2:2Hebrews 2:2

The word delivered through angels was firm and binding, and every violation under it met a fair and deserved punishment.20MR 332.5–333.2+2 Therefore the verse warns to give more earnest attention to what has been heard, lest it slip away like water from a leaky vessel.Ms 112, 1909, par. 1–2+2 The salvation not to be neglected began to be spoken by the Lord Himself, was confirmed by those who heard Him, and was attested by God with signs and wonders and gifts of the Holy Spirit.Lt 11, 1904, par. 11–16+2 It is so great a salvation because God gave all heaven in it, giving His Son and all the riches of heaven to give eternal life and an eternal weight of glory.ST Apr 15, 1897+1 If disobedience under the angels' word was punished, neglecting this far greater salvation leaves no escape, and that neglect need not be open rebellion but can be mere indifference, idleness and sloth toward known truth.20MR 332.5–333.2+3

The word spoken by angels was firm, binding, steadfast and reliable.20MR 332.5–333.2+4 The message given through angels stood firm and could not be treated lightly.Ms 112, 1909, par. 1–2+4 Every transgression and every act of disobedience, every violation and refusal to obey under that word, received a just recompense of reward, a fair and deserved punishment.20MR 332.5–333.2+4 Disobedience then met its penalty without fail.20MR 332.5–333.2+4

Christ's teaching is superior to the ministry of angels, yet it does not contradict the words given through Moses.Ms 5, 1904, par. 11–14+1 His instruction runs through the whole Word from the beginning of the Old Testament to the close of the New Testament.Ms 5, 1904, par. 11–14+2 Both Old and New Testament teachings are to be heeded and applied together, to be treasured and kept in memory, cherished and accepted.Ms 5, 1904, par. 11–14+2 Doing so with each person's best effort brings valuable experience.Ms 46, 1902, par. 26

God's voice still comes continually in warning and instruction through the Holy Spirit to confirm faith in the position taken and in the Spirit of Prophecy.Ms 149, 1907, par. 14+1 The instruction given in the early days of the message and established through years of suffering and self-sacrifice is not made void by time and trial.Ms 149, 1907, par. 14+1 It remains safe instruction to follow in its closing days and must be held steadfastly in every principle of truth that has been given.Ms 149, 1907, par. 14+1

The argument moves from lesser to greater: because the word delivered through angels stood firm and every transgression and disobedience met its fair and deserved punishment, far greater earnestness is owed now, giving more earnest heed to the things heard lest they slip away.Ms 112, 1909, par. 1–2+4 To let them slip is to let them run out like leaky vessels, losing what was heard instead of holding it fast.Lt 132, 1900, par. 34–35+1 This heed belongs to teachers and students alike, written for admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come, repeating the warning against forgetting wisdom and going after vanity.Ms 55, 1898, par. 9–10 Accountability therefore grounds the call not to neglect the great salvation, and putting the Bible behind other books while giving the most conspicuous place to authors with only a confused idea of religion is itself such neglect.FE 403.2–404.1+2

The salvation not to be neglected is definite and historically attested: at the first it began to be spoken by the Lord Himself.Lt 11, 1904, par. 11–16+3 It was then confirmed by those who heard Him, eyewitnesses whose testimony established its certainty.Lt 11, 1904, par. 11–16+4 God also bore witness with it by signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will.Lt 11, 1904, par. 11–16+3 It is the message of mercy Christ brought from the Father for all the world.Lt 33, 1898, par. 29–30

It is called so great a salvation because of the greatness of what God invested in it.ST Apr 15, 1897+1 God gave all heaven in it, giving His Son, and collecting all the riches of heaven to bestow a life that measures with the life of God and an eternal weight of glory.Lt 33, 1898, par. 29–30 Its purpose is to lift souls out of Satan's deceptions to the throne of God.Lt 33, 1898, par. 29–30 Neglect is therefore a grave sin in proportion to the greatness of the gift.ST Apr 15, 1897+1

