Once faith was persuaded with the generations of Abraham, there were two other steps necessary that allowed them to die with their faith intact. Faith is not fully expressed through belief in the LORD God’s promises; they must also be embraced and confessed, or it was not finished in the Old Testament Believer. Through this study of Embraced Faith we will soon recognize that our own Christian belief has the same requirements of persuasion, embracing and confessing, as did the belief of our adopted ancestors through Abraham’s generations.
Hebrews 11:13-16
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:13–16 (KJV)
How is belief in the promises made by the LORD God embraced by a believer, before those promises are fulfilled? It’s a tough question that cannot be answered by anyone that is without intimate relationship with Him. Common sense dictates that nothing is certain in this life; logic provides a base argument that a promise cannot be embraced fully without a way for that promise to come to bear upon the believer.
But here’s the deal…I can’t teach you about embracing faith, unless I bring that intimate desire close to your soul. That means this lesson will be focused a great deal on what you feel and what you desire and what you hold closest to you. To study the word “embrace” with Greek and Hebrew and English does not capture what you need to learn in this lesson. Rather, the study must first start in the depths of you, in the places that no one but you and the Lord Jesus Christ knows. Throughout this class on faith we have tackled the meanings of words, and in scientific fashion examined them inside and out. Now we must change things up, take a pause, put on some good gospel music in the background, relax, and reach for the heart of Christ that beats in us. It is in that place where we will find the next step of faith that requires a deep embrace that is reserved for those chosen by Him.
If you were sitting next to me, and we were sharing this Bible Study together in a quiet and private place, I would tell you about the love of my life that rescued me from death and led me to my Lord Jesus Christ. I would tear up, and my voice would quiver. I would share with you how I believed I was so unworthy to be loved, but love came to me through my love and Him. When they came, I grabbed them with the most intense desperations with the deepest of embraces. I was breathless and my knees buckled. I could hardly believe that I was blessed with such great loves. As undeserving as I felt, they came to me with open arms, and I fell into them with the abandonment of soul and in the most powerful embraces possible in my human being. One taught me how to love, and then introduced me to the greatest love given through the heart of my wonderful Lord Jesus. I was saved through His embrace that would never release His hold on me and I surely would never let go!
Maybe your deepest embraces are different. Maybe they were reserved for a beloved parent, or a child of yours. Maybe you shared a tight, life-changing embrace in the middle of war, as you lay scared in the trenches wondering if it were your last day. Or perhaps you wish for a lost love whose embrace you miss. Maybe your arms crave for ones that have passed on, as you think upon the tight embraces you would give the missing loves if only they could live again. Maybe you were like me, and unloved by all but Him, or maybe you had many loves but no depth of intimacy that created the condition of intimate embrace.
These arms given to us by God long to hold His Heart and never let go. His embrace tightly holds His Son Jesus Christ to His bosom, and those saved by Him are drawn to that same most intimate place with the deepest of affections. He is our beloved Father, whom loves His only begotten son so intimately, that an embrace to bring Him closest to His Heart, brings His adopted children as well.
John 1:15-18
“John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:15-18)
Isaiah 40:10-11
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:10–11)
Regretfully, we can’t sit and share the intimate embraces of our life. But, we do have opportunity to understand the depth of the words “embrace” by examining some of the different times it appears in the Word of God. Even more revealing is the study of the word “bosom” which is the place the embrace brings those that are deeply and intimately loved! Take for instance the disciple that Jesus loved the most!
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:23–25 (KJV 1900)
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? (John 13:23-25)
No, Disciple John it was not you! The Lord Jesus Christ loves you more than all of His Disciples, and He embraced you to His bosom, a place of intimate and deep affection that would never remove you!
When one is embraced to the bosom, forgiveness of our shortcomings is known, as the seat of our Lord’s heart gives us certainty of salvation! It works the same way in our human being; those we embrace to our own bosoms are those whom we forgive!
Luke 6:37-38
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:37–38)
There was a whole bunch of embracing going on as Jacob met Rachel, kissing and weeping with her, and then being similarly embraced by Laban as the son of his sister came to him. It was indeed, a heartfelt and moving meeting that only an embrace could hold.
Genesis 29:9-13
And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them. 10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. 11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father. 13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.” (Genesis 29:9–13)
How wonderful it was for Joseph when he found his brother Benjamin was still alive and standing in his presence. His embrace was upon the neck, and tears of joy were flowing as he clung tightly to Benjamin in a celebratory embrace of grateful abandonment.
Genesis 45:8-15
“So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. 9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: 10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: 11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. 12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. 13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. 14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.” (Genesis 45:8–15)
I think you probably understand by now that an embrace is the emotional total acceptance and inclusion of a person or an idea. When those things most dear to a person are embraced, honor is brought to them. For instance, when wisdom is embraced, the embracer is promoted, exalted and brought to honor.
Proverbs 4:7-8
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.” (Proverbs 4:7–8)
When that embrace of faith comes, virtue is increased automatically, as it works within the Believer to join the Lord within. It is the beginning of the development of faith; without embrace, it cannot grow.
2 Peter 1:5-8
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5–8)
After faith has persuaded, it must be embraced and then confessed for it to be valid. Embracing faith is not a condition expressed by words, but rather an action that draws closely to individuals and touches their very souls. It is the idea of total acceptance in the most intimate way that embracing faith involves.
To be persuaded of faith means that you believe in things you do not see. To embrace faith means that you feel and hold close the things of faith deep within your soul. Without this intimate connection with faith, faith cannot exist. To believe requires more than the mind! Faith requires an embrace of desire and love and an acceptance of Truth as close to one’s soul as it can be brought.
So how did the generations of Abraham become persuaded in their faith toward the LORD God? It started with simple teachings by Him, that were built upon step-by-step. One of the first lessons that the LORD God gave to the early generations of Abraham was to identify Himself as God above all other Gods, with a distinct Name above all other names. The LORD God’s name gave meaning to His entire existence! The great I AM is the meaning behind the most formal, the most Holy of the LORD God’s Hebrew names which is YAHWEH.
(It is very important that you treat this name with the utmost of respect. Orthodox Jews will not even write or pronounce this name. When it occurs in their Hebrew Bibles, they replace this name with LORD G-d. Even then, they pause with quiet respect, then pronounce LORD God with a breath of reverence, each time they are confronted with His most Holy name. We honor the LORD God in the same manner, and seldom use His Holy name, except to teach others. Thus, we use the Hebrew example of saying LORD God, and ensure that we take a breath of awe each time we use it. I hope our students copy our example, and give the same reverence to the most holy name of God.)
Exodus 3:14
“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:14)
The literal name of the most holy name of God is usually translated as I AM. It is easy to see the development of the faith of Abraham’s generations by examining the places in the Bible where the LORD God introduces deeper and deeper concepts. You simply have to follow the “I AM” Trail! By looking for each instance that the LORD God identifies Himself to His people, and discovering the new information He reveals each time, one can sense the development of new ideas in an ordered sense. Give it a try! Search your Bibles for the times the LORD God speaks with folks, and note the Word that follows “I AM”. For instance:
Genesis 17:1-2
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.” (Genesis 17:1–2)
Thus, Abram is introduced to the LORD God “I AM the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Note how the LORD God identifies Himself first, and then adds expectations next. Right after He names His Will, He gives the receiver a promise or a warning. In the case of Genesis 17:1-2, the LORD God gives His Identity and His Will then makes a promise with Abram. It is highly profitable to study the LORD God’s revelations of Himself by searching for the “I AM” Trail. The “I AM” Trail gives us the ability to see Faith develop throughout the Old Testament, and into the New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Take the same concept, and search the “I AM” Trail for the Lord Jesus Christ. Every time He uses the words “I AM” He is delivering a new teaching of faith, and building, step-upon-step the faith of Believers! That “I AM” Trail is one of the most powerful journeys you can take to know your LORD God and the Lord Jesus Christ perfectly.
