Just a Few Notes Before You Begin:

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Just a Few Notes Before You Begin 1. Since these
37 studies on Hebrews are from a preterist
perspec- tive, and since the author is a
full-time preacher supported by the church
(most members of which arent preterist), you
un- derstand why these studies are anonymous.
Even though I dont believe ones
perspective on eschatology is a matter of salva-
tion, preachers supported by the church who
hold to preterism are (and have been)
black-balled, losing that which they need to
support their families, especially when they have
nothing else on which to fall back. 2. The
only other in-depth studies I found on Hebrews
from a pre- terist perspective were done by
David Curtis theyre posted at
http//www.BereanBibleChurch.org/Hebrews.htm. 3.
If youd like to contact me about anything
concerning these studies, whether it be
doctrinal or even grammatical in nature,
youre welcome to email me at HebrewsStudies_at_Hotma
il.com I want these studies to be the most
accurate they can be. 4. Theres A LOT more that
couldve been said about how Hebrews clearly
supports preterist eschatology, but per 1
comment above, I couldnt get that deep
into it where I presented these. 5. An means
that theres a comment in the notation field.
Now 6. Delve into the most rewarding studies I
believe Ive ever done!
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Introduction to Hebrews
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Who Was its Author? The Apostle Paul Heres what
we know about the author from Hebrews itself (aka
internal evidence) Like Paul, he was a Jew
(21-4 414-16). Like Paul, he was in Italy
(1324). Like Paul, he was close to Timothy
(1323). Like Paul, he was highly educated.
Like Paul, he was not an immediate disciple
of Christ (23, cf. 1 Cor. 158). Like Paul, he
was very well acquainted with The Law of
Moses, quoting from it approxi- mately 30
times and alluding to it approxi- mately 50
times. (Its doubtful that any Christian
writer was better acquainted with the OT than
Paul cf. Acts 223, Acts 534, Php.
34-5.) And
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There are at least 12 similarities in
expression and thought in Hebrews to the
undisputed writings of Paul for examples,
referencing the prophetic statement the just
shall live by faith is unique to Paul (Rom.
117, Gal. 311, Heb. 1038), and the
ending benediction grace be with you all was
used by Paul in every letter, but not by any
other writer. And One verse in particular
seems to clinch Pauls authorship Hebrews
1030. Why? Because this exact same
paraphrase of Deuteronomy 32 35-36 is also
and only found in Romans 1219, an
undisputed writing of Paul. And
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Heres what we know about the author from sources
outside of Hebrews (aka external evidence) All
early eastern Christianity attributed the
book to Paul from the beginning Clement of
Rome even quoted from Hebrews in the con-
text of another of Pauls undisputed writings
(First Corinthians) in AD 95. Peter, who wrote
his letters to Jews (1 Pet. 11 2 Pet.
31), said in his second letter that Paul
had also written to these Jews (2 Pet. 3
15) and no other known letter better qualifies
for this statement than Hebrews.
Now
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Where Was Hebrews Written? In Italy Hebrews
1324 confirms this. It was probably written in
Rome where it seems the only church in Italy
was located in the first generation of the
church and where Paul was imprisoned for a
while (perhaps even along with Timothy, cf.
1323a).
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When Was Hebrews Written? Mid 60s It wouldve
been just before Paul left Rome (1323)
after his imprisonment there around AD 62
(when he wrote his prison letters), but
before the acute persecution under Nero
(which began in AD 64) reached them. Why do
I say this? Because They had yet to experience
bloodshed for Christ (Heb. 124), most of
which was shed under Neros rule.
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Why Who Was Hebrews Written To? The content
(as well as the title) unquestion- ably
establishes that the recipients of this let-
ter were Jewish Christians. And It was written
to prevent them from returning to Judaism
(21-4, 312-13, 41-3, 11 14, 6 1-3,
1023-31, 121-3 12-16, 1313-15).
Incidentally This may explain why Paul didnt
identify him- self such a letter would
likely engender more persecution than he was
already enduring be- sides, the recipients
knew who the author was (69, 1032-34,
1318-19 23).
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What Is the Content of Hebrews? It contains
unanswerable proof for the superi- ority of
Christ and His law over Moses and his law,
thus fulfilling the authors purpose. To
understand the purpose (the why) of
Hebrews better, lets talk about
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The Backdrop for Our Study on Hebrews Jesus came
on the scene fulfilling every Messianic
prophecy. The Jews, in general, rejected Him as
their Messiah. So Jesus warned of the
impending doom of their idolized city and
temple. So In order to shut Him up, they
crucified Him. However, that failed, because
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The church He promised to build was es-tablished
within two months after He died. The Jews,
again in general, likewise rejected His
church. So Its members preached the same
message of doom to their rejecters just as
Jesus did. So In order to shut them up, they
went about trying to rid themselves of
Christianity.
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This persecution (which included flogging,
imprisonment, even death at the hands of the
Jews) was initially led by the enthu-siastic Saul
of Tarsus who we know later became the apostle
Paul. Although the worst of Jewish persecution
last- ed for 3.5 years from the establishment
of the church (AD 33) until Caligula became
Caesar and Saul was converted (AD 37, cf.
Acts 931), there was always persecution of
Christians in some form or another wherever
Jews were found in the Roman Empire.
So
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Because Christians were growing weary of the
acute pressure to turn their backs on Christi-
anity and return to Judaism, Paul took it upon
himself to write Hebrews. Besides Since
there would be an even greater 3.5-year wave
of persecution later when Romans under Nero
would ally with Jews against Christians
(something Paul may have been able to per-
ceive while in Rome), Im sure Paul saw the
imminent future need for this letter. So
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No wonder there are seven paragraphs of warning
within this letter, warnings which became
stronger as the letter progressesfrom neglect to
rejection. 1. A Warning Against Neglect
(21-4) 2. A Warning Against Unbelief (37-9) 3.
A Warning Against Carelessness (41-13) 4. A
Warning Against Immaturity (511620) 5. A
Warning Against Willful Sin (1026-31) 6. A
Warning Against Desertion (1214-17) And 7. A
Warning Against Rejection (1218-29) But Hebrews
isnt all negative in fact, its more posi-tive
than negative. So to appreciate the general,
positive content (the what) of Hebrews, lets
consult the following OUTLINE OF HEBREWS
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Hebrews Christ Is Superior! Superior Person
(11413) Superior to Prophets
(11-3) Superior to Angels (14218) Superior
to Moses (31-19) Superior to Joshua
(41-13) Superior Priest (414728) Superior to
Aaron (414612) Superior to Melchizedek
(61375) Superior to Levi (76-28)
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Hebrews Christ Is Superior! Superior Pact to
Moses (811018) Superior Promises
(81-13) Superior Sanctuary (91-14) Superior
Sacrifice (915-28) Superior Results
(101-18) Superior Principle (Faith) to Moses
(10191325) Superior Things (1019-39) Superio
r Actions (111-40) Superior Relationship
(121-29) Superior Way of Life (131-25)
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The key word of Hebrews is pretty obvi-ous its
the word better, used 13 times. There are 2 other
very significant words perfect and eternal.
The original word for perfect is used 14
times. And The original word for eternal is
used 19 times. So Jesus and Christianity
are better because they provides man a
perfect standing before God, and its
blessings are eternal.