What's up with all of the references in Hebrews to angels? You may be surprised. Likely, there was a very popular jewish mysticism practice that was drawing Jewish Christians away from the gospel. Don't just think of this as a history lesson. It's shadows are alive and well today in Christianity. 

What's up with all of the references in Hebrews to angels? You may be surprised. Likely, there was a very popular jewish mysticism practice that was drawing Jewish Christians away from the gospel. Don't just think of this as a history lesson. It's shadows are alive and well today in Christianity.

Straight talk on all topics religious or secular. Interesting and relevant issues that matter. If you are easily offended, welcome.

Gospel Rant

Dr. Bill's passion is to proclaim God's love for the unlovable. We want to help beat-up, frustrated and weary Christians hear the music again. We can do this. Just grab a cup of joe, sit back, enjoy, follow, leave a review and enter into the dialogue. Bill@gospel-app.com. 

Dr. Bill's passion is to proclaim God's love for the unlovable. We want to help beat-up, frustrated and weary Christians hear the music again. We can do this. Just grab a cup of joe, sit back, enjoy, follow, leave a review and enter into the dialogue. <a href="mailto:Bill@gospel-app.com">Bill@gospel-app.com</a>.

What's Up With Angels? (Hebrews 3)

Today we dig into the entire concept of entering into God’s rest. Don’t think that it refers to relaxing here. This ain’t My Pillow. Nope, that’s for heaven. Heaven’s going to be great, this ain’t it.

Is this important? Yeah, the author of Hebrews starts off this section with a stark warning to the Jewish Christians in Rome (likely). Phobeomai! Beware lest---be afraid if you miss this… Defcon 1. Don’t screw this one up. Pretty important. Make sure that no one has missed it or fallen short. So what do you think? Have we? Has anyone around you? Your church? Or do you claim ignorance? Fun right?

In this show, we will explore what he is talking about. Believe me, it is not about sleeping more. It is not even about keeping the one-day-a-week sabbath free from work—not like what we typically think. In fact, he will ramp it up even more—This thing, this place of rest—we should be entering into it every day 24/7. Why is it that no one has ever told you about this?

Curious?

Welcome to Gospel Rant and God’s Love for the Unlovable.

Today we dig into the entire concept of entering into God’s rest. Don’t think that it refers to relaxing here. This ain’t My Pillow. Nope, that’s for heaven. Heaven’s going to be great, this ain’t it.
Is this important? Yeah, the author of Hebrews starts off this section with a stark warning to the Jewish Christians in Rome (likely). Phobeomai! Beware lest---be afraid if you miss this… Defcon 1. Don’t screw this one up. Pretty important. Make sure that no one has missed it or fallen short. So what do you think? Have we? Has anyone around you? Your church? Or do you claim ignorance? Fun right?
In this show, we will explore what he is talking about. Believe me, it is not about sleeping more. It is not even about keeping the one-day-a-week sabbath free from work—not like what we typically think. In fact, he will ramp it up even more—This thing, this place of rest—we should be entering into it every day 24/7. Why is it that no one has ever told you about this?
Curious?
Welcome to Gospel Rant and God’s Love for the Unlovable.

What is Sabbath Anyway? (Hebrews 9)

Welcome to the Gospel Rant.

Hebrews assumes that we Christians are, in spite of what we say, here still on planet earth for a reason only secondarily for our own success and well-being. Face it, heaven would be so much better. No we have a grand celestial eternal purpose, modeled by Jesus and Moses. We are here to be part of the salvation story of others. We don’t redeem anyone. But somehow, what we do, and how we do it proclaims salvation to them. That’s the good news. The bad news is that like Jesus and Moses, and Israel in the wilderness, that goal may only be achieved through our persecution, suffering and even harm. I don’t like it much either. It is the big theme of Hebrews.

Humanly speaking, you will shudder in fear and rather stay in your tents in the wilderness. No judgement. But you, sons and daughters of God can ask for power, through the Spirit in your inner being to access heaven-born faith (willingness to be led into temptation, confidence in God, boldness) and heaven-born righteousness (caring for others over self) so that like Jesus and Moses and at least two Jews in the wilderness, you will do it—in order to rescue and save others.

We Americans hate this plan. But the template is Jesus, who willingly suffered and died and many children were saved. At one point you said, “Father, wherever you lead I will follow.” OK, he’s taking you seriously—because he loves you as much as the father loves the son and the son loves the father. But don’t expect life to be a rose garden. And he has something to prepare you for the struggle. You don’t naturally have it. Curious?

Welcome to Gospel Rant and God’s Love for the Unlovable.

Welcome to the Gospel Rant.
Hebrews assumes that we Christians are, in spite of what we say, here still on planet earth for a reason only secondarily for our own success and well-being. Face it, heaven would be so much better. No we have a grand celestial eternal purpose, modeled by Jesus and Moses. We are here to be part of the salvation story of others. We don’t redeem anyone. But somehow, what we do, and how we do it proclaims salvation to them. That’s the good news. The bad news is that like Jesus and Moses, and Israel in the wilderness, that goal may only be achieved through our persecution, suffering and even harm. I don’t like it much either. It is the big theme of Hebrews.
Humanly speaking, you will shudder in fear and rather stay in your tents in the wilderness. No judgement. But you, sons and daughters of God can ask for power, through the Spirit in your inner being to access heaven-born faith (willingness to be led into temptation, confidence in God, boldness) and heaven-born righteousness (caring for others over self) so that like Jesus and Moses and at least two Jews in the wilderness, you will do it—in order to rescue and save others.
We Americans hate this plan. But the template is Jesus, who willingly suffered and died and many children were saved. At one point you said, “Father, wherever you lead I will follow.” OK, he’s taking you seriously—because he loves you as much as the father loves the son and the son loves the father. But don’t expect life to be a rose garden. And he has something to prepare you for the struggle. You don’t naturally have it. Curious?
Welcome to Gospel Rant and God’s Love for the Unlovable.

Two Faiths? (Hebrews 8)

Hebrews assumes that we Christians are, in spite of what we might say, afraid of death. It's a brain thing. To accomplish God’s high Kingdom goals—meaning salvation for others, He requires and even ordains the testing, trials, suffering, loss, and sometimes even death of his beloved children—in order to rescue and save others.

We Americans might hate this plan. But the template is Jesus, who willingly suffered and died and many children were saved. At one point you said, “Father, wherever you lead I will follow.” OK, he’s taking you seriously—because he loves you as much as the Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father. But don’t expect life to be a rose garden. And he has something to prepare you for the struggle. You don’t naturally have it. Curious?

Welcome to Gospel Rant.

Hebrews assumes that we Christians are, in spite of what we might say, afraid of death. It's a brain thing. To accomplish God’s high Kingdom goals—meaning salvation for others, He requires and even ordains the testing, trials, suffering, loss, and sometimes even death of his beloved children—in order to rescue and save others.
We Americans might hate this plan. But the template is Jesus, who willingly suffered and died and many children were saved. At one point you said, “Father, wherever you lead I will follow.” OK, he’s taking you seriously—because he loves you as much as the Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father. But don’t expect life to be a rose garden. And he has something to prepare you for the struggle. You don’t naturally have it. Curious?
Welcome to Gospel Rant.

What's Up With Angels? (Hebrews 3)

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