In our examination thus far of Heb 6:4-6 we have established that those who were ONCE enlighten, were definitely those who had previously been made righteous, cleansed by the blood, thus (at one time) true followers of the Lord, for the scriptures are quite implicit that, “truth [light, enlightenment] is sown for the righteous” (Psa 97:11), and that none could be made righteous who had not first been justified from all things. We also determined that these would of necessity have been mature Christians, i.e. those “of full age” (Heb 5:14), as the implication of the texts tends to imply full enlightenment, knowledge of the “deep things” of the word of God, GROWTH in the graces and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now it is possible that this includes “young adults” (young in spiritual age not necessarily actual age) as well, as many of these although lacking in the development of the fruits of the spirit are nevertheless well acquainted with the truth, (most of these probably belonging to the great company class), however we cannot be positive of this, it is merely an assumption on our part. We prefer to let the Lord make that determination.
As we had previously mentioned, full enlightenment does not imply all knowledge; we are not to erroneously assume that those who have received full enlightenment understand everything. Presently we see only “in part”, and only that which is presently due to be understood. Now although we believe all knowledge presently due with respects to the Divine Plan has been given to the Church we don’t believe any one member possesses all this knowledge.
Complete knowledge or understanding has never been given to any one individual (even to the Apostles) as in our fallen condition this would only lead to pride and self-reliance, vanity, the opposite of what the Lord is attempting to teach us. And so it pleased the Lord to spread the truth out amongst the brethren (that is amongst those who apply themselves to the study of it) so that in turn we might all develop dependence, reliance upon one another. (Eph 4:16)
Furthermore we had determined that these same enlightened ones had tasted the heavenly gift (the gift of life) that they had experienced a personal communion and fellowship with God, with the full acknowledgement that their sins had been forgiven, this based upon the imputed righteousness of Christ’ sacrifice, and that they had therefore been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, as an evidence not only of their justification, but also that they had passed over the first death (Adamic death), and had been begotten again to a new nature.
Here then is another point which defines who is susceptible to second death. One cannot come under the sentenced of the second death until first he has come out from under the sentenced of the first death.
Let us now continue on to Verse 5:
“And who have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come…”
What is the “good” word of God, and what does this imply?
What is good? The dictionary describes that which is good as being “that which is desired or approved of”
But what does it imply to you?
The average person might say that which is “good” implies the opposite of that which is “bad”, and naturally as all will agree there exist different levels of that which is good and that which is bad, i.e. good, better, best, and bad, worse, and worst.
Yes, this from man’s perspective, but does God recognizes these adjectives? That is, does He possess a gray scale? We think not, we believe that with God that which he has declared “good” implies that it is perfect, (pure and truthful), and likewise that which is bad is imperfect, (corrupted, false).
“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are justice (just, righteous): a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deut 32:4)
Thus we conclude that when it states that these had tasted (partaken or received of) the good word of God, that this implied that they had received the truth, unvarnished by man’s errors (perversions of the word), the perfect word of God, just as He intends that all men shall EVENTUALLY receive in the coming age, when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth even as the waters cover the sea, (Isa 11:9; Hab 2:14) for it is His will to have all men come to “an ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE” or “unto an EXACT KNOWLEDGE” of the truth. (1 Tim 2:4, Rotherham Version)
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Now it (should be) manifest to all that this knowledge has not yet come to all men yet, but God’s word insures that it will, “in due time”.
Continuing on with our texts, it states not only that these had tasted of the good word of God, but also that they had tasted of the powers of the age to come.
What does it mean to have tasted of the powers of the age to come?
To have tasted of the powers of the age to come implies that one has received, IN ADVANCE from the Lord, through the imparting of the Holy Spirit, the knowledge and the instruction, which shall eventually be made known or available to the entire world in the next age. At present only those truly consecrated followers or disciples within the “School of Christ” are given the privilege of this divine knowledge and instruction, both the world and the professing church, the church nominal, at present are still left outside in darkness.
Continued with next post.
Now it is possible that this includes “young adults” (young in spiritual age not necessarily actual age) as well, as many of these although lacking in the development of the fruits of the spirit are nevertheless well acquainted with the truth, (most of these probably belonging to the great company class), however we cannot be positive of this, it is merely an assumption on our part. We prefer to let the Lord make that determination.
As we had previously mentioned, full enlightenment does not imply all knowledge; we are not to erroneously assume that those who have received full enlightenment understand everything. Presently we see only “in part”, and only that which is presently due to be understood. Now although we believe all knowledge presently due with respects to the Divine Plan has been given to the Church we don’t believe any one member possesses all this knowledge.
Complete knowledge or understanding has never been given to any one individual (even to the Apostles) as in our fallen condition this would only lead to pride and self-reliance, vanity, the opposite of what the Lord is attempting to teach us. And so it pleased the Lord to spread the truth out amongst the brethren (that is amongst those who apply themselves to the study of it) so that in turn we might all develop dependence, reliance upon one another. (Eph 4:16)
Furthermore we had determined that these same enlightened ones had tasted the heavenly gift (the gift of life) that they had experienced a personal communion and fellowship with God, with the full acknowledgement that their sins had been forgiven, this based upon the imputed righteousness of Christ’ sacrifice, and that they had therefore been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, as an evidence not only of their justification, but also that they had passed over the first death (Adamic death), and had been begotten again to a new nature.
Here then is another point which defines who is susceptible to second death. One cannot come under the sentenced of the second death until first he has come out from under the sentenced of the first death.
Let us now continue on to Verse 5:
“And who have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come…”
What is the “good” word of God, and what does this imply?
What is good? The dictionary describes that which is good as being “that which is desired or approved of”
But what does it imply to you?
The average person might say that which is “good” implies the opposite of that which is “bad”, and naturally as all will agree there exist different levels of that which is good and that which is bad, i.e. good, better, best, and bad, worse, and worst.
Yes, this from man’s perspective, but does God recognizes these adjectives? That is, does He possess a gray scale? We think not, we believe that with God that which he has declared “good” implies that it is perfect, (pure and truthful), and likewise that which is bad is imperfect, (corrupted, false).
“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are justice (just, righteous): a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deut 32:4)
Thus we conclude that when it states that these had tasted (partaken or received of) the good word of God, that this implied that they had received the truth, unvarnished by man’s errors (perversions of the word), the perfect word of God, just as He intends that all men shall EVENTUALLY receive in the coming age, when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth even as the waters cover the sea, (Isa 11:9; Hab 2:14) for it is His will to have all men come to “an ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE” or “unto an EXACT KNOWLEDGE” of the truth. (1 Tim 2:4, Rotherham Version)
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Now it (should be) manifest to all that this knowledge has not yet come to all men yet, but God’s word insures that it will, “in due time”.
Continuing on with our texts, it states not only that these had tasted of the good word of God, but also that they had tasted of the powers of the age to come.
What does it mean to have tasted of the powers of the age to come?
To have tasted of the powers of the age to come implies that one has received, IN ADVANCE from the Lord, through the imparting of the Holy Spirit, the knowledge and the instruction, which shall eventually be made known or available to the entire world in the next age. At present only those truly consecrated followers or disciples within the “School of Christ” are given the privilege of this divine knowledge and instruction, both the world and the professing church, the church nominal, at present are still left outside in darkness.
Continued with next post.
