THE CLEAR MESSAGE OF THE BOOK OF HEBREWS The message of the book of Hebrews is clear. The author is telling the Jewish Christians not to leave their faith in Jesus. Don’t be decieved by their non-Christian Jewish brethren who will reveolt agaisnt the Romans in a few years. Don’t go back to trusting in the Law of Moses. In Christ, you have a better messenger than angels, a better deliverer than Moses, a better high priest than Aaron, a better covenant than the old one, a better sacrifce than animals, and a better way of faith. Don’t let the mockers (2 Peter 3) discourage you to think that Jesus’ prediction of his imminent 2nd coming is not going to happen: Hebrews 10:37 He is coming soon and will not delay”. In 30 ADJesus had predicted that He would come within that generation (Matthew 24:30-34) and that was going to be fulfilled in 70 AD which would still be within that generation. The old covenant is about to disappear (Hebrews 8:13), and it did in 70. AD. God is about to (mello) judge the Jews in 70 AD and, if you leave the faith, you will be judged also b/c you have “trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? ” (Hebrews 10:26-31). God is going to shake the heavens and earth (a great judgment) one more time in 70 AD, removing the old heavens and earth (the Jewish system) and replacing it with the new heavens and earth, i.e. the Messianic new covenant system (Hebrews 12:18-24).

THE 10 PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE RECIPIENTS OF THE LETTER Having made that message clear, how would you close this letter if you were the author of Hebrews? The message has been about not losing their faith, about not quitting. But not a lot of specific Chrsistian duties. So the book closes with some generic Christian duties for them to practice. 1) Love your fellow Christians. 2) Practice hospitality.for Christians whom you don’t know who need assistance. 3). Remember those in prison b/c of their faith. 4) Be faithful to your marriage vows. 5) Don’t love money. 6) Imitate the faith of those who led you to Christ. 7) Don’t be led astray by those trying to get you to go back to trusing in the old covenant. 8) Continue to offer up spiritual sacrifices of praise, doing good and sharing. 9) Obey your leaders. 10) Pray for us (i.e. those teeaching the Word). These are so practical. The general message in the book is directed to the Jewish Christian who are discouraged and tempted to leave the faith, but chapter 13 had practical admonitions that apply to all Christians of all times. So look at those 10 things and see how you are doing.

THE BENEDICTION AND MYSTERIOUS CLOSING REMARKS The Hebrews author closes the book with a neat benediction: Hebrews 13:²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, ²¹ equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Notice the specific mention of the “blood of the eternal covenant” which of course is the blood of Jesus, but the author wants to emphasize again the new covenant. He/she also says, 13:²² But I urge you, brothers and sisters, listen patiently to this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.” 13 fairly long chapters is brief? He/she adds, 13:²³ Know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.” No one knows where and when Timothy was in prison so as to be released. How was Timothy’s release going to help the author to be able to visit the recipients of the letter? Again, no one knows. Finally, 13:²⁴ Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.” Does this mean that the author wrote the letter from Italy, or simply that some ex-patriots from Italy were with him/her when he/she wrote the letter? Again, no one knows. Interesting mysterious ending to the letter.