Hebrews 4:1 (LEB) Therefore let us fear, while there remains a promise of entering into his rest, that none of you appear to fall short of it.
In this verse, sure, Hebrews means by "His rest" as in the New Kingdom, New Jerusalem, New -Salem, New- peace. That's why I wasn't sure which rest you meant. Hebrews is obviously making an analogy between a future rest to the rest of the promised land that housed Israel (historically) for all those years. (Not exactly peacefully, BTW, then or now). Only brief periods of peace that matched with their seldom periods of proper worship, amazingly. I wonder why! The history of wars and change in control over Jerusalem (city of God's peace) is rather astounding. There's no other city like it.
I have no problem fearing now either, while I wait. Not my salvation, but my Father's discipline sure. I know what God's discipline can do to me as evidenced by those that died in the wilderness, etc. And I know what He's promised me as well. And I know what He's told me I posses already. And I know the partnership he's given me.
I, as a Son and partner with Christ, am holding to a promise of God's in the future and a Possession, Seal and Guarantee. So acting like a non-son (a Hell-raiser and idolator) certainly appears to fall short of my role, sure. I'd expect loving discipline from my Father, training me in the right way too. Yet a divorce??? God hates divorce. No way. Again, I do not disagree with Heb 4:1.
Is there another verse in there that you think proves anti-OSAS? I don't get it.
Paul didn't tell them to fear discipline, he told them to fear falling short of entering that rest, which you just admitted is the kingdom. If they can fall short of entering that rest (which you just admitted is the kingdom) then OSAS cannot be a Biblical doctrine. He said the Gospel was preached to us as well as to them. Both heard the same Gospel and Paul concludes that some must enter in and says,
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and
they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (Heb 4:6 KJV)
It was the same Gospel and the same promise that was given to both, yet he says those to whom it was first preached did not enter in. Those in the wilderness were promised the Land that God promised to Abraham, the believer is promised the land promised to Abraham. Those in the wilderness didn't enter in, however, their children did under Joshua and Caleb and they inherited the Land.
7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. (Deu 31:7 KJV)
So, those to whom it was first promised didn't enter in because of unbelief. Paul concludes that since Joshua didn't give them rest there remains a promise of entering that rest. That rest that remains is the believer entering into the Promised Land, the very same land that Joshua took the Israelites into. That's why Paul says it's the same promise to both groups. God promised the land to Abraham and his Seed and Paul says in Galatians 3 that the Seed is Christ.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Gal 3:16 KJV)
He goes on to conclude,
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and
heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3:27-29 KJV)
He says that those who have been baptized into Christ are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. The inheritance is the land that was promised to Abraham. It comes to the Gentiles through Christ, Paul said,
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That
the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal 3:11-14 KJV)
The phrase the "Blessing of Abraham" only appears twice in Scripture. Here, Paul says it comes to the Gentile through Christ. We can see what this blessing is by going back to Genesis and looking at what Paul is referring to.
KJV Genesis 28:1 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
2 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.
3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; {a multitude...: Heb. an assembly of people}
4 And give thee
the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee;
that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham. (Gen 28:1-4 KJV)
The "Blessing of Abraham" is the land that was promised to Abraham, and Paul said that blessing comes to the Gentile through faith in Christ. That's the inheritance that awaits the believer. The believer will inherit the land that was promised to Abraham, as Paul said, 'if children then heirs and co-heirs with Christ'.
So, it's the same promise from the same Gospel and Paul draws this comparison to show that some of those who were in a covenant relationship with God didn't enter in to the Promised Land and he warns his readers who are in a covenant relationship with God to make sure that they don't come short of entering into that rest, the Promised Land.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Heb 4:11 KJV)
Yes, divorce.
6 The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: "Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot.
7 "And I said, after she had done all these things,`Return to Me.' But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
8 "Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery,
I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also.
9 "So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.
10 "And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense," says the LORD.
11 Then the LORD said to me, "Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.
12 "Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say:`Return, backsliding Israel,' says the LORD;`I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,' says the LORD;`I will not remain angry forever.
13 Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the LORD your God, And have scattered your charms To alien deities under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,' says the LORD.
14 "Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
15 "And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jer 3:6-15 NKJ)
Paul said the things that were written were written for our learning. God divorced Israel for her adultery, even though they were His covenant people. If he would divorce those covenant people for adultery there's no reason He wouldn't divorce the New Covenant people for the same reason.
