Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Hebrews 6:20 - 6:20
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Observe here, The person spoken of, Christ: the subject matter spoken of him, his entering into heaven; and the quality in which he entered heaven; namely, as our forerunner.
This denotes, 1. His public capacity, that he entered heaven in our name, and to negotiate our affairs.
2. His absolute precedency, he is our forerunner, but he himself had no forerunner, none entered before him in their own names, but in his, and upon his account, through the virtue of his merits, and by the prevalency of his mediation.
Learn hence, 1. That there is a place and state of happiness above, prepared for pious souls, which Christ is already entered into, and has taken possession of: This place may be considered in its amplitude and largeness, in its stability and firmness, in its sanctity and holiness, in its pleasure and delightfulness, in its glory and blessedness, in its eternity and everlastingness: And this place is by Christ prepared for believers; namely, by his death and satisfaction, by his resurrection and ascension, by his mediation and intercession.
Learn, 2. That our Lord Jesus Christ is not only entered into heaven, but entered as oour forerunner, to take and keep possession of it in t he name and stead of all believers. To enter heaven as our forerunner, implies, that he entered in our natures, that he keeps possession of it in our names: As sure as the Head is gone before the members, so certainly shall the members follow their Head; as a forerunner supposes others to follow after; and it implies that Christ will put us into the actual possession of heaven in his own time.
Inference, 1. Is Christ gone before to heaven, then let us be willing to follow him in the way of obedience, and in the way of suffering, as well as to meet him in the end.
2. To make haste after him. Did he fly as an eagle towards heaven, and shall we creep like a snail? Is not the bosoms of Christ more desirable than the arms of our dearest friends? Shall not we enjoy all comforts in the enjoyment of our Comforter?
3. Let our hearts at present be with him. O! Where should or hearts be, but where our Head is?