One day, we will develop a class that walks that Trail with deep revelations, awe, and mystery. Until then, I encourage each of you to pull out a notebook and make three columns. The first should be the location of verse, the second should be the teaching of new faith, and the third the result of application. Do this, and you will be fully prepared when our “I AM” Trail class begins!
Hopefully, each of you have peeked into your Bible, and found parts of the “I AM” Trail. Note the events that happen right after the new concepts are taught. In almost every case within the Word of God, there is a supernatural event or standstill moment or mystery expression or parable or miracle that happens that reinforces the new teaching of faith. So maybe it would be fruitful to add a fourth column to your journey, and list that supernatural event that hones the teaching of faith perfectly!
You have now received teaching that has increased your walk with the LORD God dramatically. But, the “I AM” Trail is not the only way that faith is persuaded.
(Important Reminder: We are talking about the increase of faith, not the giving of faith. Faith is given in proportions to individuals by the LORD God through His Grace. He expects the Believer to add to that faith through His Teachings. Those teachings are reflected on the great “I AM” Trail and increase the faith of Believers.)
There are other means that the LORD God uses to persuade an increase of faith, or even to persuade lies within the enemy of Him. The LORD God sends His Spirits to increase the faith of the believer, or persuade the opposite of His Truth within His enemies! Check out the example of one of God’s Spirits subverting the enemy by causing their mouths to speak the lies their false faith is based upon!
1 Kings 22:15-23
“So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. 16 And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD? 17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. 18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil? 19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. 20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. 22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” (1 Kings 22:15–23)
Now let’s look at the example for the Faithful that shows the connection of faith and the Holy Spirit sent to Believers to indwell and seal them as children of the LORD God.
Jude 1:20-21
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:20–21)
Building up of holy faith is persuasion. When your faith builds, you are persuaded that the newest addition to your belief is sure. Praying in the Holy Ghost brings certain persuasion to your holy faith, and increases your surety in its Truth!
We have learned that the “I AM” Trail, supported by new teachings, signs and wonders, and the Holy Spirit lead to increased persuasion of faith. But there are other avenues that bring added persuasion to bear upon believers! The learning of Scripture and your study of the Word of God is “profitable for doctrine, which instructs into righteousness, and thoroughly prepares you to do good works!
Now stay with me here for just one more point:
What is the beginning of good works? FAITH! What must you be persuaded, convinced, sure of before you start a work of God? FAITH! What leads to this surety of Faith? STUDY OF THE WORD OF GOD!
2 Timothy 3:10-17
“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:10–17)
And finally, doing the works of God persuades us and increases our faith!
James 2:18-26
“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:18–26)
Faith cannot be persuaded in those that cannot hear the Word of God. But it goes deeper than that, if one desires to travel the “I AM” Trail. If one cannot connect the Old Testament with the New Testament, if Abraham, Moses and the Prophets are not able to be seen as a progressive development of faith through Jesus Christ, then faith is not securely held.
Luke 16-19-31
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:19–31)
Full persuasion of faith begins with Abraham and the first generations and follows through the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with the nature of man, to live amongst us, be crucified and buried, and resurrected into eternal life forevermore. Without the fullness of all Scripture, total persuasion of faith is impossible!
Acts 18:1-6
Another often overlooked action to persuade faith is the ability to reason the things you have learned from the Word of God, and express them in ways that they can be understood.
“After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 18:1–6)
Apologetics are the defense of Christian doctrine with evidence supported by Scripture. They define the word “reason” perfectly. Reason means to logically support a claim with proof; thus, just as Paul tried to reason with the Jews, the Faithful are encouraged to do the same. When reason is rejected, we move on to those who have ears to hear because God has moved them toward Him in Grace.
It often takes more than just gentle reason to persuade faith! Sometimes we must speak boldly! Bold is the opposite of gentle. Usually, when strong Christians speak BOLDLY, they are chastised for going against the humble and gentle nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, and are often shunned by the polite, perfumed believers.
Their error in misunderstanding this BOLD instruction in faith is not having an intimate familiarity of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. Paul found the hardening of hearts common among those he boldly spoke; yet, for those who heard, their faith was persuaded with supernatural miracles to confirm his reasoned and BOLD presentation!
Acts 19:8-12
“And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19:8–12)
Abraham was fully persuaded of the Promises of the LORD God and knew he could perform the things that He instructed, because he believed fully. That persuaded faith made him righteous.
Romans 4:17-22
“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:17–22)
What an interesting comparison Abraham’s faith of the surety of the LORD God’s promises developed into the perfect Christian faith as expressed by Paul!
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)
Persuaded faith is individual. Each believer must be persuaded on his own. Faith is individual. The LORD God, Lord Jesus Christ and their Holy Spirit lead each to the spiritual path that persuades faith perfectly for that person. While the spiritual path of each Believer is different, all have one sure thing in common. Faith through the Lord Jesus Christ persuades all of the entire surety of their God, King, Savior, and Lord.
Romans 14:5-9
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” (Romans 14:5–9)
Faithful Christians are instructed to persuade men of the terror of the LORD God. This instruction holds ample evidence that before persuasion of faith can begin, one must fear the LORD God; thus, instruction of His terror may well be the first step an unbeliever must have in order to receive God’s graced gift of faith!
2 Corinthians 5:9-11
“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2 Corinthians 5:9–11)
Note how unbelievers should have terror of the LORD God, while Faithful Christians are shown to the same most powerful LORD God and our consciences without fear because of the persuaded of faith that has developed within us.
The persuasion of faith does not come from man, but from the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the Word of God. It is the LORD God who calls us from the wombs of our mothers to receive His grace, and be able to receive persuasion in the full faith of His Word.
Galatians 1:10-17
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.” (Galatians 1:10–17)
Sound spiritual words, faith and love through the Lord Jesus Christ, that is kept by the Holy Spirit within us persuades our Faith even more!
2 Timothy 1:6-14
“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” (2 Timothy 1:6–14)
The Doctrine of Jesus Christ lays the first foundation for a believer. It covers sin, baptism, resurrection and judgment; after this, Christians are encouraged to move deeper into His Word and find better and better things, to persuade faith deeply and perfectly!
Hebrews 6:1-20
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 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: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:1–20)
The generations of Abraham died with faith in the promises made to them by the LORD God. The generations following the Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection are persuaded in perfected faith, as their paths are guided by Him to the better country within the Kingdom of God.
Hebrews 11:13-16
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13–16)
Don’t take lightly the Grace of the LORD God in your life! Christians know with surety that when their physical bodies die, their baptized spirits ascend to Heaven (Rom 6:1-11), where they are given a new body; or, unbaptized spirits sleep in their grave for a while until resurrected to live eternally upon the New Earth; or, raptured alive believers ascend with their physical bodies, where they receive white robes in Heaven for a time (Rev 7:9-17). All Christians know that through their belief and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, their sins will be forgiven and justified, promising eternal life, regardless of how they assume the next life. So, it is a known ingredient in our thought process; we know we will live eternally, so our death (without sting) does not terrify us.
1 Corinthians 15:35–50
“But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Corinthians 15:35–50)
One day, folks, there is going to be a big battle between the righteous soldiers of the LORD God, led by Jesus Christ, and the wicked minions of Lucifer, upon the battlefield of Armageddon. Our Christian faith allows us to know this battle is a done deal. We know the end of the story. WE WIN! Our side is victorious.
