Book 46

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 3 * PART 4 * BOOK 46

Hebrews 2:3 – Part 2

Now as we begin this our fourth lesson for the afternoon, we’re still in verse 3, but hopefully we’ll finish this verse in this half hour. Remember in our last program we were speaking of this great plan of Salvation:

Hebrews 2:3a

“…which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, (Himself) and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him:”

Remember in the last lesson I took you all the way back to when God confronted Satan or Lucifer, and how that He then turned to the Abrahamic Covenant and brought everything up through the Nation of Israel to bring about the coming of the Messiah and Redeemer. Then, through Israel’s unbelief and rejection, Christ was crucified. Then we moved on up to the Apostle Paul. But now I want to take you back to Acts chapter 7 where Stephen, who was now in consort with Peter and the other eleven there at Jerusalem, approaches the religious leaders of Israel, and the whole idea is the same as what Peter has been trying to do, and that is to convince the Nation of Israel that the One they crucified was the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. And that, through faith in Him, they could still have Him as their King, and He would bring in the Kingdom. So now in verse 1 we can get the idea where this is being preached or taught.

Acts 7:1-2a

“Then said the high priest, Are these things so? (in other words what Stephen had been saying up in chapter 6) 2. And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham,…” Now that doesn’t include a Gentile. Stephen is speaking to the whole nation, but in particular to the religious leaders. So he says:

Acts 7:2a

“And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham,…”

And Stephen brings them all the way up through Israel’s history, how that Joseph was not recognized the first time when his brethren went down for grain. But when they went the second time then they understood who Joseph was. He was their redeemer of physical things, as they needed grain. Then the next one was Moses. Moses, too, appeared to the Nation of Israel as their deliverer, but they rejected him the first time. Then he had to come back 40 years later, and then Stephen makes the point that the second time he came to them, they recognized that Moses was indeed the God-sent deliverer, and he led them out of bondage.

Then Stephen takes the story of Israel on up, and he tries to culminate his sermon with the fact that this One they crucified was the Christ. Now verse 57, and Stephen is coming to the end of this whole dissertation.

Acts 7:57-58

“Then they (these Jewish leaders in particular, and the Nation of Israel in general) cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord. 58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”

Here we have now a high point in Israel’s rejection of everything pertaining to Jesus of Nazareth, and we’re introduced to the next major player on the stage of God dealing with mankind and that was Saul of Tarsus. Now verse 59.

Acts 7:59-60

“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (died)

Alright that was Israel’s final act of rejection concerning Jesus of Nazareth. Now like I said, we were introduced to the next player on the stage and that’s the Apostle Paul – and we knew him first as Saul of Tarsus. Now I’m not going to rehearse his conversion on the road to Damascus, as most of you are well acquainted with that, but I want you to come down to see how definitively the Scripture points out that here is this fork in the road. Up until now it’s been all God dealing with His covenant people Israel. We know Peter appeals to Israel, and Stephen appeals to them, but now after they’ve rejected them, God does something totally different. So let’s begin with verse 10 of Acts chapter 9. Here Saul is being dealt with just outside the city gate, and the Lord has appeared to him. But now the Lord appears to this Jew who was one of the leaders of the synagogue in Damascus:

Acts 9:10-13

“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; (now you always have to remember that the word ‘disciple’ does not always mean one of the Twelve. A disciple was a follower, and so we know Ananias was certainly not one of the Twelve, but simply a believer that Jesus was the Messiah) and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. (He gets his attention) And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth. 12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:” He’s persecuting them. Putting them in prison, putting them to death if possible. Now verse 15, and what’s the first word?

Acts 9:15a

“But…” It’s the flip side, as God’s got another side of the coin.

Acts 9:15a

“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he (Saul of Tarsus) is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles,…”

Now I’m not going to take time to do it, because I did it a few programs back, but do you remember when Paul had now been out among the Gentiles, and had a lot of converts, and had started little congregations of believers, but he had always had that heart for the Jew. So, he went back and appealed to that great Jewish audience there in Jerusalem. Remember they listened to him until he said one word, and what was that word in Acts 22:22? Gentile! When he said Gentile, they just erupted into a mob. They threw dust into the air, and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.”

Well, you see Saul of Tarsus’ mentality was the same. They could see nothing good in those pagan Gentiles, but now the Lord says to him, “I’m going to send you far hence to those Gentiles.” Well, can you imagine how that struck into the heart of that good Pharisee Jew, Saul of Tarsus? But this is what the Lord had commanded, and after that experience he had on the road to Damascus, Saul had no argument with that command. But here in Acts chapter 9, this is what I wanted you to see, that for the first time in the Scriptures, here in the New Testament we’ve got God showing openly that He’s going to now turn to the Gentiles, and remember that was unheard of. My, the Jew had no concept of going to the Gentile world.

For example, turn with me to chapter 8 and I’ll show you what I mean. Many people can’t believe this. They think Jesus ministered to Gentiles, but no He did not! The Scriptures only record that He did that twice. And the Twelve didn’t have a ministry to the Gentiles either. You remember the verse we read in Matthew chapter 10 in the last program, when the Lord commanded them, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans, enter ye not:” So the Twelve disciples also had nothing to do with Gentiles.

But you see mankind today seems to think that just as soon as you get into the New Testament, God is dealing with Jew and Gentile, and nothing could be farther from the truth. God’s been dealing with only the Nation of Israel, based on those Old Testament covenants, with those two exceptions, and if you think the Twelve disciples ran out preaching the Gospel to the whole world, then I’m afraid you don’t know your Bible. The Twelve stuck in Jerusalem, and here’s the proof of it in Acts chapter 8 and verse 1. This is probably 7 or 8 years after Pentecost. I don’t claim that I’m right, but that’s when I think the setting for these verses is.

Acts 8:1

“And Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen’s) death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church (assembly) which was at Jerusalem: (under the persecution of Saul) and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

See, the apostles don’t flee. Now their life is in danger, but they’re not about to leave Jerusalem. Why? Because Israel is at the hub of the matter, Israel has to be converted, and they’re not about to go out into the Gentile world. Now let me give you another one to prove my point, so turn to Acts chapter 11 verse 19. Years and years ago this is the verse that opened my eyes and made me begin studying. And this just says it in plain English, and there’s no way of twisting it or lifting it out of context, as it says what it means and it means what it says.

Acts 11:19

“Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word (now you’ve got to stop for a moment. How much Word was in print at that time? Just the Old Testament. So they went everywhere preaching the Old Testament) to none but unto the Jews only.”

Now just look at that. Underline it, highlight it. They went everywhere in that then-known vicinity on the eastern end of the Mediterranean, North Africa, and up into what is now Turkey, and they were definitely preaching the Old Testament, the record of how that Christ had come, and that He had been crucified, but they preached to none but Jews. Isn’t that funny that people can’t see that? They weren’t about to go to Gentiles, but always remember, a Sovereign God is still in control. So you get down into the very following verses, and my goodness, now what happens? Gentiles are getting interested in Salvation, by God’s Sovereign Grace of course. But when the news got back to Jerusalem that Gentiles were getting involved, what do you think the Jerusalem leadership thought? Uh Oh! There’s something wrong here!

I always like to use the analogy here of something I read several years ago about one of our major denominations who was headquartered here in the Midwest, heard of gross heresies being taught in one of their churches down in one of the southern states. Well, what do you suppose the hierarchy up here in the Midwest did? They sent people down there pronto to check it out. Are those people really teaching that kind of heresy in one our churches? Well now that’s just natural to do that, and that’s exactly what the Jerusalem leadership did. Gentiles getting interested? Hey, there’s something wrong with that. We’re not supposed to be going to Gentiles, and so look what happens in verse 22.

Acts 11:22

“Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church (assembly) which was in Jerusalem: (over which Peter and the eleven were in charge) and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.”

