Preparing for God’s Kingdom

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with (patient) endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects (matures) our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the Cross, disregarding (ignoring) its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s Throne…. ¹⁴ Work (strive) at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. ¹⁵ Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.  Hebrews 12:1-2, 14-15, New Living Translation 2^nd Edition

As the book of Hebrews draws to a close, the unknown author of Hebrews gives God’s people some final encouragements and guarantees. God’s people are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have also placed their wholehearted faith in the LORD God Almighty. These heroes of the faith are the men and women listed in Hebrews 11 who have remained faithful to the LORD God Almighty.

Accordingly, the writer of Hebrews instructs God’s people to run and strip off any weight that slows us down or holds us back, especially any sin and unbelief in our lives (Hebrews 12:1; see also Ephesians 4:22-25; Hebrews 13:12). Instead, the writer of Hebrews encourages God’s people to live each day with patience, perseverance, and persistence and run the race God has given us to run with total faith in God (Hebrews 12:1; see also 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:12-14; Hebrews 10:32, 36, 38; James 1:2-3, 12; James 5:10-11). The living LORD God is always faithful and gracious, and He will never leave us and never forsake us (e.g., see Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 121:3-4, 7-8; Psalm 127:1; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 13:5-6).

Most importantly, the writer of Hebrews encourages God’s people ALWAYS to keep our eyes and hearts focused on God’s Son, Jesus Christ (Messiah) (see Hebrews 12:2). The Lord Jesus Christ is our Captain, and He is the Founder and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2; see also Hebrews 2:10). As our example, the writer of Hebrews reminds everyone that the Lord Jesus also endured and lived by faith in His Father the living LORD God Almighty (see Hebrews 12:2). While He walked the earth, the Lord Jesus also suffered and endured many troubles, mistreatment, and even died a shameful death on Calvary’s Cross (Hebrews 12:2; see also Isaiah 53:3, 10-11; Luke 24:26; Acts 2:24; Acts 17:3; Philippians 2:8). Nonetheless, the Lord Jesus knew the coming joy in His Father’s Kingdom awaiting Him and His faithful followers (disciples) who stayed faithful and obedient to Him and His Father, the living LORD God Almighty (Hebrews 12:2; see also Matthew 5:10-12; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 10:32-34; Hebrews 13:14). Besides, even in our deepest pain and hardships, we have never suffered harsh conditions and pain as the Lord Jesus Christ suffered as He died an unfair death on Calvary’s Cross (Hebrews 12:4; e.g., see Mark 15:14-15; Luke 23:4, 14, 22, 40-41).

Moreover, the author of Hebrews reminds God’s people not become discouraged, downcast, and depressed during life’s temporary hardships (Hebrews 12:3, 5; see also Galatians 6:9; 1 Peter 1:6). Sometimes the LORD God as our loving Heavenly Father disciplines, tests, and corrects His people to build and increase our faith, patience, and character and also install morals and integrity in His people (Hebrews 12:5; see also Psalms 94:12; Psalms 119:67, 75; Proverbs 3:11-12; Romans 5:3-5). All people experience suffering, pains, and hardships, even believers in Jesus, because we presently live in a fallen and evil world (see Hebrews 12:8).

As our loving Heavenly Father, the LORD God corrects, trains, and also punishes our sins, foolishness, and wrongs for our good (Hebrews 12:6-8, 10; see also Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 3:11-12; Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 23:13-14; Revelation 3:19). Our loving Heavenly Father trains and disciplines His children, so they can grow and participate in His holy nature and also produce good fruit and godly lives (Hebrews 12:8-11; see also Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:4). No discipline from our loving Heavenly Father is enjoyable but painful and hurts (see Hebrews 12:11). But afterward, God’s people receive from Him a growth in goodness, faith, and righteousness as well as conformity to God’s will and divine nature (Hebrews 12:11; see also Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:7).

Thus, the author of Hebrews encouraged God’s people to CHEER UP and REJOICE in the LORD God despite any temporary troubles, suffering, and pains (Hebrews 12:12-13; see also Isaiah 35:3; Matthew 5:12; Romans 12:12; Philippians 4:4). Instead of becoming bitter and pessimistic, the author of Hebrews encourages God’s people to seek peace, goodness, and live holy lives (Hebrews 12:14-15; Hebrews 13:15-16; e.g., see also Psalm 34:14; Matthew 5:8-9; Romans 14:19; Colossians 3:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Peter 3:10-11).

During times of troubles and hardships, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God and give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:15-16; see also Ephesians 5:19-21). The Lord Jesus taught during His public ministry no one will see His Father and Father’s glorious Kingdom without seeking peace, goodness, and holiness (Matthew 5:8-9; see also Micah 6:6-8; Romans 6:22; Hebrews 12:10, 14). Sadly, our grumbling, sinful behavior, sexual immorality (fornication), and bitterness cause even more problems and hurt our spiritual lives with God (Hebrews 12:15-16; e.g., see also Genesis 25:29-34; Deuteronomy 29:18). If such evils do occur, immediately repent and seek the LORD God, who forgives our wickedness and sinfulness (e.g., see 1 John 1:9). The face and favor the LORD God is against those who pursue and do evil (e.g., see Psalm 34:15-16; 1 Peter 3:12). However, those who honor and seek the LORD God and His righteousness lack no good thing (e.g., see Psalm 23:1; Psalm 34:9-10; Psalm 84:11; Matthew 5:6; Matthew 6:33).

