ENDURING FAITH AT THE END OF THE AGE
Hebrews 11 – Becoming Men and Women of Whom This World is Not Worthy
I. INTRODUCTION.
A. It is believed that the book of Hebrews was written to second generation believers. The book of Hebrews was not
written to a people who were new in the faith or did not have a prophetic history as a community.
“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. “ Hebrews 10:32-34.
B. The book of Hebrews was a book that possibly was written in the 2nd century or to a 2nd generation of believers.
The writer was most likely not writing to a people who had just gotten saved.
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles
of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” Hebrews 5:12.
C. It is believed that the author is writing to Messianic believers. Hebrew mean pilgrim and the book of Hebrews is written
to pilgrims. The title of the book could be literal pilgrims, Messianic believers, or it could be just to believers (Jew and Gentile)
who are called pilgrims. According to Hebrews 11 we are sojourners, and that this world is not our home.
D. One of the arguments that the book Hebrews is written to Messianic believers is that there’s no mention of a pagan
past. Unlike other epistles written to the Gentiles like Ephesians and Colossians, the book of Hebrews does not reference
a pagan past
E. The book of Hebrews connects us with the reality that we’re on a journey into the New Jerusalem.
“For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.” Hebrews 2:5
II. APOSTASY: THE 1ST ESCHATALOGICAL WAVE.
“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and
the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God
or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
A. It is also possible that this book was written to Gentile believers who were in danger of forsaking the faith and go into
Judaism. This makes the book of Hebrews very relevant at the end of the age as God is speaking to His people about the
Israel Mandate, the restoration of Israel. There will be many strange ideas that will emerge as these realities unfold.
B. The issue of the great falling away is one of the main burdens of the Book of Hebrews. The writer of Hebrews is
writing to a community that was at the verge of forsaking the faith because of the increase of roman persecution in the
Roman Empire for the sake of the gospel.
C. The community of believers that is being addressed in this book are in the process of loosing their resolve for
abandonment, thus opening their hearts to the deceitfulness of sin. This puts them in danger of not being able to overcome
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things (Revelation 21:1-6), and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars
shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:7-8
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become
partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they
fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put
Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs
useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is
rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:4-8
“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the
deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” Matthew 13:22
D. There are many warnings against apostasy in the book of Hebrews.
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the
word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just
reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the
Lord … ”Hebrews 2:1-3
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but
exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of
sin.” Hebrews 3:12-13
“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of
disobedience.” Hebrews 4:11
“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice
for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how
much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God
underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the
Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The
LORD will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest
anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this
many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food
sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected,
for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” Hebrews 12:14-17
III. THE NEW WORLD AND THE GLORY OF CHRIST – REVELATION 21-22
A. The book of Hebrews prepares a people was a vision of eternity, the eternal dwellings of God and give profound insight
into the splendor of Christ humanity and divinity.
B. This community of believers (Hebrews) is in danger of apostasy and forfeit their eternal inheritance and the writer
(Paul) with great details tells them about the superiority of Christ related to the system that prophesied a greater existing
and transcended reality, the eternal dwellings of God. Christ came to bring about God’s promised inheritance as He
promised in to Abraham.
C. The second coming of Christ-
“But when He again brings the firstborn (Christ) into the world…” Hebrews 1:6
D. The age and the world to come –
“For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels…” Hebrews 2:5
“…and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come…” Hebrews 6:5
E. Christ the captain and forerunner.
“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory,
to make the captain (Archegos – founder of a city) of their salvation perfect through sufferings…”
Hebrews 2:10
F. HERE the writer to the Hebrews uses one of the great titles of Jesus. He calls him the pioneer (archēgos) of glory.
The same word is used of Jesus in Acts 3:15; 5:31; Hebrews 12:2. At its simplest it means head or chief… It can mean a
founder or originator. So it is used of the founder of a city … It can be used in the sense of source or origin… An archēgos
is one who begins something in order that others may enter into it. He begins a family that some day others may be born
into it; he founds a city in order that others may some day dwell in it; he founds a philosophic school that others may follow
him into the truth and the peace that he himself has discovered; he is the author of blessings into which others may also
enter.