However, here’s a shocking announcement: the other side thinks they are going to win also. Lucifer is recruiting his soldiers today, preparing for that great and final battle. His wicked forces believe they will annihilate the forces led by Christ when the fog of war draws near.
Revelation 17:14
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)
Would you want to live eternally if Lucifer were victorious? Of course not! Christians hold unshaken faith that their Lord Jesus Christ will be victorious in their battle against the fallen angel Lucifer. We know that in the end, our omnipotent Lord will pummel the enemy and cause his blood to fill the battlefield. And when we have won the battle, we are given a glimpse of the wonderful life we will have upon the New Earth, freed from the grips of the devil and sin.
We know the end of the story! We have the Word of God in our hands, and we can read with clear understanding about the great battle to come. To think that conflict between good and evil would end any other way is unthinkable and impossible because we know the power and might of our Lord.
Revelation 19:11–21
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:11–21)
Often Christians hold fast their salvation promise in an attitude of focusing on what Christ brings to them. However, there is a much bigger picture that is unfolding, as the forces of good and evil prepare for battle. Our King has prepared us with His Word. He has let us know about the battle beforehand. He has started the basic training of his soldiers by using the military terms necessary to prepare by encouraging us to put on His armor and learn to use it before the battle comes. He has presented the call to order, by illustrating that only one Master can be followed. He gave recruitment instructions to His apostles, and followed up with orders to all Christians to continue the recruitment process throughout the world.
Unfortunately, those Old Testament saints and sinners didn’t have the easily understood battle plan in their hands. They did not have an understanding of the Messiah that would come to prepare them for war. The books in their Bible were not fully written when they lived; and if the major prophets of the Old Testament were alive in some of the times of the more recent people of the LORD God, they talked in depths that were hard to understand. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Amos, Micah, Zephaniah, Zechariah, Malachi speak clear prophesy that will happen past the time of the lives of the Old Testament people; some of the Prophets speak of events that happen even past our own time!
Abraham’s generations did not have the information we have today. They did not have the complete Word of God, because the Word of God had not come yet! They did not know the Lord Jesus Christ; for most, the prophecy of His coming was unknown, and those who heard it, misunderstood.
For the most part, they had only the five books of our present-day Bibles. These five books are called the Pentateuch. These books were the writings of Moses, which expressed the laws of the LORD God and His Creation in the books Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (These are English translated words; the Hebrews name their books from the first word spoken in each).
What did the generations of Abraham faithfully hold that they took confidently to their grave? They had the promise of a Messiah one day coming, and they believed that He would free them from the wicked grasp of their enemies. They knew that when they died, they would sleep in their grave until awakened by the LORD God; as time unfolded, they were hopeful that their line would continue and multiply their generations as the Chosen people of God. They knew that while they suffered oppression and persecution, that one day their Messiah would come and destroy their enemies quickly. That faithful confidence gave them purpose to live and follow after the LORD God’s will and ways.
Hebrews 11:13–16 tell us specifically what they knew!
Hebrews 11:13-16
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)
Check it out! Even before the Lord Jesus Christ came to reveal the Kingdom of God completely to His followers and give the promise of eternal life, the generations of Abraham knew they were strangers in this world! Their faith was persuaded, embraced and confessed. Through those acts, we know they sought a country, the Kingdom of God, even when they did not have the promise realized in their generation. It is only Christians who had full access to this knowledge!
Revelation 21:1-8
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:1–8)
It is through these three acts of persuading, embracing and confessing that present-day Christians can know that Abraham’s generations had faith in the providence of the LORD God. They knew their LORD God was omnipotent, and would one day restore them into a Kingdom that did not contain their enemies. Thus, it is worthy for us to examine these three concepts of faith, to include them within our own spiritual growth of faith, as His Word is revealed deeply to us.
It is also important to look deeply into the desire of the generations of Abraham to live in a Kingdom where God is not ashamed of them. Even before the Messiah was revealed fully to them, they knew that the LORD God was able to create a place where the wickedness was gone, and where their righteousness could shine. Even back then, they were confident that one day God would make a place for them to honor Him.
Faith must be persuaded, embraced and confessed by all Believers, both Jew and Christian. Without these three aspects of faith expressed, there is no faith. It is fascinating that the generations of Abraham figured this out before the complete revelation of the LORD God’s plans through the Word of God. And it is humbling to realize that present-day Christians have access to the full expression of the Word of God and yet struggle with the aspects of persuasion, embracing, and confessing. Thus, it is time for us to take a lesson from our brothers and sisters of old, and learn the ways of faith, even when the “rest of the book” is unknown.
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13–16)
This study module is focusing upon a group of people, rather than a specific person. However, don’t take the lack of specificity to define the importance of this expression of faith example in Hebrews 11. Rather, examine the amount of words that Hebrews 11:13-16 contains in defining this type of faith, and recognize that it is both noteworthy and essential for all Believers to understand perfectly!
Who are the dead in faith? They are the ones that died before the promises of the coming Messiah were fulfilled, and who were not taken directly to Heaven as a Saint. It was the promises given through the Lord Jesus Christ that overpowered death, and gave life to those that believed and followed after Him. Until His Time was fulfilled, most of the Chosen People of the LORD God went to their graves, and are presently sleeping; they unknowingly await the resurrection at the final Judgment of Jesus Christ, to receive their reward or punishment.
Revelation 20:11-15
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11–15)
The Israelites that descended from the generations of Abraham did not receive the promises of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 1 traces the generations that led to the designated father’s side of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:1-17
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.” (Matthew 1:1–17)
Traditionally, Bible scholars have attributed the generations listed within Matthew 1 to represent the line of Joseph, while the genealogy listed in Luke 3:24-38 to show the lineage of Mary, showing a family relationship between Mary and Joseph. Luke 3:24-38 traces the generations that led to the Lord Jesus Christ, clear back to the time of Adam!
Luke 3:24-38
“And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, 24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, 25 Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, 26 Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, 27 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, 28 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, 29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, 30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, 31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, 32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, 33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, 34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, 35 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, 36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, 37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. (Luke 3:23–38)
Now, when you compare the names in both of these genealogies, you will notice a few inconsistencies. Some of the names are different, but similar, which can be explained by the Hebrew vs. Aramaic translation of the names. Some Kings are left out, like Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, those between Joram and Uzziah, and Jehoiakim in the Matthew line. Matthew also includes women in the lineage, which is a rare event in ancient genealogies. While rare in tradition, their places in the lineage were crucial to establishing certain timelines in the Bible, just as the missing Kings were unimportant to the author’s point. Comparisons of Luke and Matthew show disagreement, but can be explained in scholarly fashion. But, you know what! We don’t have to worry about any of these arguments, to go to the places we need to go to learn about the faith!
We only need to look at Luke 3:23-28 to realize that there were a whole bunch of people, generation after generation for many generations that brought forth the fulfilled line of David through our Lord Jesus Christ! That means that all of those past people who contributed to the human being expression of Jesus Christ DIED IN FAITH! They went to their graves, when they died. They did not realize the promises that their faith looked forward too! Most of the actual human being relatives of our Lord Jesus Christ are not in Heaven! That’s an amazing statement of fact!
Remember, the lineage of Jesus Christ as expressed in Matthew 1 and Luke 3, represents one branch of the generations before Jesus Christ! There were hundreds upon hundreds of offspring that sprang from the seed of Abraham! The specific genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ is but one of many that form the tree of Abraham that leads to the Twelve Tribes of Israel that are God’s Chosen People who looked expectantly to the future promise of the coming Messiah.
