Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Letter to the Hebrews
An Intimate Review
Pt 8
By Lawrence DeMetrius

The Faith of the Elect

In [Heb 11:1] the scribe defines FAITH writing,

Now FAITH is the SUBSTANCE of THINGS HOPED FOR, the EVIDENCE of THINGS NOT SEEN.
[Heb 11:1]

*faith Gk *4102 pistis (pis-tis) it is…
• persuasion and credence
• moral conviction of a religious truth and the truthfulness of Yahweh or a religious teacher
• reliance upon Christ for salvation and constancy of such profession
• the system of religious truth based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ

*substance Gk #5287 hupostasis (hoop-os-tas-is) it is a setting under, support and essence, which is the basic, real and invariable nature of a thing with its individual features and assurance, which is….
• a positive declaration intended to give confidence
• a promise, pledge, guaranty and surety
• certainty, full confidence and freedom from doubt and timidity
• self-confidence, belief in one's abilities and presumptuous boldness

*things Gk #4229 pragma (prag-mah) it is a deed, an affair or material object

*hope Gk #1679 elpizo (el-pid-zo) it means to expect, confide and trust in

*evidence Gk #1650 elegchos (el-eng-khos) it is proof and conviction

*seen Gk #991 blepo (blep-o) it means to look at

Yahweh does not expect unbelievers to live by FAITH. However, HE demands it of HIS Elect Ones. In [Heb 11:2] the scribe reviews HOW believers of the past benefited from their FAITH in THE LORD’S WORD writing,

For by this the elders obtained a good report. Through FAITH we UNDERSTAND that the WORLDS were FRAMED by the WORD of GOD, so that things which are SEEN were not MADE of things which do APPEAR,
[Heb 11:2, 3]

*understand Gk #3539 noieo (noy-eh-o) it means to exercise the mind, observe, comprehend, heed, think and perceive

*worlds Gk #165 aion (ahee-ohn) it is an age, perpetuity, past, the world and a Messianic period past or future

*framed Gk #2675 katartizo (kat-ar-tid-zo) it means to thoroughly complete, repair and adjust

*word Gk #3056 logos (log-os) it is…
• something said including the thought
• a topic or subject of discourse
• reasoning of the mental faculty
• motive and computation, which is a making sense of a thing
• the Divine Expression such as Christ the Word

*appear Gk #5316 phaino (fah-ee-no) it means to lighten, shine or show

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.
[Heb 11:4]

One who seeks to have Yahweh as the eternal witness of their righteousness, must have FAITH in HIM as they offer HIM a life lived in righteousness through FAITH in HIS Word. [Rm 12:1-3; I Cor 1:30; II Cor 12:9; Jn 15:1-5]

By FAITH Enoch was TRANSLATED that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had TRANSLATED him: for before his TRANSLATION he had this TESTIMONY, that he PLEASED God. 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.
[Heb 11:5, 6]

*translated Gk #3346 metatithemi (met-at-ith-ay-mee) it means to transfer, transport, exchange, change sides and in the negative sense pervert

*translation Gk #3331 metathesis (met-ath-es-is) it is a transferal to heaven and a disestablishment of a law

*testimony Gk #3140 martureo (mar-too-reh-o) it is to be a witness and to testify

*pleased Gk #2100 euaresteo (yoo-ar-es-teh-o) it is to entirely please and gratify

This was certainly the case with Enoch, whose character was one of righteousness and wholehearted devotion to Yahweh. It pleased THE LORD to use him as HIS Oracle, by which the first official book of righteous principles was written for all children of earth to learn from. [Eno 37] Those who are not concerned with learning Yahweh’s principles are not going to reverence HIM as they should. Therefore, they will not be privy to the proper mode of divine worship. [II Chr 12:14; Dan 12:3, 10; Pro 8:35, 36] Such disregard is why many will inherit the Second Death with Lucifer. [Exo 32:30-33; St Jn 3:19, 20, 36; I Cor 1:18; Rev 20:11-15; 21:8, 22-27; 22:14, 15] In every generation, Yahweh searches the earth for those who desire to properly worship HIM. [II Chr 16:9; Eccl 12:13; St 4;23, 24] Although HE desires all souls to take their proper place in divine worship, HE will not beg or force them to do so. [Mt 11:27-30; Jn 14:21, 23, 24; Jam 4:7-10; II Pet 3:9; Rev 3:20]

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.
[Heb 11:7]

Because of Noah’s FAITH in Yahweh’s WORD, he was moved to obey HIM. In so doing, he and his family were not destroyed in The Great Flood, along with many other species, by which the earth was repopulated.

