Unpacking the Book of Hebrews: Chapter 12

 

Please bear in mind that the Book of Hebrews is written to Jewish converts to Christianity, many of whom were contemplating going back to Judaism (The Law) because of the persecution they were subjected to by those outside the Christian Faith.

Note: In the body on this article the verses from Hebrews are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

Background to Chapter 12
In this Chapter, the writer encourages the Jewish converts of the day and the Church today, to not grow weary of doing good and following the way of Jesus. To stay in Christ no matter what persecutions they are facing.

He focuses on Jesus as the author and perfector of our faith and that His Kingdom cannot and will not be shaken – His is and everlasting Kingdom whereas the earthy kingdoms of men will fade, be destroyed and disappear! They are short-lived as they have no substance!

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

In verse 1 the writer starts off the chapter with the word “therefore” when this word appears we know that reference is being made to what has been said in the previous chapter. In this case the reference is to the great men and women of faith in the Old Testament that the writer spoke of in Chapter 11. These are the “great cloud of witnesses.”

The writer also encourages us to lay aside or stop clinging to the things that weigh us down and hinder our walk of faith - our sin. It is interesting to note here that the writer distinguishes between “weight” and “sin” thus highlighting that some things that weigh us down and make our daily lives heavy are not necessarily sinful! These can be things like allowing memories of bad things that have happened to us in the past to still affect us negatively today when we still “cling” to them. We must lay all such things down at the foot of the cross along with our repentance from sin!

The word “weight” in this verse is a transliteration of the Greek word “ogkos” (pronounced ong’-kos) and its expanded meaning is a weight that is so heavy that it becomes a heavy load and hindrance in one’s life that prevents us from experiencing the joy of the Lord who is our strength. In other words, this “weight” clouds our vision of just how strong we are in Christ Jesus who is our strength. Jesus is the reliever of our burdens!

Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Nehemiah 8:10b

And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

In these verses too our Christian walk is likened to running a race, and not just a sprint but a marathon. A marathon is completed through endurance seeing through the pain barrier and keeping one’s eyes fixed on the finish line which for us is eternal life in Christ Jesus. Letting nothing distract us from the route heavenwards just as Christ did when He walked the road to the cross!

Let us fight the good fight and finish the race just as Christ did and so did the Apostle Paul and all the other men and women of faith that have gone before us in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

In verse 2 the writer starts with the words “looking to Jesus”, this is the cornerstone of our faith, looking to and being firmly rooted in Jesus in every aspect of our lives! He endured the cross for us he hung there in place of us, despising all shame and is now, because of the willing sacrifice of His life, is seated at the right hand of the Father and He is with us because we are His – He is our Lord and Saviour, He is our King!

Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is our hope now and in the future of eternity and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven!

1 Peter 3:22 (ESV)

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Do Not Grow Weary
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

In verses 3 and 4 the writer instructs us, when we are feeling down and under life’s tribulations. to sincerely reflect on what Jesus suffered for our sakes (“Consider him who endured….”) from those that persecuted him and had him killed.

We are called to endure hardships as Christ did and not give up! He has overcome suffering and in Him we too are overcomers!

2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

John 16:33 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

God disciplines his children through life experiences
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

In verses 5 and 6 the writer asks the Jewish converts and us today if we have forgotten that we are God’s children and are therefore subject to His discipline as a Father!

He does this by quoting from Proverbs 3:11-12.

We must expect to be disciplined by the Father when we go astray! Why?

• Because we are His children and He loves us – Hebrews 12:6 and Proverbs 3:11-12 above.

Revelation 3:19 (ESV)

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Proverbs 13:24 (AMP)

He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son,

But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].

• We are blessed when we accept God’s discipline.

Job 5:17 (ESV)

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;

therefore despise not the discipline

• We gain understanding and wisdom from God’s discipline.

Proverbs 15:32 (AMP)

He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself,

But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].

Our acceptance of God’s discipline through His word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit keeps us on the path of righteousness – in right standing with God.

John 16:8 (AMP)

And He (the Holy Spirit), when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment:

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

When we are submissive to God’s discipline and we are obedient to Biblical correction we know and are assured that we are truly God’s children! If God does not chasten us and correct us when we are wrong and behave sinfully, then we know that we are not His children and we are not born again!

Let us think on this, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, and let’s make sure that our lives are fully aligned to what the Bible teaches us! Let the Word correct us through the conviction of the Holy Spirit!

9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

In verses 9-11 we are told that God’s discipline as our heavenly Father is far superior to the discipline that we received from our earthly Fathers. Our earthly Father’s only disciplined us for a short time and according to what they thought best, which was not always Biblical and not always for our good! God’s discipline helps us to conform to His holiness!