Well, for what purpose? To check this rumor out, that these Gentiles were getting interested in the things of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and that’s basically what the Scriptures are saying here. Now read on in verse 23, but before we do, isn’t it amazing how God always gets the right man, at the right place, at the right time? I maintain, had any of that Jerusalem leadership except Barnabas gone up to Antioch, they would have squashed it right then and there. But you see Barnabas was the right man, in fact he was the perfect right man for that particular time, and verse 23 says it all.

Acts 11:23-25

“Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, (how that God in His goodness was reaching down to these pagans.) was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.(they’re being saved, Gentiles as well as a sprinkling of Jews. And as soon as Barnabas sees what’s going on, again, Sovereignly, by God’s direct leadership, what does Barnabas do?) 25. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:”

Isn’t that amazing? Now if you think I’m stretching the point, come back over into chapter 11 verse 1. And this portion of Scriptures follows Peter going up to the house of Cornelius in chapter 10. And remember Peter wasn’t too hot on that idea either, but the Lord forced him to do it. But when Peter saw the evidence of these Gentiles at Cornelius’ house being saved, my, Peter was awestruck. He and the men that were with him were astonished, because they had never seen anything like this before. But now come down to chapter 11 and verse 1 and see what happened when they got back to Jerusalem and shared this with the believers.

Acts 11:1-2

“And the apostles, and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision (the Jerusalem believing assembly) contended with him,”

Hey they didn’t slap him on the back and say, “Hey Peter, great Job. My isn’t it great how God is using us Jews to go to the Gentiles.” NO! But quite the opposite, they contended with him.

Acts 11:3

“Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and (horrors of horrors, what did they do?) didst eat with them.”

The Jerusalem leadership just was baffled. “Peter, you of all people, how could you do that?” Well, then Peter had to rehearse how God had worked both ends to the middle, worked with Cornelius, and worked with him, and brought the two together so that Peter could proclaim Salvation to that Gentile house. Now all this to show then, that when Saul of Tarsus was commissioned in chapter 9 to go to the Gentile world – that, hey, this had never been known before. This is something totally, totally different.

Now, as a result of him being commissioned by the words and deeds of Ananias, let’s look at Paul’s own words and own account of it in the Book of Galatians chapter 1. Now remember, I’m just trying to reconstruct this great Salvation that began with the Lord Himself. It began way back when the Lord made the promised Seed of the woman back in Genesis 3:15. Then gave the promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that through the Nation of Israel would come a Redeemer. But Israel rejected all of that, and God then turns to the Gentiles through this man, and now he gives the account of it here in Galatians.

Galatians 1:11,12

“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 (where did Paul get this Gospel that saves us today? We know he didn’t get it from the Twelve, or any of the Old Testament writings, but rather) by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Now when you read Scripture you’ve got to keep everything in perspective. Where is Christ at this time of the revelation? Well, He’s in glory! And so from that ascended position in glory He reveals to this apostle these revelations. Now, maybe at some point in time Paul had a face-to-face confrontation. I’m not saying that he did or didn’t, but he had the revelation from the ascended Lord. Now verse 13, Paul writes:

Galatians 1:13-15a

“For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, (he was a Pharisee of the Pharisees remember) how that beyond measure I persecuted the church (or that assembly) of God, and wasted it: 14. And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15. But when it pleased God,…” Do you see what that says? God is Sovereign! God is in control of every minute detail, and at the exact right time. Not only was Christ born of a woman, as we see in chapter 4 of Galatians.

Galatians 4:4a

“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman,…” But Paul says the same thing was part and parcel of his birth at just the right time, he was born into that Jewish family in Tarsus so that he was ready to be the apostle of the Gentiles at the exact right moment in human history. But you know what? You are the same way. You were born according to God’s Sovereign timetable. You’re not an accident. Every one of us is in that intrinsic working of a Sovereign God. Now come on down to verse 16. Why did He commission this man, this good Jew?

Galatians 1:16-17a

“To reveal his Son (the One we’ve been emphasizing in Hebrews) in me (and for what purpose?) that I might preach him among the heathen; and immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; (Paul went in the opposite direction) but I went into Arabia,…”

He probably went to Mount Sinai, and then after the 3 years of revelation of these things of the Gospel of the Grace of God, then this apostle is ready to go to the pagan Gentile world. Now in the couple of minutes we have left, let’s go back to Hebrews. We’ve got to keep checking with home base.

Hebrews 2:3

“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 (Paul is including himself) by them that heard him:” Now let’s come back to I Corinthians chapter 15, and I think these verses just tie it all together, and we’ll start at verse 1.

I Corinthians 15:1-8

“Moreover brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, (saved and Salvation are synonymous) if ye keep in memory, what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all (they had never heard this Gospel before) that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures; (now resurrection was a tough item for a lot of people to believe, so here comes the proof of the resurrection) 5. And that he was seen of Cephas, (Peter) then of the Twelve: 6. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep, (died) 7. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (or one born before his time)

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 3 * PART 3 * BOOK 46

Hebrews 2:3

Now we always like to make it plain that we’re not associated with anybody, we don’t try to destroy or attack anyone, nor lift any one group up over another. I’m just a layman, a cattle rancher, that the Lord has seen fit to use me, from a lay person’s point of view, to just simply teach the Scriptures and help people. As our letters say over and over, “for the very first time in our life, we’re reading our Bible and understanding what we read.” Well that’s all we’re trying to do.

Now we’re in the Book of Hebrews and we’ve been stressing ever since we started this study in Hebrews that it is addressed primarily to Jewish people who were having a hard time making the break from Judaism and the Law, and to step into this tremendous Salvation of the Grace of God. Now I can sympathize with people who have that problem. I know I have a lady who used to be in our class and was in a cult, or at least I would call it that, and oh, she wrestled with it for years. But finally one day with a broad smile on her face she said, “Well Les, I’ve finally whipped it and can finally let go, because this was drummed into me since I was 3 years old.” So it’s not easy to turn your back on something that has been hammered into us for years and years.

But this Book of Hebrews is just going to trumpet Who Jesus of Nazareth really was. Now you want to remember that during Christ’s earthly ministry, that the purpose of all His signs and wonders and miracles was to prove to the Jewish people of His day that He was the promised Messiah, and we’ll probably be touching on that sometime in the next few programs. But nevertheless, remember that the purpose of the Book of Hebrews is to prove to these Jewish people Who He really was, and Who He is, and that He is the supreme God of the universe. He’s not just another person below the Father, because He and the Father and the Spirit are ONE!

So as we saw in our last lesson, He brought about this great Salvation, and not just for Israel, but rather for the whole human race. Now let’s come right back, and we’re still in verse 3, hopefully we’ll finish verse 3 in this half hour, and maybe go into the next verse in our last program this afternoon.

Hebrews 2:3

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, (that is by the Son, the One we’re emphasizing here in these first two chapters) and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him:”

Now I guess the best place to start is, “What do we mean by this Salvation which was first spoken by the Lord Himself?” So turn back to Matthew, and we’ll go into His earthy ministry again, because I think if anything else I’ve stressed in my years of teaching, and I think most of you and our listening audience out in television land are beginning to understand, is that the Bible is a progressive revelation. They didn’t have everything back there in Genesis, and the prophets still didn’t know it all. The Twelve didn’t get a grasp of it all, because it was a progressive thing.

So as we progress on up through human history, and we come up through the Scriptures, then we finally come to this place where the Apostle Paul becomes the number one player on the stage, and he reveals how that all of these things were coming to the place where Salvation could now go to the whole human race. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but by faith in what Christ accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection. Alright, but we’re not there yet in Christ’s earthly ministry, He’s still in the Kingdom economy, so come back to Matthew chapter 4, and let’s just drop in at verse 17. We’re not going to stay here very long, we’re going to shoot right back to Genesis in a minute, but this is a good jumping off place from what he meant in Hebrews, that this great Salvation which at the beginning was spoken by the Lord Himself.

Matthew 4:17

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Well, what was He talking about? He had come to them to present Himself to Israel as their Messiah, their Redeemer, and their King. Now where do we get all that. Well let’s go all the way back to Genesis, even though I’m sure Paul is making the original reference to the Lord’s earthly ministry there in Hebrews 2:3, but yet I think we can take the opportunity to go all the way back to when it all began in Genesis chapter 3, where we have the first prophetic utterance concerning the coming of a Redeemer and Saviour for the whole human race.

