“by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (v.14). Introduction:
The key theme of this chapter or section of the Book to the Hebrews is Messiah’s once for all time substitutionary, sacrificial, atoning death. The writer prefaces his explanation of Messiah’s superior singular sacrifice by reiterating the ineffectual nature of the repeated animal sacrifices and ritual washings that are not more than copies of the heavenly things and therefore, unable to save those who serve according to the requirements of the Torah. By logical extension the writer proves the Levitical system to be ineffectual concerning the complete purging of sin, given the evidence present in the lives of those serving, who continue to be aware of their continued sinful state even after offering the blood of animals. The repetition of the sacrifices being proof in itself of the ineffectiveness of the practices. The Yom Kippur sacrifices are said to be a yearly reminder of sins, which cannot take away sins. The words of Psalms 40:6-8 are attributed to the King Messiah Yeshua, and used in a Midrashic (comparative) sense to show that the blood of animals was never sufficient but that God had always intended the sacrificial system of Torah to point to the Goal of Torah Yeshua (Rom. 10:4). Thus, Yeshua takes away the replica (first order of sacrifices) and establishes the second, the new covenant. Yeshua’s body being offered once for all time, past, present, and future. We note that what Yeshua removes are those aspects of Torah concerning sin, and in this context the sacrifices relating to the ritual atonement for sin. Sin will not exist in the Olam Haba (world to come). Therefore we understand that He does not remove or do away with the eternally present aspects of Torah concerning righteousness in Him. The fact that Messiah now (from our view within time and space and according to the chronology of this sin affected world) sits at the right hand of God, signifies that His work is finished and there is no need for further sacrifices. Thus, in fulfilling His role as Great High Priest, Messiah now (from our view within time and space and according to the chronology of this sin affected world) awaits the subjection of His enemies beneath His footstool as Melekh HaY’hudiym (King of the Jews), Melekh HaOlam, King of the universe (under HaShem the Father). A key understanding of the presently eternal condition of those redeemed in Messiah is spoken, “by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (v.14). In this we understand both eternal security in Messiah’s finished work concerning our perfect condition in Him outside of time and space, and at the same time are reminded that within time and space we are still being sanctified (made holy) as we become more like Yeshua in every moment, intentionally addressing sin by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and being refined through the process of keeping a short account with God. The writer again attributes the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:31-34 to the Holy Spirit and uses it as a reminder to the redeemed of the fact that by His Spirit in them He has written the eternal Torah of Messiah on their inner person/soul centre. This being evidence which affirms the promise that God will no longer bring to mind perpetually the sins of the redeemed. Therefore, where all the sins of the repentant have been atoned for eternally there is no need for further sacrifices. As is the case with all Scripture (scrolls of the original texts), there are no chapter breaks or verse markers (or punctuation for that matter) in the scroll of the Book to the Hebrews. It’s important to see the text of this chapter as a continuation of the previous chapter, the last verses of chapter 9 being: 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once, and after this, the judgment, 28 so Messiah also, having been offered once to bear, carry the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to, separation from sin, to those who look for, eagerly await Him. BOOK TO THE HEBREWS Chapter 10:1-18 (Author’s translation) 1 For the Torah[H] Law, Instruction having a shadow of the good, beneficial things to come and not the same form, image, figure, likeness, face of those things, can never, with the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect, fully filled, consecrated, whole. 