1 Peter 1:16 (AMP)

because it is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.”

Gods’ discipline like all discipline is painful at the time, but unlike the discipline of our earthly father’s, His discipline produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness in us!

Romans 4:17 (ESV)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

In verses 12-13 the writer encourages us to strengthen ourselves in the Word. He starts off verse 12 with the word “therefore” which means because of what of what he has just told us about God’s discipline, we must actively lift ourselves up out of the doldrums and strengthen our legs to carry the load = we need to be proactive in this process.

He tells us to make straight paths for our feet by being grounded in His word that brings discipline to our lives so that we can be healed of the things that are making us spiritually lame and holding us back from achieving our God-given purpose!!

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

These are proactive disciplines that we need to instil into our daily walk with Christ to ensure that we do not give up!

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

In verse 14 the writer issues an instruction on how born-again Christians should conduct themselves in their daily lives.

He says we must strive for peace and for holiness.

Now if we examine the word “strive” from its original Greek text we see that it is something that requires great dedication and continual self-discipline and action to put in practice!

“Strive” in this verse is a transliteration of the Greek word “agónizomai” which is pronounced “ah-go-NEE-zoh-my” and its expanded meaning is: to struggle with (as in fighting an enemy), to agonize over, to compete to win a prize, to endeavour to achieve something special.

So, from this we can see that we must do everything we can to achieve peace with everyone and to be holy! Our holiness can only be achieved through Christ Jesus!

John 14:27 (AMP)

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

In verses 15-17 the writer continues with the theme of good, Christian living and highlights a several things that we should NOT be doing.

See to it that:

• No one fails to obtain the grace of God.
It is by the grace of God that we are saved and that grace for salvation is found only in Christ Jesus! God’s grace is the unmerited favour we receive in our salvation. God gives us what we don’t deserve – everlasting life in Christ Jesus! There is no other name by which we can be saved!

It is our duty to tell people about the saving grace of Jesus!

Ephesians 2:8-9 (AMP)

8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].

Acts 4:12 (ESV)

11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

• No root of bitterness springs up.
As God’s children we are to ensure that no “root of bitterness” emerges amongst us and in this we must keep careful guard over our own hearts. Holding bitterness in our hearts will not only destroy us but many others around us as well.

Bitterness in a person is resentment that a person builds up in their heart against someone or something that has remained unresolved through unforgiveness one holds on to. This bitterness will destroy a person’s life and damage those around them as it crushes love! The longer we hold on to bitterness the worse we become and sin clings to us and drags us down!

Ephesians 4:31-32 (AMP)

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. 32 Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

• No one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau.
Here the writer zooms in on Christians being sexually pure. When we sin sexually, as in adultery or fornication, we sin against our bodies, and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit – He dwells within us when we become born again!

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV)

18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

The writer also says in the same vein that no one should be unholy like Esau who sold his birthright for a plate of food, in other words he gave in to his fleshly desire and discarded his spiritual right as the firstborn son.

As born-again Christians we are God’s Children and have a spiritual birthright of holiness in Christ Jesus. We must not disregard this birthright no matter what our situation is! If we give up our birthright in Christ Jesus, we are no longer Holy before God and without holiness no one will see God! (see verse 14 above)

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

In verses 18-24 below the writer reminds the converted Jews and the Church today of the most significant difference between the Old Testament Covenant of the Law and the New Covenant of life in Christ Jesus. In the Old, God was unapproachable to the individual and only Moses could ascend Mount Sinai to commune with God and receive the Ten Commandments.

In the New Covenant everybody has access to Mount Zion (God) through life in Christ Jesus. Those who have repented from their sin and have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour – being born-again!

John 14:6 (AMP)

Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Ephesians 3:11-12 (AMP)

11 This is in accordance with [the terms of] the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him [that is, our faith gives us sufficient courage to freely and openly approach God through Christ].

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”

In verses 18-21 the writer gives us a brief description of what took place at Mount Sinai as written in Exodus 19:10-25, which terrified the Israelites at the time. At that time no one other than Moses could enter God’s presence because they were unclean, they were not yet saved by the blood of Christ! Even Moses was fearful still from his experience with God’s anger when the Israelites made the Golden calf!

Mount Sinai was a fearful and desolate place for the Israelites. It was the mountain upon which the Law was given! The writer reminds them and us that we have not come to such a fearful place now that we have Jesus our Saviour!

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

In verses 22-24 the writer tells us that in Christ Jesus we have come to Mount Zion, God’s dwelling place, a place where we receive God’s grace, love and favour. A place to be hoped for in faith and not feared.