Philippians 2:5-11
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5–11)
The hope of all Jewish people is centered fully upon the promise by the LORD God to send a Messiah to them, to lead them from the oppressions of this world. Sadly, when the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth with the nature of a human being, few of the Jews knew Him. They did not recognize Him as Messiah, because they thought the Messiah would be powerful and mighty and cause their enemies to perish. The Lord Jesus Christ not only exhibited the nature of human being, but was easily crucified upon the cross. The Jewish people were made blind by the LORD God, and unable to see the glorious Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. They could not connect this with the perfect expression of God’s power over death, and His exaltation of His only begotten Son.
John 4:19-26
“The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.” (John 4:19–26)
The Lord Jesus Christ, coming in the nature of man, with the flesh and blood of human being, had to die, in order to destroy the power of death.
Hebrews 2:14-18
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:14–18)
It was only after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ that brought him to die, that death could be conquered. Thus, all those that lived before the Lord’s coming, died with faith that He would one day come. It is the circle of faith that took generations upon generations to accomplish the fulfillment of His Promises to His Chosen People.
Hebrews 11 honors those of faith in the Promises of the Messiah that were unable to see the fulfillment of His coming. It is with that same heart we look with honor upon the ancestors of God’s People before Christ, who kept the faith pure and moving forward, without guarantee that they would see the Promise in their lifetime.
The generations of God’s People had a faith that is worthy of study, recall and emulation, as our own time troubles began to increase beyond endurance. The Promised return of our Lord Jesus Christ is an important promise to Christians, just as those generations of Adam looked to the first Promise of the Messiah’s return. Thus, it is worthy to know the coping tools of the Chosen People of the LORD God, to give us the survival tools of our own time, promising a hope where all seems impossible, and encouraging a faith that is sure and true in salvation, redemption and rescue by our Lord Jesus Christ, regardless of the wickedness that surrounds us.
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:5-6)
The translation of Enoch had the testimony of the LORD God and pleased Him. We understand that Enoch was living one moment and then the next he was not. He passed over the chasm that separated him from God, and he went to Heaven without experiencing death. His victory of life without ever dying is a symbolic and typological representation of the End Times Rapture that Christians look forward to with great hope.
The Greek word used in Hebrews 11:5 for “translated” is “metathesis.” It is used three times in Hebrews only, and is used three different but similar meanings. In Hebrews 11:5 it means to transfer to Heaven, Hebrews 12:27 means that God “removes things by shaking, so that things that cannot be shaken can remain” and Hebrews 7:12 means a “change in the law”. So the Greek word means transfer, removal or change.
Today, that Greek word metathesis describes an “alteration of a word from one form to another” in an effort to make it more eloquent or easier to say, like a child calling spaghetti “pasghetti”. In the “Hollow Pursuits” episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Lt. Commander Data explains the meaning of metathesis after Captain Picard mistakenly calls Lt. Barclay “Mr. Broccoli”. After Barclay leaves, Data says to the captain, “metathesis is one of the most common of pronunciation errors, sir; a reversal of vowel and consonant; ‘barc’ to broc’…”. (Note to audience – the creator of this lesson is a Star Trek junkie; this blurb is added to increase job satisfaction even further, while at the same time connect with the students in understanding the word “metathesis.”)
So why is understanding the deeper meaning of the word “metathesis” so important to understanding the concept of translation? It is important, because it is such a rare event, we don’t quite know how it happened, what it looked like, or how quickly it took place. Therefore, we must examine every piece of evidence surrounding the word “metathesis” to sort of grasp the supernatural translation event of Enoch.
There is one more word that might help you understand the process of “translation” a little better. Metamorphous means a change in nature and form, like a caterpillar changing to a butterfly; in contrast, Metathesis is the change of the place or condition, like the exchange of bonds in a chemical reaction!
Now we are nailing down the deeper meaning of the word. When the translation of Enoch occurred, his place of existence was changed from one place to another. His body and nature were not changed; it was only the place, translating from earth to heaven, and the condition, living one moment, and nowhere found the next.
Now that we understand the word used to express the translation of Enoch, we are closer to understanding the process that will happen to believers during the rapture of saints. Enoch’s translation was a typological shadow of the event that will happen to living believers one day.
The word “rapture” is not actually located within the Word of God; yet, it is a well-known term by both religious and secular interests. It is a word that is used to represent the End Times event where Christians alive are raised up into the air by Jesus Christ, and taken immediately to Heaven, without experiencing death. The rapture event can be found prophesized in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1Thessalonians 4:13-17)
This rapture experience captures the metathesis example that was first revealed in the translation of Enoch. One day, which date is not known by anyone but the LORD God, the Lord Jesus Christ will descend from Heaven with a shout, the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God. When these sounds are heard, the dead in Christ will rise first, and then all of the Christians which are alive will be caught up together in the clouds and meet the Lord in the air. The body or the nature of the raptured Christians will not be changed. The change will be only the place and condition; the Christians location will be changed from earth to Heaven, and their condition of human being, will be changed to that of a risen saint.
Interestingly, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 makes further reference to this rapture event, and this reference connects to one of the deeper meanings of the word “metathesis” we studied earlier. Can you find this meaning?
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” (2Thessalonians 2:1-2)
The concept of “shaken” was used with one of the three only meanings of “metathesis” in the Word of God! Remember? Hebrews 12:27 defined the word “metathesis” with the process of shaking!
Hebrews 12:26-28
“Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” (Heb 12:26-28)
The LORD God is going to be shaking the Kingdom of Heaven while He shakes mankind on earth. Those in Heaven that can be shaken, will be removed from Heaven. Only those which cannot be shaken continues to live in the restored Heaven. Now 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 tells us that when the day of Christ is at hand to not be “shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word!
So now you know what rapture will look like, feel like, sound like, and be like. From the deep study of the word, we know that rapture comes to those who cannot be shaken in mind nor troubled in spirit when the tribulations, persecutions and martyrdoms on earth begin. Stand strong and confident in the Day of Christ, and await your redemption. The translation of Enoch was the shadow of rapture, that will one day raise up believers, and change their location from earth filled with tribulation and wickedness, to Heaven in the presence of our Lord and our God!
Praise be to God!
Further Study Resources
The Book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish book that many believe was written by the Enoch, father of Methuselah and grandfather of Noah, around 300 B.C. Jews and Christians do not regard it as Scripture; however, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church think it is canonical in nature.
While it is absent from the sacred books of the Word of God, many scholars believe that The Book of Enoch influenced early Christianity, and thus is profitable for study. Many early Church Fathers considered 1 Enoch as Scripture, such as Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus and Tertullian. In fact, Tertullian accuses that it was officially rejected by the Jews as Scripture because it contained early prophesy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are five parts to The Book of Enoch. The first part describes the fall of angels, “the Watchers,” who became the fathers of the Nephilim. The remaining four sections cover Enoch’s visits to Heaven with descriptions of his travels, visions, dreams, and revelations.
* The Book of the Watchers (1 Enoch 1 – 36)
* The Book of Parables of Enoch (1 Enoch 37 – 71) (Also called the Similitudes of Enoch)
* The Astronomical Book (1 Enoch 72 – 82) (Also called the Book of the Heavenly Luminaries or Book of Luminaries.)
* The Book of Dream Visions (1 Enoch 83 – 90) (Also called the Book of Dreams)
* The Epistle of Enoch (1 Enoch 91 – 108)
It is important to note that The Book of Enoch is also said to be referenced in the Word of God through the account of his prophecy spoken about in Jude 14,15:
“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken” against him. (Jude 14, 15)
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5)
Translated is represented by the Greek word “metatithemi.” This Greek word is used several times in the Word of God and it has several meanings, depending on context; it can mean to pass over, transfer, carry over, remove, change or turn. In the case of Enoch, we know that its meaning is most consistent with passing over the great chasm that separates man from God, without having to experience death. In literal words, at one moment he was alive and walking the earth and the next instant Enoch found himself in the presence of the LORD God.
