Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3)
In our brief look at imminency in the letter to the Hebrews, we have arrived at the chapter that most any reader of scripture can identify. Commonly called
Athe faith chapter@, it chronicles the testimony of numerous people whose lives gave evidence of a hope that physical sight could not view. By God=s grace they saw the unseen and as we have read previously, it was the unseen that God was in the process of bringing to fruition as this letter was written.I still remember the first time I read the verses above. They seemed almost cryptic to me. Of course, at that point in my youth I thought faith was something I conjured up based on physical evidence, the
Aseen@ if you will. It was only when I began to understand that faith is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8-10) that the picture began to clear up. Although that helped, my failure to understand audience relevance continued to cloud my interpretation of this passage, and many others.The theme of urgency which is repeated again and again in this book compels an honest reader to admit that major events were in the works. Believers were enduring severe hardship, tribulation if you will. There was intense pressure on Hebrew believers to return to old covenant practices, but the warning issued in Chapter 10 was clear,
ADon=t shrink back to destruction@, to paraphrase the closing verses. The clear teaching here is that people who have been granted faith can see beyond the physical appearance of things. They are convicted by things which those without faith cannot understand.The last sentence in the passage above requires special attention. Many translations say
Aworlds@ but the proper translation is Aages@ (Greek: aiones). AWorlds@ is acceptable if we understand it in the sense that we talk about things like the Aworld of sports@ or the Aworld of politics.@ It is a word that has specific delineations which have nothing to do with the physical globe on which we live. The ages the author has in view were the product of the unseen and, as such, they are inferior to and subject to the unseen. The importance of this fact will become evident as we survey Chapter 11.By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:4-6)
The author immediately takes us back to the first age by reminding us of the story of Cain and Abel, and the incredible story of Enoch. The fact that Hebrews opens with the declaration that they are living in the last days and then rehearses the history of the ages should give us a much more than just a clue that Athe end@ was imminent. It is tempting to embark on a discussion of faith and pleasing God at this juncture, but I will refrain. Nevertheless, I trust you will spend some time considering the connection between the two.
By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
Noah only gets one verse in the Hall of Fame of Faith but it is packed with imagery we shouldn=t miss. First notice that because of the faith Noah was granted, God warned him Aabout things not yet seen.@ It is no small matter that Jesus warned His disciples about the same thing. The Aworld@ in Noah=s day had become so evil that God would not abide it. By grace, through faith, God spared Noah and his family. Noah=s reverent obedience to God set him apart from the world, and as the text says, it Acondemned@ the world.
The question we need to ask is this, was the condemned world a reference to the physical planet, or to the people and their culture? This is pivotal to our study so give your answer serious thought.
It is evident to me that the physical planet was not destroyed - we are still living on it! Yet, scripture tells us God destroyed the world in Noah=s day. As the book of Hebrews was written, God was about to destroy the world again. Peter in both his letters describes the situation of believers in his time in terms of Noah=s experience. His words only confirm what Jesus had previously said the time of His coming would be like. I encourage you to revisit those passages, especially 2 Peter 3.
We=ve looked at that passage before, but repetition is a good thing. As you read 2 Peter 3, pay special attention to the phrases referring to Aheaven@ and Aearth@or Aworld@. Peter speaks of three: 1) the one in Noah=s day which was destroyed with water, 2) the present Aheaven and earth@ in which they lived (the old covenant system) which was Abeing destroyed@ (luomenon) and had been Akept@ or Areserved@ (thaysowridzo - piled up) for a fire, and 3) a new heaven and earth Ain which righteousness dwells@.
Again, do not miss the significance of this passage! The old system was being destroyed in their day! The ineffectual Aelements@ of that system and all their trappings had been placed on the trash pile and were ready to burn. That burning in A.D. 70 is so well documented it is undeniable.
Question . . . if their Aheaven and earth@ were burned up, where do we now reside? The scripture in no way supports a so-called Achurch age@ which intervenes between the passing of the old covenant heaven and earth, and the new heaven and earth. Such an assertion is only necessary if one believes God did not keep His word and Jesus got the time of His coming wrong. When you can embrace the new heaven and earth, you will find a grander view of the work that God has done. We=ve still got a lot to consider so let=s move on to Abraham.
