Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 53:1 (NA 2002)
Article: The Eschatology Of The Warning In Hebrews 10:26–31
Author: Randall C. Gleason

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TynBul 53:1 (2002) p. 97

The Eschatology Of The Warning In Hebrews 10:26–31

Randall C. Gleason

Summary

The absence of NT damnation terminology in Hebrews calls into question the widely held assumption that the author’s purpose was to warn his readers of eternal judgement. Furthermore, to limit the warnings to a distant future judgement overlooks its nearness and diminishes its relevance to the first-century audience facing the dangers arising from the first Jewish revolt. There are many clues throughout the epistle that point to the physical threat posed by the coming Roman invasion to those Christians who lapsed back into Judaism. These clues point immediately to the destruction of Palestine, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. These conclusions are confirmed by a close examination of the OT texts cited or alluded to in Hebrews 10:26–31. Rather than eternal destruction, the OT examples warn of physical judgement coming upon Israel because of covenant unfaithfulness. If they sought refuge in Judaism, the readers could suffer the same fate of the Jewish rebels by the Romans. However, the readers could avoid God’s wrath coming upon the Jewish nation by holding firm to their confession, bearing the reproach of Christ outside the camp (13:13), and looking to the heavenly city instead of Jerusalem now under the sentence of destruction (13:14).

I. Introduction

Though many have analysed the eschatology of Hebrews,1 few have discussed its importance to the controversial warning passages.2 Five

TynBul 53:1 (2002) p. 98

times the author exhorts his readers to remain faithful by warning them of coming judgement.3 Each warning becomes increasingly more severe culminating in the threat of fiery judgement that ‘will consume the adversaries’ (10:27) and bring ‘destruction’ (10:39). Many link this catastrophic event to the judgement immediately following the ‘second’ coming of Christ (9:27–28) and therefore assume that Hebrews 10:26–31 warns of ‘eternal judgement’ or ‘damnation’ (9:27).4 Others regard it as a warning of severe physical punishment leading to loss of life but not final judgement.

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