Hebrews 11

1-3- Faith is the confidence or ground of things hoped for, knowing for sure the things not seen FW 25.3; FLB 90.3; GW 259. The patriarch’s and the prophets obtained a good report. Adam has shared the promise of the coming seed with his family and through successive generations PP 363.2. Base on faith, we believe that the worlds were created by the word of God, so the things which are seen were not created by itself 3SM 312.1. God is the creator of all things. Psalm 33:9; Ed 129.1, 130.5; Col 1:16, 17; Job 26:7-14; FLB 24.3 (matter). In Job 12:7-9 it talks about the animals how they can teach you and because of the lesson we can learn it is God who has wrought all this. Psalm 24:1; Amos 5:8; Amos 4:13; Amos 9:6; Genesis 1:1; Revelation 14:6, 7

 

4-Paul does not start with Adam but Abel. Probably because Adam was familiar with being sinless and had face to face communion with God (Genesis 2:15-19), but after sin everyone had to have faith to believe in the coming deliverer and the sacrificial system. Abel saw both the justice and mercy of God by providing a plan of redemption and he was grateful. To show his faith Abel presented a sacrifice from his flock according to that plan. Which pointed to Christ dying on the cross for his sins and acknowledging the claims of the law that had been transgressed. Because of his offering, Abel received witness that he was righteous, and his offering accepted. Genesis 4:4; CC 24.4 Fire flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. CC24.3 Abel chose faith and obedience. Cain ended up killing his brother and here we see the enmity talked about in Genesis 3:15; 1 John 3:12; 1SM 231.1; 3SG 50.1 Cain felt torturous that offering the blood of the slain lamb as a confession of entire dependence upon a power outside of himself. He thought his father was treated unfair. TM 77.1. Abel’s blood was crying unto God from the ground Genesis 4:10 the first murder. It was crying for justice Job 16:18; Psalm 9:12; 72:14; Revelation 6:10; 1BC 1087.2. God accepted the offering of Abel and testify by fire that his gift was accepted. Does God still do the same thing today? Will He show you today and in this day and age? He will and He still does. 

 

5-6 - Genesis 5:21-25; COL 332.1; CC 31.4; 1 John 2:6; 1Peter 2:21 God is wanting us to walk with Him. Con 26.1; EW 39.3. Enoch walked with God and worked the cities but he didn’t dwell in the them. CL 30.5; GW 53.4-54.2; LDE 71.1-4. Enoch did not make his abode with the wicked....he placed himself and his family where the atmosphere would be as pure as possible. He would go to the city and give the message and would bring some back to his retirement. 1BC 1087.10. Enoch please God UL 228. Although Enoch was translated to heaven which of course is good. But the most weighty trust and highest honor is fellowship with Christ in His sufferings. Philippians 1:29 MH 478.2; ML 14. Enoch has also prophesied of the Second Coming of Jesus Jude 1:14, 14. 6T 392.1. Without faith it is impossible to please God, we must be diligently seeking Him. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12 and whatsoever is not of faith is sin Romans 14:23; what must have faith in God’s promises DA 126.1; 200.4; Ev 287.1; FW 47.1; Matthew 8:10-13; 9:27-30. Faith and works go together. Faith in Christ demonstrates love for others and purifies the soul Galatians 5:6; 1 Peter 1:21-22; 5T 437.2. James 2:15-18, 26; 1SM 381.2; 3SM 191.4-192.1

 

