From the study of Christ turning water into wine, we have found our way to the “rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:4-7 Knowing that the Jewish custom of “purifying”( John 2:6) was still in place in the minds of the Jewish people, the purpose of the 6th covenant came into view. From the 6th covenant, which prefigured the death of Christ on Calvary, we went OT 6th day of creation, when, again, all had not been completed in the grand scheme of the ages. These re-occurring themes teach us the reason “God rested on the sabbath.” The Creator God, Christ, had done all that He had planned to do “in the beginning” waited the finality of His work, which had been pre-determined to be done, awaiting the purpose of making mankind. The end of our existence “has now been brought to light.” 2 Timothy 1:10 No man or wisdom could have understood this as designed, so Christ came and lived the “days of purification, until the offering should be made.” Acts 21:26 Again in Esther, we have been taught the “sacrifice for the salvation of the people” would undergo purification. Esther 2:3 This was pictured in the purifying processes given Israel after they came out of Egypt in Numbers 19:9. “It shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.” So, Christ “in the end of the Jewish economy,” gave Himself so what had established, the process of purification under type in Moses, could be accomplished by Christ in His death. At the end of the six days of creation, the Creator God was not finished. He had brought “things” into existence so He could then finalize the plan instituted by the Father, to forgive we who are members of His body, bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh,” that which He affectionately calls His “it.” Psalms 118:24, Mathew 16:18, Galatians 3:27, Revelation 21:22,23,24,26
Entering the discussion of Hebrews is quite beneficial. Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit had introduced a “rest” to which the unbelieving Jew had been invited!! One fails to understand which “rest” is being discussed when one fails to know of whom and about what the examples of the non-believing, non-continuing Old Covenant Jew had forfeited. So no one would draw the wrong conclusion, Paul, by the inspiration of Holy Spirit, mentions the rest again in David. If the Jew had thought the rest was the promised land, they would be as confused as we when we think the Creator God finished His word of creation on the 6th day, the day of purification. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest (he who had laid down the working tools of life is finally finished. For this Christ had created man!! He did not not make us just to return to dirt!!), He has ceased (something that was never stated about the physical creation of 6 days, which leaves out all the denominations of man) from His own works. For if Joshua had given them rest (the promised land was not that rest, Christ work with man would be completed), then would He not afterward have spoken of another day (when the it would be brought into existence.) Hebrews 4:8-10 This “other day” was the “new day” of the “new creation” which the “new Creator” would bring into being after the “days of purification” had ended!! “The right hand of the Lord ( an appellation for Christ) is exalted: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has chastened me sore: but He has not given me over unto death (physical death is never my end). Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them (the gates of the righteous, the forgiven), and I will praise the Lord: This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter (the Church of Christ). I will praise Thee: for Thou hast heard me (the hungry and thirsty has been filled, the pure in heart has seen the God of their salvation, the mourner has been given the answer to life), and are become my salvation. The stone (brother) which the builders (Jewish people) refused is become the head (1 Peter 2:7) stone of the corner.” When was this to be, brother Peter? “This is the day (of the new creation) which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:16-29
“Today, in the new dispensation, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, you can repent and be baptized for the remission of sin and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and be added to the Church of Christ. For we have a High Priest, in this new dispensation, which CAN get us to the Throne and obtain mercy and grace, in the time of need.” Thank God for Christ Jesus our Lord!!