We, as born-again Christians, are in a far better place than the Israelites were. Our relationship with God is not modelled after Israel’s experience on Mount Sinai. We come to God’s holy mountain where He dwells, Mount Zion, the name of the hill upon which Jerusalem sits. The law and death came to Sinai; Jesus and His crucifixion on the cross for our salvation was on Mount Zion gives us life everlasting!

These verses also show the vast differences between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion:

Mount Sinai	Mount Zion
There was no city here, it was a desolate wasteland.	Jerusalem, the city of the living God was here.
Sinai is associated with Egypt – the sin of the world.	Zion is associated with Heaven.
Here the Law was delivered to Moses by just a few angels.	At Zion there is an innumerable host of angels – a real celebration of good news.
The Law given at Mount Zion was for Israel only.	At Mount Zion salvation in Christ Jesus was given to all mankind – to receive or reject.
Sinai did not bring salvation.	At Zion God’s justice was satisfied for those who receive Jesus thus bringing salvation by God’s grace!
Sinai was the Old Covenant based on man’s performance where Moses was the mediator.	Zion is the New Covenant with Jesus as our mediator based on belief in Him and Him alone. Not on good works.
Sinai brought in the blood sacrifice of animals and was a continual process.	Zion brought in the blood of Jesus who sacrificed Himself once and for all for the sins of all mankind!
Sinai was a place of fear for the Israelites.	Zion is a place of love and freedom where we can come into the presence of God with boldness through Christ Jesus.
Sinai is all about the Law.	Zion is all about Jesus and the love, grace and mercy of God,

In verse 25 below the writer warns us that there are serious consequences for us if we reject Jesus who is our heavenly warning – we will not escape God’s judgement!

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

When Christ returns on Judgement Day, God will once again shake things up, not only on earth but the heavens as well!

27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.

Verse 27 tells us the God, because of the great sin that is in the world, is going to remove all the shakeable things, the materialism of the world and He is going to replace them with spiritual things that cannot be shaken, everlasting, unshakeable things!

Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

In verse 28 the writer reminds us to be grateful for we are receiving God’s Kingdom through Christ Jesus which cannot be shaken, unlike the world which He is going to shake. We must give thanks to God for all things, especially for Jesus our Saviour, with a grateful heart.

Psalm 92:1-2 (AMP)

1 It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord,

To sing praises to Your name, O Most High,

2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning

And Your faithfulness by night,

What is our acceptable worship?

• Receiving His Kingdom by accepting Jesus Christ His Son as our Lord and Saviour

• By allowing God’s grace to work in us – we are saved by grace

• Having reverent fear of God.

• By being holy as He is holy,

29 for our God is a consuming fire.

As the writer of Hebrews was undoubtedly an accomplished Old Testament scholar, it stands to reason then that he borrowed the term “for our God is a consuming fire” from Deuteronomy 4:24, which states:

For the Lord your God is a consuming fire; He is a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely His].

The only way we can come to God is through Jesus, the only Name by which we can be saved! When we do this, we must come to Him on His terms in total submission to Him as the Lord God Almighty, just as Jesus did – He is our creator. The will of the Father must be done in our lives if we are true believers!

Acts 4:12 (ESV)

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Luke 22:41-42 (ESV)

41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Since God is in fact a consuming fire, it is best for us to come to Him on His terms. These terms are the unmerited favour we receive when we are in Christ Jesus. He will consume everything that is outside of Jesus – the worldliness of all unbelievers.

The penalty of our sin was consumed by Jesus at the cross.

The writer’s exhortation to us marries privilege to responsibility! Those of us who receive an unshakable kingdom by belief in Christ alone must respond to His grace and mercy with awe-filled obedience, lest we despise the grace that purchased our salvation through Him.


Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father
I thank you for my salvation in Christ Jesus and for the blood that He shed for me on the cross so that I may receive forgiveness of my sins and eternal life. Help me, Lord, to remain steadfast and faithful in you and give me your strength to overcome any worldly adversity that the enemy will throw at me. Please help me in the power of the Holy Spirit to remain rooted in Jesus. Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Mountains or Molehills

 This article was written by Tony Kettle my dear friend and brother in Christ who has given me permission to publish it.

Zechariah 4:7 MSG)

‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you're nothing but a molehill…”

I believe the above scripture wonderfully captures God’s heart and attitude to what APPEAR to be insurmountable problems and challenges in life. The Lord Jesus added a further touch to the matter when He declared:

Mark 11:23 (ESV)

”Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”

Unfortunately, most of us tend to reverse the principle involved and, when presented with a challenge, we end up making a ‘mountain out of a molehill.’ In other words, because of our mindset, we allow the ‘obstacle’ facing us to assume proportions which, quite often, greatly exaggerate the severity of the situation. Furthermore, in order to rationalise this tendency, society finds it convenient to generally adopt the approach, “don’t judge people because someone's molehill could be another person's mountain.”

