Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Hebrews Chapter 4
Metaphysically Interpreting Hebrews 4:1-13
4:1Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. 4:2For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.4:3For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said,
As I sware in my wrath,
They shall not enter into my rest:
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4:4For he hath said somewhere of the seventh day on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works; 4:5and in this place again, They shall not enter into my rest. 4:6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, 4:7he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before),
To-day if ye shall hear his voice,
Harden not your hearts.
4:8For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 4:9There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. 4:10For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 4:11Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience.
4:12For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. 4:13And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
December 5, 1937: Heb. 4:l-11
How does one fall short of true rest? Through failing to make conscious connection with the Christ power within, one misses the ease of mind or freedom from care and anxiety to be had through reliance on the higher power.
Why does faith give rest to the soul? Rest follows work and alternates with it under the divine plan. Faith is the proper work of the mind and soul through which we make connection with hitherto untouched truth. After the soul has finished its work, it enters into rest, exchanging belief for knowledge.
“The works were finished from the foundation of the world.” Is rest of soul likewise infinite in duration and degree? Rest and peace are both expressions of the infinite. Both have always been available to those who fulfilled the necessary conditions. In divine order rest follows work immediately.
Is the theory that rest of soul can be fully realized only in some future existence sound? Since we learn to rest completely now (“today”) through entering into the Christ consciousness, the theory that this experience must be deferred to some future state is not sound.
Why could not Joshua give the people rest? Joshua (the I AM) represents the active principle of realization that is engaged in establishing man's spiritual thoughts (the Children of Israel) in the subconsciousness (Canaan). Until this is completed, there can be no rest of soul for man.
What does one prove by winning rest of soul? One proves that one has done the necessary mental work to establish a foundation of stability and confidence under life. Faith and obedience to the higher wisdom and power bring a cessation of worry, anxiety, and kindred restless states.
Metaphysically Interpreting Hebrews 4:14-16
4:14Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 4:15For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 4:16Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.
October 12, 1947: Heb. 4:14-16
In what sense was Jesus “a great high priest”? In the sense that He dedicated Himself to the cause of Truth. “Lo, I am come to do thy will, O God.” “To this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.”
What is meant by Jesus' passing “through the heaven?” He permeated the entire realm of thought and interpreted the highest (the thought of God) as love. He entered the realm of spiritual power and learned its law, so that He controlled it and expressed it.
How is fullness of understanding on the part of Jesus made clear? By the fact that He realized the power of temptation and took it into consideration in dealing with those in whom He ministered. He “hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” He knew the power of the Christ, which was greater than any temptation.
What is the “throne of grace”? It is the high consciousness of love and power that is found in Divine Mind. In this consciousness all power abides, and we avail ourselves of it by claiming it through Christ.
February 1, 1948: Heb. 4:15-16
In what light do we then secure inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? As rights that inhere in the universal life, entitling those who inherit them to enrich the life of the race, to bring freedom of thought to those who are bound by the slavery of sense, and to find happiness in serving all, by holding fast to “the things of God.”
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 10-26-2013
