Faith is the Substance – Hebrews 11:1 –

Faith is the Substance, the Tangible Proof of Godliness
(Hebrews 11:1)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

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The Introduction to Hebrews Chapter 11
The Substance of Faith

   Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews opens a Supernatural Door through the eyes of faith. We are going to tour the Supernatural article of faith THROUGH its SUBSTANCE so that we might see through faith that which is UNSEEN to the natural eye. As blood flows through the veins of man, so also, faith flows through the child of God to make them heirs of God’s righteousness. Faith is the OUTWARD expression of the INWARD possession of the tangible Gift from God Almighty, the Son of God, the Author and Finisher of faith, for the Lord Jesus Christ, is the Father’s Gift to us through faith.

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (John 4:10)

    Since the Spirit of God is the Keeper of ALL truth in our present day, He is the one who keeps and reveals the truth and wonder of the Lord Jesus Christ and His word. The address of this eleventh Chapter is important; it is the eleventh Chapter and the first verse which is 1 – 1 – 1. At first this does not appear to be of any importance; however, THIS Chapter deals with the bedrock of our salvation in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you do not think that the Holy Spirit can KEEP the word of God and the number and addresses that He gave to chapters and verses you will miss so much of His work within the written word of God.
   In the first numerical verse of 1, we have God the Father; in the second numerical 1, we have God the Son; and in the third numerical 1, we have God the Holy Spirit, and all three makes the fullness of the Godhead bodily in Jesus Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) This is NOT the natural view of man’s sight, it is faith’s eye, the Supernatural sight of faith. Everything in Hebrews 11 has a direct connection to the UNSEEN. Only the eye of faith reveals ALL the truths that are hidden within this Chapter. In our contemporary age there is so much talked about concerning a false supernatural. We have all types of man-made mysteries, we have crying statues, and we have lights at the end of the tunnel of death. Every day, man invents a new idol or a new superstition all in the imaginations of the evil heart of man. We forget that the rebellious angel, Lucifer, has been cast down to the ground.

   The conflict between the man of the earth and the God of heaven centers around the powers of Lucifer/Satan. These evil powers drive the nations to conflict and utter destruction. Today he is called the prince of this world, and many people, including world leaders have set the throne of Satan upon their own hearts. The old serpent the devil, the angel of light has been destroying truth since his deception at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil where Adam brought sin and death into the world. Through Lucifer’s deception man is moved to fight against his Creator as Adam brought sin into the world, thus, he prepared all of mankind with that inherent sin. Man is a creature of unbelief. We live in a world of unbelief, and in this unbelief, man is ignorant of the Almighty God.

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NOW the Substance of Faith in Hebrews Chapter 11
A Supernatural New Race of Just Men

   As the Spirit of God gives us this initial address of the triple 1’s (Hebrews 11:1) that display the Godhead, they open the door and the stage for ALL the Supernatural works of God in Hebrews Chapter 11. As we begin this very first verse, the Spirit of God gets our attention with the word NOW. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The last time that we encountered this word was in Hebrews 10:38, Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Through now the just shall live by faith in Hebrews 11, the Spirit of God shows us the SUBSTANCE of THAT faith. Each and everyone who is justified by faith has been SUPERNATURALLY created in Jesus Christ. They have been brought into a NEW RACE of JUST MEN made perfect in Christ. They have become THE RACE OF THE RIGHTEOUS before God and heavenly citizens through the substance of faith. Before we get into the meat of this Chapter, we should first see the work of the Holy Spirit within us in Chapter 10.
   Chapter 10, in the shadow of good things to come prepares us for Chapter 11 and those good things. Chapter 11 prepares us for Chapter 12 and the Author and Finisher of our faith, Christ Jesus. In Chapter 10 the Law was a shadow. It was given for LIGHT however, the sin of man was cast over it and it became a shadow of God’s truth, and this shadow laid across the full spectrum of mankind. The Law more than anything else showed mankind in his outward works the sin that dwelt within him and his inward devotion to that sin. The Law revealed that man was wretched, that man was defiled, that man was sinful, that man was unholy, and that man was unrighteous. And deep down in the darkness of the heart of man, the spirit of man walked through the muck and mire of sin and enmity against God and his Creator. The Law condemned ALL of mankind to the fullest. Man could only find temporary relief in the Old Testament sacrifices that God had given as a SHADOW of GOOD THINGS TO COME in Jesus Christ. Think of Chapter 10 of Hebrews as a better sacrifice, a better position inside the veil through the veil of His flesh, and a better blood for it is the blood of the TRUE ATONEMENT and this true atonement activates ALL faith. It is THROUGH this transformation that one is justified before God through faith in the better things that HAVE come in our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38 leads us into Chapter 11, AND as Chapter 11 ends (God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:40) it also leads us into the Author and Finisher of our Faith, Jesus Christ in Hebrews 12:2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

   As Chapter 10 of Hebrews prepares us for the 11th Chapter (the faith Chapter) so also Chapter 11 manifests the faith of the things NOT SEEN and Chapter 12 COMPLETES and finishes our journey of faith IN the Lord Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 12:2). The Holy Spirit of God presents faith IN this order to draw us into the mind of the Spirit and the things UNSEEN. Time to find your thinking cap, as God looks on His Son, Jesus Christ, God the Father draws us into God’s purpose IN Christ in Chapter 10.
   In Chapter 10 Christ satisfied ALL the judgments that were against Adam’s sinful race. It was CHRIST through the sacrifice of Himself as the Lamb of God that removed the sin of the world. God PROVIDED HIMSELF as the Lamb for a burnt offering.

