Unveiling the Hall of Faith

Chapter 11- Part 1

Heb 10:32-38 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.  Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:  “FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY.  NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.” 

“Anyone draws back”- hupostellō – hoop-os-tel’-lo – From G5259 and G4724; to withhold under (out of sight), that is, (reflexively) to cower or shrink, (figuratively) to conceal (reserve): – draw (keep) back, shun, withdraw.

Hab 2:4  “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. 

Rom 1:16 -19 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.   For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 

Gal 3:9 -14  So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.   For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT CONTINUE IN ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO DO THEM.”  But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”  Yet the law is not of faith, but “THE MAN WHO DOES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”   Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”),  that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 

Heb 10:39  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. 

“Of them who draw back” = hupostolē hoop-os-tol-ay’ – From G5288; shrinkage (timidity), that is, (by implication) apostasy: – draw back.

What follows in Hebrews Chapter 11 is called “The Hall of Faith”.  This chapter sets forth examples from the OT of those who fit Chapter 10:39;

Heb 10:39  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. 

This starts with the Biblical definition of faith.

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

“Substance” – hupostasis – hoop-os’-tas-is: From a compound of G5259 and G2476; a setting under (support), that is, (figuratively) concretely essence, or abstractly assurance (objectively or subjectively): – confidence, confident, person, substance. 

“Of things hoped for” – elpizō – el-pid’-zo : From G1680; to expect or confide: – (have, thing) hope (-d) (for), trust.

“The evidence” – elegchos – el’-eng-khos: From G1651; proof, conviction: – evidence, reproof.

Heb 11:1-2  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 

martureō – mar-too-reh’-o: From G3144; to be a witness, that is, testify (literally or figuratively): – charge, give [evidence], bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.

Heb 11:3  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. 

The first example starts with the opening verse of the Bible:

Gen 1:1  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

If you can’t believe Genesis 1:1, your understanding of everything that follows will be skewed!

Rom 1:18 – 23 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,  and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 

Gen_2:4  This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 

Isa_42:5-  Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: 

Isa_45:8  “Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it. 

Isa_45:12  I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded. 

Isa_45:18  For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. 

Ecc_12:1  Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: 

Rev 14:6  Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—

Rev 14:7  saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” 

1Pe_4:19  Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. 

How many can say “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, The Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them”?

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 

See Genesis 4:1-16

Gen 4:1-14  Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.”   Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.   And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD.  Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering,   but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.   So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”   Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.  Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”  And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.   So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which (faith was the operational method whereby Abel obtained the witness) he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 

Heb 11:5  By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “AND WAS NOT FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TAKEN HIM”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

Gen 5:18 – 24  Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch.  After he begot Enoch, Jared lived eight hundred years, and had sons and daughters.  So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died.  Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah.  Ater he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.   So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.   And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. 

Enoch is only mentioned in Genesis 5, 1Chron 1:3 (genealogy), Luke 3 (Genealogies), here in Hebrews 11, and in Jude where it says:

Jud 1:14  Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 

Jud 1:15  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.” 

Interestingly, Enoch’s prophecy was not about the first coming of the Messiah, but the Second!

Enoch saw through history to Revelation 19:11-21

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.  He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.   And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,  that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”   And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.  Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.  And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. 

2Th 1:1-12 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:   Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,  so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,  which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.   These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.  Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Enoch “Raptured”?

Walked in faith through a degenerate world, knowing the end of the story!

Was one of three groups of people…

Was not, for God took him!

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.