The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1991 Hebrews kc 23-1

Do you desire to be part of that valiant family of God's servants Paul spoke of in Hebrews chapter 11?

Are you sure... after seeing all the temptations and trials and tribulations they endured?

One could easily say that many of them went through some pretty "rough times"!

Yet it was through their faith in Him that they "took a stand"
and overcame great obstacles and seemingly insurmountable odds
and emerged as victorious champions of our people who had "quenched the violence of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight,
and turned to flight the armies of the aliens".

It was also by their faith in Him and in looking forward to the "recompense of the reward",
the fulfillment of His promises, and to that glorious city which has foundations
whose builder and maker is God, that they "endured" many things among some of which were cruel mockings
and scourgings and being sawn asunder. They were also tempted, some were "slain with the sword:
they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, and tormented." (Hebrews 11:34-37)

These were truly men and women of faith whose courage came not from their own strength,
but from their trust in God, from their belief and faith that He "is" (Heb. 11:6)
and that He is always faithful to His promises because His Word is the most sure thing in the universe.

So if you do wish to gather with that "great cloud (assembly) of witnesses"
when Yeshua Messiah returns to this earth at the sound of the 7th Trump (1 Thes. 4:17)
and ushers in His Kingdom, then take heed to the words of wisdom
our Father has given us in this 12th chapter of Hebrews through His faithful servant Paul.

Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Just before he gave us that inspiring "faith" chapter packed with excerpts
from the many testimonials of God's faithful servants down through the ages,
Paul was discussing "patient endurance" and how that God's servants,
men and women of faith, do NOT draw back from the Word of God
and follow the "easier softer way" to avoid taking a stand!

No, they "hold fast" to His Word and do those things which He commands them to do,
regardless of the obstacles or adversaries which stand in their way.

You "see", one man and God form a majority
and so His servants know they already have the victory in Christ and that a crown awaits them at His return!

Let us therefore go back and briefly review where Paul left off at the end of chapter 10
before he paused to give us all those "ensamples" of faith in chapter 11.

Remember that he was teaching us that we need to have patience which is the endurance to go the distance.

This will help us place Heb. 12:1 in the proper context from which it flows.

Hebrews 10:36-39
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Take the time to learn the Greek words for "patience" and "endurance":
patience = hupomone, hoop-om-on-ay', Greek 5281; from Greek 5278 (hupomeno); cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy :- enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
Hupomone comes from the word hupomeno which defies the entire concept of the any-moment-you'll-fly-away rapture "theory" which teaches people to make sure they are not "Left Behind". Of course Satan just loves that bogus concept because since he (and his angels) will be the first supernatural entities to come from heaven to this earth (Rev. 12:7-9), the rapture theory prepares people to accept him as Jesus Christ, though he will be the false messiah. Thus, those who are awaiting an any-moment "rapture" shall be the first ones taken in the field and seduced by the same old serpent from the garden! Here is the definition of "endurance":
endurance = hupomeno, hoop-om-en'-o, Greek 5278; from Greek 5259 (hupo) and Greek 3306 (meno); to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figurative to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere :- abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.
We as Christians have a choice (thank God) to believe men's fables and traditions
or to have faith and believe in Jesus Christ, the Word of God.

Now Paul just told us that we are going to "need" patience to do God's will in this final generation
and that after we have done so, i.e. after we have finished the work, we will receive the promise!

Do you believe him?

How about Jesus Christ?

Would you believe Him if He told you that you must "stay behind" (be "Left Behind"
while the first woman in the field is taken and spiritually seduced),
in that you must "have fortitude" and "persevere" and "patiently suffer" TO THE END,
i.e. until Christ returns at the sound of the last (7th) trump,
which is AFTER the son of perdition has come at the sound of the 6th trump
and reigned on this earth as "instead-of-Jesus" (see 2 Thes. 2:1-12)?

Here are Christ's words to those of this final generation of the fig tree:

Matthew 24:13
Buthe that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Luke 21:19
In your patience possess ye your souls.

Mark 13:13
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: buthe that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The Greek word for both "endure" and "patience" in the above verses is "hupomeno".

And if you take the time to read the verses surrounding those listed above,
you will discover it is very much like reading Hebrews 11:34-37!

Mark 13:9
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Hebrews 11:36
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment

Then too, some of you Smyrphs, those of the churches of Smyrna (Rev. 2:9) and Philadelphia (Rev. :9) who know who the kenites are, :should also compare Rev. 2:10.

The question is: "Are you in the "race" (Heb. 12:1) to go the distance and go for the 'gold',
the gold crown that is?"

If so, just know that it is going to take "faith and endurance" to the end
but the reward of recompense far exceeds anything material in this world!

Therefore, knowing that He is faithful and shall never leave nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5)
but rather shall be with you unto the end (Mat. 28:20), there is NOTHING and NO ONE to fear.

Besides, you've read all the testimonies of the patriarchs and elders to confirm that fact, have you not?

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

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