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised; therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. (Hebrews 11:8-12)
A
By faith@, I hope those words begin to haunt us. They are critical to every significant thing we read in scripture and they must become critical to us if we are to be like those of whom we read. Look at the sequence of events in Abraham=s life: he had faith; he was called; he obeyed; he was blessed. What was he seeking - a physical land? Absolutely not! He desired a city with a real foundation, designed and built by God himself. Did the Hebrews have a land promise? Sure, but it had been fulfilled and they lost it when the rejected God. Abraham and other people of faith were looking for something more.All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 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 a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)
Some commentators describe the theme of Hebrews as
Abetter@. That is certainly a theme but I find it less than satisfying. The new covenant isn=t just Abetter@ - it is the best! Indeed it is the only covenant extended to the world at large as promised to Abraham. Why is it so superior? Because it provides what people of faith have always sought, Aa country of their own@. If the old covenant has not passed from the scene, then people of faith yet wait for the promised country. After almost 2,000 years of disappointment one might begin to doubt the promise. But AGod is not slack toward His promises@ and understanding the text properly gives us assurance that He kept His word.By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED." He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead; from which he also received him back as a type. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones. (Hebrews 11:17-22)
Here we note that God is determining the events which are yet to come, not men. Abraham
=s attempt to help the plan along only created problems, yet God in His sovereignty, orchestrated those events according to His eternal purpose. It should not escape our attention that the author makes mention of the exodus. Just as God=s people had been in bondage in Egypt, they were in bondage to the law. As surely as God delivered them from the hands of Pharaoh, He would deliver them from the hands of their Jewish oppressors. Passover was instituted to make the people remember that deliverance, and the author reminds the Hebrews of God=s faithfulness in his continuing effort to encourage them to faithfulness.By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the first-born might not touch them. (Hebrews 11:23-28)
Next, the author turns to Moses as an example of faith. Don
=t miss the faithfulness of Amram and Jacobed (Moses= parents). We could use a lot of folks like them in America right now: far too many Christians in this country are indeed Aafraid of the king=s edict@ and sit quietly by while tyranny is worked. That=s an observation I just couldn=t leave out, but it isn=t on topic so I=ll move on.We know the story of Moses so there is no need to delve into the details. The summary provided is sufficient for our purpose. Why did Moses, as an adult reject his royal heritage? Were you paying attention to the text? Read it again.
That
=s right. Moses was looking for something better, He considered Athe reproach of Christ greater than the treasures of Egypt....@ Are we to understand that Moses knew about Christ? What do you think? From the burning bush to being allowed to see the backside of God=s glory, Moses certainly had the opportunity for greater vision, BUT those events took place after leaving Pharaoh=s house. The text says Moses found courage Aas seeing Him who is unseen@. I=d be interested in your thoughts on this question.Returning to our theme, notice the last verse. Moses kept the Passover and the ritual sprinkling of blood to protect the firstborn. As the Hebrews were freed from bondage, they plundered Egypt
=s wealth and God destroyed their oppressors. Similarly, Jesus lead the remnant out of bondage by shedding His blood to protect the Acongregation of the firstborn@. As Hebrews was written, judgment was about to come on those who oppressed God=s people. The author reminds the reader of His faithfulness in dealing with Moses, and encourages the people to steadfastness in their vision of the unseen. Either God was faithful and Christ came, or they must surely have been disappointed.When Christianity finally confess God
=s faithfulness in this matter, the glory of God=s kingdom will fill the earth.Bush on Islam: A...a noble faith...@
If you watched the recent
AState of the Union@ address by G(lobalist) W. Bush, I hope you paid attention to his characterization of Islam as Aa noble faith@ which is being perverted by a few bad apples.As a professed Christian, Mr. Bush should know that Islam is a pagan faith, a perversion of truth and its enemy. It is a man-made doctrine that defies the kingdom of God and has persecuted Christians in the most violent of ways throughout its bloody history.
Clearly, Mr. Bush is seeking the support of those in the Islamic world who refuse to acknowledge the reality of its long held goal of dominating the planet and rooting out Christianity wherever it is found.
Is the President really so foolish as to believe that two diametrically opposed world views can coexist peacefully? If you think he is that naive, you think less of him than I do (and that
=s saying a lot).We need leaders who understand the Christian foundation of our system of government and who uphold it unapologetically regardless of the cost. In spite of his professed faith, during his tenure as President, Mr. Bush has been a party to several things which should make Christians at least question his faith: 1) he bowed in worship to a Shinto Shrine over the loud protests of Asian Christians (many of whom are persecuted by that pagan faith), 2) he was responsible for the theft of the $6 million church property of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple because they refused to become a state chartered church (see the piece below for more on this issue), 3) he was responsible for the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Alabama Judicial Center, and 4) he, and his brother Jeb, refused to use the authority of their office to keep Terry Schiavo from being starved to death (both use their office to do all sorts of unconstitutional things, but declined to protect innocent human life).
Had Bill Clinton (or John Kerry) done these things, the Christian community would have been on the warpath. Instead, most Christians give their silent assent, or worse.
I am both amazed and appalled to hear the response of Christians when confronted with these facts. By and large, the response I hear is one which seeks to justify Bush
=s ungodly compromises. We have a duty to hold this man accountable for his actions, we should not be making excuses for concessions to the very forces which are assailing the very foundation of this country=s government.Are you writing yet? If not, why not? If not, when? If not, what will it take to make you do something about these affronts to our system of government and, not to equate the two, the kingdom of God?
State Chartered Churches
Say something long enough and people will believe it
=s true, even if it has no basis in fact. That is a truism which is demonstrable again and again throughout history and it is certainly true in our time.I remember hearing as a child how the churches in Russia were just tools of the government because only state approved and controlled churches could meet without fear of persecution. As long as they espoused the party line, they could be reasonably sure of being left alone.
