August 16 , 2009

Hebrews 10: 32-39
Enduring Persecution #32

This begins a turning point in the book, up to now has been doctrine, teaching. But here in verse 32 the writer begins encouraging and exhorting. IN this section he reminds them of what they went through when they first came to surrender to Christ and he exhorts them to hang tough because Jesus will come.

You have to know that they suffered. Not just from Roman persecution, which was everywhere and violent, but from the unconvinced Jewish leaders as well.
HE exhorts, or pressures almost, encourages then to Endure Correctly, Constantly and Confidently.

In verses 32-34 he says “endure correctly”
Look at Heb. 10:32-34
BUT… the verse begins with a contrast. HE has just spoken to a segment of the people who were hangers on, who didn’t yet draw near and he has cautioned the believers to warn them of their peril.

Now He contrasts those who haven’t drawn near with those who have and have had a hard time of it. HE reminds them to hang in there.

Remember the former days when you endured a harsh conflict of suffering after you were enlightened. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, /

In context, the ones who were illuminated are the ones who have drawn near, been saved. And when they broke with Judaism, they suffered for it.

How extreme? 12: 4 says “not yet to bloodshed, so probably no martyrs at this point, but look at verse 33-34. (net At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way. For in fact you shared the sufferings of those in prison, and you accepted the confiscation of your belongings with joy, because you knew that you certainly had a better and lasting possession.

Verbal abuse. You may pooh pooh that, but let it be your kids they curse at, or you. And every time you step outside it gets a bit worse. Also probably physical abuse, real pain ( 2Co 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. )

They weren’t above using the whip on Christians in those days. And it was common for the hatred to boil over into vandalism. Much like the Jews themselves suffered over the years in Nazi Germany or under Stalin and Lenin under Marxism. But look at verse 32 again “they endured, but not only their own, but became companions of others so used. Became companions is koinonia , partakers, sharers. Know What he is saying? You didn’t only endure being spit on yourselves, you didn’t only put up with your stuff being vandalized, you helped others when they were in the same boat.

Verse 34 explains what he means “you had compassion for those in bonds, (AV reads me in my bonds) you didn’t let your personal trials stop your personal response. You had compassion and you didn’t get all upset, you rejoiced when all this stuff came down, when your houses were looted, your kids taunted, your name slandered, why?

Because loved ones, in those early days you were confident that Jesus was coming soon and all this would give way to HEAVEN, a real place with real substance that can’t be spoiled. Rewards are ahead, you said, let’s go for it. YOU endured correctly.
Also(v 35-38) you endured constantly.

Don’t lose that boldness, don’t lose that confidence because it has a fantastic payback. And notice verse 36, After you suffer you will be rewarded. Suffering well as a Christian brings a reward. How do we suffer well?

Look over at 1 Peter 2: 21-24 with me. For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.
He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed.

That is how you suffer well. And the reason? V 37 ( For just a little longer and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.) The savior you looked for and were encouraged to think he’s come; HE is coming. His timing is spot on, he will come , it may seem forever but he will not be late.

Over in 2 Peter 3: 1-14 ( Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder: I want you to recall both the predictions foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.
Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges and saying, "Where is his promised return? For ever since our ancestors died, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation."
For they deliberately suppress this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water.

Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day. The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes, the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare. Since all these things are to melt away in this manner, what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness, while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God? Because of this day, the heavens will be burned up and dissolve, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze!
But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides.
Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence.

Peter says “you seem to be disheartened because Jesus hasn’t come and gotten you out of this mess. There are those foolish mockers who grin and say “He ain’t never coming.”
But he is just waiting until the time is full and all who will be saved are saved. He isn’t bound by time, don’t get your shorts in a knot but keep looking for his coming.

He uses phrases from Habakkuk 2:3-4 “a person is coming, or a vision is coming but the point is Habakkuk’s vision about the second coming of Christ will come to pass. Believers will look beyond the Babylonian captivity to the coming of Christ. Babylon will be punished. In Hebrews the same principle applies to Christ and the apostates. Those who believe will not draw back under pressure.

IF you are saved you will continue, you will not draw back, you will endure correctly, you will endure constantly.

But notice also that if you are truly saved you will endure confidently.

After the warning of verses 26-31 he writes this to encourage true saints and to show that he has confidence that they are saved, or the majority of them at least. They really believed, drew near, and it’s proof is in continuance, in faithfully enduring by trusting God’s promises even when you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The writer then inserts chapter 11, a parenthesis between 10:39-12:1, a chapter of faith proved by enduring trust, the faith hall of fame.

But that’s next time… let’s apply this to you and ME.

Do you endure correctly?
When someone speaks harshly to you do you patiently endure it? Or do you defensively lash back?

When someone causes you to suffer do you lash out with threats or patiently endure as Jesus did? This is the example to follow…

Do you endure confidently? Knowing that God will reward you?

That involves knowing that God is the righteous judge, that he really is good. You can endure knowing “I will not fear because God is with me, Deu 31:6 Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the LORD your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!"

I will not doubt because God is In control Prov. 3:5-6

I will not despair because God is always is after my good:
Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11

And I know that God is always watching. He sees….

I do not know your trial , but I have begun to know this mighty God and I have learned that the things I wondered about, the stuff that happened to me, all came through his hand and he wants the ultimate best for me.

You say “I know, pie in the sky bye in bye” But listen: Psa 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Endure correctly and confidently, there is a future and a hope and if you are his, he has your ultimate good in mind. And when he promises, he alone is able to carry through.

I close with this thought from Paul the Apostle..
2Ti 1:11 -12 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.