Genesis 3:15, a verse that most of you know forward and backwards, and this is just after the fall of mankind. Adam and Eve have just eaten of the tree, prompted, of course, by the adversary, the old tempter, the Devil himself. So God is dealing with Satan, and He’s making him a promise. A promise that He fulfilled when He finished the work of the cross. So God says:

Genesis 3:15

“And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed (the forces of Satan, and his whole demonic system of power. It would be an enmity between that) and her seed; (or the Seed of the woman, and we know from Galatians chapter 3, that the Seed of the woman was Christ. And He came through the woman, she was the vehicle) it (the Seed of the woman, Christ) shall bruise thy head, (that’s where you defeat a snake, you kill it at it’s head. So that’s where we struck Satan his death blow at the cross, but Satan got in his lick by making Christ suffer) and thou shall bruise his heel.”

Now then the next great event in human history that leads to the coming of our great Salvation is the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis chapter 12. It’s been a long time since we’ve covered that on the program, and so we’re going to hit it again. You know I’m always apologizing for repeating, and even though people write constantly and say, “keep repeating” I always feel that once I’ve said something, that should settle it.

I read a book again the other night, and I won’t give you the title or contents, because it was a book that was in total opposition to everything that I teach, so it took something to stay with it, but the author proved something to me. He uses one verse of Scripture throughout that whole book, and on some pages he used it four times, now that’s repetition. Over and over he’s coming from only that one verse of Scripture – I mean riding it like a hobby horse. Well I have to look at my own teaching and compared to that, I don’t repeat much at all. But some of these important things we do repeat and here’s one of them, the Abrahamic Covenant. I’ve taught it and taught and taught it, because it is so fundamental to this great Salvation. Now verse 1 of Genesis chapter 12, and remember this is half way between Adam and Christ’s first advent:

Genesis 12:1

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (which of course will be the land of Canaan.) 2. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee: (now here comes the promise on which your Salvation and mine rests) and in thee (Abraham) shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Now I maintain that Abraham had no idea what God had in mind. Abraham had a to wait a long time before he even got his first son, and how can you get a nation until you have a son? But from that one son, Isaac, there came another generation with one son, Jacob, then finally Jacob has the twelve sons, and the twelve sons and their families end up down in Egypt. Then, after the hundreds of years in Egypt, God raises up the next great character in Scripture, in Moses the deliverer. And Moses leads the Nation of Israel out of bondage. And to that Nation of Israel, He now gives the Law. The Mosaic Law was a whole idea of preparing that nation of people for the coming of a Redeemer. But according to the Abrahamic Covenant it was to be more than just a Redeemer, He was also to be a Messiah and a King over an earthly Kingdom.

And all of these things begin to snowball as you come up through human history, leading up to the day when Christ makes that initial appearance to the Nation of Israel. Now come back again to Matthew chapter 4, and we see He started His ministry crying:

Matthew 4:17b

“…Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Now come on over to chapter 9, and remember the basis for me doing this. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord.” Do you see where I’m coming from? Alright then, how did the Lord come? By virtue of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and the prophets – and now here He is, and makes His appearance. Now let’s begin with verse 35, and this is the beginning of His earthly ministry, as we call it.

Matthew 9:35a

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues,…”

How many times have you heard me say it, and I’ll keeping saying it as long as the Lord gives me breath, “When Jesus made His appearance to the Nation of Israel, everything He said and taught was directed to the Nation of Israel and He was under the Law.” And all I ask people to do is just stop and think, did He ever one time tell the disciples or his followers to quit Temple worship. No, never! Did He ever tell them it was no longer necessary to bring sacrifices? Never! And every thing that He taught is in accordance with the Law. Let me give you an example over in chapter 19. Sometimes I start heading for a Scripture, and then I’m not sure I’m going to the right place, but this one I hit right. And this Scripture just confirms what I just told you about Jesus teaching according to the Law. Everything He said, was directed to the Jewish people under the Law, and oh, that’s hard for people to understand. This is a whole different economy than where we are today. We’re not under Law, we’re under Grace, but Jesus ministered under the Law of Moses.

Matthew 19:16

“And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Is that a good question to the One Who gives eternal life? Absolutely! But look at Jesus’ answer.

Matthew 19:17

“And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, (that is eternal life) keep the commandments.”

Now a lot of people are trying to get to heaven by using that today. I know they are, because I had a lady call once from out on the East coast one Monday morning. And she said, “Les I’m confused, because yesterday morning my preacher preached a sermon from Matthew 19, when the young man came and wanted to know what he must do to receive eternal life, and Jesus said, keep the commandments. Then this morning you said, we’re not under Law, but rather under Grace. So I’m confused.”

I said give me five minutes, and maybe we can straighten out your thinking. So I did what I’ve done in the past few moments, I started with Abraham and just on our phone conversation, brought her all the way up through, and how that we went beyond the cross, and that when Christ was crucified then the Law was crucified with Him, and He arose in resurrection power, and then He revealed to this last apostle, the Apostle Paul, all of these Grace Age revelations, and through that work of the cross the Law has been satisfied and all the sins of the world were laid on Christ, and now we just take it by faith + nothing; it’s all done. Do you know what that dear lady’s answer to all that was? She said, “It’s all so logical isn’t it?”

Yes, it is, if you’ll just see the whole picture. But you see, too many people aren’t seeing the whole picture, they can only see Christ’s earthly ministry. I had a pastor from somewhere down South called just this morning, seeing all this for the first time. He said. “I’ve preached the Four Gospels all my life, but you’ve shown me that’s not where it’s at, it’s in Paul.” I said, “Praise the Lord!” Well I hope we can make the point. Now back to Matthew chapter 9. So Jesus in verse 35:

Matthew 9:35

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, (according to the Law) and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, (which had been promised all the way since Genesis chapter 12. That through the Abrahamic Covenant would come this Kingdom promised to the Nation of Israel. So He was preaching the good news of the Kingdom) and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” Now to show how it was confined to the Nation of Israel, just come across the page to Matthew chapter 10.

Matthew 10:1a

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples,…” Then it names them. You know them, and I don’t have to read them, but then come down to verse 5:

Matthew 10:5a

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them,…”

Now when I read this verse to my classes, I always stop to make the point, He doesn’t suggest and say, “Well, maybe you’ll have a little better result if you do this.” No He commanded them, and He’s the Lord of glory, He’s the Creator, He’s the God of this universe, and He had every right in the world to command them, and look what He tells them.

Matthew 10:5b

“…and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Do you see how plain that is? He commanded them not to have any thing to do with anybody but Jews. And then verse 7.

Matthew 10:7

“And as ye go, preach, (the same thing He’d been preaching) saying The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

And along with that they were to have the power of healing and miracles and signs and wonders. Now verse 8.

Matthew 10:8-9

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses.”

My what a different scenario than what we’re in today, but that was the Gospel that Jesus was proclaiming to the Nation of Israel. Alright, the other one I like to use with regard to that same Gospel of the Kingdom is in Matthew chapter 16. This is all that Paul is referring to, how that at the beginning the Gospel as we understand it, even in our Gospel of Grace, began back here, but it’s a progressive thing. It began with the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the prophets. It began even further when Jesus appeared to the Nation of Israel, and we’re going to see in a little bit how it goes on into Peter’s preaching in the Book of Acts. Then it’s going to lead to the appearance of that last apostle, the Apostle Paul.

But here in Christ’s earthly ministry, here is what Israel was to have believed under the Law, without giving up anything of the Mosaic system. This was an added requirement of faith. This is toward the end of His earthly ministry, they’re up there in northern Israel, and they’ll be making their way down to Jerusalem for the crucifixion. But look what happens.

Matthew 16:13-16

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14. And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, (the Messiah) the Son of the living God.”

