Progression of Faith

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

Humans are born, grow old and die, and new humans are born, in the life–cycles of our race. Each new generation brings fresh opportunities to hear and believe the gospel, learn the Word of God and grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some historical periods have brought extremely long life spans, and others have been comparatively short, but God is the same throughout all, and His policy of grace never changes.

In every generation, God has had a people who identified with Him, believed and depended upon Him for their sustenance; who knew their security was entirely based on His perfect provision. Even in times of great calamity on His people, He has maintained a remnant for His Name. He knows who they are. They know Whose they are. They continue to trust in His Word, no matter what circumstances come their way. Since very early in the life of Earth, mankind has had some oral or written record of God’s plan and purpose for His people. As time continues, the record grows. We trust God because of what we know about God. He keeps His promises.

Each generation of believers, having known and trusted God, and having obeyed as best they could His instruction, has died. Each generation of believers has known about a land of promise, bringing great bountiful blessings, eternal life, peace and prosperity to God’s people. Each generation has seen many great blessings in time, but all have known that these temporal joys are not the promise. The promise is still future. The promise has not changed. The One who promised has not changed.

Each believer in Jesus Christ has come out of his native country (the devil's world), following God’s calling to the land of promise. IN CHRIST, we are secure on this journey and we know it, and whatever hardships or misunderstandings or enemies we encounter along the way do not discourage us from our anticipated destination. If we did not want to go, we would have been allowed to return to the satanic squalor from which we came. The truth is, nobody really wants to go back there. That's not home anymore. We have been changed. We are new species. Aliens in a foreign land, travelling toward that heavenly country that awaits our arrival.

Those who looked forward to the coming of Messiah to redeem mankind were saved by their belief that He was real and He would atone for the sins of the world. We who look back to the death, burial and resurrection of Messiah are saved by that same knowledge. God is not limited by time as we humans are. The atonement was an accomplished fact in the mind of God when he gave our first parents those animal skins for covering. It is now a historical fact for us in the Church age. Same event. Same salvation. Same faith.

They knew He would come in glory to claim His own and renew the earth one day. We know that, too. Now they and we are awaiting that glorious day. It is an accomplished fact in the mind of God.

God has promised. God will bring it to pass.