2 Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, because those serving, having once been purged, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a recollection, a reminder, a remembrance of sins [missing the mark of God’s holiness] every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood [in the blood] of bulls and goats to take away, remove, cut off sins [missing the mark of God’s holiness]. 5 Therefore, when He comes into this world, He says, “You have not desired sacrifice and offering, But You have prepared a body for Me; 6 You have not taken pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, now, pay attention I am come [It is written of Me in the scroll of the book] To do Your will, O God. [Psalms 40:6-8 LXX]’” 8 After saying above, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin You have not desired nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Torah[H]), 9 then He said, “Behold, now, pay attention I have come to do Your will.” He kills, slays, puts to death, takes away the first in order to establish, set firmly in place the second. 10 By this will, we are being sanctified, made holy through the offering of the body, soul of Yeshua[H] HaMashiyach[H] once for all. 11 Every priest individually and collectively, stands daily serving and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away, remove, atone for sins; 12 but He, having offered one, first agreeable sacrifice for sins forever, sat down in the right hand of God [ Psalms 110:1, 5; Matt.22:44, 26:64; Mark. 12:36, 14:62, 16:19; Luke. 20:42, 22:69; Acts. 2:25, 34, 7:55-56Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2] 13 From that time onward expectant until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet [Psalms 110:1]. 14 For by one, first agreeable offering He has perfected, made whole forever those who are being sanctified, made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after saying, 16 “this is the covenant which I will make with them After those days, declares the Lord: And I will write My Instructions (Toratiy[H]) on their minds, understanding, inward parts,” He then says, 17 “And their sins, and their iniquities, perversions I will no longer bring to mind, perpetually.” [Jeremiah 31:31-34]” 18 Now where there is forgiveness, remission, liberty, deliverance of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required. HEBREWS 10:1-18 (line upon line) 1 For the Torah[H] Law, Instruction (nomos[G]) having a shadow (skia[G], tzeil[H]) of the good, beneficial things (agathos[G], tovot[H]) to come and not the same (autos[G]) form, image, figure, likeness, face (eikōn[G], peneiy[H]) of those things, can never, with the same sacrifices (thusia[G]) which they offer (prospherō[G]) continually every year (shanah veshanah[H]), make those who approach perfect, fully filled, consecrated, whole (teleioō[G], shalem[H]). 2 Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered (prospherō[G], yechdelu[H]), because those serving (latreuō[G], haovediym[H]), having once (hapax[G], achat[H]) been purged (kathairō[G]), would no longer have had consciousness (suneidēsis[G], machshevet[H]) of sins [missing the mark of God’s holiness] (hamartia[G], hacheite[H])? 1 For the Torah[H] Law, Instruction having a shadow of the good, beneficial things to come and not the same form, image, figure, likeness, face of those things, can never, with the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect, fully filled, consecrated, whole. “For the Torah having a shadow of the good things to come and not the same form, image, likeness, face of those things,” [cf. Heb. 8:5] The Torah is a shadow that replicates but is not the same as the image of the good things of God. A shadow is cast by light shining against an object or person, but if that same light converges with the object or person the shadow disappears. It’s the same with the Torah of Moses. At the end of the age when the Messiah returns and God dwells with humanity in the new creation, the manifest light of God will have become convergent with creation and thus, the shadow of temporal Torah will disappear while the Torah of the Messiah [Gal. 6:2; Rom. 8:2] will remain. A shadow cannot illuminate someone trapped in darkness. Only the light that cast it can do that. “can never, with the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect, fully filled, consecrated, whole.”