I have yet to see a commentator treat the text of Hebrews in a straightforward manner. This is because the standard view of Christianity is that it is a perpetual forgiveness given to us by a benevolent God, who does not see our behavior because we have "accepted Jesus as our personal Savior."

Before we attempt to explain what the writer of the Book of Hebrews is talking about in Chapters Eight through Ten, let us first impress on the reader that sins actually were forgiven through the atonement made by the blood of bulls and goats.

To begin with, we must understand clearly that there was no atonement possible under the Law of Moses for deliberate sinning, nor is there under the new covenant.

Sometimes Christian people take the attitude they can do something they know is wrong, and then ask Jesus to forgive them. This is extremely dangerous. If the Lord views their action as being a game they are playing with Him, they are liable to lose their salvation altogether. Because of today's false teaching, the Christian people usually do not have enough of the fear of God in them. They are deluded concerning the actual severity of which God is capable.

We never, never, never are to sin deliberately. If we do, the consequences can be fatal.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, But only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrews 10:26,27)

Numerous Christian teachers of our day claim the above passage could not possibly apply to a believer, to a Christian. Flee from such teachers for they are deceived and are deceiving others.

Now let us examine a few statements that prove the believer was indeed forgiven under the Law of Moses. Where we are going with this is, of course, to show that the superiority of the new covenant is not that it actually provides forgiveness. The Law of Moses provided forgiveness!

And do with this bull just as he did with the bull for the sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. (Leviticus 4:20)

"And they will be forgiven."

He shall burn all the fat on the altar as he burned the fat of the fellowship offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for the man's sin, and he will be forgiven. (Leviticus 4:26)

"He will be forgiven."

He shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. (Leviticus 4:31)

"He will be forgiven."

The teaching that people were not actually forgiven by the blood of bulls and goats goes against the Scripture. It is a deduction proceeding from the idea that the writer of the Book of Hebrews maintained the old covenant did not clear the conscience of the worshiper.

We are going to have to look deeper than this until our conclusion fits the tenor of the Book of Hebrews as well as the text of the entire New Testament.

To be continued.