And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:6)
And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? (Genesis 22:7)
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:8)
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. (Genesis 22:9)
And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. (Genesis 22:10)
And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. (Genesis 22:11)
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. (Genesis 22:12)
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. (Genesis 22:13)

   In the first Chapter of John’s gospel, it is the Holy Spirit presenting to us the Son of God as the Man Jesus Christ.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. (John 1:30)
And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. (John 1:31)
And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (John 1:32)
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33)
And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (John 1:34)
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; (John 1:35)
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36)

   Pay attention to verse 30, This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. Then turn to Revelation 13:8, And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. In Revelation 13:8, pay attention to the words the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. As John the Baptist expressed his revelation of the preexistence of the Son of God, so also the Spirit of God in Revelation in 13:8 expresses His preexistence as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We see that God HAD provided a Lamb for a burnt offering and that Lamb was His beloved Son. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (Ephesians 5:2) God PROVIDED HIMSELF as a burnt offering. In Genesis 22, Abraham (through the Spirit of God) prophesied that God would provide a LAMB, a burnt offering, a sweet savour to God the Father. The words of Leviticus Chapter 1:3-9 reveal the purity of the offering that is brought out in Leviticus 1:3

If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. (Leviticus 1:3)
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. (Leviticus 1:4)
And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Leviticus 1:5)
And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces. (Leviticus 1:6)
And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire: (Leviticus 1:7)
And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: (Leviticus 1:8)
But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. (Leviticus 1:9)

   The acceptance of this offering is brought out in Leviticus 1:9, a sweet savour unto the LORD. As Abraham carried the fire in his hand to the top of mount Moriah, so too, God carried the fire in His hand to the top of mount Calvary (which was mount Moriah). As we see in Isaiah 53:10 and 11, it was the soul of the Lord Jesus that was offered. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11) The soul is the deepest part of man, for God sees our souls in the depths of the earth BEFORE our physical form is realized. 

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalm 139:14)
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (Psalm 139:15)
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:16)

    In the process of our birth, we are conceived in sin and iniquity because of the sin of Adam passed on to every individual, therefore, our soul comes into the earth IN our birth defiled by that sin and needs to be restored by the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)
    Abel’s path of righteousness came as he exercised his gift of faith in offering his more excellent sacrifice, and God witnessed of his gifts. Noah became an heir of righteousness and received the grace of God through his preaching of righteousness through faith. In the new world Noah offered gifts to God in those sacrifices as a sweet savour to God. In Psalm 23, we have the path of righteousness, and this path was fulfilled by our Savior Jesus Christ. In Matthew 3:15, we see the beginning of this path of righteousness that Christ would fulfill here on earth from His baptism in the Jordan to the baptism of His death on the cross at Calvary. Christ fulfilled ALL the righteousness of God. And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (Matthew 3:15) It was the sacrifice of Christ on the cross that fulfilled that righteousness, and the Lord Jesus announced it when He proclaimed, It is finished. The Holy Spirit explains this to us in Hebrews 9:10, Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. The time of reformation included Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, His three days and three nights in the tomb, His resurrection and His UNSEEN ascension with His blood that He placed on the mercy seat (He placed His own blood on the mercy seat in heaven.) to complete the time of reformation. He then descended to reveal Himself in the evening of THAT first day of His resurrection.

● But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; (Hebrews 9:11) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)
● How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)
● By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)
● But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (Hebrews 10:12)
● Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19)
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (Hebrews 10:20)
And having an high priest over the house of God; (Hebrews 10:21)
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (Hebrews 10:23)
● Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38)

   Since man is condemned in the inherent sin of Adam, so those who have been born of the Spirit of God are justified in the inherent faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

   In Galatians 2:20, pay attention to the words, I live by the faith of the Son of God. This is the inherent faith that IS IN Jesus Christ as both the Author and Finisher of faith, Hebrews 12:2. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Author or the beginning of faith. He also completes or finishes faith through all the redeemed that God the Father has given Him. God the Father points us to the very fullness of Christ, who is the beginning of the creation of God.

● And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14)
● And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:17)
● For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; (Colossians 1:19)
● The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (Ephesians 1:19)
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:20)
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:21)
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (Ephesians 1:22)
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:23)
● He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:10)

   Ephesians 4:10 goes with Hebrews 9:12, Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Christ ascended and placed His own blood upon the mercy seat ON the morning of His resurrection.

