"How shall we escape if we neglect such a GREAT SALVATION?"
Jews attached special importance to the ministry of angels in their history. Perhaps the leading instance of this was in the giving of the law when myriads of angelic beings were present (Deut. 33:2). It is true that the law was spoken through angels. It is true that it was valid. It is true that every infraction was punished accordingly.
If those who broke the law were punished, what will be fate of those who neglect the gospel? The law tells men what they must do and they must not do; the gospel tells men what God has done. By the law is the knowledge of sin; by the gospel is the knowledge of salvation.
To neglect so great salvation is more serious than to transgress the law. The law was given by God through angels, to Moses and then to the people. But the gospel was spoken directly by the Lord Jesus Himself. Not only so, it was confirmed to the early Christians by the apostles and by others who heard the Savior.
God Himself authenticated the message by signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of all these miracles was to attest to the truth of the gospel, especially to the Jewish people, who traditionally asked for some sign before they would believe.
When the Son of Man returns to reign over the earth, man’s dominion will be restored. Jesus, as Man, will restore what Adam lost, and more besides. So while we do not see everything under man’s control at the present time, we do see Jesus, and in Him we find the key to man’s eventual rule over the earth.
God’s gracious purpose was that Christ might taste death for everyone. The Savior died as our Representative and as our Substitute; that is, He died as man and He died for man. He bore in His body on the cross all God’s judgment against sin so that those who believe on Him will never have to bear it.
Dear friend, do you believe the gospel? Do you believe in Jesus Christ, who died as a Substitute for you? “…how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”
