Introduction

Hebrews argues from a story. This story is the story of salvation history as the author understood it. His arguments are interpretations of this story in the light of the situation of those to whom he sent this homily. Indeed, both he and his audience were themselves characters within the grand plot. The author would have his audience know that the plot had already reached its climax and would soon see its final consummation.

My study has not focused on all the dimensions of this story. I have focused primarily on the two overall settings of the plot, namely, its temporal and spatial settings. I discussed the former under the heading of eschatology, for the plot of salvation history moves in a specific direction. In former days it moved toward the decisive sacrifice of Christ. Since that time it has moved toward its ultimate consummation in judgement and Christ's appearance a second time.

Chapter 4 analysed how the author divides the story of salvation into two broad ‘acts’ corresponding to two covenants, the turning point lying with the inauguration of the new covenant. Throughout the plot, however, the story was always moving toward God's intended destiny for humanity, namely, a glory and honour appropriate to those who are the sons of God. Chapter 3 explored this continuity in terms of God's promise to his people and language of perfection in the sermon.