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. (John 20:16) Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)

Side Note: Touch Me Not. He appeared in the morning of the third day; however, He did NOT reveal Himself to His brethren UNTIL the evening of that same day. He ascended up to His Father BEFORE He met with His brethren in His glorified state. CLICK HERE to learn more about Touch me not. CLICK HERE for much more about Touch me not. CLICK HERE for much much more about Touch me not. ◆ End of Side Note.

   Christ fulfilling His priesthood as Melchisedec is seen in type with Aaron the high priest, for Aaron could NOT be touched after he had cleansed himself at the laver. This not only sanctified Aaron, but also sanctified the blood that he was carrying for the atonement. Christ could NOT BE TOUCHED until He had ascended into heaven As Melchisedec and had placed His own blood on the TRUE mercy seat in heaven. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. (Ephesians 4:10) Now later in the FIRST DAY of His resurrection AT EVENING He revealed Himself to His brethren. As Aaron coming out of the Tabernacle, Israel would rejoice for God had accepted the blood of the sacrifice and as Christ revealed Himself, now they (His brethren) were glad, and could TOUCH HIM for He had sanctified them IN His blood.

● Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (Hebrews 13:12)
● For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
● By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)

   In Hebrews 13:12 the blood sanctifies us before God on the mercy seat. This is our current standing before God IN heaven. Now, in the finished work of the flesh of Jesus Christ that was done on earth at the brazen altar (the cross) He removed Adam by the death of Himself, and sanctified ALL who would come to God through Him by faith in His finished work. He would sanctify them even in THIS life by the offering of His flesh; therefore, we are sanctified by His blood and by His flesh. Now, when we are born again, we enter into the Man in heaven and THROUGH His Spirit He enters into us while we are on earth, thus, giving us an UNSEEN presence in heaven and giving Him an UNSEEN presence in us on earth. As He revealed Himself to His disciples, so in the UNSEEN He reveals Himself to the eye of faith.

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Christ is the SUBSTANCE, the HOPE and the EVIDENCE of Faith

   Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In Hebrews 11:1, it is Christ who is the SUBSTANCE and the HOPE of the things UNSEEN. The apostle Peter tells us to USE the eye of faith in 1st Peter 1:3-5 and 7-9.

● Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1st Peter 1:3)
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1st Peter 1:4)
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1st Peter 1:5)
● That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1st Peter 1:7)
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1st Peter 1:8)
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1st Peter 1:9)

   Peter describes the eye of faith, Who are kept by the power of God through faith. In verse 7 we have the trial of our faith, this takes us back to Hebrews Chapter 11, and we see the multiple trials that the people of faith had in their faith. As they were tried for their faith in diverse manners, so we should also expect a similar trial for our faith. In verse 9, it is the end of your faith. Since the Lord Jesus is the Author, the beginning of faith, He is also the Finisher or End of our faith. Now let us see through the eye of faith. He has begun a good work in us. It is HE that worketh and not ourselves; however, it is up to us to apply our faith to our walk and work in this life. He will finish our course and bring us to the end of our faith in our earthly sojourn. He is the SUBSTANCE of our faith and He is the EVIDENCE of the UNSEEN. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1st Peter 1:8)
   The substance of man has many particles, some can be seen with the natural eye, and some cannot be seen. What man has seen his conscience, his soul, or his spirit? Man, the inward man, is still a mystery unto himself. Man has no understanding of the depth and the destitution of Adam’s sin that has plagued all of mankind since Adam disobeyed God and brought sin into the world. This is why man rejects the righteousness of God and on the flip side mankind LOVES his sin. All the time I hear that God hates sin but loves the sinner. If that statement is correct that God hates sin but loves the sinner, then I say we should tear out Romans Chapter 1 and the end of Psalms 139:19-24 right out of our Bibles.

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. (Psalm 139:19)
For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. (Psalm 139:20)
Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? (Psalm 139:21)
I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. (Psalm 139:22)
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: (Psalm 139:23)
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:24)

   Sin is NOT an invisible object. It works in the heart of man to do evil and wicked works. Sin denies God, in fact, sin has NO love attached to it. Sin is void of love. And those who sin finds themselves void of Godly love. How often man condemns God for his own sin. This shows the complete depravity of the heart of man. Once a man told me that God killed his son. I replied, No, Adam killed your son, the sin that was in your son caused his death. You see, sin is a moral blight, it eats and eats until it brings forth death.
   There were three men on the crosses on mount Moriah only one was from heaven, the Son of God. The other two were of the earth, earthly. They were being judged for their sins which were acknowledged by one of the thieves. Christ was  judged because he was sinless, and He was The Holy One. He was there in the center cross to show us the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and to divide the tree of good and evil. One man would go to paradise. The other man would go to hell. Both of them were facing man’s judgment AND God’s judgment for their sin. However, on the middle cross there was the sinless ONE being judged by God for ALL of man’s sins. He was there to destroy Adam, and to destroy the sin that Adam brought into the world, and death by sin. One thief refused the mercy of God but had no idea of the wrath of God that he would soon be facing. He had no idea of the list of sins that hung over his head.
   Adam had brought sin into the world as he stood in the presence of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam brought death into the world BY sin, and so death AND sin passed upon all of mankind. It is man AND Satan who are the enemies of God. David HATED the enemies of God as well as his own enemies with a perfect hatred, and so shall it be. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; (Exodus 20:5) God proclaimed Esau have I hated, and Jacob have I loved. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (Romans 9:13) 

