What does Hebrews 4:5 mean?

The prior verse pointed out that God's rest from creation is ongoing. Despite the claims of some false teachers (2 Thessalonians 2:1–3; 2 Timothy 2:17–18), the opportunity to obtain our spiritual inheritance is not closed off. In fact, Scripture encourages us to seek that inheritance "rest" with urgency (Hebrews 3:13–15; Psalm 95:7–8). Those who were cut off from their inheritance, such as Israel in the desert (Numbers 13—14), suffered loss due to disobedience, not a deadline (Hebrews 3:16–19).

This is part of a chain of arguments culminating in verse 10. The promise of God's inheritance for His people is still available, for those who will trust and obey. God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2) after completing His creation work. Israel was offered "rest" in the form of the Promised Land, but fell short because they did not complete the work they were given (Psalm 95:7–11). Since the Scriptures speak of seeking this rest "today," meaning long after Israel's disobedience, this promise is still available to us. Salvation (John 6:39–40), however, is not the same as our inheritance (Revelation 2:26–27).