Originally Posted by
Smitty
Could it be possible that the author of Hebrews is simply writing about a hypothetical situation? If so, there are two possible ways to understand it. The first is that both the author and his readers know that this cannot happen, so it is hypothetical for all of them. In that case one wonders why the author wasted his ink. His purpose is clearly to exhort them not to return to Judaism. If his warnings are only hypothetical, how would they keep people from apostatizing?
The second possibility is the author knows this is hypothetical, but he believes his readers will take it seriously. In that case it would serve as a warning, but it would be deceptive. Is the author of Hebrews likely to defend the truth with deception? Would he scare his readers with a situation he knows could never happen?
What, then, is the author of Hebrews saying? He is refusing to return to basics (Heb 6:1-2) on the grounds that there is no use to do so for people who have been initiated into the Christian faith. His arguments to keep them in the faith must come from deeper truth, not from a clarification of the foundational truth. He then points out by way of warning that if fully initiated Christians turn their backs on Christ, they could become so hardened that repentance would be an impossibility. Their end result will be eternal damnation. But, he concludes, while this is a real possibility for some, "we are confident of better things in your case" (Heb 6:9). If he were not, at least for some of them, there would have been no use in writing the letter at all. The temptation to commit apostacy was genuine, but they had not made such a decision to risk crossing that line.
I to believe the description is literal and eternal consequence's would be the result if such action was put into play. The primary audience who are reading this letter are Jewish Christians as you correctly stated colonel. It is not hard to understand what the author penned in Hebrews 3: 12-14, for today's Christian, or those in Paul's day, that salvation is conditional and can be forfeited.
Take care, brethren, least there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God.
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," least any of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. (Heb 3: 12-14)