Let us turn now to the third and fourth chapters of the Book of Hebrews and note the manner in which God deals with His chosen.

From Egypt to the Land of Promise

Before we go further, let us define the terms used in the third and fourth chapter of the Book of Hebrews.

Egypt refers to the spirit of the world, which we leave when we believe in Christ, repent of our wicked ways, and are baptized in water.

The rest of God is speaking of our goal, our land of promise. In these two chapters the expression "partakers of Christ" is synonymous with attaining the goal, the land of milk and honey.

Egypt is the spirit of the world. The "rest" of God is referring to our overcoming the enemies that come against us until we are in the moral image of Christ and are dwelling in untroubled union with Christ. We have ceased from our own works and are resting in God's perfect will. Such rest is possible only as through Christ we overcome our love for the world, the lusts of our flesh, and our personal ambition, for it is these three factors that keep us performing our own works, that prevent us from resting in the will of Christ.

One finds throughout the Book of Hebrews a stern warning to Christians who are not pressing into the rest of God. Let us look closely at comments in the third and fourth chapters.

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6)

"If we hold fast the confidence." Our salvation always is conditional, always is an opportunity we either grasp or let slip.

As we study this section of Hebrews we must keep in mind that the picture is that of God's Israel, not of the salvation of the world but of the royal priesthood. Notice we are not saved, in the sense of becoming the house of Christ, unless we continue pressing forward with joy and confidence throughout our lifetime on the earth. We must endure to the end if we would be saved.

The concept of our not being saved unless we continue serving God steadfastly, moving each day toward the rest of God, the fullness of Christ, is absolutely revolutionary in our time. The current teaching is that we are saved the moment we "accept Christ." The Scriptures teach we are saved the moment we accept Christ provided we continue in faith until we finish our course.

Perhaps this is a good point at which to give an overview of the Divine plan of redemption.

To begin with, the God of Heaven sent His beloved Son to the earth to die for the sins of the whole world. Sin is never a problem for anyone as long as he or she does not resist Christ when His will is made known.

And he is the propitiation [appeasement] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (I John 2:2)

The Lord Jesus Christ appeased the wrath of God concerning the sins of the whole world. No more sacrifice for sin is needed. By the same token, the whole world belongs to Christ in that He paid the price for it.

To be continued.