Hope As An Anchor (Hebrews 6:19-20)
6:19 "Which hope we have" - ecomen - Security which is sure and absolute and stable. Present tense application.
Psalm 146:5 "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God."
Jer. 17:7 "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is."
"As an anchor of the soul" - agkuran - We have this hope as the anchor of the soul. An anchor reaches into the unseen depths of the sea and grips the unseen solid rock.
*The critical nature of this word anchor, used one time in the N.T. as a symbol of hope, shows that we are moored to an immovable object. This Anchor is the Lord Jesus Christ. As our Anchor He is not moved by swift currents, but is firmly fixed as the Savior and High Priest of our profession. This hope is sure and steadfast, and enters into the presence of the Father.
"Both steadfast" - bebaian - stable, trustworthy
Isaiah 28:6 "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation..."
"And sure" - asfalh - certain, safe, firm
Psalm 146:6 "Who made the heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who keepeth truth forever."
"And which entereth into that within the veil"/ eisercomenhn / Pres Ptc / Heb. 4:14; 8:1; 9:24; 12:2
Romans 8:34 "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
6:20 "forerunner" - He is the forerunner (prodromoV: one who comes in advance for the rest to follow.
John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
"is for us entered" - uper hmwn eishlqen - Aor Act Ind - His entering guarantees our entering into the presence of the Father. We are promised that wonderful position because Christ entered in as the forerunner. His work as forerunner embraces far wider ends than just preparation. It proclaims an accomplished, but continuing work of redemption, and signifies the first fruits of a mighty resurrection.
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
even Jesus, - It is Jesus. He has entered in within the veil as our High Priest. He proclaims an accomplished work for redemption. Literally, "propelled forward at headlong speed into the veil - no hesitation.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
1Pet 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Eph 1:20-23 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
"made an high priest for ever" - ginomenoV - Aor Mid Ptc - Cf. Heb. 7:23-28 READ
Heb 3:1 ...consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
"after the order of Melchisedec."- taxin melcisedek - A human priest could only enter in through the veil as a yearly representative. In contrast, Christ entered into the veil as the eternal guarantee of our entrance. Heb. 10:20; 9:12
It is Jesus who has entered as a powerful corroboration of our hope and is now our High Priest. Because He is the Eternal Priest we can now enter where He has entered. His advocacy as Mediator is the safeguard of His church.
Heb. 9:12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
Heb. 9:24 "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:"
Eph. 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"