However, Christians are meant to demonstrate a bolder attitude to life’s ‘curveballs’ and to view problems, obstacles, challenges as opportunities for growth. Our Lord Jesus is an “Overcomer” (John 16:33) and God’s Word describes us as “overcomers” too (1 John 4:4). We need to grasp the reality of this.

John 16:33 (ESV)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 John 4:4 (AMP)

Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]. 

It’s all a question of perception - whether we see the glass as being half empty or half full!

Most of us are certainly not Hollywood-type ‘superheroes’ but we can still live as “overcomers.” Joni Eareckson Tada was paralysed at the age of 17, and she thought her life was over - but she became an “overcomer” and continues to be despite having to contend with immense challenges.

She is known for saying, “I just make my emotions obey me and I’m not going to be led by them.” The key to her courageous approach to life is her unshakeable faith and trust in God.

One of her powerful quotes is:

“God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances - things like refining my faith, humbling my heart, cleaning up my thought life and strengthening my character.”

Throughout Revelation 2 and 3 the Lord refers to “The one who conquers” being rewarded in various ways. He is talking about those who are “overcomers” - those who do the things that He does as the Supreme “Overcomer” (John 14:12; 16:33) - NOT those who see themselves as “grasshoppers” and think they are unable to face the ‘giants’ (Numbers 13:32-33)!

Numbers 13:32-33 (ESV)

32 So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. 33 And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”

Goliath appeared as formidable as a “MOUNTAIN” to the Israelites, except for one boy, David, who, because of his faith, regarded Goliath as nothing but a “molehill” - and OVERCAME him (1 Samuel 17:24, 26, 45-51).

1 Samuel 17:24 and 26 and 45-47 (ESV)

24All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid.

26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.”

God desires that we have the heart of David - and of Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:6-9)! Because, if we really trust Him, He will give us the VICTORY:

Romans 8:37 (ESV)

”No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

”I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Blessings


Tony

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Two Cities

 This article was written by Tony Kettle my dear friend and brother in Christ who has given me permission to publish it.

The New Holy Jerusalem verses  "Babylon" - The Great Harlot.

These two cities are spoken of in the Book of Revelation in an End Times scenario.

Dear Readers, it is imperative that we as born again Christian's, God's Church; know and recognize the difference between the two! 

Babylon - The Great Harlot, the center of Satan's deception!

The New Jerusalem - God's Holy City

 Do not be deceived by false prophets and teachers! 

KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS!

Revelation 13:11-14 (ESV)

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It…makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs,…and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth...”

So, the deception of Satan continues relentlessly - a beast that appears to be Jesus or a follower of Jesus (“like a lamb”) but, in reality, speaks lies (“spoke like a dragon” - see Revelation 12:9, 15), thereby proving to be counterfeit - the false prophet.

Revelation 12:9, 15 (ESV)

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.

Because of the sheer charisma of the words and actions of this deceiver, countless numbers of people are led into error.

I have often stated in my previous articles that we, as Christians, need to be thoroughly discerning in everything that purports to be spiritually true. Satan’s deception abounds and there is even a counterfeit to the true church:

Revelation 18:16 (KJV)

”…that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!"

Revelation 21:10, 18 21 (KJV)

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

At first glance the two portions of scripture reproduced above seem to be describing the same "city." However, an in-depth study of these scriptures reveals a different picture.

The first one seems to be constructed from, inter alia, "gold", "precious stones" and "pearls." But, look again! The scripture tells us that it is "clothed" in "fine linen, and purple, and scarlet..." It appears to 'wear' all the qualities of righteousness.

Job 29:14 (ESV)

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;

my justice was like a robe and a turban.

Psalm 132:9 (ESV)

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,

and let your saints shout for joy.

Isaiah 61:10 (ESV)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;

my soul shall exult in my God,

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Zechariah 3:4 (AMP)

He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And He said to Joshua, “See, I have caused your wickedness to be taken away from you, and I will clothe and beautify you with rich robes [of forgiveness].”

The "fine linen" reveals the presence of some genuine Christians in the "city", but clothing, generally, is something that is worn on the outside - in other words, it is superficial.

Revelation 19:7-8 (ESV)

7 Let us rejoice and exult

and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his Bride has made herself ready;

8 it was granted her to clothe herself

with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Furthermore, some of this 'clothing' is that of ritualistic 'religion' ("purple, and scarlet") certain religious orders, today, wear garments that are purple and scarlet in colour.