By FAITH Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By FAITH he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker was God.
[Heb 11:8-10]

The scribe is referring to the time when Abram left his native home in Ur of Chaldee, to venture into Canaan, a territory unfamiliar to him, which in those days was an extremely courageous thing to do. However, at Yahweh’s command, he did so because he had FAITH in THE LORD and HIS WORD. [Gen 12:1-5] One who desires to move forward into the promises that Yahweh has made to them, must do so by FAITH filled obedience to HIS instructions.

Through FAITH also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged HIM FAITHFUL WHO had promised. Therefore, sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
[Heb 11:11, 12]

Here, the scribe notes a great nation of people that was generated by a couple, who were chronologically pass their child producing years. One who desires to be used of Yahweh to generate a great nation of justified believers must do so by FAITH in HIS promises.

But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for HE hath prepared for them a city.
[Heb 11:16]


The news concerning the eternal place of bliss, prepared for those who transition to immortality in righteousness, has been heralded from the time of Enoch to Jesus Christ and His Original Apostles. [Eno 49:3; Jn 14:1-4; Rev 20] One who desires to inherit this place must continue to live a life of FAITH through the strength of Christ until they transition to immortality.

By FAITH Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offer up his only begotten son, of whom it was said That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
[Heb 11:17-19]

Abraham was prepared in heart to literally kill his only begotten son, by whom a great posterity was promised of Yahweh. He did so because he believed that THE LORD would keep HIS promise. It is important to note that Abraham was fully prepared to sacrifice his child at the command of Yahweh. Christ also taught the mandate of great sacrifice to prove one’s FAITH in THE DIVINE. [Mt 16:24-28] Those who desire to prove their FAITH in GOD and HIS WORD must be willing to do so at any cost. [Jam 4:7]

By FAITH Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By FAITH Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
[Heb 11:20, 21]

One who desires to rightly bless their loved ones must do so by FAITH.

By FAITH Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
[Heb 11:22; Rm 12:6]

One who desires to prophecy and give commands expecting them to be fulfilled and carried out by those who respect them must do so by FAITH. [Rm 12:6]

By FAITH Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
[Heb 11:23; Gen 1; 2:1-10]
Moses’ parents recognized that there was something divinely special about their child. They were so convicted of this that they courageously disobeyed the decree of the king to subject their child to death. One who desires to support the divine purpose of their goodly child must do so by FAITH.

By FAITH Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of GOD, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By FAITH he forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing HIM WHO is invisible. Through FAITH he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By FAITH they passed through the Red Sea by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
[Heb 11:24-29]

The entire experience of deliverance of Moses and the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, was due to Moses’ FAITH in Yahweh, HIS WORD and ability to do fulfill it. One who desires deliverance from powerful bondage can experience the powerful HAND of GOD by their FAITH.

By FAITH the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
[Heb 11:30]

One who desire to witness the fortified walls of their enemy’s fortresses to fall in their life, can do so by sincere praise and FAITH filled obedience to THE LORD.

By FAITH the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
[Heb 11:31]

Jesus Christ touched on the blessing of those who bless the servants of Yahweh. [Mt 10:41, 42; Jn 12:45-50] One who desires to receive mercy for courageously assisting the servants of THE LORD can do so by having FAITH in the GOD they worship.

The scribe continues glorifying the pioneers who had and expressed genuine FAITH in Yahweh and HIS WORD writing,

And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through FAITH subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wondered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through FAITH, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
[Heb 11:32-40]

The scribe continued with many accounts of past believers who had and maintained FAITH in Yahweh in the gravest of circumstances, even mortal death. Because of their FAITH many of them inherited great benefits during their lifetime, whereby they obtained a good report of THE LORD and secured the better resurrection and eternal life. As Yahweh is the GOD of every nation and generation, there are many more accounts of HIS unmatched love, mercy, grace and faithfulness. Indeed, HE bestows the sunshine and showers of HIS goodness upon all children of earth, especially those who wholeheartedly put their FAITH in HIM. [Jer 9:23, 24; Ps 145: 9, 16; Mt 5:45]

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