HEBREWS 11:1 

The Book of Hebrews, more than any other Book in the Bible, lays before us most clearly the contrasting of the “Gift of eternal life and the Prize of eternal inheritance.” The clear understanding of which gives the depth of meaning to God–ordained Grace, Faith, and Hope. Thus we briefly review this great truth obscured by modern–day mainstream Christianity before entering this great Chapter. 

1) THE STATEMENT OF THE GOSPEL OF SAVING GRACE to Hebrew Christians: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” [Hebrews 2:7] This verse establishes that every man may through accepting Jesus Christ’s suffering of death as his own, be imputed Christ’s righteousness and receive the gift of eternal life.   

2) THE STATEMENT OF REWARD FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE AFTER REDEMPTION  

And furthermore, beyond this saving grace of tasting/accepting eternal death, every man so doing, is granted the clear invitation to privilege of greater intimacy. “For we are made partakers/companions of Christ, IF  (the “if” cannot be a reference to what we already have attained, that is to say the gift of eternal life, but to something beyond and in addition to) we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end…” [Hebrews 3:14] This is similar to 2nd Thessalonians 1:11… “We pray always for you that our God may count you worthy of your calling.” 

Of Christ it is written in Hebrews 1:9… “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” The Son of God / Son of man then is to have fellows. These are those He is appointed to bring into His House; that is “…in the bringing many sons unto glory.” [Hebrews 2:10] “…partakers of the heavenly calling…” [Hebrews 3:1] This being after having answered the call to come out of the lost World; “I (Jesus) pray for them: (His regenerated disciples) I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine.” [John 17:9] 

See the type of this promised inheritance in the heavenly calling after the justifying cleansing, from Zechariah 3:1-7…. Joshua, doing nothing, stood silent before the Lord, covered in filthy rags, as all men do lost in the World, but willingly consenting to the divine intervention, having (graciously) his iniquity pass from him. This answers to justifying faith and imputed righteousness. But now afterwards, we see the high calling in verse 7: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; IF thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, AND I WILL GIVE THEE PLACES TO WALK AMONG THESE THAT STAND BY.”  This is a striking view of the future heavenly calling up into ministry ruling; that place and service where holy Angels only now tread (read of the manifest promise of Revelation 2:26–27 in Revelation 12:5). The typed concept of this passive willingness with blood offering, followed by responsible service, is fully portrayed in Leviticus chapter 8 – chapter 10 verse 3. We are to be of these promised companions/bride only if we are found to have held fast the beginning of our confidence of calling, being steadfast until the end, who do not offer “strange fire” …who do not in the end “defile their garments”, and “to keep himself unspotted from the world.” [James 1:27] 

What is in view throughout the Book of Hebrews is not justification but sanctification, and this loss or reward of place in Christ’s heavenly Kingdom at His Return. Those who do attain through worthiness (according to the Words of Christ in Luke 20:35) are prophetically portrayed in Revelation 14:4–5, 17:14b, 19:7-9, 20:4-6. This prize/reward is glory with unrestricted access to the King of kings, residing in His high place, (1st Thessalonians 2:12) that place of residence into which merely saved/justified subjects are excluded. (See how this is typed in Esther1:13–14 with Revelation 22:3-5. Read)  

These grand privileges are set before all saved, who have passively stood and accepted Christ as their vicarious offering unto eternal life, who have then after been given charge of faithful service that they might obtain the prize. (1st Corinthians 9:24)  

3) THE WARNINGS OF HEBREWS…THE RECOMPENSE FOR THE UNFAITHFUL IN SERVICE. 

“Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses” [Hebrews 3:3] See also “of how much sorer punishment shall he be judged worthy…” [Hebrews 10:29] We then as Christ followers are called to be His House and in His House. “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” [Hebrews 3:6]  Again, the little word IF lets us know that the inheritance in His heavenly Kingdom is conditional. We are not then the house of God merely because we are born again.  