[cf. Heb. 7:18-19, 28; 9:25] The sacrifices of Torah can never purify the inner person because the blood of its atonement rite is the temporary blood of animals. What is needed is a blood transfusion given by One Who has everlasting blood and is compatible with the recipient. One cannot transfuse a human being with animal blood, nor can incompatible blood types be cross transfused, rather, if you desire to transfuse a number of different blood types using only one donor, you will require a universal donor. In the case of Messiah, His blood is not sin affected and therefore is able to redeem all Who receive His transfused life. “Year after year” or “year and year” shanah veshanah, meaning by implication, from one Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) to the next. 2 Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, because those serving, having once been purged, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? The logic is sound. If the sacrifices actually removed sin, they would have ceased. Interestingly, following the ultimate sacrifice for sin made by the King Messiah in the first century C.E. the sacrifices did cease (70 C.E.). As a result those Jews who didn’t receive Yeshua the promised Messiah had to reinvent Judaism devoid of the practice of the sacrificial system. Only now millennia after the destruction of the second temple, is there a reasonable expectation of the re-establishment of the temple cult, and even when that happens [Isaiah 2:2-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Rev. 11:1-2] the same truth remains, that the Torah and the temple cult, with its temporal animal sacrifices, “can never, with the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect, fully filled, consecrated, whole.”[cf. Heb. 7:18-19, 28; 9:25] The evidence of the effectiveness of the sacrifices would have been seen in both the clear conscience of the one who offered the sacrifice and in his living according to the freedom afforded him. This was not the case, nor is it the case that sacrifices of any kind other than that of the Messiah, can perfect any human being. Many in the body of believers make noble sacrifices in accordance with reflecting Yeshua’s life to others, however this is not done to earn favour but as a result of having been shown favour. Others make sacrifices believing they are somehow atoning for their own sinful acts, they are not, Yeshua is enough, there is no need for further sacrifice of any kind in order to make a human being right before God. Many claim that the good news concerning the King Messiah Yeshua is too simple. In my experience it is the simple things that put to shame the so called “higher” understanding of the intellectual elite. 3 But in those sacrifices (bakarbanot[H]) there is a recollection, a reminder, a remembrance (anamnēsis[G], yesh zeicher[H]) of sins [missing the mark of God’s holiness] (hamartia[G], lachataiym[H]) every year (shanah veshanah[H]). 4 For it is impossible (adunatos[G]) for the blood [in the blood] (ho aima[G], bedam[H]) of bulls (tauros[G], pariym[H]) and goats (tragos[G], ushiyriym[H]) to take away, remove, cut off (aphaireō[G]) sins [missing the mark of God’s holiness] (hamartia[G], chataiym [H]). 3 But in those sacrifices there is a recollection, a reminder, a remembrance of sins [missing the mark of God’s holiness] every year. I’ve been asked by some of our yeshivah students, “Why were the sacrifices given at all if they could never remove sin?” While there are many reasons, the present verse gives just one, the sacrifices are given as a constant reminder of sin. The sacrifices themselves are an indictment against sin and a reminder of the need for something better by way of effectual atonement. “Every year” ultimately refers to Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) [Lev. 16]. As we approach the High Holy Days again this year we are reminded of sin and the need for blood atonement. In short, the yearly Yom Kippur sacrifices remind all Israel individually and collectively of our sin and our need for something better than animal sacrifices to atone for it. In spite of the fact that Judaism reinvented itself at Yavneh (located west of Jerusalem on the coast next to the Mediterranean ocean) [90 C.E.] following the destruction of the temple (70 C.E.), and in spite of the fact that we no longer have animal sacrifices as a reminder, we nonetheless have prayers (selichot) and protocols during the High Holy Days that cause us to think again about the requirement of blood atonement and the fact that we cannot save ourselves but are reliant on the saving work of God for the forgiveness of sin, right standing before Him and receipt of eternal life in the Olam Haba (world to come), an assurance that our names are written in HaShem’s book of life [Ex. 32:31-33; Dan. 12:2; Mal. 3:16; Ps. 56:8, 69:27-28, 139:16; Lk. 