Nevertheless, as was the case for the wilderness generation, the congregation must recognize that the ‘word of God’ which they are hearing preached to them is not simply for their comfort, but can also be for their judgment (4:11–13). If God’s people respond in faith to the preached word, they will enter God’s rest. If they respond in unbelieving rebellion, they will be judged and excluded. Such are the stakes when the gospel is preached. They were the stakes in the wilderness; they were the stakes when the Hebrews congregation was first evangelized; and the writer makes it clear that they
...more