Enoch was translated because he pleased the LORD God. He held this testimony that he brought the LORD God pleasure. The Greek word “martureo” is translated testimony, and means to bear witness and record.
It wasn’t that Enoch did well in speaking a little prophesy the one time it is mentioned in the Bible. Through the use of the word testimony, we can be certain that he had a spotless record of serving the LORD God, and that record was witness to his righteous service toward Him.
Note the Greek word “martureo” once more. It is a derivative of the word “martus” which is interpreted “martyr.” A martyr is one who proves the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by suffering persecution and violent death. It is not a far stretch to suspect that Enoch’s testimony had the nature of the martyrdom that would come later with followers of Jesus Christ.
Enoch’s “martuereo” brought great pleasure to the LORD God, and it was for that reason he was translated without death! His strength and genuineness of faith in the LORD God was so great, that He was noticed by the LORD God and used by Him to prophesy the things of last days from the beginning generations of His Creation!
NEVER BEFORE had another man been translated by the LORD God. He was the first! Since the day that Adam and Eve had sinned, death had to come to human being bodies to release sin’s hold upon them. It was the most unusual event in the midst of corruption and unrighteousness that was swirling around mankind.
This righteous man Enoch, known by all for his goodness and dedication toward God, might have died a common death, and then been taken to Heaven, and no one would have known. But through his translation, it was seen by many as Enoch living one moment amongst them, and the next, nowhere to be found. His translation became a testimony to the LORD God, that His providence for those that please Him can include eternal life without experiencing the physical sting of death.
The LORD God made sure that the reason He translated Enoch was clear to everyone that sought after His Word.
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
The LORD God translated Enoch so that those generations to follow could know how to please Him. There was only one way. It took faith in Him to please Him! He even explained further, by breaking that faith down to two areas of faith that Enoch possessed:
The faith of Enoch believed that the LORD God was who He IS
The faith of Enoch knew with certainty that the LORD God would reward those who diligently sought after Him
The Greek word “pisteuo” translates to the word “believe.” This powerful word denotes not only a surety in the LORD God, but also a conviction and trust inside a person’s soul that the He can be trusted completely. There can be no doubt in the type of faith that pleases the LORD God and moves Him to give great reward.
How does one get this type of faith? You must diligently seek after the LORD God. Seek diligently is represented by the Greek word “ekzeteo” and denotes a highly focused effort to search for the Will, Way and Word of God. The way this deep investigative seeking can be effected by Believers is through the study of the Word of God. The more study of His Word, the deeper the faith He gives you, and the more application that can be applied to your spiritual life.
The Faith of Enoch represents the believer’s sincere search and discovery of the things of the LORD God, and the application of those things into a life that honors and worships Him. Those who are able to diligently seek after the LORD God, and have confidence that He is who He is, will both please Him and receive reward from Him one day for their faith!
Faith of Enoch Today
So we return to the place from which we started…the Faith of Enoch. His faith was so strong and sure, that he did not see death, and was raised up by God to join Him in Heaven.
Hebrews 11:5-6
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:5-6 AV)
The LORD God brought great reward to Enoch for his faith, and caused a supernatural translation to happen to him for both him and all believers that come after him. The Faith of Enoch pleased the LORD God so much, that he was included as an example to us in the chapter of faith accounted in Hebrews 11. It is that faith we are focusing upon in this lesson, as we “translate” the things of Enoch’s faith, to our own faith in these difficult times.
The followers of Jesus Christ today must take the example of the Faith of Enoch and stand strong in the face of the wickedness and despair of mankind. It is through this strong faith that the witness of the Lord Jesus Christ is propagated throughout the world. And it’s quite a world, isn’t it? Our times are just as Enoch’s; we both live in times of great wickedness, where men turn against righteousness and obedience to the LORD God and His Will and Ways. In two short generations from Enoch, the entire world, save Noah and his family, were wiped from the earth. Believers today feel that same doomsday clock ticking, as the promised judgment of mankind by our Lord Jesus Christ grows nearer to unfolding according to the signs of the times!
Enoch pleased the LORD God because he had testimony. His testimony was maintaining a righteous presence in the midst of the terrible wickedness of mankind. His prophesy identified the nature of that wickedness as being the Way of Cain, the Error of Balaam, and the Gainsaying of Core. Take a moment, and consider these things that are prevalent in our own time, and growing worse each day.
The Way of Cain in the time of Enoch was the arrogant approach to the LORD God by those who demanded God bow down to them. They did not want to obey Him, but rather, expected Him to do as they willed. Today, we hear many speak freely about how they expect God to take them to Heaven because they are good; they are completely oblivious to His requirements to follow after the Lord Jesus Christ and do His things. We see prayers offered up to God to support this war or another, worldly cause over spiritual things, or things of fortune to be bestowed upon the prayers, without regard to His Will.
Godless people walk the earth today, focused on their attributes and needs over the will of the LORD God. The self-focused generation of disobedient people reassures themselves daily that they are good and deserving of the rewards that God has to offer, and that their money and efforts toward making a better world will guarantee them a spot in Heaven. They are vocal and condemning of any religion and any believer that goes against their belief in the way things should be with regards to reward from God and judgment.
It takes a very strong and brave Christian to stand up to the self-indulging kind, and announce to them that they must bow a knee to God regardless of their thoughts of the ways they think the reward and judgment of God should be. It is a testimony of faith when a believer speaks the Truth of God and reveals the only path to approach Him to be through Jesus Christ, even when it offends those who control their offerings to God with a demand of expected compensation and reward. The Way of Cain produced ungodly men lacking referential awe toward the things of God in the day of Enoch, and it has produced the same type of sinful, lewd, lustful and carnal natures within mankind today.
The similarities between our time and the time of Enoch do not stop with most of mankind embracing the Way of Cain. There are widespread instances of the Error of Balaam being reflected in our world today, with the same devastating effects of unrighteous, lewd and manipulative behavior being favored over righteousness. For instance, how many times have we seen pretend religious leaders receive wealth, power and prestige from their followers as they teach a corrupt lies that go against the Word of God. I’ll give you a hint…many are brought down by the excessive lustful and lewd acts that come from doing the error of Balaam!
Only faithful Christians can stand up and reveal the lies and manipulations generated by glory-seeking individuals’ intent on gaining and benefiting from attaching themselves to the Kingdom of God. The error of Balaam was thinking that any favor of God shown to him, gave him freedom to manipulate that favor into personal reward. This error led to the worship of false gods and attention paid to soothsayers, fortune tellers, and witches. False idols were embraced when the LORD God refused to grant privileges to those who were embracing the error of Balaam.
Just as in the times of Enoch, many people have left their faith, and lustfully sought riches, prestige, and power instead of walking in the Ways of the LORD God. Their attitude led to worship of false gods, as they gained a false sense of entitlement through their manipulation attempts toward the True LORD God. They have empowered the false idol use of others through the manipulation of magic, soothsaying, and worship of false gods. The faith of Enoch stood bravely in the midst of such chaos, and declared their practices wicked and warned of coming judgment if they did not stop their embrace of idols. They ignored him, just as those who worship idols in this world will ignore a faithful Christian who warns of judgment to come. Regardless, it is that faith within a Christian, expressed fully in support of the things of God that brings great delight to Him and provides testimony of your walk with Christ.