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Heb. 12:22-23; Rev 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:15, 21:27]. Our daily prayers and liturgies remind us of the sacrifices of old (Sacharit [the morning prayer service] includes portions regarding the sacrifices), and of our sinful condition and our need for forgiveness (Amidah [standing] prayer, Tachanuniym [supplications]). Even devoid of a physical temple and in spite of our rabbis’ attempts to refocus us on halakhah (applied law) rather than sacrificial atonement, we are nonetheless constantly reminded of our sinful condition and our need for atonement, forgiveness and redemption. On his death bed one of rabbinic Judaism’s greatest rabbis, the convener of the council of Yavneh (90 C.E.) Rabbi Yochanan Ben-Zakkai says: "Now I am being led before the supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, who lives and endures forever and ever. If He is angry with me, He is angry forever. If He imprisons me, He imprisons me forever. If He puts me to death, He puts me to death forever. I can't persuade Him with words or bribe Him with money. Moreover, there are two ways ahead of me: one leads to Gan-Eden [Paradise] and the other to Gey-Hinnom [Torment], and I do not know which one will take me. How can I do anything but weep?" (B'rakhot 28b) -Rabbi Yochanan Ben-Zakkai (Convener of the Council of Yavneh) Awareness of unatoned sin is a constant and condemning reminder to all who reject the once and for all atoning sacrifice of the King Messiah Yeshua. In Messiah we are offered freedom from the uncertainty of the final judgement because in Messiah our names are inscribed in the book of life, written in the immovable and unchanging blood of Yeshua, Who is Imanu-El God with us. Therefore, we both tremble in awe before HaShem (YHVH) and are immutably secure in Him, utterly terrified and completely safe in the arms of our Father, the Creator of all things through Yeshua the King Messiah. Unlike Rav Yochanan Ben Zakkai, we do know which path will take us, that is the path to Gan-Eden (Paradise), the path to Olam Haba (the world to come), and everlasting life. In fact, we are already walking that path in Messiah. “Amen and amen, in established truth I tell you, whoever hears my word and trusts Him who sent me already has eternal living and will not be condemned but has crossed over from death to living.” -John 5:24 (Author’s paraphrase) 4 For it is impossible for the blood [in the blood] of bulls and goats to take away, remove, cut off sins [missing the mark of God’s holiness]. The reference to bulls and goats implies the Yom Kippur rites (Lev. 16). Once again the actions of the High Priest are brought to mind. “Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?” -Psalms 50:13 KJV HaShem has no need of the blood of animals, He is not like pagan deities who require feeding, rather the sacrificial system of the Torah of Moses is a symbol for Israel and humanity, revealing the spiritual condition of our inner being and showing the great cost of redemption from that condition. Like prayer, the sacrifices of Torah are for our benefit, they do not benefit God, as if He needs anything. 5 Therefore, when He comes into this world (ho kosmos[G], ha olam[H]), He says, “You have not desired sacrifice (thusia[G]) and offering (prosphora[G]), But You have prepared a body (sōma[G]) for Me; 6 You have not taken pleasure in whole burnt offerings (holokautōma[G]) and sacrifices for sin (hamartia[G], chataiym [H]). 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, now, pay attention (hineih[H]) I am come [(hēkō[G]) (It is written of Me in the scroll (kephalis[G]) of the book (biblion[G])] To do Your will (thelēma[G]), O God (Theos[G]). [Psalms 40:6-8 LXX]’” 5 Therefore, when He comes into this world, He says, “You have not desired sacrifice and offering, But You have prepared a body for Me; 6 You have not taken pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, now, pay attention I am come [It is written of Me in the scroll of the book] To do Your will, O God. [Psalms 40:6-8 LXX]’” The writer of the Book to the Hebrews is using Psalms 40:6-8 [7-9] in the form of a drash. A mode of teaching prolific among ancient Jewish scholars. “When He comes into the world” This is a Jewish expression denoting birth (Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:2; Sifre Deut. 312) and in this context is a reference to the promised King Messiah, Who is understood to be the speaker of the words of Psalms 40:6-8 (LXX) by way of drash (comparative teaching). The full portion from the Hebrew text of Psalms 40:7-9 illuminates further the deeper meaning. The Hebrew text of Psalms 40:7-9 (equivalent to LXX 40:6-8) translates: “7 (6) Blood sacrifice (zevach[H]) and offering (uminchah[H]) have You not desired (lo-chapatzta[H]) ears (aznayim[H]) opened, dug up for me (kariyt liy[H]), whole burnt offerings (olah[H]) and sin offerings (vachata’ah[H]) You did not enquire after (lo sha’alta[H]). 