Now listen that’s all they were to believe. That under the Mosaic Law, keeping the commandments, they were to now simply believe this Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God. And that requirement runs all the way through the Four Gospels. Let me take you on to another one over in John’s gospel, chapter 11, and let’s come down to verse 23.

John 11:23

“Jesus saith unto her, (Martha) Thy brother shall rise again. 24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (now look at her answer. It’s almost identical with Peter’s answer) 27. She saith unto him, Yea Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

Now isn’t that obvious? This is all the Gospel now that began with the coming of Christ to the Nation of Israel in fulfillment of all those Old Testament prophecies, but now this was their Gospel, and that’s what they had to believe. That He was the Christ, but under the Law. Nobody said anything about no longer keeping the Law. Now let’s go to the Book of Acts, and now look at how Peter approaches it in chapter 3. And how this Gospel just keeps moving on through the earthly ministry, past the death, burial, and resurrection, and now we’re into Peter’s preaching still to the Nation of Israel. Here they’ve just healed the lame man, and Peter comes on down and reminds them again that they denied the Holy One in verse 14.

Acts 3:14a

“But ye denied the Holy One…”

In verse 15 you desired the murderer:

Acts 3:15a

“And killed the Prince of life,…”

But now look at verse 16. Here is the continuation of that Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus began.

Acts 3:16

“And his name though faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of your all.”

How did that man receive healing, as well no doubt Salvation? By believing that the One Who had been crucified, had risen from the dead, and now it was through faith in that name, that he could receive healing as well as his Salvation.

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 3 * PART 2 * BOOK 46

How Shall We Escape – Part 2

Hebrews 2:3

Now you can be turning with me to Hebrews chapter 2, and we’re going to pick right up again with verse 3. I don’t know how much longer we’ll be in it, but we’ll pick as much out of this verse as we can, because that’s what makes Bible study interesting. Now I don’t know how many of you know about the operation of the Jewish Rabbi’s and the ones who study Scriptures. But all the way up through their history they would sit and maybe spend days, and maybe even weeks, on one verse. Maybe they’ve got all the commentaries of all the other Rabbis and know what everyone else has said, but they’ll look at that verse, and study it to see what other meaning they can pull out of it.

Well, I’m not going to go to that extreme, but I do love to just see how much you can pull out of a particular statement in Scripture, by comparing it with other Scriptures. That’s the name of the game you know, building Scripture on Scripture. So we’ll be staying here in Hebrews 2:3 for at least this lesson, and maybe the next one also.

We also want to thank you for all your letters, but most of all for your prayers. My how we love your letters when you tell us that you’re praying for us every day. Some of you say, you pray for us two or three times a day. Well that’s what we need, because we know that the Devil is quite the adversary, he’s powerful, and yet we do feel that the prayers of the saints are more powerful. Now that’s all we need for opening comment, so let’s get into the Book and once again look at verse 3. In the last half hour we looked at the first 3 or 4 words, “How shall we escape.” Now we’ll move on.

Hebrews 2:3a

“How shall we escape, (that is the wrath, and doom, and eternal lostness) if we neglect so great salvation;…”

Now that word neglect, I think we all experience it. I know I try to tell my sons in our ranching business, you know you can’t get careless, you can’t cut corners and say,“Oh well, we’ll do it tomorrow or next week,” because just as sure as do, it’s going to hit you in the pocket book. So, neglect, you see is a word that catches us almost everyday of our lives regardless of what our lifestyle is. Neglect leads to carelessness and it means the same thing here.

In fact as I was mulling over these things last night, and I haven’t even had time to share it with Iris. Quite a few years ago, I think back in the early 1980’s we were driving across New Mexico, and I’m sure some of you have been on that same state highway; it’s not an interstate. Anyway you’re driving along on a flat table top plateau, and all of a sudden you come to the Rio Grande River which is just a gorge, and way, way down is that little Rio Grande River, and of course the bridge goes right on over it. So you come down a very gentle incline and cross the bridge.

Well, they had a walkway on the bridge, and we got to the other side, and I thought, boy this is unique, so we stopped and parked to walk back on the walkway. There were a couple of other couples who had also stopped and were out on the walkway, and they were looking way down at the bottom, where there was a beautiful motor home that was smashed up and ruined. They were all discussing it, so I asked what in the world had happened? Well the couple who owned the motor home, had pulled off the shoulder on the east side of the bridge, got out, came down on the bridge where we were, and they neglected to set the brake or put it in gear. And while they were on the bridge, that motor home started rolling, and just almost as if somebody steered it, just before it got to bridge, which had no guard rails, over it went, down into the bottom of that gorge, totally destroying it.

Well what prompted that accident? Neglect! Just a moment of neglect, and isn’t that exactly what people are doing with their eternal doom? They’re neglecting the most important thing in life, and that is to accept God’s offer of Salvation, and escape that eternal doom. Now with that as a backdrop,

Hebrews 3:2a

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;…”

It isn’t that Salvation isn’t there. I mentioned it so often in John chapter 10, the chapter on the good shepherd – where is the door of the sheepfold? Right at ground level. Not up on some high cliff or across some raging river, but rather it’s right at ground level, and in front of every lost person throughout their life. All they have to do is step in by faith, but they neglect to do that. Alright, let’s just use a couple of Scripture verses to point that out.

Hebrews 3:2a

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;…”

Alright we’ll stop right there and come back to Matthew chapter 22, where the same Greek word, in a little bit different form, nevertheless it’s the same Greek root word here in this chapter, and let’s look at verses 1-5. But in order to get the real meaning of the verse, I guess we should go to the beginning of the parable, because this is the Lord Jesus speaking during His earthly ministry, and remember these parables again were directed primarily to the Jewish people, and the Pharisees in particular. In fact while you’re in this chapter just go back a chapter to 21:45, because I always like to use this verse to explain to people what I mean when I say, that everything Jesus said, was said to Jews under the Law. So let’s look at that passage first.

Matthew 21:45

“And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.”

Do you see how plain that is? They understood that all His parables were directed to them, because they were the ones that were so guilty. Now you come into chapter 22, He gives another parable.

Matthew 22:1

“And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, (So who do you think He’s directing it to? Well the chief priest and the Pharisees) 2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5. But they made light of it, (they neglected it, they didn’t pay any attention. They neglected their invitation to the wedding feast. So in their neglecting it, what was their response?) and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise;”

But instead of responding to the invitation they neglected paying any attention to that invitation to the marriage feast. Now I think I’ve got another one in chapter 23, at least I hope that’s the one I want. Here the Lord Jesus, and you’ve all seen pictures of it on somebody’s wall, where He’s looking out over Jerusalem. And it is a thought provoking picture, no doubt about it. But this is what He’s saying:

Matthew 23:37

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

Why not? They neglected. They didn’t pay any mind. He’s making reference of course to the whole Old Testament economy when the prophets were constantly warning Israel of their chastisement, how that other nations would over run them, and then, he says: “You would not.” So consequently because of their neglect He says:

Matthew 23:38

“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”

Oh, what awful condemnation, but that wasn’t God’s fault. God pleaded with them, and pleaded with them, and pleaded with them. “But they would not!” Now let’s turn to the Book of Acts, chapter 2 for a little bit and pick up this same thought. This is on the Pentecostal sermon that Peter is preaching. This vast crowd of Jews has gathered for the Feast of Pentecost. Remember this is just 50 days after the crucifixion, and here’s the same response, total neglect.

Acts 2:22-23

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”

Why would they do this? They neglected to understand that He was the promised Messiah. He proved it for 3 years, but they spurned Him, and neglected even as those who were invited to the wedding feast we read about a few moment ago. Now let’s go over a little further, still in the Book of Acts. So come on over to chapter 24, when Paul has now come on the scene, and let’s drop in at verse 24. Here Paul is being accused, and supposedly being brought to trial.

Acts 24:24

“And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. (now you all know this, I know you do. But I want to give you another thought on it.) 25. And as he reasoned (Felix, this governor or whatever his title may have been, but as he reasoned) of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered. Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him:…”

What’s Felix doing? Neglecting Salvation. He’s putting it off to his own doom. Oh, the constant reminder in Scripture is, “Don’t put it off” because the Scripture says, “Now is the day of Salvation.” Not tomorrow or next year, but now. Now let’s come back to Hebrews chapter 2, and we’ll go on a little further in the verse.

