Hebrews 12:14
Q:
Would you please explain what does this verse mean: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (He. 12:14)? Especially the highlighted part about holiness and seeing the Lord?
A:
Dear saint,
In the epistle to the Hebrews, there are three peculiar "withouts"
- Without shedding of blood is no remission (9:22) LOVE
- Without faith it is impossible to please Him (11:6) FAITH
- Without which no man shall see the Lord (12:14) HOPE
In Hebrews 2:9 we read," But we see Jesus," and how do we do that today? In practical holiness and peace. Often our vision is obscure due to the fact that we are not living in separation from things that are unholy and unclean. Sometimes we desire to compromise and follow peace at the expense of holiness, or holiness without peace. Both holiness and peace are held together.
I am reminded of the transfiguration mountain where we read they saw no man save Jesus only. What led to that was His presence with them in the Holy mount (2 Pe. 1:18) and enjoying a foretaste of when the Prince of Peace reigns supreme above all (Is. 9:6,7).
What a blessed hope we have that soon we shall see him face to face, not in a theoretical way but in a real way, and all the glory of the blessed Father and God shall be seen in Him (Jn. 14:8,9). Amen
Much love in Christ,
JA
