HEBREWS Chapter 11 Let us open our Bibles to Hebrews 11, the chapter of faith. This is a dream chapter for a preacher, because it is clearly written and filled with many life illustrations. We are blessed just by reading the great message contained in there. The book of Hebrews has a particularity of simplifying what is most complicated to render it very easy. This chapter is written to strengthen and to affirm the believer. It is written for those who already confessed their sins and have accepted the Son of God as their personal Savior, those who now have the Spirit of God dwelling in their hearts, because it speaks of heaven. This is a fourth dimension somewhere beyond our universe, and a reality in which only faith in God can reveal. This faith is like a beam of light which travels through the billions of galaxies and through this impenetrable space and inconceivable time, which separates us from the next star. It brings us right to this city which the Bible affirms that it exists and is being prepared for us. Faith brings the reality of this city right down in our hearts. Do you believe there is a place over there somewhere for you, because you have accepted Yeshua as your personal Savior? This chapter, will tell us about this special truth which animated and sustained the spirit of past believers. Have you ever wondered what was at the core of the faith of Abraham, who was promised so much, yet never personally owned any of it; how did he deal with this? We saw the faith of Noah, who built an Ark because of the coming deluge, at a time when it never rained before. There was also the faith of Jeremiah, who fought alone against the whole religious system, and stood alone, in front of the Temple preaching salvation. What sustained these men of God? These had one thing in common; they had faith, this powerful tool which helped them conquer this world, and not the other way around. They knew of this city and they all waited for it. All who are mentioned in our chapter today are right in there, enjoying eternity with Yeshua. In this chapter, sixteen people are specifically named, fourteen men and two women. In addition, the Spirit mentions three groups of people for their exceptional faith. One group is the Israelites. Yes, Israel. We read so much about their sins, but there was always a remnant within the nation, the one Paul calls the Israel of God, who exceeded in their faith. We will read of another group, a father and a mother - Moses’ parents - who listened and obeyed God regardless of the threats of death. The third group is the mighty prophets of God who stood up despite great persecutions, even leading to death. All these never gave up, for by faith they knew that God lives. But it is in chapter 12 of Hebrews, where the ultimate example of them all is presented - Yeshua Himself, who came down from heaven and made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a slave, and coming in the likeness of men so that He may die and resurrect for us all. All of these were giants of the faith and yet they were so humble and obedient; these are our heroes. Why are we given a list of this great cloud of witnesses at this point in the book; what is the context? 1 It was because some believers had one foot in the world, and the other inside the Kingdom of God. At the time, some Jewish believers contemplated going back to the Mosaic Law because of the pressure and the persecution, because of the pull of this world. So the writer brings them to consider these great believers of the past, who kept the faith in the most difficult situations and are now enjoying eternity. Hebrews 11 is addressed so much to us today, as it also speaks to those who are also divided between the world outside and a life with God. It speaks to those who have stopped praying, who have stopped reading their Bibles, who come only occasionally to the place God has prepared for them. This chapter is here to encourage us all to keep strong in the faith until our gathering with our Lord. Let us read the first verses. Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Faith is not wishful thinking. It is, as the Scriptures say, a conviction. The Rouach Ha Kodesh instills it in the believer, so much so that it is also an evidence of this other reality- heaven. But not everyone has had the courage to make this leap into it. The Danish Philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, a believer in the Scriptures, wrote about this faith and he realized that it does take courage to believe it and to use it. Have you heard of the expression, “a leap of faith?” It originated with him. For Kierkegaard, this is the leap from this world to the other. This is what may differentiate a giant of the faith from the others. Kierkegaard wrote that “Faith begins where one knows and has experienced the limitations of rational thought therefore, it is a leap into a paradox” and he adds that this leap of faith, led him to a deep relationship with God. Have you taken that leap yet? You can acquire this courage by getting closer to God, for faith comes by hearing and reading the Word of God. Verse 2 tells us that it is through it that the believers of old obtained a good testimony; they obtained approval from God, because faith was so real to them. This was so factual that we read in verse 13: 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. They saw what the eye could not see. Faith made them see the other world, the real one where peace prevails, from a distance. While far, very far, they could see. In verse 3, it clearly says that “By faith we understand that the worlds…” What worlds? The Greek word here for worlds is aion, which is the universe, and more specifically it is time and eternity. This is the word they used for philosophical discussions of time. Plato used this word to speak of timeless eternity. Do you see the places that faith can bring us to see? It is in verse 4, where the account of those men and women of faith begins. Each has a message; a life lived in faith, recorded so we can take the leap as well. The account begins with the first martyr, Abel. With him, we learn of how faith is connected with action, with works. Abel believed, therefore he acted. This is so important because many go halfway and stop, but belief is not enough. Let us see how The Lord evaluated the faith of Abel. We read that By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice;, and at 2 the end of the verse we read that God is still testifying of his gifts, even today, because through it he being dead still speaks. He did not testify of his faith, but He testified of his faith through his gifts. Abel teaches us that faith and action go together; one flows from the other. Able believed and he did. After Abel, Enoch is mentioned in verse 5. What we know of Enoch here is that he was saved from death because he believed; this sounds so much like every believer. The way is it said is most extraordinary. Notice these powerful words: By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death. How was he taken up? We are not told; he was just raptured away to heaven. Here we see the concept of the Rapture being very similar to ours, because “Enoch was taken” away and it was just before a terrible judgment on this world - the flood. Like the Rapture to come, just before the Tribulation time, we are told that “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven…Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds” (1Theselonisns 4:16, 17) Just like Enoch was taken away before a judgment, so will the last believing remnant, before the start of the Tribulation, and we may very well be this remnant. So, what was Enoch preaching before his rapture? It was the same thing we ought to preach today. The Book of Jude tells us what he was saying to the people, then. He was preaching on the end times. Jude 1:14, 15 …"Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." While Enoch was warning the people before the flood, his words show that he was actually speaking of the Second Coming of the Messiah.