Moreover, this "city" is "decked" with "gold, and precious stones, and pearls." The original Greek word translated as "decked" literally means gilded. According to Pear's Cyclopaedia, to gild means, "to coat with gold or gold-like substance." In other words, it is a superficial covering of "gold" or imitation "gold!"

Therefore, the clear implication is that this "city" has all the appearance of being made from "gold", "precious stones" and "pearls", but these represent either a 'thin coating', only, of true Christians over its real character, or the "gold", "precious stones" and "pearls" are not genuine - they are imitation 'paste' - 'costume jewelry' - and are worthless.

The so-called 'gold' and 'precious stones' have not been formed by 'fire', 'heat' and 'pressure' - they have not been through the "refiner's fire".

Malachi 3:2-3 (AMP)

2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness]. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi [the priests], and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord [grain] offerings in righteousness.

What appears to be "pearls" have not really passed through the process that leads to the production of genuine pearls (the oyster is irritated by a piece of sand or grit and it secretes a liquid which becomes the pearl - compare this with the persecution that the genuine Christian receives from the 'sand' - the 'grit' - the 'earth' - the 'WORLD')!

This "city" displays "...a form of godliness but denying its power."

2 Timothy 3:5 (AMP)

5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

This "city" is alluring, it is enticing, it has a tremendous, seductive power of attraction over people. With its emphasis on financial and material 'prosperity' and its exciting, ‘entertaining’ programmes, it leads many people (of various denominations and/or groups) to believe that the 'streets' - the 'buildings' - that make up the "city" are the way to, and places for, genuine Christianity. However, this "city" is ”BABYLON" - THE GREAT HARLOT!”

Now look at the second "city.” The scripture makes it clear that, unlike "Babylon", this "city" IS constructed from "pure gold” and is "garnished" with "precious stones" and "pearls." The original Greek word translated as "garnished" literally means to put in proper order. It also means to snuff or trim a wick.

The "precious stones" and "pearls" that form part of this "city" are placed there in a proper, orderly manner - they are set in place according to God's Divine 'building plan' - not in terms of man-made, denominational or group plans (1 Corinthians 12:18, 28; Ephesians 2:19-22 KJV).

1 Corinthians 12:18, 28 (ESV)

18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.

28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (KJV)

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Notice that "garnished" also means to snuff or trim a wick. This highlights the work of the high priest in the tabernacle in the wilderness under the Old Covenant. Twice a day, the high priest would trim the wicks of the "Menorah" - the seven-branched candelabrum - to ensure that the light burned brightly and continually.

Exodus 25:37-38 (ESV)

37 You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. 38 Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold.

Leviticus 24:2 (ESV)

“Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly.

This typified the "pruning" process that we, as "branches" of the "True Vine", have to undergo to ensure that we 'reflect', strongly, the "light" of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (read 2 Corinthians 4:1-18).

John 15:2 (AMP)

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit].

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The "pruning" process is also manifested in the "refiner's fire" (Malachi 3:2-3) and this, in turn, illustrates the fact that the "pure gold" and the "precious stones" that comprise this "city" are genuine, because they have been formed by 'fire', 'heat' and 'pressure' (persecution and tribulation). Therefore, if the "gold" and "precious stones" in this "city" are genuine, the "pearls" must also be genuine.

Malachi 3:2-3 (ESV)

2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness]. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi [the priests], and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord [grain] offerings in righteousness.

Observe, also, that the "pure gold" of this "city" is like "clear glass.” The word "clear", in the original Greek, means clean, while the word "glass" literally means transparent (like rain). Therefore, we are given a strong impression of Christians who are spiritually clean and transparent! In other words, they are 'open', with no guile (deceitfulness) and they call a 'spade a spade'. They are not 'two-faced' ("double minded") or deceitful.

John 1:46-47 (ESV)

46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”

James 1:8 (KJV)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Revelation 14:5 (KJV)

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

The verse above describes the "city" of true Christianity - the ”NEW JERUSALEM" - THE "BRIDE OF CHRIST".

Isaiah 61:10 (KJV)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

So, we see that there are two "great cities" - and in certain respects they look so much alike that vast multitudes of believers are deceived into thinking that they are one and the same. However, one is a counterfeit, while the other is genuine. The one is as opposite to the other as east is to west, or as cold is to hot.

It is vitally important that we, as members of the Body of Christ, understand, completely, the implications of this truth:

”BABYLON" - "THE HARLOT" describes the structured, man-controlled 'churchianity'  that we see in many of today's churches, big and small - this is the the ungodly "mystery".

Revelation 17:5 (KJV)

And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.

The ”NEW JERUSALEM" - "THE BRIDE OF CHRIST" describes true Christianity - the Godly "mystery".

