October 2000

[Part Eight]

Faith establishes our Foundation of Peace (lit. Jerusalem) whereby our walk with God is sure-footed and safe. There are many treacheries (Dict. “Violations of faith”) all around the world which make the discernment of God’s sons a key issue! Jesus said many would cry “Lord, lord”, but He would have to say to them, “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity, I never knew you!’ (Lk 13:27) For this reason, the Lord cautions all true believers, “Hold fast your profession of faith- without wavering; for He Who has promised you is Faithful (lit. utterly full of faith)”! (Gal 5:1)
                But Faith is only the start of our spiritual walk which leads to a second door called Hope! All who pass through the Portals of Hope do receive a more enlightened vision of God’s Promises! Hope brings the “Image and Likeness of God”into sharper focus in their hearts! Like Faith, Hope is not simply an abstract attribute of God, but is part of His very Being!! Hope has the happy job of keeping the Eternal Torch of Truth well-lit in the Holy Place of believer’s hearts! Hear these words about Hope.

“The Lord shall roar out of Zion and utter His Voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the LORD will be the HOPE OF HIS PEOPLE and the Strength of the children of Israel!” (Joel 3:16)

“All creation (including its creatures) were subjected to vanity (futility, frailty,and frustration) not willingly; but by reason of Him Who so subjected them IN HOPE...for we are all SAVED BY HOPE!!” (Ro 8:20, 24)

“The Grace of God has come to bring deliverance and salvation to ALL men; and toteach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; and how to live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present world; and to seek that BLESSED HOPE that comes in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ Who gave Himself to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify to Himself as a peculiar people zealous of His Good Works!” (Tit 2:11-14)

Paul says, “THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR HOPE!!” (1 Tim 1:1)

“Here is the Mystery God has kept hidden from ages and generations,but is now revealing to His saints...declaring the Riches of the Glory ...which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY!!” (Col 1:27)

“In His abundant willingness to prove to His Heirs of Promise the unchangeablenessof His Purpose, God confirmed His Promise with a sacred oath so that by these two unchangeable things (His Promise and Oath) in which it is impossible for Him to lie, we who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the HOPE SET BEFORE US, may have a strong consolation! For this HOPE IS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL! It is both sure and steadfast that HOPE ENTERS WITHIN THE VEIL!” (Heb 6:17-19)

                This “veil” is the entrance to the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle in the wilderness! Only a High Priest has access to that special place, so, HOPE IS OUR HIGH PRIEST! Heb 2:9-18 proclaims “JESUS CHRIST is our HIGH PRIEST”; so now we know that JESUS CHRIST IS MAN’S ONLY HOPE!!

[TO BE CONTINUED]