Terrifying Expectation

Yesterday I happened across a sermon on satellite that really caught my attention. I was alerted to some things I had overlooked in Hebrews 10 as some of the verses found there have been quite troubling for some. We have taken time to explore the context and to unpack somewhat the verses that at first seemed so threatening. But as I perused this chapter more carefully this morning I was amazed at how much I have still been missing. In fact, the maze of close links and revealing connections between verses throughout this section of Hebrews is so amazing I decided to attempt to put some of them in a chart to highlight the specific points that began pouring out of my study.

If you want some real spiritual stimulation, encouragement and potential growth, take some time (maybe with a few friends to make it even better) to carefully comb through these verses and surrounding chapters to discover important things vital for preparing us to live in the terrifying fiery presence of Almighty God. And why should we get excited about living in a terrifying presence? Well, it is all in how you perceive Him. And that is the most important part of any study – what it tells you about God and how it shapes especially your gut-level perceptions of Him.

What is the difference between being terrified of a roller-coaster and choosing never to ride one, or relishing the terror of a roller-coaster as a potential to experience the thrill of your life? That is what it means to view the terrifying presence of God. That terror will be there for both the saved and the lost. The difference is how you anticipate it which will be totally determined by what you think He is like inside.

If you choose to take up this study, I would recommend that you first resist the urge to read this chart first and begin by reading through Hebrews chapters 10-12 several times. Invite some friends to do the same and then get together with paper and pencils and really start exploring while inviting the Holy Spirit to alert you, guide you, inspire you and challenge you with what you are about to come across.

My Bible is heavily marked with cross-references that I have been putting in there for years. I purposely bought a Bible with wide side margins for that very reason and have made much use of them. I have found this to be very rewarding and helpful as I come back later and follow previous notes to rediscover things I had forgotten and enter even more links to enhance my understanding of God and of truth. If you do this I promise you will be rewarded. After this study, if you feel like it, share some of your discoveries back with the rest of us as your contribution to the collective growth of the body of Christ. Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (Hebrews 10:22-23)


Hope = to anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation or confidence. For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. (Hebrews 10:26-27)


Fury = Zeal, fervent mind in the original. Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (v. 22-23)
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (v. 35-36)
Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. (v. 18)
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (v. 26)
By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (v. 10)
How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? (v. 29)
And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM," He then says, "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE." (v. 15-17)
For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." (v. 30)
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, (v. 19)
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience... (v. 22)
It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (v. 31)
But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. (v. 32-34)
For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE."
It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (v. 30-31)
But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, (v. 32)
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (v. 26)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (v. 23)
BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. (v. 38)
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (v. 24-25)
But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. (v. 39)
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience... (v. 22)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (11:1)
For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
"THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM," (v. 14, 16)
How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? (v. 29)
See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. (12:25)
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (v. 26)
How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? (v. 29)
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. (12:21-24)
It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (v. 31)

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (v. 35-36)

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (v. 36)

And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, (11:39)

But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. (v. 39)

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (12:3)