Study Desk

For the law, being only a reflectionshadow">[fn] of the blessings to come and not their substance, can never, by the same sacrifices repeatedly offered year after year, make those who come near perfect.Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5;">[xr]

Otherwise, would they not have stopped offering them, because the worshipers, cleansed once for all, would no longer be aware of any sins?

Instead, through those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year,Leviticus 16:21; Hebrews 9:7;">[xr]

for it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.Micah 6:6-7; Hebrews 9:11,13;">[xr]

For this reason, when Christhe">[fn] came into the world, he said,Psalm 40:6; 50:8; Isaiah 1:11; Jeremiah 6:20; Amos 5:21-22;">[xr] "You did not want sacrifices and offerings, but you prepared a body for me.

In burnt offerings and sin offeringsyou never took delight.

Then I said, 'See, I have come to do your will, O God'(in the scroll of the Book[fn] this is written about me)."Psalm 40:6-8">[fn]

In this passage he says, "You never wanted or took delight in sacrifices, offerings, burnt offerings, and sin offerings,"Psalm 40:6">[fn] which are offered according to the law.

Then he says, "See, I have come to do your will."Psalm 40:7">[fn] He takes away the first in order to establish the second.

By his will we have been sanctified once for all through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ.John 17:19; Hebrews 9:12; 13:12;">[xr]

Day after day every priest stands and repeatedly offers the same sacrifices that can never take away sins.Numbers 28:3; Hebrews 7:4,27;">[xr]

But when this priestthis one">[fn] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God."Psalm 110:1">[fn]Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3;">[xr]

Since that time, he has been waiting for his enemies to be made a footstool for his feet.Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:35; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:13;">[xr]

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.Hebrews 10:1;">[xr]

The Holy Spirit also assures us of this. For he said,

"This is the covenant that I will make with themJeremiah 31:33-34; Hebrews 8:10,12;">[xr] after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws in their heartsand will write them on their minds,"Jeremiah 31:33">[fn]

and,"I will never again remember their sins and their lawless deeds."Jeremiah 31:34">[fn]

Now where there is forgiveness of these sins,of these things">[fn] there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, my brothers, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus,Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 9:8,12;">[xr]

the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh),John 10:9; 14:6; Hebrews 9:3,8;">[xr]

and since we have a great high priest over the household of God,1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 4:14;">[xr]

let us continue to come near with sincere hearts in full assurance of faith, because our hearts have been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies have been washed with pure water.Ezekiel 36:25; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; 9:14; James 1:6; 1 John 3:21;">[xr]

Let us continue to hold firmly to the hope that we confess without wavering, for the one who made the promise is faithful.1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 4:14; 11:11;">[xr]

And let us continue to consider how to stimulateprovoke">[fn] one another to love and good deeds,

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day coming nearer.Acts 2:42; Romans 13:11; Philippians 4:5; 2 Peter 3:9,11, 14; Jude 1:19;">[xr]

For if we choose to go on sinning after we have received the full knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,Numbers 15:30; Hebrews 6:4; 2 Peter 2:20-21;">[xr]

but only a terrifying prospect of judgment and a raging fire that will consume the enemies of Godof God">[fn]Ezekiel 36:5; Zephaniah 1:18; 3:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 12:29;">[xr]

Anyone who violates the law of Moses dies without mercy "on the testimony of two or three witnesses."Deuteronomy 17:6">[fn]Deuteronomy 17:2,6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Hebrews 2:2;">[xr]

How much more severe a punishment do you think that person deserves who tramples on God's Son, treats as common the blood of the covenant by which ithe">[fn] was sanctified, and insults the Spirit of grace?Matthew 12:31-32; 1 Corinthians 11:29; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 2:3; 12:25; 13:20;">[xr]

For we know the one who said, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will pay them back,"Deuteronomy 32:35">[fn] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14">[fn]Deuteronomy 32:35-36; Psalm 50:4; 135:14; Romans 12:19;">[xr]

It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!Luke 12:5;">[xr]

But you must continue to remember those earlier days, how after you were enlightened you endured a hard and painful struggle.Galatians 3:4; Philippians 1:29-30; Colossians 2:1; Hebrews 6:4; 2 John 1:1:8;">[xr]

At times you were made a public spectacle through insults and persecutions, while at other times you associated with people who were treated this way.1 Corinthians 4:9; Philippians 1:7; 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:14;">[xr]

For you sympathizedsuffered">[fn] with the prisoners and cheerfully submitted to the violent seizure of your property, because you know that you have a better and more permanent possession.Matthew 5:12; 6:20; 19:21; Luke 12:33; Acts 5:41; Philippians 1:7; 1 Timothy 6:19; 2 Timothy 1:16; James 1:2;">[xr]

So do not throw away your confidence, since it holds a great reward for you.Matthew 5:12; 10:32;">[xr]

For you need endurance, so that after you have done God's will you can receive what he has promised.Luke 21:19; Galatians 6:9; Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; 12:1; 1 Peter 1:9;">[xr]

ForHabakkuk 2:3-4; Luke 18:8; 2 Peter 3:9;">[xr] "in a very little while the one who is coming will return and will not delay;

but my righteous one will live by faith,Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11;">[xr] and if he turns back, my soul will take no pleasure in him."Isaiah 26:20 (LXX); Habakkuk 2:3-4 (LXX)">[fn]

Now, we do not belong to those who turn back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.Acts 16:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Peter 2:20-21;">[xr]