Yes, God “… hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son…” but a kingdom is made up of the King’s family and then also of subjects. This can be comprehended to Israel’s being redeemed out of Egypt by the blood of the lamb, but then God actually dwelling with Israel was not realized till in the wilderness approximately a year later. (Exodus 40:34) Israel then, even after having obtained the higher state, later lost their position of being God’s dwelling place/His House with the departure of His Presence. (See 1st Samuel 4 which relates the story of the Ark being taken and God’s presence lost) He “forsook the tabernacle” and Israel ceased to be God’s house, but Israel remained His people.  

Again He came to dwell with His people in the time of Solomon, but in spite of His many and clear warnings, (Jeremiah 7:12) the glory left the house finally, as God again forsook them as His place of tabernacle and gave up the Temple to destruction. (Jeremiah 52:12–13, Ezekiel 8&9) And again the people ceased to be the House of God, although they remained His people.  

He came again; in humble abode, to dwell among His people, when once again His Presence was violently rejected, and He turned to the Gentiles, and ended the Age of the Mosaic Law 2000 years ago. “…the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner (of a new House for God to build and indwell). Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Christ spoke these final words of woe unto them who had once and again been God’s house… “Your house is left unto ye, For I say unto you, In no wise shall ye see me from now until ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” [Matthew 23:38–39]  So they remain today, God’s people of the earth, but not His house, as He has cut them off and no longer dwells among them.  

As now His House is among the Gentiles as the Nation of the New Man (Ephesians 2:15) which finally culminates/climaxes in Revelation 21:7… “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Israel shall again, and more completely become the House of God (Ezekiel 43) and finally all the redeemed of mankind passing into the new heavens and earth shall experience the House of God dwelling with them. (Revelation 21:3)  

The dire warnings of the Book of Hebrews best exemplifies to Christians what Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel did to Israel. We being redeemed are further to be indwelt individually and corporately as His House. Unlike the event of Redemption, being His worthy House is a lifelong open Book test, the process in which our whole conduct must be completed before our entire service can be thus weighed and appraised. The success or failure is finally determined at the Judgment Seat of Christ.That House, corporately, is that which He shall (as Israel did in the past) be shut out of as depicted of the end times church, and finally spewed out of His mouth. (Revelation  3:14-22) Of this certain eventuality the Book of Hebrews forewarns Christians 5 times.  

What Scripture is declaring, is that there is a difference between being redeemed and being in the House of God. To be redeemed is to be eternally unconditionally His people, but on the other hand; there is the much greater call to be a member of His inner family household/bride. The privilege is conditional so it is to be gained or lost. To gain is to be a part of the Father’s household as a son of which Christ is the head, as the First Born Son. (The eternal contrast is comprehended in Revelation 21:3 in “…his people…” set against Revelation 21:7 “…and he will be my son.” Being His sons and being His people is referring to two different groups. Family members are more intimate with and have more privileges than do subjects.  

As seen in the type of redeemed Israel, His dwelling with us is gained or lost through faithfulness or persistent unfaithfulness. If ever once gained, it may be lost, yet upon repentance, it may be regained, and may again be lost. (The you’re “in”– you’re “out”, you’re “in” – you’re “out” concept of the dynamic kingdom inheritance process is uncertain until the full body of work is complete at death. As opposed to the unchangeable you’re “in” of the event of redemption with eternal life.) 

Nebuchadnezzar could never had invaded and destroyed the Temple unless God had abandoned it. Nor could any force resist the reconstructing power of repentance of the believer in Christ. (1st Corinthians 5) Luke 12:37-48 and 19:15 are verses that speak of loss and reward, and are (in context) at the time of Christ’s Return; where blessing and punishment are recompense that FOLLOWS ….not while we are alive here on the earth. (To be clearer, He chastises us while we are still alive but He judges us once we are dead.)  

HEBREWS 11 This Chapter is the Author’s answer to the previous strong and frightening warning for drawing back unto perdition/destruction. Where the testimony of  Old Testament faithful overcomers, who were also faced with similar circumstances, (commonly known as those in the Hall of Faith) are wisely presented to the Hebrew Christians. These Hebrew Christians, who were being faced with continual pressure, censure from family and friends, and grave persecution without governmental protection; thought to give up on what they had faithfully endured for so long. 

