MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

Why They Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Let us examine two reasons that Paul gave his brothers and sisters there in Judea for never shrinking back to destruction. The first- superiority of the Christian system of worship-pervades the letter to the Hebrews. Throughout his letter, Paul developed this theme. The temple in Jerusalem was merely a copy of a far greater reality, Jehovah's spiritual temple, a building "not made with hands." (Hebrews 9:11) Those Christians had the privilege of serving in that spiritual arrangement for pure worship. They served under a better covenant, the long-promised new covenant, which had a Mediator superior to Moses, Jesus Christ. -Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Those Christians also had a far better High Priest, Jesus Christ. No, he had not descended from Aaron. Rather, he was a High Priest "according to Melchizedek, whose lineage was unrecorded, was king of ancient Salem as well as its high priest. He thus made a fitting prophetic type of Jesus, whose priesthood depended, not on any imperfect human ancestry, but on something far greater-Jehovah God's own oath. Like Melchizedek, Jesus serves not only as High Priest, but also as King, one who will never die. -Hebrews 7:11-21.

Furthermore, unlike the high priest at the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus did not have to offer sacrifices year after year. His sacrifices was his own perfect life, which he offered once for all time. (Hebrews 7:27) All those sacrifices offered at the temple were only shadows, pictures of what Jesus offered. His perfect sacrifice provided for real forgiveness of the sins of all who exercised faith. Heartwarming, too, are Paul's comments showing that this High Priest is the same unchanging Jesus whom the Christians in Jerusalem had known. He was humble, kind, and one who can sympathize with our weaknesses." (Hebrews 4:15; 13:8) Those anointed Christians had the prospect of serving as Christ's underpriests! how could they even think of shrinking back to "the weak and beggarly" things of corrupt Judaism? -Galatians 4:9.

As if that were not enough, Paul gave the Hebrews a second reason never to shrink back to destruction-their own record of endurance. He wrote: "Keep on remembering the former days in which , after you were enlightened, you endured a great contest under sufferings." Paul reminded them that they had been "exposed as in a theater" to reproaches and tribulations. Some had suffered imprisonment; others had sympathized with and supported those in prison. Yes, they had shown exemplary faith and perseverance. (Hebrews 10:32-34) Yet, why did Paul ask them to "keep on remembering" such painful experiences? Would that not proved discouraging?

On the contrary, "remembering the former days" would remind the Hebrews of how Jehovah had sustained them under trial. With his help, they had already resisted many of Satan's attacks. Paul wrote: "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name." (Hebrews 6:10) Yes, Jehovah remembered all their faithful works, storing them in his limitless memory. We are reminded of Jesus' exhortation to store up treasures in heaven. No thief can steal these treasures; no moth or rust can consume them. (Matthew 6:19-21) In fact, these treasures can be destroyed only if a Christian shrinks back to destruction. That would squander any treasures he had stored up in heaven. What a powerful reason Paul gave the Hebrew Christians for never pursuing such a course! Why waste all their years of faithful service? It would be right and far better to keep on enduring.

Next time: Why We Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999