Ephesians 5:32 (KJV)

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Therefore, let us be on guard and alert to God’s warning:

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

”Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father

In Jesus name I pray that you would give me wisdom and discernment to tell the difference between the truth and the deception of the evil one. Help me, Lord, to recognize false teachers and false prophets in these end times. Let me not be deceived and follow false doctrines. I pray that you would give me a hunger and a thirst to read, study and know the Bible so that I will know in my heart the truth and light of Jesus as opposed to the lies and deception of the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Grant me favour Lord and teach me your ways that I may not sin against you!

Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Unpacking the Book of Hebrews: Chapter 11

 

Please bear in mind that the Book of Hebrews is written to Jewish converts to Christianity, many of whom were contemplating going back to Judaism (The Law) because of the persecution they were subjected to by those outside the Christian Faith.

Note: In the body on this article the verses from Hebrews are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.

Background to Chapter 11
In this Chapter, the writer is encouraging the Jewish converts to remain fithful in Christ Jesus by recounting the stories of many of the Old Testament "men of faith". He is reminding them and us to never give up, even in the face of severe persecution, and turn away from Christ Jesus to live as we did before we came to salvation in His name,

A true, born again Christian believer is to walk (live) by faith and not by sight!

2 Corinthians 5:7 (AMP)

for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]—

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Biblical faith is not something that can be measured by human understanding and intellect. It is something that can only be measured and understood spiritually!

Verse 1, in my humble opinion, is probably one ofr the most powerful verses in the Bible that explains how a born again Christian should live their life - by faith in Christ Jesus alone and by embracing the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit! and being obedient to God's Word in all things!

Let's examine the word "faith" here from its transliteration of the Greek word "pistis". Pronunciation: PIS-tis and its expanded meaning is: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity, persuasion, proof

1. Persuasion, i.e. credence
2. Conviction (of Biblical truth, or the truthfulness of God or a teacher of the gospel.
3. The reliance upon Christ for salvation - Him alone.
4. Constancy (never changing) in such a profession of one's faith.
5. Committed belief in the Biblical truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Faith is a gift to the Church from God! We are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

By faith we can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens us!

Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

When we live by faith, it is pleasing to God. Without faith it is impossible to please God - Hebrews 11:6.

Without the Holy Spirit we cannot walk in truth!

John 16:13 (AMP)

But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].

Faith enables us to see, understand and feel beyond our physical senses. It is the eyesight that enables us to see what is invisible and see clearly the spiritual things that the Holy Spirit reveals to us so that we can live according to the Father's will and glorify the name of Jesus! Faith enables us to do extraordinary and miraculous things that are beyond human understanding and effort!

Faith enables us to walk our Christian walk in step with the Holy Spirit and thus in accordance with the Father's will and to glorify the name of Jesus!

Galatians 5:25-26 (ESV)

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Faith is not an unfounded belief system or intellectual understanding. It is a willingness to trust in, to rely on, and to cling to Jesus in all things and it is instilled in us by the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
In verse 2 the writer tells us the men of faith (sometimes referred to as the father's of faith) in the old testament received their commendation from God Himself!

The Greek word for 'commendation' is "martureó" (Strong's 3140) and its expanded meaning is: to bear witness to, to testify to, give evidence of, affirm that one has seen, heard, or experienced something.

Faith helps us understand God's spiritual realm which is invisible to the human eye that doesn't know Jesus!

3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Today's scientists and indeed the unbelieving world today believe that the world was created somehow out of 'matter', although none of the great scientific minds (the many that don't believe in God) over the centuries fail to explain precesely what' matter' is.

Their wonderfully fabricated theories of how the world was created are in direct conflict with the Bible which clearly states that the world was created from nothing!

Genesis 1:1-4 (AMP)

In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

Faith does not come through the theories of man it is gifted to men by the power of the Holy Spirit. The whole Bible was written by Godly men who were moved by the power of the Holy Spirit just as the Apostle Paul explains in the verses below! All scripture (the entire Bible) was breathed by God.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (AMP)

4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them], 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

All scripture, Old and New Testament, was given to us by God through men who were inspired by God and wrote in the power of the Holy Spirit! The Old Testament is there for today's church to learn lessons and instruction in righteousness. Read 1 Corinthians 10;1-11.

1 Corinthians 10: 6 and 11 (AMP)

6 Now these things [the warnings and admonitions] took place as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did.

11 Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Romans 15:4 (AMP)

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

Faith emerges at the beginning of human history and permeates the entire Old Testament and through the to New Testament by faith in Christ Jesus for those who are born again and receive eternal life!