I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, (Malachi 1:2) And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. (Malachi 1:3)

   There is NO room for love for the haters of God. This is why there is a transition of a new birth (a new creation in the children of God) for Adam cannot enter into the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. Adam cannot partake of the love of God which is IN Christ Jesus. The haters of God will stand in the presence of the Divine Judge at the great white throne judgment. At this throne of judgment we see the judgment of all the God haters and we see the judgment of God and the hatred of sin and those who committed sin IN Adam. This is hatred for the unrepentant sinner . . . I hate them with perfect hatred. No one gets a free pass at the great white throne judgment. The books are opened, the lists of their transgressions are read out against them, all their mouths are stopped, and the judgment is set, it is the lake of fire, the second death. The flames forever burn and they will wail and gnash their teeth. Don’t be fooled by the liberal lying unbelieving Church of today. They have never been to the cross of Christ. They have never embraced the Christ of the cross, although they often speak of the cross, it is a fabrication of their imagination. It is the cross accepted by the world and not the cross of Christ. This is why they still see the Lord Jesus hanging upon the cross. They place this fabricated image on walls and hang it around their necks, and they squeeze beads of destruction and pray to an unknown God as Christ hangs upon a silver cross. They will not place Him at the right hand of God where He sits upon HIS throne and ministers grace to those who come to God BY Him THROUGH faith. Any symbol of Christ on the cross today is blaspheming against God. We live in a world of Satan’s symbolism with statues and idols. They disgrace Mary (the Lord’s earthly humble mother) and attribute deity to her and pray to the statutes and the idols that bear her name . . . what a travesty. They add images of angels and saints (of their own invention) into a world that is already FULL of idolatry, a world with NO faith.

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Following Faith through the Bible

➜ In the Old Testament, the first time that the word faith is mentioned, and by the way, the word faith is only mentioned twice in the Old Testament. The first mention is in Deuteronomy 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. The first mention of faith is NEGATIVE, and the Holy Spirit selects His words carefully, they are children of no faith He does not use the words ‘man’ or ‘men,’ but children for we are ALL born as a child, and we all come into this world WITH NO FAITH.
   The second time that word faith was recorded in the Old Testament came in the days of the prophets in the book of Habukkuk 2:4, Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. This gives us a comparison between the wicked and the just who shall live by his faith. Do you see that faith is the UNSEEN Supernatural blood that flows in the life of the Just? Through FAITH we live in the justification of our own life, so that FAITH in the Son of God justifies us before the Almighty.
➜ In the New Testament, in 2nd Thessalonians 3:2 we have man without faith. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. NOT ALL MEN HAVE FAITH. We have children of no faith, and man in his faithless condition with NO FAITH. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:14) There are many more tares than wheat. The seeds of Satan surround the wheat. (John 8:44) The apostle Paul wrote (through the Spirit of God) that he and all true believers are crucified to the world, and the world is crucified to them. It is the individual experience THROUGH faith that one is crucified WITH the Son of God.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)