If disobedience under the angels' word met its penalty, neglecting this far greater salvation proclaimed by the Lord leaves no escape from judgment and its penalty.Ms 112, 1909, par. 1–2+4 There is no escape because the greater light and greater gift bring greater responsibility.Ms 112, 1909, par. 1–2+2 Neglect does not require open opposition or rebellion.20MR 332.5–333.2+1 People who know the truth and God's requirements but remain indifferent to light and instruction, spiritually idle and slothful, show neglect and cannot expect to escape its penalty.20MR 332.5–333.2+4 That indifference leaves them vulnerable to snares, so that those who reject light stumble and fall and be snared and taken.RH Jul 18, 1907+2

Giving earnest heed means keeping the Bible first, for it is wisdom unto salvation and holds the knowledge of God that is of lasting benefit and is not left behind when probation closes, that teaches the things coming upon the world in these last days, and that is competent to educate for usefulness in this life and for eternal life.FE 403.2–404.1+1 Putting the word of God in the background as secondary, while giving authors who have only a confused idea of religion the most conspicuous place and devoted respect, is neglecting so great salvation, from which there is no escape.FE 403.2–404.1+1 For teachers this means success depends on the spirit cherished, since profession of faith alone does not make Christians, and they must open the Word, compare Scripture with Scripture, put away the spirit of controversy, and each seek the light and knowledge needed.Ms 53, 1898, par. 5–6

Holding steadfastly means holding in every principle of truth that has been given and holding the beginning of confidence steadfast to the end, refusing to enter into speculation over what is not clearly revealed.Ms 179, 1907, par. 14–16+2 It means refusing an evil heart of unbelief and hardening by sin, putting on every piece of armor, standing firm as a defense for the gospel, and presenting truth in clear-cut lines.Lt 132, 1900, par. 34–35 It means not turning aside to strange doctrines that resist the Holy Spirit, nor to controversy or new inventions that destroy confidence in the truth.Lt 132, 1900, par. 34–35+2 The voice of God still comes continually through the Holy Spirit in warning and instruction to confirm faith, so the instruction given in the early days of the message and established through years of suffering and self-sacrifice is not made void by time and trial but remains safe instruction to follow in its closing days, while indifference to that light and instruction leaves no escape from snares but causes rejectors to stumble and fall and be snared and taken.RH Jul 18, 1907+2

The verse establishes accountability to God for the wonderful privileges bestowed, for light, knowledge, abilities and means entrusted, and for appointed work, and it belongs to great fundamental truths worthy of study.Ms 179, 1907, par. 14–16+1 Its precious message and the seriousness of God's word require communicating it faithfully and continually.Ms 174, 1901, par. 2 Ignoring appointed work brings a sure result.Lt 51a, 1897, par. 24

Disobedience to God's plainly given commands brings consequences, while diligent obedience to His word guides and preserves life, health and happiness.Ms 151, 1901, par. 42–44 God's law remains binding even when slighted or forgotten, and every transgression receives its just punishment.Ms 151, 1901, par. 42–44+2 The Sabbath command has not been abrogated or weakened, for God forbids labor on the seventh day and has set that day apart as holy, so worldly gain does not cancel rest.ST Feb 14, 1911+1 The light on health reform shining for years making plain duty to self and fellow man, calling for Christ's yoke of self-denial in eating, must be given more earnest heed lest it slip, and refusing it by overeating and unhealthful food, growing the grosser qualities of mind, hindering spirituality, deforming the spiritual life, making the message of truth of none effect, and leading others in false paths by example is transgression and disobedience that will receive its just recompense.Ms 46, 1901, par. 4

The verse belongs to a call to simplicity and true godliness in every place and work, to press close to Jesus and willingly share in His sufferings in order to be conformed to His image, since suffering does not always mean the sufferer has done some special wrong needing repentance.Ms 112, 1909, par. 1–2 It calls the church to take up neglected duties in families and to practice home religion, calling backsliders and sinners to confess pride, backsliding and partaking of the spirit of the world and to live a different life.Ms 19, 1889, par. 17–18 It calls for deep, earnest love in return, expressed by obedience to His commandments and by work in relieving suffering humanity.Lt 33, 1898, par. 29–30 That requires diligent self-inquiry, obedience to the Bible, and sanctification of soul, body and spirit in order to stand before a holy God in the day of judgment, for neglect leaves no excuse and no escape.Lt 33, 1898, par. 29–30+1