A Study of Hebrews part eleven

Before we get started, please read my previous article; Anther articles about Jesus's divinity, and please, check out my latest on Locals; Super Mario Galaxy movie: Review

“Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. For by this the ancients obtained a better testimony. By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God; that from invisible things visible things might be made. By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts; and by he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Henoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God. For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him. By faith, Noe having received an answer convering those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world; and was instituted heir of the justice, which is by faith. By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go into a place which he was to receive for an ineritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he abode in the lade, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. Or he that looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God. By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that he was faithful who had promised. For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead), as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. All these died according to faith, not having received the promises, but beholding them, and confessing that they are pilgrims, and strangers on the earth. For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country. And truly if they been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return. But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son; (to whom it was said: in Isaac shall thy seed be called.) Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead, Whereupon also he received him for a parable. By also, of things to come Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. By faith, Jacob dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod. By faith Joseph, when he was drying, made mention of the going out of the children of Israel; and he gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid by three months by his parents; because they say he was a comely babe, and they feared not the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the son of Pharao's daughter; Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God, than to have the pleasure of sin for a time, Esteeming the reproach of Christ greather riches than the treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing that the fierceness of the king: for he endure as seeing him that is invisible. By faith he celebrated the pasch, and the shedding of the blood; that he who destroyed the firstborn, might not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land: which the Egyptians, attempting, were swallowed up. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, by going round them seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace. And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jepth, David, Samuel, and the prophets: Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenches the violence of fire, escaped the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant to batthle, put to flight the armies of foreigners: Women received their dead and raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection. And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons. They were stones, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted; Of whom the world was not worth; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth. And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise; God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected without us” (Hebrew 11:1-40)
Okay y'all, so, I know that's a lot. I'm hoping somehow my article didn't cut something off, because somehow there are less words (and yes, less is grammatically correct, “fewer” is native hyper-correction), but, I want to start here, “By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God; that from invisible things visible things might be made”. Remember, the world was created when God said it was created (Genesis 1:1), I also want touch on the very first verse in this chapter, “Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. For by this the ancients obtained a better testimony”. So, why? Faith is not simply passive acceptance that God exists, that would make the verse that says the following “ For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him”. Seeking God isn't just intellectual assent. It's doing what God tells you. You must be willing to DIE to serve God. Are you? Consider the following (especially since it's a reference to a Deuterocanonical book), “Women received their dead and raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection.”. The reference is from 2 Maccabees 6:7. Are you willing to die, just to see something better? THAT is what it means to live by faith.

*All verses are from the Douay Rheims

Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, news, and whatever community, if you'd like to help him out, go here.