Lastly, the gainsaying of Core brought death to 250 leaders and 14,700 followers of God because of JEALOUSY! Core convinced strong and powerful leaders that had God’s favor, to forsake the leadership that was placed by Him to lead them, and challenge the authority established by Him. Regrettably, this same attitude is prevalent in churches today, as congregations jockey for power and prestige, challenging leadership and creating turmoil through gossip and attacks. The disagreements between denominations pale when weighed against the utter chaos that is within the church settings. Jealousies against the leaders seem to propel more and more attacks within the institutions that God Himself has established.
How can Christian leaders reclaim the positions that God has placed them in, when jealous attacks come their way and attempt to destroy the righteousness of the appointments? They cannot do it alone; we do not have the advantage of the LORD God dwelling among us, where we can go before Him, and prove the holiness of a leader vs. the jealousy of another. However, those of strong faith, that emulate the faith of Enoch in their walk with Christ, can make a difference by boldly proclaiming and upholding those appointed to leadership positions in the Kingdom of God on earth.
The faith of Enoch was so perfectly expressed by Him, that it gave testimony of his belief in the LORD God’s will and ways. His stances of bold declaration against the ways of Cain, the error of Balaam and the gainsaying of Core expressed the complete dedication he held toward the LORD God. It is that faith of Enoch that each faithful Christian should emulate, as we struggle against the wickedness of this world, to declare the Truth from the Word of God.
The way of Cain was the choice of many of God’s people, as they demanded His worship of them and their works by refusing to offer worthy and righteous gifts to the LORD God. The error of Balaam was embraced by many of God’s people, when they lustfully sought riches, prestige and power instead of walking in the Ways of the LORD God. This attitude led to worship of false gods, as they gained a false sense of entitlement through their manipulation attempts toward the True LORD God. In this lesson, we are going to examine the gainsaying of Core, to complete our study of the three levels of errors that polluted many within the generations of disobedient people belonging to God.
The dramatic account of Core (known as Korah in Hebrew Old Testament) can be found at Numbers 16:1-50, which records his influence in causing 250 Israelite leaders to turn away from the LORD God. Ultimately, 14,700 were put to death as a direct result of the gainsaying of Korah, and the resulting plague against those who followed after him. It is this major event that leads Enoch to warn those of the coming wrath of the LORD God that is written about in Jude 1:14.
Let’s begin our deeper study by examining the meaning of “gainsaying” found in Jude 1:11 as a description of the error of Korah. The Greek word for “gainsaying” is “antiologia.” Note the two words combined which are “anti” and “logia” which translate literally to “ANTI LOGIC.” Other definitions of the word that lend deeper understanding include contradiction, opposition, and rebellion. The gainsaying of Korah meant that he was going against the logic of his belief in the LORD God, and the common sense that Moses was the leader established to lead him. Let’s look at the account of the revolution that Korah started, and the LORD God ended.
The anti-logical revolution began when Korah encouraged 250 famous princes to challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. These leaders with renowned reputations among all of the people in all of the Tribes of Israel were convinced by Korah that Moses was taking too much holiness for himself. The anti-logical 250 leaders led by the nose with the hand of Korah were convinced that all of the people that were congregated together within the Tribes of Israel were just as holy as Moses. They angrily charged Moses that he acted as if he were “better than others” (in common speech of today), and chided him to step down.
“Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?” (Numbers 16:1-3)
When Moses heard this, his immediate reaction was to fall on his face. One could sense his despair at the suggestion that he led God’s Chosen People with his will rather than through the LORD God’s direction. His solution for the determining whether the charges were truthful was both brilliant and risky. He called upon Korah and his followers to appear before the LORD God the next day, with Aaron and him, and allow the LORD God to decide who was right.
What had caused this anti-logical rebellion against a beloved leader who had helped free them from the oppressive control of Egyptian taskmasters and freed them for their journey to the Promised Land?
Two events foreshadowed the angry uprising to usurp the authority of Moses. Moses had ordered the stoning of a Sabbath breaker by every member of the congregation after the LORD God instructed this punishment.
“And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Numbers 15:32-36)
Then to cause them to remember all of the commandments of the LORD God, He instructed them through Moses to place fringes on their garments. These fringes were to help them:
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.” (Numbers 15:37-41)
Interestingly, the very mindset that the LORD God wanted them to possess concerning the things of heart that he instituted with the fringes on the garments, was violated through the anti-logical rebellion of Korah and the princes. They did not want to think anyone holier than them. They sought after their own hearts, and were jealous of the holiness of Moses, and the priests established to serve the LORD God. Whether the stoning of the Sabbath breaker, and the requirement for fringes upon their garments sparked the uprising is not known; however, the rebellion questioned the authority of Moses, Aaron and the Priests, and kept the anti-logic of rebellion towards God’s ways moving throughout the camp.
There could be no doubt about their jealous resentment of the leadership forming around Moses. They were angry with them because they were wandering the wilderness and never arriving to the Promised Land which flowed with milk and honey as they appointed themselves in holy judgment against all others. The rebels wanted the position of Moses and Aaron and the Priests to end, and they wanted themselves to replace the exiled leadership immediately.
The gainsaying of Korah was against the setting apart of the family of Aaron for the duties and privileges of the priesthood. Moses wisely challenged them to appear with him before the LORD God and let Him choose. It would be the LORD God’s choice that would declare the holiness of the man, whether it was Moses and Aaron, or whether it be Korah and the 250 Princes who challenged the position Moses held.
They gathered together the next day; Moses, Aaron, the priests with Korah and the 250 princes, standing in the Tabernacle door with incense in censers to bring a pleasant smell as they approached the LORD God. The congregation of Israelites surrounded the Tabernacle, awaiting the decision of the LORD God. That decision came quickly. The LORD God spoke to Moses and Aaron and advised them to separate immediately from the congregated people, because he was going to destroy them.
Moses quickly pleaded to the LORD God to allow them to give the congregation of people gathered to watch the proceedings a chance to save themselves. The LORD God agreed. Moses told everyone:
“Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.” (Numbers 16:26)
Then Moses said:
“Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me. But, if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. (Numbers 16:28-30)
At the end of Moses’ speech, the earth opened up her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. Moses was confirmed to be the holy leader, established by the LORD God, in full view of the congregation of Israelites, as he lived, and the rebels died.
“And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” (Numbers 16:28-35)
Unbelievably, many of the Israelites charged Moses with the death of the troublemakers, rather than acknowledge the destruction of them at the hands of a wrath-filled LORD God. It took the intercession of Moses to save the entire people of Israel from destruction; in the end, 14,700 people died in a divine plague before Moses’ prayers became effective.
“But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.” (Numbers 16:41-50)
And that is the result of the gainsaying of Korah. The rebellion made the LORD God angry, and caused the destruction of him, the 250 princes that rebelled with him, and 14,700 people who followed after their ways. It was a rebellion against religious and political authority, coupled with the jealousy of men who wanted things to be the way they chose, rather than the way that the LORD God willed, that caused the destruction of so many.
We will delve into learning about the abhorrent ways of a sinful nation of disobedient people that developed as a result of these errors entering into their ways, as we examine the Prophesy of Enoch in our next lesson.
The second degree of errors done by those who followed after Cain was done by greedily running after the error Balaam for reward. The generations to follow Cain were not satisfied with their status in the world; they looked for reward, and chased after false things to replace the Grace of the LORD God that they had rejected and turned into lewdness.
Jude 1:11
“Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.” (Jude 1:11)
Balaam of Beor was a soothsayer who took advantage of God‘s people and counseled them to sin against the Lord. Unfortunately, many were so driven by lust toward receiving reward that they followed after the error of Balaam without restraint. Read your Bibles of the account of Balaam recorded in Numbers 22-24, and prepare to deeply study this error that tricked some people that had previously walked with God.
