the pastor’s hearers to a similar fate. They were in danger of rejecting “the heavenly gift” now theirs through Christ and losing confidence in the fulfillment of God’s promise anticipated by their experience of “the powers of the coming age.” The pastor will explain Christ’s high-priestly ministry in order to expand their understanding of, and renew their confidence in and commitment to, these blessings. His words are a warning to believers of every age pressured by rejection from the unbelieving