Hebrews 2:3a

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;…”

How are we going to miss the doom of the lost, if we neglect or spurn or postpone so great a Salvation. Now listen, I’m afraid the average well-intentioned church member doesn’t realize what a great Salvation has been offered to the human race. It’s the inhuman understanding. It’s just totally beyond us. Alright now I’m going to bring you back again to Romans and this time chapter 1. This is a verse that most of you probably know from memory. Let’s drop down to verse 16. And remember, “How can we escape, and how can the human race escape if they neglect, or treat lightly so great a Salvation.

Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it (the Gospel) is the power of God unto salvation to every one that (repents and is baptized? No! Your Bible doesn’t say that and neither does mine, or anything else you can put in there. This great Salvation has now become accessible to everyone that) believeth; (It’s faith, it’s trusting this Gospel. So it’s to everyone that believeth,) to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Alright, so great a Salvation. Now let’s go look at Philippians chapter 2. I’m going to wear your Bibles out today, and I thought of that even as I was preparing last night, that we’re going to do a lot of page turning today. And the whole idea that we want to keep in our minds for at least this program and maybe on into the next one is, “this great Salvation.” These are verses we use periodically.

Philippians 2:5-8

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; 6. Who, (God the Son as we saw in Hebrews 1. Who) being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (He was God. He was the Creator of everything) 7. But (even though He was the Creator God, He) made himself (He was forced into it) of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, (bond slave, the lowest level in the human economy) and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Now again our human intellect cannot comprehend all of this. It’s just beyond us. We cannot put together and get a full understanding of all that was in the mind of God when He preprogrammed that horrible death of crucifixion. You see, when you go back into the time of Moses, when the serpents were running rampant through Israel, what did Moses put up in the midst of the camp. Well the brazen serpent. And the whole idea was that if the people would look up at that brazen serpent, then they would be healed of their snakebites. Then you come along to John’s Gospel, and what does he say? “The Son of man had to be lifted up.” He had to be lifted up in order to fulfill the type of the brazen serpent.

So it had to be the death by crucifixion, because no other death would have lifted him up. He had to be the cursed One, because again you go back into the Old Testament economy, when there was a no good son, and nobody could do anything with him, what had to happen? Well they had to put him to death, but after they had stoned him, what did they do with his body? Hung it on a pole. And again what was the whole picture? Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree. So those were all prototypes of what Christ would fulfill in that horrible death by crucifixion. But you see in God’s Sovereign way of thinking, it had to be, as nothing else would have worked. But you see we can’t comprehend that, at least I can’t, and I don’t think anybody can.

And it’s the same way with the soul that sins. In fact come back with me to the Book of Genesis chapter 2, because we’ve got to see this with our own eyes once in a while, because it makes a better impact, I think. Let’s drop down to verse 17, and this is right at the beginning of the human experience. Yes, even before Eve is even on the scene. Adam had to teach this little piece of knowledge to his wife Eve at some later point, because Adam is alone when this happens. So here the Lord is instructing Adam of his habitation in the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 2:17

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Why? Because the day he would eat, he would be a disobedient person, and disobedience is sin, and sin and death go together. So the whole purpose then of Christ having to die, is to overcome the death that was precipitated by sin. Now when you start putting all that together, it’s mind boggling. Is it any wonder, then, that the Bible calls it, “so great a Salvation?” It is so great that we can never fathom it. And that’s why the Lord has been gracious, and let’s us take it only by faith. There’s no way we can finally pass the exam, and say, “Well Lord I’m ready, so test me, because I’ve got all the answers.” No, we’d never get there. We would always fail it, so He’s made it real simple. We just come into Salvation by faith, by believing as much as we can understand, and then as a believer we begin to comprehend a little more all the time. But listen, this is such a great Salvation that no one can understand the total ramification of it.

Now let’s go to I Corinthians chapter 1 and look at a few more verses. You also want to remember that Paul’s letters are directed to you and I as recipients of God’s Grace, the Church Age. All the rest of Scripture, as we saw in the last program, is written for our learning, but these of Paul are written to us. Not just for us, but rather to us. So in this passage, my, we can just sink our teeth into it, and say, “this is God speaking to me,” even though it’s through the apostle’s pen, it’s still God speaking to you and I. Here, I always like to start with verse 17. I know this throws a curve at a lot of people, but it’s what the Book says, it’s not what Les Feldick says, but rather what the Book says.

I Corinthians 1:17

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, (in other words, not with some fast talking, whatever. You know, even Apollos was a great orator, but it took a couple of little Jewish lay people to teach him the truth. So he doesn’t come with wisdom of words) lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”

Listen, at the heart of everything is that work of the cross. Now verse 18, and remember what I’m still harping on, “How great a Salvation.” And for the most part mankind is neglecting it, and because they’re neglecting it, they’re never going to escape their doom. So don’t lose sight of that.

I Corinthians 1:18

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; (how true. The average person here in the Bible belt does not feel it’s the cross that makes the difference) but unto us which are saved it (the preaching of the cross) is the power of God.”

Now you’ve heard me say it on this program over and over, “it took more power to save this sinner, and you as a sinner, than it did to create the universe.” Now you may think that’s a play on words, but listen, who held us chained to our lost estate? Satan did. Satan held every one of us, but Who alone could break that chain? The work of the cross! Well, we’ve only got a minute left so let’s continue on right here in I Corinthians chapter 1. Let’s begin at verse 22, and remember this whole idea is, “this great Salvation,” based upon this preaching of the cross.

I Corinthians 1:22

“For the Jews require a sign, (and we’ll be looking at that in a further program in Hebrews chapter 2. Oh, they were always saying, “show us a sign.” And Christ did with wonders and miracles, but the Greeks on the other hand didn’t care about signs, and miracles, all they wanted was what?)and the Greeks seek after wisdom:”

But for us God satisfies both sides of the coin, as He gives us the power of God, and the wisdom!

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 3 * PART 1 * BOOK 46

How Shall We Escape

Hebrews 2:3

Now as we open the Scriptures, we trust that the Holy Spirit will speak to hearts, and it seems to be working. My, our mail is just so rewarding, that over and over for the first time in their lives, they’re enjoying their Bible. So we just trust that you’ll continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.

Now getting back to our Bible study of comparing Scripture with Scripture. At the present we’re still in the Book of Hebrews, and periodically I like to come back as we teach this book and make some of the introductory remarks again. Because this is a book that I think is totally misunderstood, because people do not understand that the Book of Hebrews was first and foremost directed to Hebrews. Some were believers, but it was written primarily for those of the Hebrews that were on the fence.

Anyone who had been steeped in a religion or a cult for a lifetime can get a good understanding of where these Jewish people were. They were being pulled into this whole new concept of Paul’s revelation of the grace of God, but on the other hand they were being pulled back into Judaism. Remember it’s not easy to let go of something that you’ve had a whole lifetime of being steeped in.

So this is the whole thrust of the Book of Hebrews, to show, yes, where they had been was good, the Law was good – I mean after all it had carried Israel for 1500 years. But now, this tremendous grace is so much better. So this is what we’re going to be showing throughout the Book of Hebrews. For example the angels were great, but Christ is greater. The Aaronic priesthood was good, but the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec is better.

So, all the way through this book, Hebrews is going to be directed to those kinds of Jews who are primarily not able to make up their minds to make the break from Judaism. But as we study all the rest of Scripture, it is also for our learning as Gentile believers. In fact, before we even look at Hebrews come back for a moment to the Book of Romans chapter 15 and verse 4. This is a verse I use so often when we teach the Old Testament or even the Four Gospels, this is a verse that Paul writes so distinctly. And as we study the book of Hebrews keep this verse uppermost in your thinking. Even though it’s written to Jews, there is so much that’s in the book of Hebrews for our learning.Always remember, too, that once we get into Paul’s doctrine of grace, there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile. So even though it’s directed to the Jew, it is also directed to us.

