Sacrosanct Plethora
Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3
Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4
For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5
And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” 6
Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7
God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 5:8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9
and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10
and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. 11
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Romans 16:4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 1 John 4:5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6
We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 2 Peter 3:6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
