Hebrews 10 and Ultimate Redemption — Part 1

A good friend recently asked me how the unpardonable sin in Hebrews 10.29 can be reconciled with Ultimate Redemption. Before I address this passage, though, we have to lay some groundwork. And that foundation can be summed up in one word —  

Eschatology.

When we think of eschatology we think of the end of the world (especially if we’ve been indoctrinated by the “rapture” culture and the Left Behind books). In my series, New Testament Eschatology, we discover that eschatology is more about the end of ages and nations than the end of the world. 

This misunderstanding is compounded when it comes to the end of the Jewish age or the Old Covenant Age embodied by its ritualistic System (from here on OCAS). We’ve been taught that the end of the OCAS happened either at the cross or the resurrection or Pentecost. Some of us thought it ended with the Incarnation. Heck, even our Bibles add to the confusion because they tell us the “Old Testament” (Covenant) ends with the book of Malachi and the “New Testament” (Covenant) begins with the Gospel of Matthew!

However, truth be told — the entire “New Testament” is actually about the end of the Old Covenant and the anticipation of the fully established New Covenant. It’s about the overlapping of those two ages. The events described between Matthew and Revelation take place during the end of the OCAS. Jesus said as much at the start of his ministry, “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It’s time for the realm of God to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the gospel” (Mark 1.15; TPT[1]; adapted).

The Letter to the Hebrews is no different; it’s an eschatological letter, i.e., it deals with the end of the OCAS. We see this with its opening statements — 

Hebrews 1.1-2 (NIV[2]; adapted):

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days [God] has spoken to us by [the] Son, who was appointed heir of all things, and through whom [God] made the [ages] (emphasis added).

This belief that the first century was the end of the OCAS is always in the background of everything being said and done. In fact, it’s a theme that runs throughout the New Testament:

Hebrews 9.26 (CEB[3]; adapted):

[Christ] has now appeared once at the end of the ages to get rid of sin by sacrificing himself (emphasis added).

1 Peter 1.20 (GNT[4]; adapted):

[Christ] had been chosen by God before the creation of the world and was revealed in these last days for your sake (emphasis added).

1 Corinthians 10.11 (ESV[5]):

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come (emphasis added).

To summarize, Christ appeared at the end of the OCAS. His appearance marked the “beginning of the end,” if you will. But, it didn’t end right away. As Jesus warned his disciples, “You’ll hear about wars and reports of wars. Don’t be alarmed. These things must happen, but this isn’t the end yet” (Matthew 24.6; CEB; emphasis added).

Again, the letter to the Hebrews covers the same things. It was written “to the Hebrews” (the Jewish followers of Jesus) circa 67CE.[6] This is an important point to keep in our minds because Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and ascended roughly 30+ years prior. He told his followers that he would return for them (John 14.3) before some of them died (Matthew 16.28). The Jews who had been following The Way were being persecuted by the Romans and, most notably, by their own people (see Acts 4-5; 6-8; 12-19). Being that it was closing in on 40 years (an important number) since Jesus walked the earth, it would be very tempting for them to walk away from their persecutions and drift back into the OCAS since that System was still operating in full capacity. In fact, Peter stated, “[You] must understand that in the last days (again, the “last days” of the OCAS) scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They’ll say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation’” (2 Peter 3.3-4; NIV). In other words, the mockers were saying, “The Temple’s still here! The priests are still making sacrifices! I thought this ‘Messiah’ was coming back to end all that! You’re delusional! Everything is just like it’s always been.” Peter goes on to say that this delay shouldn’t be understood as Christ failing to keep his promise, but as God being patient with them, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (verse 9).[7]

With this firmly set in our minds, I want to point out a few significant things — the then current status of the OCAS; Jesus as a high priest, his location, and why that’s important; and finally address the passage(s) in question. We’ll be addressing these throughout this series.

Click here for the next post.

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In the Love of the Three in One,

Br. Jack+, LC

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[1] Scripture quotations marked (TPT) are taken from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.

  

[2] Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

  

[3] Scripture quotations marked (CEB) are taken from The Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible.

[4] Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are taken from The Good News Translation (Today’s English Version, Second Edition). Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. All rights preserved.

[5] Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from the English Standard Version, Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

[6] Robinson, J.A.T., (1976). Redating the New Testament, pg. 317. http://richardwaynegarganta.com/redating-testament.pdf. 

[7] And don’t get me started on the whole misreading of 2 Peter 3.8! Peter’s point is not that the “last days” will last for multiple millennia, but that Christ will fulfill the promise to return in that generation even if there had been several years’ delay. See my series on New Testament Eschatology for more information, specifically, Background — Part 03.