8 (7) Then (az[H]) I said (amartiy[H]), ‘Behold, now, pay attention (Hineih[H]), in/of Me (vatiy[H]) in the scroll of the book (bimgilat-sefer[H]) is written upon/concerning Me (katuv alay[H]). 9 (8) To do Your will [what You want] (la’asot-retzonecha[H]) God (Elohay[H]) delights Me (chapatztiy[H]) and Your instructions/Torah (vetorahtecha[H]) are in the midst (betoch[H]) of My inner being, gut, emotion (meiay[H]). “But You have prepared a body for me” This Septuagint translation differs dramatically from the Masoretic Hebrew text but within the wider context essentially means the same thing. The Hebrew text reads “have You not desired ears opened, dug up for me?” Which is a Hebrew idiom meaning “willing ears, listening and obedient ears, resurrected ears that hear, understand and obey”. This same meaning is conveyed in the Septuagint where the context denotes that God has “prepared a body” for Messiah, and goes on to say that the purpose of His body is “to do” God’s “will.” Ultimately the two texts are saying the same thing in two different but consistent ways. Read convergently they say, “You have prepared a body for me with ears to hear and obey so that I am ready to do Your will…” “I am come [It is written of Me in the scroll of the book] To do Your will, O God.” Again the Hebrew version reads differently as “To do Your will [what You want] God delights Me and Your instructions/Torah are in the midst of My inner being, gut, emotion.” Therefore, the Goal of the Torah, Who is Yeshua the King Messiah, also has the Torah within Him in the sense that He is the Author of it. Thus, “it is written of Me in the Scroll (Torah [kephalis[G]]) of the Book [biblion[G]] (Tanakh)” and “Your Torah is in My inner being”. Both are true, both convey the greater meaning of the text and redemptive purposes of God. There is no contradiction, only convergence. As alluded to, “The Scroll of the Book” refers to the Torah being within the wider Jewish Canon (Tanakh) [ref. Targum and Kimchi on Psalms 40:7]. 8 After saying above, “Sacrifices (thusia[G], zevach[H]) and offerings (prosphora[G], uminchah[H]) and whole burnt offerings (holokautōma[G], (holokautōma[G])and offerings for sin (vachata’ah[H]) You have not desired (thusia[G], lo-chapatzta[H]) nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Torah[H] [nomos[G]]), 9 then He said, “Behold, now, pay attention (Hineih[H]) I have come to do Your will (thelēma[G], la’asot-retzonecha[H]).” He kills, slays, puts to death, takes away (anaireō[G]) the first (ho protos[G], harishonah[H]) in order to establish, set firmly in place (histēmi[G]) the second (deuteros[G], hasheniyah[H]). 8 After saying above, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin You have not desired nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Torah[H]), “Which are offered according to Torah” This clarification emphasises the fact that even sacrifices and offerings offered precisely according to Torah requirements are not ultimately what God provides in order to perfect His children. 9 then He said, “Behold, now, pay attention I have come to do Your will.” He kills, slays, puts to death, takes away the first in order to establish, set firmly in place the second. “I have come to do Your will” These words of the King Messiah and the sacrifice they denote affirm the fact that Yeshua has killed the first order (not the Torah as a whole but the blood covenant, specifically the sacrificial system as it pertains to sin) and set firmly in place the second. So we see that Yeshua’s blood atonement atones for the first covenant and based on the vicarious death experienced by Israel and her Torah in Yeshua, Israel are established in the new covenant through His death which has already been explained in the previous chapter concerning the effectiveness of a covenant being established according to the death of the one who enters it. In short, those who receive Yeshua’s death on their behalf have died vicariously in Him. “He kills, slays, puts to