Atonement and the Logic of Resurrection in Hebrews 9:27–28
Jesus’s Ministry to Lead Believers for Salvation into Heaven a Very Little While after Individual Death and Judgment
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
The general believer waiting for salvation by Jesus hopes to see him appear while living or promptly at death. Comfort during loss of life usually portrays those passing now in heaven. Conversely, the more religiously academic, the less one thinks anyone, ever, goes to heaven. Trained scholars typically choose a closed heaven with temporal delays and spatial detours in limitation of God's promises about "so great salvation." "Better" typically perceives as a resuscitated flesh on earth that lives by decay of the surrounding creation.
Hearing word-meaning by mapping creation with an old first-century option for plural heavens, this project reexamines the conversation recommended by the pastor in the letter to the Hebrews about promises regarding the twofold ministry of Christ. By analysis with current study tools, the conversation both challenges the common academy views and reintroduces a first-century hearing option for God's speech concerning prompt, postmortem, Christ fulfillment into heaven. Listening includes the milk of the beginning teaching requirements for atonement and logic of resurrection to God immediately after death and judgment. Hearing senses the solid food about priestly intercession by Jesus after death at judgment to shepherd his believers for salvation into heaven a very little while after individual death and judgment.
William W. Henry Jr. is a bi-vocational, independent scholar in New Testament and biblical theology who also practices family/emergency medicine. He is the author of Heaven Past Present Future (2002). His expertise combines fields of advanced doctoral training that cuts across both the realm of the sensed flesh in the decaying obsolete creation and the realm concerning revelation by God’s speech about access through Christ into the unsensed creation for living as a transformed bodily spirit in the eternal/perpetual heaven.
“This work is one of the most unusual on Hebrews I have ever read. In this massively researched book, William Henry takes us on a detailed investigative excursion into what for many will be virgin territory. Interacting with Hebrews 9:27–28, Henry advocates for the position that Jesus leads believers into heaven after death and judgment. This entrance constitutes final salvation and has spatial/temporal connotations. Whether you agree with Henry or not, this is a fascinating journey that will surely open up new vistas on this wonderful book of Hebrews.”
—David L. Allen, distinguished professor of practical theology, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
“This book is the culmination of the author’s lifelong, passionate search for biblical and theological answers, first as a medical doctor and then as a seminary student, regarding Christ’s present role in heaven and the timing of believers’ entry into heaven after death. Anchoring the discussion with Hebrews 9:27–28 as the keystone, the author argues that Jesus leads believers to heaven shortly after death. This perspective will likely provoke many questions and challenges from biblical scholars. Nonetheless, the book offers numerous thought-provoking ideas and merits careful reading.”
—S. Aaron Son, professor of biblical studies, Dallas Baptist University
“William Henry’s work challenges traditionally held views concerning the interpretation of Hebrews 9:27–28, which he sees as a key text for the larger context of his work. He maintains that Jesus intercedes a short while after death at judgment to bring into heaven those who believe in his offering for sin. Scholars may not agree with Henry’s conclusions, but they will have to consider his meticulous research.”
—Terry L. Wilder, professor of New Testament and Greek, Campbellsville University
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