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence
behind the veil (into the New Jerusalem which in this books is also the celestial city), where the forerunner
has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 11:19-20
G. The celestial city, the heavenly tabernacle and the holiest of all-
“Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right
hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle
which the Lord erected, and not man.” Hebrews 8:1-2
H. Here the writer tells us that the main point of the book is the reality of the tabernacle of God which in my opinion
points to the Revelation 21:3 reality of the tabernacle of God (the New Jerusalem) being with humanity. This High Priest is
in the true tabernacle of God bring primary leadership in worship, rulership and administration. The New Jerusalem is both the
city of God and the tabernacle of God hence the office of King and Priest are both in Christ. A king rules out of a city and
a priest presides over the temple. Christ is both.
“Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule (Kingly) on His
throne; so He shall be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”
Zechariah 6:13
I. City and Tabernacle not made by hands-
“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not
made with hands, that is, not of this creation.” Hebrews 9:11
“For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven
itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us…” Hebrews 9:24
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.
And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign
country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for
the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10
“For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to
mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they
desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has
prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:14-16
“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is
with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be
their God. Revelation 21:2-3
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an
innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in
heaven… Hebrews 12:22-23
“Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing
city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
(Night and Day Prayer) that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:13-15
IV. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF FAITH.
A. One of the primary was to life a life of enduring faith is by being connected with our eternal inheritance and the
eternal purposes of God found in the revelation of Christ Jesus.
B. In this day and age faith is limited to the breakthrough of God on this side of eternity and usually connected with
how it impacts our domestic comfort i.e. finances, favor, honor. Though is there is some validity to this reality, the faith of
Hebrews is the ability to see the mystery of God.
C. When we get connected with the mystery of the gospel of Christ, we become a people that the writer of Hebrews
men and women of whom this world is not worthy. The men and women of Hebrews 11 had the full range of financial
statuses, favor, honor, wealth, authority, clothing but whether rich or poor their faith was that they were connected with
the inheritance - God
V. THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
A. There is debate about the identity of Melchizedek. To get lost in the debate about the identity of Melchizedek is we
can easily miss the point of what Melchizedek is about. Melchizedek is about is about fullness. He was about connecting
Abraham with the vision for fullness.
B. Melchizedek brings to Abraham the revelation of God the possessor of heaven and earth.
C. Not long after his meeting with Melchizedek, the possessor of heaven and earth appears to Abraham and promises
to be Abraham’s reward. I believe that it was at the point the Abraham entered into the vision for the Ephesians 1:9-10
fullness Because right after that encounter, God appears to Abraham in Genesis 15:1 and tells him something that, to me,
is probably one of the most staggering things in the Bible.
“…having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in
Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.” Ephesians 1:9-10
D. The premier vision of God is for the earth to be filled with the knowledge of His glory. The centerpiece of God’s eternal
purpose is for Jesus to come back to fully establish His Kingdom rule over all the earth as He joins the heavenly and earthly
realms together. Both heavenly and earthly dimensions must come together to fully express God’s personality and
purposes – the knowledge of God’s glory filling the earth.
E. That promise that God makes to Abraham becomes the very inheritance of the people who walk by faith.
VI. CULTIVATING ENDURING FAITH
A. The mystery of God’s will is discovered in the word of God. Faith comes by hearing and the hearing of the word of
God
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same
measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. Mark 4:23-24
B. Enduring faith is cultivated in the place of intimacy with God. It is vitally important that we connect our study of
eschatology with intimate dialogues with God. We must bring this glorious subject not only into intellectual pursuit by
putting pieces together but eschatology must also enter into our meditation
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these
things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age.” Matthew 24:3
C. The only way that we stay connected with faith is long and loving meditation on the word of God which includes the
subject of God’s leadership in the earth in eternity, eschatology, and fellowshipping with the Spirit. The Spirit in us is the
deposit of God which guarantees the fullness of our inheritance. As we commune with the Spirit the assurance of faith
becomes a growing reality in our inner man.