Romans 15:4

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime (now that primarily goes for the Old Testament, but I think it also applies to the Four Gospels, as I think they were written before Paul’s letters, so I think we’re safe to also include the Four Gospels here) were written for our learning, that we (as believers in this Age of Grace) through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

And you remember I’ve been using, over the last several months, those two verses in Peter’s epistles, where Peter admonished his readers, which were also primarily Jews, that they were to go to the epistles of Paul if they really wanted to find the plan of Salvation. And in that next verse, he says, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; (of Salvation) hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest,…” So he makes it so plain that even Paul’s letters are included in that word ‘Scriptures.’

Now I think we can come back to Hebrews with that as an introduction that we’re going to study the Book of Hebrews, realizing that it was written first and foremost to Hebrews who were having a hard time making that break, away from Judaism and into this tremendous Gospel of Grace, but it is also a Book that is for our learning. Now in the last lesson, we spent a little time in Hebrews chapter 2:3, but after Jerry sent me the transcript of that last lesson, I thought there was still so much that I didn’t even scratch the surface of. So I’m going to look at verse 3 again this afternoon, and we’ll dig out a little more than we did before. So let’s just begin with verse 1 so we can pick up the flow, because in chapter 1 we pointed out that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son. And it was in the Son that God completed the plan of redemption, and through the Son that our sins were purged, and then He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, never again to be humiliated with the death of the cross, as that had already now been accomplished. And the first word, “Therefore” is referring back to chapter 1.

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.”

In other words we have to be sure that we hang onto these things that God has revealed to us, and that we have appropriated them by faith.

Hebrews 2:2a

“For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast,…”

Which was a reference to the Ten Commandments, and we made the point in the last lesson that there are, I think, two places in Scripture where the angels are included in that giving of the Law. Now, normally we don’t think of that. We think of the Law as having been written by the finger of God on the tables of stone, but two different places it says it was given by the work of the angels. So this is what Paul is referring to here.

Hebrews 2:1

“For if the word (Law) spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;”

Now I’ve got to stop there and remind you, and I made the point when were teaching it, that the Law was severe! The Law was severe and there was no circumventing it, there was no compromising it. The Law said if you were caught picking up sticks on the Sabbath, what was the punishment? Death! So there was no twisting or compromising it, so this is what Paul is reminding us here. That even the Law that was given by the angels up there on Mount Sinai, it received a just recompence of reward. In other words, God is always true to His own Word. Now verse 3, and this is where we’re going to spend at least a program and maybe even two or more on these next three parts of verse 3.

Hebrews 2:3

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;..”

Now I’m going to divide them into three parts. “How shall we escape,” is part one. “if we neglect” That’s part two. “so great salvation;” is part three.

Now if I was the kind that set up a point sermon, that would be it. A good three-point sermon, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great Salvation.” So I think if nothing else this afternoon, if you can remember these three aspects of this verse, we will have accomplished something. So now let’s look at the first part.

Hebrews 2:3a

“How shall we escape,…”

Well escape what? Come back with me now to Malachi chapter 1. That’s the last Book in the Old Testament so that’s real easy to find. And this is the question that we’re going to answer, “How shall we escape?” Now of course the “we” is speaking of the whole human race in general. Yes, it’s written to Jews who could not make up their mind to come on in, but it’s also written to unbelieving Gentiles, which of course we were. See, we can never take ourselves out of the picture. Now as believers we’ve already escaped it, haven’t we? We don’t have to worry about the indication or the wrath of God, because all of that’s been laid on Christ for all of us who have believed. But we’re still part and parcel of the human race who in one way or another were faced with this something to escape from. Remember this is the Old Testament, and we’re still dealing here with the tribes that surrounded Israel, and in this case it’s Edom, the offspring of Esau.

Malachi 1:4

“Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, the border of wickedness, and, the people against whom the LORD hath indignation (for how long?) forever.”

Now that’s a blanket statement, not just for the Edomites, but for all those who have rejected God’s offer of Salvation. Now I’m going to take you into Matthew chapter 25, and this is just two of the many instances when Jesus spoke of the doom of the lost. I think you’ve all heard at one time or another, maybe even from your own pulpit, that Jesus spoke far more of the eternal destiny of the lost, than He did of heaven. He spoke a lot more, and I’m just going to give you two of them that are real easy to find. And this is Jesus speaking here in this passage, so if you have a red letter edition, then it will be in red, and He is speaking during His earthly ministry.

Matthew 25:29-30

“For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Now that includes the lost of all the ages. Now you can come up to verse 41 of the same chapter.

Matthew 25:41

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Plain English? It can’t get any plainer than that. That is the future for the lost of the ages. Now come up to Romans if you will, chapter 2, and verse 3. Now here in Romans, this is from the pen of the Apostle Paul. I’ll wait until you find it, because I want people to see it with their own eyes. Don’t go by what I say, but rather by what the Book says.

Romans 2:3

“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, (a Pharisee type individual) and doest the same, that thou shall escape the judgment of God?”

And of course the answer is obvious, “They will not escape!” Now I Thessalonians chapter 5 is the next one. I’m going to start at verse 1, but verse 3 is where we will find the word “escape.”

I Thessalonians 5:1-3

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; (what does that sound like? Well that sounds like the politicians right now today. Oh, they’re always trying to bring in world peace, and when they say peace and safety) then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape.”

They’re lost, do you see that? Now let’s go on into Hebrews chapter 10, and we’ll use verse 30 and 31. And remember the whole theme of these verses is, “The lost will never escape if they leave this life never having cashed in on God’s offer of Salvation – they are doomed!” And this is the reason.

Hebrews 10:30a

“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me,…”

Now we’ve got to stop and ask ourselves, “How can God say that? How can God say some of these things we’ve been looking at?”

“Well you see the reason is, when He finished the plan of Salvation, when Christ suffered at the hands of those Roman soldiers, and even as He went down the road to Golgotha, and they laid the heavy cross upon Him, and He fell under the weight of it, suffering every step of the way. And that was only the very tip of the iceberg compared to when they nailed Him to the cross, lifted it up, and then the epitome of it all, was not just the physical suffering, but God laid on Him the punishment and the wrath of God, that would take away the sin, of not just the small percentage of believers, but rather for the whole world! The whole world was laid on Him, that was the suffering that He accomplished on the world’s behalf. And then God turned right around and through the power of His resurrection and the power of new life, offered it freely to the whole world. I mean FREE, and that’s Grace.”

Now after God has done all that, and then lays it out to be had free (for nothing), and men walk it under foot, do you really think he’s being unfair then by coming back with the vengeance, and the wrath that is promised? Of course not – be reasonable. He’s already paid the sin debt, it’s all done, but mortal man will not give in. So consequently, verse 30:

Hebrews 10:30

“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.”

Now first and foremost we’re talking about the Nation of Israel, but we’re also talking about the whole human race, in fact, come back to Romans chapter 3 for a moment. As you know, I hit these verses as they come to mind. Here in Romans chapter 3, maybe this will help us understand what I’m talking about in Hebrews all the time. Yes, Hebrews was written primarily to the Jew, because that’s what it says, “To the Hebrews.” But listen we can’t just say, “Oh well that’s not for me, that’s for the Jew.” No, we’re all in the same boat now, because God has reached out beyond the Nation of Israel, and the whole world is now part and parcel of all this.

Romans 3:19a

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, (the Mosaic system) it saith to them who are under the law:…”

Now I think everyone of you in this room know, who was under the Law? Israel. The rest of the world didn’t come under the Mosaic Law. God didn’t expect the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks, to come to Temple worship. That was only for the Nation of Israel. Now read on.