➜ In Galatians 6:15 we see a divine transformation, this is a NEW CREATURE, a NEW CREATION. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. The seed of faith brings forth NEW LIFE in grace and we live in the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me.
➜ The word faith is mentioned in thirty-one verses in the book of Hebrews. When we compare the word faith as it is mentioned through the four gospels, in the book of Matthew, faith is only mentioned in thirteen verses; in Mark it is mentioned in only five verses; in Luke, faith is only mentioned in twelve verses. Now you are probably expecting a large number in the gospel of John, but SURPRISE, the word faith is NOT mentioned in the gospel of John. However, with doubting Thomas, the Lord Jesus told him not to be faithless, but the single word of faith is NOT found in the gospel of John. Nevertheless, the Author of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ is MAGNIFIED by the Spirit of God throughout the entire book of John. In the book of Acts, the word faith is mentioned in fourteen verses. In Romans, it is mentioned thirty-nine times beating the book of Hebrews. Consider the link or tie between these two books of Romans and Hebrews. We find the phrase the just shall live by faith in Romans 1:17, and Hebrews 10:38.
➜ In Romans 1:17, we have the word faith THREE times, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. The very gospel that we preach is the movement of FAITH TO FAITH, for we live in the FAITH of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us, the redeemed. We have been made the righteousness of God THROUGH FAITH.
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7) Noah became an heir of righteousness BY FAITH. And being justified, Noah lived BY faith.
➜ Faith is mentioned in thirteen verses for a total of fourteen times in 1st and 2nd Corinthians. Let’s examine 2nd Corinthians 1:24, Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Look closely at this verse . . . we cannot control the faith of others, we cannot transfer OUR faith to another soul, we cannot increase the faith of others, nor can we dictate faith to them. God is in charge of the Gift of faith, and this is what the contemporary Church DOES NOT understand for they have usurped the authority and the dominion over the faith of others while having NO inward faith themselves. For every one of true faith STANDS in the faith of Christ, and we travel in our lives from faith to faith.
➜ It may surprise you that the small book of Galatians the word faith is mentioned in twenty verses for a total of twenty-two times. The number twenty-two (22) is a compound witness of faith. In the number of a witness which is two (2) then we have the compound witness of twenty-two (22). The number twenty is two times ten, and if we take ten times twenty-two, we have two hundred and twenty (220). I think that the numbers speak for themselves especially when you consider Galatians 2:20 (220). This verse seems to cement the entire book of Galatians around the Lord Jesus Christ, and that FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN. One day or month, God willing, I hope to examine the word faith in the book of Galatians as we are currently doing in the book of Hebrews. In the book of Galatians, we have some wonderful treasures of faith, but we must move on.
➜ In the book of Ephesians, the word faith is mentioned eight (8) times in eight verses, however, we will deal with only one of these verses. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8) The word grace has been overworked by the evangelical angelics of false doctrine. One cannot have grace without faith. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

   Why am I picky here? The gospel is founded on FAITH and through FAITH we receive the grace of God. We have two fields here like negative and positive electricity. In the proper order and direction, the electricity flows normal to complete the entire circuit; however, if the wires are crossed then you will get a short circuit, and the electricity will stop for FAITH MUST COME FIRST, and THEN GRACE THROUGH FAITH. This is the only way one can complete the circuit of God’s righteousness in Jesus Christ. It is FAITH that is the true Gift of God IN Jesus Christ. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (John 4:10) Grace is the outcome of faith which does not change the power of the Father’s love toward us. God the Father looks upon us (the redeemed) because of our faith OF and IN the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
   As Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith, grace comes through the outward work and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ for us. It is through His sacrifice that He has purchased the heirs of salvation and made us heirs of God’s righteousness as we see in Hebrews 11:7 using Noah as an example. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
➜ Let us move on to the epistle to the Philippians. The word faith is mentioned five (5) times within four verses. This is another witness of the Spirit of God through numbers. In the number five we have the number of grace, and in the number four we have the number of the world, or the earth number. So, the Spirit of God puts it together: grace to the world. We will only look at Chapter 3, verse 9, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. The last part of this verse is the righteousness which is of God by faith, so therefore, we see that faith in Jesus Christ enters us into the righteousness of God BY faith of the Son of God as that divine Gift given for us.
➜ In the epistle to the Colossians, faith is mentioned five (5) times in five verses. This also gives us the combination of faith and grace. In Colossians 2:12, we enter into the determinate counsels of God from BEFORE the worlds were made. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Faith of the operation of God, this brings in that which was from the beginning within the determinate counsels of God and His foreknowledge. God not only saw the birth of His Son, and the death of His Son, but also the joy that was set before Him in the mighty power of His resurrection. And through this foreknowledge WE enter into His death THROUGH the cross, or better stated through the crucifixion of the Man of the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are buried with Him in the darkness of death, but we are also risen with Him through the faith of the Son of God, and we are not only risen with Him, but in our faith, we can enter into the holy of holies through the veil of His flesh. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (Hebrews 10:20)
➜ In 1st Thessalonians the word faith is mentioned eight (8) times in eight verses, and we will concentrate on Chapter 5 verse 8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. The breastplate of faith is mentioned and is that which covers the heart.
➜ In the book of Ephesians 6:14 we have a wonderful revelation that our breastplate is the righteousness of God. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Are there two breastplates? No, only one, here is the sum: the breastplate in 1st Thessalonians 5:8 is the breastplate of faith that leads or acquires the righteousness of God. We see this in Noah in Hebrews 11:7. God shows us how He built that total breastplate to protect our heart, for it is with the heart that we believe through faith.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10)

