Heb 11:1-3, Part 1 – “Through Faith We Understand that the Worlds were Framed by the Word of God”

[Study Aired February 11, 2021]

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 
Heb 11:2  For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

The purpose for faith which is a gift from God (Eph 2:8) is explained for us in this eleventh chapter of Hebrews where many were granted this supernatural gift of faith, which “is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

As we go through the myriad of examples in the old covenant of those who were granted faith, these stories will only benefit us if we understand that these “good report[s] through faith” were all documented for the elect’s sake (2Co 4:15), for those who have been called to receive the promise of eternal life (Heb 11:39). What all others received or obtained was “a good report through faith, [but] received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Heb 11:39  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

It takes God’s gift of faith for us to understand and believe “that they without us” who “should not be made perfect” were living these events of their lives for us (1Pe 1:12, 1Co 10:11), revealing how “the worlds were framed by the word of God”, through these typical events that would be experienced inwardly by God’s elect who have been given eyes to see and ears to hear (Mat 13:16-17) being “made perfect” by God’s holy spirit which cleanses our heavens inwardly (Rom 8:9, Heb 9:23-24).

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true [Heb 11:1-40]; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us [The better sacrifices are being accomplished through Christ in us, our hope of glory, in the presence of God (Col 1:27, Eph 2:6)].

This process of being “made perfect” is revealed through these type and shadow events found throughout God’s word (1Pe 1:12, 1Co 10:11) that God orchestrated or framed for our sakes in every part of His creation, both physically and spiritually (Rom 1:20), so that God’s elect would understand today, in this dispensation of grace (Eph 3:2-4, Col 1:27).  This process shows how “things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”, and how this applies to the new creation we have become within, that is being formed or fashioned or framed, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Eph 3:2  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:3  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4  Whereby, when ye read [Heb 11:1-40], ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

God rewards or gives to those who diligently seek him.  That seeking or searching is not possible without the faith God grants us to be able to do so (Heb 11:6). Speaking of the prophets of old, God tells us “of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you” (2Co 5:17, Eph 2:8-10, 1Pe 1:10).

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [All those old covenant stories now have a new inward meaning to those who have been given eyes to see and ears to hear the message.]

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus [Col 1:24] unto good works [Jas 2:14-26], which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The type and shadow event found in James 2:20-22 explains how Christ, who is typified by Abraham, gives us the power to offer up our life, typified by Isaac (Rom 9:7-8), on the altar which is the cross. The cross is the means by which Christ is made known among the gentiles within me and outwardly (Gal 2:20, Col 1:27). This same parable can be seen as Abraham representing God the Father and Christ being represented by Isaac!

Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Now we get into the ‘nitty gritty’ of this subject of faith, learning in James 2:14-26 that faith is not the ‘be all to end all’ condition that God is working with to perfect us, otherwise faith would have been enough in the old covenant where people lived and moved and had their being in Christ, “of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you” (Act 17:28, Eph 1:11).

It takes that faith to overcome the world (1Jn 5:4) accompanied with God’s love within us that is matured through grace (Heb 12:6-7) in order for us to not only be living and moving and having our being in Christ, but to also have a life that is being led of the spirit of God (Rom 8:14-16). God’s purpose for the elect is learned in this age as a result of the obedience which His grace teaches us (Rom 8:28, Tit 2:11-12).

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things [2Co 5:17] work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Faith must be accompanied with works of love (Gal 5:6, Rom 5:5, 1Co 13:1-3), otherwise that faith is considered dead faith to God (Jas 2:17). It is ‘dead’ in the sense that it does not produce acts of kindness or service (Joh 13:35) from a converted heart which is obedient to the commands of God (Joh 14:15), which declare that we are to lay down our lives for one another (Joh 13:35, Joh 15:13, Rom 8:14-16). These three abide (1Co 13:12-13) to reveal a process that works together to complete or bring us unto spiritual perfection; three representing “the process of spiritual completion”.

Gal 5:6  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

1Co 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

It took great faith for David to slay Goliath, and therefore should we go out and kill all our enemies? Of course not. We love our enemies as we are commanded and compelled to do through Christ (Mat 5:43-48).  David’s type and shadow example was written for those who would come to see the greatest enemy we have is within us and that those giants in our land cannot be destroyed unless the Lord abides within us (1Sa 17:45-46) as our hope of glory (2Sa 12:7, Col 1:27, 2Sa 12:10).

Mat 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect [1Co 13:13].

It takes this greatest gift of God, His love shed abroad in our hearts working with the faith of Christ, to bring us beyond the verses of Hebrews 6:1-2), which are “when I was a child” and “spake as a child” and “understood as a child” and “thought as a child. However, “when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1Co 13:9-11) by His love, meaning God permitted this by causing us to go beyond this doctrine of dead faith that was not accompanied with His love. That love waxes cold unless the Lord delivers us by permitting that increase in our heavens (Heb 6:1, 1Co 3:6).

Heb 6:1  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,
Heb 6:2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Heb 6:1  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 [Jas 2:17-20, Tit 3:14],

Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18  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.
Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Tit 3:14  And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Tit 3:15  All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Through faith, now we can ask our Father to help us see, help us in our unbelief (Mar 9:23-25) so that we can truly see how it is “through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

Mar 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mar 9:24  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mar 9:25  When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

As we will see in the coming studies on this subject of faith,  there are many examples of “the substance of things hoped for” and people being convinced in their hearts so much so that they could say that “the substance of things hoped for” was such a great hope welling up in them that it could be considered “the evidence of things not seen“. We use the expression “the proof is in the (physical) pudding”. In this case the pudding is “the substance of things hoped for“.