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having
believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
“To them God willed to make known (God longs to speak to us about these realities – intimacy) what are the
riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for(the fullness of God), the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
D. The good news is that we don’t have to wait until eternity to experience a measure of it. God has given us the Holy
Spirit. The Holy Spirit will convince us of the big picture,
VII. ESCHATOLOGY FUELS ENDURANCE.
A. The writer is calling the church of the Hebrews to endurance and the way that this endurance is obtained is through
living lives of faith. Hebrews 10:38-39
B. The issue of faith is the thing that will keep us from drawing back from God under pressure.
“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this
time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the
elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Matthew 24:21-22
“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when
I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.” Revelation 17:6
C. Faith is the substance of things hoped for speaks of the intimate experiencing the inner man the hope of glory. Faith
connects us with our inheritance, which is the fullness of God, heaven and earth being brought together in the full
manifestation of the glory of God and us being swallowed up in the trinity forever.
“And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world
was.” John 17:5
“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one. John 17:22
“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:9
D. Our destiny is to be on the earth swallowed up in the eternal counsels of the God-head. To be in the inner circle of
God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that we are called into the fellowship of the Son of God.
E. God has called us into the inner circle of the Son, that we might be in the embrace of Jesus Christ forever, who is
in the embrace of the Father, who is being searched out in his very depths by the Holy Spirit to make the deep things of
God known to the Church.
VIII. THE HALL OF FAITH – MEN AND WOMEN OF WHOM THIS WORLD IS NOT WORTHY…
A. The faith of Abel – God is the primary source of everything.
B. The faith of Enoch – Walking in intimate communion with God. Faith is walking with God
C. The faith of Abraham - He believed the God’s eschatological plan of Genesis 15:1
D. Hebrews 11:6 – Faith is saying yes to the knowledge of God and pursuing it diligently.
E. The faith of Noah – The faith takes heed to the divine warnings of unseen things
F. The faith of Sarah is the faith to receive strength to wait on and receive the promise of God.
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,
embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such
things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from
which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is,
a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for
them.” Hebrews 11:13-16
G. These had faith and yet died without receiving the promises because the promises are about eternity. They died
in faith and with faith. A heart in faith is a heart without offense. These pilgrims had an had an understanding that their
mission in life was not to lock, stock, barrel and secure everything out of self preservation on this side of eternity., but to
look towards a greater and eternal inheritance. Some were very wealthy but their wealth was not an indication of their
faith. i.e. David, Job, Abraham,
H. These who set their hearts on a pilgrimage went from strength to strength as they set their sights on the lovely
dwelling places of God – the celestial city described in Revelation 21-22.
“How lovely is Your tabernacle (ultimately the heaven tabernacle of Heb 8:1), O LORD of hosts! My soul longs,
yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:1-2
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the
Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7
I. The faith of Jacob – Tender faith. The faith of Jacob was that even as he was about to die he had the confidence
that God is faithful and that God will deliver his plans and purposes. He died with a heart filled with worship. He died with
a heart that was not offended at the things he did not get in life, because he knew that what he got or didn’t get on this
side were not the promises of God.
J. The faith Joseph – faith in the resurrection.
K. The faith of Moses – the faith manifested in courage.
L. The faith of Moses - The revelation of the fellowship of Christ sufferings. Faith gives us energy and power and
fuel to embrace the cross.
M. The faith of Moses – The fear of the Lord
N. The faith of Moses - believing in the power of the cross and the power of the blood.
IX. FAITH RELEASE TOKENS OF THE FULLNESS TO COME.
“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah,
also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked 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, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women
received their dead raised to life again.” Hebrews 11:32:-35
A. There is a “fullness” that God has for this side of eternity that are token of the power of the age to come.
B. God does release tokens to fuel our faith related to eternity. God releases healing power on this side of eternity to
strengthen out faith in the ultimate healing that will take place in our resurrected body. God releases his presence and joy as
a token of how we will be filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory when we will be in the age to come etc, etc.