2019-10-02 “whose house are we”

Hebrews 3:4  “And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after6  But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Just as “Christ” is contrasted with the Old Testament leaders and the angels, so is “his house” also contrasted to Old Testament Israel and the Law Service.  In this case, “his house” refers to the Church-Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  Our Lord’s “house” is comprised of both Jews and Gentiles and heralds the fulfillment of the Law Service and the sure Eternal Salvation of the Children of God.  He is not suggesting that it is possible for Children of God to lose their Eternal Salvation; but, it is possible for our Lord to remove “his” Church-“house” from us and from our community if we do not faithfully worship and serve the Lord our God in “his” Church-“house”.  If we do not adhere ourselves to the Word of God and faithfully worship and serve our Lord, He has plainly declared, “I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5); that is, “I will” “remove” my Church-“house” from you.  When the Lord removes the “candlestick”, the light of joy and understanding given to us by the Holy Spirit, a dark and gloomy cloud of troubles and despair and anguish settles upon the people as they lose the blessedness of the Gospel message.  Because of his ungodly behavior king David prayed, “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” (Psalms 51:8) and “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psalms 51:12), the “candlestick” had been removed from him for a season and he was in a most miserable state.  Paul instructs preachers to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (II Timothy 4:2); that is, confine yourselves to “the word” of God.  This is “the word” given to us by “the Word” (John 1:1); for, only in His “word” is great joy and peace and comfort even in the midst of a troubled world.