   In Hebrews 11:7 God puts forth His righteousness in combination with faith and that Noah was the heir of God’s righteousness through faith. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Here we see the complete breastplate, both God’s righteousness and faith. Well, have you enjoyed our trip on the road of faith so far?
➜ In 2nd Thessalonians, the word faith is mentioned four (4) times in four verses. And we will look at two opposite verses, Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: (2nd Thessalonians 1:11) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. (2nd Thessalonians 3:2)
   In 2nd Thessalonians 1:11, we have the work of faith with POWER. This is the unlimited power of God Himself, for it is quite evident that within us there is NO power that can overcome the world, it MUST COME FROM ABOVE as the POWER of God. In our study Chapter of Hebrews 11, we have ALL the men and women of faith WITH POWER. It was their faith that gave them power to endure and accomplish what God had for them.
  In 2nd Thessalonians 3:2, we have men with NO power, with NO faith and our faith will deliver us from these wicked men.
➜ In 1st Timothy, the word faith is mentioned twenty (20) times in nineteen verses. In 1st Timothy 1:2, we get the divine sequence of our faith. The Spirit of God begins with faith in this sequence. Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. It is faith, grace, mercy and peace. All this is given to us THROUGH faith in a twinkling of an eye. This is the correct order of our salvation. We cannot have peace with God unless we begin with FAITH because FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR which includes grace, mercy and peace. Also in the verse, notice the title of the Lord it His title as Christ, the anointed One with holy oil of gladness upon His throne of righteousness. Time is flying by, so let us move on to 2nd Timothy.
➜ Faith is mentioned eight (8) times in 8 verses in 2nd Timothy. The first mention is unfeigned faith in 1:5, When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Here we have three individuals who possess unfeigned faith, and this is the only time in the Bible that the words unfeigned faith is recorded. It is a faith that is pure and unmovable, anchored in the Rock of our faith the Lord Jesus Christ. This verse is also a witness how godly parents can influence the next generation of their children by unfeigned faith. Both the grandmother, the mother and the son were unmovable from their faith: anchored in the righteousness and truth of the Son of God. In 2nd Timothy, the last mention of faith is found in 4:7, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Paul proclaimed that he had kept the faith that same unfeigned faith of Chapter 1.
➜ We are moving quickly, and we are only presenting a few facets of this huge jewel called FAITH. In the epistle to Titus, the word faith is mentioned (5) times in five verses. And we have the SAME sequence that is in 1st Timothy 1:2, To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 1:4) Again Paul treats Titus as a son in the faith giving is again the proper order; faith, grace, mercy and peace. Paul also gives a distinction to faith by calling it the common faith, which is the FAITH once delivered to the saints. Also in Titus 1:1 we have the ONLY mention of the faith of God’s elect. Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness. We also have the combination of the acknowledging of the TRUTH which is the outward display of their godliness.
➜ In the book of Philemon the word faith is only mentioned twice: through love and faith, and the communication of faith. (verse 1:5) Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints. Both love and faith will become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (Philemon 1:5) That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (Philemon 1:6) (We will skip over the book of Hebrews because we are dealing with Chapter 11 of Hebrews, and we will continue on in the book of James.)
➜ In the epistle of James we have sixteen (16) mentions of the word faith in twelve verses. And the man of God leaves nothing on the table for faith without works is dead, and Church attendance is NOT work, it is supposed to be WORSHIP of the most high God Jesus Christ possessor of heaven and earth. When someone has the Spirit of Christ within, the work or works ARE of the Spirit and of FAITH, and FAITH multiples the work of the Spirit. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:20) In this verse we have two men, a vain man proclaiming faith, yet void of the saving faith which is in Christ Jesus. The VOICE of the second man with the Spirit of truth is the writer, James, when he stated of the vain man that faith without works is dead? Then we have 2:24, notice that the Spirit of God joins both works and faith to man’s justification as we will see in Abel in Hebrews 11:4. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (James 2:24) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4) By Abel’s works of faith he received the righteousness of God; God testifying of his gifts by offering a more excellent sacrifice according to God’s faith, but Cain, the vain man, only had unrighteous works: the works of his hands without faith. In our age, it’s the never-ending collection plate of religion. It becomes the vain man who refuses to follow faith by giving the works of his hands. All of man’s religions have no presence with God for there is no life in religion. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26) In Cain we see the vain man, we see the absence of faith which allows the wicked heart to commit the diabolical sin of murder. The absence of faith in Cain led to his eternal banishment from God, and to the second death. Don’t lie to yourself, and don’t lie to the Lord, for if there is NO faith IN you then there is no Spirit of the Lord in you, therefore, you stand in the position of Cain, the vain man, and not in the position of James, the righteous man.
➜ In 1st Peter the word faith is mentioned five (5) times in five verses. The first mention is in 1st Peter 1:5, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. WE are KEPT by the POWER of God through FAITH. This shows us that FAITH is a tangible element. It is the SUBSTANCE, the fabric and thread that is woven by God within us THROUGH Christ by the faith of the Son of God.
   In 1st Peter, there are four (4) specific mentions of faith: first, the power of God IN our faith (1st Peter 1:5) ; secondly, the trial of our faith (That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1st Peter1:7) The third mention is the end of your faith. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1st Peter 1:9) The fourth mention is to be steadfast in resisting the adversary. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1st Peter 5:9)
   That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. This verse goes well with the last part of Hebrews 11 describing the nameless saints who endured the sufferings of trials for the hope of a better resurrection. For them it will be praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. In verse 9 we receive the end of our faith, our very soul depends on faith in the Author and Finisher of faith, Jesus Christ. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. In 1st Peter 1:21 it is ALL of Christ, in His  glorious resurrection from the dead, as the proof of His power of life, and we are to enter into that hope through faith that He will call us from the grave, or call us up to Him in the clouds in the translation of the just which Enoch, the seventh from Adam, is our example because THROUGH faith he pleased God. The last mention of faith in 1st Peter is in 5:9, Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Here we have the resisting of evil, the devil and the world. And no matter where you are the same afflictions are accomplished in those of like faith. The trial of your faith is for ALL Christians, not just a selected group.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? (Mark 5:30)
And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. (Luke 6:19)
And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. (Luke 8:46)

