Mysty Pfeffer“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”
Hebrews 11:14
The hall of faith in Hebrews chapter eleven mentions the most notable people of the bible. People our study group, and perhaps yours, has spent weeks and months studying. I admit, I missed an important detail in studying these individuals the writer of Hebrews brings to light. They thought of themselves as strangers and exiles on earth (vs. 13).
As new testament believers and end of the age Christians, we understand the concept of being exiles and strangers on earth. Yes, you and I know and believe faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (vs.1). But do we long for and hope for that time with the Lord when all things are made right?
Life with Jesus in my permanent homeland, is something I’ve always looked toward as later in life. Peacefully accepting the difficulties of the here and now, I understand He will make all things new…sometime later.
But truthfully, for me, not until 2020 did I long for that new home, every day!
The escalating hate, selfishness, and greed of people and governing bodies bring the words of Paul to the forefront of our current place in time:
“But understand this, that in the last days there will be times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
English Standard Version
2 Timothy 3:1-4
A sad condition of the human race without God at the center. Perhaps just as evil as what Abel, Noah, Abraham, and the rest of them faced. But to understand now, they looked forward to a city that has foundations designed and built by God (vs. 10) amid their desolate circumstances sheds more light on their hope.
The intensity of their hope in God and this place gave them the faith to conquer kingdoms, enforce justice, quench the power of fire, escape the edge of the sword, make strength out of weakness, become mighty in war, and put armies to flight. (vs. 33,34) All the while they also suffered mocking, torture, imprisonment, stoning. Although praised for their faith, they did not receive the promise of the city designed and built by God until Jesus came.
When Jesus came, He conquered death on the cross and established the eternal covenant. Bringing the city built by God to the spirits of the righteous made perfect (12:23) Since apart from new covenant believers, the old testament saints could not be made perfect (vs.40). Praise be to God, the God of timing!
We can hold onto our hope with wonder and awe of God’s saving grace. Despite our evil world, He is working out His plan. He helps me understand the innocent suffer because of raging sin, but they will be comforted in his loving arms. Their bodies are abused and discarded, but they are so much more than temporary bodies, they are souls birthed in the mind of our loving Father, who long to return to Him. Their pain and suffering here will be forgotten as he wipes every tear from their eyes!
There, my friends, is the most glorious hope, safe in His presence forever!