VERSE 1: “Now faith is… (based upon what someone perceived trustworthy has promised… resulting in a internal dynamic feeling which may or may not be founded on truth. As say for example, of the faithful Jihadist who was told the Koran is the instruction of God. Jihad means “effort” expressing, in Muslim thought, the struggle on behalf of God and Islam. Both an internal effort or fight against “sin” and externally expressed in the willingness to die or kill.)…the substance of things hoped for… (corresponding conviction of obtaining something not yet possessed Romans 8:24–25. Now it is not the jihadists’ misguided “faith” and hope that will bring them into safe harbor, but truthful “charts and compass”. Their hope of the unseen, of Paradise filled with virgins, shall bring no substance to their faith; their faith reality being religious delusion and will be proved out to be a baseless faith.)…the evidence of things not (yet) seen  (their faith is no evidence of what will come to pass. So may it be understood that the “faith and hope” in corporate Christianity today will have no substance and prove no evidence beyond that of the gift of eternal life.) 

“Now (the God–liked) faith is the (sure and true) substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not (yet) seen.” [Hebrews 11:1] True faith acts and rests on the unadulterated Word of God and the hope/conviction promise is, in Biblical context, the sure Coming Presence of Christ with recompense for one’s actions, be it good or bad. Faith and hope are intrinsically woven together, for they have to do with things unseen; both those things wonderfully promised and those things horribly warned in Scripture. Living Faith with true hope sets its sights on obtaining those things wonderful and shunning those things he fears shall come upon him if slothful. 

“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. [Hebrews 3:6] 

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  [Hebrews 6:11-12] 

“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” [Hebrews 6:18-20] 

“For the law made nothing perfect (“…for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”….“That all the world may become guilty before God” -Romans 3:19-20), but the bringing in of a better hope did (righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ); by the which we draw nigh unto God.” [Hebrews 7:19] 

Faith is the basis of our hope. What are Christians today hoping for? Their faith and hope is generally misdirected from the conditional true promises of God to be realized at Christ’s Second Coming, to the twisted promises of right of temporal blessings associated with this World and a fluffy unscriptural outline of the Christian’s unconditional privilege of acceptance into Heaven immediately upon death.  

GRACE is the provision of God and FAITH is the means by which we access it. These are the tools of working out a Christian’s salvation. We as Christians are responsible for what we believe. It is an open Book test. Grace is associated with Gracious. God is Gracious, and thereby He shows undeserving unmerited favor to mankind, that comprehended in His Son’s propitiation offering, and therefore He extends His Grace (in the form of power) as the provision for man’s salvation. “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure.” [Romans 4:16] In the initial phase of that Atonement Grace, it is rightly defined as: the undeserved unmerited favor of God and received by faith incipient (initial/developing, faith to faith/maturing faith Romans 1:17),  resulting in Christ’s imputed righteousness with the gift of eternal life.   

Now further Grace provision is intended for the increasing faith in the perfecting or maturing of the saved unto inheritance in Christ’s heavenly kingdom at His Return. This Grace, drawn on by faith, is the further influence of power upon the soul through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in the divine nature of our regenerated spirit. And is only appropriated by the renewed mind, and the resulting ongoing developing and increasing faith in obedience to His discovered Will, and that being through the hearing of the Word. And having been heard, it produces this God–liked faith; having been understood, and reasoned and willed/acted out.  

This dynamic lends itself to understanding Christ’s Words of “according to your faith be it done unto you.” Faith which is pleasing to God is energized by the loving will that opens to action and is thereby the conduit of Grace, the divine power of influence upon the soul for character development, through the sufferings of death to the flesh in this world for Christ-likeness. This process is the eternal capacitating for glory. It is living faith, that holds us in good stead for His Returning Presence, whether we are then alive or passed full of faith into the womb of the earth. The command to the saved is: see that “ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” [2nd Corinthians 6:1] The measure of that grace provision unto blessing extended to man, in possibility, is then far beyond that of justification faith with grace unto eternal life. The full provision of Grace accessed by faith in God’s promises rises to the catching away of the faithful living and the first resurrection into glory–filled intimacy of His Bride. Based upon the immeasurable merit of Christ’s Atonement offering, what we attain unto is then is….. “according to (the measure of) your faith.”