death, takes away the first in order to establish, set firmly in place the second.” This is speaking of the covenants established by Moses and Yeshua respectively and not of Torah as a whole. The first covenant and ritual sacrificial system is killed in order to establish the second. Messiah puts death to death, meaning that He takes away those aspects of Torah concerning the sacrificial system as it relates to sin but does not take away the eternal aspects of Torah which transcend the present sin affected world. This is one of the reasons it is important to qualify what is meant by Torah in any given context. Notice that as Author of the Torah (in God) and its sacrificial signs (Yeshua is the Davar HaEmet [Word essence of the Truth]: John 1:1) Yeshua “kills the first (sacrifices)”, that is, Aharon the High Priest kills the temporal sacrifices based on Yeshua’s (the Word) Instruction in order to point to the manifest sacrifice of Yeshua’s Own soul, which establishes the “better” covenant in eternal blood. 10 By this will (thelēma[G], uvaratzon[H]), we are being (semen[G]) sanctified, made holy (hagiazō[G], mitkadoshiym[H]) through the offering (prosphora[G], bekarban[H]) of the body, soul (sōma[G], nefesh[H]) of Yeshua[H] (Iesous[G], YHVH is Salvation) HaMashiyach[H] (Christos[G], Anointed One) once for all (ephapax[G], echad[H]). 11 Every priest (pas hiereus[G], kol kohen[H]) individually and collectively, stands daily (kata hemera[G], yom yom[H]) serving (leitourgeō[G]) and offering (prospherō[G], ulhakeriyv[H]) time after time (pollakis[G]) the same sacrifices (thusia[G], et-hazvachiym[H]), which can never (oudepote[G], eiyn meiolam[H]) take away, remove, atone for (periaireō[G], lechapeir[H]) sins [missing the mark of God’s holiness] (hamartia[G], chataiym [H]); 12 but He (aval hu[H]), having offered (prospherō[G], hikriyv[H]) one, first agreeable (mia[G], echad[H]) sacrifice (thusia[G], zevach[H]) for sins [missing the mark of God’s holiness] (hamartia[G], chataiym [H]) forever (eis diēnekes[G], ad olam[H]), sat down (kathizō[G], vayeishev[H]) in the right hand (dexios[G], liymiyn[H]) of God (Theos[G], Elohiym[H]) [ Psalms 110:1, 5; Matt.22:44, 26:64; Mark. 12:36, 14:62, 16:19; Luke. 20:42, 22:69; Acts. 2:25, 34, 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2] 10 By this will, we are being sanctified, made holy through the offering of the body, soul of Yeshua[H] HaMashiyach[H] once for all. “By this will” refers to the substitutionary sacrificial death of Yeshua the King Messiah, the “will” of God to “cause Him to suffer”. “Yet it pleased Adonai to bruise Him. He caused Him to suffer. If He makes His soul a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the will of Adonai will succeed by His hand.” -Isaiah 53:10 TLV 11 Every priest individually and collectively, stands daily serving and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away, remove, atone for sins; “Time after time” means every day of every year (Exodus 29:38). As stated previously, the temporary blood of animal sacrifices could never do anything more than provide a symbol in an ineffectual atonement pointing to an effective atonement. As the text says, the sacrifices offered continually could “never atone for sins.” 12 but He, having offered one, first agreeable sacrifice for sins forever, sat down in the right hand of God [ Psalms 110:1, 5; Matt.22:44, 26:64; Mark. 12:36, 14:62, 16:19; Luke. 20:42, 22:69; Acts. 2:25, 34, 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2] We note that Messiah’s sacrifice is offered once and first, that is both at His first coming and before the foundation of the world. Put concisely, the sacrifice for the redemption of sin preceded the entry of sin into the world. This sacrifice effective eternally and having affected all who receive Him. Therefore, He takes His place in the right hand of God, the place He has always held (John 17:5), as a symbol of His complete victory over sin and death, a victory He won before the world was created (1 Peter 1:19-20; Rev. 13:8). 13 From that time onward expectant (ekdechomai[G]) until His enemies (echthros[G]) are made a footstool (hupopodion[G]) for His feet (leragelayv[H]) [Psalms 110:1]. 14 For by one, first agreeable (mia[G], echad[H]) offering (prosphora[G], vekarban[H]) He has perfected, made whole (teleioō[G], hishliym[H]) forever (eis diēnekes[G], ad-olam[H]) those who are being sanctified, made holy (hagiazō[G], et-hamkudashiym[H]). 