Romans 3:19b

“…it saith to them who are under the law that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

Do you see how plain that is? Yes the Law was given to Israel, and Israel was expected to abide by it, not the rest of the world. But the condemnation of the Law went to every human being, and not just Israel. Do you see how it reaches? Yes, for those under Law it was a system, it was worship, it was modus operandi, but the condemnation of the Law went to the whole world, not just Israel. Now with that as a backdrop, come back to Hebrews chapter 10 again. So, it’s the whole world, not just Israel who are under the anathema and the wrath and the vengeance of a Holy God, because He made Salvation possible not just for Israel, but the whole human race. Now verse 31. Consequently:

Hebrews 10:31

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

Do you know why? Because He can do what He says He will do. He is all powerful, He’s Sovereign, and He will keep His Word, and when He says that the lost are going to suffer indignation forever, then you’d better bet your last dollar that it’s going to happen, because He Sovereign, He’s the One Who has spoken it. So all of these references are merely to show us that yes, God is a God of grace. God is not willing that any should perish, but when they reject his offer, then He has every right in His Sovereignty and in His Holiness, to bring about their doom and judgment. Now let’s go a little bit further, in the few moments we have left, to the Book of Revelation, chapter 20.

I’ll never forget, I was supposed to be teaching for an hour one Sunday morning in a Church in a state a long way from Oklahoma, and it was one of those times, I got up to teach, and I just didn’t know where to start. I was just sort of standing there dumfounded, and in order to get a trigger to what I should be bringing, a gentlemen in the back of the room, said, “Well Les, you’re always talking about we’re under grace, faith + nothing, without works – then how do you explain the word ‘works’ in Revelation chapter 20?” Well I was just dumfounded, and I said, “Do you realize what you’re opening?” Well I didn’t give him time to answer me, and told the audience, “Let’s turn to Revelation 20.” Well that’s the Great White Throne judgment for the lost!

After the lesson was over one of the gentlemen came up and said, “Les, we haven’t heard hell-fire in this church for 50 years.” I said, “Well, he opened it, I didn’t.” But here it is, and it’s true. Hardly anybody touches this anymore, because they don’t want to hear it, because it’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. This is when all of this judgment will come to a head. This is when all the lost of all the ages from Cain on up to the last lost human being that comes off the earth will be meeting at the Great White Throne Judgment for their punishment. So let’s start at verse 11.

Revelation 20:11-12

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away: and there was found no place for them. (that is the earth and universe) 12. And I saw the dead, (the lost. There will be no believers at the Great White Throne) small and great, stand before God; (So they’ve been resurrected, and will be standing before Him bodily, not with a body fit for bliss in glory, but rather with a body that’s fit for their doom, the lake of fire) and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

Which is a record of their deeds during their life on earth. Now verse 13.

Revelation 20:13

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; (in other words nobody is going to miss this that is lost. Every lost person from the very beginning of the human experience until the end is going to be brought up before this Great White Throne. My, what a horrible place that’s going to be, and Christ will sit as the Judge, not as the Saviour that He is for you and I as believers. Because He has been pleading with mankind throughout their whole lifetime, but now they are judged:) every man according to their works.”

Now verse 15, and what a horrible statement, and that’s why most people try to avoid it, but it’s in your Bible, and what does it say?

Revelation 20:15

“And whosever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

 

Through the Bible with Les Feldick

LESSON 2 * PART 4 * BOOK 46

Hebrews 1:11 – 2:3 – Part 2

Let’s just pick up where we left off in the last lesson, and that would be in Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 1. I think we’ll just go straight through the first 4 verses, because they’re all tied together, then we’ll come back and pick these verses apart.

Hebrews 2:1-4

“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.”

Now all of those verses are tied around that one concept, “How dare we neglect so great a Salvation.” Now let’s go up to verse 1 and begin. And look at the very first word,“Therefore.” Remember when we taught Romans several years ago whenever we came to a “Therefore, what would I tell you? What’s it there for! Well, because of what went before. Here, he’s referring to what we just covered in chapter 1, and some of that was:

“If the Son is higher than the angels, if the Son was the Creator of everything, if the Son finished the work of redemption, and purchased man’s sins, and was now qualified to sit down at the right hand of the Father on high, but not forever, there would come a day when He would arise and return, and set up His Kingdom here on the earth. But before He would set up the Kingdom, He would destroy His enemies.”

Now the study we had in II Thessalonians should still be fresh on your mind. How that the day of the Lord is coming, and the wrath and vexation that is going to be poured out on Christ-rejecting mankind, and that’s all the same concept of what Psalm 110:1 spoke of as having His enemies under His feet. Now with all that as a backdrop, that God the Son, the Creator, the Redeemer, the Intercessor, sitting at the Father’s right hand on our behalf:

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.”

Now I think most of you have heard me long enough to know, that I believe that once a person is genuinely saved (and has been placed into the Body of Christ, and God has declared us justified from all things, He has redeemed us, He has paid the purchased price, He has forgiven us), that person can never be lost!

But you want to remember that we’re dealing in Hebrews with Jewish people who were still on the fence. They’re looking in at this whole concept that Paul is presenting concerning Christ, but on the other hand they still have that pull back to the Old Testament economy, which was still looking forward to a Messiah. And for them to believe that the Messiah had come and died and been raised from the dead, that was a bitter pill for them to swallow. Even our Jewish friends today, see this as their big hang up, and I say this kindly, because I know we have a lot of Jewish listeners, but they still can’t recognize that the One Who was crucified, was that promised Messiah, the Creator of everything. And you know in the Jewish mind, “Jesus of Nazareth, the Creator? You’ve got to be crazy.” And I can understand their response. But you see the whole purpose of the Book of Hebrews is to bring these Jewish people to a full understanding of Who Jesus of Nazareth really was.

He was the Christ, He was God, He was the Creator, He is even now at the Father’s right hand, and one day He’s coming again, and He is yet going to sit on David’s throne. He is yet going to fulfill all the Old Testament promises, as it’s still future, but oh, we feel we’re getting so close. My, when you look at what’s going on in the world, with regard to technology, the moral breakdown, the corruption in politics, and everything else, then it just screams at the human race that the end is near.

So this is what this Book is trying to establish, first and foremost with the Jewish people, but I’m going to just say, this is only for the Jew. You and I have been learning for the last eight lessons in Hebrews, there’s so much in here that is appropriate for us, but the main thrust of the book is to convince Jewish listeners who are on the fence, to come on in, and latch onto, and believe it! So this is why the language of Hebrews will make it sound that it’s possible to be saved and then lost, and this is what has raised so many questions. And it’s the same way here. It’s not someone who has been saved, and into the Body, and he’s let it slip and lost it, but rather, these are people on the fence, and they’ve tasted, they’ve been convicted by the Spirit, but they just can’t latch on to it. Verse 1 again.

Hebrews 2:1-2a

“Therefore (because of what we’ve just proven in this first chapter, of Who Christ really is, The Son, The Creator of everything, the sustainer of everything, Righteous, Holy, higher than the angelic host, Therefore) we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we have let them slip. (in other words, lose interest and go back into the previous life,) 2. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast,…”

Now years ago I read that verse, and it threw a curve at me, and I imagine that it does lots of people. When did the angels have a part in dispensing the Word of God? Well it’s hard to nail that down, but come back with me to the Book of Galatians chapter 3, because this isn’t the only place that we have this. This of course is Paul’s letter to the Gentile churches with regard to their being pressured to go back under the Law of Moses. So this little letter of Galatians is written to prove that we in this Age of Grace are not under Law, but rather we’re under Grace, a whole new economy.

Galatians 3:19a

“Wherefore then serveth the law? (how did it come about, what was it’s background?) It was added because of transgressions,…”

Now you want to remember that the Law didn’t come on to the human experience until about 2500 years after Adam was created. So the Law was added because of transgressions. Now stop and think a moment. What happened to the human race from Adam to the flood, when they had no Mosaic Law? Oh, it became the pits! Violence filled the earth, and murder was everywhere. People were very wicked, they had no concept of God anymore. I always tell people, if you don’t think God has to be satisfied with a small percentage for a remnant, just stop and think, there were probably 4 or 5 billion on the earth at the time of flood, but how many were believers? EIGHT! Well, why so small a number? There was no Law, there was no formal system of worship, because it was all dependent on the head of the house passing it on to his sons, and so they immediately lost it. So by the time we get to the flood, only eight souls were saved. This is why Paul says “the Law was added,” because it didn’t work without some system of Law. Now reading on:

Galatians 3:19

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions (mankind’s sins) till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

Now I don’t understand that, and I don’t claim to, because I think our basic understanding of the giving of the Law was, “Moses was up there on Mount Sinai, and God wrote the Law with His finger on the tables of stone, and Moses brought it down the mountain.” But you see in these two Scripture references – and I think there’s even another one – somehow or other, angels were involved in that giving of the Law to Moses, and Moses, of course, brings the Law down the mountain. I’m not going to take it any further than that, but the Scripture does say, “it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” Now let’s come back to Hebrews then.

