THINGS WHICH WE HAVE HEARD
Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
The apostle has first reminded us of the two times and two ways which the Lord God has communicated to us in the outset of this writing. Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
In this present second and final dispensation of time, he has been pleased to reveal himself to us by his Son. Then in our above text of the second chapter of this writing, he instructs us again that our gospel was at the first spoken by the Lord. And he has also given us confirmation by witnesses, and by signs and wonders, and various miracles. The age of miracles lasting long enough to bridge the gap between the ending of the law and the writing of our Scriptures.
Then in the closing part of this epistle he calls to us again to the extreme importance of adhering to our more glorious word from heaven. Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
It is true that we are in the age of grace and no longer abiding in the age of the law. But the law is still holy, and just, and good. Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. It is still unlawful to steal, or kill, or covet. And even in these last days of grace, due to the more glorious revelation of God’s word by His only begotten Son, we shall receive harsher punishment for our disobedience than those under the law! Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
The Lord himself while still on earth after his resurrection, and before his ascension, strongly rebuked those who did not see the spiritual revelations by the prophets, whom the Father had spoken by in the first dispensation. Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
He laid not the blame upon the prophets, even at some of the dark sayings which they spoke and wrote. But he laid the blame on those who had the law, but even after his death and resurrection, still did not have a spiritual heart to see Christ’s cross (sufferings), and crown (glory)! He said that the entirety of Moses and all the prophets wrote of himself! John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
And most do not realize that when they do not have “ears to hear” it hinders utterance. John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Hebrews 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
It is especially difficult in this age of the texting of brief sentences and abbreviated words to have people read articles as long as this weekly publication. And it is also the age of the “blog.” Everyone wants everything to be about “me!” Therefore there is no interest, especially in gospel matters which constantly reveals to man his own sinful self, giving all esteem and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore many have good hearing. They don’t require hearing aids. But having ears to hear they do not perceive. But they are still responsible to both hear and understand, and obey.
For everything is about God’s spoken word. By it the worlds were called into existence. Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
God is known as “the Word.” John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
And that Person of the Word, even the Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, firmly instructed us to be serious about hearing. Luke 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Listen to the instruction of the ancient prophets. Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Jeremiah 38:20 But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. (that is, other hopes for safety), Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
Eternal life and salvation involve adhering to a call! Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
God made his voice plain to Israel. But they chose to refuse obedience to his instructions. And now America is doing the same thing. It is claiming to be “a Christian nation,” under the blessings of God. But she had long since cast off the yoke of Christ. God has not changed! He will still act the same to disobedient individuals and nations in the exact same way as he ever has! Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias (Isaiah) saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
And even though humans do not place any value upon the preaching of the gospel of our Lord, Satan does! The Apostle Peter instructs us that Satan’s ministers “allure,” that is, attract souls, through great swelling words of vanity! 2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
The words of God are considered foolish, while the alluring words of Satan have great sway over them. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
But the Apostle Paul states that even if it were an angel setting forth any other gospel, he should be accursed. Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
But what of those throughout the world who have never heard a gospel preacher? What of those who cannot read, or never saw a Bible? – They are still without excuse! For the ‘voice’ of God in creation ‘speaks’ so loudly that their sound is heard throughout the earth. Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
For even the invisible things of the very Person of God are clearly seen, being understood by the visible things of creation, thus rendering all mankind inexcusable! Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
How blessed we are in this day to have , not only creation, and the voice of the ancient prophets, but even the revelation of the Person of the Word – the Lord Jesus Christ! John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
Pastor Gene Breed
October 25, 2019