7 - Noah also walked with God as did Enoch Genesis 6:9. Noah exercised explicit faith in God. He fully believed the warning and it moved him to build an ark. It had never rained before. He end up saving his household and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Jesus mentioned something about Noah when He was on earth Matthew 24:37-39. That we will also act as the people did before the flood in our day just before Jesus comes back the second time. This is why we must watch. We must do as Noah did in our day, build an ark. The ark resembled a house PP 92.3 it was a place for refuge. Noah gave his last appeal and went into the ark and God shut him in. TDG 235.3 the shut door theory 1SM 63 God does have a limit and in our day we will soon approach the close of probation. Daniel 12:1; Revelation 15:8; 22:11; Amos 8:11, 12. The other concern is that God is love and He will destroy no one who rejects His law. God does allow or permit Satan to implement his work, but when it comes to the flood Satan was also afraid for is life during the flood (PP 99.3). "Law that has no penalty is of no force." We cannot reason in our minds to say that God will not punish the transgressors. We cannnot limit God or form in our heads what He might and might not do. 12MR 207-208 MR No. 963. In Genesis 6:21 God told Noah to gather food into the ark, not only for them but also for the animals. So Noah had to be gardening and preserving while building the ark. If we believe the warning in our day of what is coming, we will be also gardening and preserving, not only for us but also for others. 

 

8-20 Abram by faith left the comforts of home to somewhere not knowing for sure where it was or where he was going. He left out Haran which was north of Canaan Genesis 12:1, 5-7; the Lord led him to a land that his seed will inherit 15:7, 18. In Genesis 11:31 Abram’s Dad Terah took Abram and family and Lot to move to Haran from Ur of the Chaldees on their way to Canaan. Abraham lived in the land that was promise to him but he was still a stranger because his focus was on a heavenly. Even Sarah experienced through faith that God is faithful who had promised. Genesis 21:2, 6-7; Romans 4:17-25. 

 

These died in faith not receiving the promise. What is the promise? The promise must be inherited through faith and patience. 6:12-13; 10:36; the promise is: Romans 4:13; and it is fulfilled through Christ and reserved for you Gal 3:13, 14, 16, 18, 29; 9:15; 1 Peter 1:4; and the Holy Spirit was giving as a down payment "earnest" to receive the inheritance 2 Corinthians 1:20-22; Ephesians 1:14; PP 169.4 - 170; 11:9-10; PP 81.1 this is why it says "these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but seeing them afar off, and were persuaded of them" 13:14 They desire a better country which is in heaven. 

 

When Abraham offered up Isaac which was a test to his faith. Because it was promised that in Isaac shall they seed be multiple. He believe that God was able to raise him up. Just like Jesus was able to be raised up which Abraham received in figure. John 8:56; Luke 10:24. Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau Genesis 27:23, 28-29, 34-41

 

21-22 Jacob shares the promise (Gen 48:3-4) with Joseph and claim his two sons as his. Joseph also by faith knew that the Israelites were going to leave Egypt. Genesis 50:24-25; Exodus 13:19 and Moses took his bones. 

 

23- 29 the parents of Moses hid him for 3 months and had faith in God. Being found by the kings daughter and refused to be called the son of pharaoh’s daughter. By faith Moses chose to suffer affliction than enjoy the pleasures of Egypt’s sin for a time ED 62; 1T 78.1. Moses left Egypt to train as a shepherd, to be prepared for the work called of him to do. Moses became humble and suffered the reproach for Christ rather than have the riches of Egypt. Also told Israel about the Passover Exodus 12:12-13 so no first born from the Israelites be destroyed. They passed through the Red Sea as dry land by faith. 

 

30-31 - the Israelites hearken unto God to march around the city of Jericho and to do it for six days. Then on the seventh day compass the city seven times and blow the trumpets. Joshua 6:18-20 the people shouted and the wall fell down. Rehab didn’t not perish with Jericho because she believed Joshua 2:9-21. Christ is calling all nations to accept the gospel invitation. COL 290.1 Rahab turned from idolatry to the worship of the true God and unite with the chosen people of God Israel.

 

32-40- Paul mentions other names who were faithful and the events that occurred that was done by faith. Some were delivered and some not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Then some were tortured and wandered around in deserts and in the mountains. 1T 371.1. The world was not worthy to receive them. They all obtained a good report but have not received the promise. This promise will not be obtained until those who are alive are made perfect. Hebrews 10:14; Ephesians 4:13-15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 7:13-14; 14:12; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27-29; 1 John 3:9. John the Revelator saw these people in vision that were made perfect in Christ. May we be part of those people that John saw. 2 Corinthians 7:1