5. Right after writing about the #1 passage on apostasy, the author of Hebrews speaks of “the full assurance of hope” in Hebrews 6:11. After writing the hard words of Hebrews 6:4-6, now the author speaks and says that he feels sure of things concerning salvation about his audience. In a sense, he says that the words of warning do not really apply to them since He is sure that better things belong to his audience. Why is the author sure and knows that salvation belongs to his audience? Because of their present faith working out in love (Heb. 6:10). Their faith is showing itself in works by serving the saints of God. This they have done in the past and they are still doing. God will, in fact, reward the believers for their work of faith. The Author does not want his audience to be afraid and concerned about their salvation after the section on apostasy, but rather he says that “we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end”. The author does not only want that his audience have assurance of hope, but full assurance of hope. This is certainly possible, even if he spoke about apostasy a few verses earlier. What is their hope but their firm conviction that the future promises of God will be fulfilled? We have full confidence about this hope, it is not wishful thinking, but based on God’s character and promises. How can we have this full assurance of hope, without having this hope? It is because of this hope that God grants believers this full assurance. This promise of hope and assurance is given so that we will not be lazy, but be all the more move to obedience, that we will follow the example of other believers, primarily in this chapter it’s to follow the example of Abraham. How can we truly have this full assurance of hope and yet fall away? I’m not saying that we’re not able to deceive ourselves, but I’m saying that the author claims that it is, in fact, possible to have this full assurance even if he had just written about apostasy a few verses earlier. Moreover, he is sure that salvation belongs to his audience even when he warned them about apostasy.
6. In Hebrews 6:17-20, the author continues to speak about this sure steadfast hope that we have in Christ our Lord. From v. 13, the author takes Abraham as an example of one who “through faith and patience” (Heb. 6:12) inherited the promises of God. A specific promise is mentioned in Hebrews 6, namely, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you” and further adds “And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise” (Heb. 6:14-15). He had the promise partially in the sense that in his old age he received the child of promise, but the promise of Abraham has spread to the whole world in Christ and Abraham’s offspring have become as the stars of heaven and sands of the sea. His offspring not from the flesh, but from faith, both Jewish and Gentile (Rom. 9:6-7; Gal 3:7, 29; 4:28). God has desired to ensure those who are the heirs of the promise, namely, the elect know the purpose of God. This God has d...