Therefore, the writer of Hebrews encourages God’s people PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP but continue to love and trust in the LORD God and do good in the world (Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 10:39; Hebrews 13:16; see also 2 Corinthians 4:1, 16)! Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day (see 2 Corinthians 4:16). Best of all, believers of Jesus have the living LORD God Almighty and His Spirit to help and comfort us during times of weakness, struggles, and hardships (e.g., see Romans 8:26; 2 Corinthians 1:4).

Even more, the living LORD God Almighty works everything, including our suffering and troubles, for our good as we continually love and trust in Him (e.g., see Romans 8:28). In these temporary troubles, the LORD God is achieving for believers of Jesus an eternal and lasting glory that far outweighs momentary difficulties (e.g., see Psalm 30:5; Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-17; 1 Peter 5:10). Therefore, look up and fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on the unseen LORD God Almighty and His Son Jesus, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (Hebrews 11:1; see also e.g., 2 Corinthians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 5:7). The LORD God's grace will sustain and strengthen His people through any temporary training and troubles (e.g., see Isaiah 43:2; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 2 Timothy 3:10-12).

Finally, the author of Hebrews reminds believers of Jesus that they are receiving from the LORD God Almighty entrance into His glorious Kingdom NOW and at the end of the age (the Eschaton) if we do not lose our faith and turn back into sin and unbelief (Hebrews 12:22-23, 28-29; see also Daniel 2:44; Colossians 1:23). Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus and enter the Kingdom of God NOW and at the end of the age will experience persecution, hardship, and suffering (e.g., see John 15:20; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12). But take heart because the Lord Jesus has overcome the world (e.g., see John 16:33). Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors (e.g., see Romans 8:35, 37).

The writer of Hebrews reminds everyone that the living LORD God Almighty brings ALL PEOPLE through faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) into a new and lasting covenant relationship with Him (Hebrews 12:24; see also Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 13:20). Moreover, our continual and wholehearted faith in Jesus gives believers entrance into the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the gathering of countless happy angels (Hebrews 12:22, 25; see also John 14:1-3). The church, which was created and headed by the Lord Jesus Christ, is now the children and true people of God (Hebrews 12:23-24; see also e.g., John 1:12-13; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18, 24). Everyone who believes and obeys Jesus and His message and repented of their sins are the “true Israel” and “true people of God” – whether Jewish or non-Jewish (Gentile) (e.g., see Mark 3:33-35; Luke 8:21; Romans 2:28-29; Ephesians 2:19-20). After the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, the Kingdom of God became available through the indwelling Spirit of God (see John 14:16-18). The Apostle Paul wrote to believers of Jesus Christ that the “Kingdom of God … [is] righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (see Romans 14:17). To the Colossians, the Apostle Paul assured the church, who have never seen Jesus Christ, that they have been “delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred … into the Kingdom” of Christ (see Colossians 1:13).

Therefore, the writer of Hebrews encourages believers to obey and seek the living LORD God Almighty by worshipping and obeying Him with reverence, goodness, and awe (Hebrews 12:28; see also Hebrews 13:15-16). Truly, the living LORD God is a jealous God and consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29; see also Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24; Psalm 97:3). Even more, the living LORD God Almighty will give His comfort, relief, and blessing to those who remained loyal and obedient to Him (e.g., see 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7). But the living LORD God Almighty will eternally punish those who do not worship and obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus (e.g., see 2 Thessalonians 1:8). Therefore, the author of Hebrews encourages ALL PEOPLE to endure hardship, to keep on patiently doing God’s goodness, and NEVER turn away from faithfully following and loving the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:36, 38; see also Romans 2:7). Everyone who endures and remains faithful to the Lord Jesus to the end shall be saved and enter the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 10:39; see also e.g., Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:19; James 5:11; Hebrews 3:6).

In the grand chapter of Hebrews 11, the Old Testament heroes lived and also look forward to the Kingdom of God (see Hebrews 11:10; see also Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22; Hebrews 13:14; Revelation 21:2, 10, 14). These Old Testament men and women of God were Kingdom people, and they knew even better rewards were prepared for them in God’s Kingdom (see Hebrews 11:16, 39-40).

The writer of Hebrews minds believers of Jesus that these Old Testament heroes of God also suffered persecution, hardships, and many trials while on earth (Hebrews 11:35-38 see also Genesis 39:20; 1 Samuel 22:1; 1 Kings 18:4, 13; 1 Kings 19:4, 9-10; 1 Kings 21:13; 1 Kings 22:27; 2 Kings 1:8; 2 Chronicles 24:20-21; Jeremiah 20:2; Jeremiah 26:23; Jeremiah 37:15). These great Old Testament heroes persevered, endured, and continually looked by faith and trust to the eternal yet invisible LORD God Almighty and their heavenly home (Hebrews 11:10, 27; see also Acts 7:55-56; Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17). Most important, these Old Testament heroes never compromised their allegiance and faith in the LORD God (see Hebrews 11:1-40). These faithful men and women of God were looking forward to their real home in heaven – the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 11:14; see also Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 2:19). These faithful men and women of God saw God’s glorious Kingdom including Jesus Christ awaiting them in the distance and were glad (Hebrews 11:13, 26; see also Matthew 13:17; Luke 10:24; John 8:56; Acts 7:52; 1 Peter 1:10-12).

²⁰ Now may the God of peace — who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood — ²¹ may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! AMEN. Hebrews 13:20-21, New Living Translation 2^nd Edition