Don’t be confused at the “positive” account of Balaam that seems first to portray Balaam as a saint carrying out the perfect will of the LORD God. As you read the actions of Balaam, you will soon recognize him to not only oppose Israel, but also as one to seek out money rather than serve the Will of God. The continual mention of money within these accounts suggests that Balaam used “indifference” to encourage that his palms were greased with fortunes to buy his efforts toward God.
You will soon recognize that the LORD God has control over this situation, even as Balaam tries to control Him. It is this conflict that develops the error of Balaam to its full intensity, and tempts men to follow after his ways.
The seeking of riches to perform works of God that He has not directed is a common tactic of many even today as televangelists and leaders of big churches and hierarchy of religious institutions follow after the Error of Balaam.
Balak, the son of Zippor, was King of Moab. He had watched as the Israelites had conquered the Amorites. He saw that God had delivered the Amorites into the hands of Moses and God’s people, and saw King Sihon and his sons killed for possession of their land through the offensive attack of the Israelites. King Balak was scared that the Moabites would be destroyed in the same manner as the Israelites advanced into their lands. He hatched a plan to prevent this invasion and massacre by hiring a “prophet” of the LORD God that was not attached to the Israelites from Egypt.
Numbers 22:1-6
“And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.” (Numbers 22:1-6)
King Balak sent the elders of Moab and Midian to bring a reward of divination to Balaam, in exchange for his cursing of the Israelites through his God, to prevent them from overcoming the Moabites and their land. It is apparent that King Balak knew Balaam served the same God that the Israelites worshipped, and trusted that he was an important prophet to the powerful LORD God.
Numbers 22:7-8
“And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.” (Numbers 22:7)
And they were partially right! Balaam did indeed have the ear of the LORD God. The LORD God forbade him to go with the Moabite errors to curse the advancing Israelites, who were blessed by God.
“Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12)
Balaam heeded the orders of the LORD God, and sent the Moabites back with his refusal to help them.
Reward was added upon more reward, and Balak sent a new delegation of more powerful princes to pay Balaam for his services. Balaam was promised to receive a promotion of great honor, and the King promised to do his bidding, if only he would curse the Israelites and bring the wrath of God upon them. Balaam told them that:
Numbers 22:18
“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.” (Numbers 22:18)
So far, so good! Balaam was holding to his faithful stance toward the LORD God, and being a good prophet that was obeying his LORD God.
Just like he had done before, he instructed the delegation to stay the night, while he inquired of the Lord. The LORD God came to Balaam that night, and told him:
Numbers 22:20
“If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.” (Numbers 22:20)
It was the next morning that the Error of Balaam was formed, when Balaam decided to disregard the instruction of God to wait for the men to call, and then give the Words that God speaks through him.
Instead, Balaam skewed the LORD God’s instructions to benefit him, and rose up, saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab; he was not called by the princes, nor did he possess the Words that the LORD God wanted him to speak. Like many pretend faithful today, Balaam manipulated the Words of God to His advantage. Certainly the Princes had called him before, and certainly God had given him Words before, so technically speaking, Balaam apparently convinced himself that he was right with God’s instructions.
The Lord God does not like His Word or Will to be manipulated! He was very angry with Balaam and He placed the angel of the LORD to stand against him and in the way of the ass ridden by Balaam and the two servants that accompanied him.
Numbers 22:21-27
“And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.” (Numbers 22:21-27)
The ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in front of them, prohibiting their walk forward. Each time the ass bolted and refused to move past the angel of the LORD, Balaam beat him, hoping to stir him forward; he was unaware of the presence of the angel. At one point the ass thrust herself into the wall to prevent walking into the angel, causing Balaam’s foot to be crushed against the wall. It was a dramatic scene unfolding as the ass refused to move forward and Balaam continued to beat the animal into submission.
Then the LORD God did something to the ass that was so spectacular, defining and rare, that the message that He was given could not be mistaken. He made the ass speak! The ass spoke real words given to Him by the LORD God!
Numbers 22:28-30
“And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.” (Numbers 22:28-30)
Clearly, the LORD God could speak His Word through any beast or man He chose; it was certainly apparent that the ass was more obedient to Him, than the man Balaam who had risen in stature as a prophet of God. The LORD God opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in his way.
Numbers 22:31-34
“Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.” (Numbers 22:31-34)
Balaam realized with great repentance that he had sinned against the LORD God, and promised to obey Him once again. The angel of the LORD instructed him to go with the princes of Balak, but to only speak the words given to him by God to speak.
Numbers 22:35
“And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.” (Numbers 22:35)
Balaam was spiritually blind and powerless against the LORD God. He could do nothing without God’s Words and Will; yet he stupidly thought he could. Numbers 23 and 24 show him preparing enchantments to tempt the LORD God to speak the words Balaam needed to speak to please Balak. He would build seven altars and burn seven sacrificed oxen and seven sacrificed rams three times; surely this would please the LORD God enough to allow Balaam his moment of prestige and power in front of the King! Yet, each time Balaam went to curse the Israelites, words of blessing were placed in his mouth by the LORD God, and great prophesy spoken concerning the happiness, protection and strength of God’s chosen people.
Numbers 24:4-9
“He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.” (Numbers 24:4-9)
King Balak was furious! He had paid Balaam well, and given him great prestige in his kingdom, for the cursing of Israel. Yet, Balaam blessed, rather than cursed, Israel each time he opened his mouth. Balaam was frustrated beyond measure. He had done everything he could think of to trick the LORD God into cursing Israel, but God would not budge. Balak and Balaam separated company, and departed to their own places.
Although Balaam was unsuccessful in his attempts to manipulate the LORD God, he gained great success in bringing a death curse to a part of God’s people. Although he could not change God’s Words or Will, he was able to create an atmosphere of enchantment and manipulation toward false gods that would persuade many in the tribes of Israel to follow after these things that were against the LORD God. As the Israelites advanced into the Moabites lands, they began to create whoredom with the daughters of Moab. This led to the sacrifice and worship of the false gods of their land by many disobedient Israelites, and resulted in the LORD God anger and order to slay all who submitted to these wicked ways.
Numbers 25:1-5
“And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.” (Numbers 25:1-5)
The wickedness that Balaam brought upon the Israelites and the resulting turning of many toward false gods was noted by Moses as he ordered all the Moabite women to be killed.
Numbers 31:16
“Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD God in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.” (Numbers 31:16)
It was that realization by Moses, and by those who hear this account today, that exposes the heart of Balaam completely, and defines his actions against the LORD God perfectly. Here was a man that had elevated position and was able to speak to the LORD God, receive His Words, and speak them to other people. Yet, he was not satisfied. He desired the fortune and the prestige that the world could offer, and he sought after it continuously. He attempted to elevate himself above the LORD God, by attempting to trick and manipulate Him into doing Balak’s bidding through Balaam’s request.
When Balaam could not manipulate the LORD God, he went against Him, by counseling the women of Moab to entice the men of Israel to come to them with sexual enchantments. Balaam knew, as surely as the demons know today, that sexual lust is the perfect condition for enchantments to lead those of God astray. It was very successfully implemented, and as a result, many of the perverse Israelite men walked toward false gods because of the pleasure and reward they could receive.
That is the Error of Balaam. He thought he could control the LORD God through enchantment and manipulation. He desired riches, power, and prestige more than he cared about his obedient relationship with the LORD God. As a result, many of God’s people “ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward,” which became the second of three errors that developed to separate the people of God from Him, and part of the prophesy focus that Enoch spoke. (Jude 1:14)
The Faith of Enoch is captured perfectly in His prophecy against those who walked in the Way of Cain, ran after the Error of Balaam, and perished in the Gainsaying of Core. (Jude 1:11)
To understand the nature of most mankind during the time of Enoch to provoke prophesies spoken by him, we will study each error of mankind separately.