   As virtue was an inward power of the Son of God, so also with the saint. Virtue is present in one’s faith, and to that virtue we ADD the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God instructs us to GROW in grace, and in the KNOWLEDGE of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is faith that produces virtue. It is grace that leads us to knowledge. One of the biggest problems in our contemporary age is that Churches are like kindergartens, and the will of its leaders is to continually keep their followers as mere children spiritually. This is not God’s plan. His plan is for each and every child of God to GROW in grace and in the KNOWLEDGE of the Lord Jesus Christ so that virtue is present along with faith in Jesus Christ.
➜ In the 1st epistle of John, the word faith is only mentioned once. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1st John 5:4) Here we see that faith is the SUBSTANCE that overcomes the world. The eye of faith sees the invisible that which is born of God through HIS POWER by faith. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13)

   John 1:13 is the proof of the invisible work of faith within us. It excludes the blood of man, the flesh of man, the will of man and reveals our NEW being created ONLY by God. In 1st John 5:4, it is the only time that John used the word faith and the point of the Spirit of God IS that our faith overcomes the world.
➜ In the single Chapter of Jude’s epistle, the word faith is mentioned twice within two verses. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (Jude 1:20)
   In the first mention, it is the eternal faith once delivered to the saints. We have a faith that CANNOT be changed, a faith that endures the test of time, a faith that delivers and enriches and justifies the child of God. We are to earnestly, with all the power within us, contend for this faith. We should define and defend it with all our heart, soul and spirit, and give our lives as an offering and as a sweet savour to God. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
   In Jude 20, we are to build up ourselves, it is our responsibility to build up our most holy faith. As Jude is the LAST epistle in the Bible before the book of the Revelation is the prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ. The message within the book of Jude is the LAST voice of man through the Spirit of God in the epistles. The last message is a dual message: not merely contend for the faith, but to contend for your most HOLY faith. This is the ONLY time in Scripture that the two words of holy faith is put together. Not only are we exhorted to contend for the faith, but to BUILD OURSELVES ON and to ADD to our most holy faith.
➜ The last book of the Bible is the crown jewel of prophecy. It is in its proper title, The Revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave unto Him to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass. In the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ the word faith is mentioned four (4) times. This is the number of the world, and this book is God’s FINAL CALL to the world.
   Let us start with Revelation 2:13, I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan’s seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. Satan came in the midst of the Church in Pergamos and set up his seat of power and authority OVER the professing Church. In this Counterfeit Church, a man named Antipas, through faith stood up against the congregation of unrighteousness and defended his most holy faith. This cost Antipas his life.
   I want to remind you of Noah that in his day and age, he was the ONLY preacher of God’s righteousness, all had turned to Satan, and to the vain imaginations of the evil hearts. In Pergamos, Antipas died amongst those who met in the pretense of worshiping God. Antipas was slain for the truth. I want you to understand that it was this Church that was responsible for the death of Antipas, who God called His faithful martyr. Also it was the Lord Jesus Christ who declared that Antipas was slain for my faith, this statement of my faith revealed that it was the Lord who completely OWNED faith, and He completely OWNED HIS faithful martyr Antipas . . . my faithful martyr . . . who followed the path of Romans 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
   In this one verse of 2:13 of Church prophecy, we see the conflict of faith against the devil as he employed all means to overthrow the faith once delivered to the saints that overcome the world. Although there have been many martyrs and there will be many martyrs in the age to come in Revelation only one name is given to God’s faithful martyrs because Antipas is an example of ALL those to come that they will earnestly CONTEND for the faith.
   There is only ONE other occasion in the word of God that these two words my faith is used. This takes us back to the epistle of James 2:18, Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. I feel that James 2:18 goes with Antipas because Antipas showed his faith through his works in contending for the faith. Although there have been many martyrs in the history of man, Antipas is the example to show us that Satan and man cannot destroy or break faith, that faith IS ETERNAL even unto death. FAITH is THE SUBSTANCE of Eternal life in HE who HOLDS ALL LIFE. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (Hebrews 7:16)
   In Revelation 2:19 we again have faith and works. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last [to be] more than the first. As we examine the works of Thyatira it is quite evident that the works were not of faith as we see in verses 20 – 23.

