Hebrews chapter four
What does the writer of Hebrews mean here? Hebrews 4:9ff - "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience."
The writer is referring to the spiritual and eternal rest that Christians can look forward to in heaven.
The Old Testament Sabbath day pointed ahead to Jesus. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The rest that people can find in Jesus is that which comes from the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life.
In this life, Christians find rest for their souls in the gospel message that their sins are forgiven and they are at peace with God. In the life to come, Christians will have perfect and eternal rest for their souls because they will be forever free from sin and all their spiritual enemies.
The writer to the Hebrews encourages Christians to “make every effort to enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:11). That means that we do what we can to remain connected to Jesus Christ in faith. That means that we use God’s gospel in word and sacrament faithfully. God grant that we do just that.