Institute for Creation Research

Hebrews 4:1

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3

For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4

For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh ° day from all his works.

5

And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

6

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

7

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

8

For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

9

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and ° spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15

For we have not an high priest which cannot ° be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:2

4:2 the gospel. The “gospel” is not just a New Testament revelation, for it was preached to the children of Israel in the wilderness, in types and prophecies at least. In fact, it is “the everlasting gospel” (Revelation 14:6-7), and the first promise of redemption (Genesis 3:15) is commonly known as the protevangel (first gospel). In its essence, the gospel (good news) is the message that the Creator is also our Redeemer and coming King and that true faith in Him—faith which produces salvation—will also produce loving obedience to His Word.

Hebrews 4:2

4:2 mixed with faith. It is vital to “hear” the Word, but then it is necessary to “believe” it as well. Note John 5:24; James 1:22.

Hebrews 4:3

4:3 if they shall. The sense of “if they shall” is “they shall not.”

Hebrews 4:3

4:3 works were finished. God’s works of creation were finished at the end of the six days of creation week (Genesis 2:1-3). He is not still creating, as the theistic evolutionist must allege. Thus the natural processes we can study in operation today are not processes of creation; rather, they are processes of conservation and disintegration, as enunciated in the universally applicable First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, respectively. Furthermore, the works of creation were finished “from the foundation of the world,” not several billion years later, after the supposed geological ages took place. In effect, these completed works of creation actually constituted the foundation of the world. The idea of evolution, if regarded as God’s method of creation is thus a totally false doctrine and a destructive heresy.

Hebrews 4:4

4:4 rest the seventh day. This truth is not only quoted from Genesis 2:2, but also is emphasized in Exodus 20:11, as the basis of the Fourth Commandment. It is clear in all these passages that the days of creation week were literal days, not vague ages of indefinite duration and termination. On the seventh day, God rested from His works of creation, though not from His ongoing work of “conservation” (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17) and, later, His work of redemption, which He undertook when sin and death entered the world. Of these, Jesus said: “My father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). The work of redemption—at least the work of paying the price of redemption—was then completed on the cross, when Christ cried out: “It is finished!” (John 19:30). He also rested from this work when He “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).

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