It is no small concern to me and many others that in our lifetimes, this country has adopted the same posture as that held by the former Soviet Union. Thanks to government bureaucrats and their lap dog attorneys, virtually every congregation of believers in America
Aknows@ that it has to become a 501(c)3 corporation in order to be tax exempt.Of course, it is all the more understandable when the government, in violation of the written code, steals a church
=s property because they lawfully chose not to subjugate their corner of the kingdom of God to Caesar. Never forget the second half Christ=s admonition A....render unto God the things that are God=s.@For your edification, Title 26 (the tax title of the U. S. Code), Section 508 had the heading
ASpecial rules with respect to section 501 (c)(3) organizations@. The opening subsection reads: A(a) New organizations must notify Secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 501 (c)(3) status@Except as provided in subsection (c), an organization organized after October 9, 1969, shall not be treated as an organization described in section 501 (c)(3)
That
=s pretty straightforward, but in plain English it says that in order to be treated as a tax-exempt organization, any group formed after the date above has to comply with the provisions of this section AExcept as provided in subsection (c)@. What does that subsection say?A
(c) Exceptions(1) Mandatory exceptions
Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to
C(A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches
@
There are other provisions addressing other issues related to 501(c)3 organizations but none with negate the impact of this clear statement: Churches are not only exempt under Title 26, Section 508(c)1(A), that exception is MANDATORY! Yet the government coerces churches into
Avoluntarily@ giving up their independent status and becoming state churches!!!The Indianapolis Baptist Temple exercised its lawful right to operate as a Christian Ministry without federal or state approval. Their property was stolen expressly because they refused to seek that approval. The prosecuting attorney is on the record as having told them their problems would vanish if they just became a 501(c)3 church. They refused and under the authority of President Bush, through the office of then Attorney General John Ashcroft, and under the supervision of a Baptist Deacon/U. S. Marshall their property was forcefully taken from them by the government.
Pulpits across the country are now in fear of what the federal government will do if they refuse to go along with this kind of treachery. Perhaps more than that, they are in fear of what their congregations will do if they find the courage to take a stand in the face of tyranny. How very sad.
Ministers of the gospel played a huge role in establishing our free republic. It now appears the ministers of today
=s gospel will be largely responsible for its destruction.The Apprentice
=s JournalI
=m writing this on February 18, a cold, rainy, dreary day. It=s a great day to be inside and snuggled up together by the fireplace, and we don=t get many of those days in our part of the world. Every piece of that Norman Rockwell kind of day is in place, except one: the dog asleep in front of the fireplace.Our 16 year-old Yorkie, was diagnosed with kidney failure two days ago. That afternoon we met with our friend and veterinarian of many years, to say our goodbyes and spend a few cherished minutes together with our sweet Maggie.
After a few minutes outside in the grass one last time, we made the tearful trip back inside to end her suffering. Not long ago, I told you how she was almost completely blind and deaf. We=ve known she wouldn=t be with us much longer, but we are never ready to part with things we love. As hard is it sometimes is, the realities of life are inescapable.
The amazing thing is that even though we know the inevitable, we welcome new relationships because the joy they bring us far outweighs the sadness of loss. A world without risk in relationship would soon become dull and boring.
There is something special about our relationships with animals. We would do well to practice with one another much of what we do with our pets. How many of us are still nursing a grudge at that little puppy for chewing a hole in the carpet 16 years ago? Yet, we can hold onto wrongs suffered from others for decades.
After that puppy chewed the hole in carpet, how long was it before things were forgiven and the relationship restored so that we could get back to important things like playing ball and chasing cats? Not very long - right?
How long does it take to get things back to normal when we are dealing with others of our own species? Sadly, it usually takes longer. It is a wonderful thing to live in a relationship which keeps short accounts, but we rarely choose to live that way. We=d rather keep things on the books to see just how much hurt we can squeeze out of them. In the process, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to enjoy what might have been ours had we been willing to turn loose of past wrongs.
Perhaps we are drawn to dogs because, for the most part, they are predictable, and genuine. There is no pretense in their behavior. There is no masking of their emotions. When they are glad to see you, you know it! When they have been reprimanded, they display submissive behavior, even if their nature tells them otherwise. Of course, I=m speaking in general terms and there are always times when they decide to exert themselves and test the waters.
We can learn a lot about ourselves as we observe creation around us. The pets which we choose to share our lives with are just one of the many instruments God uses to give us insight into the mystery of our relationship with Him.
Sharon and I are learning just how much Maggie=s life touched ours. It is amazing to now discover how her presence in our home impacted our daily routine. Maggie was a part of almost everything, even if it was just to lay at our feet while we read or watched TV. Now, everything has changed and it will take awhile for the expectation of her presence to fade.
Those expectations will fade with time, but the memories of her which enrich our lives will endure, not because she was a dog, but because they are a special part of what God has been doing in our lives during the years she spent with us. If Balaam could learn from his donkey, we have certainly learned much from a few pounds of fur which packaged a little dog with a huge heart.
It=s true to say she was just a dog, but to us she was much, much more. She was part of God=s creation and she fulfilled the purpose for which she was created in ways that we will never forget. I pray that we all will fulfill our callings equally well. ~ Jim