The Heavenly Calling

The Heavenly Calling

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.” Heb. 3:1-3.

There is a great difference between the house and the one who has furnished the house. There is just as great a difference between the glory of which Jesus is worthy and the glory of which Moses is worthy. This is also reflected in the great difference between the earthly and the heavenly calling. Nevertheless, the glory which Moses proclaimed was not to be despised. If they would hear the Lord’s voice, they would be blessed in the city and in the country. The fruit of their body would be blessed. God would bless their basket and their kneading bowl; He would bless them when they came in and when they went out, and the Lord would cause their enemies to be defeated before their face. Their enemies would come out against them one way and flee before them seven ways. God would bless everything to which they would set their hand. All the peoples of the earth would see that they were called by the name of the Lord, and they would be afraid of them. They would lend, but they should not borrow. He would turn away sickness from them, and the earth would bear abundant fruit, if they would hear the voice of the Lord. Deut. 28:1-14; Ex. 15:26. This was an exceedingly great glory that Moses pro-claimed and to which he led the people. However, it was all earthly glory. They were promised that they would have no tribulations, adversity, or cares and would meet with no evil.

Brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession—Jesus. When we consider Him, we will notice that He lacks all the glory which Moses proclaimed. He has borne our griefs; He was smitten and afflicted. He was well acquainted with sickness; He was a man from whom people would hide, as it were, their faces.

They could both understand and see the glory which Moses proclaimed, but who could see Jesus’ glory? Who could find it?

Whenever Israel forsook the Lord, enemies and famine, sickness and need arose; but whenever they repented, the Lord saved them from all of that. They were rewarded with earthly possessions when they kept God’s commandments, and they turned to the Lord in order to receive them.

Our Apostle, Jesus, did all of God’s will and lost all earthly blessings. Yet He was faithful in spite of it. Jesus revealed an attitude of mind that was worthy of far greater honor than those who had lived before Him. Paul writes, “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18. Most people look at the visible things. They seek the glory which Moses proclaimed. They seek refuge with God for the purpose of being freed from tribulations and adversity and to receive food, clothing, and health. God hears them, He helps them, and frees them, and they praise Him. However, others also seek God. They keep His commandments, but they end up in tribulations. They obey Him, but they are afflicted and have to bear reproach. The first say, “Just look how God is helping us; it seems you don’t have sufficient faith,” etc. Brothers, consider the Apostle of our confession—Jesus. He wants to make you partakers of the heavenly calling. He wants to open your eyes to the things that are not seen. However, often this cannot come about except at the expense of the things that are seen. He wants to give you a share in the heavenly glory, but often He cannot do it except at the expense of the earthly glory. He wants to arrange everything for you so that your tribulations will result in a far more exceeding and eternal weight of heavenly glory.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” The question arises: Why do we need this exhortation? Isn’t it His voice we want to hear so gladly? Isn’t it His voice we want to hear at all times? Why would we then harden our hearts? It is because His voice always speaks about sacrifice. This is the point on which it is easy for us to harden ourselves. We tend to think that the sacrifice is too much. We do not understand why it should be necessary. Brothers, consider the Apostle of our confession—Jesus. His whole life was a sacrifice!

“Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways.’” V. 10. They want to have the glory, but they do not want to pay the price which God has determined. They think it is better to travel a more convenient way to the Promised Land. Israel thought the same, and we think the same. We don’t know God’s way to the heavenly glories either, and as a result many people harden their hearts and want to take an easier route. But God swore in His wrath that they would not enter His rest. When it comes to this, we need to make sure that in none of us is found an evil and unbelieving heart by which we depart from the living God. We need to make sure that when we hear His voice, we are not unwilling and do not harden our hearts so we come to the point where He says, “Assuredly, they shall not enter My rest.” This is how we lose our birthright and miss our heavenly calling. Many people have lost their heavenly calling because of unwillingness and stubbornness. Many have come to this point and have developed to this state where God has to say, “Assuredly, you shall not enter in.” Then it is useless to try even though one seeks to enter with tears. Therefore we need to exhort one another so no one is hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. V. 13. Sin wants to deceive us with an easier way, by sparing ourselves and by not being sufficiently diligent. God has thoughts of peace toward us, not thoughts of misfortune. He possesses all wisdom, and He guides all things for our best by His wisdom. This is when we need to believe. It seems strange to us when He guides our way in tribulations, poverty, and need. This is when sin wants to deceive us, but we should listen to the voice that comes from above, the voice that speaks about sacrifice. This is God’s way with us in order to make us partakers of the heavenly glory. Brothers, consider the Apostle of our confession—Jesus. Behold God’s way with Him, He who says, “Follow Me!” Behold the glory He obtained—a name above every name! He has overcome powers and principalities. Every knee shall bow before Him! His food was to do the Father’s will. This is the point on which each one can test himself whether he has a share in the heavenly calling. When is your joy greatest—when you do God’s will or when He blesses you with good gifts? If God’s will is the greatest thing in your life then your tribulations will work a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory in you.

It is difficult to do God’s will when the trials come. It is in the trials that your faith is found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 1:6-7. Those who can rejoice in all kinds of trials are the ones who have become partakers of the heavenly calling. This is what gives true meaning to life. This is what makes it possible to rejoice in the Lord always.