Hebrews 2:1-2

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have hard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2. For if the word (the Law) spoken by angels was stedfast, (in other words the Law was perfect,) and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;”

Now do you know what that means? The Law was so explicit, and so severe. There was no getting a good attorney and somehow buying your way out when you broke God’s Law, you paid the consequences. Now I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding, when the Lord Jesus said, “an eye for and eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” Well, was He actually promoting the fact that if you committed a particular crime, that you should have your eye plucked out? No. But rather it was a comparative term, that the crime was to receive the punishment equal to the crime. If someone had done something worthy to have his eye taken out, then his punishment should be accordingly, not by taking out his eye, or cutting off his hand, or anything like that. Remember the Law was strict, and there was no bending the rules. Now verse 3. Remember we’re in a whole better program than what the Law was, and this is the argument that Paul is presenting.

Hebrews 2:3a

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;…”

Now remember, how great is this Salvation that you and I have today. It’s beyond human understanding, because it’s free for nothing. See, under the Law you paid every time you broke it, one way or another. See, under this Age of Grace, you don’t have to gather a lot of money for Salvation. And as I’ve said before, you don’t have to cross the ocean or climb a sheer cliff to get to Salvation, but rather it’s right in front of every human being! In John’s gospel chapter 10, we find the door to the sheep fold is right at ground level. And where is it with a lost person? Right in front of him, and all he has to do is walk into it by faith. And so great a Salvation, you don’t have to work, work, work!

I gave this illustration once before, several years ago. A lady from Tennessee had sent us some buttons, and we took them on a tour to Israel with us. And it just so happened that we had the same amount of buttons as we did people on that tour and so we all wore them everyday. It just so happened that as we were coming out of Jordan into Israel, and we had gotten into one of the several passport lines, when I noticed this middle easterner was trying read what these buttons said. He was a young man probably in his 30s, and finally he broke out of his line and came over to me, and turned the button up to where he could read it, and said, “FAITH + NOTHING = SALVATION?” I said, “That’s right,” and he was just stupefied. He said, “You mean, that I don’t have to work, and work and work to get to heaven?” I said, “No you don’t, you just simply believe the Gospel, and that will do it.” He just shook his head, and went back into his line.

But isn’t that the attitude of most of the people of the world? Oh, we’ve got to work, work, work, and somehow satisfy the demands of a Holy God, but listen, the only way we can satisfy God is by taking it by faith in Paul’s Gospel of I Corinthians 15:1-4.

So this is what Paul is referring to here. How dare we neglect so great a Salvation! Now I think it’s all going to be based on this whole idea of responsibility, the judgment for rewards. The Bema Seat is going to be based upon our faithfulness with what we have, and what we have done with our responsibility. The lost will be judged on how much responsibility did they have, just how much knowledge did they have. Now for a lot of lost people out there in areas of the world where we think they’ve never heard the Gospel, then naturally they’re not going to suffer as severe a doom as an American who hears the Gospel day in and day out and rejects it.

We’ve got the greatest thing that has ever been offered to the human race. A Salvation without works, by faith, and faith alone in what Christ has already done for us – it’s finished. It’s a finished transaction, so the question again is:

Hebrews 2:3

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first (going all the way back to Christ’s earthly ministry. This is all building up to our Gospel of Grace) began to be spoken by the Lord,” (in His earthly ministry)

Now remember that I make it so plain, that the Lord could not teach our Grace Gospel, which is that “Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead.” That hadn’t happened yet. The Twelve disciples didn’t understand any of that either. In fact, let’s just take time and look at what the Scriptures say about that. I know people think that I’m coming out of the woodwork most of the time when I make a statement like that. So rather than just relying on tradition as a lot of people do, I have to back everything up with Scripture. You see they couldn’t be preaching our Grace Gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection for Salvation for the whole human race, because:

– Christ was dealing with His covenant people, Israel. And the whole basis of Salvation was still under the Law of Moses, but now it was an added responsibility to repent, and follow it with water baptism, but the crux of the whole thing was, they had to believe Who Jesus was. They had to believe that He was the Christ, their Messiah.

– Then after Salvation goes to the Gentile world through the Apostle Paul, then yes, it becomes the Gospel of Grace, based on His death, burial, and resurrection.

So let’s look at it in Luke chapter 18, and let’s drop in at verse 31. My, these are interesting verses and should settle the argument when people try to tell me that Jesus and the Twelve preached the Gospel that we believe (that Christ was going to die, and that He was going to be buried, and He was going to be resurrected). See, that’s probably their argument. “Well, no it hadn’t happened, but they knew it was going to happen.” No they didn’t know, and these verses make it so plain. This took place toward the end of His ministry. They’re up there in Caesarea Philippi, and they’re going on up to Jerusalem for the crucifixion.

Luke 18:31-33

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. (that is concerning Jesus of Nazareth) 32. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, (to the Romans) and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated. and spitted on: 33. And they shall scourge him, and put him to death, and the third day he shall rise again.“

Is that plain? Well, you can’t make it any plainer. Why weren’t the disciples sitting outside the tomb, which no doubt was in the sidewall of a limestone cliff, waiting for the great event that resurrection morning? Well, they didn’t know that He was going to be raised from the dead. But remember Jesus had just told them that, but they didn’t know. And it isn’t until you get to John chapter 20, when Peter and John run into the tomb, and see the evidence of resurrection that the Scriptures says, “and they believed. For as yet then knew not the Scripture that He must rise from the dead.” How could they not know when Jesus told them? Well the answer is in the next verse.

Luke 18:34

“And they (the Twelve) understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” Well Who hid it from them? God did.

Deuteronomy 29:29a

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those thing which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever,…”

Well, all that says is: that God in His Sovereignty can keep things secret so far as men are concerned until He is ready for them to understand. So it was not time for these men to know that He was going to be put to death, and they were not to know that He was to be raised from the dead, although prophecy was full of it. But these men couldn’t put all that together, and so when all this took place (you know the events around His crucifixion), Peter vowed up and down with curse words and swearing that he never knew our Lord. The others evidently scattered like quail. They had no idea that He was going to be raised from the dead, and when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb in John chapter 20, what did she go for? Well, to anoint the corpse, because she had no idea that He was going to be resurrected from the dead.

And yet He had spoken it three times throughout His earthly ministry, but God did not open their understanding. So Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb with the idea of anointing Jesus’ body, as was the custom, and low and behold the tomb is empty. And on top of that, she still doesn’t think He’s raised from the dead, but rather somebody must have robbed His tomb. So she runs back and finds Peter and John and says, “They have taken away the Lord out of sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.” By now Peter and John are all shook up, so what do they do? They run to the sepulchre, and when they get there they go in and see the evidence, the linen clothes lying there as if the body came right out of it. The head napkin folded up, so they had the evidence. And then that’s where I previously quoted the verse, “For as yet they knew not the Scriptures that He must rise again from the dead.”

Now here’s the reason. Even though Jesus explicitly told them what was going to happen, they understood none of these things as we saw in verse 34. But you see they weren’t supposed to because God kept that from them. Now the reason I always point this out so graphically over and over, is because when Paul comes along and claims that all of his revelations had been kept secret, we can understand then why all of Paul’s revelations were hidden from the Twelve disciples, and everyone before them. They had been kept secret in the mind of God until He was ready to reveal them to this man, the Apostle to the Gentiles in this Age of Grace.