"The Letter to the Hebrews was written to a group of Christians who, faced with increasing opposition, were in danger of abandoning the Christian faith. The writer appeals to his readers to remain faithful, and fixed on Jesus, and to endure whatever suffering and persecution may come to them."--From the introductory notes of the GNT.
Yes, you can find anything on the web, but what does the Word tell us? Surely all those who sit in the pews are saved. Right?
We know they were Jews, and we also know many Jews did not enter into the promised land because of unbelief. Lack of
faith. Right off we see there were those in the congregation who were exhorted not to "neglect so great (a) salvation."
Heb. 2:3
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
They are reminded of what happened before...not entering in because of unbelief. Why are they reminded of that?
Heb. 3:18-19
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Ah, to fear coming short and not entering in...not being mixed with
FAITH in them that heard the gospel preached. Why are they being reminded of that?
Heb. 4:1-2
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them,
not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
A reminder to rest from those very works they had been relying on up to this time. Simply...some were still counting on their works to save them.
Heb. 4:10-11
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath
ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
A call to
come boldly before the throne of
grace...that we may OBTAIN MERCY AND FIND GRACE. Obtain and find....something yet needed to be done.
Heb. 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Recognizing many were "dull of hearing."
Heb. 5:11-12
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered,
seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,
ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
I could go on through the entire letter to the Hebrews, but one needs a certain amount of discernment to see the congregation included those who had been saved by grace through
FAITH, and those who had not yet entered into that rest (salvation).