From verse 4 through to verse 40 at the end of the chapter, the writer encourages the Jews remain in the faith by reminding them of the great men of faith from their ancestry.and the great things they achieved from believing in God and by faith moving in obedience to His instructions and commands.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

In verse 4 the writer recounts the sacrifices that Cain and Abel made before God in Genesis 4:3-5.

Genesis 4:3-5 (ESV)

3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Now, why was Abel's sacrifice considered with regard By God and Cain's not?

Well, Jesus tells us the answer to this in Matthew 23:34-35:

34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.

In Matthew 23:35 above Jesus tells us that Abel was a righteous man "the blood of righteous Abel." Abel was a man who walked in obedience to God as a righteous man. From this we can safely assume that Cain was not a righteous man as God held no regard for his sacrifice and if he was not righteous before God then he was an evil man who lived a life of disobedience to God.

When we as born again Christians walk in obedience to God we are seen as righteous in the eyes of God because of our faith in Jesus, His son!

5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

Genesis 5:22-25 (AMP)

22 Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah and had other sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And [in reverent fear and obedience] Enoch walked with God; and he was not [found among men], because God took him [away to be home with Him].

Now, what's interesting in verse 22 above is the Hebrew word for "walk" which is "halak" and is pronounced "haw-lak", when read in its full expansion, reveals just how closely Enoch walked with God:

• to go along with or about with continually
• to be conversant with always
• to be at ease with
• to grow in (relationship) with
• to move with and keep pace with more and more
• to share intimately with

Enoch's walk with God wasn't just a casual walk like strolling down to the bottom of the garden to check on the veggie patch. It was a close relational walk with God that Enoch pursued daily in order to grow spiritually.

He was daily proactive in his walk seeking God at all times and walking in the knowledge and faithfaith that God had him covered! Enoch's walk of faith was pleasing to God.

When we actively draw near to God, He draws near to us and we receive His favour and blessings!

James 4:8 (AMP)

Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Verse 6 is pretty self-explanatory. If you want to please God then walk with Him in faith and obedience!

7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

The account of Noah and the flood can be found in Genesis 6-9 although he is first mentioned in Genesis 5 proving his lineage from Adam.

In Genesis 6:9 Noah is described as being a righteous man who was blameless in his generation and a man who walked faithfully with God. In fact Noah was the only man of his generation who was found to be righteous in the sight of God, hence his calling to build the Ark thus, with his sons and their wives, be the sole survivors of the flood and to re-populate the Earth!

Noah was warned of something that had never happened before. His faith was shown in not merely believing that the flood would come, but in doing what God told him to do regarding the flood regardless of what the rest of humanity thought of him – he was moved with godly fear and belief in God's Word.

That's the kind of walk we need as Christians and His Church. Do we have that reverent fear of God in our daily walk?

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

When Abraham was called by God to leave his homeland and go to a place where he would receive and inheritance, he responded in obedience, belief and faith in God's Word to him. He hadn't a clues of where he was going or what would happen on the way, but he believed God and went in faith!

He knew by faith that God was his provider and that he would lack for nothing. Abraham walked by faith and obedience to God's Word. 

We Christians today should be doing the same, walking in faith and obedience to God's Word by the leading of the Holy Spirit!

9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Abraham, together with his family, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob lived nomadic lives in the land of promise (Canaan). Abraham looked forward in faith to the city that had a sure foundation and whose designer and builder was God Himself!

Today, dear readers our sure foundation is in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour and He has prepared a place for us to live for eternity and God will live with us, among His people. Keep your eyes on Jesus, never ever let Him go!

Revelation 21:3 (ESV)

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Sarah, Abraham's wife, believed in faith that she would conceive even though she was long passed normal child bearing age. Although her faith, just like ours, was weak at first and she fist laughed when God told her she would conceive.

Genesis 21:6 (NKJV)

And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.”

As Sarah's faith in God grew because He who made the promise is faithful, she gave birth and from Abraham's seed came the birth of many nations!

Dear Reader, God is faithful and true, all His promises are Yes and Amen! You can believe it and walk in it!

2 Corinthians 1:20 (AMP)

For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Abraham and Sarah and the other Old Testament men and women of faith lived and died in faith. The didn't get to see all their promises from God fulfilled but by faith they new they would happen, "they greeted them from afar". They were pioneers of the faith knowing that their descendants would be the ones to see the promise fulfilled.
 
They knew by faith that they were sojourners here on earth and that their heavenly home would come just as ours is with them! 

We are in this world but we are not of the world! Those that belong to Jesus and have faith in Him are, like Abraham and others of faith, are sojourners in this world.

John 14:1-3 (AMP)

“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.

John 17:14-16 (AMP)

14 I have given to them Your word [the message You gave Me]; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world and do not belong to the world, just as I am not of the world and do not belong to it. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

God is not ashamed of those that walk in faith and He is proud to call us His children!

