How we cite our quotes:
Quote #4
It is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt. (Hebrews 6:4-6, NRSV)
It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6, KJV)
God has a firm "no take backs" policy. If you put your faith in Jesus and then you change your mind, don't think he'll be waiting for you to call again. This verse seems to fly in the face of other New Testament stories—like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)—which tell about how happy God is to welcome his little wandering sheep back into the fold.
Quote #5
Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over. Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. (Hebrews 6:7-10, NRSV)
The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:7-10, KJV)
Good little children go to Heaven and bad little children go to…the other place. Even though the author's getting pretty heavy with the fire and brimstone talk here, he's confident that his readers won't suffer the same fate as the thorny field. Right? …Right?
Quote #6
It is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28, NRSV)
It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:27-28, KJV)
It's Judgment Day. Translation: according to the author, Jesus is coming back. Since he already freed the world from sin, that's crossed off his to-do list. All that's left is to give giant high-fives to all his followers. The author doesn't go into details here about what will happen to non-believers, but we're guessing it's not good.