13 From that time onward expectant until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet [Psalms 110:1]. The victory over sin and death won, Messiah awaits (according to our view from within time and space) the subjection of Satan and his minions and all the enemies of God, His King Messiah and His chosen people. This being promised by the Psalm (110:1), established in God [ref. Heb. 1:13]. 14 For by one, first agreeable offering He has perfected, made whole forever those who are being sanctified, made holy. Hebrews 7:11 pointed us here, to the one sacrifice which can bring perfection where the sacrifices and practices of the Levitical priesthood could not. The presently eternal condition of those redeemed in the Messiah is spoken: “by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (v.14). In this we understand both eternal security in Messiah’s finished work concerning our perfect condition in Him outside of time and space, and at the same time are reminded that within time and space we are still being sanctified (made holy) as we become more like Yeshua in every moment, intentionally addressing sin by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and being refined through the process of keeping a short account with Him. 15 The Holy Spirit (Ho hagios pneuma[G], Ruach HaKodesh[H]) also witnesses (martureō[G], yaed[H]) to us; for after saying, 16 “this (zot[H]) is the covenant (ho diathēkē[G], habriyt[H]) which I will make with them After those days (hēmera[G], hayamiym[H]), declares the Lord (Ho Kurios[G], YHVH[H]): (kardia[G], lebam[H]) And I will write My Instructions (Toratiy[H]) on their minds, understanding, inward parts, (dianoia[G], bekirbam[H]),” He then says, 15 The Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after saying, 16 “this is the covenant which I will make with them After those days, declares the Lord: And I will write My Instructions (Toratiy[H]) on their minds, understanding, inward parts,” He then says, “By two or three witnesses every word is established” [Deut. 17:6; 2 Cor. 13:1]. The Witnesses: 1.The Son (Heb. 10:7; Psalm 40:6-8) 2.The Father (Heb. 10:12; Psalm 110:1) 3.The Holy spirit (Heb. 10:16-17; Jeremiah 31:31-34) Therefore, the Holy Spirit also witnesses to the fulness of Messiah’s atonement speaking through the prophet Jeremiah the promised everlasting Torah of Messiah written on the core being of those who receive Him. 17 “And their sins (hamartia[G], ulchatatam[H]) [missing the mark set by God’s holiness], and their iniquities, perversions (anomia[G]) I will no longer bring to mind, perpetually (mnaomai[G], ezkar-od[H]).” [Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:10]” 18 Now where there is forgiveness, remission, liberty, deliverance (aphesis[G]) of these things, an offering (prosphora[G]) for sin [missing the mark of God’s holiness] (hamartia[G], al-hacheite [H]) is no longer required. 17 “And their sins, and their iniquities, perversions I will no longer bring to mind, perpetually.” [Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:10]” 18 Now where there is forgiveness, remission, liberty, deliverance of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required. When we properly understand that Yeshua’s singular sacrifice is sufficient and covers all infringements against Torah, we are truly free to live according to God’s strength, in His Spirit and to allow Messiah in us to outwork righteousness in the way we walk. We no longer seek approval because we have been approved in Messiah. We no longer seek to do for God (an act of idolatry) but instead being in Messiah and having Messiah in us we do from God (righteousness). How is this possible? It is made possible through Messiah’s sacrifice, it is possible because there is now no longer a need for further sacrifice. The text reads literally, “an offering for sin is no longer!” Some of the greatest of our non-Messianic rabbis agree with the writing of the Book to the Hebrews: "in the time to come (the Messianic age) all offerings shall cease, except the sacrifice of praise.'' -Vayikra Rabbah, sect. 9. fol. 153. 1. When, "the King Messiah, the son of David, shall reign, there will be no need of kaparah (an atonement), nor of deliverance, or prosperity, for all these things will be had;'' -Rav Abendana Not. in Miclol Yophi in Psal. lxxii. 20. Yeshua is enough, His sacrifice is enough, those who require more teach apostacy. Copyright 2021 Yaakov Brown |
Yaakov BrownFounder of the Beth Melekh International Messiah Following Jewish Community, Archives
October 2024
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