G1650 elegchos el’-eng-khos
From G1651; proof, conviction: – evidence, reproof.

If there is one common thread that we can see in every example given to us in this chapter of Hebrews 11, it is the unwavering presence of faith that made it possible for all of these people to have “died in faith”. In order to keep “seeking a country”, God provided the  gift of faith they needed in order to remain convinced or persuaded that there was more to life than just this life, and what that faith accomplished was this: “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.” (Heb 11:13).

If we don’t have the gift of faith (1Jn 5:4, Eph 2:8, Rom 3:27), we won’t die daily in faith as was typified by those whose hope was so strong that it was said they, “Were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” That was their outward version of overcoming the world, and it was all done for our sakes (2Co 4:15) so we could be reassured that we can overcome the world of sin within us through Jesus Christ, our hope of glory (1Jn 2:16, Col 1:27, Rom 5:10).

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Rom 3:27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Col 1:27).

There is no doubt that these were very special people in God’s plan who were living out these lives of faith for our sakes, “not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off“, and yet “were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” who were ready to give everything up for this steadfast hope God had given them.

This should all sound familiar to those who have the earnest of that inheritance within them (Eph 1:14, Rom 8:9) and are presently seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness, which is within us (Mat 6:33, Luk 17:21). God’s holy spirit is being given to very few in this age.  This little flock, or remnant as we’re referred to (Mat 22:14, Luk 12:32, Rom 11:5), was being typified by these few “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” who did not have the righteousness of Christ within them, which is the only way that we can inherit eternal life (Rom 8:9) as opposed to just looking “for a city which hath foundations (Eph 1:4, Rev 14:1, Mat 16:18), whose builder and maker is God”. The “prophets and kings” of old were compelled by God’s holy spirit to do what is written in this verse (Heb 11:13) for our sakes (2Co 4:15), but did not have the mind of Christ as God’s elect do and therefore could not “see those things which ye see” (Luk 10:22-24, 1Co 2:16). God has blessed us to be the foundation of His government for which the “prophets and kings” of old were looking.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Rev 14:1  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Heb 11:13  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.

Heb 11:2  For by it the elders obtained a good report.

The good report they obtained was simply being able to say throughout their life that they were looking “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” and that they could see the promises “afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”  The “good report” was the plainly stated declaration that “they seek a country” whose builder and maker is God (Heb 11:9-10), not that they had found a country and had the kingdom of God dwelling within them as Christ confessed of himself (Luk 17:20-21).

Heb 11:9  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

New Jerusalem is that city the ancients were seeking, and that city for us today is “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” God is the builder who is establishing us through Christ as He lays a foundation of works in our lives, preparing us to be that bride who will receive humanity into this new country which is “the joy of thy lord” (Heb 10:5, Rev 19:7, Rev 21:2, Mat 25:23).

Heb 10:5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 

The natural precedes the spiritual (1Co 15:46) and in doing so God gives us something physical so we can compare spiritual with spiritual, in order to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (1Co 2:13, 2Pe 3:18). Even with all the proof in creation that explains how “his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” works via the relationship of a husband and wife (God the Father is the head of Christ – Christ is the head of the man – and the man is the head of the woman – Rom 1:20), we are in fact still with excuse when there is a veil over our eyes that has to be lifted by God who drags us to Christ (Joh 6:44) so that veil of blindness can be torn away through Him giving us eyes to see the order in the body of Christ, which hierarchy is typified by how “the worlds were framed by the word of God” and are being framed within us today (2Co 3:14, 1Ti 1:13, Joh 6:44, Mat 16:18).

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

2Co 3:14  But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

God created “the word of God” (Joh 1:1-3, Rev 3:14) by whom all things were physically created and sustained (Col 1:16), so that at an appointed time Christ would come into the world of man to begin the new creation (Eph 1:10-11, 2Co 5:17) within us that was all typified by those physical things He created and sustained. Now “he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” It will only be “through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear“. We are with excuse until our eyes and ears are blessed to be open by God and learn how he does all things decently and in order both physically and spiritually (Mat 13:16, 1Co 14:40, 1Co 15:23).

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Psa 139:14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfullyH6395 made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

H6395 pâlâh paw-law’   A primitive root; to distinguish (literally or figuratively): – put a difference, show marvellous, separate, set apart, sever, make wonderfully.

Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

1Co 14:40  Let all things be done decently and in order.

1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

How blessed we are to have eyes that see and ears that hear God’s great plan, and to understand that it is “through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”.

Next week, Lord willing, we will start to look at some of those type-and-shadow events of faith that typify the workmanship taking place within God’s children today (Eph 2:10). We indeed need patience and faith “unto the coming of the Lord”, and so we ask of our Father for that very same faith Christ prayed that Peter would receive (Luk 22:32, 1Jn 5:4) in order to overcome the world within him, reflecting the mind of Christ and our Father who “hath long patience for it [salvation], until he receive the early and latter rain” (Jas 5:7).

As we near the end of this age, evil men will wax worse and worse (2Ti 3:12-13, 2Ti 3:1-5), and our trials will increase in order to purify our faith and deepen our patience as we become as our Father who is perfect, loving our enemies and being blessed to endure until the end doing so (Mat 5:45-48). This perfection God is forming within His kind of first fruits is the first step in bringing in the rest of His creation through that fitly framed body of Christ who will be used by God to bring in the ‘all in all’ through Jesus Christ our head (1Co 15:28).

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.