Lets look at the context of the Epistle to the Hebrews. I'm using this book as an outline and to get information. Exploring the Heavenly Sanctuary: Understanding Seventh-Day Adventist Theology by
Marc Rasell
To understand the heavenly sanctuary we need to delve into the Epistle to the Hebrews to explore this topic. Hebrews was written to Christians who were suffering persecution; some had given up meeting together,
Hebrews 10:25, but in earlier days had endured persecution and sympathised with those in prison,
Hebrews 10:32–34. I think we can all relate that during times of persecution and trials our faith in Christ is tested. We cannot see Christ visibly but we experience difficulties and may be tempted to forsake our beliefs or to question why Christ does not intervene. God is presented in the Bible as the all loving and all powerful Creator, yet in this world evil and suffering is on every hand.
Having recently suffered some personal setbacks, I’ve prayed to God about my troubles, one answer seems to be that God sometimes needs to refine us so we can learn to trust in Him and His Word. In the end everything works together for good for those who trust in God,
Romans 8:28. Job suffered the loss of all his children and property in one day and then was struck down with a seemingly fatal and painful disease. There is no suggestion that he had done anything wrong, he had lived a righteous life.
At first he maintained his faith but as the weeks of suffering went by, he had time to reflect and he grew increasingly despondent, although he never gave up on God and remained faithful to Him. From his lowest ebb came some of the most sublime affirmations of faith recorded in the Bible. He said that even if the Lord should slay him he would still trust in Him; and one day after his death he would see the Lord in his own skin,
Job 13:15;
19:26. Eventually Job was restored to health after praying for his friends, and ended up with more property and children than before his misfortune
Job 42:7–16. When God appeared to Job, He asked him if he understood the mysteries of nature. When faced with God’s glory Job could make no reply
Job 38–41;
42:1–6.
The Apostle Paul likens the Christian life to a race
1 Corinthians 9:24;
Hebrews 12:1. Many runners start off well, but not all finish the race. It is when we are at our weakest point that we are in most need of divine sustenance. Christ experienced this in the wilderness when after forty days of fasting, at His weakest moment the devil chose to attack Him
Matthew 4:1–11. The Hebrews were counselled to consider Jesus who suffered so much for them
Hebrews 12:3. When we are tempted to complain and ask why me, consider Christ and how much He patiently suffered on our behalf and all the injustice He had to endure. When we consider what God’s Son had to go through, our own problems begin to dissolve in comparison. We need to learn to love our enemies and pray for them as Christ did before we begin to find peace of mind.
The main bulk of the message to the Hebrews is that Christ provides a superior sacrifice and is our High Priest in the heavenly temple, with warnings against falling away. The problem was, not only were they wavering in the face of persecution, they also seemed to be considering returning to their former beliefs: animal sacrifices, the temple and the priesthood. They appeared to be looking back to these as a form of spiritual security, perhaps questioning whether Christ was really coming back, had it all been a delusion. They had committed all to Christ and now they were left with nothing or so it appeared, maybe it would be easier just to give up and go back to their old way of life. The context suggests that the Hebrews were most likely Jewish converts to Christianity.
The writer of the Epistle is traditionally considered to be Paul and I will be working from that assumption. There are different opinions among scholars about who the author was, some favouring Paul and others against. In favour is the fact that the author was well educated, some phrases are typically Pauline, and the thoughts mirror those of Paul. In the early manuscript of the third century, it is placed among Paul’s writings. We also know that Paul made use of literary scribes
Romans 16:22;
2 Thess. 3:17 which would explain the different style of Greek to his usual writings. Whoever the author is, it certainly contains some deep spiritual truths and is an important part of the New Testament.
So all the above teach us a little about persecution. You can find it on Christian Forums all daylong.
The Bible describes enduring persecution as a test of faith, an expected part of a Christian life, and an opportunity for spiritual growth and reward. It teaches followers to respond with love, prayer, and steadfastness, trusting in God's presence and the promise of a great reward in heaven. Jesus and the apostles, including Paul, are cited as examples, emphasizing that a commitment to Christ invites opposition.
It sounds easy but I think most of us may need to work on it.
