Amen.
The book of Hebrews was written to Hebrews, and focused on strengthening their faith, by showing them who Jesus Christ is.
From chapter 1 the author sets out to do this very thing demonstrating that Jesus Christ is the Lord God of the Old Testament.
The reason for this is, unbelieving Jews were persecution these Jewish converts in order to turn them back to Judaism, an antichrist religion that rejects Jesus as Messaiah and Lord.
Jesus taught his disciples about this very thing, in His teaching of the Sower.
11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time oftemptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:11-15
Here is the key verse that correlates to Hebrews 3:12-14 from which Hebrews 10:26-28 gets its context.
But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time oftemptation fall away. Luke 8:13
- who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
This is a direct reference to departing from Him under persecution.
“
Fall way” is the same Greek work as used in Hebrews 3:12
- lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, Hebrews 3:12-14
Again this context continues through Hebrews 6, and on into Hebrews 10.
It’s an admonition to the Jews to remain faithful to Christ while under persecution, even unto death.
- But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 “For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if
anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:36-39
JPT.