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (Revelation 2:20)
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (Revelation 2:21)
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (Revelation 2:22)
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:23)

   The Church in Thyatira had opened the door to the world and welcomed ALL unclean beasts and creeping things to come in and worship with them. In the mention of Jezebel and her children the presence of Baal is seen. One of Jezebel’s children was her daughter Athaliah (also called the daughter of Ahab) who overthrew the throne of Judah through murder and deception AND for seven years she sat in Jerusalem ON the throne as Queen over the children of Israel. Today, we live in the tragedy of ‘Come One, Come All, All Are Welcomed.’ (The disciples were instructed by the Lord to GO OUT INTO THE WORLD, they were NOT instructed TO BRING THE WORLD INTO THE SANCTUARY OF WORSHIP. The gospel that is preached today is NOT the faith once delivered to the saints. It is a commercial gospel more in tuned with the collection plate and the building fund and other special interest other than Jesus Christ.) What happened to the Sanctuary of God’s children? In Solomon’s Temple only those appointed to worship could worship within its walls. The Body of Christ is made up of ONLY those of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Why then are they polluting the sanctuary with Jezebel and her children? Can the unrighteous serve God in the sanctuary? Can the unrighteous worship God in the sanctuary? The gospel and worship are two separate elements of Christianity. There is a place and time for collective worship and there is a place and time for the gospel outreach to the unsaved sinner. We have come so FAR from the collective worship of the children of God. The sanctuary has become a place of the worship of Baal and NOT the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. The mention of Jezebel and her children is the forming of the great whore of Babylon within the Church and its body. This is the depths of Satan. This is where the queen of heaven began instead of the Bride of Christ, the Church in Thyatira desired to be a Queen and not the Bride. As the Church took on the character of Jezebel and her children, especially her daughter Athaliah, the seeds were sown, the tares of Satan entered to deceive the saints, thus, the baby of whoredoms was born. This baby has grown into the great abomination of Babylon the great, and Thyatira was the first Church mentioned that its people will go into the tribulation where they will become the mighty whore of Babylon the great.
   The next mention of faith in the Revelation is in Revelation 13:10, He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Here we see that the Beast has come, the saints were being persecuted and put to death because they refused to bear his mark, and again they are called to have patience, patience of the saints through FAITH. Although the Beast in Revelation 13:10 has come to rule the world, and sits upon Satan’s throne, those of faith must put aside their physical image and their physical tendencies and have the patience of an Antipas. Again, patience and virtue and knowledge is the bedrock quality of faith in Jesus Christ. No one knows the sufferings of the saints that will take place when this Beast comes to power.
   We are to remember the fiery furnaces of Nebuchadnezzar on the plain of Dura when the three FAITHFUL Hebrew men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego contended for their faith in Jehovah and stood steadfast against the adversary and were thrown into the flames. However, Satan did not prevail. They emerged from the furnace untouched by flames and smoke completely delivered by the hand of God.
  We are to remember the prophecy that AFTER the two FAITHFUL witnesses in the book of the Revelation are slain, the FAITHLESS wicked world will universally celebrate for three days as only a perverted world can celebrate . . . in unimaginable drunkenness and unrestrained sexual abandonment. This will be the last world celebration greater than any previous New Year’s Eve celebration before THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE. (Revelation 11:8 – 13) God will allow the FAITHLESS world to wallow in their revelry THEN after three days, God will resurrect His two FAITHFUL witnesses, and as the world looks on, God’s two servants will ascend up to heaven to be with the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
   Now let’s examine the last mention of the word faith in the canon of Scripture, Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12) We see our patience spelled out for us, for here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. These are the jewels that make up the crown of life. Let us compare Revelation 14 with the last book on the Old Testament, Malachi 3:16 – 18.

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (Malachi 3:16)
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (Malachi 3:17)
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3:18)

   We began with Deuteronomy 32:20 with the children of NO faith. In Revelation 14 we end with the children of God, the saints of the most high, those of faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is a long road through the history of man, a FAITHLESS world, for if it was not for faith in the Lord Jesus Christ there would be NO HOPE. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
   Faith briefly: through Paul we stand by faith, grace is the outcome of faith, faith is our protective breastplate, and we will endure through the power of faith. In Peter’s epistle as new borns, we are exhorted to DESIRE the sincere milk of the word. He also instructs us to GROW in grace and in the KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ. Peter also further describes our faith as precious. And Jude puts the holiness of God IN our faith that we are to BUILD UP our most HOLY FAITH. In the words of Christ through John, faith is eternal, through our works of faith we are to contend for and defend our holy faith as Antipas, God’s FAITHFUL martyr.
   It is now time to open the door to the mystery of faith in Hebrews Chapter 11 that began with Christ who is the beginning of the creation of God. He is also the beginning of faith. He is also the Author and the eternal Completer or Finisher of faith, and of ALL those who are born of faith, walk by faith, work by faith, live by faith and worship by faith.

Amen. Selah.

© Copyright – Michael Haigh
Published on May 5, 2024, at 12:04 AM (EST)

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All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)