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Abraham's faith was tested when God told him to sacrifice his son Isaac, the son of God's promise to he and Sarah. But Abraham's faith was so great that he knew God would provide an alternative sacrifice! Abraham's faith went all the way and God saved the day! The writer also says that Abraham knew that God would be able to raise Isaac from the dead anyway!

Dear Readers, sometimes God will test our faith in things that will happen in and around our lives but faith in God will see us through all our trials and tribulations!

James 1:2-4 (AMP)

2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

The testing of our faith in the things we have to go through produces in us endurance (stickability) and maturity in our spiritual walk with Jesus!

No matter what you are going through, KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS and your faith will grow exponentially as you go through each and every trial and will become a strong testimony to those around you! You will not be defeated.

2 Corinthians 4:13-15 (ESV)

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.

By faith Isaac blessed both of his sons (see Genesis 27), both blessings covering their futures prophetically but Jacob was the son chosen by God to continue the line of the "promise*.

Genesis 25:23 (ESV)

And the Lord said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb,

and two peoples from within you shall be divided;

the one shall be stronger than the other,

the older shall serve the younger.”

21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.

By faith Jacob in his old age realised that God was a faithful God and just before he died he was able to bless Joseph's sons as he bowed his head and worshiped God. His blessing on his two grandsons was, like his father's to him, was prophetically futuristic in nature!

By faith and obedience to God's word we can secure our hope of eternity with God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour!

22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

On his deathbed and by faith Joseph new that God would set Israel free from Egypt and that his bones would rest in the Promised Land. Joseph was embalmed and was placed in a coffin but he was not buried as such, his coffin was kept in state for all Israel to see and was later taken to the Promised Land by Moses.

Genesis 50:24

And Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Exodus 13:19 (ESV)

Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph[a] had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.”

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

In verses 23-28 the writer encourages the Jews by recounting some of Moses' walk of faith. Moses was considered by the Jews to be one pf their greatest ancesters.

Faith was instilled in Moses by his parents from the time he was born.

By faith:

• His parents hid him from Pharoah so that he would not be killed.
• When Moses grew up and realised he was an Israelite denied being Egyptian (living in sin) and chose to be mistreated with his people the Isaraelites.
• He knew his reward was in heaven through Christ Jesus.
• He led the Israelites out of slavery.
• He kept God's instruction concerning the Passover sprinkling the blood of the lamb so that God's destroyer would pass over the Israelite homes.

Today, Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if we keep our eyes on Jesus and walk in faith by the leading of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to the Bible, Jesus will sustain through all the trails and tribulations that will come our way!

God never changes, what he did yesterday He will do today and tomorrow! He will sustain His Church - we are His sons and daughters! Our faith in Christ Jesus sets us free from the law of sin and death!

Hebrews 13:8 (AMP)

Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever.

Galatians 3:23-27 (ESV)

23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God,

through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Romans 8:1-2 (AMP)

Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

By faith:

• Israel crossed the red Sea on dry land - the Egyptians were drowned.
• The walls of Jericho came tumbling down.
• Rahab was not killed because she protected the spies and welcomed Israel in.

Today, my friends, if we walk by faith in Christ Jesus and in obedience to the Bible and are led by the Holy Spirit, we will experience and see great miracles being performed in us and through us to the glory of Jesus!

John 16:14-15 (AMP)

14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

In verses 32-38 the writer encourages the converted Jews, and His Church today, by recounting many of the the miraculous things that the people of faith see and experience and how we are sustained by faith in Christ Jesus through the good and bad times of life!

Through faith in Christ Jesus, by being obedient to God's word and by continually being filled and led by the Holy Spirit we will overcome and have victory over this world to His Glory.

Through faith in Jesus we receive His perfect peace in all situations!

John 16:33 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

In verse 39 the writer reminds us that although the great men of faith in the Old Testament were commended for it, they did not receive the promise of entering the presence of God until the work of the cross through Christ Jesus was completed! God made a better way,the only way for us to perfection - Christ Jesus

Dear Readers
Don't let go of these two very important scripture reminders about our walk of faith in Christ Jesus:

• We live by faith not by sight - 2 Cor 5:7
• Faith is the evidence of things not seen - Heb 11:1

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father
I thank you for my salvation in Christ Jesus and for the blood that He shed for me on the cross so that I may receive forgiveness of my sins and eternal life. Help me, Lord, to remain steadfast and faithful in you and give me your strength to overcome any worldly adversity that the enemy will throw at me. increase my measure of faith in you Lord Jesus that my life may glorify your name and be a true witness to a lost world. Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!