Hebrews

Hebrews was written to the persecuted Christians in Rome. This is what their situation looked like they had the wrath of Rome coming at them from one side, and the wrath of God from the other side. All they needed to do to escape the wrath of Rome was to not confess their faith in Jesus, and all they needed to do to escape the wrath of God is to confess their faith in Jesus. This group of Christians were in a hard place, the temptation to end the persecution from Rome was very strong, but they also realized the consequences of turning away from God. So how do they stop the persecution from Rome but still keep their faith in God. Turn back to the old covenant. In the old covenant they would not have to confess the name of Jesus, and since this is how their ancestors worshiped God, it should still work for them. Problem solved. But the author of Hebrews knew that this was not so. He knew that when Jesus died on the cross his blood canceled the old covenant and established the new one. The old covenant is nothing but an empty shell and it would no longer save them from the wrath of God. The author of Hebrews wrote this very eloquent argument to the Roman Christians instructing them in the Supremacy of Jesus and the new covenant.  The old covenant was based on rules and regulations, and was a lot of work to keep. In his argument the author compares Jesus to the pillars of the old covenant, the tabernacle, angels, priesthood, the law, sacrifices, the prophets. Jesus has supremacy over all of these. With the old covenant God only dwelled in one place, spoke through the the prophets, and only one person once a year was allowed to enter his presence. But when Jesus died for us and established  the new covenant, anyone anywhere can enter God's presence, he speaks to all of us, and he dwells in all of us. God is everywhere and is available to everyone. I think the first four verses is a good summary of the point of the book.  Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent then theirs. Hebrews 1:1-4.  This is what the author was telling his audience, do not turn away from Jesus, because through Jesus is the only way to gain eternal life.