Dr. John Hartmann

In this study Dr. Hartmann looks at the necessity of endurance in the race. God promises the Victor’s Crown to those who love Him, who endure in faith and the pursuit of holiness. To win the prize one must run and finish the race, which requires the strength of endurance unto the end.

The author of Hebrews addresses a group of saints who were in danger of drawing back in unbelief and losing the crown promised to those who endure. Salvation here involves the regaining of the lost dominion and glory of Adam (Hebrews 2:5-8a), which Jesus, God’s Second Adam, has already regained (2:8b-9).

With this in view, Dr. Hartmann briefly surveys some key NT passages that present us with what might be called an “Incarnational Theology”. Jesus, in the Incarnation, became:

1) the Revealer (exegete) of the invisible God (John 1:1-18),

2) the Model of true humility and submission to God, the path of servanthood and suffering that lead to glory ( Philippians 2:5-11),

3) the Mediator Who so completely identified with our weaknesses, temptations, trials, and sufferings that He is able now to bring us to God and come to our aid when we are tempted with sin or unbelief (Hebrews 2:5-18)

End result: Jesus, through identification with us in the Incarnation, has become “perfected” through His sufferings to be the Great High Priest Who sympathizes with our weaknesses, Who comes to our aid when we are tempted, and Who brings us to God. We endure in the race by drawing near to the throne of grace, where we find mercy and grace to help us in time of need.

This timely message addresses the saints at many levels, bringing encouragement, rebuke, warning, and healing where needed. He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying through this message, to each heart.

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