by Jerry Shugart
Is the Doctrine Contained in the Jewish Epistles for the Time of the Great Tribulation?
In regard to the Jewish epistles Pastor Sadler says that "These writings, which are numbered with the Prophetic Scriptures, have a twofold purpose. They were practical exhortations for the kingdom saints during the first century, but more importantly, they are instructions and warnings for the future kingdom saints who will be called upon to endure the coming Tribulation" (Sadler, "Studies in the Epistle of James," The Berean Searchlight, June, 2005, p.5).
According to Pastor Sadler the doctrine contained in these epistles are for the time of the great tribulation, a time when the Law will be restored to Israel. We see that during that period of time that sacrifices will be offered (Dan. 9:27; Mt.24:15) and the Sabbath will once again be observed. Pastor Sadler says that "Certain aspects of the Law must again be observed, such as the Sabbath" (Sadler, Exploring the Unsearchable Riches of Christ, [Stevens Point, WI: Worzalla Publishing Co., 1993], p.63).
The Book of Hebrews
If Pastor Sadler is correct then the author of Hebrews would not be telling anyone to leave the Law or to leave the religion of Judaism since those things will once again be in effect during the great tribulation. However, the doctrine contained in Hebrews demonstrates that "there is an annulling of the commandment":
"For there is verily an annulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did...By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament" (Heb.7:18-19,22).
Cornelius Stam wrote that the author of Hebrews "exhorts them to leave, finally and fully, the religion of Judaism with its shadows, for Christianity, with its substance and reality" (Stam, The Epistle to the Hebrews, [Berean Literature Foundation, 1991], p.69).
In 1945 Charles C. Baker and Cornelius Stam established the Milwaukee Bible Institute, and Baker served as president. Here is what Baker taught concerning the epistle of Hebrews: "These Hebrews who had been reared under a Divine religion which stood only in meats and drinks and divers baptisms and carnal ordinances (Hebrews 9:10), are now informed that the One who was typified by all of this religion has now come and by means of His efficacious and vicarious death He has brought an end to that religion and that its forms and ceremonies and sacrifices have no further meaning" (Baker, Impossible, Hebrews 6:4 to 10; "Bible Study for Bereans"; July, 1935).
If anyone could be considered the father of systemized Mid Acts dispensationalism it is Sir Robert Anderson. He wrote that "the distinctive sin with which the Epistle deals is unbelief, and unbelief that savours of apostasy, a going back to Judaism by those who had accepted Christ as the fulfillment of that divine religion...the Epistle to the Hebrews sought to teach him that as a partaker of a heavenly calling, he had to do with heavenly realities, of which the glories of his national cult were but types and shadows...nothing but the revelation of something higher and more glorious could ever wean him from his devotion to the national religion" (Anderson, Types in Hebrews, [Kregel Publications, 1978], p. 114,124).
There is nothing in the book of Hebrews that even hints that the doctrine contained therein is for the time when the Law will once again be in effect and the Jews will once again practice Judaism. The teaching of Hebrews is for the present dispensation.
J.C. O'Hair quoted Hebrews 5:12-14 and then said, "Here we are told of the two classes: members of the Body of Christ who could take only the milk of the Word, God's truth for babes; and those who were of full age who could understand the deep things or the meat of God's Word " [emphasis added] (O'Hair, One Hundred Important and Significant Facts For Bible Study).
Brother Stam wrote, "Thus the apostle shows them the 'better things' and higher blessings which are now theirs, along with the other members of Christ's Body, where: 'there is neither Jew nor Greek...neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus ' (Gal. 3:28)... Further, if the Hebrew believers were meant to go on in their 'kingdom' calling and program, and were not to become partakers of the higher blessings of the dispensation of grace, as some teach, then neither Paul, nor any one else would have been in the will of God in writing such an epistle to them as that which we are now considering" [emphasis added] (Stam, The Epistle to the Hebrews, p.26, 34).
Charles Baker certainly believed that the teaching contained in Hebrews is for us now: "The Holy Spirit, among other works, has sealed him until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13). It is Christ's present work as Intercessor and Advocate to keep us saved (Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1, etc.). And because God has expressly told us so (I John 5:13)" (Baker, Can a Christian Lose Salvation?, "Bible Study for Bereans", May, 1937, p.23).
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