will have to render an account. So make it a task of joy for them, not one of groaning; for that is of no advantage to you. 18 Keep praying for us, for we are certain that we have a clear conscience and want to conduct ourselves properly in everything we do. 19 And all the more I beg you to do this, so that I may be restored to you that much sooner. 20 May the God of shalom, who through the blood of the eternal covenant, brought back from the dead our Lord Yeshua, that great Shepherd of the sheep,. 21 equip you with every good thing you need to do His will; and may He work in us whatever pleases Him, through Yeshua the Messiah. to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 Now I urge you, brothers, to bear with my message of exhortation; for I have written you only briefly. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, I will bring him with me when I come to see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all God's people. The people from Italy send greetings to you. 25 Grace be with you all.
Jehovah God has given you the light to see His complete truth revealed again in this amazing book of Hebrews, written to you His chosen. “TODAY, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart as your forefathers did in the desert.” Yeshua is the way, the truth and the life. Yeshua is your light and your salvation. Yeshua is Jehovah’s Son, His sacrificial Lamb, born to die that you may live. The greatest mistake you will ever make in your life is refusing Jehovah’s only begotten Son, Yeshua, as your personal Savior and Lord of your life.
Amazing Love" performed by Chris Tomlin
