Hebrews 10:31-35

 

Heb 10:31 (KJB)

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

It is a fearful thing - Frightful or terrible

To fall - To be entrapped by

 

The most terrifying thing a human can experience is to be entrapped, that is, no way out of the judgment process of God. When one is judged on the last day at the Great White Thorne judgment, there is no escape, it is like one caught in a trap. This is the fate which awaits all those who reject and despise the second Covenant. Those who think God is only love need to realize the seriousness of this passage.

 

Heb 10:32 (KJB)

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

 

After ye were illuminated - Brought to light, made evident, brought to understanding

Fight - Combat or conflict

 

When some of the Hebrew Christians in the early church had turned from Judaism to Christianity, they had faced much persecution, especially from those who were still adherents of the Mosaic law. The writer tells them to remember how they had endured those afflictions. In fact, the writer refers to them as harsh as being in combat. Spiritual warfare is not for the faint hearted because it is actual warfare and in the first century, as well as today, those who leave their birth religion and embrace Christianity can lose their lives and many do.

 

Heb 10:33 (KJB)

Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

 

Whilst ye were made a gazingstock - To expose on stage or make a spectacle of

Reproaches - Reviling or insults

Afflictions - Tribulations

Of them that were..used - overturned, or turned here and there

 

These early Hebrew Christians were made a gazingstock, that is, as if they were on a stage receiving insults and suffering afflictions. They had become the object of scorn within the Hebrew community. Not only did they receive harsh treatment for being Christians, they received it because they had become companions of those who were already Christians. They helped them by sending goods to them for their sustenance and helped bear their burdens. This principle should be heeded by all Christians, that we are all living on a stage before the world and that is why we must make sure that we are living lives which are above reproach.

 

Heb 10:34 (KJB)

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

 

Ye had compassion - You sympathized

Spoiling - Plundered

Substance - Existence or possession

 

Here the writer is telling us that he was in prison and while he was, the Hebrew Christians had shown much compassion toward him. There must have been some type of persecution which took place since it seems many of the Hebrew Christians had their worldly possessions plundered. It states that they joyfully accepted this experience. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which helps under gird the Christian throughout their life. Happiness changes in a flash and I am sure they were not happy they were being plundered but joy allowed them to endure it, especially since the indwelling Holy Spirit has given them an inward testimony of the fact that they all have a better possession in Heaven, where they can lose nothing. The phrase “knowing in yourselves” shows us the second covenant at work in that they had the inward testimony and not the outward of the law.

 

Heb 10:35 (KJB)

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

 

Cast not away - Throw away or loose (give up)

Confidence - Boldness, assurance, or courage

 

Based upon the fact that they were suffering for their faith, the writer was exhorting them that they should not give up in the face of tribulation. In fact, he was telling them that they should be bold in the face of tribulation and not to kowtow to it. He reminds them that the Christian life may be misunderstood and they will be mistreated in this life but he wants them to boldly endure because the recompense of reward they will receive in Heaven will far outweigh the persecution being faced now. (2 Cor 4:17 KJV) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; That great recompense of reward is eternal life in Heaven never having to face a problem again.

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