The Way of Cain was revealed in his arrogant offering to the LORD God on that fateful day, when he demanded God to worship him and his efforts. When the LORD God refused, and gave a blessing to the offering of his brother Abel, Cain murdered Abel.
Genesis 4:8 “And 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 slew him.” (Genesis 4:8)
This begin the disintegration of mankind, as the offspring of Cain and the generations to come intermingled together, and developed the Way of Cain even further.
Have you ever heard of the philosophy where a butterfly’s wings in the jungles of South America have the potential of creating a hurricane across the oceans, depending upon the conditions in nature at the time of flight? The “Way of Cain” reflects this philosophy perfectly. One man gone terribly wrong because of his self-focused efforts to glorify his own works from the cursed ground, coupled with the sinful de-evolution of mankind, resulted in very wicked generations coming forth from his emulating his ways.
The nature of the wicked generations that evolved from this error in the Way of Cain is described dramatically in Jude 1:6:
Jude 1:4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:4)
The Way of Cain condemned one man and removed him from the presence of the LORD God. Cain’s way evolved into a total denial of the LORD God and Lord Jesus Christ, which became the profane error of the wicked mankind that followed after him.
Cain was cursed from the earth after he murdered his brother Abel.
Genesis 4:9-13 “And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.” (Gen 4:9-13)
This condemnation was ordained upon those whom followed his ways, which in turn, which eventually crept into the spiritual lives of the Faithful followers of Jesus Christ. That is how powerful the Error of Cain became! It extended through generation after generation, finally reaching the point to cause the denial of both God and Christ!
The “Way of Cain” produced “ungodly men.” The Greek Word used to describe this type of men is “asebes.” “Asebes” is the destitute lack of reverential awe towards the LORD God. Those who are ungodly, condemn God, and are impious. “Impious” means a total lack of respect toward the LORD God.
Remember your study of the Faith of Abel? Abel offered the choicest life created by the LORD God, back to its maker. It was the only gift worthy to be given by the LORD God; man was unable to create anything greater to God, and Abel knew it would be disrespectful for him to even try.
Cain, on the other hand, lacked reverential awe towards the LORD God. He created fruits from his own labors and demanded the LORD God to accept them. This lack of respect toward the LORD God is termed “ungodly”, and perfectly represented by the Greek word “asebes.” And guess what this disrespect of God led to! Scripture says that it turned the grace of our LORD God into lasciviousness!”
Lasciviousness means lustfulness, lewdness and lechery! The Greek word for this is “aselegia,” and identifies the absolute outrageous and shameless insolence that those who follow the Way of Cain hold toward the LORD God. The grace given to Cain by the LORD God was changed in the most wicked way, when he decided to elevate himself above God. Today, we see the result of that lewdness in the behaviors of the carnal, wicked people in the world. Our televisions, games, speech, politics and religions often reflect that lewd and lustful behavior that first developed as a direct result of the Way of Cain!
This lewdness eventually led to the denial of the LORD God and the Lord Jesus Christ. It was that problem that first began with the Way of Cain, and it was one of three problems that caused wickedness to run rampant during the time of Enoch’s prophesy.
Jude 1:14-15 “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (Jude 1:14-15)
We will study the other two problems next, that together caused most of mankind to become ungodly complainers that walked about shooting their mouths off against the LORD God and His people, and brought the promise of judgment to come to bear against them.
The Ways of Cain started the process, but the Error of Balaam, and the Gainsaying of Core added to the problem to create a horrible and wicked mess.
Jude 1:11-16 “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.” (Jude 1:11-16)
Hebrews 11:5,6 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:5-6)
Before we can understand the “Faith of Enoch” we must first meet the man. The Word of God speaks just a few words about him; however, there are many words spoken about his generation. It is that journey to discover the conditions and responses during his time that will lead us to a deeper place of understanding of Enoch’s faith.
We do know who the man is exactly through an examination of three Scriptures. Hebrews 11:5-6 identifies him as the one that had testimony before his “translation”. Genesis 5:21-24 identifies him as the father of Methuselah that was taken by God and in Jude 1:14 he is identified as seventh from Adam. Putting this evidence together in the genealogy table we can pinpoint his generation specifically.
The son of Cain is often mistaken by many to be the same Enoch based upon Genesis 4:17:
Genesis 4:17 “And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.” (Genesis 4:17 AV)
The Enoch of our study is NOT the direct descendent of Cain, named Enoch, who had a city named after him.
There are five Enoch’s mentioned in the Word of God…
1. Eldest son of Cain 2. Son of Jared and father of Methuselah whom God took home to Heaven without dying 3. The city which Cain built and named after his son Enoch 4. A son of Midian, the third child 5. The eldest son of Reuben
Take care in your study that you are studying the correct Enoch in correlation with Hebrews 11:5, 6! (See Adam to Abraham Genealogies for a concise list of generations that identifies Enoch perfectly)
Enoch of Hebrews 11:5, 6
Genesis 5:21-24 “And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:21-24)
1. Enoch was sixty-five years old when he begat Methuselah. 2. He walked with God after he begat Methuselah for three hundred years 3. He begat other sons and daughters during this time 4. Enoch lived three hundred and sixty five years 5. Enoch was taken up by God instantly because he walked with him.
He did not die! He was translated because of his faith in the LORD God. He could not be found upon this earth after he was translated, because God had taken him up to Heaven.
Hebrews 11:5,6 “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:5, 6)
6. The LORD God chose to translate Enoch because of his testimony.
7. His testimony pleased the LORD God. 8. Enoch’s testimony was a reflection of his faith, because it pleased the LORD God. 9. It is impossible to please the LORD God without faith. 10. The Faith of Enoch was confident that the LORD God was who He is. 11. The Faith of Enoch knew that the LORD God would reward those who diligently sought Him.
The faith of Enoch was given to him in a time when many were going the “Way of Cain.” We studied the error of the way Cain thought about the LORD God in our last study. In our study of The Faith of Enoch, we’re going to learn how that error was introduced into the common way of thinking in the generations to come, and the results that this error led to.
We are going to study the environment that enveloped the world that Enoch lived in. We will be talking about the “Way of Cain”, and the “Error of Balaam” and the “Gainsaying of Core.” We cannot know the Faith of Enoch, without knowing the Errors of the World, for it was within this sin that the faith of Enoch shined forth to the LORD God!
We’re going to delve into some deep and descriptive characteristics of the people that lived during this time and connect these same errors in thinking to the carnal generations that live today. Some of these colorful descriptions of wrong thinking are “spots in your feasts of charity”, “feeding themselves without fear”, “clouds without water”, “carried by the winds” and “trees without fruit” to list just a few.
We will learn the things that Enoch did during this time to express his faith fully to the sinful people, and the prophesy he spoke to them. We will take a look at the translation of his live body into Heaven and discuss the things of death that the rest of the culture was experiencing at that time.
The Faith of Enoch will be applied to your own spiritual confidence in the LORD God. We will make a connection between the things of this world of error that try to remove the “Faith of Enoch” from us, and identify the pitfalls that the demons lay to prevent us from knowing these Truths of God.
Finally, we will study the deep typology of “translation” and connect it to the resurrection of baptized Christians into Heaven upon their physical death. It promises to be an enlightening and deep journey into the spiritual things of God, as we look to the Faith of Enoch to speak of the special mysteries of the LORD God that only His people understand completely!
